This was a wonderful week in fashion advertising for me. I cannot even express my thrill land delight at seeing the recent ad campaign by the French fashion house CELINE.
Led by British Fashion designer and Creative Director Phoebe Philo the house features American writer Joan Didion as the new face of the house. At 80 years young Joan in over sized black shades is a vision of character and quite frankly a breath of fresh air.
A documentary about her life was just crowd funded through kisktarter, it required $80,000 and received $221,135.00. We can expect to see her documentary in September 2015!
Joan is not new to the fashion world either. In the 1960's she did a two year stint at VOGUE starting as promotional copywriter and worked her way to associate feature editor. While at VOGUE she wrote her first novel Run, River that was published in 1963.
Photographed by Henry Clarke, Vogue, October 1972
She has a large list of literary accomplishments that spans non-fiction, fiction, screenplays and plays.
Seeing Joan reminded me that there ARE forward thinking, creative and unique people left in the world. Forward thinkers who are tired of the over played, over exposed visions of what I call "the herd". In the wake of the 'Kimye" VOGUE cover and subsequent Balmain ad campaign I was beginning to really wonder ... and worry!
Seeing Joan for Celine was the first of 3 mature and stylish ladies featured in fashion ad campaigns this week!!
The music legend Joni Mitchell at 71 for Saint Laurent
and the forever stylish Iris Afpel for Alexis Bittar
The house of LANVIN paved the way in 2012 when their models included then 62 year old Advanced Style Icon Tziporah Salamon
AND
Jacquie "Tajah" Murdock, 82
I hope this officially means the tide is turning and fashion houses are now looking past age, shape and size and looking for true character, wisdom and personality.
SHOP:
VINTAGE FROM CELINE, YSL & LANVIN
