Angelina Jolie Finds Serenity in Founding New Fashion Studio

Angelina Jolie unveiled her new sustainability-focused fashion studio, Atelier Jolie, earlier this year. However, she has been tight-lipped about the details of the venture, only mentioning its role as a creative incubator and its collaboration with luxury brand Chloé.

In the upcoming November issue of Vogue, Jolie opens up about the project in a comprehensive interview. She shares exclusive glimpses of the first collection, including a mesmerizing strapless-bodice white gown, which is featured on the digital cover and was personally spray-painted by Jolie for the photo shoot, captured by Annie Leibovitz.

The striking visual resembles the renowned spray-painted runway instance of Alexander McQueen (or, more recently, Coperni's spray-on dress adorned by Bella Hadid). Nevertheless, it also serves as a direct homage to the surroundings of Atelier Jolie: the former residence and studio of the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, situated in the Bowery neighborhood of New York City.

Jolie sprays a white gown pink in Atelier Jolie, which was formerly home to the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Annie Leibovitz/Courtesy Vogue

Jolie is converting the area into a community and collaboration hub, creating opportunities for tailoring and upcycling services. Additionally, the spacious gallery will showcase artwork from artisans. Vogue reports that the café in the studio will join forces with refugee organizations. Atelier Jolie is set to open in November and will feature partnerships with renowned individuals such as London-based milliner Justin Smith, American artist Duke Riley, and South African lacemaker Pierre Fouché.

"I don't aspire to be a prominent fashion designer," stated Jolie to Vogue. "My goal is to establish a platform for others to achieve that."

A time for transition

Jolie's red-carpet style has always exuded an effortless charm, whether she's donning low-slung leather pants or rocking va-va-voom gowns with plunging necklines and thigh-high slits. However, when it comes to celebrities venturing into the world of big brand aspirations, Jolie is not an easy guess. Many A-Listers have launched their own fashion, beauty, or wellness lines to varying degrees of success, but Jolie's venture is different. What sets it apart is the inclusion of her two children, Zahara and Pax, who have played a significant role in the launch, as confirmed by Vogue.

"I find it a bit amusing that we are engaged in the world of fashion, yet none of us consider ourselves exceptionally stylish," Jolie expressed during the interview. "However, our clothes are deeply intertwined with our identities and exploring this aspect, particularly for young individuals, is something that holds great significance."

Jolie dons a slip dress and velvet cape designed by Atelier Jolie. The talented actor and filmmaker collaborated closely with her children, Zahara and Pax, for the successful launch of this project.

Despite her silence regarding her personal life, Jolie's continuous legal battle with her ex-husband Brad Pitt over their shared winery and the accusations of abuse during their marriage (which Pitt has refuted) have been well-known. However, in an interview with Vogue, Jolie expressed that she is currently undergoing a personal transformation at the age of 48.

"I have not felt like my true self for the past ten years, in a way that I would rather not delve into," she shared. Nonetheless, she mentioned that she consciously reduced her involvement in film projects seven years ago, which coincided with the time they publicly announced their separation. "We had a lot of healing to do," she acknowledged.

Gabriela Hearst is set to resign from her role as creative director of Chloé. She expressed that working in a creative environment with trustworthy individuals and establishing Atelier Jolie has also been a therapeutic experience for her. She is looking to make significant changes in various aspects of her life, and stepping down from her position is a step in that direction.

Jolie, Zahara, Pax, and Chloé creative director Gabriela Hearst model various pieces from the new line of clothes. Hearst's collaboration with Jolie marks one of her final acts as creative director of Chloé, as she will be stepping down this month. Jolie is seen wearing a sleek gold slip dress and a velvet cape, Zahara is dressed in a tailored white dress, and Pax sports an off-white button-down shirt with a black spray-paint motif. All of the pieces are designed with sustainability in mind, using deadstock materials in many of the designs.

According to Vogue, Hearst and Jolie were introduced a few years ago through mutual friends. Hearst expressed her admiration for individuals who use their fame to bring attention to those in need, and she believes Jolie embodies this ideal.