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.

Happy birthday to supermodel Naomi Campbell, who turns 42 today and is still one of the most in demand faces within the industry. Naomi’s career is legendary not just because of her phenomenal accomplishments (there isn’t a campaign she hasn’t booked or a runway she hasn’t walked) but also because of the series of ground she broke, not just for herself but for models of color everywhere. Take a look back at some of our favorite Naomi moments from her 20 years in the industry.

1988 – THE 1ST

As a true trailblazer Naomi was not only the very first black model to appear on the cover of Vogue Paris, she was also the first to land a spot on the cover of American Vogue‘s coveted September issue.

1994 – PRADA

Not to mention the very first black model to appear in ads for Prada, also one of the few to ever set foot on the mega-brand’s runways. Fashion historians will note that it took 10 years for another black model to grace the Prada catwalk.

90s – THE TRINITY

The iconic faces of a generation; along with friends Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, Naomi owned the 90s runways. More than just a group of besties, the trio banded together with Evangelista and Turlington refusing to do shows unless Naomi walked alongside them.

1989 & 2008 – YSL

As a mentor, friend and supporter, Yves Saint Laurent was an important part of Campbell’s success. “He was the one who campaigned to put me on the cover on French Vogue and I was the first woman of color to be on the cover — that was because of him. He was so supportive of me. Not just for me, for women of color everywhere.”

1992 – THE KING OF POP MEETS THE QUEEN OF MODELS

We know the George Michael Freedom video is another fashion milestone, but only one supermodel shared the dancefloor with the King of Pop!! Jackson’s In the Closet video, directed by Herb Ritts, shows two enduring talents at the top of their game.

1993 – VERSACE

Richard Avedon‘s Versace ads are modern classics and Naomi’s history with the house is well documented, from her friendship with Donatella & Gianni to her numerous appearances on the Versace runway.

2003 – CHANGE CLOTHES

A decade later and still serving it up in memorable music videos, this time for Jay-Z and Pharrell.

2007 – THE NAOMI DIARIES

Could most models turn their community service into one of the best fashion editorials of the year? The answer is no.

2008 – DREAM A LITTLE DREAM

You have to love Mario Sorrenti‘s images of Naomi for V Magazine.

2009 – SO GOUDE

Jean Paul Goude + Naomi is a winning combination, especially when recreating one of his classic Grace Jones images with the help of Marc Jacobs.

2010 – PUSHING BOUNDARIES

Never one to be afraid of controversy, Naomi has appeared in countless editorials that push the limits, most recently her Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott story in Interview was an especially striking example.

Obvious fake ad is obviously fake 

Like everyone else on earth when we heard the news that Hollywood star Brad Pitt was going to be fronting the latest Chanel No. 5 campaign we were surprised. While we like Pitt well enough, we’d rather see him headlining a blockbuster than waxing poetic about fragrance. Unless of course he’s wearing the Chanel No. 5 scent himself – that we’d like to hear about. Celebrities have a long history with Chanel No. 5, with everyone from Catherine Deneuve, Carole Bouquet and Nicole Kidman fronting the campaign, but we’re of the mindset that no one does it better than a model.

Granted, we understand that a having a mega-popular superstar in an ad will probably get a brand more attention than they know what to do with and all publicity is good publicity, but we can’t help but ponder which models would have been just as good when it comes to posing. Here are 5 Karl approved alternative who could fill Brad’s shoes – just in case they decide to go in another direction next time…

THE OTHER BRAD – Brad Kroenig

Wouldn’t it be nice to see Karl’s favorite blonde Brad snatch up a high profile campaign like Chanel No. 5? It could be cute – imagine little Hudson sneaking into every picture!

THE MODEL TURNED MUSICIAN – Baptiste Giabiconi

Think of the accompanying campaign music video complete with Katy Perry cameo! Think of the general online outrage it would spark! Think of the gifs!

THE GIRLS – Saskia de Brauw, Jac Jagaciak, Coco Rocha, Freja Beha Erichsen, Heidi Mount - the list goes on!

Who says the new campaign has to be fronted by a guy? Forget the gimmicks and go with a group of models who have the star power, personality and presence to pull off anything. Saskia is already in Chanel’s latest ads, Jac Jagaciak is already the face of Chanel beauty and Coco is a perennial Lagerfeld fave who gets bonus points for tweeting her contention with the Pitt appointment. Feisty! We like it!

THE ACTRESSES – Mélanie Laurent, Mylène Jampanoï or Anna Mouglalis

If it absolutely has to be a celebrity, couldn’t the honor go to one of the gorgeous stars of French cinema? Sure Nicolas Ghesquiere has already got his claws in Charlotte Gainsbourg and Léa Seydoux is still representing Prada, but what of the superb, Mylène Jampanoï or Karl muse Anna Mouglalis? Granted, neither of them have the name recognition of Pitt, but what they lack in international attention they more than make up for in chic.

THE META MOVE – Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld shot by Karl Lagerfeld dressed in Chanel designs by Karl Lagerfeld, with creative direction by Karl Lagerfeld and special thanks to Karl Lagerfeld. This could work.

All this said, we’re still curious about just what the Chanel / Pitt collaboration will look like. We secretly loved that ridiculous (and ridiculously beautiful) Nicole Kidman No. 5 short film.

