Photographer Mario Sorrenti on bringing intensity to Narciso Rodriguez’s latest fragrance

Photographer Mario Sorrenti and designer Narciso Rodriguez go way back — all the way to “the early 90’s” when Sorrenti was still establishing himself as fashion’s brooding image-maker. Now they’ve reunited for Rodriguez’s latest fragrance, for her eau de parfum intense — a ramped-up version of his iconic scent with a heart of musk that’s been “reinvented at its core” and housed in a deep fuchsia bottle rather than the brand’s signature blush pink. The campaign introduces Australian newcomer Angelina Kendall, scouted on social media during lockdown and chosen for her combination of “innate confidence and authenticity.” What makes this campaign different? For the first time, we hear the muse speak. “It was very important for me to hear Angelina speak because it’s her thoughts and emotions that I’m interested in,” Sorrenti explains. It’s an approach that feels appropriately intense for a fragrance created with AI and “headspace technology” to capture the scent’s signature after four hours of wear — when it’s reached its purest expression. Here, Sorrenti shares his vision for capturing a woman who’s “sensitive, yet strong,” why he and Rodriguez “share a lot of the same references,” and what makes a truly iconic campaign. And in a rare interview moment, Rodriguez himself weighs in on why Sorrenti was “the only person [he] considered to shoot this campaign.”

How did you first meet Narciso Rodriguez?

MS: We met in the early 90’s when I was shooting.

What was it like to work with the designer again on the new campaign for for her eau de parfum intense?

MS: It was incredible working with Narciso. I have a huge respect for his vision and his talent. I feel as though we both share a lot of the same references and inspirations.

How did you work with Narciso to create a vision for the campaign?MS: Narciso and I worked closely for many months sharing ideas, references, and clips from films that inspire us. We spent a lot of time discussing our vision and thoughts on how to portray and define who our contemporary woman might be.

What was the atmosphere like on set shooting the campaign?

MS: The atmosphere on set was really fun but very professional as we had a lot to accomplish in two days. Everyone on set was focused but also really excited about what we were doing.

What did you want the shoot for for her eau de parfum intense to convey?

MS: My hopes are to portray a woman who is sensitive, yet strong. A woman who feels contemporary and grounded in the present. Someone who can take us on a journey of intimacy without being too romantic.

This is the first campaign from narciso rodriguez parfums where we hear the muse speak. What inspired this?

MS: It was very important for me to hear Angelina [the model of the campaign] speak because it’s her thoughts and emotions that I’m interested in. I wanted to portray her as she is.

for her eau de parfum intense is all about intensity. What does intensity mean for you?

MS: For me intensity is all about personality and character.

You’ve worked on so many iconic campaigns. What do you think are the most important ingredients in creating a campaign that really stands out?

MS: I find that the campaigns that are the most personal to my work, my life and my ideals are the ones that seem to resonate the most with other people and seem to be the most successful.

Why did you choose Mario Sorrenti to shoot the new campaign?

NR: Mario and I have known each other since the 1990s and collaborated many times. He understands and celebrates women, their beauty, their strength, their depth, their power and their grace in a profoundly beautiful way. He also captures emotion like no one else. He is an extraordinary artist with a remarkable soul and the only person I considered to shoot this campaign.

You can purchase for her eau de parfum intense here.