When we think of post-apocalyptic, sci-fi societies, we tend to think of Mad Max or Blade Runner—where it’s a dog-eat-dog world of robot gangs and cool laser guns that blast out explosive beams of light. For the fashion world, or at least Missoni, however, the future looks much different. For the Italian brand, the year 2970 will be filled not with revenge-seeking cyborgs, but bright, cartoonish creatures that will roam the earth befriending gorgeous models. Tapping top models Joan Smalls and Justin Barnhill, Missoni’s Fall/Winter 14-15 campaign captures the two in this optimistic future where they pose against the dry landscape.“[Smalls] is one of the most famous and adored models of this moment, and she perfectly embodies the spirit of this collection,” Angela Missoni told Style.com of her casting choice. “With her beautiful complexion, intensity and strong, contemporary attitude, she seemed to me the ideal protagonist of this campaign, one that puts together past and future, memory and sci-fi, and reality and fantasy.”
Shot by Dutch photographer and artist Viviane Sassen, and styled by Vanessa Reid and Stephen Mann, the campaign took place at an archeological site to allow for the barren backdrop to make a dramatic contrast against the new season’s colorful designs. Meant to be the “alter-egos” of Smalls and Barnhill, the geometric creatures follow them across these empty ruins, encapsulating their internal adventurousness in this forthcoming environment. “It’s an imaginary world, one thousand years forward, and a surreal and humorous setting comprised of ancient ruins, bright vivid color, metallic shades, sharp geometric patterns and robotic futuristic creatures—an ideal frame for Missoni’s contemporary and stylish woman,” Missoni explained. While, admittedly, the campaign images aren’t as gut-wrenching as two hours of Blade Runner, we’re not going to say no to anything that puts us in sight of Barnhill’s angelic stares.
