Bianca Jagger has always been a fan of suits, and that’s evident over the years, from the elegant YSL jacket she wore in 1971 to wed her former husband, Mick Jagger, to the fur-trimmed and embellished suits she famously donned at Studio 54. And while suiting has made its way throughout every aspect of the fashion world, Jagger’s affinity for menswear hasn’t wavered, partly due to how she feels in the suit rather than the style itself.

“My father was a dandy-looking man, and I remember him wearing white linen suits and a white hat. As a child, I wanted to emulate my father and felt empowered to,” she says to Bazaar. “I grew up in a time when men had the preferential position in a family, which is still the case in some parts of the world, so trying to look like my father had to do with that, I learned later on. If I emulated my father or dressed like a boy or man, then I was going to feel powerful.”

Jagger’s sense of empowerment extends to her foundation, the Bianca Human Rights Foundation, and, more recently, her role as the star of YSL Beauty’s latest campaign for the Libre Flowers and Flames fragrance. The fresh floral smells both cool and sexy, thanks to notes of coconut palm, solar-lily flower, and vanilla.

“The first thing that attracted me to Libre, was the name; it means freedom, which has been an existential objective of my personal life–and my professional life with my foundation, the Bianca Human Rights Foundation,” she explains. “Although I haven’t worked with any beauty brand before, I was interested from the beginning when I saw the name and the message they wanted to project through the fragrance.”

Ahead, Jagger shares all things fragrance, suiting, and beauty–from the outfit-and-fragrance formula she wears to feel liberated to the reason she never wears restrictive clothing or makeup at home.

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What does freedom mean to you?

I was born in Nicaragua, and I grew up under the repressive regime of the Somoza dynasty, so from an early age, I understood that the only way I could stand up to the regime was to fight for freedom every day. My very existence was an act of rebellion. That’s why a fragrance that has the name Libre or “freedom” in [Spanish and French], was was attractive to me.

When do you feel the most free?

I love the ocean–although I don’t have many opportunities to be on holiday. But, I recently was able to be with my sister near the sea. I feel free when I am in nature, but specifically when I am at the seaside. Of course, I loved Nicaragua when I could go–it’s where I was born and is surrounded by the rainforest. But unfortunately, I cannot go anymore. I love the rainforests in Brazil and India. I love sailing boats too–really, anything to do with water.

How has your approach to perfume and fragrance changed over the years?

My first encounter with fragrance was with my mother while walking in the rainforest. She loved the wildflowers and orchids there. The first scents I knew were connected to nature, which are still the fragrances I love. My mother was someone who loved using fragrance for herself. Wearing fragrance makes me feel sexy and attractive, just like a red lip.

What do you love about this iteration of Libre and when would you wear it?

I think it’s a scent that you wear when you go out, rather than wearing it at home. A perfume is part of getting dressed and it helps you look your best.

Who is the best-smelling person you’ve met throughout your life?

Two people. One was Diana Vreeland. She used to wear a perfume that, even when they discontinued it, they still made it for her. It was a perfume that I used myself, too, at the time. The other person is my mother. Those were my two role models when it comes to scent.

You’ve been considered an “it girl” in style and beauty throughout your life. How does it feel to be a style and beauty icon for so many decades?

I am humbled and flattered, but I’m also very grateful that people think of me as one. It makes me feel young. I hope that they think of me not only as a fashion or beauty icon but also as a human rights defender because that is who I am, too.

You’re an icon in all three! You mentioned that fragrance and a red lip both can make you feel sexy, but what type of outfit makes you feel empowered?

I wear a lot of men’s suits and trousers, which make me feel empowered. So when Yves Saint Laurent came out with women’s suits, they became so prevalent in his collection, and it felt right to wear suits. It was my sense of fashion. Before then, I had never been a great believer in fashion styles, and Saint Laurent taught us–well, me– the difference between fashion and style.

You’ve seen a lot of trends come and go, so do you find yourself nostalgic for any trends of the past?

I am more nostalgic for time periods, like the ’70s or ’90s. In terms of designers, our course Yves Saint Laurent was the greatest designer in France. When I lived in America, there was Halston, Calvin Klein, and even my dear friend Carolina Herrera. Halston and Calvin Klein reinvented the notion of American fashion, which was very different than Europe fashion. There are many pieces of clothing that I still have from 40 years ago. Fortunately, I can still wear the pieces, and I love them just as much as I did when I first got them. My taste hasn’t changed much. I believe in well-cut clothing and suits; those are timeless.

Bianca Jagger wearing a YSL suit jacket to her wedding with Mick Jagger in 1971.

Has your makeup taste changed over the years? I know a red lip is a signature style of yours.

When I was very young, I hardly wore any makeup and had very long hair. Now, when I go out, I wear more makeup and I have short hair, but to tell you the truth, I don’t wear any makeup most of the time. I don’t make great efforts with my hair. I work at home and mostly wear leggings and clothes that are very practical, especially after the pandemic. I never liked tight clothing. But I love red lipstick for a night out. One thing I will say that I’ve learned is that you must take your makeup off before bed. It’s a religious habit that I’ve learned. I can’t go to sleep with my makeup on. No matter how exhausted, I pull myself out of bed to clean my face.