After making her runway debut for Celine’s Summer 2022 collection this past weekend, there seems to be nothing BLACKPINK’s Lisa cannot do. Talented in both music and fashion, Lisa continues to grow her network since becoming a global music sensation with her group. Although this was the first time she has walked the runway, this wasn’t the first time she has worked with the French fashion house. Lisa began her relationship with Celine in 2019 as the ambassador for their ready-to-wear and accessories, and has since been a regular at their shows. In-between working with the brand, Lisa went on a sold-out world tour and released multiple albums. Fast-forward two years later, she is now featured as the face of Celine’s Haute Parfumerie collection—only proving her impact on the industry. 

In an exclusive interview with the house, Lisa speaks about her experience on set, her new role and the campaign itself. Read her Q&A below.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF NOW EMBODYING THE ROLE OF PERFUME AMBASSADOR?

LISA : As each CELINE perfume has a strong character and stands out individually, I also look forward to revealing diverse and confident perspectives of myself as a CELINE perfume global ambassador.

 

WHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT SHOOTING THIS CAMPAIGN WITH HEDI SLIMANE?

LISA : When you imagine a perfume campaign, there is usually a physical representation of the product. Hedi, however, portrayed the CELINE perfume only by capturing me, as the model, within a space. How Hedi depicted idea of scent as a visual was a remarkable experience. The shoot took place on a late summer day with strong sunshine, a light wind, music and scent swirling around. In that moment, it was as though I perfectly melted into CELINE perfume, which happened to be PARADE from the collection.

 

THE CELINE HAUTE PARFUMERIE COLLECTION IS COMPOSED AROUND HEDI’S VIVID OLFACTIVE JOURNAL. IN WHAT MOMENTS ARE YOU MOST AWARE OF THE SCENTS AROUND YOU?

LISA : This was actually a memorable moment for me – one I wish to remember always. Some moments are so remarkable that the surrounding scent becomes more vivid and imprints as part of the memory. My first experience attending the CELINE show is one of them. I remember the extreme quiet of the venue illuminated by the lighting and that first moment when the model appears walking to the music. It was as though time had stopped; senses and cells in my body has awakened; and the music, the light and the scent approached me intensely all at once.

 

DESCRIBE A RECENT SCENT MEMORY: WHERE AND WHEN AND WHY IT HAS STAYED IN YOUR MIND?

LISA : Recalling the scent from a place gives me comfort. While visiting Nice, France for the perfume campaign. I remember the sparkling light of the beach, the cool breeze, and the scent of the green grass that made me feel like I was in paradise. For me, Nice was already a city of scent and breeze, and this made me fall in love with the city.

 

IN WHAT WAYS, FOR YOU, ARE SCENTS ASSOCIATED WITH EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS?

LISA : For me, scent is a single drop that can make emotions and feelings become more vivid or even ambiguous. There are times when I want to be deeply immersed in my emotions – whether this means being depressed or excited. When I layer in scent, emotions and feelings become much stronger. In another way, I feel like I am on a constant journey in my moods and emotions with the scent.

 

IN WHAT WAYS, FOR YOU, ARE SCENTS NOSTALGIC, CONJURING UP THE PAST?

LISA : I think the best way to remember passing moments is with scent. Even if the experience fades, traces of photos and scent linger for some time. Sometimes, when I want to bring back memories of a day, I will sprinkle the perfume I wore on a photos. And I can feel the happiness in my skin as if I’m reliving it.

 

WHAT CONNECTION DO YOU HAVE BETWEEN YOUR STYLE AND YOUR SCENT – DO YOU WEAR DIFFERENT PERFUMES DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU ARE WEARING?

LISA : When choosing perfume, the first consideration is whether the scent goes well with today’s look, and then think of whom I’m meeting with on that day. On a brunch date with friends, dressed in my favorite boxy jacket with denim pants, I would wear a fresh citrus fragrance. I would choose a woody scent for when I have dinner plans. I believe there are separate scents that pair with different occasions, so I was happy to discover that CELINE perfume also proposes scents for day and evening.

 

WHEN YOU WEAR PERFUME, IS IT ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE TO SMELL ON YOUR SKIN OR THE EFFECT YOU THINK IT MAY HAVE ON OTHERS?

LISA : I do think that one’s scent affects the first impression of a person or a space. I choose a perfume with special care when meeting someone for the first time. Sometimes, in order to make a stronger impression, I might avoid too much makeup or accessories, instead focusing on wearing a special perfume.

 

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PERFUME AND YOUR FAVOURITE CANDLE IN THE CELINE HAUTE PARFUMERIE COLLECTION – AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THEM?

LISA : My favourite would be ‘BLACK TIE’. When choosing a perfume, I tend to look at the bottle as well. In this way, the scent that corresponds best with the bottle of CELINE perfume is ‘BLACK TIE’. I feel there’s a neutral atmosphere of cedar wood and musk that blends perfectly with CELINE looks. My favourite candle is ‘TAMBOUR NOIR’. I love spending time in vintage shops, and when I smell ‘TAMBOUR NOIR’ I feel like I’m surrounded by heavy, luxurious leather jackets and belts. I could even imagine the sound of a guitars from the ’60s playing. This makes my heart beat faster.

 

PARIS AND THE TRADITION OF FRENCH PARFUMERIE ARE EVER-PRESENT IN THESE COLLECTIONS. WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR SCENT IMPRESSIONS OF PARIS?

LISA : The weather was usually a bit chilly whenever I visited Paris, and this somehow reminds me of warm vanilla and musk.

 

WHICH OF THE PERFUMES WILL BECOME YOUR SIGNATURES?

LISA : If I have to pick one from the CELINE perfume collection, it would be ‘EAU DE CALIFORNIE’. It is inspired by California nights – the summer nights that I love – and I could spray it for the rest of my life. When I sprinkle a little ‘EAU DE CALIFORNIE’ atop the sofa while spending a leisurely evening with my dogs and cats, it feels like I’m in heaven. How could you not love this perfume?