Is Gillian Anderson Fashion's Favourite It-Girl (Again)?

Walking for Miu Miu and adopting a new role at M&S all in one day, Anderson has certainly been busy

Miu Miu aw26 runway pfw Gillian Anderson
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Chloë Sevigny, Kristen McMenamy, Yeonjun, Gemma Ward, and Gillian Anderson—the line-up of famous faces walking Miu Miu's Autumn/Winter runway was more than impressive enough to cement it as the unofficial finale of Paris Fashion Week. And that's not to mention the celebrity front row: Little Simz, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Alexa Chung, included.

Alexa Chung, Little Simz, Daisy Edgar-Jones

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Merging tailoring (a particularly exaggerated high-waisted blazer among the highlights) with girlhood-esque mini dresses, leathers, and shell jackets that are fast becoming a brand staple, this season saw a Miu Miu more muted in colour yet more tactile in texture. The focus, the show notes read, is "the smallness of our human bodies, in the vastness of our world."

Miu Miu aw26 runway model trio

Miu Miu A/W26

(Image credit: Miu Miu)

"Garments embrace the body, prioritising and valuing what is inside," they continue. "Purity, simplicity" becoming the core aim. Although, it has to be said, there was nothing simple about the 18 sequinned shearling trapper hats. Proof that, while this Miu Miu collection may feel decidedly grown-up, it remains Miuccia Prada's place of play.

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Add Gillian Anderson's closing look, my personal favourite of the entire line-up and a sequin-embellished shift, and it's clear that Miu Miu's multi-faceted approach to fashion shows no sign of being pigeonholed.

Miu Miu aw26 runway pfw

Miu Miu A/W26

(Image credit: Getty Images)

For Anderson, though, this wasn't her only major fashion moment of the day. Always busy with acting, writing, activism, and running soft drink brand G Spot, she has now added another title to the list: Chief Compliments Officer of Marks & Spencer, or CCO for short.

Gillian Anderson M&S Chief Compliments Officer

Gillian Anderson as M&S Chief Compliments Officer

(Image credit: M&S)

The role, in essence, is to spread a little joy to M&S shoppers and staff. "A simple compliment can genuinely boost confidence and change how someone feels all day, so as CCO, I'm here to help make those moments more commonplace," she says. And honestly, a compliment from Gillian Anderson would absolutely make my morning.

Gillian Anderson Academy Awards 2001

Gillian Anderson Academy Awards 2001

(Image credit: Getty Images/Future)

So, it seems Anderson really is fashion's favourite it-girl again. And if you remember her 2001 Academy Awards visible-thong moment, you'll know this is a title she's more than earned.

Lauren Cunningham is a freelance fashion and beauty editor covering runway reviews, fashion news, shopping galleries and deep-dive features.