Every top tier brand ushers out a new campaign each season, but only a select few push creative boundaries instead of just pushing product. With fall ads launching earlier than ever (remember the days of opening up September Vogue and experiencing new ads for the very first time) there are already several ads that impress us with their unique interpretation of their brand’s message. Take a look at our picks for most intriguing ads so far and be sure to share your selections in the comments!

Kenzo

The brand’s thrilling reboot continues with Jean Paul Goude breathing new life into the fall campaign imagery. Xiao Wen Ju & Simon Sabbah are connected in these cheeky reversible shots with a neon Kenzo logo flashing in the background. Goude’s image has instant visual impact and is a fun showcase for those cool Humberto Leon and Carol Lim designs.

Raf Simons
In case you had any doubt’s about Raf Simons’ ability to be subversive check out the striking new f/w ads by Pierre Debusschere starring Yannick Abrath. The impressive sculptural shots are a sight to behold, as is the corresponding campaign video that brings the imagery to life with beautifully abstract visuals.

RAF SIMONS RUN FALL RUN from 254⚡FOREST on Vimeo.

Mulberry

The fuzzy-wuzzies from Where the Wild Things Are invade Tim Walker‘s fantastical ads for Mulberry. The ads otherworldly vibe is only heightened by the addition of fashion’s favorite pixie, Lindsey Wixson and Jane How‘s sleek styling.

Prada

All the things that made the show so memorable are served up with glossy perfection in Steven Meisel‘s ultra-luxe ads. Vanessa Axente, Magdalena Frackowiak, Madison Headrick, Elza Luijendijk, Iselin Steiro and Anne Vyalitsyna sport the dip-dyed extensions and gilded accessories with panache.

Louis Vuitton

Putting that one of a kind Louis Vuitton train to good use Steven Meisel shoots a cast of it girls for the brand’s fall ads.  Elena Bartels, Erjona Ala, Franzi Mueller, Hedvig Palm, Julia Nobis, Mackenzie Drazan, Magda Laguinge, Marie Piovesan, Marina Heiden, Ros Georgiou shine in those signature oversized hats.

Givenchy

It is hard to beat an ad with fashion by Carine Roitfeld, images by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and a fresh cast including Stella Tennant, Joan Smalls, Daniela Braga, Stef Van Der Laan, Rodrigo Braga, Simone Nobili and Jarrod Scott. Givenchy’s campaign is all about motion and movement, be sure to check out the behind the scenes video to see how those action shots came together.

It is not every day you see fashion models on the cover of a major American magazine. Actors, musicians and even omnipresent reality stars have usurped models on US mag covers and few publications understand that the general public might be interested in seeing someone fashionable and beautiful on their glossies, instead of just getting a glimpse of the latest celeb with a movie to pimp.

As a consumate leader W Magazine always goes off the beaten path and creates stunning imagery – case in point, the latest covers shot by Steven Meisel and starring budding supers Joan Smalls and Karlie Kloss. The larger than life hair by Oribe, the glowing skin courtesy of Pat McGrath and stunning styling by Edward Enninful, it all combines to create a look that is bold and larger than life – echoing the classic Avedon images of of the original supers from years past. Add to this a charming article that show’s both young women are more than just pretty faces and you have the makings of a must buy issue.

The Olympics are right around the corner and magazines are jumping on the bandwagon. Open up nearly any magazine this month and you’ll see a special on the London Olympics and/or a fashion special themed around all things sporty. Which story do you think captures the theme of athleticism, health and fitness best – we’re partial to the editorials that pair models with athletes for the perfect mix of glamour and fitness. Who can resist the sight of Joan Smalls taking of in a sprint while wearing shimmering Ralph Lauren? Or Karlie Kloss balancing on beams alongside gymnast Jonathan Horton! Take a look at the month’s best sporty stories and tell us which one strikes your fancy.

Karlie Kloss by Annie Leibovitz for American Vogue

Joan Smalls and Usain Bolt for American Vogue

Britt Maren by Greg Lotus for Vogue Russia

Athletes Jodie Williams & Louise Hazel by Peter Lindbergh for British Vogue

Gymnast Louis Smith & Jourdan Dunn by Alasdair McLellan

Natalia Vodianova by Cuneyt Akeroglu

Liberty Ross by Matt Irwin for Elle

Suvi Koponen & Bonnie Chen before the MET Gala | Image by The Coveteur

How do you get ready for the year’s biggest party? Take a look at the MET Prep of two of the evening’s loveliest ladies Suvi Koponen and Bonnie Chen were guests of Chloe’s Clare Waight Keller and they wore a pair of gorgeous gowns from the label. Take a peek at their behind the scenes process, all captured beautifully by The Coveteur.

Tom Brady with Gisele in Givenchy | Image courtesy of Givenchy

Want to see the best dressed of the evening from the MET’s Costume Institute Gala – take a look at all the red carpet action. Who do you think was looking good last night – we were loving the divine Gisele Bundchen in Givenchy, Joan Smalls in Balmain,  Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello, Constance Jablonski in Haider Ackermann and actress Carey Mulligan in of course, Prada.

