A Night Out With Delilah Belle Hamlin

For model and creative force Delilah Belle Hamlin, life has always been a runway. “When I was younger, I’d always take too long getting ready to leave the house, and my mom would tell me ‘It’s not a fashion show’,” recalls Hamlin, her sparkling tooth gem visible when she smiles wide at the memory. “And I’d be like, ‘Well, yes, it is!’ I think, now, my mom would agree that I was right.” Having landed multiple magazine covers, major fashion campaigns, and a total of two million followers, I think we can all agree that Delilah was right, understanding that, with the right look, “it” (a trip to the grocery store, a night out, life in general) is a fashion show.

Even before the all-seeing eye of social media, Hamlin knew from experience what it was like to be perceived, which explains her early impulse to dress to impress. “Growing up with parents who are recognized is weird,” she says, candidly addressing the hot topic of her famous parents. “People are always asking, ‘What was it like growing up with that?’ and I don’t know what to say. It’s just my life. You know, you are trying to find your own identity, but you’re in the public eye and you don’t want to mess up and say things…” she trails off, looking directly at me with her frosty green eyes. “Sometimes, I felt like I couldn’t 100% be myself, and I think I definitely dimmed my light. So I’m working on finding that again.”

In the process of reigniting her light to full wattage, Hamlin has been working on a number of creative projects, in addition to her full-time job as a model. “For me, it's important that I have other things going on,” she says, explaining the drive behind her debut single ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ and her recent acting roles. “I love music. I love singing and songwriting. I’m learning the piano. I’m constantly reading about different things, like health. I want to be a criminal psychologist!” she says with a sly look, although she’s being completely serious. “Growing up, we’re taught — unintentionally, I think — that we’re meant to do one thing; you go to college and you become a dentist. Or you train to become a firefighter. But really, you can do a lot,” she continues. “It does get a little overwhelming because I'm like, ‘wait, I haven't succeeded at this one thing’ and then I’ll get down on myself a little. But then I remember it’s about having fun.”

“Really, my life goal is to feel fulfilled, so I’ll follow whatever path takes me to that.”

Although the modeling profession has often been written off as damaging, Hamlin credits it with leading her closer to self-fulfillment. “It’s been very formative,” she says of her now decade-long career (she started modeling professionally at age 17, you do the math). “I honestly wouldn't be who I am today without it. It’s forced me to face rejection and confidence issues from a young age. Although I’m constantly having to focus on what I look like, it’s made me go the other way and focus on my spirituality and bettering who I am. I’m so grateful for it.” She’s also three years sober, which has contributed to this heightened spiritual pursuit to not only better herself, but to help others. “I want to open a rehab, but I would have never thought of that if I hadn’t modeled, hadn’t moved to New York, hadn’t been through what I’ve been through.”

Hamlin is committed to crafting the perfect outfit when she goes out at night. “I want to look chic, but I want to be comfy. If I know I’m going out later, I’ll think about my outfit all day and have three looks in my head, but then — I’m so last minute — I’ll scramble something together,” she says, her inner Gemini jumping out (although she insists that “Taurus memes” resonate with her the most, as that is her rising sign). “I’ve gotten really into vintage, and I love breaking up vintage with something new, like the Coach Tabby,” she says. Inspired by an archival ‘70s Coach design, the Tabby bag is, as Hamlin depicts, an effortless addition to any vintage look.

Regarding the universal debate on New York vs. Los Angeles, where she grew up and lives now, Delilah Belle says it’s more fun to get dressed up in New York City. “I put more emphasis on my outfits when I’m here,” she explains,

“Look, I dress for myself, but at the same time, I dress for the girlies.”

“I don’t think it’s as appreciated in LA, so, like, in New York, I’m walking around and see a cute girl in a cute outfit, and I take notice. And I want them to look at me, too!” And certainly, we’ll all be looking if she replicates any of Coach leather looks. The “short skirt, long jacket” combo and the cropped silhouette would be just as fierce walking through SoHo as it would cruising up the Pacific Coast Highway, no matter who’s noticing.

As much as it’s fun chatting about fashion and her ideal night out (dinner and a movie — definitely Taurus vibes), the conversation naturally gravitates toward the deep end, balancing out the glitz and the glamor emanating from flawless looks broadcasted on her social media profile. “I’m constantly reminding myself that what’s meant for me will be mine. If I don’t get a job, for example, I feel rejection but know that the universe is protecting me,” she says with a self-aware look. “I’m practicing listening. I know I’m getting so deep, but… In our culture, we tend to not actually listen and have real conversations. We interrupt, we speed up, and try to get things over with, but I think it’s really important to listen. Let people finish speaking.” At the heart of this practice is Hamlin’s tendency towards kindness. “It’s not that hard to be nice,” she observes. “It’s actually harder to be mean! So just be nice.”