Gillian Anderson has long been an accidental muse of the power suit, a look she famously donned as FBI agent Dana Scully in the iconic sci-fi series The X-Files. However, the actor herself downplays the significance of her 90s sartorial choices. “I think that if I’m honest, in the 90s, I don’t know what the hell I was doing,” the 57-year-old actress candidly shared with Stellar from Paris.
Reflecting on the era, Anderson humorously suggests that her fashion choices might not have been as deliberate as they appeared. “I feel like I only really started paying attention to fashion and the art of fashion and really kind of woke up to embrace the beauty of that art history maybe 15 years ago,” she added, noting her evolution in style.
Fashion Evolution and Parisian Influence
Anderson’s current approach to fashion is markedly different. She regularly collaborates with a stylist, embracing the art of fashion with enthusiasm. This shift was evident when she attended Paris Fashion Week, sitting front row at Jacquemus’ show at the Chateau de Versailles. Her ensemble—a floor-length maxi dress with a funnel neckline—was a departure from her The X-Files power suits, showcasing a sleek, cool, and unexpected style that mirrors her four-decade-long Hollywood career.
In Paris, Anderson also walked the runway at L’Oréal Paris’ annual Le Défilé show. As an ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, she emphasized the importance of representation, stating, “I think it’s important, particularly for younger women, to witness women of all ages … owning it.” The show featured a diverse cast, including Jane Fonda, Helen Mirren, and supermodels Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne.
Embracing Strong Female Roles
Gillian Anderson’s career has been defined by her portrayal of strong, powerful women. While Dana Scully remains her most iconic role, she has also portrayed late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Crown, a role that earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2021. More recently, she has captivated audiences as sex therapist Jean Milburn in the hit series Sex Education.
Next month, Anderson will star alongside Lena Headey in the new Netflix Western series, The Abandons, where they play matriarchs of two opposing families. On the big screen, she recently appeared in the AI blockbuster Tron: Ares, alongside Jared Leto and Greta Lee.
When asked about her role as a feminist icon, Anderson reflects on her journey: “In the beginning of my career, even though I was playing strong, empowered characters, I didn’t really lean into the bigger conversation around that [feminism].” She admits to initially shying away from being a role model but has since embraced the responsibility, particularly after playing characters like Stella Gibson in The Fall.
Continuing the Conversation on Female Empowerment
Anderson has also ventured into writing, authoring Want, a collection of anonymous essays on female sexual empowerment. Inspired by Nancy Friday’s 1973 compilation My Secret Garden: Women’s Sexual Fantasies, Anderson’s anthology aims to spark conversation around a topic she believes remains crucial.
“[Sex] still seems to be a topic of conversation that we, as women, need to continue to have. Particularly as some of the narratives seem to be moving backwards,” Anderson notes.
She is currently working on a follow-up to Want, which promises to be “even more daring.” Anderson is committed to keeping the dialogue on female empowerment alive, especially in a time when she feels women’s voices are being stifled in certain parts of the world.
Read the full interview with Gillian Anderson in the latest issue of Stellar, available in Sunday papers.
