VALENTINO BLACK TIE Campaign

*New Campaign
VALENTINO Black Tie
Redefining Rebellion & Beauty with Kaia Gerber

written Sarah Arendts

Dive deep into the essence of BLACK TIE, and you find not just a code but a proclamation. A vibrant refutation of established norms and a flirtatious wink at tradition.

VALENTINO, with its latest advertising campaign, is here to declare: norms are out, authenticity is in.

Imagine this: Kaia Gerber, a name that has become synonymous with audacious fashion choices and an undying spark, stands at the heart of this campaign. Photographed by the illustrious Steven Meisel within the grand walls of the Oheka Castle in New York, the imagery whispers tales of punk, beauty, and youth. But beyond this compelling facade, lies an intimate portrayal — the intersection of softness with brazen individuality.

Valentino’s Creative Director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, crafts this narrative, not from the stringent directives of beauty but from a delicate equilibrium. Beauty, as he sees it, is untouched by arbitrary constructs or ossified rules. Instead, it finds its roots in harmony, flowing seamlessly, making waves and crafting stories.

Piccioli's modernized vision resonates with Valentino's iconic elements, from the intricately detailed studs to the majestic roses. They swirl, dance, and juxtapose against the classic, illustrating a lush tale of opulence and grandiosity.

Yet, at the epicenter of it all is an identity. The Valentino Black Tie Advertising Campaign serves as a canvas, showcasing the fiery beauty and confidence of an individual like Kaia who rewrites the rules, choosing her own narrative over dated conventions. Wearing her rebellion like a badge, she challenges, she defies, and in doing so, paves a path for many.

The black tie — an emblem of age-old formalities and traditionally masculine authority — undergoes a metamorphosis. It sheds its old skin, transitioning towards a future of inclusivity and uninhibited self-expression. Here, it stands not just for elegance and authority but heralds a fresh era where diverse voices converge and individual choices reign supreme.

VALENTINO
BLACK TIE
FW 2023/2024 Campaign


seen Steven Meisel
talent Kaia Gerbe

(c) VALENTINO

Piccioli has achieved something monumental — he’s reimagined the very fabric of "Black Tie." He's drained its traditional essence, only to infuse it with personal flair, embodying a choice. A choice to be authentic, to defy, and to own one's narrative.

So, as the world turns its gaze towards this audacious campaign, one thing is clear: Valentino’s Black Tie is not just an ensemble; it’s a movement.

MISSONI FW 2023 AD Campaign

*New Collection
MISSONI Fall Winter 2023 AD Campaign
A Nocturnal Journey through Milan's Glowing Heartbeat

written Amanda Morentson

The sprawling metropolis of Milan, known for its rich heritage and bustling day-life, transforms into an ethereal dreamscape as the sun dips below the horizon.

Its luminous charm and vast cityscape, steeped in myriad emotions, come alive under the dazzling cloak of night, setting an evocative stage for Missoni's FW23 advertising campaign.

Missoni FALL/WINTER 2023
Ad Campaign
(c) Missoni

With each frame, acclaimed photographer Theo Wenner transports us into this vivid Milanese night, narrating an enchanting tale of escapism, nostalgia, and modern femininity. The mesmerizing Liv Walters, the intriguing Maty Fall, and the ever-dynamic Yang Ling - each of them play pivotal roles in this urban fairytale, bringing Missoni’s narrative to life.

As we traverse through the neon-soaked streets, club lights piercing the darkness with their vibrancy, and the warm, consistent glow of streetlights, the protagonists emerge as seamless amalgamations of timeless elegance and a longing for yesteryears. Clad in resplendent dresses boasting metallic brilliance and cascading chromatic gradients, they embody the spirit of Missoni - a harmonious blend of homage to tradition and audacious identity. Their attires, while deeply rooted in the past, cast a nod towards the future with their avant-garde motifs and textures.

