It's a far cry from Lady Rose. In the new My Burberry Black campaign, Downton Abbey actress Lily James peels off her trench coat in a rainstorm to the tune of "I Put a Spell on You," then, unencumbered by clothing, cozies up to a giant perfume bottle. The 27-year-old, who also starred in 2015's Cinderella opposite Cate Blanchett, and who just wrapped a four-month stint in Kenneth Branagh's stage production of Romeo and Juliet, arrived at the My Burberry Black launch party at the brand's London flagship on Monday with boyfriend Matt Smith (her co-star in the recent film Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). Here, she opens up about following in the footsteps of Burberry beauties Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne.
You were in place as the face of My Burberry Black before the fragrance was even developed, which is a unique situation. Does the fragrance feel personal to you?
Absolutely. The scent is so sensual, when you spray it on, it's like it goes under your skin. I love that there's both strength and a freshness to it. I also love that it's a side of me that I haven't really explored as much in the roles I've played. It's a way to break that Cinderella mold. So it's really quite liberating.
How did it feel to shoot such a sexy campaign?
I walked up not really knowing what to expect. Terrified. And I walked into this massive warehouse, with a huge crew – it was like doing a movie. I was like, OK. And there were loads of good looking boys everywhere. Mario [Testino] only works with incredibly handsome people, evidently. And he swept over with such energy and warmth and humor and was chatting away while I was having my hair and makeup done, and I amazingly felt very relaxed. And because he was like, 'be you!' and put on this sexy music, I just felt really free. I was just dancing around. It was a really great shoot. My boyfriend came and watched a bit. It was really lovely, though it was definitely a pinch myself moment. I never expected to model, ever. It was surreal.
Have you always worn fragrance?
Yeah. I didn't sleep very well when I was younger, so I used to spray my mom's fragrance on my pillow. I still do that now, spray perfume on the bed. I love smells and I love being associated with a signature smell. But I wear a different fragrance for every character I play. I used the My Burberry eau de toilette for Juliet, because it's spring-y and light and you feel the florals, as opposed to My Burberry Black, which has a sultry undertone with the amber. Over the years, I've used so many. For Lady Rose, I wore a rose-based fragrance, which I used for the full four years of Downton. I'd spritz it on the train on the way to the set and it was like Lady Rose was back. It was Issey Miyake. Perfume is so intimate. And it evokes so many memories. I remember smelling what my dad used to wear somewhere out of context and just being taken back, it's like an instant memory.
Have you learned any good makeup tips and tricks from the makeup artists you've worked with?
I work with Jenn Streicher a lot, who I just adore and worship, and Mary Greenwell, who I love. Jenn has taught me about my eyes. I often wear really light makeup but my face actually can take a really dark eye. I think I'm quite bold with her when it comes to colors. I like the courage in her makeup. With Mary, I've learned a lot about defining my eyebrows and my cheekbones. Weirdly the best beauty tip I've ever had, though, was from a director I worked with, Rufus Norris. I worked with him on one of my first plays, and he said, 'you should grow out your eyebrows' because I was playing a 14-year-old. And it was the best thing I've ever done. It's funny that a theater director paved my way for my look in beauty, but I really do love my brows.
Do you wear much makeup when you're not working?
I do try to enjoy not wearing makeup. I try to wear a nice moisturizer, and I love the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, because it tightens – and then Burberry does these amazing Face Contour pens, which are like face paint. You can use your hands, they're very tactile. Even without foundation and just a bit of blush you look really fresh.
How do you take care of your skin?
I cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Moisturizing is probably the one thing I do religiously, without fail. I love the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate exfoliator and cleanser – her products feel really natural and I love the smell. I love Elemis, the Pro Collagen Moisturizer, and the Balancing Lavender toner. Lavender is one of my favorite scents. And I love spritzing stuff. I love the Natura Bisse Diamond Mist Spray – I'm always spritzing myself and other people. I did it a lot during Romeo and Juliet, actually, with an anti-pollution Ren one. I'd come off after being Juliet – laughing and crying and trying to kill myself – and just spritz, spritz.
