British singer-songwriter Sam Smith stars in Balenciaga‘s fall/winter 15 menswear campaign, his first ever major fashion campaign. The black and white photographs and a short fashion film, revealed exclusively on i-D, were both lensed by Josh Olins. Sam appears in a domed, stone-walled space, with blocks of ice positioned in the middle on a rough slate table. The environment mirrors the themes of the Balenciaga fall/winter 15 menswear collection, which is inspired by the purity of forms found in nature.
Balenciaga Creative Director Alexander Wang exclusively told i-D: “It has been a longtime dream for me to collaborate with Sam Smith at Balenciaga and an honor. Sam Smith is an international star and the voice of our generation, but for this special project, we thought of ways to convey a more mysterious side to his persona, something unexpected and subtle.”
Smith looks to be deep in thought as he paces through the space, his image refracted and multiplied, with light glinting on his signature cross ear-piercing and rockabilly quiff. The ice block is smashed symbolically on the dark slate and Smith is followed by a shadow that doesn’t seem to be his.
“I am absolutely honored to have been chosen to be the face of Balenciaga,” Sam said, adding that, “I have been a devoted fan of the brand for a while now. I love how intimate it feels, and how involved Alexander has been and is with the brand. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be wearing these clothes let alone modeling them. So this is a dream come true, and I hope the beginning of a lovely long relationship with Alexander and the House.”
BALXSAMSMITH
Credits
Photography / Videography Josh Olins
Art Direction Christopher Simmonds
Styling Robbie Spencer
Hair Matt Mulhall
Grooming Pep Gay
Music Andy Stott