From Paris with Love

As Paris’s most famous fictional ex-pat resident, Emily Cooper returns to our screens, we take a look at the actress Lily Collins, who plays the occasionally misfortunate, yet steadfastly cheerful protagonist.

Written Edwina Cole

Two years ago, when I needed a little escapism during our seemingly endless lockdown, ‘Emily In Paris’ landed in my life. What started as a mindless flick through Netflix’s ‘cheese’ section, ended in a binge-watching obsession where I was drawn daily into Emilys world. Breathtakingly gorgeous backdrops, the latest haute couture, mouthwatering pastries, impossibly attractive actors and plot lines as delightful as they were unbelievable. ‘Oh là là !’ Yes, it was romantic comedy overload, but once I started, I couldn’t stop.

Emily is to Generation Z what Sex And The City‘s Carrie Bradshaw was to millennials. With websites and social media pages popping up dedicated solely to the shows fashion choices, it wasn’t long before I had bought myself a beret and was driving my boyfriend insane with my french chic inspired outfits and the daily question of ‘Would Emily wear this?’ So you can imagine the groans when series three dropped. Thankfully, I’d saved my trump card of having to sit through every game in the World cup, including  certain African nations I’m sure he hadn’t hear of. Though to be fair, I did enjoy the uplifting Sengalise  supporters dance-a-thon and Brazils rhythmic goal celebrations, almost as much as hearing ex Man United legend, Roy Keane, comparing them to Strictly Come Dancing.

Right, enough about my tv viewing habits, let’s take a delve into the life of the star of the show, double Golden Globe Award nominee, Lily Collins.

Fame and Fortune

When Collins first arrived on the scene back in the early 2010s, her breakout roles came in the form of  epic fantasy movies such as Mirror Mirror and The Mortal Instruments or modern love stories like Love, Rosie. In recent years, she has turned towards heavier themes, from the dark drama To the Bone  which detailed the journey of her character's struggle with anorexia to appearing in the beautifully artsy  ode to Old Hollywood, Mank. 

Acting is only one of Collins many talents, she is also a successful model, producer and author. In 2012 she penned her groundbreaking debut essay collection, where she bravely opened up about having an eating disorder as a teenager. This book gave her the freedom to open up about her already public life in a more honest and heartfelt way.

Fashion Forward

Lagerfeld muse, brows icon and brand ambassador of Lancome, Collins is a genuine style icon who consistently makes the best-dressed lists. From Giambattista Valli floral couture gowns to Dolce & Gabbana tuxes with slicked back hair and a statement red lip, she doesn’t follow trends but sets them.

Collins has always had an undeniable fashion sense. In 2007, she made her debut into society at the Bal des débutantes in Paris wearing a Chanel gown, which was featured in the episode "Paris Changes Everything" in the third season of The Hills

‘Fashion has always been such a beautiful way for me to express myself,’ she explained in a recent interview. ‘ From a young age, I used it to tell stories and play. It’s a completely subjective art form and judgment really has no place in it. Fashion can be the ultimate experiment through which you discover yourself.’

As Collins’ career has evolved from minor to lead roles, her style has followed suit. Nowadays, she leans towards a more feminine look with a touch of edge. When explaining to Coveteur Magazine how her character roles influence her fashion style she said, ‘I think every character I play informs me of new fashion personalities, if you will. When I did Mortal Instruments, and it was more gothic and dark—there was a lot of black and leather and stuff like that—I started incorporating more of a darker ‘rock and roll’ feel. Then when I did Mirror, Mirror, it was obviously more princess-y and more feminine and regal.’

‘And then Emily. Oh my god, working with Patricia Field, it was like patterns and colors and textures and designers and just all of those things all at once, and it was never too much for Emily. I get to express myself in different ways through my characters and through fashion.’

All about the genes

Lily is the daughter of Genesis frontman, Phil Collins, (could I love her anymore?) and his second wife, Jill Tavelman.  Not one to remain in her Fathers shadow, she considered changing her last name in order to be taken more seriously as an actress. In the end, it was watching how her Father successfully handled fame, that helped her to navigate her way through life in the pubic eye.

‘I remember being a kid at Disneyland with my dad and having someone come up and ask him for a photo. And I think I was just so confused because I was, like, well, Disneyland has nothing to do with him,’ she said. ‘But it was that kind of recognition no matter where he went that he had touched the life of somebody in a very profound way.’

After the media frenzy surrounding her parents' divorce Collins and his future relationships, she chose to keep her personal life private and doesn’t often talk about her Father or their relationship.

‘Starting out, when I was younger, I had lots of things taken out of context in interviews,‘ she explained to Elle Magazine. ‘ I couldn’t be a more proud daughter, a more loving daughter. Like, it’s my dad! I love him and I am an in awe individual, I’ve always wanted to be me, and to have my own path and my own journey and my own failures and successes and all those things, like any individual wants. And, at the beginning, when I hadn’t done any of those things yet, I was anticipating people only being interested in my family. Of course, that’s the way in which the world works and a lot of media works. But I got frustrated being asked those questions. It didn’t mean that I didn’t love or respect my dad, it doesn’t change how I felt about my family. I just really didn’t want that to be my narrative.’

A groovy kind of love

In 2021 Collins wed filmmaker Charlie McDowell after two years of dating. In an intimate ceremony in the Colorado mountains, Collins wore custom Ralph Lauren, joining a very elite group of brides for whom the American brand has designed bespoke wedding gowns. The dress was inspired by her ‘Western Americana meets British Victorian’ Pinterest board. The turtleneck gown and hooded cape featured Swarovski-beaded flowers and silk organza petals, which took more than 200 hours to complete.

She shared with the world via instagram a photo of the pair enjoying their wedding day bliss, alongside   the words. ‘I’ve never wanted to be someone’s someone more than I do yours, and now I get to be your wife. We officially became each other’s forever. I love you beyond.’

Collins told E! News being married made her feel as though she could ‘conquer anything’ with her husband by her side. ‘We've been through so many changes globally, personally, and to be able to have a partner next to you that makes you laugh in times when you need it the most and helps you emotionally get through things, like moving to a foreign country for four months,’ she said. ‘I just feel so grateful that I have someone next to me to be able to accomplish that and your best friend with you all the time.’

Putting the world to rights

The actress is an outspoken anti-bullying advocate and is serving as a Celebrity Ambassador to anti-bullying organisation Bystander Revolution.  'Bystander Revolution's mission and the work they've done is so inspiring and close to my heart, she explained.  ‘Through open communication, inclusion, and kindness we all have the ability to change the culture and stop bullying from being the norm. the smallest simplest acts can have the biggest, most memorable impact.'

She is also doing her part to improve the lives of vulnerable children, by joining her friend, Twilight and The Batman star, Robert Pattinson, as a GO Campaign Ambassador. The GO organization works  to provide children and young adults with access to education, medical care, shelter, food, and clean water.

Now back to the show….

With so much riding on the success of the third season of Emily in Paris, what can fans expect?  Collins has promised that all the things that viewers have come to know and love will be amped up.

‘More love triangles, more drama, more laughs, more fashion, more locations, more France!’ she shared. ‘Fans should brace themselves for a lot of cliffhangers.’
Whatever happens with the season three, Collins can count on at least two avid fans: my boyfriend and I will definitely be watching.