Spring/summer 2016 fashion ad campaign roundup:
From Jaden Smith in Louis Vuitton to Marc Jacob's new campaign, diversity is triumphing in this season's fashion ads.
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Your support makes all the difference.2016 is set to be the most progressive year for fashion yet, with the ad campaigns are landing amongst the usual supermodel faces, a new crop of stars are emerging who are challenging society's perceptions of gender.
Jaden Smith made headlines when he was unveiled as one of the stars of Louis Vuitton's new campaign. Nothing strange about one of the Smith offspring appearing in ad campaigns - sister Willow appeared for Marc Jacobs last season - however Jaden appears in the Vuitton ad decked out head-to-toe in the brand's womenswear collection.
Marc Jacobs is continuing the trend of embracing diversity, unveiling last night the first of his offerings for the new season on his Instagram account, revealing director Lana Wachowski who came out as transgender in 2012, as the first star of his spring/summer 2016.
Explaining his choice, Jacobs said:
"The people featured in our campaign personify this collection of fashion through their individuality. Collectively, they embody and celebrate the spirit and beauty of equality."
“She [Wachowski] expressed thoughts and ideas that have filled my head and heart always but had never been so eloquently captured in language that was so tangible, intelligent, poignant and full of possibility. I found myself referencing Lana’s words in my daily life and sharing her speech with close friends.”
This attitude is by far a new one, fashion has been challenging traditional perceptions of gender for many years. The blurring of gender lines is by far from uncommon in many collections with androgyny a well-rehearsed trend. Menswear is pushing boundaries too most notably in Alessandro Michele's latest collection for Gucci.
Simarlarly models such as Lea T and Andreja Pejic, both who are transgender have been winning campaigns and spots on the catwalk for the last half decade but it's the inclusion of high profile figures such as Jaden Smith and director Lana Wachowski which are setting this season apart.
There is of course still the presence of the usual supermodel faces - Gigi Hadid appears in Versace's campaign alongside Raquel Zimmermann and Natasha Poly. Karlie Kloss is the newest face of high street store Topshop. Givenchy cast the likes of Lara Stone, Miranda Kerr, Natalia Vodianova and Joan Smalls in supermodel gangs shot around New York.
Finally Balmain pulled out all the stops for a major supermodel revival with Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.
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