Despite featuring in Marc Jacobs’ spring 2014 ad campaign and his declaration that: “We all just love her and her entire being, her energy, her talent, her intelligence, everything.”
Sadly it seems the love for Miley Cyrus wasn’t strong enough to last another season. For the fall 2014 ad campaign, gone is Miley and her brazen attitude, which is replaced for the composure and serenity of the mannequin.
Modelled by Julia Nobis and Waleska Gorczevski, the campaign comprises neutral palettes, expressionless composure and sharp lines of a mannequin silhouette, characterised by the models posing with a lifeless composure to that of the shop figurine.
Captured by David Sims – one of fashion’s most sought after photographers – the new campaign is a stark contrast to the heavy shadows and dark, foreboding narrative construed through the previous season’s campaign.
Atmospheric, brooding, and exploring the darker tone of Jacob’s designs to it’s maximum potential, the campaign was an absolute winner, so what went wrong for Miley?
Trouble was brewing from the very beginning, with Juergen Teller’s surprising refusal to shoot the campaign. Despite his long-standing collaboration with Jacobs, Teller’s decision was marked by his distain for the wild-child popstar. Jacobs revealed to WWD: “I have worked with Juergen for years and love him as an artist. He just didn’t want to shoot her.”
Concerned for her increasing notoriety and drug use, perhaps Teller’s choice highlighted the growing inability to believably portray Miley as a neutral figure required for modelling and future campaigns.
Though while the new campaign is impressive in it’s subtlety and minimalist style, we can’t help but feel it doesn’t fully embrace the collection it is intended to highlight. Embracing the incoming chill with bomber jackets, chunky knits and woollen dresses; sure, it’s got an icy tinge and an abundance of slick style, but doesn’t give much away for what Marc Jacob’s has to offer. Or is that the point…?