Mario Testino withAngela Lindvall, Candice Swanepoel and Rosie Huntington Whiteley | Image by Kevin Tachman

After the party is of course the afterparty – get a birds eye view of the festivities with the incredible candid images captured by Kevin Tachman. Inside you’ll see every celebrity, every model, every designers oh and really cute picture of Hamish Bowles hitting the champagne.

In non-MET news, Esteban Cortezar relaunches with Net-A-Porter glad to see him back on the scene! Hoping to see something sexy

McQueen’s Sarah Burton honored by Academy of Art, the designer was awarded an honorary doctorate from the university.

It is no secret that fashion frequently cribs from cinema for editorial inspiration and in the latest Vogue Paris, Terry Richardson recreates the look and feel of John Cassavetes’ film, Gloria. With Joan Smalls taking on the titular role and Géraldine Saglio styling, the VP version of things is considerably more glamourous, but the story is essentially the same – former mob mistresses becomes accidental guardian of a young boy. On the big screen that means shoot outs and grit and in the pages of Vogue that means playground trips and bright red Valentino gowns.

Both the edit and its inspiration are heavy on early 80s / late 70s chic, but we wouldn’t have minded if Joan went all badass and started taking down mobsters. We know the era of Emmanuelle Alt means that Vogue Paris is kindler and gentler, but with source material this fierce it seems a shame not to take things to the next level.

Let’s face it, models of color on magazine covers is not something that we see enough of. In spite of the diversity that exists all around us, fashion still has a very homogenous physical ideal. The lack of African-American, Latino, Asian faces on covers and in campaigns is disconcerting to say the least, but every so often a major magazine turns the focus towards an ideal that is more inclusive. The latest issue of Vogue Australia looks to the new faces of global beauty, with the unstoppable Joan Smalls on the cover and rising star Shanina Shaik in the editorial pages.

With her Estee Lauder contract and continued editorial domination, Joan is the perfect representative for fashion’s push towards diversity. Her stellar cover shot by Kai Z Feng is a testament to her posing prowess and she’s also conscious of her role as the leader of a new group of multi-ethnic models who are rising to the top of the heap. Smalls told WWD back in Feb, “It’s nice to show the world that we don’t only have to be one thing or categorized in one box. It’s important to show the world—and fashion—that diversity is beautiful.”

While certain male model boyfriends might be claiming credit for Shanina’s rise to the top, her elegant Vogue shoot by Nicole Bentley shows she doesn’t need any help, she’s a natural in front of the camera. The South Asian beauty hails from Melbourne, but is a mix of Lithuanian, Pakistani and Saudi heritage. Considering that it is even rarer to see South Asian faces in major magazines, Shaik’s success is landmark. When asked by Aussie journalists how she felt about the lack of representation on the runways Shaik had this to say. “It does actually bother me quite a bit. I think there’s so many beautiful mixed and South East Asian girls and sometimes i don’t think we really get the chance to show our potential. People will cast for one certain look. Hopefully that changes.”

Joan Smalls by Kai Z Feng | Fashion Editor - Naomi Smith | Hair - Roberto Di Cuia | Makeup - Jessica Nedza

Shanina Shaik by Nicole Bentley | Fashion Editor - Meg Gray | Hair - Kevin Mancuso | Makeup - Justine Purdue

Vogue Italia has never shied from controversy and its March cover story has people talking left and right. From The Huffington Post, to Jezebel debate is raging over whether or not the story is in poor taste, misguided and/or exploiting negative stereotypes about blacks and Latinos. On the Vogue Italia website, the inspiration for the story is listed as “messy drags: untidy, dishevelled, counter-intuitive cross-dressers.” Meanwhile Jezebel’s intrepid Jenna Sauers, found direct links between the hair styles featured in the editorial and the gallery of Ghetto Fabulous Edible Hair dos. We can’t help but wonder what the originators of those colorful, candy-inspired styles think of the VI story and its intentions.

Controversy aside, the Steven Meisel cover of Joan Smalls marks the first time a black model has been on the cover of VI since the infamous Black Issue, which makes another triumph for Joan. Getting a VI cover is always a coup for a model, but considering how rare it is to see a woman of color fronting the world’s most influential fashion mag, this is kind of a big deal. Perhaps the greater controversy is the fact that there are multi-year periods where we just don’t see  people of color on the covers of our fashion mags.

Styling: Lori Goldstein  | Makeup: Pat McGrath |  Hair: Jimmy Paul | Models: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Coco Rocha, Guinevere Van Seenus, Jessica Stam, Karen Elson, Lindsey Wixson, and Daphne Groeneveld

See the full Haute Mess story on Vogue.It

Joan Smalls.
Daniel Sannwald.
Anselm Reyle.
Pop Magazine.

Sannwald and artist Anselm Reyle produce a colorful set of images that elevate the cover page into a gallery space and serve as a creative showcase for fashion’s current queen. Styled by Tamara Rothstein, the shoot features a slew of Dior couture pieces from past and present.

Cover artwork by Xavier Poultney

IMAGES COURTESY OF MANAGEMENT ARTISTS