Angelina Jolie Says It's 'Funny' That She's Joining the Fashion World: 'I Don't Want to Be a Designer'
The actress tells Vogue that her children, particularly Pax, 19, and Zahara, 18, have also been heavily involved in the creation of her eco-conscious clothing collective, Atelier Jolie
Angelina Jolie is excited to step into the fashion world even though it's not a space she originally saw herself in.
In her Vogue digital cover issue, the Eternals star, 48, revealed more details about Atelier Jolie, the fashion venture she's launching which features an atelier with tailoring and upcycling services and a gallery space for local designers to showcase their work. While she's excited to celebrate shared values with talent, she won’t be taking part in the designing herself.
“I don’t want to be a big fashion designer,” Jolie told the outlet. “I want to build a house for other people to become that.”
“I’ve met a lot of artisans over the years—very capable, talented people—and I’d like to see them grow,” she continued.
Related: Angelina Jolie's Atelier Will Be Housed in Basquiat’s Final New York Apartment and Studio
She noted that some of her collaborators include London-based milliner Justin Smith and American artist Duke Riley, and South African lacemaker Pierre Fouché. Jolie also found a way to incorporate her refugee work, as the space will also have a café run in partnership with refugee organizations.
However, the Maleficent actress said she couldn’t have done it without the help of her children, some of whom have played major roles in the inception of Atelier Jolie. She said Pax, 19, helped envision the Atelier Jolie logo, which is spray painted on the top of the doorways.
Meanwhile her eldest daughter Zahara, 18, has also been heavily involved in Atelier Jolie alongside studying at Spelman College in Atlanta. She said Zahara even helped her choose the prime location for the business.
The humanitarian is launching her eco-conscious clothing collective from a historic Manhattan property: artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's finale New York City Apartment and Studio.
“I can be very impulsive, but Zahara is so grounded, decisive, and thoughtful,” Jolie said. “When she agreed, I felt we were both decided.”
While the actress admits she has more “books than clothes in my closet,” she also acknowledged that she was a fashion icon for many.
Related: Angelina Jolie Steps Out with Son Pax and Daughter Zahara While Apartment Hunting in NYC: Photos
“I find it slightly funny that we are involved in fashion—I don’t think any one of us is overly ‘fashionable,’” Jolie said of her and her kids. “But because we live in our clothes, it is so much a part of who we are, and something that’s important to explore, especially for young people.”
“I’ve always wanted to take my family to a place where I can say: ‘Does your clothing really represent you? Absolutely you? And do you love it?.’” she explained. “I think the average person would not think it does. But I think tailoring does that for you.”
Jolie also opened up about finding her own style amid change while discussing her new eveningwear collaboration on a capsule collection with Chloé.
“Sometimes the way you dress says, ‘Don’t mess with me—I’ve got my armor on,’” said Jolie. “... After I went through something where I was hurt, I had a therapist ask if I would try wearing a flowing garment. Sounds silly, but I assumed that pants and boots projected a ‘tougher’ look, a stronger me. But was I strong enough to be soft? At the time, no. I felt vulnerable.”
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“Now I wonder if I don’t know what my style is because I’m still understanding who I am at 48,” she admitted. “I guess I’m in transition as a person.”
She said she started taking on less film work “seven years ago” in order to make space for “healing” in her life, something Atelier Jolie has helped with.
“I think part of this has also been therapeutic for me—to work in a creative space with people you trust and to rediscover yourself,” she added. “I’m hoping to change many aspects of my life. And this is the forward-facing one.”
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