The smell of success or failure?

If you haven’t already seen or heard, in a new £4 million pound campaign for the iconic Chanel No.5, Brad Pitt has become the first ever male to endorse this perfume in the 91 year history of the brand. Chosen exclusively by Karl Lagerfeld, the head designer for Chanel, the two- part television advert sees Brad looking thoughtful whilst making his speech and features several artistic shots of two women; a vampy brunette, and a beach blonde.

 However despite this revolutionary new mark in history, the adverts have been received with, let’s say, less than pleasing reviews. Critics have been quick to point out the similarity of the triangle between Brad and the two women to that of his real life involving Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Anniston. Coincidental much? Furthermore it is somewhat confusing to understand the point that Brad makes. But maybe that’s the point. Designer brands such as Chanel wouldn’t be as successful if there wasn’t a little eccentricity to them.

It is hoped that by using a male as the face of the product, it will ooze sex appeal, encouraging women to wear the scent that Marilyn Monroe famously loved so much it was all she wore to bed. Apparently. Speaking about the campaign, the 48 year old actor claimed, ‘it goes beyond the abstract of emotion or beauty to evoke what is timeless, a woman’s spirit.’

Whether you think the adverts are artistically wonderful or just plain weird, you can’t deny that Brad is looking good for nearly 50 and there’s no doubt Chanel No.5 will remain one of the most lust-after perfumes ever.