• About
  • Login to comment
    • Bluesky
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Archives

Alain Delon for Christian Dior Eau Sauvage

Posted by Robin on 4 June 2009 76 Comments

Alain Delon advert for DiorFrench actor Alain Delon in the latest ad for Christian Dior's iconic fragrance for men, Eau Sauvage. According to Dior, Delon is a "living myth" and thus a perfect fit for the enduring classic.

Delon was born in 1935; the photo used in the ad was taken in 1966, the year Eau Sauvage launched. Prior faces for the fragrance have included Zinedine Zidane and Johnny Hallyday. (image via imagesdeparfums.fr, additional information via madame.lefigaro.fr, vogue.fr)

Filed Under: perfume in the news
Tagged With: alain delon, dior, perfume ads

Advertisement


76 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. prism says:
    4 June 2009 at 10:19 am

    wow. it looks so timeless! guess they cleaned it up fiercely on photoshop.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 10:43 am

      Maybe.

      Log in to Reply
    • perfumeshrine says:
      4 June 2009 at 2:47 pm

      It IS a great photo and I had chosen it for an article on the gender of vetiver a while ago (last autumn actually) in which you can see the original photo:
      http://perfumeshrine.blogspot.com/2008/09/vetiver-series-5-straight-strange-sweet.html
      they only Photoshopped the cigarette out of his hand, *nothing else!* Which proves what a wonderful and timeless photo it genuinely is, of course.

      As to Delon being a jerk, as I read below, do people who say so know him personally? I would withhold judgment on anyone I only “know” from the tabloids. But maybe that’s just me. :/

      Log in to Reply
      • krokodilgena says:
        4 June 2009 at 2:56 pm

        I assumed he was a jerk based on the part of Nico Icon where they talked to his mother, who they interview because she raised Nico and Alain’s son.

        this is from Roger Ebert’s review of Nico Icon:
        “We meet her in her humble flat (“People think I live in a castle or something”), and we learn that Delon gave her a choice: Ari or Alain. She chose the little boy, and has not spoken to Delon for 17 years. Delon emerges from the episode as a real jerk, something that will not surprise those who have followed him over the years.”

        Log in to Reply
        • perfumeshrine says:
          4 June 2009 at 3:18 pm

          I can’t say that it sounds like a responsible attitude, but men are entitled as much as women to their own choices in their lives: who knows if she got pregnant on purpose to force a situation on him or if the child was not his or whatever? My point is, only by hearing both sides of a story can we deduct any conclusions and Delon to my knowledge has always been a very private man.
          Not that I have any specific reason to defend him nevertheless!

          Log in to Reply
  2. Robin R. says:
    4 June 2009 at 10:26 am

    What a good idea. What a good shot. AND what a good-looking man.

    Log in to Reply
    • Daisy says:
      4 June 2009 at 10:33 am

      He was very handsome….and even as an older man he’s quite nice looking (of course he’s older than my MOM) ….other from that I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a movie, but I’m not french!

      Log in to Reply
      • krokodilgena says:
        4 June 2009 at 10:45 am

        I’ve seen him in a few movies

        he’s a jerk!!!!!!!
        Don’t have babies with him!!!!!

        Log in to Reply
        • Daisy says:
          4 June 2009 at 11:00 am

          A creepy dude, eh? Seems to be a rather appalling side effect of being a handsome movie star….seriously, with most of them: nice to look at but wouldn’t go anywhere near them. There always seem to be plenty of women too stupid to figure that out though.

          Log in to Reply
          • krokodilgena says:
            4 June 2009 at 11:14 am

            he isn’t even nice to his own mommy!

          • SmokeyToes says:
            4 June 2009 at 12:16 pm

            Not like I’m defending them, but creepy dudes do teach us to appreciate the nice guys. The trick is to learn the lesson the first time around and not go back for seconds….

        • Daisy says:
          4 June 2009 at 12:24 pm

          You are wise oh smokeytoed one.

          Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 10:43 am

      Robin, ditto to all of that!

      Log in to Reply
      • Robin says:
        4 June 2009 at 10:44 am

        And a ps, because I’ve never said, but love your gravatar! Wish I’d thought of it.

        Log in to Reply
        • mals86 says:
          4 June 2009 at 11:00 am

          Holy perfume bottles, Batman! I think it’s a great gravatar.

          Log in to Reply
          • Robin R. says:
            4 June 2009 at 11:11 am

            I still can’t quite believe I actually figured out how to “do” a gravatar 🙂

  3. Dagmar says:
    4 June 2009 at 10:52 am

    I’m pretty sure he was briefly married to Nico, chanteuse for The Velvet Underground. Both were very very good-looking, but notorious jerks.

