Q&A: Bella Hadid
From a hillside in Rome, goddess Bella Hadid reveals her in-flight go-to and what she does in her downtime
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Which scent brings back happy memories?
Lime, Basil & Mandarin Jo Malone! My mum used to love the stuff – she had the most amazing Jo Malone collection. I can see them now, all lined up. I used to hide this particular one in my room, and I remember the smell to a T. It feels crazy that I can now go home and repay her with this fragrance.
You’re the face of new Bulgari fragrance Goldea The Roman Night. Can you describe it in three words?
I’d do it an injustice to limit it to just three. It’s feminine, yet masculine, flowery but punchy and powerful, and raw and sexy. A bunch of contradictions I know, but it all works so well.
How was shooting the campaign?
It was unbelievable. I was scaling the side of buildings, and hopping from rooftops. Of course, there was something to catch me if I fell, but I felt like I had a superpower, and that I had the city to myself. Shooting with Glen Luchford was a dream come true, too. He’s done so many iconic Kate Moss shoots so it was a real ‘pinch-me’ moment.
What’s your best moment to date?
Honestly, this moment right here, right now. I just walked down the most famous steps in Rome, all by myself, in the most beautiful gown. Don’t get me wrong, I was absolutely shitting myself – I made a joke to the Italian security guard at the top of the step that I was about to do the deed in a vintage Galliano gown, but he didn’t even crack a smile. I think my American humour was lost on him!
Who’s your style icon?
Old school Kate Moss. I love that whole effortless ’90s thing of jeans and T-shirts. She still rocks it so well today. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the maximalist queen Rihanna. Who doesn’t love a good Riri moment? There are so many. And she’s a total beauty icon too with all her bold and brilliant make-up statements.
What does downtime look like for you?
Friends first always, then burgers! When I am on my way back from a trip, I let my friends know my ETA and when I arrive home, they’re waiting on my couch with take-out burgers. Time with them is like being back in high school, they insult me no end. It’s a little slice of normality.
What’s your worst beauty habit?
Here’s the thing: I don’t know how to do my make-up properly. I mean, of course I can slap on some foundation and mascara, but all this fancy stuff is lost on me. Contouring? No chance. Nothing ever goes wrong with my make-up because I don’t experiment enough for it to do so.
What’s your skincare hero?
You’re going to think I’m plugging Dior here because I’m the face of its mascara, but I’m not. It’s Hydra Life Jelly Mask, £44, has revolutionised my travelling regime. It’s cooling, hydrating and thirst-quenching. As soon as I get on a plane, I take my make-up off, and slather it on. I tend to travel from the airport, straight to a shoot. Good skin is non-negotiable.
What mantra do you live by?
Everything happens for a reason! My mom has instilled it and I truly believe it. It helps me to do what I do every day, pick myself up and start again.
Name three dream dinner party guests?
I’d tick all the industry boxes: fashion; art; music. So it would be John Galliano, Da Vinci and Michael Jackson. Wow! Can you imagine?