Luxury skincare line SK-II, held an intimate luncheon at the Sunset Towers in Hollywood to celebrate Cate Blanchett's global ambassadorship and the brand's new 2008 campaign.
Blanchett, closing out on a busy awards season with multiple nominations for her roles in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and as Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There," shared the secret of SK-II with guests over lunch and an afternoon of pampering SK-II treatments.
SK-II, which has enjoyed a loyal following in Japan for almost 30 years, signed Blanchett as a global ambassador in October 2007.
Attendees received a sneak preview of SK-II's new launch for spring, Cate's Essentials Collection, which includes three of the products through which Blanchett first discovered and thereby became a loyal user of the brand.
The Collection includes Facial Treatment Essence, the cornerstone of the brand, Facial Treatment Repair C and Facial Treatment Masks.
These three products contain the highest concentration of SK-II's signature ingredient, Pitera, within the brand's offerings.
Blanchett, who was introduced to SK-II by a friend and make-up artist, has been using the brand for seven years and notes, "Throughout my career, I have only accepted roles that I am passionate about, and my partnership with SK-II is no different. I truly believe I already played this role as an ambassador long before SK-II caught up with me."
To capture Cate's authentic beauty, acclaimed photographer Michael Thompson used minimal styling and make-up to create a simple, yet visually stimulating black-and-white portrait of the actress.
Blanchett's truest essence is revealed through her flawless skin, which serves as the glowing focal point of the campaign and communicates her passion for the brand. Ads will run in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Spain beginning in March 2008.
"We are thrilled to be able to celebrate with and honor Cate Blanchett, as we embark upon an exciting new spring campaign," said Shivesh Ram, Vice President and General Manager of Global SK-II.
"Cate has been a loyal user of the brand for over seven years and has, in her own words, always been quite evangelical about her love for the products.
It's exciting to be in Los Angeles with Cate, after a very successful awards season as she shares the secret of, and her passion for, the brand."
Cate's Essentials Collection retails for $250 USD and will launch in March 2008 exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue with extended roll out beginning April 2008.
The Procter & Gamble Company
Cate Blanchett shares secret of SK-II in Los Angeles
