An Essence OF HER

With Miss Dior Essence, the fragrance takes a bolder turn—one that Natalie Portman brings to life with effortless depth.

- BY ALISHA AZUDDIN

As the face of Miss Dior for over a decade, Natalie Portman has become inseparable from the modern identity of the fragrance—its femininity, its defiance, and its evolving spirit. In an exclusive interview, we had the chance to sit down with the Academy Award-winning actress to discuss the latest launch, Miss Dior Essence, and to reflect on how her personal journey has unfolded in tandem with the fragrance's transformation.

The newest chapter in the Miss Dior story is led by perfume creation director Francis Kurkdjian, who reimagines the scent with a more concentrated and expressive character. Elderflower and blackberry lend a lush, fruity vibrancy, while jasmine sambac and rich oak wood bring depth and sensuality. For Portman, it's a compelling balance. “The new Essence is really feminine, but also very strong and bold,” she says. “I love that combination—something romantic yet incredibly powerful.”

Having been the face of Miss Dior since 2010, Portman reflects on the quiet parallel between her own growth and that of the fragrance. “I've really become a woman over the course of working on this,” she says. “I've had children, experienced life, taken on leadership roles—I've grown and changed a lot. It's been incredible to evolve alongside the fragrance.”

Her connection to the scent goes beyond its notes and campaigns. A visit to the rose fields in Grasse remains one of her most vivid memories tied to Miss Dior. “The wind literally smelled like roses. It was so powerful and unforgettable,” she recalls. “That moment is deeply tied to the perfume and to its couture nature—the roses are all handpicked by women and transformed into the fragrance. It really captures a beautiful moment in time.”