The luxury fashion brand, Loewe, has chosen the 88-year-old actress, recognized globally for her portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” series, to be the face of its spring/summer 2024 pre-collection campaign.
Gone are the iconic pointed hat and cape from Hogwarts. Instead, Smith showcases three chic and comfortable ensembles for the campaign. The photoshoot, captured by the renowned German photographer Juergen Teller, also features other celebrities like Dakota Fanning, Greta Lee, Mike Faist, Josh O’Connor, Taeyong, Rachel Jones, and Fei Fei Sun.
In one of the captivating images, Smith is seen seated on a couch, elegantly dressed in a black and white turtleneck dress, complemented by a pleated, burgundy Loewe Paseo handbag. Another image portrays her in a lavish floor-length faux fur coat, clutching Loewe’s iconic Puzzle bag.
The campaign has garnered much attention and admiration. Sebastian Croft, the actor from “Heartstopper,” expressed his appreciation for the campaign on an Instagram post by Loewe’s Creative Director, Jonathan Anderson, commenting on its perfection.
While many recognize Smith for her role as Countess Violet Crawley in the popular British series “Downton Abbey,” her illustrious career boasts numerous accolades. She clinched the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and another Academy Award for her role in “California Suite” in 1978. Additionally, she was honored with a Tony Award for her performance in “Lettice and Lovage” in 1990.
Smith’s involvement in the fashion campaign underscores a growing trend of older women taking center stage in the fashion industry. For instance, in March, 106-year-old tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od graced the cover of Vogue Philippines, becoming Vogue’s oldest cover star. Similarly, in 2020, Dame Judi Dench, at the age of 85, became the oldest individual to feature on the cover of British Vogue.