One of the sexiest men in the world... in an ad for one of the most iconic perfumes.

Actor Brad Pitt is the first man to front a Chanel No. 5 campaign, following the footsteps of Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Nicole Kidman.

Looking thoughtful and relaxed, the 48-year-old actor ponders life in the video directed by Joe Wright, who was behind two other Chanel perfume commercials.

Chanel's creative director Karl Lagerfeld welcomed the groundbreaking move, believing the addition of Pitt as the poster boy takes the brand in a new direction.

SOUNDBITE Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel Creative Director, saying (English):

"I think it's a very good idea. It's even beyond a commercial idea. It's a new statement... I think it's the newest idea in the perfume industry and everybody uses Marilyn Monroe and all the stars that we've done and all that, so I think the newest idea Chanel could have was to take a man but for that you have to take the most famous and the most sexiest man in the world and that's Brad Pitt."

CHANEL No. 5 was introduced in 1921 and has since become one of the most popular and best selling perfumes in the world.