‘I’m considering this my graduation season,’ says Yara Shahidi, as she speaks to ELLE UK ahead of Cartier’s High jewellery show in Madrid. ‘Both in the literal sense, because I just graduated, but also as I’m stepping into my early twenties being really conscious of having fun – with my style in particular.’
The 22-year-old activist and actor was propelled to superstardom as a young teen thanks to her role in hit series Black-ish and its spin-off Grown-ish, and her star has been on the rise ever since.
When it comes to her style, Shahidi is known for rocking a bold, bright monochrome look on the red carpet like nobody else. ‘I love vibrant colours,’ she explains. ‘They help me take up space, especially in grand settings that can be nerve-wracking as a young 20-year-old.’
And take up space is exactly what she did at the unveiling of Cartier’s Beautés du Monde collection in Madrid, stealing the show in a sparkly blue Valentino couture gown. ‘It’s not like anything I’ve worn before,’ says Shahidi. ‘I really haven’t done sparkles, I’m more of a solid colour gal. But I think what I love so much about the look is that it’s vibrant and youthful because it’s such a piercing blue. And it works so beautifully with the Cartier jewels I am wearing.’
Among all the glitzy events, filming and red carpet appearances over the years, it's a wonder how Shahidi has been able to find the time to study for a degree at Harvard University. ‘For months, I was literally going from a classroom to an event. One evening I was at the Met Gala and then the next day I was in class studying the Frankfurt School,’ laughs Shahidi.
And as if that didn’t entail enough homework in itself, the actor also tells us that she has spent the past few months researching archival images and fashion collections ahead of each major red carpet appearance. ‘I have always been a history nerd, and I have always felt inspired by history and the people that have come before,’ says Shahidi. ‘So when it comes to important red carpet looks, so much of what I do is figuring out how I can honour that work and contribute more to it. My stylist Jason Bolden and I spend hours and hours sending archival images back and forth to each other.’
Shahidi’s 2021 Dior Met Gala look, for example, was a tribute to one of American’s greatest icons of all time. ‘I had a very specific vision of honouring Josephine Baker,’ she recalls. ‘Doing something like that was definitely the history nerd in me, but it also allows me to bring intention to these events. As a world, we’re in a continuously transitional moment and so I think the goal is to always find meaning in what I’m doing – even if it’s just personal meaning. So for me to honour somebody that I’ve loved and who I feel like has created the space for me and for my peers, for shows like ours to exist, was enough.’
But Shahidi always makes sure to add her own touch and be true to her personal style. ‘I also wanted to honour what makes me, me. So I wore the beautiful yellow diamond and onyx necklace by Cartier as a headband piece – and I was really lucky that the Maison really honoured the fact I had this historical reference but worked with me to ensure it felt authentic to me. And I’m somebody who has always needed and loved pockets – so the dress had those too.’
It was an important moment in Shahidi’s fashion evolution, in which following her instincts and knowing exactly what she wanted made for a glorious outcome. And though she admits that this confidence is something that has come with growing up, she believes it's been a central element of arriving at the impeccable, bold sense of style she is known for today.
‘I have always been drawn to bold decisions. Like the bold decision to wear a vest almost every day in Fifth Grade,’ she laughs. ‘I’d say that throughout my life, my style could be described as "committed". When I was at school, I would only wear Cole Haan Oxfords, even to gym class. I had them in every colour. I was also a real Brooks Brothers kid and would always wear their button-ups as part of my uniform. And then I went into the phase in which all I wore were suits.’
‘I just love how I feel in a suit,’ says Shahidi. ‘It’s practically built, and whether it’s oversized or perfectly tailored, it gives me something different and that’s what I want to wear when I’m celebrating something.’ Such as her recent graduation from Harvard, a milestone she celebrated in a custom red Dior skirt suit.
Though clearly, Shahidi is not one to rest on her laurels. The comfort of wearing something she knows works for her and makes her feel good is important, yes, but so too is pushing herself to try new things. ‘I like to think: What have I not done yet? What am I curious about? I try to approach every event as an exciting exploration.’
Most importantly, however, it’s all about being authentic to herself as a young woman and an artist. ‘I’m true to who I am, so even when I look back, I can’t be mad at any of it. There are very few moments or looks that I look back on and think I would have done something differently. Because even if I don’t love it now, it honoured who I was.’
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