Following the big reveal of Kanye West and Joan Smalls as the new faces of the #BALMAINARMY, Olivier Rousteing has introduced us to yet more recruits via his favorite platform, Instagram. Posting images of Jourdan Dunn, Alessandra Ambrosio, Dilone, Ronald Epps, Josephine Skriver, Ysaunny Brito, Sasha Luss, Jordan Barrett, Francisco Lachowski, and Riley Montana, Rousteing has certainly delivered on star-factor, as ever.
Shot by Steven Klein with creative direction by Pascal Dangin, the black and white pictures take a more somber note than yesterday’s shot of Kanye falling from Joan’s arms. A number of the stars appear to have tear-stained faces as they look pensively into the distance. With all the violence and hatred saturating the news right now — from violent terrorist attacks to systemic racism and police brutality — could this perhaps be a comment on the sadness and helplessness many of us feel? Rousteing isn’t, after all, one to avoid important social issues and fashion’s duty to comment upon these. Speaking to CNN last year, Rousteing stressed he was “going to fight for diversity,” calling it the “most important topic.” “I really hope that in a way I’m changing some mentalities. I’m a black designer in a really traditional and luxury old house; I think it’s a really positive message.”
This — combined with the campaign’s tagline ‘when fashion meets music’ and yesterday’s eerie Blair Witch Project video teasers — suggests the campaign is sending a message beyond the exhibition of its latest collection. Check out the images and watch this space.
Credits
Text Ryan White