The 11-year journey of ‘vampire’ Robert Pattinson and Dior: Turning down Burberry’s £1 million contract to become Dior’s Brand Ambassador Part 1
The collaboration between Robert Pattinson and Dior has spanned over a decade, marking an impressive partnership in the fashion industry. By turning down a £1 million contract from Burberry, the actor chose to become Dior’s Brand Ambassador, opening a new chapter in his career.
The relationship between Robert Pattinson and Dior is not merely a collaboration but a symbol of creativity and timeless elegance, with every campaign deeply etched with the identity of both. Before becoming an actor, Robert Pattinson started his modeling career in 2008. However, his modeling career came to an early end as, by the age of 16, his face had become “too masculine,” no longer fitting the androgynous beauty trends of the time.
Robert Pattinson shared about his early modeling career: “When I started, I was tall and looked like a girl, so I got lots of jobs because it was a time when androgynous looks were popular. Then I guess I became too masculine, so I never got any more jobs. I had the least successful modeling career.”
After that, the British actor focused on acting, with his first notable role as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. However, it was his portrayal of Edward Cullen in Twilight that catapulted him to global fame. The second part of Breaking Dawn, released in 2012, achieved a record-breaking box office of over $829 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the Twilight Saga series.
Robert Pattinson’s appeal in The Twilight Saga turned him into a Hollywood star overnight, attracting the attention of many major fashion brands. Notably, there was a £1 million offer from Burberry, but Robert Pattinson declined, stating that he wanted to focus on acting and wasn’t interested in becoming a model.
In 2013, Robert Pattinson was officially named the Ambassador for Dior Homme. His first campaign featured a video directed by Romain Gavras, with photography by Nan Goldin, making a significant impact for the Dior brand. In the Dior Homme – Eau For Men campaign, the first short film starring Robert Pattinson, titled “1000 Lives,” told a passionate love story set in New York, solidifying the success of this collaboration.
Dior Homme added: “Today, we are delighted to announce that he will be joining the exclusive ranks of Dior’s faces. Photographed by American artist Nan Goldin and filmed by French director Romain Gavras.”
Notably, in this campaign, Dior Homme allowed the British actor to freely express his creativity and contribute ideas to complete the 1000 Lives campaign. Additionally, photographer Nan Goldin published a photo book titled Robert Pattinson: 1000 Lives, dedicated exclusively to this special campaign. There seems to be an intriguing connection between Robert Pattinson and the French perfume brand, as both began to rise in 2005. That year, Dior Homme introduced its first luxury fragrance to the public, while Robert Pattinson made his cinematic debut with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Following their initial collaboration, Pattinson continued to feature in many Dior Homme campaigns, starring in creative advertisements that highlighted the inherent allure of the fragrance, along with his impressive acting talent. His relationship with the French fashion house grew stronger, especially when he officially entered the brand’s fashion division. Most notably, in the 2016 Fall Collection for Dior Homme, Pattinson showcased his signature elegance and charm, blending seamlessly with the visionary work of the late creative director Karl Lagerfeld. Together, they created a unique black-and-white photo series, marking a significant milestone as Pattinson became the first celebrity to represent Dior Homme Ready-to-Wear.