    Log in to Reply
    • krokodilgena says:
      4 June 2009 at 10:55 am

      no they weren’t married

      he cheated on his fiancee with Nico and then his mom took care of their son but he denied it was his

      Log in to Reply
    • krokodilgena says:
      4 June 2009 at 10:57 am

      and I used to lloooove Nico, but I don’t know if she could be called a “chanteuse” lol

      Log in to Reply
      • Dagmar says:
        4 June 2009 at 11:33 pm

        Well, it’s a matter of taste. “Chelsea Girls” is one of my favorite songs of all time. She’s not a singer, but what I’d call a “song stylist” (like myself, hah).

        Now I remember, yeah, he denied the kid was his (see movie “Nico Icon” for full story). It just amazed me how unattractive their kid was, those two gorgeous people.

        Patricia Highsmith herself handpicked Delon as the perfect Ripley.

        Log in to Reply
        • merenguehips says:
          4 June 2009 at 11:53 pm

          Kind of like Lou Reed’s style is best described as “sprechstimme”…totally agree with Nico as “song-stylist”…just emerging from a total auditory immersion into The Velvet Underground & Nico for a research paper last semester.

          Log in to Reply
        • Robin says:
          5 June 2009 at 9:10 am

          Dagmar, thanks, did not know that about Highsmith. Love the novels & did not love the Matt Damon version.

          Log in to Reply
  4. Maha says:
    4 June 2009 at 10:52 am

    One of the most handsome man of all times with sexiest perfume of all times. That is great idea. I loved Delon when I was 6 or 7 years old and watched him in Zoro. So long time ago.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 11:58 am

      I think it is a great idea too.

      Log in to Reply
  5. AlbertCAN says:
    4 June 2009 at 11:04 am

    A-ha! So they did photoshop the cigarette out of the original photo. For a moment it seems to me as if Delon is stroking his cheek, but I suppose it’s the best solution given the current anti-smoking regulations.

    Log in to Reply
    • Daisy says:
      4 June 2009 at 11:07 am

      lol – here I thought he was just being “contemplative” !!!

      Log in to Reply
    • krokodilgena says:
      4 June 2009 at 11:08 am

      Isn’t the picture at http://madame.lefigaro.fr/beaute/en-kiosque/2035-dior-s-offre-delon the original?

      Log in to Reply
      • krokodilgena says:
        4 June 2009 at 11:11 am

        never mind, I see
        he’s smoking a cigarette while being contemplative.

        http://www.brillerenville.com/uploads/images/92/Alain_Delon.jpg

        Log in to Reply
        • Daisy says:
          4 June 2009 at 11:48 am

          maybe he’s contemplating lung cancer….

          Log in to Reply
      • AlbertCAN says:
        4 June 2009 at 11:17 am

        Well, I’m not an expert in Jean-Marie Perier’s craft but a few weeks ago I did do a mini-research on the background of the photo when blogging the news:

        http://tuileries.blogspot.com/2009/05/young-delon-returns-for-dior-eau.html

        I could be wrong but I honestly I did not come across the ciggy-less version of that photograph a month ago. (No offense to Le Figaro but the photo in question looks retouched–the background patina seems modernized IMHO.) Then again, there’s a lot on the line for the mega corporation to attest absolute faithfulness in the original these days, isn’t it?

        Log in to Reply
  6. AnnS says:
    4 June 2009 at 11:43 am

    I thought I was hallucinating when I saw the image of Mr. Delon!…and then I read your copy about the image being from 1966. I thought, boy, I need to get my hands on whatever moisturizer he’s using!! It is a perfect fit. I don’t think we grow sophisticated men like we used to.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 11:58 am

      No — but perhaps it has always seemed like we don’t grow sophisticated men like we used to! I wonder who in our time will seem “sophisticated” 50 years from now.

      Log in to Reply
      • krokodilgena says:
        4 June 2009 at 12:06 pm

        in 50 years, my gravatar will be the new Eau Sauvage ad and everyone will say “Oh Bill was so sophisticated, too bad they don’t make men like *that* anymore”

        Log in to Reply
        • krokodilgena says:
          4 June 2009 at 12:16 pm

          no wait this will be the new Eau Sauvage ad, only they’ll photoshop out the cigarette
          http://i29.tinypic.com/2rc7lnc.jpg

          also, the ad that my gravatar is from is on a huge billboard on the Reeperbahn right now lololol

          Log in to Reply
          • LaMaroc says:
            4 June 2009 at 1:24 pm

            Lol! Actually, he kinda looks like Kate Moss gone Goth in that pic to me.

  7. fleurdelys says:
    4 June 2009 at 11:57 am

    Here’s a recent photo: http://www.parismatch.com/People-Match/Fiches-People/Alain-Delon/. Still a good-looking man at 73. I recommend the movie “Purple Noon”.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 11:59 am

      Thanks!

