Branding & Ads

Gucci Guilty Commercial by director Frank Miller

If you’re a comic book reader, a graphic novel reader or a popular movie buff, you would probably be able to quickly identify the mastermind, Frank Miller, behind Gucci’s new commercial. Not only is the commercial directed by a well known guy, it also stars two fairly well known actors – the lovely Evan Rachel Wood and Chris Evans, with a soundtrack by Friendly Fires. This commercial is all about “the new fragrance for her” called Gucci Guilty.

The 60-second commercial (Gucci claim’s its a film…but who are they kidding) will be shown exclusively at the MTV music awards. The commercial was shot at Cinecitta’ Studios in Rome, which is the legendary home of Italian cinema. Wood speeds through the night in an exquisite 1953 Jaguar C-Type. The plot unfolds to the strains of Depeche Mode’s ‘Strangelove’, given a haunting new rendition by London-based band Friendly Fires. Wood plays the role opposite leading man Chris Evans with a bewitching, vivacious presence that evokes the seductive power of the fragrance.

Are you sold?

Zoe Kravitz for Alexander Wang

image of Zoe Kravitz for Alexander Wang closeup

Alexander Wang new ad campaign for “T” features the beautiful Zoe Kravitz (Lenny Kravitz daughter) in a line of cotton wardrobe basics. Zoe looks absolutely stunning in the photographs, and rumor has it, they’re plastered all over Manhattan – just in the for New York Fashion Week!

The T collection consists of leggings, tops, dresses and outerwear. T by Alexander Wang’s fall collection is now available for purchase via AlexanderWang.com.

image of Zoe Kravitz for Alexander Wang
image of Zoe Kravitz full body

Kmart: The Comeback Kid

Sure, we all know and love Target for a few things…home decor, electronics and of course their women’s clothing department!  Especially when they collaborate with designers such as, Rodarte, Zac Posen,and William Rast.

But this Fall, Target may have a little competition.  Kmart!  Yes, you heard me…the store that I haven’t visited in about 15 years is putting their fashion foot forward!  And to be honest…I’m quite impressed with what I’ve seen of their Fall collection.

They’ve got military jackets to mimic Balmain and Phillip Lim (all priced below $100).  Kmart also hired fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski (whose work usually appears in the pages of GQ and V Magazine) to shoot the Fall campaign.  And to top it off…they’ve got a senior designer who once worked at the YSL atelier!

Pretty impressive!  I’m excited to check out their Fall collection…now, only if I knew where the nearest Kmart was!

G-Star RAW Gallery at the Shanghai World Expo

Actress Liv Tyler is the new face of urban, street-wear brand G-Star. Liv’s duty as brand ambassador has taken her to Shanghai to welcome the temporary pop-up gallery called the G-Star RAW Gallery to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. This is a momentous event for G-Star as this year’s World Expo is expected to be the largest to date with more than 190 countries represented, and an expected attendance of over 70 million visitors.

The G-Star RAW Gallery is a glass pavilion which houses a presentation of the lines: Raw Essentials, the Liv Tyler inspired Low-T, and the proprietary Arc denim styles. G-Star took this opportunity to showcase their signature craftsmanship by producing custom-made tool jackets and traditional Chinese dresses, which were made exclusively out of denim (shown below).

Previously, the G-Star RAW Gallery has appeared at Tokyo Design Week 2008 and 2009 (during the World Expo) and made an appearance at this year’s Pitti Immagine Uomo.

Premiere Issue of INDUSTRIE Magazine

Has anyone in San Francisco been lucky enough to check out the premiere issue of INDUSTRIE Magazine? Slated to debut in late May, the actual release date and availability remain a mystery while the intrigue only increases.

