Emma Laird 'Subconsciously Channeled' Lady Gaga at the Lous Vuitton Cruise Show
The Mayor of Kingstown actor spoke to L'OFFICEL about the dreamy, sparkly but effortlessly cool look she wore to the Louis Vuitton cruise show in Barcelona.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Emma Laird
STYLIST: Petra Flannery
British actor Emma Laird likes to do something "stupid" (her words) after a long shoot, whether it's get a tattoo or dye her hair. Right before the Louis Vuitton 2025 Cruise Show, which took place at Park Güell in Barcelona on Thursday, May 23, Laird completed a five-month project. Her natural response to celebrate? Bleached brows. By the time Laird's look for the LV cruise show was complete, she realized she looked like Lady Gaga as The Countess in American Horror Story: Hotel.
Laird, 25 age, who you might know from the Paramount+ series Mayor of Kingstown or the star-studded film The Haunting in Venice, spoke to L'OFFICIEL about getting ready for the show, what it's like to be an LV ambassador among stars like Emma Stone and Phoebe Dynevor, how she picked the right glam team, and what she does to unwind after fashion shows (spoiler alert: she watches Twilight).
L’O: When did your day start and what have you been doing to prepare?
EL: Well, I just wrapped a five-month shoot last week so I’ve been trying to slow down and take good care of myself. So, my day started in the spa. It sounds so glamorous, starting my prep for a fashion show in a fancy spa [laughs]. My life isn’t usually like this. I don’t take these things for granted. So, I enjoyed a long overdue massage. Followed by a swim, ten minutes in a steam room, then room services. I like my alone time. It’s very calming to me. And I love love love swimming— lakes, rivers, pools. I’ll find one wherever I go.
L’O: And tell me about your look for the show?
EL: It’s really all the skirt. I saw it in the room at my fitting and refused to look at anything else. I was a bit like a grumpy child getting her way. I couldn’t walk normally in it. I just wanted to skip around like an idiot all day. It was very fun.
L’O: Hair and makeup?
EL: Whenever I finish a project, I like to do something stupid to my appearance. Usually, it’s a tattoo or a box dye. This time, I went down the sensible route of bleached brows. I loved it. Then when hair and make-up was finished I realized I’d subconsciously channeled Lady Gaga in American Horror Story. And I loved it.
L’O: How did the whole look come together?
EL: By all the wonderful people around me. It’s nothing to do with me really. Other than my instincts and vision. Everyone else just executes it in I way that I can’t. My stylist Petra Flannery is just marvelous. She knows me very well and always manages to pull incredibly varying looks for each show, while keeping with my whacky style.
L’O: How did you find the right glam team and stylist to work with?
EL: I found Petra by chance. And the first look for LV we did is one of my favorites to this day. It was this crazy round space dress. I just knew she understood me. Davide [Barbieri], my hair stylist, we met about 9 years ago, back in my model days. We’d shot editorials and campaigns together and reconnected recently. I absolutely adore him. It’s nice to be able to collaborate now, as an actor, with him. Rachel [Goodwin, MUA] did a dream. I’ve seen her work with Emma Stone for a while (Emma and I both share the same team) and was delighted to finally have her magic touch on my face. I do really love working with lots of different hair and makeup artists dependent on the look, though.
L’O: What do you do while you get glam?
EL: Being in the make-up chair for a Louis Vuitton show is much different to being in the chair at work. At work, I barely talk. I’m reading lines, answering emails, getting in the zone. With Louis, we’re in Barcelona, I’m playing music, catching up with people I haven’t seen in a long time. There’s a much different energy. That’s not to say I don’t have fun at work, I certainly do, and I treat both this and that professionally. But there’s more at stake on set. With Louis, I allow myself some fun in the chair.
L’O: How does LV fit into your personal style?
EL: Well my style changes on the daily. I have all these different moods and emotions, I live in a seasonal country. My taste changes constantly. And LV always manages to reflect whatever version of myself I am on any given day. Each collection is so different. And within each collection there’s both masculinity and femininity, hard and soft textures, neutral and colourful. I really love that. it’s eclectic, like me. I hope Nicolas wouldn’t mind me saying that.
L’O: Favorite LV era or collection?
EL: Hmmm I don’t think I really have a favorite. I tend to have a memorable outfit or piece that I think about a lot from each show. Last cruise show it was this huge ruffled, mesh and feather dress - which I ended up wearing for the campaign shoot. This cruise show it was this big furry dress, and this look that reminded me of metal armour. I generally just get excited about seeing the next expression of whatever is inside Nicolas’ mind.
L’O: What’s it like to attend an LV show?
EL: When I first started going, I was very nervous. It feels like the first day of school. But the LV team introduced me to everyone. They kind of leave you no choice but to make friends. It’s a very intimate experience, despite the size of the brand and the show itself. But the arrival is always very fun. Getting out of the car, the people, the cameras, spotting your friends and seeing what everyone is wearing. It’s adrenaline from start to finish. It’s very, very fast paced. I leave a show feeling like I know myself a little better in some way. I’ve learnt something new, or been inspired. Something like that.
L’O: Have you ever had a celebrity encounter at a fashion show that left you starstruck?
I know this sounds like I’m trying to be cool. But I don’t think I’d say starstruck. I’ve had those moments definitely. But I think what’s very special about LV is that I’ve met a bunch of really talented females. Actors who I love and have grown really close to and developed a really special relationship with. Realizing that we’re all in the same boat. Talking about our experiences in the industry. Realizing we have a very shared experience. Being able to open up to these women has meant a lot to me. It’s grounded me. It’s left me a little less isolated. It’s helped me navigate this world. Phoebe Dynevor, Stacy Martin, Sarah Paulson, Emma Stone. Those are a few women that I feel very very fortunate to have met. While meeting these women might have had an element of being starstruck, what’s more amazing to me is what it’s turned into.
L’O: How do you unwind after an event?
EL: FaceTime my mum, order room service and watch Twilight.
HAIR: Davide Barbieri
MAKEUP: Rachel Goodwin
