Review of Saint Laurent Winter 2021 Ad Campaign by Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello with Photographer Juergen Teller with models Alyda Grace, Anok Yai, Awar Odhiang, Blessing Orji, Evie Harris, Kiki Willems, Loli Bahia, Mica Argañaraz, Mika Schneider, Sihana Shalaj, & Sofia Steinberg
Saint Laurent exudes rugged elegance and haunting beauty in a new Winter 2021 campaign by photographer Juergen Teller.
The campaign was photographed in tandem with the filming of Saint Laurent’s beautiful Fall 2021 show film. While creative director Anthony Vaccarello chose not to reveal the film’s location (adding to its sense of cinematic mystery) the northern coasts of Iceland would probably be the safest bet. Windswept moors, towering and jagged formations of volcanic rocks, distant mountains looming in the mist, and plenty of melting glaciers and icebergs set a majestic, desolately beautiful backdrop for Teller’s portraits.
While Vaccarello’s designs are beautiful, both the film and photographs treat us to some sumptuous shots of the natural landscape, which feels like the real star here. The film’s haunting choral soundtrack perfectly scores the harsh beauty of these landscapes. The shots of melting icebergs are especially moving in their unmistakable reminder of looming climate catastrophe.
Thus, the location both harmonizes and contrasts with the collection. The silhouettes and jeweled accessories are especially striking against this gorgeous landscape, while the dramatic questions this combination raises (what are these elegant heroines doing here? What is to be done in the face of shifting climates, or time itself?) deepens a cinematic sense of grandeur and mystery.
Visually stunning, the campaign summons the primordial power of the land itself, and beautifully channels this power to move its viewer with a sense of elegance, chaos, and awe.
Saint Laurent Creative Director | Anthony Vaccarello
Photographer/Director | Juergen Teller
Models | Alyda Grace, Anok Yai, Awar Odhiang, Blessing Orji, Evie Harris, Kiki Willems, Loli Bahia, Mica Argañaraz, Mika Schneider, Sihana Shalaj, & Sofia Steinberg