When Carolyn Murphy started modeling, she didn’t have a long-term plan. But thirty years later, her career is still going strong. 

“I didn't develop a business sense … until much, much later [in my career] -- probably until after I gave birth to my daughter,” she said on the latest Glossy Podcast. “And it was like, ‘Oh! I'm a mom, and I've got to get it together.’

This year, Murphy is celebrating 20 years as the face of Estee Lauder, making her the longest-reigning spokesmodel in the industry. Among her latest jobs was walking in the Michael Kors 40th anniversary runway show, for fall 2021, which played out online last week. 

“There's a lot of dialogue around what's going to happen to fashion week [after] Covid, and there are adaptations that have taken place -- it's been more about filming,” she said. “But I hope that actual fashion week does come back. Because, no matter what, connection is so important; we're all stronger and happier together.”

Murphy’s career took off in the mid-’90s, when she landed a French Vogue cover, followed by a Prada campaign shot by David Sims. Soon after, she booked an American Vogue cover with models Shalom Harlow and Amber Valletta. “Then I started working with [photographer] Steven Meisel, and it just all took off,” she said.

She’s since found smart ways to build on her modeling career: She’s collaborated on products with Shinola and has a new collab with Mother Denim that’s getting set to roll out. Also coming soon is “an online journalistic magazine of sorts,” which she’s calling “Mama Murphy’s,” for the time being. Plus she’s working on two books, including a fiction novel.  

“I never really want it to be about me,” she said. “I always want to pay it forward; I want to do things that have purpose and meaning.”