Lisa Vicari x Fendi: Embracing Lightness

Dressed in a playful yet elegant Fendi ensemble, Lisa Vicari glides through the Schlosshotel Berlin by Patrick Hellmann. On this crisp morning, pale rays of sunlight filter through the grand windows, illuminating the flowing fabric of her outfit. Her usually light-brown hair shimmers with a faded red hue today. In this historic building in Berlin’s Grunewald district, the actor poses for SLEEK and Fendi.

Vicari grew up in Munich and discovered her love for acting at the age of 11 through an improvisational theatre class. Since then, she has built an impressive career, from Isi & Ossi and Hell to Dark, the first German Netflix production that catapulted her to international fame. She is now based in Berlin where she studies European Media Studies.

During a brief break on set, Vicari talks to SLEEK about what ‘change’ means to her – in the film industry, in her personal journey, and in her own evolution.

SLEEK Hi Lisa, red hair really suits you! How are you feeling today during the shoot?

LISA VICARI I’m feeling great, really comfortable. I love the vibe we’re creating today. The red hair contrasts beautifully with the location, and the new style makes me feel like I’m stepping into a whole new role for the shoot.

S You’ve got plenty of experience with that! Is there a look you’ve particularly liked so far?

LV I really liked the look with the black lingerie and the sheer, long dress over it. It just fit so well and worked perfectly. The flash photography and the dresses remind me of the Twenties – and the red hair reminds me of Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird.

S You moved to Berlin in 2016. How has the acting industry changed since then?

LV When I arrived in Berlin, the streaming boom was in full swing. Dark and Isi & Ossi were among the first German Netflix productions. Now, that boom is slowing down, and fewer projects are being funded. I think it’s due to a mix of factors: the COVID-19 pandemic, the Writers Guild of America strike, inflation, and national productions moving abroad. Still, there are efforts to make Germany more competitive as a filming location through funding reforms. I think things are slowly picking up again.

S What would you say are the biggest challenges for actors right now?

LV The internet – especially Instagram and streaming platforms – has made success come quickly, but it’s also made the industry incredibly fast-paced. The challenge is not losing sight of the craft of filmmaking. For me, acting comes first; I’m determined to stay in the world of film and avoid drifting into the influencer space.

S In January, the ARD series The Next Level premiered with you in the lead role. What has that character taught you?

LV The series delves into the darker sides of Berlin, which gave me a new perspective on this multifaceted city. While preparing for the role, I immersed myself in the post-reunification era, talking to people who lived through that time and learning how the property market and gentrification have shaped people who have lived in Berlin all their lives – it’s pretty intense. I’m really proud of the energy and work that went into this project, and I’m happy to support and promote it.

S You’ve starred in many series and films. Which format do you feel more comfortable with?

LV For me, it’s all about the characters, stories, and creative minds behind a project. In recent years, I’ve done more series because they’re being produced more frequently, but I’m actually a big fan of films. I love going to the cinema and immersing myself in another world for 90 minutes or two hours – and then leaving with a different perspective.

S Nowadays, there are many series with episodes that run over 90 minutes. What do you think of this shift?

LV I’m a huge fan of miniseries because you know it’s just six episodes, and then it’s over. Series with multiple seasons or extremely long episodes are a big commitment, especially since free time is an increasingly scarce commodity. That’s why I’ve been watching older series lately – I finally saw True Detective and am now starting The Sopranos. Both really sparked the current enthusiasm for series very early on.

S You’ve worked across different genres – thrillers, crime, and comedy. What new genre would you like to try in the future?

LV I’ve always leaned towards heavier material, but I’d love to be in a proper romantic film. Over the last few years, I’ve become increasingly confident to embrace lightness.

CREDITS

Fotografie: Boris Kralj
Styling:Elisa Schenke
Kreative Leitung: Claude Gerber
Kreative Produktion: Lina Kisra, Sophie Günther, Antonia Dipner
Hair And Makeup: Maria Ehrlich using Oribe & FENTY Beauty
Fotografie-Assistent: Robert Samplawski