PARIS — Lancôme is set to work with Isabella Rossellini again.
The L’Oréal-owned brand said Monday that it would collaborate with the actress, who was the first face of Lancôme beginning in 1983. She served as its ambassador for 14 years.
Lancôme has signed on the 63-year-old on as a “muse” or spokesmodel.
“Today more than ever, at 63 years of age, Isabella Rossellini is for Lancôme a keenly intelligent, accomplished woman, who at every stage of her life has made time her best ally, and happiness and well-being her greatest strengths,” the company said.
According to Françoise Lehmann, general manager of Lancôme, Rossellini “embodies the idea of an accomplished beauty that is synonymous with well-being. She also maintains a very positive, serene attitude to age, which she experiences as liberating and self-affirming.
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Rossellini characterized her comeback as a “strong indication of Lancôme’s inclusiveness and celebration of all women.”
Her appointment comes at a time when sixtysomething models have been seducing designers, brands and editors and starring in ad campaigns and magazine shoots that would normally go to women less than half their age. In the past couple of years, Jessica Lange became the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty; Charlotte Rampling took on a similar role at Nars; and Tom Ford cast Pat Cleveland for a sexy fashion shoot alongside a naked Conrad Bromfield for Numéro Russia, for instance.
It’s also a reconciliation of sorts, as when Rossellini left Lancôme in the mid-Nineties, it was alleged her contract was not renewed because the company believed her to be too old.
Her daughter Elettra Wiedemann has also worked as a face for Lancôme.
Rossellini most recently made a public appearance for the brand in July 2015 as part of the Lancôme’s 80th birthday celebrations.
The actress has worked with directors including David Lynch, Joel Schumacher and Guy Maddin. She recently appeared in “Enemy” by Denis Villeneuve and “Joy” by David O. Russell.