. Famous Faces

 

Another major trend is the pairing of fragrances and stars: it’s the return of the face. Here too, the stars are shining brightly. Every brand wants one of their own, and advertising budgets are reaching astronomical heights. After the sublime ad for its classic aldehyde-floral, N°5, starring Nicole Kidman, Chanel has hired Keira Knightley, 21, as the the new Coco Mademoiselle. The 60-second ad was directed by Joe Wright, with the star of Pride and Prejudice. Other famous faces this fall: Beyoncé for Emporio Armani Diamonds – a glamorously gourmand floral – and actress Eva Green for Dior’s Midnight Poison - an oriental potion of black rose and patchouli.




 
Oscar-winners are very appealing to brands. So Charlize Theron is the face of Dior; Jennifer Hudson, of Avon and two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank is the face of Insolence by Guerlain, a younger, more international and more floral scent, built around violet. This fall, other stars are turning into icons. Like Kate Winslet for Lancôme’s Trésor and Kim Basinger for Lancaster cosmetics. Men can also faces too: Jonathan Rhys Meyer has signed with Hugo Boss, and Ioan Gruffudd is face of Burberry’s London for men , a fragrance blending spicy woods, mimosa and leathery port wine.




The star phenomenon concerns alternative brands too. Etat Libre d’Orange, for example, presents eau de protection, a prickly, sensual, chypre-rose scent designed in collaboration with Spanish actress Rossy de Palma, and Miller Harris dreamt up l’air de rien, an ambry-moss perfume with artistic in-put from actress Jane Birkin. Atypical stars for unusual brands.
 



 

 

Ads featuring stars are becoming more diversified. Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for Dreamgirls, is a promising black actress. She is also the face of Avon’s new perfume Imari Seduction, a purple-o rchid scent shaded with plum and amber. Older stars are rising in cosmetics ads too: Jane Fonda for L’Oreal, Charles Schumann for Baldessarini and Kim Basinger for Lancaster. Can George Clooney and Richard Gere be far behind?

 

 

Stars can feature in ads other ways, too. F or the colorful fruity-floral fragrance Happy by Clinique, Rn’B singer Rihanna leant not her face, but her voice, with a special song, Just Be Happy. And folk-pop singer KT Tunstall has collaborated with the cosmetics brand Origins.

 



Wish upon a star - Famous Faces - Stars & fragrances: the matching game