It isn't just the apparels that draw inspiration from the architectural marvel that is Milan; the campaign itself is a visual symphony. The play of heights, swift movements, and the city's mirrored reflections evokes its iconic skyline. And under the mysterious cover of night, this skyline takes on a bewitching allure, drawing us into its restless embrace.

Echoing the sentiment and essence of the FW23 fashion show, the campaign visuals cleverly weave a narrative that oscillates between the dreamy and the real. As the protagonists navigate the city, their journey is accentuated by fleeting moments – vivid flashes, unbridled mirth, and the genuine freedom of light-heartedness. These instances serve as interludes, transporting them back to a singular, irreplaceable memory.

Missoni FALL/WINTER 2023
Ad Campaign
(c) Missoni

"Do you remember the first kiss?" - these words aren't merely a question but an encapsulation of an emotion. A sentiment that transcends the barriers of time, plunging one into the depths of nostalgia.

As dawn edges closer, painting the horizon in hues of amber and gold, our leading ladies find themselves on a rooftop terrace. Here, as time momentarily stands still, they’re caught in a poignant tableau – an intersection of the past's gentle pull and the present's tender embrace.

Kylie Jenner for Acne Studios Fall / Winter 2023

*New Campaign
Acne Studios FW23
Where Kylie Jenner Meets Denim Elegance

written Sarah Arendts

In an unexpected twist of fashion tales, Acne Studios has chosen to spotlight Kylie Jenner in their forthcoming Fall/Winter 2023 denim campaign. Heralded as the siren call of the season, it is an enthralling mixture of legacy denim, revolutionary design, and Kylie’s unabashed self-adoration.

Drenched in the raw and moody streets of Los Angeles, the campaign is spearheaded by Dutch luminary, Carlijn Jacobs. It dares to tread the line of reinvention and homage by presenting Kylie in a bold, unfiltered avatar. The fashion doyenne is unspooled in oversized silhouettes, contrasting beautifully with distressed and gritty washes of Acne's newest denim collection.

Jonny Johansson, the creative genius behind Acne Studios, remarks on denim’s pivotal role. Born from a mere 100 pairs in 1996, the legacy still thrives, with jeans serving as the centrifugal force in one's wardrobe. According to Johansson, "Denim is the axle for everything else in your wardrobe.”

Kylie herself becomes a canvas, exuding the seasonal mood with wet-look tresses and a body-paint splash. The standout, however, is the introduction of the ‘2023’ - a unisex, vintage-distressed revelation. It's accompanied by the ‘2021’, a callback to a more laid-back silhouette, and the majestic sweep of the ‘Dacna’ denim maxi dress. Paired seamlessly with Acne Studios’ newest accessories, including the raw-cut Multi-Pocket bag and FW23 eyewear, it’s a nod to the future while treasuring the past.

While new to this side of the lens for Acne Studios, Jenner's relationship with the brand isn’t fledgling by any means. An ardent attendee of their Spring/Summer 2023 Paris show, she has been an organic ambassador, folding their creations into her iconic style. The admiration is mutual, with Jenner expressing her fondness for the campaign's stripped-back strength.

credits

seen Carlijn Jacobs
styled Léopold Duchemin

make up Ariel Tejada & Masaé Ito
hair Jesus Guerrero
set design David White
nails Zola Ganzorigt

(c) Acne Studios

In a bid to immortalize Jenner’s unabashed confidence, Jacobs endeavors to echo her "unapologetic self-love". With images where Kylie not just faces, but embraces herself, Jacobs believes it portrays a woman in absolute command, unabashed in her desires and her self-compassion.

For those captivated by the visual alchemy of Carlijn Jacobs, prepare to delve deeper into her oeuvre. LE MILE Magazine is primed to showcase Jacobs’s works in a bespoke feature in our forthcoming Fall/Winter Issue Nr. 35. A treat for connoisseurs, it promises an inside look into the mind of this visionary artist.

