Yara Shahidi makes her Gucci Campaign debut for SS25

Yara Shahidi was not going to do things by half. By the age of 10, she had already appeared in many major big screen photos. At 14, she has won a breakout role in Black Eyesh, continues to expand her acting portfolio and regularly participates in major red carpet events. The 25-year-old shy star has already achieved more than most people can dream of in their lifetime, but of course she adds yet another string to the ever-expanding bow I couldn’t resist the temptation. Gucci.

Shahidi, who made her campaign debut in Italy’s luxury home for the SS25 season, has been working with fellow actor George Mackay to photograph the short film and photoshoot titles, along with creative creative director Sabato de Sarno It was imagined by and photographed by Xavier Dolan. That coincides with Gucci’s latest collection dropping into stores today, featuring the brand’s new essential bags, Gucci Bambe, Front and Center.

To celebrate the partnership, Shahidi sits exclusively with ELLE UK to discuss her personal style, intentionally shopping, the power of affirmation, and why Gucci is her go-to…

Working with Gucci

“I’m a huge fan of Sabato de Sarno and his approach to art and design. So, that’s why he brought me to this campaign in the first place. He really prioritizes bringing together artists. The campaign’s For this, he let Xavier create this truly immersive set. It was amazing. It actually looks like a motel, but it was completely recreated on stage. had a great time: I think it’s a great mix of having a story we want to tell, but we do have it flowing very freely, and we have each moment The way I said it was something I discovered was due to the day flying.

“I’ve been Gucci friends for a while. They have nice people who always work for the brand. When all the touchpoints are so positive, it really makes a big difference I have always loved the support of their arts, especially. I have been an attendee at Lacma Gucci Gala for several years and, for me, as someone who truly sees fashion as an extension of visual arts, interdisciplinary. I loved continuing to support artists.

Her favorite Gucci SS25 look

“On the side of clothes, I’ve always been drawn to Gucci designs. What I particularly like about Gucci is that this beautiful embroidery makes it extremely feminine and fits well. And you can also have these super beautiful masculine silhouettes, which I think can capture all the fashion mood.

“I felt spoiled by the SS25 collection because I was able to see the sneak peaks of all the looks. But I think my favourites from the shoot were the white tank top and denim on the coat. In person. , attention to detail is even more obvious. I just loved the wide foot silhouette of denim, as it is the best, thickest, highest quality tank I have ever tried.

Her Favorite Gucci SS25 Accessories

“I loved the silk scarves I wore for the shoot. I had it with the look of a romper, and I don’t always prioritize comfort, so I’m just how comfortable I am. I feel it’s worth paying attention to whether there is! I’ve been trying to incorporate silk scarves more and more into my everyday outfits – I can’t help but think that they’re getting dressed up and you’re wearing something very easy I like the way you can add some lovely talent, and the Gucci ones pay the most amazing attention to detail in each design.

About her style evolution

“I have always been given a lot of autonomy to express myself throughout each stage of life. For a while, I have only worn high tennis shoes and skirts, but I have no choice but to I wore a Catholic school uniform and Oxford at the time and I wore a tracksuit for a while. I’m 12 years old. So, fashion is always a form of self-expression, and I think that’s something you often hear. I love that I first experienced it in my personal life before getting a public fashion profile. It always comes to me with my big old black glasses and frames I’ve had since I was 10 years old. It was always something about expressing who he is.

“Now I think I’m very detailed oriented. My style has evolved in my lifestyle. I’ve been for a while, I really need clothes to set up and fall asleep. I think it’s just. So, I had a great public fashion profile, but my actual closet looked like sweat. I’m not sacrificing sweat, but I’m myself I take more pride in the details of building outfits and expanding my style, just as life is expanding what looks like day to day.

About her most valuable possessions

“It’s not even a name branded dress literally. That’s what I got from my mother. She was wearing the dress, and then I got it and wore it at my high school graduation. I still wear it to this day. It’s been in our family for over 10 years and I think I love what feels like an instant heirloom. My family always likes One thing that was a very intentional purchase. We are not necessarily the ones who abandon the closet every season. The dress reflects my current style, but forever I have I think I’ve made it known my approach to purchasing clothes by focusing on what I think can hold on. What I enjoy is that you’re not wearing clothes anymore, you just have memories I think it’s something I’m wearing.”

Her first Gucci purchase

“I was in New York to promote adult season 1, and we were caught up in a bomb cyclone snowstorm that prevented us from flying home, but we were close to Fifth Avenue. And I remember wanting to celebrate the launch of the show, so I trekked towards Gucci’s store in the snow, a classic black-on-black slide with the coolest beads on the front. I’ve gotten it. I haven’t seen them since, but I’ve already had them for over 7 years and I still love them wearing them.”

Her most flashy designer purchase

“One of the things you learn about me is my total practicality. Every time I go shopping, I actually love something and I really think about whether I’ll wear it forever or not. I’m trucking. I remember working with Monogram Gucci tracksuits in the age of suits. I love how loud it is – that was what I was at the time.”

With her latest project

“I think a lot of people are worried about being static in their careers or being known for just one, but I would like to grow with the audience in so many ways. So I feel like I’ve really hit with the jackpot. My podcast, the optimist project, feels iconic Everything I wanted to represent my career over the years was just what influenced the conversation. I am very fortunate to do it with my mom. It is often difficult in this industry to find people with a sense of mission that is consistent with people with values. I feel like people are spending their lives trying to find their great work partners and life partners.

“The reason we didn’t think that the podcast had the proficiency of optimism that we have to share with the world comes from the fact that it’s where we realise that we need to work on. Everyday – especially now. My hope is that it allows people to feel open and vulnerable about where they are at that moment. What is shameful about coming in imperfectly on this journey? No. Also, there is no expectation that you will wake up to happiness every day. But one thing we have noticed is that when joy is an emotion, optimism is a practice. And I hope that each episode will help people add to the practice of optimism in their daily lives.

The importance of affirmation

‘Janelle Monae spoke about the power of affirmation on her podcast. I am the person who thinks I am regularly affirming my friends and I am around people who regularly affirm me, but I realize that I am not regularly affirming me I did. And it was a new practice I consciously tried to bring into my life, trying to speak to myself as positively as the people around me. I think being self-deprecated can be wonderful and humble, especially in this industry, but so far, you can only take it until you really start to doubt yourself. ”

This year

“I really love it and feel like I’ve been igniting the arrival of a revitalized new year in every space that brings joy. I’m driving to a movie set now. I’ve filmed two podcast episodes My friend texted me a photo of this Gucci campaign ad depicted in Soho in the corner I usually keep going. Let’s celebrate my 25th birthday. .. I spent the New Year’s Great Ve Day on the beach journaling with my best friend. I came to say that 2025 is the year that trusts my gut in every sense of the term. That’s what it was. It’s time to take probiotics. Now it’s time to get on intuition.”

Creative Director: Sabato de Sarno. Art Director: Ricardo Zanora. Photographer and director: Xavier Dolan. Stylist: Frances Cabins. Makeup: Aaron Demai. Hair: Javala.

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Please read the original article Elle UK.