Review of Auralee x Tekla Fall 2024 Ad Campaign by Creative Director Takuhito Kawashima and Photographer Nikki McClarron with model Kohei Takabatake
Auralee and Tekla bathe in the warmth of thoughtful design and organic luxury with the campaign for their collaborative collection. With creative direction from Takuhito Kawashima, the imagery was lensed by photographer Nikki McClarron.
Bringing together Auralee’s soulful minimalism and Tekla’s mastery of thoughtful fabrics for home and life, the collection centers around onsen – Japan’s geothermal hot springs and the bathing facilities and traditional inns around them, which are an icon of Japanese culture.
Captured in Niigata, McClarron’s imagery exudes a gorgeous sense of organic tranquility. The beauty of the landscape comes to the fore, emphasizing the blessing that is the natural resource of hot springs, while the considered simplicity of the collection takes on an important supporting role. All together, the visual narrative offers a lush journey, without seeing this cultural self-care ritual as escapist or distinct from everyday life. Instead, the collaborators come together to invite reflection on how it can be an essential part of day-to-day reality, and how thoughtful design makes this possible.
Creative Director | Takuhito Kawashima
Photographer | Nikki McClarron
Model | Kohei Takabatake
Stylist | Reina Ogawa Clarke
Hair | Tsubasa Dicky
Makeup | Kazuhiro Takenaka