Lily Collins, best known for playing the title character in Netflix's Emily in Paris, has been named global ambassador for online retailer Zalando and stars in its new advert for the launch of the brand's Autumn/Winter collection.
Fans of the 37-year-old actress are used to seeing her onscreen alter ego, Emily, dashing around Paris in thousand-pound handbags, shoes and coats. Her new campaign marks a shift toward budget shopping, with Zalando known for stocking cheap 'essential' items such as £23 tracksuit bottoms and £12 socks alongside a mix of high-street labels, independent designers and luxury brands.
Collins stars in the comical new advert opposite designer Bella Freud and broadcaster Nicky Campbell, who play out her inner dialogue as she tries to decide what to wear for a party.
The Outfits in the Campaign
In one image, Collins wears an Anna Field for Zalando top priced at £23.99, paired with a £130 Gestuz wrap skirt.
In another photograph she wears a £180 Baum und Pferdgarten top and matching £180 skirt, layered with a £69.99 Anna Field faux fur coat.
The budget-focused campaign marks a stark contrast with Collins's onscreen role, in which her character Emily is typically dressed head to toe in designer clothing as she navigates Parisian life.
Emily in Paris Season Six First Look
Just last week, Collins was seen in the first-look images for Emily in Paris season six. The sixth and final season of the Netflix series will be released on December 24, with the new pictures showing Collins gazing at gold designer heels while modelling a series of outfits as she prepares to bid farewell to her fashionista alter ego.
The season five finale ended on a cliffhanger, with Emily's former love interest Gabriel, played by 38-year-old Lucas Bravo, discovering she is newly single. He sends her a postcard from Greece, where he is working, asking her to join him there.
The new season six images also show Emily's best friend Mindy Chen, played by 35-year-old Ashley Park, taking part in what appears to be a farewell moment on a bench.
Behind the Zalando Campaign
The Zalando campaign was directed by two-time Grammy Award winner Melina Matsoukas. In it, Collins's inner dialogue is brought to life through Freud and Campbell, with Freud offering reassuring fashion wisdom and Campbell delivering blunt commentary.
Speaking about the campaign, Collins said: "We all ask ourselves 'What do I wear?' every single day, and I love that this campaign dives into the beautiful chaos of that decision-making process. It was an absolute pleasure being on set with Bella and Nicky, her poise and his brilliant wit acting as my inner style council perfectly captures how we all debate our fashion choices before stepping out."
What's Ahead for Emily in Paris
Season five of the show saw Emily splitting her time between Paris, Rome and Venice as she juggled her career and romantic life. Filming on the sixth and final season is currently underway.
Collins recently shared a video promoting the final season, saying: "Season 6 will bring you everything you love about the show and serve as the final chapter in Emily's adventure of a lifetime. Our entire cast and crew are pouring our hearts into making this a fantastic farewell season, which we're now filming. I can't wait for all of the magic ahead, and to celebrate our final season with you in the most chic way yet."
