Hilary Swank sees fashion as art

Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank loves dressing in the latest styles, and enjoys looking at the couture pieces designers come up with each season.

“I love clothes, and fashion is a great art form,” she said. “Being a woman and my femininity are very important to me. But with my work I have to check my preferences at the door and personify the character I am playing as best I can. Your character isn’t who you are. That’s the great thing about my job. I get to step into somebody else’s shoes – whether that’s a pair of flat brogues or some stilettos.”

Hilary recently helped judge a Milan fashion contest which saw 28 hopefuls design underwear sets with the hopes of winning the £13,500 first prize and seeing their piece go into production.

She said: “I am here to judge art. I haven’t been on a panel of design judges before but I have definitely given an opinion on art.”

Hilary admits she struggles with some aspects of fame, especially as she never wanted to become a celebrity. She is now followed by photographers wherever she goes, and says it took her a long time to accept that women look up to her.

She explained to Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper: “It brings responsibilities. Although at the beginning of my career that wasn’t a challenge I was really up for, because I thought I was an actor and I didn’t really sign up to be an example to young people. All I ever wanted to do was act – I didn’t want to be a celebrity.”