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You might have come to know our February cover star, Barbie Ferreira, from her dazzling Jonathan Simkhai-designed ensemble at the 2021 Met Gala or have been introduced to her while watching Euphoria where she plays Kat Hernandez. Maybe you even count yourself as an OG follower of the 25-year-old’s from her modeling days as the face of brands like Aerie, Adidas, and American Apparel nearly a decade ago. Regardless of how you first encountered the actress, though, there’s no question that she’s managed to capture—and keep—your attention.
Ferreira has been in front of the camera from a young age but with the sophomore season of Euphoria now streaming on HBO and a role in Jordan Peele’s forthcoming film Nope this summer, it’s safe to say that she’s officially stepped into a full-fledged screen star. And while acting is her full-time gig nowadays, the star brings a visionary quality to both her theatrical and sartorial pursuits that lends everything she does an otherworldly quality. Take our cover shoot, for instance, in which she poses strikingly in ensembles that traverse the Orlando-inspired theme of gender fluidity. Ferreria, as we’ve come to learn, thrives in the worlds of fantasy and imagination.
We caught up with the 25-year-old actress to discuss everything from what we can expect from Euphoria‘s sophomore season to her favorite indie fashion labels, and so much more.
Acting or modeling:
Acting.
Favorite place to shop:
Honestly, Diptyque, but I just love a Diptyque candle. I go there every few months. I’m like, “Ooh, I’m fancy.”
Sneakers or heels:
Jeez, neither. Flip-flops.
Favorite literary or fictional character:
Oh, man. I would say Isabella Rossellini in Death Becomes Her because I was her for Halloween a couple of years ago. She’s just iconic. I love her as an actor.
Favorite wardrobe in a movie or TV show:
Euphoria obviously. I really loved my outfits in season two. I think my look for Maddy’s birthday party was probably one of my favorites.
The best era for fashion:
I obviously have been giving a little Y2K which I think I’m a little over. Maybe. I also love the early ’90s a lot and all the silhouettes from that time. I think that’s a very timeless era, and I don’t think it will ever go in or out.
Favorite fashion brands right now:
Simon Miller. St. John—their pants have been a lifesaver because so often well-fitting pants are just not a thing for me. Kim Shui. Collina Strada. Dion Lee. Staud. There are bigger designers that have great things, too. I wore this Versace outfit that was incredible. Eckhaus Latta is incredible.
Go-to lip color:
I actually have been really just loving brown nude lips. There are so many different kinds of brown lip liners that I use and then I’ll use a nude lipstick in the middle—it depends on the shade of brown—and then some gloss on top. That has been my go-to recently.
Top three desert-island beauty items:
Let’s see. I would bring lip balm. Concealer so the wolves, you know, see how beautiful I look. (I’ve been watching a lot of Yellowjackets.) And an eyebrow gel or mascara… Actually, a mascara because I can use that for my eyebrows, too, because I have dark eyebrows.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Check out our previous episode featuring Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the sisters and designers behind Rodarte.