CHURCH’S x MIU MIU *Heritage and Haute Couture

*New Collection
CHURCH’S x MIU MIU
The Dance of Heritage and Haute Couture

written Sarah Arendts

Tradition meets rebellion in the most unexpected union of the season. For Fall/Winter 2023, Miu Miu and Church’s are blurring the boundaries between the time-honored and the audacious. The marriage of Church’s timelessness with Miu Miu’s fearless essence produces a collection that is equal parts regal and renegade.

CELINE WOMEN WINTER 23
KAIA by Hedi Slimane
(c) Celine

At the heart of the campaign, an ornate gentleman's armchair takes center stage. This isn't just any armchair—it's swathed in decadent archive Miu Miu fabric, speaking of opulence from bygone days. And it's here, upon this chair of heritage, where our models don the newest fashion dare: the Church’s X Miu Miu brogue and double monk strap shoe.

Against the plush backdrop of the chair, our models lounge, their postures oozing ease, upending the traditional propriety these shoes have long stood for. Each pose is an echo of Miu Miu's signature defiance—a playful nod to bending the 'rules.'

Meticulously crafted in glossed brushed leather, the shoes arrive in enduring black and tobacco. Their shape is a nuanced departure from the original Church’s—broader and more substantial. Yet, even as the design pushes boundaries, elements like the characteristic patterned serration remain. But the real eye-catcher? A sports-inspired, malleable rubber sole boldly replacing the classic leather one.

And in an ode to their collaboration, both the Miu Miu and Church’s X Miu Miu logos are strategically showcased—imprinted on tongues, embossed on the sides, and printed within the shoe, exuding the luxury and opulence of the partnership.

credits

seen Lengua
creative direction Edward Quarmby
styled Lotta Volkova
models Rejoice Chuol & Annabelle Weatherly

(c) MIUMIU x Church´s

Especially intriguing is the double monk strap shoe, adorned with the iconic wing-tip motif — a heartfelt nod to Church's British roots and craftsmanship.

Miu Miu's love for dancing between the known and the new shines through. This collection is a flirtation with the comfort of the known while reveling in the thrill of reinvention. As always, the brand revels in and reinvents the familiar, ensuring fashion enthusiasts are always on their toes.

Fashion's newest paradox is here, and it's unmissably chic.

Celine Winter 2023 Show Revels in Indie Sleaze Glamour

*New Collection
CELINE Winter 2023
Decoding Indie Sleaze in High Fashion's Winter Rebellion

written Sarah Arendts

The fashion world waits with bated breath as CELINE's Winter 2023 co-ed show, dubbed 'CELINE at The Wiltern,' illuminates the iconic Los Angeles theatre. Marrying the vintage glamour of the art deco venue with CELINE's modern edgy sartorial prowess, this show promises a spectacle of high fashion underscored by rebellious indie undertones.

CELINE WOMEN WINTER 23
KAIA by Hedi Slimane
(c) Celine

The Wiltern, standing tall at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, has a rich history bathed in transformations. Originally designed as a vaudeville theatre by Stiles O. Clements of Morgan, Walls & Clements, it's a shining testament to the art deco architectural style in the United States. As we step into this history-soaked theatre, we are welcomed by a burst of richly colored murals, decorative plaster, and ornate tile work that adorn the interiors, the pièce de résistance being the theatre's signature sunburst ceiling.

The show finds a rhythm in the offbeat backdrop of the theatre, which has played host to legendary acts like Prince, Nina Simone, Beck, Lou Reed, and Patti Smith, among others. The echo of these music icons resonates within the new collection, as CELINE's Hedi Slimane imbues the Winter 2023 show with undertones of rock chic and indie sleaze.

The collection takes off with a tailored suit, a beacon of Slimane's vision of indie luxury, adorned with gold buttons running from collar to hem. This is quickly followed by off-duty rock star essentials such as fringed accessories, bohemian slouchy leather bags, and riding boots that radiate a glamorized grunge aesthetic.

