Exclusive: Lindsay Lohan Fronts Her First Old Navy Campaign

Elle

7 days ago

Like any good millennial, Lindsay Lohan has an Old Navy commercial that's permanently wedged into her subconscious. That would be the Dating Game parody promoting the brand's low-rise jeans. (For some of us, it was Carrie Donovan in owlish glasses making us aware that 'fashion editor' could be a job.)
Now, our Summer Issue cover star has her very own moment sure to implant in the memory bank of Gen Alpha: she's starring as an '80s-style aerobics queen in the 'Old Navy, New Moves' activewear campaign, shot by Ethan James Green, styled by Dara, and costarring Dylan Efron, Quen Blackwell, and Charo. Lohan, whose leg extension in the clip is nothing less than impressive, has many warm and fuzzy memories of back-to-school shopping at the retailer growing up. 'It's such a family-friendly place,' she says. 'And it made fashion accessible without compromising style and comfort.'
Since Zac Posen began his creative takeover of Gap Inc., the whole portfolio of brands has gotten a fresh coat of paint. Posen and Lohan have known each other for some time, and he even dressed her for the 2007 Met Gala. This project was 'so nostalgic for me,' Lohan tells ELLE, 'because Zac and I have always been close. To work together in this capacity is a really nice moment for us both to have, and to see what he's doing and how great he's doing in this space is just wonderful....I always feel like life comes full circle.'
The sporty red set and throwback leg warmers Lohan wears in the campaign also took things full circle, back to the days when her mom did those famous Jane Fonda workout videos. 'It was such a movement then, of women in the exercise space and spotlight,' she says. Lohan is an activewear fan, but not necessarily a stay-in-your-gym-clothes-all-day type. She's back and forth between Dubai, L.A., and New York, and says, 'Depending on where I am, that also kind of [determines] what I'm going to be [dressed] like. If I'm in L.A., everyone's in athleisure all day every day. When I'm home, I get ready in my workout clothes, do my workout, and then they're in the hamper. You know what I mean?'
'But I'm a leggings girl,' she says, (as if anyone who once yearned for a pair of her 6126 designs could ever forget.) 'I've always been, since forever. I like to be able to have a good pair of comfortable high-waisted leggings always on hand. Especially now, having a kid, you always want to have comfort. I have days where I'm in leggings all day.'
She continues: 'I've always been comfort-focused. If I'm not comfortable in it, I'm not going to put it on. That's always been a big thing for me. With time, maybe I've become a bit more modest. I'm not as comfortable risking certain things. But it depends. If it's a nice dinner date with my husband, I want to feel sexy and look nice. And then my daywear is more casual, usually. But when I'm in New York, I like to dress because I'm in New York.'
Speaking of millennial touchstones, the fashion of her '90s and 2000s films is still all over our Pinterest boards. And she is not immune to their lure. 'I loved Annie's play on Chanel tweed in The Parent Trap. That's got to be my favorite favorite,' Lohan says. 'Even down to Hallie's Hard Candy nail polish; that was such a big thing then.' She also cites Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, where she got to be involved with the costume design, and of course the iconic looks from Mean Girls.
With Freaky Friday sequel Freakier Friday hitting theaters in August, she also indulges in some nostalgia for the fashion of her character Anna: 'I remember I was like, 'I want her to be like Avril Lavigne!' [Director] Mark Waters was like, 'Why Avril Lavigne?' I'm like, 'Because she's a teenager with angst.''
Lohan has still hung onto much of her wardrobe from that time in her life, though that doesn't mean she's going to revisit every single fashion moment. 'You have your favorite things you never want to get rid of, and you hoard them. Will I wear low-rise jeans? Will I do it? I don't know. I look back at pictures and I'm like, 'I think I'm good.'' As for the beauty moment she's unlikely to revisit, 'I don't think I would ever put those blonde streaks in my hair again. Just because I know it will damage my hair.'
One throwback moment she's more enthusiastic about is her '80s turn in the new campaign. 'It was a really nice vibe and energy on set, and everyone was laughing and having fun,' Lohan says. 'That's kind of the best, when work doesn't really feel like work—and you're getting a workout in.'