According to Giorgio Armani, the handsome actor  “…perfectly embodies the brand’s spirit with his strong charisma and natural elegance. Besides revealing great talent, high versatility and the right amount of irony on the sets, his magnetic charm makes him the ideal match for this fragrance.” In this interview, Pine  who will be seen in films like Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Stretch, Into the Woods, and the sequel to Horrible Bosses this year, holds forth on a variety of topics including masculinity and his relationship with fragrances.

 

What is so unique about this brand that you choose Armani suits for the red carpet?

 

There is an understated elegance to Mr. Armani’s suits. The cut is classic, the craftsmanship superb. There is an incredible attention to detail and a respect for the brand history. You never feel that Armani needs to follow this season’s trends, but instead he keeps a singular vision. And in that there is the quiet confidence of an artist who knows that his suits will be as handsome now as they will be in 50 years.

 

What are the codes for a man today?

 

Integrity and generosity of spirit. Elegance does not only involve the clothes you wear, it has much more to do with how you conduct yourself in this world.

 

What is seduction for you?

 

I think it’s an understanding of the other person. A desire to know what they want and what would make them happy.

 

What would you never do to seduce a woman?

 

Try too hard to impress.

 

What attracts you to a woman? What pushes you away?

 

Confidence and humour but never arrogance.

 

How would you define masculinity?

 

Strength that comes with being comfortable in one’s own skin.

 

What makes you feel masculine?

 

I have a pair of boots that I’ve had forever that remind me of my uncle — they feel like they’ve kicked over a stone or two on a dirt road in Montana and then spent the evening by the fire.

 

What do you think is a man’s most powerful weapon?

 

A difficult question… Intelligence, self-awareness and the ability to laugh at yourself.

 

What is your idea of elegance?

 

Confidence. Simplicity. Craftsmanship. Detail work that can be appreciated by the connoisseur but that is never garish or flashy.

 

Is it Chris Pine the actor or Chris Pine the person that we are seeing in the new Armani Code ad campaign?

 

Like any performance there is a bit of both, I suppose. For the commercial, Andrew Dominik (director) and I came up with an idea of who this gentleman was, exiting the hotel on his way through a revolving door when he catches sight of this extraordinary woman. But the camera is an incredible thing and no matter how much you may think of disappearing, it inevitably captures something of who you are at that moment in time. Brigitte Lacombe who did the portraits has an incredible quality to her; an ability to create a calm and peaceful environment in which I felt comfortable and, ironically, at home.

 

What is the difference between shooting a fragrance commercial and a film?

 

Well, certainly the speed with which you shoot.  A film can take anywhere from a month to 6 depending on the size. We only had two days to shoot our commercial so Andrew and his team had to come in, and they did, fully prepared and know exactly what they wanted to get.  But, as it is with a longer format, you are trying to tell a story. You play a character and tell the story as best as you can.

 

In general, what is your relationship to fragrances? Do you like wearing them, change them often? How do you put perfume on yourself?

 

Fragrances, as with clothing, say a lot about a person. It’s a part of how one presents oneself to the world. I’m very particular and when I find something I like, whether it be a suit or a cologne, I tend to stick by it. Less is more for me when it comes to a fragrance. You want it to feel close to the skin as if it’s an extension of you, of who you are. Just like a well-tailored suit, a cologne must fit just right.