Lori Harvey has gotten more than her fair share of public scrutiny. Most of the chatter about the 23-year-old — who’s the stepdaughter of megastar Steve Harvey and daughter of his jet-setting wife, Marjorie—has involved her personal life.
But while the rumors abound, Harvey is intent on creating a path independent of her high-profile parents. The fashionista has collaborated with Dolce & Gabbana and is a brand ambassador for cult clothing brand Pretty Little Thing.
The baby hair queen (thanks to “some really good edge control and a toothbrush”) has mastered the art of the effortless slay, so who better to give us a crash course in rocking the season’s hottest trends?
ESSENCE: How would you describe your look?
LORI HARVEY: My personal style is simple but chic with a hint of tomboy.
ESSENCE: What are some of your favorite fashion brands and what style items are you keeping in heavy rotation?
HARVEY: I’m living for Jacquemus, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Chanel. The fashion item I can’t live without is a mini bag—I love small purses.
ESSENCE: When do you feel most beautiful?
HARVEY: I feel most beautiful when I know I put together a fire look and then my hair and makeup coincide perfectly with my outfit.
ESSENCE: You and your mom Marjorie are #MotherDaughterGoals! What would you say is the biggest lesson she has taught you about being a Black woman?
HARVEY: It would definitely be to never limit myself. She reminds me to always think big, dream big and diversify. She’s also very big on making sure I’m well traveled, because you learn so much from different cultures and how people live in different parts of the world.
ESSENCE: What’s the earliest fashion memory you have in regard to you and your mom?
HARVEY: When I was about 10, she started taking me with her to fashion shows in Paris and Milan, and that’s when I really developed a love for fashion.
ESSENCE: From the outside, it seems as though you have the most luxurious fashionista life. What is the biggest challenge you face that most people would be surprised to learn?
HARVEY: Having my life under a microscope. I’m super blessed and thankful for everything and everyone in my life, but I’m still young and learning. And because my life is in the public eye, I can’t really make mistakes like everyone else without it being in the headlines the next day. That definitely can be difficult, but I’ve developed a thick skin from it.
ESSENCE: We are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. What has this magazine meant to you and your family?
HARVEY: ESSENCE magazine embodies all things that are amazing and beautiful about Black women and our culture. It’s so important to have that representation, especially being a Black woman myself. I can remember my first photo shoot with ESSENCE and my whole family when I was really young. You’ve been a part of my life ever since.