Daisy Edgar-Jones has strong memories tied to Italy. One of the most significant is the time she spent in a villa outside of Rome filming the final scenes of Normal People—the television show adapted from Irish author Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel—which was released in 2020 and became the BBC’s most streamed series with 62.7 million views. “That was my first time spending proper time in Italy,” the actress shares with Who What Wear. “I just remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this is incredible.'”
Five years later, the 26-year-old actress returned to the shores of Italy for another big moment: as the new face of Gucci and its Gucci Lido campaign. Edgar-Jones arrived in the cliffside town of Sorrento to shoot the new Gucci Lido campaign with photographer Jim Goldberg alongside actors Aliocha Schneider and David Jonsson. The campaign is a celebration of summer, the storied charm of Italy’s coastal lidos, and tranquil days spent on the Mediterranean coastline, capturing Edgar-Jones with the effortless cool of Jane Birkin in printed silk scarves, woven GG Marmont bags, and terry-cloth swimsuits primed for breezy summer days. Ahead, read our conversation with Daisy Edgar-Jones as she talks about summer packing, Normal People memories, and behind-the-scenes moments from her new campaign with Gucci.
How did your relationship with Gucci begin?
I’ve known about Gucci and loved the house since I was young enough to know about fashion. The history of the house I find so incredible, and I feel very lucky to get to work with them.
Now, you’re the face of the new Gucci Lido campaign. Is there a specific piece or look from the campaign that you felt particularly connected to or excited to wear?
I loved the clothes in this Gucci campaign, but there was one particular look: a white shirt and white shorts with these beautiful sandals and this gorgeous bag. I absolutely loved that look. It felt very Jane Birkin, very effortless. There’s also some beautiful loafers that I loved and some scarves. The whole world of the campaign, I just loved it.
The Gucci Lido campaign evokes the spirit of an Italian summer, highlighting a sense of escape and timeless glamour. Do you have any personal memories or favorite summer destinations in Italy that evoke similar feelings?
I felt so lucky to shoot the campaign in Sorrento, and I’d love to go back and spend some time there… When it comes to favourite memories and places in Italy, we shot the final couple of weeks of Normal People in this incredible villa just outside of Rome. It was one of my favourite couple weeks of filming ever. I went to the Amalfi Coast when I was very young, and I remember eating so much lemon sorbet and just finding it all incredible.
