Sauvage Dior: Depp's Signature Scent?

Johnny Depp has been the face of Dior's Sauvage cologne for men since its launch in 2015. The fragrance has top notes of Calabrian bergamot and pepper, middle notes of Sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli, geranium and elemi, and base notes of ambroxan, cedar and labdanum.

The Sauvage advertising campaign has been criticised for its racist portrayal of Native Americans. Despite the controversy, Sauvage is a popular fragrance and the bestselling male fragrance at The Fragrance Shop.

Johnny Depp's Sauvage Dior cologne ad features Native American imagery

Johnny Depp is the face of Dior's Sauvage cologne, with an advertising campaign that has been criticised for its portrayal of Native Americans. The ad, titled "We Are the Land", shows Depp playing guitar in the desert while Canku One Star of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe performs a warrior dance in a traditional Native American headdress and wardrobe.

The French fashion house described the video as "an authentic journey deep into the Native American soul in a sacred, founding and secular territory". However, social media users and critics have called the ad insensitive and racist, pointing out the negative connotations of the fragrance's name, "Sauvage", which translates to "wild" or "savage" in English.

Dior has since removed the ad from social media and cancelled its release, issuing an apology statement: "We are deeply sorry for any offense caused by this new advertising campaign, which was meant to be a celebration of the beauty, dignity, and grace of the contemporary Native American culture."

Despite the controversy, Dior has continued its association with Depp, with the actor still appearing in ads for Sauvage as recently as November 2020.

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Johnny Depp, the face of Dior's Sauvage cologne, has found himself at the centre of a controversy surrounding the fragrance's advertising campaign. The ad, titled "We Are the Land", features Depp playing guitar in the desert while Canku One Star, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, performs a warrior dance in traditional Native American attire.

The French fashion house, Dior, described the video as an "authentic journey deep into the Native American soul", but the campaign sparked immediate backlash on social media. Many pointed out the negative connotations of the fragrance's name, "Sauvage", which in English translates to "wild" or "savage". The use of Native American imagery in the ad, particularly in association with the word "sauvage", was criticised as insensitive and a promotion of stereotypes.

Dior initially removed the ad from social media and later cancelled its release entirely. The company issued an apology, stating: "We are deeply sorry for any offense caused by this new advertising campaign, which was meant to be a celebration of the beauty, dignity, and grace of the contemporary Native American culture."

Despite the controversy, Dior has continued its partnership with Depp. As recently as November 2020, Depp was still appearing in ads for Sauvage, sparking a new wave of criticism and debate.

Dior's Sauvage cologne is for men

Dior's Sauvage cologne is a fragrance for men. It was launched in 2015 and is advertised by actor Johnny Depp. Sauvage is an aromatic fougere fragrance with top notes of Calabrian bergamot and pepper, middle notes of Sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli, geranium, and elemi, and base notes of ambroxan, cedar, and labdanum. The fragrance is described as radically fresh, raw, and noble, with carefully selected natural ingredients. It is available as 60 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette.

Sauvage has received mixed reviews, with some praising its versatility, longevity, and scent, while others find it generic and overrated. It has been criticized for its association with Johnny Depp, who has been accused of domestic abuse, as well as for its appropriation of Native American imagery in its advertising campaign. Despite the controversy, Sauvage has been a commercial success and is one of the bestselling male fragrances.

The Sauvage cologne is available in different sizes

Sauvage cologne is available in different sizes. The cologne comes in 60ml and 100ml Eau de Toilette bottles. You can also get a 10ml mini bottle. Amazon offers a pack of 3 x 3.4 Fl Oz bottles.

Sauvage cologne has received mixed reviews

On the one hand, some reviewers have called Sauvage a "ruthless weapon of mass destruction for the compliment-maximisers", a "solid men's fragrance that you really can't go wrong with", and a "safe blind buy". They say it's "undeniably likeable", "inoffensive", and "compliment-worthy". One reviewer says, "I've tried so many frags but this one and BDC will always be in my top 5 collection". Another says, "I normally layer my cologne with essential oils... but I would only wear this for... 1) Fall/Winter. 2) Job/Office. 3) Dressing down, casual or vintage (Early 2000s era)".

On the other hand, some reviewers have called Sauvage "overrated", "boring", and "a very basic spicy-fresh scent". One reviewer says, "I normally give it a solid 6/10, but because of the people who wear it, I honestly think it's a 3/10". Another says, "I became interested in perfumes in the past year and started watching YT videos... I was shocked at how much hate this perfume gets... I still love it bottom line".

Some reviewers have criticised the advertising campaign for Sauvage, which stars Johnny Depp. One person says, "the campaign is racist and a clear-cut case of appropriation". Another says, "the video 'romanticised Native Americans as relics from the past'... It's deplorable that Dior thought this was appropriate".

Dior's Sauvage cologne ad featuring Johnny Depp was criticised for its racist portrayal of Native Americans

Johnny Depp has been the face of Dior's Sauvage fragrance since its launch in 2015. The perfume's advertising campaign has been criticised for its racist portrayal of Native Americans.

In the ad, Depp walks amid the red rocks of south-western Utah, stacking rocks to mark his path, while a Native American fancy war dancer, Canku One Star, a Rosebud Sioux member, performs on a cliff. A young woman, portrayed by Canadian actor of First Nations descent Tanaya Beatty, follows Depp from a distance. Depp also whips out a guitar and plays a famous riff by Shawnee guitarist Link Wray.

Dior described the ad as "an authentic journey deep into the Native American soul in a sacred, founding and secular territory". However, critics called the campaign racist and a clear-cut case of appropriation. Crystal Echo Hawk, CEO of the media watchdog group IllumiNative, said:

> These types of tropes, these types of narratives about Native people as savages they do real harm and fuel racism.

Dior removed the ad from social media but continued to face backlash for its choice to keep Depp as the face of Sauvage. In 2020, following a high court judgement that found Depp had violently abused his ex-wife Amber Heard, many were surprised to see an advert for the fragrance featuring Depp being shown on TV. The British PR expert Mark Bokowski commented:

> I think it would be sensible for Dior to sever links with Depp. Anything can be stopped by pressing a button if they really wanted to.

However, some fans of Depp pledged to buy the cologne in support of the continued association, and internet searches for Sauvage increased by 23% following the ruling.

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