Vogue France Magazine enlists actress and director Chloë Sevigny to star in the cover story of their February 2024 edition. In charge of photography was Larissa Hofmann, with styling from Jasmine Hassett, set design by Gerard Santos, and production by AP Studio. Beauty is work of hair stylist Jimmy Paul, makeup artist Fara Homidi, and manicurist Megumi Yamamoto.
Chloë on what’s the most French thing about her: My blood, although that goes back a long way. Perhaps that would be my sense of style. I feel like I am less concerned with appearances and perfection than my compatriots are. I tend to be more natural … Oh, I know! Like the French, I’m very good at letting go. They’ve preserved that cafe culture that we don’t have in America. Here, it’s all, “go, go, go!” from morning to night. When I stay in France, I can sit chatting with friends for hours… and I’m very happy doing so.
Chloë on humor: The other day, someone asked me what my current greatest wish was, and I answered, “more humor!” I dream of outrageous, hilarious talk shows, with great wit à la Truman Capote. But it’s as if there’s no room for that anymore. These days, people are so on edge… Everyone is so careful not to offend anyone. And it’s a pity there’s no room for eccentricity anymore, don’t you think?
Chloë on acting in T.V. series before anyone else was: Very early on, I was captivated by The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and the creativity of HBO. HBO offered me the role of Nicki in Big Love. Before accepting, I read up on these polygamous communities and was astounded by the fact that this was happening in the United States, a stone’s throw from where we live. The girls are held captive and then married off when they are twelve years old. They don’t even know who the American president is! It was too exciting for me not to embark on this adventure. And, to be perfectly honest, up until then, I had been living from paycheck to paycheck. I wanted to buy an apartment, earn a decent living, become an adult, and find out what it was like to work regularly since committing to a series like Big Love meant committing for several seasons.
Chloë on how being an actress help her to step behind the camera: Firstly, because I know how to communicate with actors naturally, given that we work in the same profession. Secondly, I have lots of small obsessions. I’ve always been obsessed with my costumes, my props… and I’ve always wanted to know what was going on on a set. I admire the actors who just let others around them manage everything else and concentrate solely on their performance. I’ve often been advised to do the same. Alas, I seem to need to control every little thing around me. And I hate those moments when things stagnate when you have to wait for the word “action!”
Photography © Larissa Hofmann for Vogue France, read more at vogue.fr
