Fashion is craving authenticity now more than ever. It’s apt, then, that Desigual has found its perfect match in Ester Expósito — the Spanish actress whose presence on screen and off has captured global attention. Now, as the newly announced global brand ambassador for Desigual, Expósito steps into a role that feels not just aligned, but inevitable. Known for her breakout performance in ‘Élite’ and critically acclaimed roles in ‘El Llanto’ and ‘Venus,’ Expósito is a cultural force. She’s edgy and enthusiastic about fashion — her style choices have been turning heads on red carpets, city streets, and social feeds alike. It’s this blend of boldness and grace that makes her the perfect partner for Desigual, a brand that continues to challenge conventions and redefine its aesthetic with each new season and collection.
At the brand’s SS25 runway show in Barcelona last June, Expósito wore a fitted floral print dress that lit up social media and sparked a front-row buzz thanks to her appearance alongside Paris Jackson. Since then, she’s been seen embracing the brand in her everyday life — from concerts to premieres — seamlessly merging Desigual’s expressive spirit with her own evolving style. “This campaign means a lot to me because it stands for many things I believe in such as the freedom to dress for myself,” explains Expósito. “I’m really excited to have worked with Desigual to bring this powerful narrative to life, and hope you connect with it and enjoy it as much as I did.”
Now, Expósito and Desigual are celebrating a new chapter together. Yesterday, on April 8th, both unveils a new global campaign in Madrid to celebrate the fusion of Desigual’s artistic direction and Ester’s magnetic presence. Schön! sat down with Expósito to discuss the ambassadorship, working with Desigual, and more.
How does it feel being an ambassador? What does that mean to you?
I feel really happy and excited. It’s a Spanish brand, and it’s my first big fashion campaign. I really identify with the theme and message—it relates to things I’ve spoken about before. It feels like a beautiful, personal new chapter—not just a professional one—and that makes it even more special.
The campaign’s theme, Not a Doll, is something you’ve mentioned a few times in statements and on social media. For those who don’t know, can you explain what you meant by that?
I wanted to talk about how society constantly analyzes women—how we look, how we age, how we change. It feels like we’re always under pressure, always being judged, especially in public. That doesn’t happen as much with men. I just wanted to say: hey, we’re human too. We’re not perfect, and we’re not going to stay the same forever. We grow, evolve, change—and that’s a good thing. It means we’re human, not dolls. That’s really the context behind it.
Christy Turlington once said that part of a brand’s DNA should be rebellious. Do you see yourself as a rebel?
Yes! Ever since I was little. I was always fighting with my parents to let me do what I wanted. I didn’t want to wear the school uniform—I wanted to wear my own clothes, roll down the shirt to show my shoulder… I definitely have a rebellious spirit.
The campaign was shot in LA—can you tell me a bit about that? How long did it take?
About four days.
Were there any particular highlights for you? You’ve probably been to LA quite a few times.
Yeah, it was special because I had just spent two months living in LA before the campaign. We wanted to capture what a normal day in LA might look like for me. My real-life manager even appears in the campaign, so that was a really personal and beautiful moment. We also included a salsa dancing scene—I love dancing and live music. Salsa is a big passion of mine. My salsa teacher from LA even danced with me in the campaign. That was definitely a highlight.
A lot of your acting projects explore dark themes. How do you stop that from affecting your real life? And does fashion play a role in that balance?
I’m so passionate about what I do that I pour my whole self into it. My life and my work kind of become the same thing. It’s hard for me to separate the two. I’m always thinking about work, because it’s my passion—it is my life. Sometimes that can be a bit hard and tiring, but it’s just how I am. I try to balance it by doing other things that feed my inner self—like dancing or diving, which I love—or just spending time with friends. That helps clear my mind and release some of the pressure I put on myself when I take on intense roles or projects.
What makes you personally feel “schön” — that sense of beauty and confidence?
What makes me feel schön the most is treating myself with love — seeing myself with kind eyes. When I reach that state of inner peace, self-acceptance, and freedom, that’s when I feel powerful, happy, and full of energy.
interview. Huma Humayun