After months of speculation and waiting we’re finally given a peek into Carine Roitfeld‘s new magazine – CR Fashion Book. Or more accurately a peek into the issue 0 mock up, this edition isn’t the same thing that will hit newsstands in September but it gives readers a good idea of the kind of content Carine & co. will bring to the market. The new publication is set to be published by Fashion Media – the company behind industry leaders like V & Visionaire and we’re sure to expect the same level of quality. In her interview with WWD, Roitfeld quoted the old Apple slogan “Think Different” as her motto for CR Fashion book and it seems she’s already changing the game. Unlike most glossies, the new magazine has no front of the book section. The focus is all on editorials and long form articles – a creative choice that is sure to please fans of evocative imagery and in depth interviews.

Can the Hunger Games’ intricate costumes provide a window into fashion’s future? The New York Times seem to think so. 

Who says gamers can’t be fashionable! PRADA enters the virtual sphere with an unusual collaboration with Final Fantasy, characters from the latest game sport looks from the line’s menswear collection.

There is a lot of talk about China’s influence on the fashion industry, but who are the key movers and shakers in the Chinese market? Business of Fashion provides a thorough rundown with a few names that might surprise you.

The race for magazine of the year is heating nominees announced – we cant say we’re surprised that W Mag is leading the nominations in the fashion category.

Grey Magazine is known for their moody black and white covers of haunting beauties, but for their latest issue they offer an appealing mix of styles on 4 very different covers. Georgia May Jagger gets the Chadwick Tyler treatment in an unexpected gritty turn, Antonia Wesseloh is sitting pretty in a shot by Ellen von Unwerth, Caterina shows off that bejeweled Prada collection in Manuela Pavesi’s cover and last but not least, Kelly Mittendorf gives avant-garde edge to Ralph Lauren’s classic designs in an image by Shiela Metzner.

Georgia May Jagger by Chadwick Tyler in Prada, styled by Valentina Ilardi Martin

Antonia Wesseloh by Ellen von Unwerth in Balenciaga, styled by Lotta Volkova Adam

Caterina Ravaglia by Manuela Pavesi in Prada, styled by Moreno Galatà

Kelly Mittendorf in Ralph Lauren by Sheila Metzner styled by Valentina Ilardi Martin

We’ve been curious about Interview Russia since we saw that artfully done Leo DiCaprio cover and now we finally get a peek inside. Steven Pan‘s atmospheric story features Kelly Mittendorf and Patricia van der Vliet  as women of mystery in what might be the world’s poshest library. Sporting big jewels, sleek hair and bold looks from the likes of  Prada & Yves Saint Laurent, both girls look phenomenal. Pan only hints at what the secret behind the come hither looks, but we’re intrigued all the same.

STYLING Karen Kaiser | HAIR Rita Marmor | MAKEUP Kaoru Okubo | PRODUCTION Stacee Robert | ON SITE COORDINATOR Bo Zhang

Two menswear looks we loved and a couple we didn’t. Sound off in the comments and tell us what you’ve been into so far this season. Be sure to click on the photos to see the collections in full on NowFashion!

LOVE IT – PRADA
With all the hoopla over actors filling out the finale of Prada‘s F/W collection, you may have overlooked the beautifully conceived collection. Miuccia’s masterful meditation on male power featured an array of memorable looks that treated the subject matter with humor. Football helmet prints on oh so serious top coats, denim sneaking into formal wear and a whole lot of  thoughtful nods to diplomats, dictators and military men of influence. Adrien Brody especially looked dapper in his red shades and fur – potential Oscar outfit? Time will tell.

HMMMM… – VERSACE 
Versace refers to this particular pattern as floro-flague and we’re not sure if we love the audacity of it, or hate the very idea of such a thing. It is somewhat memorable though – even with that horrific lime green fur collar. We do admire River Viiperi‘s ability to look good in even the most outlandish pieces –  that has to count for something.

KIND OF WANT… - CALVIN KLEIN

Italo Zucchelli’s Calvin Klein collection was intended as a tribute to New York’s unique blend of modernism and tradition. Definitely a fitting idea and a sweatshirt with croc accents certainly encapsulates the concept accurately, but we’re still having a hard time imagining where exactly this sort of piece fits outside of the editorial pages. Where will you be wearing your exorbitantly priced croc hoodie? Other than the obvious answers of Le Bain, Equinox and in every Pitti Immagine Uomo street style picture taken next year.

OIC - Etro

If you lost the sweater and dyed this violet you would have the ultimate performance wardrobe for Prince. Alas, these are not the purple one’s touring ensembles and as such we can find no logical excuse for this combination of elements. Orange velvet, a cowboy hat, one of Bill Cosby’s old sweaters – the mix is confusing and we usually like Etro’s unique melange of influences.

Mikael Jansson takes Querelle Jansen and Marte Mei van Haaster into fresh territory with a spectacular story for Interview. Focusing on pieces with feminine details like lace and crocheting, Karl Templer styles the duo in colorful looks from Marc Jacobs and Valentino and with lingerie accents from Araks. With their skilled posing Querelle and Marte Mei really bring each ensemble to life. Take a closer look and you’ll also spot an exciting preview of the Prada jewelry collection – who can resist that gorgeous rosette necklace on Querelle! It is the contrast between the girly clothing and jewelry and the hard edged backdrop designed by Mary Howard that really makes this story shine.