The working wardrobe: Alma Jodorowsky
Parisian women have long been lauded for what many believe is an innate sense of style, but this cliché doesn’t sit well with French actor and singer ALMA JODOROWSKY. She talks to MEGAN LOGUE about shaking off the It-girl label, combining her passions for acting and music, and why there is no such thing as typical Parisian style
For Parisian native Alma Jodorowsky, acting is almost akin to the family business. Both her parents are esteemed theater actors, as are her paternal grandparents. In fact, her grandfather, avant-garde filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a revered figure among the most discerning of cinephiles. However, to reduce Alma’s burgeoning success to nepotism would be to misunderstand her entirely. Pensive, playful and self-deprecating, she has been honing her craft since she was just a child. And, despite working steadily since her breakout role in 2013’s Blue is the Warmest Color, she’s suitably sage when discussing the topic of career highlights. “I don’t really have one yet… After all, I intend to have a very long career. I hope I’ll keep learning until the end.”
Beyond later roles in the likes of Kids in Love and La Vie Devant Elles, you may recognize Jodorowsky as one half of pop band Burning Peacocks – or from front-row pictures of Paris Fashion Week, as her distinctive personal style has seen her courted by some of fashion’s biggest labels. In recent years, Jodorowsky has been laser-focused on her acting career and, despite seeing many projects postponed earlier this year, she’s happy to report that they resumed filming (with increased safety measures) during the fall. Thankfully, not even the unexpected twists and turns of 2020 can stop Jodorowsky’s ascent. “I have been working non-stop since August. Every production has its own rules – we’ve all had to adapt. But, ultimately, I’m just happy to be back on set.”
With Netflix series The Serpent coming out in January, along with movie L’Ennemi and Threesome, a Swedish YA series she’s currently filming, 2021 is set to be a watershed year for Jodorowsky. However, true to form, she refuses to get carried away with the hype, preferring to play the long game. Her advice to other aspiring actors is profoundly simple, yet, as she knows first-hand, effective. “Be true to yourself and stand up for the things you believe in, surround yourself with people who are real and, most importantly, be patient.” Read on to discover her career and style secrets…
“I always found acting a great means of self-expression and a way to share my emotions – sometimes it’s just easier to do that via a character
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Carve your own path
“Acting has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started taking classes when I was just a kid. I always found it a great means of self-expression and a way to share my emotions – sometimes it’s just easier to do that via a character. As I got older, I also became fascinated by icons like Catherine Deneuve, Elizabeth Taylor and Gena Rowlands, who I discovered through films my parents introduced me to. My mother and father are both theater actors, so I was really lucky to have their guidance, but I also love discovering movies, actors and directors on my own. I think that’s what initially drew me to working in cinema, as opposed to theater. It’s my own world.”
Live in the moment
“When I’m preparing for a role, I like to do a lot of research. Firstly, on the director. I explore their influences and try to understand who they are as an artist; it’s also a great way to discover movies I’ve never seen before. Then, I like to create a backstory for my character. I physically write it out in a little notebook and really obsess over every detail, but when we actually go to film, I shut the book and never refer to it again. It’s important not to be too focused on yourself – you have to leave room to play and interact with your castmates. Back in spring, when the first wave of lockdowns ground the industry to a halt, I noticed that I felt somewhat relieved. A sentiment I heard echoed by other actors I spoke to. In this line of work, we’re used to having periods where you’re out of work, but there’s always anxiety about when your next job will be – plus, you’re thinking about all the amazing things that are filming and in production that you’re not a part of. Lockdown forced me to relax and stop comparing myself to other people.”
“I’m totally open to transforming my look when it comes to a role. In fact, I’m usually the one pushing for it
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Follow your instincts
“Last year, I directed a music video for Clara Luciani. Directing is something I’ve always wanted to do because it brings together so many of my passions – acting, of course, but also music, literature and the power of the moving image. I try to follow my instincts when it comes to self-expression. I used to think my acting career was totally separate from my music and writing, but I realize now that everything is connected. Ultimately, it all helps you move forward. You never know what or who a project will lead you towards. Thankfully, over the past few years, I’ve managed to shake off the It-girl label. I hate that phrase; it completely objectifies the woman in question, totally diminishing her personality and individuality. It implies that she is the incarnation of whatever is cool at a given moment, which is just projection. It has no true relevance to real women and their multiplicity.”
Have fun with your style
“My personal style is constantly changing. I have always really loved clothes and enjoyed dressing up, so I tend to switch up my look every day. Sometimes I’ll go for an outfit that’s totally masculine and, another day, I’ll be drawn towards really feminine designs. It all depends on my mood – fashion is an amazing way to express yourself. Of course, there are some pieces I wear all the time, like my Levi’s jeans. I’m filming in Sweden at the moment and just discovered a local brand, Totême – they also do great denim. When it comes to accessorizing, I love jewelry. I have a big collection. A lot of my pieces were gifts. I really think jewelry is a special thing to give and receive. There’s something mystical about it, like the stones have a story of their own. I wear rings and necklaces all the time, but I’m still trying to figure out which earrings work with my latest haircut.”
“There is no such thing as typical ‘Parisian’ style. As a city, Paris is beautiful for its cultural and social diversity
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Embrace change
“As an actor, going to the costume department for fittings is so exciting because it’s when you really see the character come to life. I’m totally open to transforming my look when it comes to a role. In fact, I’m usually the one pushing for it. I find it really helps you become the character. Plus, it’s fun. I recently cut my hair into a shag for the series I’m filming at the minute, Threesome. My character is really free-spirited and rock ’n’ roll, so it felt like the perfect fit. Thankfully, it’s a great cut, so all I need to do in terms of styling is use some of Leonor Greyl’s amazing hair cream and let it air-dry. In recent years I’ve gotten more and more involved with the process of building my character’s wardrobe and exchanging ideas. I think this change has come about because I’ve become more confident in myself; I’ve spent the past few years growing, and that introspection has made me much more decisive.”
Don’t bow to convention
“There is no such thing as typical ‘Parisian’ style. As a city, Paris is beautiful for its cultural and social diversity. I think it’s sad that nowadays the archetypical Parisian woman is thought of as white and thin. Plus, the idea that Parisian women are somehow effortlessly stylish doesn’t sit well with me. It implies that French women are cool by nature, while other women have to work at it. I hate all these tropes that force women to compare themselves to each other and compete with one another.”