Making of Ralph Lauren's Polo Bear
Talent
July 27, 2026
Q&A with the team
The Ralph Lauren Polo Bear already existed as an iconic character, but he still had to be brought to life. What was the biggest challenge in making him feel truly present on set?
Mathias Barday : “The first challenge was bringing the Polo Bear character to life and pushing its realism as far as possible. That meant paying close attention to every aspect of the character, from the materials and textures to the clothing and overall look.
The second stage was all about lighting and compositing. That's where the character truly starts to live within the live-action footage and becomes part of the filmed environment rather than something added afterwards.”
Ralph Lauren has a very elegant and timeless visual identity. How did this aesthetic influence your lighting choices?
André Monteiro: “When integrating a digital character into live-action footage, the first step is always to understand and match the lighting captured on set. Once that foundation is established, we can start refining the image and highlighting specific details to enhance the overall result.
The goal is always to support the elegance of the brand’s visual language while making sure the Polo Bear naturally stands out within each environment.”
What was your main priority in giving the Polo Bear personality without changing a character that is already so iconic?
Alban Lelièvre: “The challenge was to animate a character who is simultaneously cute, slightly clumsy, and effortlessly elegant. Those qualities can seem contradictory, so finding the right balance was essential.
In these films, the Polo Bear spends most of his time seated, which means the acting is almost entirely carried by his interactions with Tom Hiddleston. Throughout those conversations, we both discover and shape his personality. He comes across as a little greedy, well-groomed, attentive, and just slightly mischievous, among many other subtle traits.”
What takes the most work when the goal is to make a CG integration… invisible?
Mathias Barday : “There's never one single element that makes the difference. It's really the accumulation of countless small details that ultimately sells the illusion.
Lighting and compositing are, of course, the first things that come to mind, but the clothing also played a huge role. We were constantly striving for realism, down to every fold in a jacket or the way the fabrics responded to light and movement. It's that attention to detail across every department that makes the integration believable.”
What are the small details that make the biggest difference? And which are you most proud of?
Alban Lelièvre: Beyond the obvious fundamentals like eye direction, facial expressions, and subtle body language, it's really the accessories that become a gift for bringing out the character's personality.
A small adjustment of his glasses can communicate doubt. Tightening his tie knot suggests pride and confidence. The refined way he holds a teacup reinforces his elegance and good manners. Those seemingly minor gestures do an enormous amount of work in building the character and making him feel alive.
André Monteiro: “I'm most proud of the level of detail in the Polo Bear’s sweater, which he proudly wears in the Strawberry and More Tea films. A lot of care went into those details, even if they are not necessarily something viewers consciously notice.”
If the Polo Bear could thank the team, what do you think he would say? 😊
Alban Lelièvre: "So long, and thanks for all the strawberries."