Yara Shahidi has a very fashionable new gig – as Dior’s new global brand ambassador.
The 21-year-old actress and activist will be the face of the brand’s women’s fashion and cosmetics, showcasing the work of creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri and image director of make-up Peter Philips.
Shahidi has already previously partnered with the fashion house while simultaneously demonstrating her passion for activism, through her work with Dior for International Women’s Day. She appeared in the Dior Stands With Women female-led education and empowerment initiative, in which she talked about her own personal journey with activism. She’s also currently studying at Harvard University for a degree in Social Studies and African-American studies.
“What we know to be true is that so many young women aren’t given the space to be heard consistently, to feel as though people are genuinely taking the time to understand what they’re saying,” Shahidi said in her video. “And so when I go in to fight for what I believe is right, or what I believe is crucial to a certain project, I think there are many times that women — and it’s only exacerbated if you are a woman of colour — tow the line between being viewed as assertive and driven or aggressive. And it is important and requires constant conversation even for me to know that my being assertive, my being driven and my being committed is not something to ever be ashamed of.”
Shahidi joins other Dior brand ambassadors including Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence and Cara Delevingne.
She’s been previously praised for using her social media channels and fame to support the Black Lives Matter Movement and also for encouraging young people to vote with her initiative WeVoteNext.
