Age of Aquarius by Pierre Debusschere from models.com on Vimeo.

Dazed & Confused kicks the year off right with a stellar story by Pierre Debusschere, starring Yumi Lambert and a host of the season’s slickest runway hits as selected by Robbie Spencer. As always Spencer’s edit is strong and vibrant, with pieces from Saint Laurent Paris, Ann Demeulemeester and Dior showcased alongside cutting-edge additions like Craig Lawrence’s fibre optic wire tops. Pierre Debusschere‘s arresting visuals explode off the page with their originality and dynamic perspective, but it gets even better in the corresponding video. Experience the editorial and take an exclusive first look at the film right here.

RAF SIMONS

Raf Simons has always provided an intellectual take on menswear, so Pierre Debusschere‘s esoteric S/S 13 campaign film is completely in line with Simons’ vision. Mixing dramatic imagery with unexpected narration that sounds like a vintage rock interview, the clip interweaves the Simons’ minimalist menswear vision with the grunge influences that underlined his entire S/S collection. The corresponding still imagery adds a layer of darkness to things with a series of high contrast shots brimming with mystery and slick styling by Robbie Spencer.

Pierre Debusschere on the S/S campaign:”The idea behind this season’s imagery came to life through a discussion between Raf Simons, Marieke Van Dongen and myself – our starting point was the SS13 show with the L.A. feeling and artist Brian Calvin’s world. We texted with Raf about great movies we saw such as ‘Last Days’ by Gus Van Sant and ‘Suspiria’ by Dario Argento. Plus paintings by Steven Shearer and Brian Calvin.

We wanted to talk about a teenager, a fan of music with a dialogue between grunge and nature.From here the mainframe was decided; two boys sitting in a bedroom listening to an interview of someone they’re a fan of. We wanted something real so I didn’t force any movement during the filming process. We used the hair by Guido from the show as a starting point which didn’t place too much much focus on the models’ faces. There could be any teenager underneath this hair.We couldn’t speak about teenagers without talking about an object of desire either, that’s when we decided to include Anne-Catherine Lacroix as the incarnation of a pure teenage dream girl.We’re not talking about sexuality but more feelings and emotions, the awkwardness of a teenage relationship, without saying too much about it.”

RAF SIMONS SS 13 from 254⚡FOREST on Vimeo.

Earlier this week it was announced that the consistently stellar Vogue Hommes Japan would be shuttering as part of Conde Nast’s decision to switch their men’s publications globally from Vogue, to GQ Style. Magazines come and go, but Vogue Hommes Japan was something special. Led by Nicola Formichetti and featuring the talents of some of fashion’s biggest names, the mag delved into the artistic, eccentric and boundary pushing side of menswear. Fashion can often be disproportionally focused on the ladies, but Formichetti and co. breathed new life into the world of men’s editorial with an outlook that was bold, brash and always on point. We’re going to miss VHJP and their in-your-face style, take a look back at some of our favorite editorials from the magazine and share your own in the comments.

One Impression of Francis Bacon
Ph. Tim Richardson
Fashion Editor – Shun Watanabe | MU Kristin Gallegos | Hair Cash Lawless

A mind-bending tribute to one of art’s heros, accompanied by an equally compelling film.

Digital Vol. 1 iPad Special
Ph. Pierre Debusschere
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Before gifs became a regular part of our appreciation of editorials, Vogue Hommes Japan was creating content that utilized new media to tell fashion tales in a whole new way.

Ph. Mariano Vivanco
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Gothic glamour at its finest, a theme the magazine has revisited since, but this story holds a special place in our hearts.

Samurai Fiction
Ph. Hedi Slimane
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Pushing past the expected Slimane-isms and into new territory, this story explored the Asian influenced menswear trends in the most beautiful manner all in juicy, pops off the page color. We wish we could order prints of this one!

Glamourama
Ph. Miles Aldridge
Fashion Editor – Shun Watanabe | Makeup - Lloyd Simmonds

High gloss fantasy and saturated colors are Aldridge’s signature style, but this edit gives things a decadent menswear twist that makes things pulsate with energy.

Style & Product
Ph. Santiago & Mauricio Sierra
Fashion Editor – Shun Watanabe
Makeup –  Maud Laceppe | Hair - Diego Da Silva

You might remember this one from MDX recently, Shun Watanabe turned it out with the styling – Thom Browne has never looked this good.

The Americans
Ph. Hedi Slimane
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Instant classic!

Bondage Warriors
Ph. Steven Klein
Fashion Editor –  Nicola Formichetti |  Makeup – Kabuki | Hair –  Shon

Steven Klein’s preoccupation with bondage has led to some truly exquisite editorials and this is no exception. Many fashion stories get called edgy, but this one pushed all the limits and it payed off big time.

The Creator of Devotion
Ph. Matthew Stone
Fashion Editor - Matthew Josephs
Makeup - Alex Box |  Hair - James Pecis

Pure beauty from one of the art world’s most exciting talents. Stone is a noted photographer, sculptor, performance artist, curator and more, this story utilizes his talents to create a sumptuous vision that went beyond fashion.

A Glowing Response
Ph. Richard Burbridge
Fashion Editor - Robbie Spencer
Makeup –  Peter Philips

Who says a men’s beauty story has to be dull? Burbridge plays with color and light, while Robbie Spencer’s styling talents are put to good use with the expressive styling.

Pierre Debusschere goes above and beyond for Dazed & Confused, creating an inventive series of images filled with painterly panache. Robbie Spencer styles Guerrino Santulliana in Hermes creative director Christophe Lemaire‘s refined interpretation of 80s New Wave style, designed specially for a collaboration with popular Korean brand, Bean Pole.

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.

Pierre Debusschere.
Katie Shillingford.
Marte Mei van Haaster.
Dazed & Confused.

Fashion and art collide in an expressive and eclectic editorial filled with one of a kind portraits: this is the kind of off the wall imagery Dazed does best!

Historic Hong Kong department store Lane Crawford celebrates its 160th anniversary in a big way; enlisting some of fashion’s biggest names for their Heritage 160 program, a series of fashionable events and exclusives ending in the year’s biggest celebration. From the creation of bespoke Burberry trenches designed by tastemakers like Maggie Cheung and Anna Dello Russo, to limited edition shoes from Louboutin and Kirkwood, the special goodies created in honor of the anniversary are as cutting edge as possible and it is all for a good cause, with proceeds benefiting UNICEF. The corresponding ad campaign featuring, Rasa Zukauskaite and Oleg Antosik, is just as sensational, the dreamy images by Pierre Debusschere capture the imagination giving viewers an entry into the fantastical world of Lane Crawford.

For more information visit : Lane Crawford Heritage 160

Just in from Paris is the Raf Simons casting video for F/W 10. The cutting edge brand turns an ordinary casting into an fantastic visual experience viewing some of the top new models around. Moving shadows, disquieting expressions and unsettling music on the sometimes skull-like faces make this video by Pierre Debusschere a must see. Here’s a peek below.

>

RAF SIMONS AW 10 CASTING from RAFSIMONS.COM on Vimeo.