The 'Leading Ladies' of Marks and Spencer

This is not just any Autumn/Winter’13 campaign... This is an M&S Autumn/Winter’13 campaign.  Goodbye lovely Twiggy and sweet Myleene, step forward Marks and Sparks’s latest line up of successful, creative and independent ladies (*insert preferred Beyonce song whilst reading)Helen MirrenGrace CoddingtonEllie GouldingKaren ElsonDarcey BussellKatie PiperHelen AllenNicola AdamsLaura MyulaMonica Ali and a very miserable, almost pained, looking Tracey Emin (well, she is more used to mostly wearing Vivienne Westwood after all!)  Shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz in various dramatic locations, including on a boat at Tower Bridge (above), this ‘womanist’ (ew!) campaign must have cost a fortune to put together.  I can’t help but wonder if something a bit simpler (and maybe a bit smilier?!) may have been more cost effective. 

Lana Del Rey's Campaign for H&M

I mentioned here that Lana Del Rey was to be the new face of H&M’s A/W’12 campaign and I can now reveal the results.

The 10-page lookbook, photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, show the singer modeling H&M’s latest collection looking like a melancholic, dainty doll from a 1960’s film noir, with back-combed hair, dark winged eyeliner, trademark pouty lips.  The collection is made up primarily of pastel colours but they are given a harder edge when mixed with charcoal greys and burgundy staples.  I particularly like the abstract, printed pieces Lana wears, the velvet heels, chandelier earrings and adorable little bows in her hair.

Lana has recorded a cover of ‘Blue Velvet’ for H&M that will be released on September 19.  While we wait on the release I am still loving the remix of Lana’s ‘Blue Jeans.’