Taking a leaf out of Karl Lagerfeld’s and Hedi Slimane’s books, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing tries his hand at photography for the brand’s Fall 2017 advertising campaign. Ditching experienced photographer Steven Klein, Olivier gets behind the lens to express his vision for Balmain’s latest collection in the dynamic campaign. Who better than fierce beauties Natasha Poly and Lara Stone to help bring Rousteing’s aesthetic to life? Captured around various Paris locations, the blonde duo is joined by a handful of male models for the stark black and white campaign images.
IMAGE: BALMAIN.COM
How did Olivier’s photographic debut go over in our forums? “Photographed by Olivier Rousteing? Didn’t think this brand could get any worse,” voiced disapproving forum member anlabe32 the second the campaign dropped.
“Karl doesn’t need to lose any sleep! His photography is as vulgar as his clothes, don’t get it. At least Klein knows his angles and blocking, Olivier’s photography looks like some amateur digital photography you see on random Tumblr pages. What’s the ‘story’ here, if there even was one,” critiqued Benn98.
Not everyone was so quick to dismiss the campaign. “Lara? Natasha? Count me in! I had to look twice at the title because I would have bet that this was shot by Steven Klein! Not bad, not bad,” admitted a pleasantly surprised Valentine27.
Maxlinden shared the same sentiments: “I want to be a hater but I can’t – they look fierce! This isn’t really innovative but all the models look sexy and enticing. The clothes look luxurious and slightly chic.”
“Surprisingly good! The girls look great together, Natasha and Lara always work well together and Olivier is a better photographer than Lagerfeld, Slimane and Domenico Dolce,” wrote zacatecas570.
“I LOVE this. It’s over the top and maybe a bit tacky, but give me this over all the boring campaigns with 16-year-old girls. Natasha and Lara both slay this campaign and I’m totally here for Jon’s ass,” said [Piece Of Me].
TaylorBinque couldn’t have agreed more. “Over the top and tacky and trashy. Just a level of hot mess that I love. I mean, it’s refreshing somehow seeing top models doing actual campaigns. Natasha and Lara totally own this,” he applauded.
IMAGE: BALMAIN.COM
Check out the rest of the campaign and add your own two cents here.
