Tilda Swinton is the perennial fashion muse – a powerful woman whose natural poise and striking beauty have lent her the unwavering fervour of fashion designers across the world. With heavyweights like Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, Raf Simons at Jil Sander and of course Haider Ackermann, Tilda has participated in an organic exchange of energy and publicity – lending her face and lithe frame to some of their most daring creations on film and across the red carpet.

Some years before her avant-garde aura took the film and fashion worlds’ by storm, Olivier Theyskens chose Tilda as the subject for this inspiring collection of images for NºD. Opting for the rich, theatrical aesthetic of Parisian photographer Ali Mahdavi, Olivier styled the story together with French accessories designer Loulou de la Falaise (a long-time friend and muse of Yves Saint Laurent).

The images are an eerie contrast, offering soft-focus shots of naked baby mice and a hairless sphynx cat with the porcelain-skinned actress – who poses in layers of opulent necklaces from Loulou’s own designs and private collection. Deathly pale and devoid of expression, Tilda barely raises colour or emotion against the cool green backdrop, maintaining an icy elegance mirrored only by her somewhat unusual pets.

Photography: Ali Mahdavi.
Styling: Loulou de la Falaise & Olivier Theyskens.
Makeup: Mina Matsamura
Hair: Frédéric Mennetrier
Production: Eugenia Melian.
Thanks to: Ariel de Ravenel, Jerry Stafford, Janvier (Paris) : retouching, Mandrake Production, Tilda Swinton.

Above: Flower brooch by Loulou de la Falaise.

Above: Taffeta blouse and semi-precious stone necklace by Loulou de la Falaise. Oriental necklace, private collection.

Above: Pinstripe pantsuit by Loulou de la Falaise. All necklaces, private collection.