Honor Swinton-Byrne: “Femininity can take many forms”

On International Women’s Day, HUNGER were given the opportunity to visit Chanel’s Edinburgh pop-up alongside rising actor, Honor Swinton-Byrne. 

The label pulled out all the stops for the release of its new lipstick, Rouge Allure Velvet Nuit Blanche, opening a temporary beauty boutique in Edinburgh – the Scottish capital that the label’s founder adored. The pop-up (open until March 30th) takes place in one of the city’s Robert Adam-designed buildings at number 8 Charlotte Square, which has been reimagined to showcase the new release and a selection of beauty across two floors.

The journey into the space includes Chanel’s “beauty experts who will be in attendance to guide guests through the experience”. Guests will have the chance to visit the cinema, where they’ll view the Nuit Blanche campaign film with beauty advisors on hand to invite them to “play with an interactive digital clock and discover their favourite lipstick shades” before embarking on a host of nighttime excursions. 

There’s also a backstage area where guests can try on those shades and explore the products used to create the nighttime makeup look worn by Margot Robbie in the campaign. Additionally, and exclusive to Edinburgh, there are pre-bookable Chanel School of Make-up masterclasses. Meanwhile, the lipstick itself lands as a limited edition, luminous lipstick available in eight different shades, one for every hour of the night.

During our time at the store, we spoke with Swinton-Byrne, who has long held a strong connection with Chanel ever since sneaking a spray or two of her mother’s Gabrielle – the label’s iconic fragrance. The actor has cemented herself as one of the industry’s brightest rising stars in recent years after appearing in 2019’s critical hit The Souvenir. The film was awarded the Grand Jury prize at the Sundance festival and went on to be named film of the year in a poll of 100 critics around the world by the magazine Sight & Sound. And In 2021, she’d return for the film’s sequel and would go on to appear in 2023’s Drift, starring alongside Cynthia Erivo.

Here, we sit down with Swinton-Byrne to discuss why exactly Chanel means so much to her, progression for women in the industry and more…

HUNGER: What is it about Chanel that you connect with as a brand?

Honor Swinton-Byrne: It’s the ultimate femininity to me, clean without being polished, elegant without being self-conscious. I’m enjoying finding authentic femininity in exploring masculinity.

What are some of your earliest memories of Chanel – anything in particular that drew you to it?

HSB: Sampling my mum’s Gabrielle every time I went into her bathroom praying it didn’t run out and for her not to notice – It’s still my favourite perfume.

You’re attending the pop-up in Edinburgh for the release of Rouge Allure Velvet Nuit Blanche, what can you tell us about the new lipstick? 

HSB: This is a collection of 8 shades, one for each hour from midnight to 7am each colour is matched perfectly to the hourly changes in energy, flirtation, and adrenaline that occur in those 8 hours before the day starts. In Edinburgh, this party town, a lot can happen in those 8 hours before work or before a lecture.

Which women have been the biggest inspirations to you throughout your life?

HSB: For me, it’s international women’s week every week, but this week it’s of course my Mother, who reminds me that femininity can take many forms, from wearing minimal makeup to carrying a little bit more weight than other girls. Also, Da’vine Joy Randolph, who is cleaning up in this award season for her humour and vulnerability, both of which I believe are served best when they come as a pair.

What has been the biggest success for you so far? 

HSB: My year in Africa as a volunteer teacher is undoubtedly my greatest achievement. I was really out of my comfort zone.

What advice would you give to young women starting in the industry?

HSB: Please use rejection and failure as motivation! I’m still trying to learn this! I think this will make me as close to invincible as possible. I remind everyone I come across to utilise what it is that you have that nobody else does. As soon as I saw everything as part of a bigger plan, a bigger picture, I relaxed and now I overthink less, because I truly believe what is meant for you won’t go by you – I sleep really well at night knowing this.

Finally, what’s the goal for you in your career?

HSB: I want to show people how funny I am. They know I can do drama, and now I want a chance at humour.