When I found out that I would spend half an hour alone with Antonio Banderas, I was petrified with excitement. Never met for an interview with such thoroughness - the classic black Saint Laurent or the luscious Diane von Furstenberg print? The responsibility is great - a couple of months ago, the actor made his debut in the fashion world. He made a collection of democratic menswear for the Scandinavian company Selected Homme, inspired by the aesthetics of the Cannes Festival of the 50s and 60s. In general, Banderas is not a person, but a news feed. Yesterday fans took MAMM by storm, where the famous Spaniard presented a series of pictures of Women in Gold - yes, he is also a photographer. This morning I am waiting for him for an interview in the Ritz hotel room and listen with interest as the hall explodes two floors above with applause, then with an enthusiastic roar, like on the coast of passionate Andalusia, where the actor was born,- it is he who gives a master class to beauty consultants from all over Russia so incendiary. Teaches how to sell new Antonio Banderas fragrances - Queen of Seduction and King of Seduction. Finally Antonio appears in the doorway, looks into my eyes and gently kisses my hand. Slight tiredness on the face.
“The woman is the greatest mystery,” the actor admits when we start a conversation. - Even now, when I am almost 60 years old, I cannot figure out the secret of your charm. I'm not just talking about beauty, but about the subtle energy that appears in the air when there is a woman nearby. Men are more primitive and less generous - our bodies are filled with testosterone. I am sure that if you ruled the world, there would not be as many problems as now."
MC: So you, the idol of millions of girls, want to say that you don't know women's secrets?
Antonio Banderas: I don’t want to know! It's calmer this way. There are things that shouldn't be kept secret, for example, it confuses me when I'm not sure about the weather forecast. But with women - a different case. The riddle is your main decoration. You strive for beauty and this beauty is - how sedately and proudly you move in luxurious dresses, how you chirp with each other in women's companies and how you change when a man appears next to you … I love these techniques of seduction so much and I study them through photography.
While I was waiting for you, I managed to listen to the women's fragrance Queen of Seduction. Incredibly sensual … How are you personally involved in the perfume making process?
I am the face of the screen, I am not a perfumer and am not capable of producing a subtle scent. I constantly visit factories and meet with the working group. The guys recorded my perception of life and played with it in the aroma. Queen of Seduction is sophisticated and elegant. The only thing the team didn't listen to me about was the names. There is a slight irony in all these Kings and Queens. Doesn't "king of seduction" sound like a royal title? But without humor these days it's hard!
Together with Natalia Vodianova, you launched the “Do as I Do” charity project, the purpose of which is to motivate people to do good deeds. Is he somehow related to your perfume business?
When I signed a contract with Puig, the main condition was that I would not go around with the bottle and promote the "wonderful" scent. Everyone already knows that the "king of seduction" smells great! The ethical side of business is important to me. This is why Antonio Banderas Seductive Fragrances supports charitable organizations. In Moscow, together with Natalia, we organized a charity dinner, we managed to raise $ 850,000 for the construction of inclusive playgrounds and for the creation of a system of free services for families raising children with developmental disabilities. On promotional tours in support of fragrances, I try to use my name as much as possible for the community. That's what is important for me - to be closer to other people.
Is that why you went to college again?
Yes, I like the idea of democratization. Including fashion, which, while maintaining quality, should become affordable - after all, not everyone can buy a scarf for 200 euros. Last year I entered the Master's program at Central Saint Martins in London, where Alexander McQueen and John Galliano studied before me. So for the next five years, I'm a student. In between filming, I learn to sew, design. Together with the teachers I am looking for new things I can offer to the fashion world.
Do you really sew yourself? Thread, needle, pattern …
Of course! I want to understand the entire production process, and not just be the face of the brand. The last thing I made was a denim bomber jacket. Everything is very functional there: there is a special pocket for glasses, in which the bow clings to the hole, and when you bend over, they do not fall out; there is a pocket for a phone and separate ones for cigarettes or keys and a wallet. I did this thing first of all, for myself, what I was looking for in stores, but could not find.
While you are working exclusively on the men's wardrobe. Do you have no desire to dress women?
Women's fashion gives unlimited space for creativity, for new ideas. But at the same time, the creation of women's clothing is a complex and responsible process. You need to subtly feel the trends, and most importantly, to catch the mood of the moment. Tom Ford, whom I met in London, says that this process cannot be stopped for a second. But I will definitely join this race, only first I will develop a good base for myself. I want to dress women in such a way that they surprise men, but at the same time feel comfortable and sexy. And, as I said, they did not spend a fortune on things.
What future would you like for your daughter Stella?
I want her to stay free. I don't like the ugly tradition of our society when a woman lives the life of her man. I want her to meet a person with whom she will be on an equal footing. So that she would not wait for someone who would take on all her problems, but truly fall in love with a worthy person with whom she would want to share her life.
Perhaps my question will seem too general, but still: what is he, Antonio Banderas?
He's a child! Usually people struggle with this feeling (especially at 60!), But I don't want to. I am curious and love life. I dream of living for 500 years - no! - 1000 years to do a bunch of useful things, express ourselves and show people how healthy and friendly we can live. I am acutely aware of this total stupidity: we have a whole world filled with resources that we have not yet learned to use correctly. But it is possible, and I truly believe in it.
Photo: archives of press services
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