Jane Fonda has landed the cover of the new issue of W Magazine. The 77-year-old fashion-forward actress is pictured on the cover wearing a Giambattista Valli haute couture dress with a feathered cape.

In a shoot, photographed by legendary Steven Meisel and styled by Edward Enninful, the actress demonstrates that age is no barrier to fashion as she models an array of designer gowns, including a revealing v-neck dress by Lanvin.

Jane Fonda in Lanvin for W Magazine

In the glossy publication, Fonda, who is well known for her fearless approach to the industry, discusses her status as a fashion icon.

“I think it’s a hoot that, at my age, people are calling me a fashion icon,” she explains.

“Truthfully, my relationship to fashion has always been strained. When I was starting out as an actress in New York, I worked as a model because I needed to pay for acting classes. But I didn’t have what it took to be a model. I hated all the emphasis on how I looked, and I never paid much attention to clothes.”

Fonda discusses a recent example of one of her red carpet hits - a green Balmain jumpsuit worn to the Grammy awards.

In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda at the Cannes Film Festival In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival wearing Atelier Versace In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda at the 2015 Grammy awards wearing Atelier Versace In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar party in Zuhair Murad In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda at the 2015 Grammy awards wearing Balmain In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda at the 2015 Washington Correspondents Dinner wearing Gustavo Cadile In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda in Vera Wang accepting her AFI Lifetime Achievement Award In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda in Cannes in 2013 wearing Elie Saab Getty Images In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits In pictures: Jane Fonda fashion hits Jane Fonda in Cannes in 2012 wearing Atelier Versace Getty Images

"I took one look at that Balmain jumpsuit, and I said, ‘That’s it!’ I’m best when I’m wearing something structured, with no frills or bows. Something that will show my waist and bum, because I’ve always had a good bum.”

Fonda has been out in force during Cannes film festival, appearing on the red carpet last week wearing a blue cutaway gown by Atelier Versace.

The magazine cover is the latest in a string of ad campaigns and runway appearances by older models - demonstrating the increasing willingness of the fashion industry to embrace diversity of age.