A 51-year-old mom has become an unlikely style icon after her teenage daughter began flaunting her dapper looks on TikTok.
Larissa Mills, of Beverly, Massachusetts, has landed a string of major deals with the likes of Gap and Anthropologie after debuting on the video-sharing platform last year.
She’s since spoken out about the assumption that “you can no longer be seen as a modern person in your own right” after becoming a mother — and now she encourages others to showcase their own style.
Here, FEMAIL reveals how a serendipitous post on social media catapulted Larisa into the spotlight.
Larissa Mills, of Beverly, Massachusetts, became an unlikely fashion icon after her teenage daughter began flaunting her dapper looks on TikTok.
Larisa’s journey began when her teenage daughter posted a clip on TikTok that quickly went viral
In March 2022, Larissa’s 17-year-old daughter Ella took to TikTok with a nonchalant video of her mom trolling the family kitchen.
She uploaded the clip as part of a trend asking people to “show your mom and then your pantry.”
And when teen Larisa was posed in front of the camera, she looked effortlessly chic.
Larissa wore black pants, a blue shirt, and Converse before matching the look with a beige coat — and followers were left mesmerized.
In March 2022, Larisa’s 17-year-old daughter Ella took to TikTok with a nonchalant video of her mom trolling the family kitchen.
Social media users showered the clip with praise for the unexpected style guru and said they are now ‘obsessed’
The video quickly took off, and has so far garnered more than 7.3 million views as social media users flooded the clip with praise for the unexpected style expert.
Many said they were now “obsessed” with Larissa as one urged: “Need to see more of her clothes!”
Another simply added: “I want to be oh my god.”
A third said, “She really is a silent fashion icon!”
Here Larisa’s whirlwind journey in the fashion industry began.
How the 51-year-old teamed up with her daughter to take advantage of the spotlight
Ella began posting regular “Dress of the Day” clips on her page, which showcase her mom’s signature style.
Larisa’s wardrobe consists of relaxed silhouettes, elevated basics, and a variety of brands—high and low.
She’s talked a lot about the basis of her clothing always being comfort — but she’s also a “sucker for fabric.”
Previously issuing fashion advice to What are you wearing?Larissa, who is 5ft 4in, said that “slippers instantly take the fuss out of any outfit” and praised the “lengthening effect that wearing every single color provides.”
Ella has started posting regular “Dress of the Day” clips on her page that showcase her mom’s signature style
The style icon also added that she would “never save a special piece of jewelry for an event” — instead she often pairs it with sweatpants or T-shirts.
Thousands of fashionistas have taken advantage of her tips to meet her content regularly With the ecstasy of praise.
Larisa now has more than 201k followers on Instagram, with her daughter Ella gaining more than 248k followers on TikTok.
The 51-year-old previously spoke about the growing interest in her wardrobe.
Larisa’s wardrobe consists of relaxed silhouettes, elevated basics, and a variety of brands—high and low
Larissa, who is 5ft 4in, has previously been issuing style advice to Who What Wear and has praised the “lengthening effect when wearing every single color”.
I told Fashion designer: “It’s weird to me that the mother thing sticks around — like, once you’re a mother, you cut your hair and you can no longer be seen as a modern person in your own right.”
More detail about it The new celebrity said: I’ve gotten a lot of DMs about this – being 50 and not giving up.
I also get direct parenting DMs that say, like, “I wish my mom would support me more,” or, “I want to have a relationship like yours.”
“So there is something I feel is an emotional element in capturing this relationship.”
The fashion guru’s popularity has reached new heights after landing deals with major brands
It wasn’t long before Larissa caught the eye of some big brands including Anthropologie, Gap, and Jenni Kayne.
Last month, Larissa appeared on Anthropologie’s TikTok account in a series of paid partnership clips.
One commented: “Design class in session with #AnthroAm Ambassador Larissa Mills, and we’re taking notes.”
She came out in an eye-catching ensemble consisting of Larroudé Kate patent leather shoes ($485), Sadie Halter tie ($248), Nadya belt bag ($38) and Maeve double-breasted jacket ($170).
It wasn’t long before Larissa (pictured in the collection) caught the eye of some big brands including Anthropologie, Gap, and Jenni Kayne.
And in another of the brand’s clips, she slipped into something a little more serious with an anthropologist commenting on the video: “Who is this girl? None other than the incredibly stunning Larissa Mills.”
It’s not known how much Larissa made from the deal – but it’s not the only paid partnership she’s been offered since it was brought to light.
She and her daughter, Ella, also posted a series of promotional videos for Gap.
In one, Larissa gushed about the brand as she said, “I can’t believe I’ve been wearing Gap since I was in high school.”
Last month, Larissa appeared on Anthropologie’s TikTok account in a series of paid partnership clips.
She said she continued to love her through the different stages of her life and put her children, including Ella, into Baby Gap clothes.
The duo then showed off their Gap kits while listing items on them View – and fashionistas wore it.
Recently, Larissa, who now describes herself on LinkedIn as a “fashion content creator,” has been featured in ads for high-end brand Jenny Cayenne.
Neither Larisa nor Ella have revealed what’s next for the mother-daughter duo moving forward, but thousands of fans hope they continue to provide style inspiration.
