Sylvain Chomet’s Dior Short Film Features Robert Pattinson, Josh O’Connor and Rihanna

High-end fashion and hand-drawn animation are merging this holiday season. Christian Dior recently unveiled its own holiday campaign in the form of a fully animated short film, "Christian Dior's Night in Color," directed by Academy Award-winner Sylvain Chomet, with voice work from Robert Pattinson, Josh O’Connor, Greta Lee, LaKeith Stanfield and Rihanna.

The film, set in 1949, envisions the renowned designer (voiced by Louis Garrel) facing an impossible Christmas task – creating a new dress for Marlene Dietrich (Camille Cottin). The production was initially planned to film in black-and-white but has now transitioned to color. O’Connor plays a talking chair, while Rihanna embodies a magic Christmas star, declaring "Shine bright... like a Christmas tree!"

Jonathan Anderson, Dior's creative director, who often collaborates with Luca Guadagnino, provided creative direction for the short. The campaign highlights the notion that hand-made animation, crafted by skilled artists, is as refined and valuable as high-end fashion. This special art demands the same meticulous care and attention that a luxurious gown requires.

Unlike AI-generated animation, which can be easily discerned as cheap and common, this film exemplifies the commitment and passion that go into creating refined art. Sylvain Chomet's previous film, "A Magnificent Life," which explored the life and art of French filmmaker and playwright Marcel Pagnol, was released last year for Oscar consideration and has since been given a wider release.

Additionally, Chomet contributed the animated prologue to Todd Phillips' 2024 feature "Joker: Folie à Deux." Chomet is currently working on a follow-up to his 2014 film "The Triplets of Belleville."