Embracing the gold feathers on faux fur jackets and the quintessential tight leather pants, Slimane's collection sparks an era of indie decadence. Jeans as skinny as they can be, and leather boy jackets blend into an electric vision of luxurious rebellion, where indie sleaze dances with high fashion.

The menswear collection oozes with a current of rock 'n' roll royalty. A red blazer adorned with gold trims feels like a call-back to Freddy Mercury's flamboyant style, and loose ties worn on undone white shirts under checkered car coats transport us to the Northern British indie rock scene.

Dive into CELINE's Winter 2023 Show at The Wiltern, where high fashion collides with indie sleaze in a captivating co-ed spectacle. Brace for a style revolution, CELINE style:

(c) Celine

Tributes to the music legends who have graced The Wiltern stage are not left out of Slimane's fashion narrative. A black power suit, shoulders sharp and ready for a performance, gives a nod to Prince's bold style. Silver-trimmed sparkling suits, sheer tops with bow ties and ruffles, and a standout gold lamé suit, serve as Slimane’s study on stage-worthy rock star attire.

As the final curtain falls on CELINE's Winter 2023 Show, we are left with Slimane's sartorial genius, embodying rock 'n' roll chic and indie sleaze. It's a powerful collection that transcends the boundary between high fashion and rock culture, further solidifying Slimane’s unique style identity that has carried him from House to House. CELINE at The Wiltern is, in essence, a celebration of music, fashion, and the rich history of an iconic Los Angeles landmark. As the soundtrack, "Hello Operator" by The White Stripes, fades out, the audience is left with an indelible impression of Slimane's vision: indie has indeed never looked so luxurious.

MIU MIU AW 2023 CAMPAIGN

*New Campaign
Miu Miu LIVE!
Unveils Fashion's Future in a Timeless Void

written Sarah Arendts

Prepare for lift-off! Miu Miu is catapulting us into the future, melding the past with the now and the time to come in its Fall/Winter 2023 campaign, 'Miu Miu Live!'. The fashion powerhouse is redefining the runway, turning transient democratic spaces into a surrealist time portal. Is it an airport? A TV studio? Or a time machine revving to transport you into an era where fashion bends and transcends time?

Zhao Jinmai for MIU MIU FW23

seen Zoë Ghertner
creative direction Edward Quarmby
styling Lotta Volkova

The beings that inhabit this world are an enigma, a juxtaposition of the outward and inward. One moment they're in full-throttle performance mode, living the 'Live!', the next they're retreating into self-absorbed shells, exuding an intriguing remoteness. It's a studied disorientation, a familiar disruption that dares to veer off the path beaten by time.

Their attire follows this daring divergence. Imagine elegant twinsets, knee-length pencil skirts and oversized tailoring in dry, heavyweight wools that conspire to both cover and uncover the body. Miu Miu turns the fashion world on its head, as the ordinarily hidden – waistbands of stockings, signature panties sans skirts, and delicate petticoats – strut into the limelight. It's a flirtation between spontaneity, languor, and ease veiled in mystery, a testament to the self-absorbed, peaceful solitude of the human being.

In 'Miu Miu Live!', everyone from avatars to real-life personas oscillates between the abstract and the intimate, foreground and background. The campaign weaves an elusive narrative, showing enough but never revealing too much. The universally recognised – the sincere – is turned inside out and scrutinised under a different lens.

This multidimensional drama of Miu Miu enlists a star-studded cast. Singer-songwriter Ethel Cain adds her haunting vocals to the mix. The thespian charm of Emma Corrin, Mia Goth, and Zhao Jinmai amps up the campaign's cinematic feel. Models Amelia Gray Hamlin and Annabelle Weatherly, with their timeless beauty, further elevate the experience. And LGBTQ+ advocate and model, Zaya Wade, lends her bold advocacy and individuality to the campaign.

Zaya Wade for MIU MIU FW23

Under the masterful eye of photographer Zoë Ghertner, 'Miu Miu Live!' manifests as a mesmerising fashion paradox, both immediate and timeless, engaging yet elusive. It's not just a campaign, it's a new era of fashion — a journey through time where Miu Miu rewrites the rules of the game.

