Fashion Focus: The Story Behind Spring 2012 Ads

This season, Cotton Candy Magazine^® has a special look into the luxury fashion ad campaigns for S/S ‘12.   Whether inspired by water or the creatures that live in it, spring fashion ads have the refreshing effect of diving into cool, blue seas. Some designers are sticking to their roots with updates of their iconic classics. Others take the plunge with bold prints, exceptional embellishments, and sexy silhouettes.

The Givenchy campaign is not your typical day at the beach.  Moody images shot by the legendary duo Mert & Marcus feature supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Mariacarla Boscono in looks reminiscent of pale seashells, glittering mermaids, and edgy, electric eels.  Also featuring male models Chris Moore and Simone Nobili in stunning Bird of Paradise prints, the campaign’s stormy setting gets an ominous twist with a background of black surfboards echoing the brooding sky above.

Poolside rather than seaside, Versace’s spring campaign also features model Gisele Bundchen and uses fluid water as the backdrop.  Bundchen, clad in goddess-worthy gowns and body-conscious pieces dripping with gold embellishments, is an 80s version of a Versace Venus de Milo, a pure sexy siren who is beckoning male model Ryan Barrett to his divine demise.  Shot in Palm Springs, California, the desert landscape and overexposed, bluish quality of these photos adds to this campaign’s underwater, underworld feel.

(Click the photos below.) 

Couture fashion house Chanel retains its iconic black and white roots with a sporty twist.  Shot by famed designer and noted photographer Karl Lagerfeld at the luxurious Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, the artful athleticism of models Saskia de Brauw and Joan Smalls is on display as the backdrop of the French Riviera and the prominence of pearls reflect the collection’s sea inspiration. Burberry’s spring fashion ads conjure up a different sort of water-inspired image:  April showers.  The labels iconic trenches are again a must have for the upcoming spring rain.  The pieces featured here showcase intricately woven detail.

Celebrating the strong sense of family for which the region is known, designers Dolce and Gabanna stay true to their roots with a spring campaign photographed by Mariano Vivanco in romantic southern Italy.  Italian actress and model Monica Belucci wears seductive black while model Biance Balti is dressed in stark contrast clothed in youthful prints.

Try using these artistic ads to bring to creativity to your own style.   Just as the designers, draw on natural elements, such as water, to determine color palettes or flirty accessories.  By using fashion ads as inspiration, you’ll be able to develop your own unique wardrobe.