As soon as the holidays approach, commercial spots are dominated by fragrance ads and we are bombarded by cosmetics bonus offers of some sort. Some of these are masterfully done and we wait through roughly 4 minutes of brainwashing madness hoping to catch a glimpse, while others make us change the channel before we have a chance to that damned song we hate stuck in our heads again.
Now that the holidays are over, we’re not likely to see many fragrance ads (at least not until Valentine’s day rolls around). In case you lived under a rock and missed them or just can’t get enough of these sweet scents, I’ve compiled a list of 2011 favorites.
GUCCI GUILTY INTENSE:
Cars, flames, a dark bar and sexy shadows behind blinds ala 9 1/2 Weeks come together in this video directed by Frank Miller. Gucci Guilty was already a sinfully sensual fragrance for both men and women, and Gucci upped the ante this year launching it’s aptly-named “Intense” line — basically the Eau de Parfume version of the original Eau de Toilette. Typically fragrances are automatically released in both versions, but if distinguishing between the regular and “Intense” versions gave Gucci and excuse to come up with this advert starring Chris Evans and Evan Rachel Wood, I won’t harp on that point. Similar to Gucci’s revamp of this fragrance, a classic favorite “Strangelove” by Friendly Fires and Bat for Lashes was remixed for this video.
J’ADORE DIOR:
Perhaps one of the most eye-catching fragrance commercials in a long time, cgi special effects allowed Dior to feature iconic starlets such as a youthful Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Deitrich and Grace Kelly alongside (a present-day) Charlize Theron in this spot directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. These Hollywood royals prepare backstage for a Dior fashion show at the even more regal Galerie des Glaces at the Château de Versailles, all to the beats of Gossip’s “Heavy Cross”.
COCO MADEMOISELLE by CHANEL:
Continuing into the streets of Paris, we follow starlet Keira Knightley race through the Place Vendome on her motorcycle to see her arrive at a photo shoot where her photographer is actually the sexy Argentinian actor Alberto Ammann. More a short film than a commercial, the duo go from business to pleasure as Ammann mouths the words “get out” to his staff, and proceeds to seductively remove his subject’s Chanel boots. I don’t know if director Joe Wright was imposing his own fantasies while filming this, but accompanied by the sultry sounds of Joss Stone singing “It’s a Man’s World” this advert could have any girl running out to buy a bottle of Coco Mademoiselle (and a motorcycle).
BOSS BOTTLED NIGHT:
The caption to this video as posted by Boss reads “BOSS BOTTLED.NIGHT. ventures beyond the challenges of the daytime to explore the world of the BOSS man as he prepares to conquer the night.” I don’t know about all that, but basically we get to see Sexiest Man of the Year Ryan Reynolds start to take off his tie, unbutton his shirt, and give a coy smile. Enough said.
DOLCE & GABBANA THE ONE GENTLEMAN:
Few of us can forget scenes of the dapper Matthew McConaughey escaping the paparazzi to kick-back in his hotel suite, but the newer “Gentleman” version of the men’s fragrance also came with a second installment to the short-films of this leading man. McConaughey even shows off just how much of a gentleman he is when he takes of his jacket only to place it on a drunken passed-out “lady” as he leaves a thoroughly disheveled ballroom post- (fabulous) party.
GIVENCHY PLAY FOR HER:
Much different than the “short-films” typically produced for fragrance adverts, this 40 second clip featured Justin Timberlake in — what a surprise — Paris. Known for bringing sexy back, the music mogul is an appropriate lead for this commercial as he and his date climb the Eiffel Tower afterhours like a pair of giddy teenagers. The master dj that he is, Justin hits “play” on his iPod resembling perfume bottle and the lights of the city strobe to the beat. It may not be extraordinary but this clip is fun and to the point.