Inside Andie MacDowell s Full-Circle Moment at Saint Laurent

Andie MacDowell’s presence at Saint Laurent Spring 2020 was a full-circle moment. The actress, who is currently garnering rave reviews for her performance in horror comedy, Ready or Not, was one of the many guests whose history with the brand dates back to the days of Yves. Long before she graced the silver screen, MacDowell was making a name for herself as a fashion model in the ’80s; undeniably beautiful with full lips and lush curls, she drew the attention of many designers, but it was Saint Laurent who handpicked her to pose for Helmut Newton. The now-classic campaign for the Rive Gauche label depicts MacDowell as the glamorous embodiment of all things YSL.

Fast forward three decades, and MacDowell still fits the bill. Attending Anthony Vaccarello’s Paris Fashion Week event, she brought sophistication to the front row wearing pieces that nodded to the house’s illustrious history. “Saint Laurent is known for his tuxedos, so I decided to go with the classic look,” shared MacDowell post-show. “I felt extremely elegant yet loose, and comfortable enough to hang out until the early hours of the morning with the cool young kids at the after-show party.”

The collection itself proved poignant. With a focus on the label’s heritage, it included allusions to muses like Betty Catroux; an appealing mix of past and present that left MacDowell captivated. “Loads of classic looks mixed in with innovative artistic designs. The show was beautifully dramatic with puddles of water reflecting each outfit and the Eiffel Tower shining next to us - [it was] surreal,” she added. “Everything was absolutely perfect, down to the rain stopping just in time for the show, as if on cue.”

Here, the actress takes Vogue along for the ride in this exclusive diary of her Saint Laurent experience, from fittings at the atelier, to sitting in the mist beneath the Eiffel Tower seconds before showtime.