My Life With the Walter Boys star Nikki Rodriguez is American Eagle's newest campaign star, fronting a new collection that is all about “living life.”
Today, July 25, the popular clothing brand is launching its “Live Your Life” campaign for this upcoming fall, featuring our favorite fashionista from the hit Netflix YA series. In Netflix's My Life With the Walter Boys, Nikki Rodriguez's character, Jackie Howard, is notably a Manhattanite with a penchant for fashion. Similar to the character she portrays, 21-year-old Rodriguez is just as enthused by the way style shapes our world.
Alongside Rodriguez, American Eagle's "Live Your Life” campaign features stars and celebrities from all walks of life — including tennis superstar and Team USA Flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics Coco Gauff, NFL player Trevor Lawrence, and fellow actor Kristine Froseth. The “Live Your Life” campaign first debuted 20 years ago. Now, American Eagle is hoping to usher in a new generation of customers who live by the same ethos of marveling at the world around them while wearing the clothes they love.
“We are returning to our roots with ‘Live Your Life’ — a celebration of American Eagle’s heritage and a reinvigoration of an iconic brand built on self-expression, belonging, and endless possibility,” Jennifer Foyle, president and executive creative director of AE and Aerie, said in a press release. “This fall, we are debuting an incredible collection that showcases our dominance as the go-to denim destination. Designed to inspire customers to live their lives, our classic silhouettes are paired alongside the hottest trends with Stovepipe, Barrel, and Baggy Wide Leg jeans to deliver so much newness to curate your fall look.”
To celebrate the launch of the collection —which will feature an assortment of their staple jeans alongside sweatshirts, maxi dresses, and hoodies — Teen Vogue caught up with Nikki Rodriguez to talk about her fashion debut, finding your personal style, and what to expect from season two of My Life With the Walter Boys.
Nikki Rodriguez: It was an absolute dream come true. I was genuinely so honored to be a part of this campaign. I think it's really cool and kind of different from anything I've personally seen before. The shoot felt really creative and authentic, and we shot it on different mediums, which really made the whole thing come to life. And so I'm so excited for people to see it online and in stores. It was a really great experience
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NR: I actually have so many, so it's really hard to pick, but a few of my absolute favorites are the leather vest, which I loved and would wear every single day, and a pair of high-rise baggy wide-leg jeans. Those are my favorite types of jeans to wear. Also, I really loved the plaid skirt with the crewneck. I can wear all of those every day.
NR: Honestly, I love what I do so much, so I feel very fulfilled just by being busy. I think a perfect day would be being able to wake up and put on a good outfit that I love because if I like my outfit, I'm gonna have the best day. I feel like if I have a good outfit, everything just goes right. And I stand by that statement. So that's how I start my day. And then, I would probably get a coffee and then go for a walk, hang out with my friends, and be around animals. And I could do that, I think, every single day.
NR: My personal style has definitely evolved and I think it's always going to be evolving, which I think is really cool. My style… I feel like I cycled through different aesthetics, which is like either really basic, or very preppy, or kind of edgy. It really depends on how I’m feeling that day. I think it is really cool that you can just wake up and choose to express however you're feeling with what you're wearing that day.
NR: I think Jackie would wear one of my favorite outfits, which is the crewneck with the plaid, pleated skirt. I could so see her wearing that and taking on the world.
NR: I feel like when I'm wearing a good outfit that I love, or I feel like I'm expressing how I'm feeling or how I want to be seen. I really feel like it impacts my life. I think it's really important to be able to be creative. Fashion is such a cool outlet. And its great to be creative in that way.
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NR: You know, I don't know! I don't even know if she does see Cole and Alex again… so I can't say. No spoilers! But I will say I think that Jackie would wear something that makes her feel very confident and very powerful. And I think that's anything from this fall collection. I could see her wearing any of it, it’s very her.
NR: I'm really excited about season two. I can't give too much away, but I think this season is going to be great. Everyone's very excited. I'm happy to see my friends again. And I'm really looking forward to people saying the next chapter. So it's all very, very exciting. A lot of good things are coming.
