Chloë Sevigny Still Misses the Indie Sleaze Era

When Chloë Sevigny describes 7 For All Mankind denim as the “cool-girl jean,” it’s hard to argue; after all, she remains the ultimate cool girl herself.

Under Nicola Brognano’s creative direction—he joined 7 For All Mankind from Blumarine in December 2025—the brand is tapping back into the irreverent cool and effortless sex appeal that made it a defining force in 2000s denim. Sevigny remembers that era well. “7 For All Mankind was ubiquitous in the early aughts,” the actress tells ELLE. “That back pocket on the jeans, everybody wore them and they were the best-fitting.”

Brognano presented his debut offering at New York Fashion Week, filling out the runway with what Sevigny dubbed “cool, messy girl looks.” Denim silhouettes modernized from another era—skinny jeans that looked painted-on, mid- and low-rise styles with floaty bell bottoms, micromini skirts sitting low on the waist—were aplenty, but it was the models’ effortless cool and slightly disheveled allure that made an equally strong case for the aughts return. As a self-proclaimed “boot-cut girl,” Sevigny found the flared styles to be a particular highlight.

“In the indie sleaze era, people weren’t so concerned with things being so crisp,” Sevigny, who fronted the label’s spring/summer 2026 campaign and is now a brand ambassador, explains. “It was a little softer, and I love that and miss that about that time.”

Below, ELLE caught up with the actress to talk all things denim, indie sleaze, and the enduring appeal of being a cool girl.

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7 For All Mankind has such strong ties to Los Angeles. How does L.A. style differ from New York style?

[In] L.A., you can be a bit more wild and ambitious because you don’t have to walk down the street and be faced with people all the time like in New York. You’re really judged by your outfits more in New York—there’s getting on the subway, it’s a lot more of a vulnerable place to be expressive in your fashion. Whereas in L.A., you’re in your car, so you can wild out more in that sense.

Do you remember the first great pair of jeans you owned?

They were probably Guess, because they were so popular when I was a kid. Or Esprit.

Denim is a year-round staple, but how do you like to wear it during the summer months?

I love white denim, which always gets dirty and is terrifying. I love pink denim, lighter-colored denim. Denim shorts, I famously wear them all the time. A denim jacket on a cold summer night. Denim is very, very summer-oriented to me. But denim is also like my favorite thing. I’m obsessed with vintage denim and collecting denim, and L.A. is great for that.

Is there one piece you especially love pairing with your 7 For All Mankind denim?

Anything can go with it, whether it’s a T-shirt or a lacy, vintage Saint Laurent blouse. You can dress it up or dress it down. It’s just such a classic staple.

Your style is frequently described as effortlessly cool. Is that a label you identify with?

It feels innate. I love finding something that makes me feel good. It feels like having some sort of armor on that makes me ready to face the world. I’m pretty wacky; when people say I have such good style, I’m like, “Do I?”

And the red carpet is so different from day to day but I’m always dressing for where I’m going. I love going on holiday and packing a really concise suitcase. I just find a lot of joy in it.

When you revisit photos from the 2000s, are there any trends or outfits that surprise you in retrospect?

I was kind of all over the map. The low-rise skinny jean is a staple of the era. I loved wearing those with a pump and a fuzzy coat. I was quite young in that era; I was just teetering around. It was quite grungy and carefree, whereas now things seem more polished.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.