Idris and Sabrina Elba on Their Instantly Iconic Calvin Klein Campaign: 'Showcases Black Love' (Exclusive)

Mr. and Mrs. Elba may be the sexiest couple alive. And now they’re sharing an inside look at their love as the newest ambassadors for Calvin Klein’s iconic Eternity fragrance franchise.

Actor Idris Elba and his wife, model and activist Sabrina Elba, star in the campaign for the new men’s and women’s fragrances Aromatic Essence from the Eternity portfolio. The video continues the legacy of the timeless love story that the brand has reinvented since the launch of the fragrance in 1988 with Christy Turlington as its face. (Turlington later revisited the site with her husband, Ed Burns.)

Shot by renowned photographer Mert Alas, the new campaign features the Elbas embracing and channeling their love story and intimacy while paying homage to Eternity’s storied past. The global advertising campaign spans digital, social, print and TV.

“There was a lot of anticipation leading up to it,” Idris tells PEOPLE during a Zoom interview alongside his wife, discussing their partnership with Calvin Klein for the first time. “I think Sabrina and I were both like, ‘Wait, whoa.’ And I was like, ‘Oh my God, I really have to look really good in this thing, and you’re just going to pull it off, because you’re just gorgeous,'” he adds, nodding at his wife.

Idris, 51, says the whole shoot was “quite deliberate”.

Idris Elba and his wife, model and activist, Sabrina Elba star in the new Calvin Klein Eternity campaign.

Mert Alas for Calvin Klein Fragrances

“Mert is a friend of ours, so he used to see us at dinners and he said, ‘I want to film that,'” says Idris. “He worked hard to bring our true natural essence to the screen. He wanted to make something that really stood out – something to remember.”

Sabrina, 34, says she jumped at the chance to work with her husband on such an iconic campaign.

“It’s been a part of pop culture for as long as I can remember,” she tells PEOPLE of the fragrance. “I’m a big Christy fan [Turlington] and just watching those campaigns all the time, I thought, ‘I can’t believe I can do that.’ We did it in a way that felt so natural, so easy, and it shows black love in a way that I don’t think is seen enough — I love that idea.”

Sabrina and Idris Elba star in Calvin Klein’s new Eternity fragrance campaign.

Mert Alas for Calvin Klein Fragrances

The model adds that she is “honored” to be a part of it.

“I feel like now I have something I can show my kids in the future and tell them, ‘Look how cute mommy was.'”

Below, the couple talks about acting together, their favorite fragrances and more.

How does the Eternity fragrance make you feel?

Sabrina: That nostalgia is everything for me. Interestingly, Calvin Klein Eternity was actually my first fragrance. And I think for a lot of people that was their introduction to fragrance. I remember begging my mom to buy me this. I wanted to be part of the culture. It wasn’t even necessarily about the smell. It’s almost a bonus that the smell is good. It was so much about, “I want to be that person in that campaign and I want to be part of the Calvin Klein lifestyle.” That’s what they’ve always had – being super inclusive so that everyone can feel a part of it. And it also grows with the audience over time. I can still relate to the brand, which is amazing, because I connected with it when I was 16.

Idris: As for me, I feel expensive. You walk by and you’ll want to smell me. “Oh yeah, would you like some of this?” It puts out that energy. We went out to dinner recently and I put it on and felt super confident. I think that’s the feeling it gives me.

Idris Elba and his wife, model and activist, Sabrina Elba star in the new Calvin Klein Eternity campaign.

Mert Alas for Calvin Klein Fragrances

Do you have a favorite non-perfume or cologne fragrance that holds memories for you?

Sabrina: Idris has a musk that he uses as a body oil, and anyone who knows him knows that’s his scent. I like that. That embodies him to me. I also love the smell of the lipstick. Is that really weird? I could definitely smell the lipstick. Sorry if it sounds really creepy.

Idris: Well, mine isn’t lipstick, so I’m trying to think of an answer. In fact, I really like the smell of an older car that has been sitting in the sun for a long time and you open it, and there is that old leather burning inside, the smell of an old engine. I love that smell.

Idris Elba stars in the Calvin Klein Eternity campaign.

Mert Alas for Calvin Klein Fragrances

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How would you describe each other’s styles in three words?

Sabrina: For me, Idris is certainly simple, timeless and sexy. He doesn’t have to lift a finger. He just walks out the door, this confident hot guy. He can be in flip-flops and a sweatsuit and I’m just like, wow, “You’re going to make the best-dressed lists.” And it always does, it’s effortless.

Idris: I think Sabrina is fresh because she likes the latest and the coolest. And she is elegant no matter what she wears, be it a tracksuit or a balloon, she looks elegant. And I would say that the third one would be memorable.

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Idris Elba and his wife, model and activist, Sabrina Elba star in the new Calvin Klein Eternity campaign.

Mert Alas for Calvin Klein Fragrances

Do you like to coordinate your looks on the red carpet?

Sabrina: If we could coordinate and wear the same colors, I would actually like it, Idris not so much. I love the idea of ​​couples dressing and when couples do it I think it’s the cutest thing ever. Idris doesn’t like it. Honey, you hate dressing up as a couple. I think they’ll try to secretly find out what color I’m wearing.

Idris: When everything matches, matches and you look like twins, I’m like, “Oh man.”

Who needs more time to prepare?

Idris: Sabrina

Sabrina: It depends. I’m very happy underdressed for anything but the carpet. I said, “It’s okay, I’ll wear casual stuff.”

Idris: No…

Sabrina: I am. Don’t give me a VB moment. He is my David Beckham right now. I’m very, very happy to be underdressed. I love glam for events, but I’m happy to be underdressed. He has his own routine, like taking a shower and then something and then yes, yes, yes and then we can go. And if we’re just going for a walk, I’ll just put on my Uggs and go.

Idris Elba and his model and activist wife Sabrina Elba star in the Calvin Klein Eternity Campaign.

Mert Alas for Calvin Klein Fragrances

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Do you nurture yourselves together as a couple?

Sabrina: I love showering together, even though we have very funny memories of showering together. We have two sinks, separate sinks, side by side. And it’s funny because we’re doing the exact same thing because we started a skin care brand [S’ABLE Labs]. We both use the exact same products. He does it really fast, I say, “Wait, my toner is still hardening.” But we say, “Okay, he’s over there. I’m over here.” It seems like it’s part of our day. When we can get up at the same time and someone doesn’t have to be very early, it’s really nice, because we can shower and enjoy that moment, drink coffee together, which doesn’t seem to happen a lot, unfortunately. I think that selfless care of yourself with the community and your partner and anyone is very beautiful.

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Idris Elba and his wife, model and activist, Sabrina Elba star in Calvin Klein’s latest Eternity fragrance campaign.

Mert Alas for Calvin Klein Fragrances

Do you have plans for Father’s Day?

Sabrina: Father’s Day is my birthday this year. Double celebration. I bought us tickets to go see the play Carried away by spirits in London, so I’m forcing him. It’s my birthday.

Idris: Of course he wants to.

Idris, all the spoilers you can give us Kidnap season 2?

Idris: I’m actually just getting ready to start filming. It starts in the next 10 days, believe it or not. I also finished directing the film called Above Down. And a small, small Nigerian film called Dream dustwhich I will soon show to the world.

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Source: HIS Education