Timothée Chalamet’s much-anticipated commercial for Chanel has finally been released, over a year after a viral video showed the actor being struck in the chest by a camera during filming.
On 17 May, the French luxury brand unveiled the long-awaited advertisement for its Bleu de Chanel men’s fragrance. The 90-second spot, directed by Martin Scorsese, features the 28-year-old Oscar nominee in a surreal version of New York City, as he grapples with the pressures of fame.
Set to the tune of “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock, the ad begins with Chalamet awakening in his fictional Soho apartment, immediately diving into his hectic A-list routine—dodging paparazzi and making an appearance on a late-night talk show.
Throughout the film-within-a-film, Chalamet is haunted by his latest project, which portrays a mysterious blue world that appears on billboards outside his apartment and on his TV.
The Dune star is then seen fleeing the set and finding himself at an elevated subway station in Queens, New York. Upon boarding the train, Chalamet enters the enigmatic blue world, where he is finally able to express his true artistic self.
“The new Bleu de Chanel film is an invitation to explore the many facets of a man who is forging his own path,” reads the ad’s description.
“An actor’s struggle between fame and staying true to his authentic self. A conversation between Timothée Chalamet’s artistic sensibility and Martin Scorsese’s mastery.”
The campaign, inspired by Federico Fellini’s 1968 short film Toby Dammit, follows a year after Chalamet was named the latest ambassador for Chanel’s best-selling men’s fragrance. Since the announcement, numerous photos and videos of Chalamet and Scorsese filming in New York have heightened anticipation for the collaboration.
In a particularly notable moment, Chalamet gained online sympathy after a viral video showed him being struck in the chest by a large camera during filming. Scorsese’s daughter Francesca, who also has a cameo in the ad, was seen standing next to Chalamet, visibly surprised by the incident.
Following the ad’s release, Chalamet revealed in an interview with GQ that the accidental collision was included in the final cut of the film. “It’s a lesson worth learning a thousand times, whether as an actor, director, or creative in general, that mistakes are your best friend, even when you’re Martin Scorsese,” he shared with the magazine.
French actor Gaspard Ulliel was the original face of Bleu de Chanel when the fragrance was launched in 2010, starring in his own short film for the brand, also directed by Scorsese. Ulliel held the position as Chanel’s first male ambassador until his passing in 2022.
Bleu de Chanel is a sophisticated aromatic scent with notes of sandalwood, citrus, labdanum, vetiver, and mint. The fragrance was originally crafted by Jacques Polge and is now maintained by his son, Olivier Polge, who is Chanel’s in-house perfumer.
Conclusion
Chanel’s latest campaign, featuring Timothée Chalamet in a Martin Scorsese-directed ad, blends artistry and luxury in a compelling narrative about the tension between fame and authenticity.
The long-awaited ad, which has captured the attention of fans and fashion enthusiasts alike, showcases Chalamet’s unique artistic sensibility and highlights Chanel’s continued tradition of sophisticated storytelling in its marketing campaigns.
Q1. What is the theme of Timothée Chalamet’s Chanel ad?
A. The ad explores the struggle between fame and staying true to one’s authentic self, set in a dream-like version of New York City.
Q2. Who directed the Chanel Bleu de Chanel commercial featuring Timothée Chalamet?
A. The commercial was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
Q3. When was the Chanel ad featuring Timothée Chalamet released?
A. The ad was released on 17 May.
Q4. What song is featured in the Chanel ad?
A. The ad features the song “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock.
Q5. What inspired the Chanel ad starring Timothée Chalamet?
A. The ad was inspired by Federico Fellini’s 1968 short film Toby Dammit.
