Loli Bahia Is More Than Fashion’s French Muse

Few models have become as synonymous with Saint Laurent and French luxury as Top 50 model Loli Bahia. Her longstanding creative link with Anthony Vaccarello has helped define her career, making her a fixture on the house’s runways and in its campaigns during Vaccarello’s decade-long era. Beyond Saint Laurent, Bahia has built an impressive portfolio in front of the lenses of Steven Meisel, Alasdair McLellan, Craig McDean, Inez & Vinoodh, and Willy Vanderperre, while fronting campaigns for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga. Yet beneath her seemingly effortless, nonchalant exterior is a fiercely passionate and curious 23-year-old, eager to discover who she is beyond the demands of modeling. Whether recently designing her own Adidas Stan Smith sneakers, acting, or reflecting on the modeling industry that has shaped her formative years, Bahia is finding ways to make space for herself outside the spotlight. Fresh off her worldwide exclusive for Saint Laurent and Vaccarello’s golden swan song, Models.com caught up with the French talent in Paris, where director Montgomery White followed her through some of her favorite haunts, including Ofr. bookstore, Adidas headquarters, and to see her larger-than-life billboard overlooking the Seine. Along the way, Bahia opens up about growing up alongside Saint Laurent, the friendships forged during fashion week, and her ongoing pursuit of happiness, self-discovery, and a little peace of mind.