L : Thank you for meeting with me.

G : Thank you! I’m excited to be here.

L : Where did you grow up?

G : I grew up in Los Angeles in North Hollywood, California. Born and raised in the valley. True Valley girl! I have an 818 number still and everything.

L : What brought you to New York?

G : Honestly, people in LA can be quite complacent I find, so my sense of urgency was just not in the same ballpark as them. And I felt career wise, if I didn't make a move, I was just going to plateau. So I came out to New York to visit for the first time, fell in love with the city and the people here and then went back home for 3 months and then overnight, bought tickets and thought, I'm going to try it for like a month. A month turned into 6 months, 6 months turned into a year, and 15 years later, I'm still here.

L : So it was a work decision?

G : It was a work decision, but I think it was more so just a life decision. I needed to get out of my hometown.

L : Yeah, I feel that. Everyone needs to get out of their hometown at some point.

L : What is the best thing about living in New York City?

G : I think New York has an amazing historical and architectural representation. I think that it's such a melting pot of people. It has such an amazing brief of just what people are capable of. The history is really phenomenal, and just walking around, there's always something really incredible to look at. There's something really beautiful, something really entertaining. It's a very energising place.

L : I like this question! Do you have a happy place in the city?

G : Central Park! No hesitation.

L : Yeah I totally get it. It’s this huge oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle!

G : I mean, it’s phenomenal, and it's just so huge, so there's so much ground to cover. Obviously, it's a very touristic place so there’s usually a lot of people, but my favourite time to go is the rainy days or gloomy days because no one's out there and the city's so quiet and there's something really romantic about it. It’s where my husband proposed to me actually.

L : That’s such a New York proposal.

G : The aerial view of Central Park is one of my favourites because it’s crazy to just see these huge buildings and then just a perfect rectangle of trees in the centre. I also like that there's so many great statues, all the little nooks and crannies. It’s my favourite place!

L : Do you have a favourite workout class?

G : Pilates for sure. Reformer usually! I've become quite religious with a workout routine. So my go-to really is, pilates because I find it's really strengthening, you really use your own body weight, so you really see how strong you are. Obviously consistency is key!

L : Pilates changed my life! I think you have such an abundance of option here in New York too.

G : I know, I've admittedly gotten a little opinionated on the classes now. Sometimes I think, oh, this is such a good stretch and other times I think I'm so weak! It’s all about doing something that makes you happy. Pilates is hardcore! I took my husband once and he was humbled.

L : I’m still humbled and I've been doing it for about 8 years.

G : Well, it was originated by a German Army Nurse and his name was Joseph Pilates. He did it originally for a rehabilitation thing for his patients. Fast forward a bunch of years later and all these girls are so into it.

L : I wonder if he knew it was going to be such a trend today...

L : Another New York City question, obviously! What's the best pizza in NYC?

G : I feel like I'm going to be crucified if I say the wrong one! Honestly, complete transparency, I don't have a favourite one. I'm sort of like a Judas in this sense. I’ve tried so many different places. I mean, everyone loves Joe’s.

L : What does a good slice look like?

G : I like the thin ones with the crispy crust! I don't eat the crust, I always give the crust to my husband. But I don't want it to be floppy and soggy. You want to be able to pick it up! I saw somebody eating it (a slice) backwards the other day...

L : Wait, crust first?

G : Yeah! It was so weird. It was almost as bad as when people eat it with a fork and knife. Straight to jail! I was reminiscing recently with a friend about the old clubbing days and how everyone used to go to Artichoke Pizza and get the 2000 calorie slice!

L : I remember those! They were huge.

G : There are so many spots here. It’s always one of the classic things in New York where you go anywhere and they say, “number one in the world!” And you think, “how did you get this rating, who voted on this?”

L : Best people watching....

G : Ooo! Honestly. Lower East Side is really fun because I think it's more youthful and there are so many different characters, but I'm a sucker for Upper East Side because it's all the old school New Yorkers that have been here for 30 plus years! They're walking their tiny little dog in their bougie outfits. You want to know their story! And I just make up stories for them! But anywhere in New York really, there's so many hubs of different groups of people! My husband makes so much fun of me because I guess I'm very nosy and we live on the 18th floor looking over Park Avenue. So I'll sit at the window with my coffee and check on what's going on every morning. Checking in on everybody. I'm like, oh my God, my Falcons are back!

L : How did you get into modelling?

G : So growing up in LA every one is in the entertainment industry in one way or another. You’re either a model, a DJ, a designer, photographer, there's always something you fall into or you have a degree of separation from. Before I was born, my mom dabbled in modelling, but nothing too serious and I was so inspired by that, and then growing up, everyone around me was really creative. I had a lot of friends who were trying to become photographers or designers and it was also around the era of MySpace and people were taking photos and posting them, it just kind of all fell into place. I was shooting for one friend and then this turned into this and then this turned into this... It’s so funny one day, my mom still has the letter, but I don't know why I decided to put it in letter form, and I told her that way. I was like, mom, I want to try this! And I slipped it under her door and said, "Okay, we can go to check out some agencies tomorrow!”

L : It sounds like you knew exactly what you wanted to do!

G : Yeah, and then we just looked up the top agencies in LA and I walked in and was just like, you should sign me! Still my mother agent to this day! I don't, unfortunately have a really cool “I was walking through a mall with my best friend and I got discovered” story.

L : You knew what you wanted and you went for it! That's a better story.

L : How do you prepare for shoots?

G: This morning, I woke up at a reasonable time that gave me a leisurely start. Worked out for 20 minutes, had my yoghurt and just kind of chilled behind the computer, answering emails, bugged my husband for a bit, and then took an everything shower and then came on over. But yeah, I usually just try and do lots of healthy eating, lots of rest, everything showers, a little work out, mostly just to feel good in my body. Just a healthy start!

