PAGING JOY: At Patou, Joy is not just a legendary fragrance, it’s a state of mind.
In the run-up to his spring show on Sunday, creative director Guillaume Henry enlisted Susan Sarandon to star in a humorous teaser film in which she receives gifts in her hotel room from a mysterious character named Joy. Eventually, she contacts reception to track her down, demanding: “Give me Joy.”
Front row at the show, the Oscar-winning actress reflected on the things that bring her joy. “Release, freedom, imagination,” she told WWD.
It’s why she continues to enjoy what she does. “That’s the only reason to do it, really, because it’s such an insecure job. But the fact that when you do work, you’re part of a collaboration, is what interests me,” the “Thelma and Louise” star explained.
Sarandon will begin rehearsals in August for “Mary Page Marlowe,” a drama by Tracy Letts to be staged this autumn at the Old Vic theater in London.
“I’m totally intimidated and terrified and excited simultaneously,” she said, noting that it will be her first time on stage in the U.K., and also the first time she performs in the round.
“Your audience surrounds you. I guess the good news is you don’t have to worry about blocking people, but I don’t really know what that means,” she said. “Theater in England is so intimidating, because that’s where it started, and they can speak so beautifully and quickly, as opposed to Americans that just garble everything.”
For Elizabeth Olsen, a good book is key. “My definition of joy would be being able to not overthink the present moment or what’s to come,” she said. “Reading helps me get back to the moment.”
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 6: Elizabeth Olsen and Pauline Chalamet attend the Patou Show on July 6, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/GC Images)
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The “Avengers” star is deep into the fourth book of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels. “I’m a little late to the game,” Olsen confessed of her summer binge read.
Diane Kruger is enjoying traveling in Europe with her daughter Nova. “I’m feeling a lot of joy these days,” she said.
That’s despite getting caught up in a French air traffic controllers’ strike on her way to Rome this week. “It’s like you live in Europe, you kind of gotta take the good with the bad, right?” she said with a shrug.
The “Inglourious Basterds” actress will head the jury of the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival in late August, and is set to star in the eagerly awaited series “Merteuil,” a prequel to “Dangerous Liaisons,” alongside Anamaria Vartolomei and Lucas Bravo.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 06: Diane Kruger outside Patou, on July 06, 2025 in Paris, France (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
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Kelly Rutherford also finds joy in togetherness. “The first thing that comes to mind is my children and my dog, and I think the people you love,” she said.
When she has a bad day, she remembers to switch perspective. “It’s about focus and refocusing,” the actress and style icon said. “Our minds go on an algorithm, and so it’s easy to keep going down one path, but if you change it and shift it, you can start to think more joyful thoughts, because it’s always available as well.”
