There are few fragrances that can rival the iconic status of Dior’s Poison. Distinctive, powerful and alluring, a mere spritz of Poison is enough to knock ‘em dead. So you can imagine our excitement when you heard that Dior were bringing out a sister fragrance for a new audience - Poison Girl. An equally audacious, sultry scent but with a softer, sweeter edge, Poison Girl is the life and soul of the party, bottled. Dior hand-selected French-American model Camille Rowe, who’s appeared in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Victoria’s Secret and Tommy Hilfiger, as the face of the new scent.
A supermodel in the making who grew up between Paris, California and New York, she oozes Parisian charm with American sensibilities. A thoroughly modern model who aces insouciant beauty (that’ll be the French) with a polished edge (there’s the NYC), she’s the perfect fit for Poison Girl. We caught up with her in Paris to find out what makes a Poison Girl tick…
Poison Girl (£45 for 30ml) is available from Boots from March 16th, and nationwide from April 1st.
How did you feel when you found out you were going to be the face of the new Poison Girl scent?
'So humbled and honoured - I mean, it’s Dior! It’s a huge deal. It was a good day!'
The original ‘Poison’ scent is so iconic - did the women close to you wear it growing up?
'I remember the ads for it being so powerful and iconic. It’s such a classic fragrance'
What do you love about the new scent?
“it’s so strong and sassy. You can’t miss it. It’s there, it’s very feminine and vanilla.’
What models do you look up to?
‘Kate Moss is obviously classic, the greatest. I like all the ‘90s girls - Amber Valletta is so beautiful. I even love all the 60s models, like Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, they were so cool.’
Did any models mentor you when you were starting out?
‘I was living with Lindsey Wixon at the time who was so much younger than me but already working so much. I have so much respect for her, because I moved to New York at 21 to model, and she was only 16 or 17 and so professional. She had it in the bag, and she was like 16! Weirdly enough, she was my mentor!’
Any advice that stuck with you?
‘Be nice to everyone, that’s the one thing I always tried to do. I’m always nice and then people are happy to hang out with me! There’s no point being a sassy diva queen. I have a cool job, this awesome.’
You spent a lot of time in Paris and New York - how is the beauty style different?
‘I think in America things are lot more calculated. The classic is ‘French girls don’t brush their hair’, right? I think French women are incredibly comfortable in their skin, whereas in the States people are striving more for one beauty ideal.’
Do you think French women don’t take so long to get ready?
‘I mean I don’t! But, I’ll be honest, sometime we take a long time to look like we didn’t do anything. But there is some work put in to how messy we are. Also, the way they dress LOOKS so effortless, but it’s so calculated! Everything’s so artfully distressed, and amazing quality.’
We’ve heard French women aren’t ones for US exercise trends like SoulCycle and CrossFit. Which camp do you fall in?
‘I’ve never SoulCylcled or CrossFit-ed. That sounds terrifying to me! But I am quite sporty, I grew up running track, but I do a lot of yoga. I try and do it once a day. I power-walk the Brooklyn bridge with my best friend every day. We actually bought some weights, we love the idea of power-walking like mums! I surf a lot, too.’
What’s your favourite French food?
'Hachis Parmentier. It’s like a French Shepherd’s Pie.’
And American?
‘There’s this one kale salad … it’s so good! It’s from Tuck Shop in New York, it’s the best kale salad in the world.’
Any French beauty brands you love to stock up on?
‘Bioderma, La Roche-Posay and Darphin! They’re great. Anything French pharmacy, I’m sold.’
What's your favourite smell that’s not a perfume?
‘I love the smell of the beach, and the sea.’
If you had five minutes to get ready, what would you do?
‘Just slap on some lipstick. I never used to wear mascara or eyeliner, but then I just had my birthday, and I though, I don’t know, maybe it’s time for me to start wearing eye makeup. I like a very light little eyeliner wing. My New Year’s Resolution is always, among more other spiritual things, to dress like a girl. It never happens! But this year, I’m gonna do it.’
Watch Camille's Poison Girl fragrance campaign below
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