Cover Story: Kate Bosworth

KATE BOSWORTH: It’s a series of conversations between women in film. It’s really such an extraordinary experience. She brings together a group of women artists; photographers, actors, film makers, producers. And there are two short films that are screened at the Venice Film Festival, by women. One was by Celia Rowlson-Hall, and Chloe Sevigny did the other. Celia’s is a silent film, featuring her choreography. Chloe’s is very dry, in Chloe Town. They were both really great pieces kind of playing against each other.

KB: My panel was with Zosia [Mamet], from Girls. She’s so funny. Anyway she’s producing a lot at the moment, as am I, so we spoke about the experience of being behind the lens, and being proactive in a different way. I think being an actor is an incredible experience, but at the end of the day it’s also a limited one. If you have the drive to be more involved in the collaborative experience, you’re going to become a director or producer. Obviously I’m married to a filmmaker, and we have a production company now called Make Pictures.

KB: It’s so interesting. When you have more of a seat at the table, if you will, you’re just more heard. And obviously, look, it’s a frequented topic right now, women in film, and what that means. So I think to come on in a different capacity gives us more of a voice. And for me it was also very organic—I’ve always read a lot, and wanted to develop source material.

KB: She’s so deeply curious. I’ve had the fortune of getting to spend time with her, and she’s so curious about the arts, cinema, and literature. And it’s things that I think a lot of real artists are interested in. I think what’s interesting about this time is the blending of artists and mediums. I remember only ten years ago, to think that I wanted to collaborate with a fashion label was taboo. But my father was in fashion, I love fashion, it’s just a different expression of art that I love. I remember at the time thinking, if Kate and Laura [Mulleavy, the sisters behind the Rodarte label and now the movie Woodshock] wanted to dress a movie, no one would find that strange, and here they are! I’ve never enjoyed the idea of being limited. And my favorite people in the world are like that. Mrs Prada is one. The people I relate to are rebellious in nature.

KB: I don’t work with a stylist, so I just went in to meet the girls at Miu Miu, and I saw this dress. It’s a beautiful dove gray. I really thought about Venice, and what it meant to be there, the Venice Film Festival is so iconic. It’s just so glamorous. So I really thought about how I wanted to feel. And yet, what I love about Miu Miu, is that even with the most elegant of dresses, there’s a playfulness to it which is important to keep in mind too. I also wore this almost burnt orange, groovy seventies suit. It’s not my go to, but I loved the idea of being of another time in Venice.

KB: I’ve never felt comfortable on a red carpet, it just feels like such an assertive thing to do. I mean truly, swanning around. It is so far removed from what I am as a real person in the world. But with that said, the way I’ve found myself able to enjoy it is to come up with a kind of character. So in that sense it does get creative for me, and Venice is a good example. I was thinking of a Grace Kelly or an Audrey Hepburn, that character, and working with hair and makeup. And because I’m flying solo when it comes to styling, I immediately started thinking about the total look. Because I think when you’re looking at a whole it’s about balancing!

KB: What you see me wearing on the red carpet is as far as I’ll go with hair and makeup. On my day to day, I usually don’t wear makeup. I take very good care of my skin. I’m not obsessive, I like my cocktail and my burger like everyone else. But in terms of drinking enough water, and wearing sunscreen. I definitely think about that. I have this sunscreen I really like right now that I use as my foundation, it’s all organic. I find it difficult to find organic sunscreen that’s really good. They make it in France. Sun Si’Belle. I’m quite fair so I get sun damage really easily. I like tints or stains on my cheeks eyes and lips, I’m a minimalist. If there’s a multi function product, I’m a sucker for that. I need three things to get ready. Part of my job is hours and hours of makeup, so in my personal life I’m incredibly impatient. I do love Glossier, I love their Boy Brow. I like their concealer for everyday use. In terms of colors, I love Tom Ford, his gel eye creams. You can do a wash, that’s my go to if I go out at night—a really nice sheen-y wash of color.

KB: I love scent, but I tend to go more toward male scents. I love the musk-y, sandalwood, tobacco scents. I’m a huge fan of Byredo for that reason. Ben I think is just brilliant, I’m a total die hard fan. Gypsy Water is my everyday scent. I have one of the fragrance brushes too. I think he’s an artist, that just decided to work in scent. My body wash is the Bal D’Afrique. That’s also my bath oil. So I have a little hint of that on the skin, and then I have Gypsy Water as my per diem. I like to layer them. That’s also why I love Byredo because they kind of all speak to each other and work together. I terms of candles I really love Dyptique’s Vanille, it’s a classic but I love it. It has a tobacco note. It’s almost like some sort of old French manor. It’s clean but grounded in nature.

KB: In terms of skin care, I really love this natural ISUN oil—she literally picks the flowers. I think people with acne get nervous about oils, but this will not break you out, it’s too pure for that. It’s an anti-inflammatory, it’s very calming. The one I use is called Sapphire Facial Oil, and you smell it and it’s so gorgeous. Also, this is a good little tip, I learned this one on set. If you find that your skin is freaking out, you can buy colloidal silver. You’re supposed to take it internally, but you can also get it as a gel, and it’s so anti bacterial. Wash your face and then douse it in colloidal silver, and it will literally take redness out immediately. And if you have Rosacea, you should apply Vitamin K topically. You have to be really consistent with it. I think that’s the best thing on the market for rosacea. I did college anatomy in high school, and I’m very fascinated with the body! I always think things are snake oil until I use them and see the results, and I only take recommendations from people I truly believe. Everything I’m telling you I’ve been told about and tried!