Angelina Jolie has opened up about her daughter Zahara’s troubles with finding clothing that will suit her skin tone – and how she has never encountered the same issue as a ‘white woman.’
Zahara Jolie-Pitt, 18, was born in Ethiopia, and was adopted by her mother in 2005 when she was just seven-months-old.
Now, Zahara’s struggles have come into consideration as her mother prepares for the launch of her fashion brand Atelier Jolie.
The range includes a silk slip dress that comes in various shades of nude – and it was her daughter who actually proposed the differing shades.
Speaking with Vogue, Jolie, 48, admitted she was unaware the troubles her daughter faced in fashion were even an issue until she began shopping with her.
‘Obviously, as a white woman, I’ve never had this experience,’ Jolie told Vogue.
‘It never crossed my mind until we went shopping together and I saw that there’s so much room for improvement.’
Clothing range
The publication notes that 84 per cent of the collection has been crafted with sustainable and ethical materials.
Of her clothing range, she told the publication: ‘Sometimes the way you dress says, “Don’t mess with me—I’ve got my armor on.”
‘But I want a woman to feel safe enough that she can be soft. After I went through something where I was hurt, I had a therapist ask if I would try wearing a flowing garment. Sounds silly, but I assumed that pants and boots projected a “tougher” look, a stronger me.
‘But was I strong enough to be soft? At the time, no. I felt vulnerable. Now I wonder if I don’t know what my style is because I’m still understanding who I am at 48. I guess I’m in transition as a person.’
In the interview, Angelina also revealed how becoming a mom had ‘saved her’ from going to a ‘much darker’ place while opening up about life as a ‘single mother’ following her divorce from Brad Pitt.
Adoption
The actress got real about how adopting her first son, Maddox, at age 26 ‘changed her entire life’ and ‘taught her to be in this world differently’ while chatting with the publication.
She also spoke out about how ‘wanting to live’ for her six children has kept her going ‘recently,’ seemingly alluding to the bitter breakup she’s endured with her ex Brad, 59.
Motherhood
‘I was 26 when I became a mother. My entire life changed,’ she shared.
‘Having children saved me – and taught me to be in this world differently.
‘I think, recently, I would’ve gone under in a much darker way had I not wanted to live for them.
‘They’re better than me, because you want your children to be. Of course, I’m the mother, and hopefully that safe place for them and that stability.
‘But I’m also the one that they laugh at – and I see them taking over so many different aspects of our family.’
Angelina admitted that she has felt ‘a bit down these days,’ adding, ‘I don’t feel like I’ve been myself for a decade, in a way, which I don’t want to get into.’
She also said she’s in the midst of ‘transitioning as a person.
‘We had a lot of healing to do. We’re still finding our footing,’ she explained.
The star graced the front of the magazine’s November 2023 issue in a white strapless gown that was covered in pink spray paint as she promoted her upcoming fashion company, Atelier Jolie.
She starred fiercely away from the camera and clutched onto two bottles of paint in the snap, while her long brown locks were pulled back into a tight bun.
