The Society Of The Spectacle

Wrangler has returned to the high fashion fray with a sequel to the Ryan McGinley shot ‘We Are Animals’ from 2008. The last one was well received, winning at Cannes, and certainly helped give some element of credibility to a brand that had been bumping along without a clear direction for some time. This campaign however, is a real winner, beautifully art directed and shot by Jeff Burton, this campaign keeps the the dark brooding theme with stabbing shots of colour that lend a severe edge to the clothes. This stark campaign comes on the back of Wrangler’s relaunch of it’s Blue Bell label. Blue Bell, like Levi’s Vintage Clothing and Levi’s RED, takes classic pieces and cuts from Wrangler’s immense archive and gives them a contemporary release. The website is the real brilliant bit of comms here, I wont spoil it, but it’s one of the best interactive experiences I’ve come across in a while. The shirts as ever are beautiful and certainly worth a look. Certainly of the ‘big three’ Jeans brands, (Levis’ Lee & Wrangler) Wrangler seems to be doing the most interesting stuff. Check out the Blue Bell video and the rest of the ‘We Are Animals’ campaign after the jump. (more…)

In tough times, it’s interesting to see how Luxury Brands, specifically ones more associated with frivolity and a certain ‘joie de vivre’ (or recklessness, depending on your point of view) have scrambled to reposition themselves with authenticity at their core. Gucci, with it’s latest ad campaign has taken this one step further by recycling  vintage ads with one of the proto supermodels Veruschka and the languid Jetset glamour of Peter Sellers (above – from behind)

It’s a smart bit of thinking from the Creatives at Gucci, serving two roles, establishing an authenticity of product and making you think twice about the longevity of the brand, and the powerful allure of the jetset. Similar to way Louis Vuitton photographs it’s signature bags adorned on the iconic, the famous or just plain interesting, it’s a great way of proving your sticking power when others around you are floundering. It’s a great story, and I wonder if it presages a trend towards other fashion houses recycling their archives in other interesting ways. More ads after the jump. (Source WWD)
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Super imaginative breakdown of the catwalk looks, from the straight down the line, to the truly bizarre. Fashematics let the air out of fashions more pompous moments. It helps it’s seriously funny. Check out a cheeky selection after the jump. (more…)

Trawling through PSFK, I saw this rather strange idea from Swedish designer Ann Sofie Back (and her ad team We Are Group) Spinning the now overused “Pop Up Store” concept (Kingsmill pop up store anyone? Yeah I thought not) into a much more outlandish and provocative concept; the hostage store.

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V Magazine have this month dedicated to exploring, in beautiful fashion of course the Plus Size model. Photographer’s such as the indomitable Terry Richardson and the beautifully high concept Solve Sundsbø have shot some great editorial.

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The Sartorialist has an interesting collaboration up at the moment. ‘The Art Of The Trench’ shows the classic Burberry trenchcoat on the shoulders of some of the most stylish citizens of Europe and America. It’s a beautiful idea, which helps cement the iconic-ness of the Burberry trenchcoat and, as an owner of one myself, shows that there can be many imitations, but the essence of what makes Burberry trench special can’t be replicated as easily as some might imagine (and certainly many who have tried). The Sartorialist interpretations are up first, but many other photographers are lined up next, as well as user generated contributions that are equally good. One to watch… Some more after the jump. (more…)

Persol, the quintessential Eyewear brand, has, with the help of Eyegoodies.com done us the service of re-releasing probably the most iconic pair of sunglasses that aren’t named wayfarer or aviator ever. The Persol 714 – or in other words, Steve McQueens sunglasses, from the classic film The Thomas Crown Affair. The Special blue tint adds a real twist on these classics, and added to my other gorgeous Common Project/Moscot pair, are going to be seeing alot of action in 2010. More pics after the jump. (more…)

New Kitsuné film….

A couple of collections that I have found (via the gifted hand of Selectism on a couple) and thought i would share as they are some my favourite brands anyway. So lets’ get under way with Kitsuné and their ‘golf club’ collection… (more…)

Get shot by the Sartorialist. Very well observed, if a little bit snarky. (Via Refinery 29)