Perhaps it’s a bit far fetched to deem the first self-described “culture of fashion magazine” as groundbreaking, but there hasn’t been any other publication like it and the list of notable contributors will certainly blow your mind. In an industry that’s known for exclusivity, the intimate, behind-the-scenes insight is a complete role reversal, best evidenced by their cover choice.

industrie coverImage of Anna Wintour on the Cover of Industrie Magazine

The paparazzi style shot of American Vogue editrix, Anna Wintour, is significant because it’s attributed to Getty images, speaking to a major theme in the magazine: the rise of fashion editors and stylists as stars in their own rights. The first issue highlights taste-makers on the forefront of fashion such as Carine Roitfeld, Karl Templer and Panos Yiapanis. Many personalities, like photographer Patrick Demarchelier and stylist Katie Grand, not only contribute to the magazine but are profiled as well, setting the tone that this magazine will be for the industry, by the industry.

An inside glimpse reveals provocative editorial spreads featuring: Daria Werbowy and Lara Stone on the beach; a work out with designer Rick Owens; a highly stylized Alessandra Ambrosia as we’ve never imagined her before; an entire profile on every girl’s favorite, signature red-soled Louboutins.

image of Alessandra Ambrosia in Industrie Magazine
I am really surprised that Editors-in-Chief Erik Torstensson and Jens Grede are taking such a risk to launch at this time. The economy is in shambles, advertising budgets are shot, and the undeniable success of digital media is taking a massive toll on print publishing. But, considering the unique perspective, this spells success to me and I truly cannot wait to get my hands on the first issue.

Rue La La Builds Mobile Success with the Launch of Complete Mobility

Rue La La, a leading invitation-only private, flash sale shopping site introduced a new mobile application for the most popular mobile devices on the market. The mobile devices that support this new application are the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android.

Rue La La’s 48-hour, flash boutiques create urgency and excitement among shoppers with coveted items selling out quickly. The urgency that accompanies the opening of each boutique spurred Rue La La to expand its mobile offerings to mobile devices, providing increased opportunity to shop and pass along membership from anywhere. The apps offer fully integrated Facebook and Twitter features that allow shoppers to share their shopping success and to invite friends within their social circles to join Rue La La.

Rue La La is excited to deliver complete shopping mobility to our members allowing them to experience the thrill of accessing their favorite brands when our boutiques open at 11:00 a.m. no matter where they are,

explains Ben Fischman, CEO, Rue La La.

We have answered their call of urgency by providing the unparalleled shopping experience found from their desktops with the most popular mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android. Rue La La members never have to miss another boutique.

To celebrate the launch of the apps, Rue La La will be giving away one iPad and a $500 shopping spree every day from May 24 – June 6, 2010. To enter, consumers need to download the application to their iPhone or iPad and register. Visit ruelala.com for details.

The iPhone and iPad apps are free and available for download at http://www.apple.com.

Levi’s Launches “Levi’s Pioneer Sessions”, The Revival Recordings of Iconic Songs

image of levis logo

Levi’s continues in its tradition of bringing great jeans and great music together with today’s launch of “Levi’s Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings,” an innovative campaign that features musical artists who have a pioneering spirit, similar to that of the Levi’s brand. An original series of musical recordings by diverse musicians including Nas, The Swell Season, She & Him, The Dirty Projectors, Colbie Caillat, The Shins, Raphael Saadiq, Bomba Estereo, Jason Mraz and John Legend and the Roots. These musicians will be signing remakes of hits from past decades such as “Hey Young World” by Slick Rick, “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine” by Bob Dylan, “Maria” by Blondie and “Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic to name a few.

Beginning today through the first of July, The “Levi’s Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings” series features the release of two singles each week that can be downloaded for free. Take advantage of this opportunity to score some free music on Levis!

Riccardo Tisci coed fashion shoot for Givenchy

Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci has taken the whole idea of “coed fashion shoot” to another level. Tisci is using a transexual model among the cast for the house’s fall-winter 2010 ad campaign. This transexual model is someone Tisci knows well: it’s his longtime personal assistant and, former fit model for his own line. Lea T.

While some women might find the edgy ads a matter of taste, Tisci explained that including a transgender person exemplifies the masculine-feminine dichotomy that has become one of his design signatures and follows coed casting for his Paris runway last March. The campaign includes dedicated images for Givenchy eyewear and watches, and Tisci said media budgets would increase in certain growth markets for the brand.

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