Zawe Ashton is one of the most enchanting and talented British actresses to have graced our studio. Zawe is currently earning raves for her work in Mr. Malcolm’s List playing Julia Thistlewaite, a young woman jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor (alongside a stellar cast, which includes Freida Pinto, Ashley Park, and Theo James). We had a blast shooting in Brooklyn where she was about to attend the NYC premiere. One of our favorite designer and muses Batsheva picked a few frocks that worked well for Zawe’s swiftly changing shape. For now consider a wonderful escape into Mr. Malcolm’s world if you haven’t already…and check out Zawe’s favorite green clean beauty and lates bare essentials.

The Bare Magazine: Can you share a bit about the New York City screening of “Mr. Malcolm’s List”?

Zawe Ashton: It was an amazing thing to open this film in New York, one my favorite cities in the world—made more special by my time spent on Broadway in 2019 before all the theaters shut down because of the pandemic. The response to the movie has been so warm and so supportive, we’re so grateful as a team. We’re an independent film that took 27 days to make up against some huge franchise releases this summer, so it means so much to see the positive responses. Being here in the city, safely, after shooting this film in deepest lock down in Dublin, is such a wonderful full circle. To be part of the new wave of theatrical releases, encouraging people back to the cinema feels tremendous.

Bare: Did you enjoy your visit to our Brooklyn studio as much as we enjoyed having you?

ZA: I adore Brooklyn, I love being by the water in the city. As if you have the Statue of Liberty at the end of your street! In another multiverse, I’m an achingly cool photographer living and working in Brooklyn, with a light filled studio just like this!

Bare: What do you hope viewers take away from this film?

ZA: I think this is a very kind film. We need that right now. There are serious threats we face in our world. As an artist, I can try and polish my corner as best as possible and put work out there that feels like it helps in some way. This film is pure escapist rom-com-regency-romance joy! It’s pretty much the first feature film in this genre with an inclusive cast in leading roles of all types—romantic lead, protagonist, antagonist.etc. It’s a needle mover in that way and there’s a real powerful legacy to that, as well as it being so light and wholeheartedly entertaining. I had so many formative experiences watching films of this genre, mostly because I had grown up wanting to see my imaginings of books of this era brought to life, and when they were , no one in them looked like me. So, if we can change that formative experience for the next generation, as a team of actors, we will have fulfilled a purpose beyond just movie making. I also have a real intentionality in my work to amplify the visions of fledgling female filmmakers, and Emma Holly Jones has delivered her first feature with Mr. Malcolm’s List along with an all female producing and writing team. So, there’s lots of reasons to support this film!

Bare: You mentioned in our studio that you are trying to use clean everything, especially lippies...are there any all-natural beauty products you’re especially into lately?

ZA: You’ve just introduced me to Pacifica, which I’m already obsessed with! Their coconut cream deodorant is amazing, it’s not sexy to talk about deodorant necessarily but so many of them are toxic and can cause chemical build up in that very vulnerable area near the breast. I’m loving their vegan lip oils—actually really pigmented and so moisturizing at the same time. Grown Alchemist is also a new favorite. Their hand cream is so rich and comforting, which is still needed with the hand sanitizing! All their bath and body range is delicious. It feels nice to start the day as cleanly as possible and forgive yourself if you potentially go downhill from there!

Bare: You have great personal style. Has it been challenging getting dressed/styled for red carpet events now that your body is changing?

ZA: That’s very kind. I will say that it was a rude awakening to find that red carpet maternity dressing is pretty much nonexistent. I felt very lucky to have Sabina Bilenko, a couture house who’s ethos I really believe in, support me for the special night. I’d love to contribute to an initiative that can plug the gap in that market in a sustainable way.

Bare: And finally, please list your top 5 Bare essentials.

ZA: Pacifica Glow Stick Lip Oil in Crimson Crush; Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Petal Poppin; Milk Makeup Kush Fiber Brow Gel; Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint, and Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Mascara.

Clothing by Batsheva

Photos and Makeup: Tina Turnbow using Cle de Peau, Pacifica and Ogee

Hair: Rebekah Forecast using David Mallett products and salon