Best known (and beloved) as Charlotte York in Sex and The City and And Just Like That, actor Kristin Davis just visited Gothenburg to receive an esteemed award for her environmental conservation efforts. Here, Davis divulges her impressions of Sweden – and more about the special award – exclusively to Vogue Scandinavia
Charlotte York had equal parts substance and style working as an art dealer and curator throughout the Sex and the City series – a career the iconic character triumphantly returned to in the spin-off series And Just Like That. And kin to her character, there's more than meets the eye when it comes to actor Kristin Davis. Alongside her glittering on-screen successes, Davis is a leading advocate for our planet's wildlife and nature. More specifically, she works to raise awareness about the threats to the African elephant.
"I've loved elephants and animals in general since I was very young. In 2009, my friends and I rescued a wild orphaned baby elephant and took her to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) in Kenya," Davis says of the origins of her conservation passions. "I really began my education in conservation at that time from Dame Daphne Sheldrick. And my experiences in Kenya with SWT have changed my life," she continues. "I am so thankful to be a small part of the global effort to save the remaining wild elephants and the untouched parts of the world where they live."
This sense of gratitude is reciprocated by the conservation community, with Davis now the 10th laureate to travel to Sweden to receive the prestigious 'The Perfect World Foundation Award' (TPWF Award) – an annual accolade presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the preservation of wildlife and nature worldwide – with previous recipients including the likes of David Attenborough, Jane Goodall and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Kristin Davis arrives at the exclusive, star-studded gala at the Stock Exchange in Gothenburg to receive The Perfect World Foundation Award (TPWF Award), with Daniel Wilke . Photo: Rebecka Bjurmell
The gala ceremony for the annual TPWF Award was an exclusive, star-studded affair at Gothenburg's Stock Exchange, marking Davis' first time setting foot in Sweden. Naturally, it was the city's sustainable and social values that stood out to Davis the most. "It is always wonderful to be in a city where mass transit and cycling are so prevalent," Davis comments on her first impressions of Gothenburg. And according to the star, it won't be her last time in the country. "I've never been to Sweden before, and I can't wait to come back when I have time to explore. It is so beautiful!" she gushes.
Speaking to Vogue Scandinavia about the acknowledgement from TPWF, Davis describes feeling "humbled". "My true focus is to shine a light on the people working on the ground to save elephants and the habitats they need to live in the wild," she says earnestly.
Ragnhild Jacobsson, Kristin Davis, Lars Jacobsson and Sarah Fergusson hold the TPWF Award. Photo: Rebecka Bjurmell
Co-star Sarah Jessica Parker was one of the first to congratulate Davis, saying, "I just want to joyfully join others in congratulating you. Not only for the professional you are but for the friend you are, the mother you are, the colleague you are," she said. "But I am particularly delighted and feel that you deserve to be recognised and honoured for the extraordinary work you do for the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and countless other organisations making a significant and meaningful impact."
Parker – who is also a big fan of Scandinavia – continued to praise her friend and colleague as an individual, saying how much she wished to be there for the celebrations: "As I try to tell you often, you are an inspiration. I love you so much, and I wish I could be there to witness all of this. But I'm there in spirit; I just want you to know that we love you and are proud of you every day, but especially tonight," Parker added.