So strap in and prepare for a future where fashion knows no bounds.

KVRT STVFF's ECHO Eyewear

*New Collection
The Future of Retro Chic
KVRT STVFF's ECHO Eyewear

written Sarah Arendts

KVRT STVFF, the maverick fashion brand, renowned for its chic and sportive designs, is making waves once again. The brand has unveiled its latest venture: ECHO eyewear, an eclectic mix of past influences and future aspirations, curated for the fashion-forward individual.

In an industry drowning in déjà vu, ECHO emerges as a welcome deviation from the norm. The line's distinctive eyewear designs are a nod to vintage styles, seamlessly blended with modern aesthetics. The monochrome color palette is both timeless and versatile, dovetailing effortlessly with KVRT STVFF's existing collections. Each pair is a statement piece, offering style enthusiasts an avenue to echo their personality.

Since its inception in 2018, KVRT STVFF has been redefining the fashion landscape with an array of sportswear, swimwear, and underwear. Their unique proposition lies in their capacity to blur the line between fashion and functionality, resulting in designs that inspire confidence and ooze power. With ECHO, the brand extends its ethos to eyewear, offering a collection that stands as a testament to their commitment to redefining standards of style and sensuality.

ECHO eyewear is a symbolic representation of KVRT STVFF's adherence to high-end luxury fashion. Each piece is meticulously crafted in-house at the KVRT STVDIO, ensuring unparalleled quality and standard. But ECHO is more than just a collection of eyewear—it's an attitude, a reflection of the brand's philosophy of 'No Fear, No Shame'. ECHO glasses are not just an accessory, but a tool to channel one's confidence and to stride fearlessly through life.

ECHO is KVRT STVFF's latest stride towards redefining sexiness and shaping the narrative of fashion. It's a nod to minimalistic aesthetics, stripped of stereotypes, that caters to the contemporary style-savvy individual with an eye on the future.

all images (c) KVRT STVFF

Christopher Kane Resort 2024 Collection

*New Collection
Christopher Kane Resort 2024 Collection
- Unleashing Chic Humor and Unexpected Elegance

written John Heath

Renowned for his knack of blending unexpected elements into stunning fashion statements, designer Christopher Kane, along with his sister and co-creative director, Tammy Kane, introduces a daringly playful note to the Resort 2024 Collection. Captured through the lens of photographer Douglas Irvine, the collection effortlessly elevates the conventional boundaries of high fashion.

credits

seen Douglas Irvine
creative direction Christopher Kane & Tammy Kane

(c) Christopher Kane

The Resort 2024 Collection sparks intrigue at every turn. A prime example of Kane's distinct flair is the effortless blend of elegance and irreverence: oversized bows grace the hemlines of tailored shifts, and powder-puffs punctuate the necklines of slinky petrol-blue jersey slip dresses. Trousers and blazers feature whimsically cut-out circles at the knees and elbows, adorned with marabou feathers.

But beyond the glossy exterior of this collection, the Kanes incorporate a deeper narrative. The inspiration stemmed from the documentary "All the Beauty and the Bloodshed," which centers on photographer Nan Goldin's advocacy against opioid addiction. The documentary struck a chord with the Kane siblings, highlighting the poignant connection between society's extremes - wealth and deprivation.

Kane's collection mirrors the inherent resilience and style of the impoverished LGBTQ community documented in Goldin's works, where second-hand couture becomes a symbol of survival and beauty amidst adversity. Echoing their childhood memories of Glasgow's post-industrial communities, the designers articulate a socio-economic commentary: "The poorest people are the best-dressed."

The collection nostalgically harks back to the mid-to-late '80s, drawing inspiration from the glamorous, synthetic attires of barmaids serving in Working Men's Clubs. However, Kane cleverly repurposes these references into high-fashion narratives that feel fresh, relevant, and unapologetically audacious. A gold fan-pleated evening dress, named "The Gold Bullion," serves as an abstract reflection of the opulence that perpetually exists within society, as in the '80s New York.

