“The search for an outfit that combines comfort, attitude, and a sense of chic while retaining its own style inspires me every day. It’s a constant quest for beauty by going towards oneself, as Coco Chanel used to say,” muses Algerian-French actor and Chanel ambassador Lyna Khoudri. Her approach to fashion reflects the same curiosity and drive that have defined her life and career.
“My childhood was very happy,” Khoudri says, reflecting on her early years in the Paris suburbs. “I grew up in a working-class environment full of support, solidarity, and love.” This upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of perseverance and the courage to follow her ambitions, no matter how unattainable they once seemed. “I’ve always dreamed of going into films, but when I was younger, I never dared imagine I could make a career out of it. It was like an unattainable dream.”
Photo: Luc Braquet
What began as a fascination with cinema evolved into a rigorous journey of training, starting in theater. “I learned that you could train for it, that it was a real profession despite appearances, and I started from the beginning: theater, school, real training,” she explains. Her dedication paid off, and in 2020 she won the César Award for most promising actress for her performance in Papicha. She followed that success with a high-profile role opposite Timothée Chalamet in Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch. She seeks characters that challenge her imagination and creativity. “I like roles that make me think, roles where there’s a ‘game,’ where I’m not going to get bored. I need to have scenes that stir me up, roles that take hold of my imagination and give me material and a wide playground.”
Photo: Luc Braquet
Khoudri’s relationship with Chanel mirrors her creative journey in film, built on mutual respect and freedom. “Chanel is a house that is used to accompanying actors on their journey, and particularly during several film festivals….
