Lanvin Holiday 2023 Ad Campaign

Review of Lanvin Holiday 2023 Ad Campaign with Photographer Theo de Gueltzl with models Cas van Uytvanck, Elisa Nijman

Lanvin celebrates the warm glow of the holidays while wisely recognizing that no light is without its shadow. The maison’s Holiday 2023 campaign was captured by photographer Theo de Gueltzl.

Gueltzl’s portraits situate their subjects before a rich gold-toned studio backdrop, where arrangements of pine branches point to the spirit of seasonal festivity and its origins in honoring nature, death, and rebirth. In some images, the models themselves are cleverly wrapped with lights or tinsel, as if they themselves are the Christmas tree, or perhaps to point out that it is people and the ones we love who are the real reason for the season.

Also particularly striking about these portraits is their color palette. While holiday campaigns tend to rely on the classic green, red, and white, this one makes gorgeous use of jewel-tone aquas, purples, grays, silver, and gold to create a uniquely artful take on holiday aesthetic traditions.

Meanwhile, in still-life imagery, gorgeous handbags with sculptural handles that feel like precious heirloom pieces mingle on a dining table set with silverware and champagne glasses, weaving these heirloom pieces into a warm and elegant narrative of seasonal traditions.

The campaign does nice work to carve out a distinct visual perspective among the familiar warmth of holiday celebrations. It also subtly reminds us that Christmas has its roots in pagan solstice celebrations, centering light and warmth to honor vitality and mortality during the darkness and cold of winter – a uniquely meaningful nod to the universal experiences that bind us together. While leaning into the holiday spirit, the campaign sees Lanvin set itself apart from the pack with wisdom and grace.