The Beauty Guide

Brad Pitt is the new face of Chanel No.5

Ooh la la! Chanel No. 5 perfume has chosen Brad Pitt as the first man to represent the famous fragrance.  News that the actor, once named the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ is the new ‘face’ of the legendary fragrance, has set pulses racing with delight and anticipation. No. 5’s advertising campaigns over the years have been sheer genius! Here’s a timeline of 10 great  Chanel No.5 print ads we love.

1937 Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel

The truest face of Chanel No.5 was Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel herself - she even appeared in the print ads for the perfume in the late 1930s.Coco Chanel herself posed for photographer François Kollard at the Ritz Hotel suite where she stayed in 1937.

1960 Marilyn Monroe

In an interview with a reporter, Monroe was asked: "What do you wear to bed?" she purred “Why, Chanel No.5, of course." Unforgettable! Although never chosen by Chanel as a spokeswoman, she became the first iconic face of the fragrance.

1968 Lauren Hutton

The American actress and model was one of the iconic faces of the 60s. Many envied her natural sun kissed beauty. She was also featured in films such as The Gambler, AmericanGigolo and Paper Dolls.

1971 Ali McGraw

Sporty-looking young American actress Ali McGraw starred of the classic weepie movie 'Love Story.'

1976 Catherine Deneuve

Classically beautiful actress Catherine Deneuve (once chosen as the face of Marianne, the French national emblem) was the face of Chanel No 5 in the 1970′s. Ironically Deneuve preferred wearing Yves Saint Laurent clothes.

1987 Carole Bouquet

The last French face to front Chanel No.5 in the late 70s (in memorable Ridley Scott directed commercials) and all through the 80s, was Carole Bouquet. Her beauty and chicness radiated through the pages in classy sexiness. Bouquet's ads were directed by Ridley Scott, the director of such Hollywood blockbusters as Alien and Blade Runner.

2000 Estella Warren

The Canadian swimmer, model and actress was the early 2000’s face for Chanel No 5 and appeared in visually striking print ads by photographer Jean-Paul Goude.

2004 Andy Warhol

It was the bottle itself that took center stage in the pop images reminiscent of the Andy Warhol technique. Warhol never made any reproductions of the No.5 bottle as homage to the original.

2004 Nicole Kidman

Kidman first starred in the print and television ad campaign in 2004. She who was at the height of her Hollywood career after worthy choices following an infamous divorce from Tom Cruise.

2009 Audrey Tautou

Audrey Tautou is the doe-eyed actress of the 2001 film Amelie. She also starred in "The Da Vinci Code" with Tom Hanks.

Chanel No.5 is a classic perfume that’s groundbreaking in its creation and marketing. The newly engaged, 48-year-old Pitt, joins an impressive, exclusive list of the world’s most beautiful and famous faces ever to represent the iconic fragrance; from Catherine Deneuve, Ali McGraw and Carole Bouquet to, most recently, Nicole Kidman, and currently, Audrey Tautou.

CHANEL NO.5 TELEVISION COMMERCIALS

Chanel makes some of the most visually stunning commercials for their prized No.5 fragrance. Enjoy viewing these works of art.

SHARE THE FANTASY, Filmed by Ridley Scott (1979)

“I am made of blue sky and golden light and I will feel this way forever. Share the fantasy. Chanel No. 5.” This was the first “Share The Fantasy” ad, directed by Oscar winner Ridley Scott with music by Vangelis. I used to watch it transfixed.

I DON’T WANT TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE, Filmed by Ridley Scott (1984)

Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner), created a truly surrealistic masterpiece, loaded with symbolism. The song  entitled ‘I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire.’ is by The Ink Spots. The main character of ‘Catherine’ is played by Patti Hansen, a top model in the late 70s and early 80s, now the wife of musician Keith Richards.

ESTELLA WARREN AS LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, Filmed by Luc Besson (1998)

Estella Warren plays a Little Red Riding Hood character that swipes a bottle of No.5 from a vault while being pursued by guard dogs.

NICOLE KIDMAN’S CHANEL NO.5 FILM, Directed by Baz Luhrmann (2004)

A love story between a superstar and one ordinary man who saves her from the paparazzi in a tornado of pink feathers, takes her to his peaceful penthouse and is forced to let her go when she’s demanded back. The three-minute commercial, named “No. 5 The Film” was directed by ‘Moulin Rouge’ director Baz Luhrmann. It also featured hunky “Love Actually” actor Rodrigo Santoro.  Music is Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune.’

AUDREY TAUTOU’S CHANEL N°5 FILM, by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2009)

After playing Gabrielle in the movie “Coco Avant Chanel,” Audrey Tautou was chosen to represent No. 5. The commercial, set on an elegant, old fashioned night train to Istanbul, is a tale of love at first sight and seduction on the Orient Express. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who directed the actress in the award winning film ‘Amelie.’

Which one is your favourite?

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