THE FACE OF JOY
Jennifer Lawrence – who not only fronts the campaign, but also inspired the scent – talks fashion, fragrance and fundamentals
How do you feel about being the inspiration for Dior’s first new scent since the dawn of the millennium?
It was just really such an honour when they came to me with this opportunity because my first scent ever was Miss Dior – my mom used to wear it. So working with Dior was already kind of emotional, but when they came to me with my very own fragrance, that’s Dior, that was just very emotional. I brought my mom with me when we went to the Dior laboratory in Paris, and we smelled the different ingredients that were going to go inside, and I’m still having trouble processing it. It’s such a huge honour.
You’ve had a relationship with Dior for some time now. How has working with the house influenced you?
It’s definitely made the way I dress better, because they give me free clothes! I’ve been with them since 2013 so some of the most iconic, monumental moments in my life have been in their dresses. And some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever worn have been from them.
What was it like working on Joy with them?
I went to Paris and I smelled the different notes: the sandalwood, the musk, the citrus, the floral. And the first time I smelled the whole fragrance was when I was shooting the video, and I absolutely loved it. It’s very fresh, it’s not overwhelming. It’s modern, but classic.
How does it compare to others in the Dior family?
I love all of the scents that have come from Dior, and this one is definitely different. It’s more floral, it’s not as strong, it’s very open. I love all of them, [though] I would never wear Miss Dior because it reminds me of my mother. It’s very comforting when I smell it, I just don’t want to smell like my mother!
Did any specific image come to mind when you tried the new fragrance?
I think when they first came to me with the idea they showed me this image of a chateau in the countryside in France, and this whole flower farm where they actually get a lot of the flowers that they use in their perfume, and it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. And when I smelled it I just got a flash of that chateau; it’s very natural, the sandalwood, the floral, it’s not overly perfumey.
How do you think your image dovetails with that of Dior’s?
It’s been 20 years and we’re launching something new, something joyous. The first perfume was started after [World War II], and Christian Dior just wanted women to feel happy and beautiful. And it finally feels like the right time, with everything that’s going on in our world right now, to launch something with that same intention.
What is your relationship with the house like?
Dior from the very beginning has been very supportive. They never wanted to change me or turn me into something that I’m not. They’re very supportive and kind and we wanted to build
something together. It wasn’t like my image was pasted on there; they really made a point of making sure I was part of the process.
Why was LA chosen as the spot to launch Joy?
I think that we chose LA because when you’re launching a fragrance you want it to be aspirational, and when you think of LA you think of old Hollywood and it’s very glamorous. So whenever you [buy] a fragrance you want to think you can bring a bit of glamour home, and it just seemed the perfect fresh exciting city.
What are your Dior beauty must-haves?
I love the Dior bronzer, the primer. Every day I wear Lip Glow, because it’s chapstick but it also gives a little bit of colour. I’ve worn the perfumes. I use their powder. I use a lot of their products.
Do you wear fragrance daily?
I do wear fragrance every day. I normally like very natural smells, which are a bit harder to find, which is why I was so happy when this came along, because it’s very accessible. Anybody can buy it, it’s easy to apply and it smells natural, not alcohol-y.
What’s your daily skincare regime?
I exfoliate every night. I use retinol under my moisturiser. And in the daytime I always wear sunblock.
You’re stranded on a desert island. What’s the one thing you need?
Sunblock. I’ve got really fair skin!
What has been your most memorable red-carpet look?
When I went to the Oscars in 2013 for Silver Linings
Playbook. [Lawrence wore Dior Haute Couture and took home the award for Best Actress.]
How would you describe your red-carpet style?
I always like to mix androgynous, laidback, no-effort with elegant. I like to mix looks together and not stick with something specific.
Who is your role model?
I mean, is Oprah Winfrey everyone’s role model? Cameron Diaz, Jodie Foster.
Finally, what gives you joy?
My friends. Laughing. [My dog] Pippi. Taking her to the park. New York when the seasons are starting to change – all the puddles start to really stink, which means it’s summer, which I really like.