Julia Garner On Scent Memories, Shooting Gucci Guilty, and Laura Linney’s “Amazing” Advice
In honour of the new campaign, Bazaar Arabia chats to the award-winning actor about perfume, future projects, and how she feels there’s a time and place for everything…
These past few weeks have been a busy time for Julia Garner. From awards season to attending Gucci’s AW23 show at Milan Fashion Week, the 29-year-old actor has a lot going on.
Last Wednesday, the campaign for the Italian fashion house’s relaunch of its most iconic fragrance collection was unveiled; Gucci Guilty has officially entered a new chapter. Nostalgic and romantic, yet seemingly playing into themes of acceptance and friendship, the video-led campaign, which stars Julia, channels the energy of the range of perfumes with fresh flair.
Since its debut in 2010, the line has never been one for the faint of heart. This continues to ring true when it comes to the trio of scents for her, highlighted throughout the campaign: Gucci Guilty Eau de Parfum Pour Femme is a unique blend of Mandora, Pink Pepper, Lilac, and Patchouli. It plays a starring role throughout the story, alongside Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette Pour Femme – the original distinctive Amber Floral accord defined by similar notes – and Gucci Guilty Eau de Parfum Intense Pour Femme, an intoxicating scent that rewrites the Gucci Guilty Pour Femme signature’s essence, an addictive combination that includes amber, floral and woody notes.
In honour of the collection’s relaunch, Bazaar Arabia spoke with Julia Garner about her first memory of scent and what Gucci Guilty smells like to her.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What’s your earliest memory of fragrance or scent?
Julia Garner (JG): I love perfumes, but I think my earliest memory of scent is… something that’s an early childhood memory. My mom – she from a German background – she’s not a great cook, but the only thing that she knows how to make well is schnitzel. So, always can remember how that smells. My dad’s also a painter, so, when I go down into the basement – that’s where his studio is – I can smell the oil paint … in a way. So I guess those are my earliest scent memories if that makes sense.
HBA: What sort of role has fragrance played in your life? Has it ever helped you to get into character?
JG: No – but I might steal that for later! Scent for me is huge. When I don’t wear any kind of perfume, I actually feel almost naked in a weird way. It wakes me, it’s like another form of coffee in a strange way. Before I go out the door, I always have to have some kind of a scent. Otherwise, I just feel I feel weird. I don’t feel put together.
HBA: What does Gucci Guilty smell like to you?
JG: Gucci Guilty for Her smells very feminine but strong at the same time. It smells like a really strong, feminine woman, that has that interesting combination.
HBA: Can you share any highlights from shooting the campaign?
JG: Honestly, the highlight was the people that I met – and shooting with Glen [Luchford], he’s incredible… We just had such a fun time and everybody that works at Gucci is so wonderful. For me, that was the stand out part of the whole experience.
HBA: If Ruth Langmore from Ozark had a signature scent, what do you think it would it be?
JG: Oh, I say… like beer and pretzels? I don’t know. I don’t think she’s ever worn perfume. There are certain characters where I would wear perfume – like Anna Delvey [from Inventing Anna], I would obviously wear perfume. But I wouldn’t wear perfume as Ruth. It would just feel weird.
HBA: You’ve been very honest about the realities of the industry you work in, how actors have some years that are better than others. How has your relationship with acting evolved throughout the years?
JG: I’ve been really blessed to be surrounded by really interesting and respected actors for decades. Somebody like Laura Linney, she’s given me amazing advice early in my career: she’s said to me before at the end of the day… the work speaks for itself. You can have a slow year as an actor – or in any profession – but if you know what you’re capable of doing, in terms of your work, it’s going to pick back up. The universe is so much bigger, in a way. So, I’m a very big believer that there’s always a time and place for things.
HBA: You have some very interesting projects in the pipeline. You’re working with director Kitty Green again on The Royal Hotel. What are you most excited about for the future?
JG: I’m very excited about that project, because that will be the first project coming out of my production company [Alma Margo] and I love collaborating with Kitty Green. So, I’m very excited about that.
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram/@gucci