L : Is there a photographer you want to work with, but you haven't yet?

G : I mean, Lucas Flores Piran of course!

L : Good answer.

L : What’s your favourite part about modelling?

G : Modelling presents so many amazing opportunities and opens so many doors that I don't think I would have had the opportunity otherwise. So, I mean, obviously, travelling is extraordinary. I get to go to so many amazing places! I don't think I normally would be like, yes, let's go to Morocco, right now. So it's really amazing in that sense. But the fact you get to meet so many people is really very cool because there's so many interesting and creative people in this industry. You get the opportunity to get in front of them and you get to know them in a personal sense. So I think travelling and people are definitely my favourite!

L : What is the biggest challenge about modelling?

G : Comparison, I think, is the root of all evil in modelling. I mean, not just with modelling, but especially. Yes, of course, you have to have a look, but I think it also is a lot of luck. There are definitely times where I’ve thought, I’m not good enough in comparison to the other people up for this. So I think comparison can be really tough. Holding your own ground and just trying to stay authentic to yourself and not just following every new trend that comes about and doing things for the sake of doing things. I think keeping intention is important!

L : If you weren't a model, what would you be?

G : I would love to do anything with animals. When I was younger before I decided to pursue modelling, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I think, unfortunately, I just don't have the heart to see when animals aren't doing well. I'd probably be sobbing more than the next person. But anything with animals, to be completely honest. I recently I stumbled on this account that is based in New York where they rescue animals out of really horrible, bad situations that are usually caused by people and thought wow, that's something so cool to be a part of, to be giving back to animals because they really are the purest things.

L : What is the coolest project that you've ever been a part of?

G : This is one of them.

L : You have all the right answers.

G : I’ve never had a profile piece before, so it’s cool.

L : I remember you telling me that you go to The Bahamas a lot and even got married there! That must have been so beautiful. What was your favourite part about the wedding?

G : It's so hard to have all of your family and friends in one place, so that was astronomically special for me. I don't remember ever having all of my closest friends and family members all together, so that was really amazing! Our wedding was a blast! All of our friends still talk about it. We still see mood boards showing our wedding photos, it’s cool.

L : What’s your favourite place you've travelled to?

G : Morocco was really extraordinary. It was really fun! We did Marrakesh for the first two days, and then we went to the desert for glamping, which was so much fun! I rode a camel. We found this sheep herder in the desert and chased after him, took photos with him, we did our hair and makeup by candlelight. It was really extraordinary! And then closed it off in city centre of Marrakesh. Unfortunately I didn't get to explore because I had to catch a flight, but it was so cool. It was like very beautiful!

L : What are three things you can't leave home without?

G : I hate to say this, but my book, headphones and phone. Yeah. And I normally I would hate to say that I have my phone on me, but it's also.. We depend on it so much! I listen to my music on it. I use maps a lot!

L : Describe your perfect date night..

G : Date night with my husband would be really delicious food. Preferably with live music, followed by a walk in Central Park or around the city, and then just go home together.

L : What are your top 3 date night spots in NYC?

G : Well, Shabu-Tatsu in the East Village. I love Shabu season! Movies! We love going to the movies, my husband is a member of the film forum. He's very proud of that! And so we'll do film forum together and then probably dinner after. JG Melon for bull shots and burgers or something.

L : What would you wear?

G : Something that I feel confident in, something that makes me feel chic and sexy, but I also have to be comfortable in. One of the main things my mom taught me about clothes is that if you're going to fidget with it all night, don't wear it.

L : That’s good advice.

L : What’s your favourite thing in your closet right now?

G : Hmm I am a lover of vintage. If I'm not able to sleep, I'm scrolling either on Poshmark or eBay or Etsy or TheRealReal. My most recent purchase are these Chanel slingbacks that I'm like, mildly obsessed with right now. I'm surprised I'm not wearing them today, but yeah, those.

L : Who are your style icons?

G : It really depends on my mood. But really I always end up going back to the 90s actor and supermodel off duty looks, because I just think there was such an effortlessly cool style to them. Very much what you're wearing now...

* Lara is wearing The Central Blazer in black paired with a white t-shirt and jeans.*

L : Thank you!

L : What’s a trend that you’re loving at the moment?

G : I don't like trends!

L : What's something that you'd never wear in a million years?

G : I mean, never say never. You're supposed to have fun when you dress up! It's all about the confidence!

L : Do you have any fashion week plans?

G : Oof! I'm trying to be a lot more chilled this season and only going to the things that I really want to go to. The things that truly interest me and I want to support. Being more selective! It's just because I feel like it's so easy to burn both ends of the candle during fashion week.

L : What do you find yourself reaching for the most in your closet?

G : A good vintage accessory. Always a bag or a shoe or a piece of jewellery. But, yeah, always an accessory. I think that's what pulls it all together.

L : Favourite runway show you've ever been to..

G : Recently there was a really cool Bevso one I went to, but I'm also just more so a sucker for the way things are presented, like set design wise.

L : I’m in awe of people who do that.

L : What’s next for you? Are you working on any exciting projects?

G : I am! So with work, that's always a constant, but one of my best friends and I are working on a clothing brand. We’re still very much in the newborn realm of it, as you know, it takes a long time to nurture. So we are still getting our samples back and perfecting them. We shot a couple of the pieces, but yeah, it's definitely something that we're taking our time with because we want to make sure it's perfect. We're hoping that we’ll launch either late this year or next year.

L : Oh, I can't wait to see it! Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me!