Millie Mackintosh found her way onto our radars via reality show Made In Chelsea, but it would be a huge mistake to underestimate this fashion industry force, and her sharp eye for detail, business and life structure.
Juggling parenting with her husband Hugo Taylor, 36, with whom she shares daughters Sienna, who turns three in May, and Aurelia, 16 months, gives Millie an unwavering focus when it comes to business, and an energy that’s infectious to be around.
Speaking exclusively to OK! at the launch of her new fashion venture with luxury swim and resort wear brand Paolita, Millie, 33, shares the realities of her life post-pandemic, her advice for moving through challenging times, and why she’s now taking the time to really focus on her health.
You’re looking really well, Millie. Can you tell us about your recent lifestyle shifts?
Thank you. I’m seven months into no alcohol and I’m really focusing on my gut health. After having the kids, I kept getting sick. I’d get taken down by something, recover for about a week, and then get taken down by something else. I was so tired of constantly being ill, so I’ve been seeing an amazing naturopath, and she did some tests and it turns out I’ve got leaky gut syndrome, which affects your immunity. I’ve been focusing on my health and eating in a certain way to try to heal my gut. There’s lots I want to share about this, so I’m putting it all in a podcast episode that’s coming out soon. I love the podcast because it’s a really safe space to have these kinds of conversations, and I can go into so much detail.
Your social media channels and podcast (Mumlemmas & More) are always full of helpful tips on styling and keeping healthy. What would you say to someone who wasn’t feeling very confident about themselves and their looks as we move into the summer months?
It’s something all of us suffer from. As women, we have this conversation with ourselves every day. It’s important that we celebrate our bodies for what they are and how they serve us – that’s the most important thing. And to have fun! In terms of how you dress, go with what you’re drawn to and what sparks joy. In this collection with Paolita, we’ve included lots of different shapes so people can express themselves and feel comfortable, because that’s fundamental. The one-piece swimsuit in this collection does something really amazing on the body, so it was the first swimsuit I wore not long after having my second baby. I was going on a hen do abroad and I wasn’t feeling 100% with my body, but I felt so good in that one piece. If you want to be a bit more modest, throw on a kimono or a maxi skirt – there are different ways you can wear everything. I’ve always loved high-waisted bikinis because I still feel sexy in them, but they’re also helpful after a big lunch!
Post-pandemic, people seem to be lacking confidence with how to express themselves. What advice would you give to someone feeling that way?
I definitely felt a loss of identity after having kids. The best advice I can give is don’t feel the pressure to be led by trends, because they won’t last. Go for pieces you feel like you’re going to wear again and again. There aren’t any rules you need to stick to. For me personally, colour is like therapy. It’s fun, it makes me feel good and I love the transformative power of clothes. I think we all felt that during lockdown – we just wanted to be comfy, but when we made the effort to put on something that made us feel good, it completely changed how we felt.
Do you teach your daughters to express themselves with their fashion choices?
Totally. I honestly don’t pressure Sienna to wear any of the clothes she wears – I let her choose. She is obsessed with colour, with floral dresses, pink dresses, sparkle dresses or her Elsa from Frozen dress. She doesn’t understand why I’d ever wear jeans like I am today! She’ll say, ‘Mummy, why aren’t you wearing a dress like me?’ Aurelia is a bit younger, but she’ll still pick things up and bring them to me, indicating that she wants to wear it. She loves the textures of fabrics and the way it moves. She’ll start dancing when she likes something she’s wearing. I just want my girls to be happy in what they wear. Our biggest battle at the moment is just to get Sienna to wear anything but her dressiest dress to go and get muddy in the playground. It’s hard to get her to leave the house not dressed like a princess!
You’ve been very candid about your mental health struggles in the past. How do you pick yourself up these days if you’re feeling low?
If I’ve ever felt in a mental funk and let my self-care slide, I always remind myself of the transformative power of getting up that bit earlier to just wash and do my hair nicely, maybe put on a bit of fake tan. It makes me feel so much better. It’s the little things that can make the biggest difference – and it’s
so important to always remain grateful.
We’re living through difficult times. How else do you think people could adapt to be more resourceful?
Wardrobe cleanses that involve sharing pieces with friends. I did a cleanse recently – I gave bits to charity. I let friends raid my wardrobe if they have a wedding or a holiday – it makes me happy. I rent clothes a lot too, and keep rotating. Buy less, wear more. These pieces I’ve made with Paolita are designed to be kept and treasured forever, so you don’t have to keep buying new pieces all the time. People have to stop throwing their clothes away! Find something you love and will wear again and again.
Can you tell us a bit more about how this collaboration with Paolita started?
I just love summer so much – everyone knows I love a holiday. I met Anna Paola (Paolita’s founder) in her first store in Marble Arch, and I fell in love with her work. I got one of her amazing high-waisted bikinis because I was going to Florida, Antigua and Key West. Anna and I have really good creative chemistry, so we started organically having conversations about creating something together. I have a lot of experience doing collaborations, but also of designing and creating my own fashion brand, so I understand the technical process that goes into the design. I can’t draw, so I can have an idea, but it’s hard to articulate it. Anna would draw it all out, and my ideas would come to life and create a unique print, based on a feeling or a story.
What treasured memories do you have of summer that helped you come up with ideas for your collection?
My mum loves shells, and I used to collect them with her and my grandmothers, so the shell print is in there as an homage to them. It makes me think of our holidays together. Greece was a big inspiration – it’s a special place to me as I got engaged to Hugo there. The white in contrast with the blue and the violent pink, the white buildings, blue skies and the camellias – it’s such a beautiful place.
Would you say your style choices have changed since becoming a mother?
Being a mum changes you so much. I feel like my style identity has always been the same to a degree. I’ve always been drawn to high-waisted things, feminine shapes, a cinched waist – even before having kids. But especially now, I find it really flattering and it makes me feel good.
The shoot looks stunning – did you have fun doing it?
We went to Greece to shoot it. We planned it for ages, we were so excited, we got there, and it rained! We laughed about it, but we had to work hard to make it look sunny and warm. I have a sunshine state of mind, so we were fine. It just made me more excited to go away in the summer in my own collection.
Who would you most like to see wear it?
Honestly, I really want to see my mum wear it. She would look so gorgeous in all of it. I want to see her on holiday, looking for shells, wearing this collection. It’s not that exotic but we’re going to Devon together in August, so I’m sure we’ll do that.
You’ve already had a really exciting year so far – what’s coming up next for you in 2023?
We’ve just finished recording season three of the podcast, which has been really fun.
I love it. It’s so nice to have the space to have more in-depth conversations – there’s only so much you can say on social media. It’s a really safe space to have these more in-depth chats, and we’ve been joined by some really great guests and experts.
Millie’s collaboration with Paolita is available now – Visit paolita.co.uk
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