Share
American top model Emily di Donato has become a global ambassador for Vichy – the first time in the history of the dermacosmetic brand. She was introduced in her new role in Paris in February, and on this occasion she gave a long and frank interview to Ukrainian VOGUE about beauty, care and relationship with oneself .
“Do you mind?” Emily asks charmingly. She settles more comfortably on the sofa, takes off her high-heeled sandals and stretches her legs with pleasure. The luxurious dress emphasizes her rounded tummy. Emily di Donato is 35, and this is her third pregnancy. Together with her husband, financier Kyle Peterson, they are raising two more children: daughter Teddy, 4.5 years old, and son Oliver, who will turn three in May.
This year, Emily became the first global ambassador for Vichy, which had not previously communicated through stars – and it's a fantastic match: a brand that was able to go beyond the conventional approach to skincare, considering beauty and longevity in connection – and a top model who promotes an inside-out approach to appearance.
Advertising.
Emily discovered Vichy during her trips to Paris as a model. At the time, Vichy was everywhere in the city's pharmacies. “Beauty is how you treat yourself: emotionally, physically, what you eat, what you put on your skin and hair.” Vichy, she says, focuses not only on making people look good, but also on making them feel good.
I remember Emily's photoshoot for the cover of Ukrainian Vogue in 2016. Looking back at these photos today, it seems that they – and the juicy, full of life, perfect di Donato – were the references for the image of young Margaret Qualley in the film “Substance”.
When I tell Emily about it, she smiles: “Oh yes, I remember that cover well. But “Substance”? Well, I don't know.”
However, I will simply leave a frame from the film here. As confirmation of the thesis that Emily truly embodies all the ideas of flourishing, strength, magnetism, and charm.
About self-perception
We discuss whether society puts too much pressure on women to look their best. “I've never felt the pressure to 'be beautiful,'” says Emily, “but I've always been 'not thin enough,' 'not tall enough,' 'not cool enough.' I've often been told to 'look like someone else,' especially early in my career.”
Emily started modeling at 16 – but even then she knew that comparing yourself to others was a dead end. “You'll never be happy if you do that,” she says.
She also wants to instill a neutral attitude towards appearance in her children. “I try never to judge a figure – my own or someone else's – either negatively or positively.” Emily says that this is inherited from her – one of the greatest gifts she received from her mother. “She never discussed her appearance. She never tried to lose weight or look different. She just was herself. So I want to borrow that for my own children.”
It's hard to disagree with this wisdom. But at the same time, it's hard to get rid of the cowardly thought: “You're good at talking, perfect woman.”
About care
Perfect Emily loves to take care of herself, and her daughter carefully watches her mother's bathroom routine. “I always explain: it's useful and pleasant, it makes me feel better.” Makeup, which little Teddy is also very interested in, Emily tries to present as fun, so that the child understands: it's not for changing anything in herself, but for the sake of pleasure and play.
However, Emily often wears makeup “for work”: “If I don't have to, I don't wear makeup because I prefer to focus on my skin care.” She religiously cleanses her skin before bed, and in the afternoon she uses Vichy Liftactiv serum with vitamin C 16% – “it's one of my favorite antioxidants every morning” and always applies SPF.
“I should have started earlier. Now I try not to forget.” Emily had just had a skin diagnostic done for everyone at the Vichy Longevity Clinic event, and the device detected small photodamage in the area under her eyes. “I need to wear sunglasses now and apply more SPF.”
Of the invasive procedures, she only did microneedling RF – when she needed to remove stretch marks from her stomach after her second pregnancy. When I ask about facial massage or some other top model tricks, Emily seems to be sorry to disappoint me. “I don’t do anything like that,” she laughs. Her “luxury maximum” is Botox and an LED mask (there really is a lot of scientific research behind this, so I advise everyone”).
About how nutrition affects the skin
Emily enjoys cooking for her children when she has the opportunity between trips and work. Her page features a variety of healthy recipes. “What I eat has a big impact on my appearance,” she says. “When I travel, I have to drink a lot of coffee, use caffeine, and eat sweets (due to fatigue and lack of regular food). And I immediately notice how my skin becomes duller, drier, and less elastic. I truly believe that as long as you drink enough water, eat protein, and nutrient-rich vegetables, it shows on the outside: your hair, your nails, that's all.”
Emily never skips breakfast. She tries to eat 30 grams of protein every morning – “It’s usually three eggs with sausage or cheese.” She sometimes skips training now (“I’m definitely not as diligent and consistent as I was before pregnancy – I get more tired now”). She explains that she tries to distribute her energy rationally: “I’d rather spend time with the kids or work. Because if I work out, then I want to take an hour’s nap, and I think: ‘It’s not worth it.’ But on good days I try to train with additional weights 3-4 times a week, and on other days I focus on recovery.
Emily tracks her progress with her trainer and with her Oura Ring tracker (“it’s my go-to wellness app”). Sometimes it feels like the extra details are just annoying, but she reasonably notes: “Information helps you get better.” The Oura ring is not happy with its owner on this trip. “It just ‘screams’: ‘You’re not sleeping, you’re stressed.’ But I know: when I get back to New York, I’ll get back to normal. Thanks to Oura, I know that I need to go to bed at a certain time, avoid caffeine. It helps me recognize my body’s signals.”
About changes in the body and mind during pregnancy
We're talking about how the body and mind change during pregnancy. The heroine has a very measured approach. “Motherhood changes you mentally, physically, spiritually. It's scary at first,” Emily says. But now that she has two children, she knows she'll be back to herself again – just a little different. “Maybe better, more evolved, more mature, more experienced.”
“When it comes to body changes, listen, it's hard,” she says frankly. “I would never tell a new mom—or anyone—'You have to love every inch of your body.'” Di Donato believes that the body-positivity philosophy can actually be unforgiving and overly demanding. “No one has to 'love-love-love' every part of themselves. I think it's better to just be grateful for what your body has done—for having a baby, for the strength you gain from training. The main thing is not to obsess over every inch. When I get into this cycle of thinking, I remind myself, 'Go do something else.' If all you're thinking about is your appearance and your body changes, you need to find a hobby. There are other things to do,” the model concludes.
About mental health
Emily tries to take care of her mental health. Sometimes she meditates, regularly visits a therapist (she tries to do it every week), meets with friends – “I need this connection and the opportunity to talk things out.” And she also takes care of her sleep, because the lack of it immediately affects her condition.
About a letter to my 18-year-old self
When I ask her what she would tell her 18-year-old self, she doesn't hesitate. “I would just say, 'It's going to be okay, just enjoy yourself.'” Emily admits that the rules and expectations of the fashion industry are quite oppressive. “I used to be tense and anxious, stressed and unsure of what was going to happen next. Now my career is growing, I have two children, my home is fine, and it's only getting better over time.”
Two books recommended by Emily di Donato
“Wild Dark Shore”, 2025, Charlotte McConaughey
This is the latest novel by contemporary Australian writer Charlotte McConaughey, which became a real hit and made it to Reese Witherspoon's book club.
On a remote island near Antarctica, Dominic Salt's family cares for a global seed vault. The island is nearly abandoned due to rising sea levels. One day, a storm washes ashore a mysterious woman named Rowan. This blend of environmental thriller, family drama, and climate change reflection explores the lengths people will go to protect those they love in a disappearing world.
“Broken Country”, 2025, Claire Leslie Hall
A psychological drama about the return of a former lover to the life of a woman who has already built a quiet family life in the countryside. This book is often recommended together with the previous one because of their focus on nature, the secrets of the past, and “wild” landscapes.