We’re officially entering Simone Ashley season. ‘I’m a summer girl!’ she tells ELLE UK, of her favourite time of year. It’s fitting, therefore, that the British actor is the current face of Burberry’s High Summer campaign and its new collaboration with swimwear label Hunza G. We’re catching up with Ashley in the South of France, where Burberry have partnered with the historic Hôtel Belle Rives in Antibes, taking over its famed terrace and beach club. ‘We’re here seeing the campaign come to life,’ she says with a smile.
Photograph: Darren Gerrish
Ashley borrowed from the boys for the occasion, attending a celebratory dinner to mark the opening of the beach club and the launch of the swimwear capsule – alongside the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Romeo Beckham and creative director Daniel Lee – wearing a cobalt blue jacket and matching cargo trousers from Burberry’s menswear collection, styled with a simple white tank top and black pointed-toe pumps. It was the bold shade that drew her to the look. ‘Colour means so much to me,’ she says. ‘I love leaning into that.’
Working with the British brand has been a dream come true, she explains. ‘Being British, and me being a British country girl, Burberry always felt like something that was for me growing up. I used to work in retail on Regent Street and I’d always walk past the Burberry stores.’
Below, the actor shares her summer essentials, her thoughts on method dressing, and how she’s learned to follow her instincts when it comes to style.
On deciding which brands to work with
‘I’m so passionate about fashion, art, music, motorsport, health, wellness, beauty — so many different things – but it has to be a brand that makes sense to me. It has to feel authentic. It also has to be something that my audience can relate to. I really love bringing together my community of young women.’
On her summer essentials
‘A vodka martini with a twist. Sunscreen, because I’m a good student. My dog — she used to live in California with me and she loves splish-splashing and running around. Finally, I’d say my friends and good vibes – just going with the flow.’
Photograph: Darren Gerrish
On her personal style
‘[I’d describe my personal style as] really comfortable, laid back and colourful. When I’m working, I love making an effort, but when I’m not, I’m a summer girl. I love denim shorts and vintage T-shirts.’
On not ever having fashion regrets
‘I don’t really believe in having fashion regrets. If I wanted to do it at the time, then it was true to me.’
On what she’s learnt about style
‘One of my best mates is my stylist, Rebecca Corbin Murray, I’ve worked with her for five or six years now and I learn so much from her all the time. She has encouraged me to follow my instincts, express myself and be honest. The other thing I’ve learnt from her is to not be afraid to try something new — like wearing menswear!’
Photograph: Darren Gerrish//Getty Images
Ashley with founder of Hunza G, Georgiana Huddart
On method dressing
‘I’ve gone back and forth on it a little bit, but now I’m at the point where I’m like: let people do what they want. If you want to go hard on the method dressing and pull together something major – do it.
Photograph: Darren Gerrish
At this point, I just want to go out wearing amazing fashion, whether it’s archive or runway, and just look chic and have fun. Maybe one year I’ll pull together a massive costume-method moment, but I think being a Brit, I don’t know if I’m brave enough to do that…
People will always have their opinions — I’m just like, let people do their thing.’
On her upcoming projects
‘I just wrapped on a movie called Peaked. It’s an A24 movie with an incredible cast — Connor Storrie, Dua Lipa, Emma Mackey, Laura Dern, Gabby Windey — that was one of the coolest, most fun experiences. A good comedy for me to get stuck into.
I just released my first EP, and as soon as Cannes wraps, I start band rehearsals, go I’m going back to the studio, and I’ll finish my album.
I actually got a call two nights ago about my next filming project, which I can’t talk about just yet — but I’m really excited.’
Photograph: Darren Gerrish//Getty Images
On her experience filming ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’
‘I feel so, so proud to be part of something that has brought so much joy to the world. It’s really brought together this whole community of people who were such big fans of the first one and were so excited to see the next one. If I can continue to do that with my career and my work, through the choices I make, then that would be amazing.
I did a lot of observing [of my fellow cast members] on set. Education can come from experience, and the experience I had, just working with that calibre of artists and Oscar-nominated actors — observing them and watching them — was incredible.’
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