Review of Mulberry Spring 2026 Ad Campaign by Photographer Tim Walker with model Cynthia Erivo
For Spring 2026, Mulberry dives into nostalgia with a wink, relaunching the Roxanne bag—an early-aughts icon once spotted on the shoulders of Kate Moss and Alexa Chung—through a campaign that feels equal parts fantasy and rebellion. Chief Creative Officer’s vision comes to life via Tim Walker’s eccentric lens, with styling by Kate Phelan and the magnetic presence of Cynthia Erivo, who brings star wattage and irreverence to this reimagined classic.
Visually, the campaign revels in Tim Walker’s signature surrealism: warped drawing rooms, swinging ropes, floral upholstery, and a cascade of clocks create a dreamlike stage where Erivo commands every frame. The bags—Roxanne, Small Roxanne, and the two new Shoulder Bag iterations—are styled with brass buckles, dangling floral charms, and a spirit that hovers somewhere between punkish rebellion and theatrical romance. It’s fun, quirky, and visually compelling—an aesthetic that feels entirely suited to Cynthia’s vibe. She doesn’t just model the bags; she embodies the Mulberry spirit of bold self-expression and playful British eccentricity.
The strength of the campaign lies in its embrace of duality. On one hand, the Roxanne’s Y2K roots give the collection cultural credibility, tapping into nostalgia without sentimentality. On the other, the surrealist setting reframes the icon for today’s audience: less It-girl accessory, more fantastical object of desire. Erivo’s performance ensures the concept doesn’t collapse into mere kitsch—she brings gravitas, attitude, and charisma to Walker’s warped sets, grounding the dreamscape in lived personality.
If there is one area where the campaign could have pushed further, it might be in how the bags themselves are showcased. Walker’s ornate settings sometimes threaten to overwhelm the accessories, making them secondary to the visual trickery. Yet perhaps that is the point: the Roxanne doesn’t need heavy-handed framing; it thrives on personality, context, and attitude. The decision to pair the relaunch with an interview series—Mulberry Moments—is a clever complement, giving depth to the spectacle and tying the product back to memory, emotion, and cultural history.
Ultimately, Mulberry achieves what many heritage brands struggle to do: make nostalgia feel fresh. With Cynthia Erivo as its commanding lead and Walker’s lens bending reality into fantasy, the Roxanne reemerges not just as a bag, but as a statement—rebellious, romantic, and unapologetically alive.
Photographer | Tim Walker
Model | Cynthia Erivo
Stylist | Kate Phelan