Growing up there was Elle Macpherson. Then came Miranda Kerr, Alyssa Sutherland, and a strange obsession with Pania Rose (anyone else with me on that one?!) Then Australia found its new model-of-the-moment, except this one would prove to far outlast the normal window of time given to people in the biz. Elyse Taylor. An Aussie bombshell that would remain a highly sought after commodity despite having been first βdiscoveredβ over a decade earlier.
Ensue covers for Vogue and Elle, runway shows for Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta, finding her wings with Victoriaβs Secret, and last but definitely not least, being named the ambassador for top brands including Bonds and Nude By Nature.
With Elyse in town this week to help launch the latterβs upcoming Flawless Collection, we snuck in some time with her to chat about life in New York, why daughter Lila is enjoying the perks of the model life, plus what a typical day on her plate looks like.
Can you talk me through a usual day in your life?
I guess it just depends on where I am. If Iβm in New York, I get up pretty early and get Lila ready for school, have breakfast, and just hang out with her until whatever class she has on that day. Just get in quality time with her. Then Iβll probably go to the gym β usually I just try and stay active and take care of Lila. If itβs work, Iβll probably wake up early and get straight into it. Pretty low key and easy. I try and be balanced β family time versus work time.
Youβve been in New York for a while now… Are most of your friends Australian or New York-based?
Theyβre New York! But Iβll always have my friends in Australia and they also come to New York. But I do have that Aussie βcliqueβ in New York β Iβm still friends with a lot of the Australian girls in New York. We donβt see each other that much, but itβs like no time has passed when we see each other.
Who would you say is your main clique in New York?
No-one in the industry! I guess if weβre talking model friends, it would probably be Montana Cox and Jess Hart. Iβm also good friends with Georgia Fowler, but we donβt see each other all the time because weβre always travelling.

Are you working most days?
It definitely fluctuates. Thereβs some times where itβs back-to-back-to-back, and then Iβll have one or two weeks off β then Iβll go back into it again.
Do you like the constant change?
Itβs all Iβve ever known! Because Iβve been doing this for over 10 years now, I think it would be strange for me to have an office job β that would be totally foreign! I think I would get restless if it wasnβt like this β so I feel very lucky.
Do you still have to do a lot of travel for work?
I travel quite a lot for work, but itβs constantly changing. Some weeks Iβll be mostly in New York, which is nice because you feel like you have a regular job. But then other weeks Iβll go to Australia, or LA, or to Miami, or to London… it changes constantly.
Does Lila like travelling with you?
She loves it! Sheβs been back to Australia now eight or nine times. She loves planes, just the whole experience β going to the airport, jumping on aeroplanes.
Does she always come with you?
She did until my Mum moved to New Yorkβ¦ Mum recently retired and moved there β which is great because when I do come back to Australia, I can just condense the trips and bang it all out in four or five days versus three weeks. I use to come back for long times because Iβd have Lila and weβd stretch it out and see the family and do that whole thing β so now I just bang it out and then go back.
How nice having your Mum help look after Lila…
Itβs amazing! We have a nanny as well, but thereβs nothing like grandma.
Is it hard juggling the roles of mother and model?
I think all mothers in general, and single mothers especially, you just find balance; Itβs all you can do. Try and have a fantastic support system and then you just go from there β and just know that sometimes itβs not quantity, itβs quality time. You have to go to work and you have to do certain things, but as long as there is quality time and you make the most of the time you have together, thatβs what is important. Lila knows I have to go to work, but I always come home and we have an amazing time when Iβm home. You just try and find balance.
What are your favourite things to do together?
We go to restaurants and eat out. We love to go to the park β she loves the carousel so we go ride on the one in Chelsea. When weβre together, weβre just together β two peas in a pod, no matter what weβre doing. We just hang out and itβs fun.
Totally changing the subject here, but I canβt stop looking at your beautiful glowing skin today! Can you talk me through your skin prep?
Today we used both the Nude By Nature Flawless Foundation and the new Flawless Concealer. The Flawless Foundation is actually amazing, itβs more of a medium-to-heavy based foundation, whereas the brandβs BB cream is more of a light coverage. Itβs also oil free so it gives you this satin matte finish, and itβs not heavy β so it feels like a second skin. The concealerβs also great. The thing I love about these products, and that you donβt always find with natural products, is that theyβre long lasting. I also love that Nude by Nature uses Australian natural ingredients.
What would you say are your five essential beauty products?
- The Nude By Nature Flawless Concealer β Iβm just obsessed with it! Only because usually when Iβm not working, I donβt like to wear so much heavy makeup, so this is just perfect for dark circles under the eyes β even getting off a plane. Itβs so great, just easy to go.
- The Nude By Nature Highlighting Stick in Rose to just give a pink on the cheek and a bit on the lip.
- I use Olaplex as a hair mask, so I love that.
- Throw in some pawpaw ointment because Iβm Aussie!
- And then I use a lot of the Tata Harper face oils β thereβs a replenishing serum that I really like and thatβs really good for my skin. It gives it life again after a long day.
I love that you still seem to be passionate about Australian ingredients and products! Is it important for you to still associate with Australian brands?
I love coming back to Australia. Itβs such a beautiful place and it will always be home to me no matter how long Iβve been in New York. And I love that my daughter has a little bit of an Australian accent. Itβs sweet! I jump at the chance to come home to Australia β and the fact that Iβve been here three times in the past six weeks, itβs just so much fun. Iβm an Aussie, I love it here!

Alright, time is running outβ¦ can you quickly talk me through your typical βday on a plateβ?
Oatmeal and coffee in the morning, a boring chicken salad, fish, protein, maybe an apple for a snackβ¦ I follow the blood type diet, so I probably have lamb or steak for dinner. Usually high protein, veggies, some fish…
Is that the type of food you gravitate towards when youβre eating out as well?
I try to as much as I can, but then of course you have your day off where you just get a big pizza! But balance is important.
Are you mostly eating at home or eating out?
It depends. Iβll probably eat five nights a week at home with Lila because itβs just easier and we can relax and hang out β but we probably eat out twice a week. It also changes if Iβm not in town as well.
Three last questions⦠Favourite Instagram filter?
FaceTune! Thereβs nothing that doesnβt go through FaceTune. And then VSCO cam.
Do you have a specific VSCO Cam filter you like?
No idea! Iβll click through 100 before I find the right one.
And lastly, where do you see yourself in five years?
Probably still in New York. Iβve got a few ideas, but Iβll still be in New York and Lila will still be in New York. Who knows? Maybe Iβll have more kids! Maybe Iβll be married! Who knowsβ¦ [laughs]
All images: @husskiepress
The Nude By Nature Flawless Collection is on counters August 31.
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