Exclusive! Kate Winslet Speaks On Loves, London and Career Lessons
Burberry puts a stylish and romantic spin to rainy London weather with its latest campaign starring the Academy Award-winning actress.
In the spirit of February’s romantic allure, Burberry unveils its latest campaign, It’s Always Burberry Weather: London in Love, a cinematic ode to British romance. Taking inspiration from the golden era of ‘90s and 2000s rom-coms, the campaign captures the dreamy essence of London’s most picturesque locations—St Paul’s Cathedral, Blackfriars Bridge, and pastel-hued townhouses—while celebrating the city’s signature charm with classic red buses, black cabs, and wisteria-lined terraces.
With Burberry's emblematic trenchcoat, the campaign shows not just the practicality of the garment, but it's timeless and effortless style, versatility and chicness. It instantly lends a sense of romanticism to the rain. The star-studded campaign features Burberry ambassadors Son Suk-ku and Chen Kun as well as Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet. Known for her iconic roles in legendary films like 'Titanic' and 'The Holiday', the English actress speaks about her incredible acting career, how she stays grounded and memories of Burberry in an exclusive interview below!
What thoughts immediately come to mind when you think of Burberry?
Kate Winslet: Classic, sophisticated, timeless.
What is your earliest memory of Burberry?
I bought a black Burberry trench coat in a charity shop when I was a teenager. My daughter now has it, it looks much better on her than it ever did on me!
What drew you to the campaign?
There is something glorious about the celebration of Britain as a backdrop for romance and storytelling. I love our country, and I’m proud of the fact that we are small but mighty. This campaign speaks right to the heart of our unpredictable British weather, how we all know how the sun can shine one minute, and then we can be plummeted into torrential rain the next! But life goes on.
What was your favourite moment from the campaign shoot, and do you have any on set anecdotes?
My favourite moment is always to be with the wonderful British crews that we are so lucky to have in this country. They were all so kind on our shoot and had great energy. I miss that whenever I’m away from home or when I’m not filming something.
Which piece do you treasure most in your Burberry collection?
That trench! I still miss it.
What are your favourite things to do in summer?
I love to let the days unfold with no plans in particular. I love to cook all the wonderful seasonal foods we grow here. Meal planning is a big part of my summers! Food is a very important part of our life. I love to be in the sea, and to be with my family…. my favourite place to be.
What is your most cherished summertime memory?
Probably crabbing on Hayling Island with my siblings! So much nostalgia in that! And it’s a pastime that gets shared from one generation to the next. Nothing like a crabbing net with a weight on the end of your line, and a bucket for catching!
What is the best or most memorable advice you have received during your career?
Emma Thompson once reminded me that it’s equally as valuable NOT to work sometimes. Life happens to us in the down time, it’s where our experiences unfold and reveal themselves, it’s where the painful stuff can be. Real life. And we will always need the real stuff to draw from.
Which attributes attract you to a character when reading a script?
It’s just a feeling. I often find I end up playing roles that terrify me.
Is there a role you would like to play but haven’t had the chance yet?
Not especially. I am lucky to have always felt challenged. I’m grateful for that, because it stops me yearning for something that perhaps doesn’t exist.
You have played many characters with moving stories, such as the WWII journalist and photographer Elizabeth Miller in ‘Lee’. How do you approach embodying such roles?
That’s a very big question that doesn’t have a clear answer. I don’t have a set process for anything I do creatively. Often, the first thing I do is to put aside the panic and start from the very beginning. Building the person from the early years of their life up and really trying to understand how they behaved in the ways that they did, or made certain choices, based on the things that life threw at them. Especially if it’s a person who really existed, like Lee Miller. But often it’s harder if it’s a fictional character because there is a huge amount of invention that has to happen before anything else can start to make emotional sense.
As an actor, what inspires you most in your career?
Other actors.
If you could revisit one of the many characters you have played, who would it be and why?
Not telling!
How do you stay grounded while working in a public-facing industry?
Always washing my own knickers, doing the food shop, cooking family dinners, and taking the tube. Yes, I really do take the tube!
When you are travelling, what do you miss most about the UK?
Marmite, and cold English butter. Very thickly spread!
