As guests took their seats at Virginie Viard’s Fall 2024 Chanel showcase during Paris Fashion Week earlier this month, attendees were treated to a short film by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. Starring Penélope Cruz and Brad Pitt, the cinematic piece was inspired by a scene from Claude Lelouch’s 1966 French movie Un Homme et Une Femme. As it turns out, the film is part of Chanel’s latest handbag advertising campaign for the fabled French fashion house’s iconic flap handbag – the 11.22. Staged in the Normandy seaside town of Deauville (which ultimately served as a focal point for Viard’s Fall 2024 collection), Penélope and Brad play the role of a pair of lovers. The cinematic duo are captured down on the beach, driving through the resort and inside the hotel’s restaurant throughout the charming campaign.
Read below the reactions of theFashionSpot’s forum members:
“The campaign seems cold. There is no chemistry, everything seems forced. To make matters worse, Brad did his job better than Penélope, who is one of the most beautiful women in the industry. Another MISS for I&V!” shared DK92 the moment the campaign struck.
Sharing the same attitude was justaguy: “I actually like the concept of this campaign, but those two have zero chemistry.”
“Almost anyone other than Brad would’ve been preferable,” chimed in KoV.
“Great concept, terrible execution,” wrote plentyofthorns.
“I guess this is how they announce that the flap bag now costs more than €10,000,” pointed out Br3ncon1.
Vogue28 stated: “I find Penélope Cruz just so unbelievably attractive and alluring that I cannot help but be like a moth to a flame, and instantly drawn to this. Brad and Penélope have great chemistry here, and I think it has been beautifully shot by I&V. My favorite are the he shots/scenes down on the beach.”
See more of Chanel’s ‘The Iconic Handbag’ advertising campaign and share your own thoughts, here.