Interview: Margot Robbie on the Value of Time
After Keira Knightley, Lily-Rose Depp, Vanessa Paradis, Ali McGraw, and Naomi Campbell, Margot Robbie is the new face to join the ranks of legendary ambassadors. She is the new face of Chanel's J12 campaign. The watch model tops the list of the Rue Cambon house's most iconic watches and is aimed at women who know what they want.
"It's an incredible feeling to be in a line-up with such inspiring women with this campaign. For me, the J12 watch means not only recognizing time but also valuing it," says Hollywood star Margot Robbie ("Once Upon A Time in Hollywood"). In the interview, the actress reflects on her relationship with time and how it can determine the past, present, and future.
How would you define your relationship with watches?
My watch allows me to distance myself from technology and focus on the present moment.
What does being the J12 watch mean to you?
For me, being the J12 watch is recognizing and appreciating time.
How does it feel to join such strong women in such an iconic campaign?
It is a great honor for me to appear alongside such inspiring women.
How would you describe the J12? How does it match your personality?
It is robust and elegant and the ceramic which composes it gives it strength and determination. I feel like I can wear it on all occasions thanks to its sober and contemporary design. I love that this watch can suit different personalities who all appreciate its amazing design.
The J12 watch celebrated its 20th-anniversary last year. Where were you 20 years ago? What were you doing?
20 years ago, I was 10 years old and I lived in Australia, in my hometown, the Gold Coast. I remember being particularly rebellious at that age - at school, I was often in detention! But when I wasn't in detention, I was out or in the water. The Gold Coast (as the name suggests) is a place where coastal and hinterland landscapes are incredibly beautiful.
What did you dream of twenty years ago?
I had big dreams already at that age. I wanted to see the world and go on an adventure.
When you're 20, anything seems possible. Time seems endless at this age. True or false?
I think you should never set limits on yourself. We should never stop dreaming big.
What does "being in the industry for 20 years" mean to an actress?
It means you've built a career on more than just appearances. This means that you have proven that you have talent, sound judgment, good instincts, that you work a lot ... and that you are tough!
In your job, which is also a passion, you don't count your time. You have to earn it, learn to work with it, tame it - or not. Is time a friend or an enemy?
In this area, especially as a producer, we have the feeling that time is never on our side. But I have seen the most incredible things created under the pressure of time constraints. It certainly prompts us to do things we might not have had the courage to do if time was not running out.
"I was 20. I will never let anyone say this is the best age in life." This quote from Paul Nizan in his 1931 novel Aden Arabia is very meaningful. Do you agree with him?
I agree with him, I often ask people what their preferred age was. The only people who answer "their twenties" are those who are still in their twenties.
Twenty years is often the time required for the experience. Do you agree?
Experience is the path that leads us to understanding. I guess the time needed depends on what you are trying to understand.
It is customary to say that an actor plays. Does time also play with you?
There were times when, while playing, I thought 20 minutes had passed when it was actually two hours. Time has a funny way of playing tricks on us.
They say time flies ... It does a lot more than just pass right?
Yes, he does so much more! Time allows us to grow, evolve, create, learn, change, heal, forgive, love - it allows us to live.
It is also generally said that time flies a little slower when you are 20 years old. Is it only in our head?
The busier we are the faster the time flies and I've always been very busy since I was 10, 20 - but now at 30, I try to focus on the things I want really devote time to. But if it's something I really want to do, I never feel like wasting a minute, it's time well spent.
