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Forget an embroidered Dionysus bag or kitschy fur-lined loafer – it seems this season’s most outrageous it-accessory is scaly, breathing and has seriously flamboyant undertones.
Gucci’s much-lauded creative boss, Alessandro Michele, has just released his campaign vision for the brand’s 2017 Pre-fall collection, which drops in May. And while it’s certainly hard to see past the ostentatious styling, talon-like nails, wild poses and retro dandy-themed snaps by iconic fashion photographer Glen Luchford, it’s the exotic lizards posing with models and performers who steal the show.
Inspired by a photographic exhibition called Made You Look by the late Malian artist Malick Sidibé, who passed away last year at age 80, the campaign explores freedom of expression through dance and music.
Sidibé’s images, which showed at the London Photographer’s Gallery, capture the nightlife and youth culture of his hometown Bamako, but Michele added his own spin by setting his campaign dance hall setting that resembled England’s Northern Soul movement in the 1960s. Famous for being an energetic social scene that sparked dynamic, athletic dance moves, it was the precursor to the funk era in places like Manchester, Sheffield and the Midlands.
On-the-rise models Nicole Atieno, Bakay Diaby, Elibeidy Dana Martinez and Keiron Burton Caynes pose in flamboyant clothes and poses with two dozen dancers, enough jewellery to keep Liberace happy and a family of cartoon-like reptiles in the shots that are, according to the brand, “an exploration of the flamboyance and self-expression of men and women who challenge the conventions of society through performance, art and dance”.
It’s a far cry from the To the Manor Born-styled campaign starring Vanessa Redgrave for the Cruise 2017 collection, also directed by Michele and Luchford at the incredibly stately Chatsworth House earlier this year. That shoot starred some well-placed stunt chickens.We’ve also had flamingoes, a red python and of course, last season’s live tiger making an appearance with a brave gang of Gucci-clad models. What to expect for next season? Father of dragons?
See a selection of the campaign images here:
Photography: Glen Luchford
Creative Director: Alessandro Michele
Art Director: Christopher Simmonds
