DALLAS, Oct 24, 2003/ FW/ --- After months of speculation which started last July, before the Paris Haute Couture show started, Chanel confirmed today that Oscar™ winning actress Nicole Kidman will "represent the image of CHANEL No5."

According to the announcement, Ms. Kidman will star in all advertising, including TV commercials and print ads for Chanel No.5 beginning Fall 2004, globally.

The amount of the contract was not disclosed, but in July, it was rumored to be more than US$7 million.

The same announcement also mentioned that Jacques Helleu, artistic director for CHANEL (who has the worldwide responsibility for the No5 advertising campaigns), has asked visionary film maker Baz Luhrmann, who directed Ms. Kidman in Moulin Rouge, to conceive, direct and produce the campaign for Chanel.

The partnership between CHANEL and Nicole Kidman is a match made in heaven. Karl Lagerfeld, current head designer for the venerable fashion house told reporters after the Chanel haute couture runway show last July that he would love to have Ms. Kidman on his side. "She's the best of the best," he commented.

"Ms. Kidman was chosen because she represents a unique standard of elegance and embodies the spirit and modernity of CHANEL," says the fashion house.

CFDA heartily agrees with that. Last April, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honored Nicole Kidman the 'Fashion Icon Award.'

Ms. Kidman is not the first actress who has represented Chanel No.5. Legendary screen goddes Marilyn Monroe endorsed the fragrance when she said, "I sleep with nothing on except Chanel No.5."

Created in 1921 CHANEL N° 5 was revolutionary for its unique composition, contemporary bottle design and, of course, name.

It was designed to reflect Coco Chanel's very modern fashion philosophy.

CHANEL N° 5 is a striking blend of jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, patchouli and iris, gentled with amber and a sparkling aldehydic top note.

Eternally modern and elegant, it has become the world's most famous and classic fragrance - and one of the best-selling fragrances of all time.

In 1996, it celebrated its 75th anniversary and for a limited time, it was sold with a special packaging designed by Andy Warhol.