      Log in to Reply
    • boojum says:
      4 June 2009 at 12:19 pm

      Good-looking, yes….and yet at the same time, somehow calls to mind Jack Nicholson. Can’t put my finger on why. Then again, plenty of ppl seem to find HIM sexy enough, too. Go figure.

      Log in to Reply
      • Daisy says:
        4 June 2009 at 12:25 pm

        I see it too Boo, it’s the eyebrows.

        Log in to Reply
      • LaMaroc says:
        4 June 2009 at 1:36 pm

        He’s a regular chameleon! I was checking out some of his pics and one minute he looks like Jack, the next he’s channeling Warren Beatty, then looks startlingly similar to Ewan McGregor and then morphs into a bit of Daniel Craig! The guy really couldn’t take a bad picture.

        Log in to Reply
    • AugustAmber says:
      4 June 2009 at 12:27 pm

      They don’t get prettier than Alain Delon in Purple Noon. Great movie – for those that don’t know, it’s the 1960 version of “The Talented Mr. Ripley”

      Log in to Reply
      • Robin says:
        4 June 2009 at 5:00 pm

        Oh, that made my ears prick up! Ok, on the Netflix queue it goes…

        Log in to Reply
  8. Joe says:
    4 June 2009 at 12:09 pm

    FUNNY… I immediately thought (before my brain was really engaged) “Alain Delon looks DAMN good for his age.”

    fleurdelys beat me to it: “Purple Noon” has been on my bottomless Netflix queue forever; I think I need to move it to the top.

    Log in to Reply
    • Daisy says:
      4 June 2009 at 12:27 pm

      Joe— I just ordered the Byredo Pulp….ETA : June 15th
      {begin bolstering your nostril hairs!}

      Log in to Reply
      • Tama says:
        4 June 2009 at 4:00 pm

        Just so you know, if I was working I would so be in on this with you and I haven’t even smelled the stuff – lol

        Log in to Reply
        • boojum says:
          4 June 2009 at 4:14 pm

          LOL Tama…I jumped on board unsniffed myself. With just 5ml, it was a reasonable risk to take for me.

          Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 12:49 pm

      My Netflix queue is hopeless. There’s stuff lingering at the bottom that’s been there for years, and will be there for years to come.

      Log in to Reply
  9. LaMaroc says:
    4 June 2009 at 1:30 pm

    I’m surprised Delon is allowing his image to be associated with another company since he produces fragrances under his own name. Anyone know how much he’s actually involved in the creative process?

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 1:45 pm

      Gosh, I had assumed those were all discontinued, but you’re right that they’re still making some of them. Well, not exactly competition for Dior, I suppose.

      Log in to Reply
      • perfumeshrine says:
        4 June 2009 at 2:48 pm

        Nope, you have a point; still they’re pretty “big” in Europe (some are very good) and the base of his company is in Switzerland FWIW. Perhaps he has reliquinshed the rights to the photo along with the photographer for a nice little sum. 😉

        Log in to Reply
  10. kaos.geo says:
    4 June 2009 at 1:58 pm

    My mom and dad were teenagers on the 60s
    For them The Beatles were the best band of the world for their time, and Alain Delon was the world’s best looking man, for the time too.
    These two facts were not open to discussion in the family.

    I concurr! 🙂 hehehehehe.

    p.s. Eau sauvage Extreme was my signature frag for several years, specially before I went perfumista. 🙂
    Now I have the Fraicheur Cuir, which IMHO is the best of both worlds. It has the subtle drydown of the original, and the extra edge of the extreme, but toned down a notch so you can wear it at daytime too.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 4:14 pm

      Quit talking about that Fraicheur Cuir, which I cannot find, LOL…

      Log in to Reply
  11. Phemia says:
    4 June 2009 at 3:44 pm

    Alain Delon, is a French icon. We may or not like him.
    But it is not for us to judge his private life nor the one of anyone else.
    I go to the cinema to see a film with actors and actresses I like or a director I like. The private life of celebrities is not of my business and should never be talked about.
    What is it now with this world that spies on every movement of the celebrities. Who cares as long as they do their job fine, let them have the life they want in peace and quiet. It is all about respect and decency.

    Log in to Reply
    • Tama says:
      4 June 2009 at 4:04 pm

      I’m with you- I have friends who say, ugh, I will never see a Tom Cruise/Bruce Willis/Sean Connery etc movie ever again – he is such a weirdo/Republican/wife-beater. I don’t care, if I want to see a movie, I see it! I don’t care who is screwing who or marrying who or cheating on who.

      Log in to Reply
      • krokodilgena says:
        4 June 2009 at 4:17 pm

        ummm….
        I have seen several Alain Delon’s films.
        and I don’t read tabloids.

        If you’re so against assumptions, maybe you should stop making assumptions about *me* too.
        o wait… I’m not an icon or French, nvm I don’t deserve respect.

