LILY COLE IS BODY SHOP’S FIRST EVER GLOBAL BRAND ADVOCATE. ACTIVIST, MODEL AND ACTOR , LILY IS REFRESHINGLY HONEST, HUMAN AND UP FRONT ABOUT HOW SHE THINKS THE WORLD COULD BE A BETTER PLACE.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A GLOBAL ADVOCATE
FOR THE BODY SHOP?
I have long been an advocate of the potential of using business and
consumer power to cause positive change. The Body Shop takes
a responsible attitude to people and the environment, and it feels
amazing to be supporting a brand who are pioneers in that way of
working.
HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT THE CURRENT GENERATION’S
VIEWS OF BEAUTY ARE CHANGING?
I feel like people are questioning superfi cial values and looking for real
value instead. True beauty comes from within, and I feel that more and
more people are beginning to realise that.
WHAT DOES BEAUTY WITH HEART MEAN TO YOU?
There is nothing more attractive than someone with a beautiful
heart – it just shines out. It is so contradictory to seek external beauty
through products at the cost of other living beings. To me, beauty with
heart means trying to achieve beauty in a way that is harmonious
with your inner values.
HOW HAS THE BODY SHOP INSPIRED YOU TO THINK
DIFFERENTLY ABOUT BEAUTY?
The fact that The Body Shop was selling Henna when I was growing
up defi nitely suggested that red hair was cool – before I was wise
enough to recognise that myself! There is a natural quality to
The Body Shop approach which places its emphasis on enhancing
– rather than masking people’s faces!
HOW DO YOUR PERSONAL VALUES COMPARE WITH THE FIVE
CORE VALUES OF THE BODY SHOP?
The Body Shop has fi ve distinct Values which have defi ned and
shaped it from its very beginning, and which I also identify with.
I am still learning and growing, and discovering what is important to
me is an educational and very personal process. I’m involved with
the humanitarian and environmental causes that are important to me
because I believe that our planet and the people who live on it are
incredibly special. If I can help inspire people in some small way to
think about the world they live in and how they can make it a better
place through their own personal actions and choices, then that makes
me happy. This is just one of the reasons why I am working alongside
The Body Shop.
HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR VALUES ON A DAILY LEVEL?
My personal values boil down to my intention: the intention to
be aware, to be kind, to be honest, to make informed choices.
The intention is everything, though the reality will inevitably
sometimes fall short. No one is perfect!
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR INTEREST IN ACTIVISM?
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing” – Edmund Burke. I used to have that quote on my bedroom
door growing up! I’m not saying I’m a good man, but I think as soon as
you are aware of injustices you have a responsibility to try and address
them… so I guess some of it is inspired by some sort of guilt complex!
HOW CAN OTHER PEOPLE GET INVOLVED?
I am still constantly trying to fi nd and know my own truth, to be
fearless. I’m not sure there is ever an end to this. Being strong enough
to stand within that position of difference and honouring your voice is
the fi rst step towards activism. I believe it’s the small steps that matter.
WHAT ELSE ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
I have three fi lms coming out this year, and am working on a very
exciting, fairly radical, project in the social media space.
LCD Manila 