By pushing the creative boundaries and masterfully weaving in socio-cultural narratives, Christopher Kane's Resort 2024 Collection portrays high fashion as a platform for storytelling – an intriguing blend of humor, audacity, and elegance.

Miu Miu's Arcadie Bag Campaign Starring Gigi Hadid

*New Campaign
Art Meets Fashion in Surreal Reverie
- Miu Miu's Arcadie Bag Campaign Starring Gigi Hadid Channels Margaret Keane

written John Heath

Miu Miu's latest campaign elegantly straddles the line between reality and fantasy, channeling the spirit of the late American artist Margaret Keane in unveiling its new Arcadie bag alongside the now-iconic Wander. Supermodel Gigi Hadid plays the Miu Miu heroine in this series of surreal shots, lensed by the renowned Steven Meisel.

credits

seen & filmed Steven Meisel
talent Gigi Hadid 
creative direction Edward Quarmby
styled Lotta Volkova

(c) MiuMiu

The campaign pays homage to Keane, who was famed for her wide-eyed subjects that exuded an endearing innocence, a style that was unjustly claimed by her then-husband, Walter, until the truth was revealed in a memorable courtroom spectacle.

Keane's distinctive artistic world blends seamlessly with the avant-garde aesthetics of Miu Miu in this campaign, largely thanks to Edward Quarmby's creative direction and Lotta Volkova's styling.

Hadid breathes life into the Arcadie and Wander bags, embracing the intriguing interplay between the surrealistic world of Keane and the unique universe of Miu Miu.

This celebration of unconventionality reaffirms Miu Miu's commitment to nonconformist artistry, creating an exciting tapestry where fashion meets art, reality meets surreality, and ordinary meets extraordinary.

Miu Miu's campaign dances on the surreal edge of reality, where the spirit of Margaret Keane merges with the brand's distinctive fashion narrative.

Prada´s The Glass Age with Scarlett Johansson

*New Campaign
Prada´s The Glass Age with Scarlett Johansson

written Sarah Arendts

The world of high fashion intersects with pop culture and fine art in a campaign celebrating the Prada Galleria handbag, featuring Scarlett Johansson and directed by Alex Da Corte. Aptly titled “The Glass Age,” the campaign marries color and reflections to explore the multifaceted character of humanity, identity, and self-transformation.

Johansson, renowned for her acclaimed performances in film and theater, brings a unique energy to the campaign. Her acting prowess, known for embodying different personas with precision and passion, mirrors the diversity inherent in Prada’s iconic Galleria bag. Together, they create a vivid portrayal of individuality and style.

Venezuelan-American artist Alex Da Corte, known for his pop and surrealistic artwork, directs the campaign, marking his debut in a fashion context. Da Corte's signature style is marked by vividly-hued and all-encompassing artistic environments, which explore the same notions of humanity and individuality that Johansson brings to her work.

In this creative milieu, Johansson continually morphs, her transformations framed by a wash of pure color that channels universal emotions and collective experiences. This play of color and transformation further enhances Johansson’s global fame, making it resonate powerfully within these visuals.

This campaign also sees the Galleria itself recontextualized. Its silhouette serves as a canvas for exploration, with color and patterns reflecting the transformative power of fashion and design. The bag mirrors the vibrant world around it, embodying the campaign’s motif of refraction and reflection.

“The Glass Age” is a distinctive blend of high and popular culture, blurring the lines between fashion, fine art, and popular iconography. This novel intersection offers an opportunity for audiences to witness a reimagining of their favorite cultural figures, as well as cherished fashion icons like the Prada Galleria.

With Hollywood star power, the creative genius of Alex Da Corte, and the timeless elegance of Prada, “The Glass Age” promises an immersive exploration of fashion, identity, and transformation.