Gigi Hadid on fragrance, astrology, and the definition of excellence

Rabanne, the 59-year-old French fashion house, is on a roll heading into 2025. 1) recently launched a new fragrance with serious signature scent potential, and 2) announced that global supermodel and all-around It Girl Gigi Hadid will be its face. This fragrance is called Million Gold for Her Eau de Parfum and is inspired by “femininity” and “glittering golden success.”

Hadid’s high fashion campaign reflects the brand’s bold and unapologetic attitude in celebrating women’s success. In one photo, she strikes a powerful pose in a tight tailored suit. In another photo, she wears a glittering two-piece set. In yet another photo, she’s wearing nothing but the brand’s signature XL link jewelry.

Along with the striking images, Rabanne has published an exclusive Q&A with Hadid as part of its new fragrance campaign. Keep scrolling to learn more about this new scent, including information on her personal scent preferences, her first beauty memories, and why she calls herself a “classic Taurus” , you can get a detailed insight into Hadid’s world.

What does Rabanne mean to you as a brand? What do you think the brand stands for?

Rabanne is powerful for me. Powerful, strong, sexy, someone who walks into a room and owns it.

Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Fonda, and Francoise Hardy were all Monsieur Rabanne’s muses. What is it like to be part of such an amazing cast of strong and memorable women?

It’s crazy! I’ve always been a fan of that brand. They have many iconic muses and have been an iconic part of fashion history. It’s great to be a part of it and to work with such a great team.

How would you describe the Rabanne women?

Confident, strong, sensual and full of energy. Powerful.

Rabanne’s manifesto is to energize the next generation to build a more creative and inclusive future. Do you share these values?

Absolutely, of course. I feel like a lot of that revitalization is about encouraging people to find ways to express themselves. It’s about finding what makes you feel powerful and ready to get through the day. No matter who we’re talking about, no one wakes up in the morning feeling like a million bucks. We all have to find something to protect ourselves as we go out into the world. Scent can be a powerful tool for this purpose.

When did you first encounter the scent of Rabanne? What are your memories of that time?

My ex-boyfriend wore men’s Rabanne. That was about 10 or 13 years ago. I think it reminds me of a younger and more fun time in my life. I don’t know exactly when I first smelled Rabanne, but remembering it makes me feel like I’ve stepped into some kind of time machine. Little movie snippets of that period of my life, always fun.

How do you choose the fragrances you wear?

Once I find something I like, I’ll just wear it for a while. It will then be added to your collection. Once added to your collection, you might start mixing it up with other things. It’s almost like emotional alchemy, trying to figure out how you want to feel that day and the scent that will help you feel that day. It’s fun to mix together the emotions and thoughts inspired by each scent.

Different scents make me feel different emotions and reveal different aspects of my personality. In general, I love florals, or anything that combines florals with something a little deeper. Scent tickles a part of your brain. It’s a great way to express yourself and life becomes so much more fun when people find ways to express themselves.

How would you describe Million Gold for Her in three words?

You could say it’s refreshing. I like it when something wakes up a part of my brain. My second word is sexy. Thirdly, it is difficult to simply call it floral. Because it’s more than that. Use words that convey emotion rather than descriptive words. Would you say it’s mysterious?

Million Gold for Her is about empowerment and excellence. What does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment to me means discovering yourself and not being afraid to express it in any way you can. It’s about unapologetically understanding your work and your worth, and not compromising it based on what others think or what the world is trying to impose on you.

How do you define excellence?

Excellence means waking up every day and trying to learn something new. You can never feel like you have too much to learn. I think excellence is increasing.

How would your friends describe you?

Calm. It might be creative. I’m sure this applies to sober people as well, but I’m more easygoing and goofy than most people realize.

Do you have a personal mantra?

I don’t know if there is a mantra. I think there were certain parts of my life where I might have used a mantra or had a certain outlook, but after that point…I don’t know. Let’s move on. I’m a typical Taurus, used to the ups and downs of life. I think there are benefits to both sides. And I’m good at trying to find the lessons in everything. So if I had to name a mantra, I think it would be “one day at a time.”

Now that you’re an adult, what do you like about modeling? What’s your favorite job? When do you have the most fun? What is the most difficult thing?

I think what makes my current job so enjoyable is the contrast between my work as a model and my work as a mother of a daughter. When she is with her father is when I try my best. I have time to pack in work, so I try to choose jobs that are meaningful to me and worth it. So you end up having a schedule that’s really fulfilling and full of things that you really want to be there for. We’re also lucky to be in a co-parenting relationship, which allows us to really focus on our work when we go to work and feel like we’re there to give our all and do our best. Finding that balance has given me more confidence as both a mother and a model. I thought, “Okay, I can figure this out and be good at everything I want to be good at.” But I think that’s scary for everyone.

How do you relax after a busy week? Do you have any guilty pleasures?

I feel no guilt for the pleasures I enjoy. But I really can do with silence and solitude. I think that when you are with a lot of people during the day, you can pick up on everyone’s energy. So I love just staying home and lighting candles. If you have someone around, play a board game. I love crafty things. For most people, this won’t be a very soothing story, but I love crime documentaries. I like to stay away from crime.

What makes you feel beautiful?

It’s about what I feel good and comfortable with. It’s also when my friends and loved ones really see me and when I’m feeling good and happy. If I do that, I think other people will also be able to see me more beautifully.

How do you define beauty at this stage in your life? How is it different from how you defined beauty when you were younger?

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a Taurus, but I always feel that my mentality remains the same in all stages of life. How should I explain it? I have always felt beautiful for the same reason. This includes taking care of yourself, your health, your mental state, the people around you, and the relationships you have. I feel beautiful when things are balanced.

What is your first perfume memory?

I can’t remember exactly, but I can imagine the bottle. My mom had this beautiful tray of bottles in her bathroom. Not only was I drawn to spraying and trying out the scent, but I was also drawn to the bottle itself. I think it was because my young brain was, and still is, very interested in creativity, product manufacturing, and design. I was interested in how different bottles make me feel, and how I feel when I see the scent coming out of the bottle. When I think about perfume now, I realize that I have been interested in products and design since I was a child.

What is your favorite way to wear a fragrance?

I placed it on my wrists, the front of my chest, my neck area, and the back of my head, right where my hair meets my neck. I like the idea of ​​smelling when someone hugs me.

See more Rabanne beauty products