Q&A: Adriana Lima throws a downtown L.A. dinner party to launch the latest Marc Jacobs fragrance
Adriana Lima was the main attraction Thursday night as she hosted the lavish dinner party for the launch of Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence fragranceat The Ace United Artists Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Wearing a long, lurex-threaded, slit-up-to-there Marc Jacobs dress, she happily vamped with the purse-shaped perfume bottles strewn throughout the ornate vintage movie house. “Have you tried it? You have to,” she said, spritzing herself for what was probably the umpteenth time.
It’s not Lima’s first time promoting a scent. A Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2000 and a Maybelline spokeswoman from 2003 to 2010, she’s done her share of beauty promos. But the 35-year-old model said she feels “connected” to Marc Jacobs Decadence, which launched a year ago. It also was recently revealed that Lima, along with fellow Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio, will be an NBC correspondent for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, which begin Aug. 5. The duo will join Ryan Seacrest for NBC’s late-night coverage, which will no doubt be a draw for many viewers.
The lucky few who got to attend Thursday’s event — including Imogen Poots, Tracee Ellis Ross and Ellen Pompeo — got to revel with Lima in person, where she also sat down with WWD to talk about her latest gigs.
WWD: What is it about this fragrance that says “decadence” to you?
Adriana Lima: I mean, just look at the bottle. It’s decadent, it’s inspired by one of Marc Jacobs’ iconic handbags and the gold chain with tassels, the python curved cap make it so special. A fragrance to me is a symbol of femininity. It’s something that brings you memories and you can also build more memories with it. Divine Decadence is a floral fragrance with a splash of Champagne, and it has notes of gardenia, saffron and vanilla. It’s superlight, superglamorous, opulent, luxurious. It’s a way of indulging yourself and feeling sexy.
WWD: Where does this rank among the many campaigns you’ve shot in your career?A.L.: For me to be part of the Decadence campaign was an honor to me. It’s definitely the peak of my career. Number one, to be working with Marc, and Steven Meisel, who shot the campaign, is considered one of the best photographers in the world.
WWD: How did you get into the mind-set for the shoot?
A.L.: Throughout my career, I always had this image that I’d like to present, of this glamorous yet classic woman, inspired by Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, to bring this glamor back into the modern days, you know? That’s always a dream I had for one of the jobs I’d perform and this is the first time that I got a chance to do something that I was looking forward to [so much]. I feel very connected to this job.
WWD: What’s the most decadent thing you’ve ever done?
A.L.: My life is decadent because my job is decadent. I get to travel the world, I get to be at events like this, launching such an amazing fragrance in a place like this, which is so beautiful.
WWD What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
A.L.: Right now me and my family are in the Hamptons and from there I travel. I’m going to continue working because I’ll be at the Olympics. I’m looking forward to it because it’s something new for me. I’m going to be one of the contributors for NBC. We’ll be showing the Brazilian sights, my favorite sights in Rio and different Brazilian foods, so everyone can get a taste of Brazilian culture.
WWD: What’s your favorite Olympic sport?
A.L.: I have a bunch. I like boxing, swimming, soccer, archery, gymnastics, fencing. I’m very lucky I’ll get to see it up close.
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