Prada has just announced new details on its Spring 2014 campaign, photographed by Steven Meisel. The label confirmed the full, 18-person cast and released official campaigns images (one of the ads, below, leaked online last week).
The full list of models: Julia Bergshoeff, Dorota Kullova, Ashleigh Good, Gracie Van Gastel, Amanda Murphy, Viktor Van Pelt, Maggie Jablonski, Lieke Van Houten, Maja Salamon, Ola Rudnicka, Sabrina Ioffreda, Magdalena Jasek, Nastya Sten, Cindy Bruna, Anna Ewers, Ophelie Guillermand, Malaika Firth and Lexi Boling.
As some speculated in the forums, Malaika Firth was cast for this season’s campaign, following her appearance in Prada’s Fall 2013 ads. At the time, Firth made headlines; she was the first black model cast in a Prada campaign since Naomi Campbell in 1994.
Although this season’s casting includes two black models (Firth and Cindy Bruna), making it (sadly) one of Prada’s most diverse campaigns ever, some observers will be disappointed that an Asian model doesn’t appear in the final batch of ads. (It was rumored that Chinese model Fei Fei Sun had been cast.)
The text from the corresponding release:
“Steven Meisel’s Spring/Summer 2014 campaign for Prada reflects the fierce and independent spirit of the collection. Teams of models hold us in their collective gaze, looking forward in a united vision.
Dresses, coats and accessories come alive with giant mural prints of female faces, layering contrasting dimensions of femininity. The walls of the Via Fogazzaro show space in Milan were similarly transformed, emblazoned with ‘In the Art of the Multitude’ – a contemporary muralists’ and illustrators’ vision of female representation, power and multiplicity.
Identikit glossy side partings are crowned with feathered headpieces, and sporty tube socks encrusted with candy-like crystals. Handbags are ladylike in the extreme, in glossy crocodile, studs, and saffiano leather.
Striped sporty detailing at necklines and busts emphasizes the feeling of team photographs, but then the scale is magnified, the cropped images accentuating detail in the frame. The effect is a surreal wallpaper of textures, colours, and the luxurious detail of the clothing.
Glowing with independent truth, a youthful idealism and aggressive optimism unites this modern feminine troupe.”
A video campaign is forthcoming.