        Log in to Reply
  12. Phemia says:
    4 June 2009 at 4:44 pm

    That was just a generalization, not about anyone on particular.
    Politeness and courtesy as well as respect applies to everyone.

    Log in to Reply
  13. Robin says:
    4 June 2009 at 5:35 pm

    Phemia & krokodilgena, you’ve both had your say, and for the sake of peace let’s drop it now.

    Log in to Reply
  14. Lars Lapsus says:
    4 June 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Just some days ago I listened to Françoise Hardy’s last album, a collection of duets. The 2nd song, is her with Alain Delon. I think it’s an interpretation of a poem. The French, I don’t know, they seem to get better with age…
    But to me it’s incomprehensible why one should block a cigarette out of a classic shot like this! I mean, honestly, they could at least have cut off the part or something!! I hate this false political correctness!

    Log in to Reply
    • Lars Lapsus says:
      4 June 2009 at 7:20 pm

      Sorry, forgot to say it’s the song Modern Style on the album Parenthéses. Maybe someone is interested.

      Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      4 June 2009 at 7:36 pm

      Oh, if they’d have left the cigarette in, people would be having a fit that they were glorifying smoking — I don’t see that they had a choice.

      Log in to Reply
      • Lars Lapsus says:
        5 June 2009 at 2:50 am

        Sometimes when I reply it looks like my comments are not going where there should go… (you can delete this after reading)

        Log in to Reply
        • Robin says:
          5 June 2009 at 9:08 am

          Happens to me too but invariably because I didn’t click on the right “reply” link!

          Log in to Reply
          • Lars Lapsus says:
            5 June 2009 at 4:24 pm

            LOL! You’re implying I might have hit the wrong button!? Intolerable!

          • Robin says:
            5 June 2009 at 4:38 pm

            HA. I’m sure it’s your computer. It couldn’t possibly be your error or mine 😉

  15. Lars Lapsus says:
    5 June 2009 at 2:48 am

    Oh, I know Robin, but that doesn’t change my feeling about it. It’s a little bit like changing a painting, say, covering the naked breasts of a woman in an exhibition poster not to upset the public. If it’s not apt you shouldn’t use it in advertisement.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 9:09 am

      LOL…I see your point, but guessing most young people (at whom the ad is aimed) won’t be familiar with the original.

      Log in to Reply
      • Lars Lapsus says:
        5 June 2009 at 4:25 pm

        That’s even worse – I mean, that’s exactly the point!

        Log in to Reply
  16. Andrey says:
    5 June 2009 at 4:46 am

    It’s really clever of them at Dior to take fis face for an ad. He really was good looking. Besides he always looked just like a symbol of detachment and “sang-froid” to me and this is the part of Eau Sauvage I appreciate most. Wearing it always makes me a little separated from where I happen to be. All seems like “dear, don’t you think you’re taking it all too serious” – way. We all need this sometimes.
    And dear Robin, on’t be sad about Fraicheur Cuir. There’s almost nothig of that “detachment” in it. Too modern 🙂

    Log in to Reply
  17. Robin says:
    5 June 2009 at 9:10 am

    “dear, don’t you think you’re taking it all too serious” — yes, perfect description! And thanks, will try to stop thinking about the FC 🙂

    Log in to Reply
    • Andrey says:
      5 June 2009 at 2:55 pm

      Well… you can start thinking about , no! you can even reach and take it (bet you’re never out of this stuff), it has a very similar effect “dear, don’t” etc. It’s Cristalle (not Diorella, never) in eau de toilet concentration and in addition you’ll get some “yo soy el mismo de niebla y luz” (“I am a creature of raylight and fog” Garcia Lorca if I’m not mistaken, a very attractive image in these words) Extremely cold elegant ephemeral and romantic. And fits beautifully a friday night in early July. Have a good one tonight

      Log in to Reply
      • Robin says:
        5 June 2009 at 4:37 pm

        I already own Cristalle, so that does not help. The grass is always greener…

        Log in to Reply
  18. Lars Lapsus says:
    5 June 2009 at 4:28 pm

    As upset as I am about the lacking smoke, I admit I can’t think of a better, more iconic face for this magic tincture…

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 4:37 pm

      I think it’s a good fit too.

      Log in to Reply
  19. yzahbelle says:
    6 June 2009 at 4:05 am

    i love the poster.. and alain delon for dior?? whoaahh

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      6 June 2009 at 9:42 am

      It’s nicely done 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  20. eminere says:
    6 June 2009 at 9:47 am

    Intense!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

15 March ~ swapmeet

3 April ~ damage poll
26 April ~ splitmeet

3 May ~ spring reading poll
17 May ~ Haiku challenge!

 

Back to Top

Home
Archives
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Books

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2025 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.