Balenciaga F/W 07.08 : Anabela Belikova and Suvi Koponen by David Sims

[visconti]

I like these a lot too: especially the lighting and overall mood. I'm still not entirely sold on the season's collection, but these ads move it closer to something I can appreciate. I have a few thoughts on "the story" behind the photos, but I'm still sorting it out. Maybe some of this makes sense. I don't know the names of the models, but the pics are different enough to keep things clear.

I'm definitely getting the supernatural vibe that others mentioned. On first glance I was thinking "The Shining" and "The Others", but the second photo also brings to mind some newer horror movies where the possessed people are sort of shaken around. Maybe that was in "The Ring". It's also reminding me of a Chris Cunningham-esque vibe. Specifically the stuff he did with Aphex Twin and Portishead.

Are these supposed to be seen together in magazines? Like, a two page spread? If so, maybe the second girl is having a terrified reaction to seeing the first-- sort of like that creepy picture at the end of "The Shining" when you see Jack with the people from the twenties. It may be reading too much into it, but the first girl's picture has nothing that seems "modern", but the second keeps the old decor, but adds in computers and such. Maybe she's seeing her living or dead friend in a photo before their time.

There's also the idea of possession or maybe just models being positioned and twirled around like marionettes at the will of the photographer. But then again, they may have just wanted to show off the shoes.

 

[seanutbutter]

I don't think the models in particular look frightening, it's the entire scenery what has a very spooky vibe.. seems like it's all taking place at a motel room that just witnessed some murder..

Well said; I agree with you.

 

[yourbestfriend]

I really love this, the pose of Suvi is still, like a calm before the storm. Anabela's expression is the same but I do like the pose because of their vacant faces in a traditional room with dim lighting. It really gives an eerie feeling that I enjoy.

Visconti, great analysis I really enjoy them! You seem to pick up things others don't notice and I appreciate that.

 

[MulletProof]

^yes!, go Visconti!!.
I loved that analysis too.. you're talking 'only you', aren't you?. or maybe not, but I was redirected to that when you mentioned Chris, it makes much more sense in my head.

 

[Spike413]

Visconti, you've almost made me change my mind about these.....that's no easy task.

 

[Djavanjmiles]

These look very editoral then a ad. Suvi looks scary.

 

[BerlinRocks]

It's also reminding me of a Chris Cunningham-esque vibe. Specifically the stuff he did with Aphex Twin and Portishead.

oh yes!

 

[visconti]

^yes!, go Visconti!!.
I loved that analysis too.. you're talking 'only you', aren't you?. or maybe not, but I was redirected to that when you mentioned Chris, it makes much more sense in my head.

Yup! Unfortunately I think that's the only one he did with them. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll hook back up after Portishead plays All of Tomorrow's Parties late in the year.

Getting back to the ads, I forgot to mention that I the red scarf around the first model's neck is one of my favorite touches. Maybe it's just the lack of detail in the scans vs real printed ads, but if you just glance at it, you can almost imagine it's red of a slit throat, but without the over-the-top, trashy gore that'd ruin it all. That sort of touch fits with the subtle horror vibe and the idea that the little details could mean nothing at all or they could be incredibly significant. I like that kind of ambiguity.

 

[avantgarde]

Coco made me love Balenciaga ads.

*sigh

me too! she was so great in them.

 

[oomarhatelier]

i like it!!

 

[kimair]

i'm on the fence about these, but i do see what visconti is getting at...
i love the contrast of anabela in mid-leap with the aristocrat background...
the dark wood, the painting and the rug...
the other cool touch is how the images don't bleed off the page, and they are in slightly shifted positions...
it adds to the feeling of uneasiness...
it defintely has that creepy "something isn't right here" vibe like last seaon's ads with coco...

it will be interesting to see the entire series...

 

[xPedro]

so boring

 

[youarearockstar]

Absolutely love these! So utterly haunting. That whole sojourn, nomadic feeling from the collection is really translating well into these ads. The girls look strong yet slightly unsure and out of place in their environment. I get the feeling that they're almost ghost like, so I'm sticking with haunting as the more apropos description. For me it works oh so well! Great casting choices, interesting concept, and still enough focus on the collection.

Plus, little Anabela is looking utterly lovely in these...

 

[educo]

Visconti, you just gave me a lesson, and now I have to look up the references you were referring to!

 

[yourbestfriend]

so boring

For what reasons do you feel this is boring? I'm just wondering because often people just say it's boring but don't say why.

 

[unipine]

Unexpected of both Balenciaga and David Sims, which I like. These are already looking better than last season's, but I'm more curious about them than anything.

 

[unipine]

Also, visconti, I adore your Trois Couleurs: Rouge avatar. Kieslowski is a favorite of mine.

 

[kuba01]

um this is the most random ad campaign ever. whats with the computers in the background?

yuck!! I Coco for Balenciaga!

 

[mikel]

I like these a lot. Love the movement in the anabela pic, and love the overall setting.

 

[beltedmaude]

Wow... leave it to Suvi to make Coco look vibrant, varried and dynamic.