Known for her elegant, effortless style, Aerin Lauder is a designer, tastemaker and mother of two. As the granddaughter of beauty titan Estée Lauder, she experienced a unique upbringing, learning from her grandmother how to refine her own aesthetic and run a successful business.
In 2012, she launched her eponymous luxury lifestyle brand Aerin, which now encompasses beauty, furniture, tableware and fashion. In 2013, she designed a collection of chandeliers and lamps for lighting company Visual Comfort, all of which reflect her modern, feminine design ethos. Lauder is also involved in the family business, serving as style and design director for Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv.
My all-time favourite piece of music is ‘Edelweiss’ from The Sound of Music.
What's everyone reading?
The book that influenced me the most is Estée: A Success Story by my grandmother. She was an incredible mentor who taught me the value of passion, hard work and authenticity. My regret is not having the chance to sit in a meeting with Estée. I loved learning more about her life in this book.
I’m reading Little Women, again. No matter how many times I finish it, I enjoy the recurring themes of family and female empowerment. I have an appreciation for classic literature and American heritage.
The films I always come back to are High Society and Roman Holiday. I love their representation of the 1950s and the iconic fashion. I refer to old movies for inspiration.
The greatest television show of all time is The Brady Bunch because of the way it depicts family with love and humour.
I spend far too much time on Instagram. I’m not a great sleeper, so I’m usually scrolling in the middle of the night. I love using it to discover people, brands, destinations and partners for projects. It is also a way for me to connect with customers around the world and establish a dialogue with those who I may not have a chance to meet in person.
My favourite gallery is Neue Galerie – a jewel box of 20th century architecture in New York that celebrates Austrian and German art and design. It was co-founded by my father and houses my favourite Klimt painting: The Woman in Gold. Café Sabarsky inside feels like a little oasis with beautiful Viennese coffee and pastries.
The best exhibition I’ve ever seen was Brâncuși at the Pompidou in Paris.
My favourite building is my family’s beach pavilion. It is right in the dunes by our home in Long Island and has the most incredible views. It is a magical indoor-outdoor space that really embraces its landscape. It is almost all windows and feels like you are nestled into the beach. I love sitting on the roof and watching the sunset.
The best hotel in the world is Hotel Cipriani in Venice – it has the most luxurious and welcoming feel. There is nothing like the beautiful decor and attention to detail. It is comfortable, relaxing and reflects the best of Italian history, culture and design.
My grandmother said: ‘Everything can be beautiful if you take the time.’ This is the premise behind my brand, reflected in my approach to beauty, lifestyle, design and work. Just like Estée, I believe that taking the time to appreciate and enhance everyday moments can make them feel more special.
