Animal Farm

"I was thinking about everybody's obsession with being famous" Miuccia Prada said in reference to the choice of the red flooring of her Miu Miu runway. And while the title of this post may be more obviously applicable to Miuccia's Prada show, where dancing monkeys featured as reappearing motifs, I feel it has more relevance to her latest outing for Miu Miu. Saying that, the more delving one does into any Miuccia show, the more questions remain unanswered. She is like the George Orwell of the fashion world, every show containing an almost satirical (or at the very least, allegorical) commentary on the society in which we live. The silver lamé dress with leather appliqué (or rather, the placement of said appliqué) could be fraught with sexual innuendo as to the repetition within Hollywood's fishbowl. Who knows? Or perhaps, in Miuccia's way, she was doing nothing more than provoking us to ask unanswerable questions, all the while showing us pretty little things to tempt us into her world. Regardless of intention, any messages will be translated differently depending on the experiences of the receiver. The more I consider the details, the more I am reminded of the Orwell's Seven Commandments of Animalism, where I am sure many in that elusive Hollywood scene are convinced they may be just that little bit more equal than those outside of it.  

Regardless of varying interpretations, it all begs the common question: when isn't fashion allegorical? Most, if not all, collections have a theme, a starting point; inspiration that was based on something, which more often than not is carried right through to the end product. That end product, which, upon viewing, requires thought on behalf of the audience to decipher and do what they will with any possible meanings. Still think fashion is nothing more than a slew of pretty dresses? Take a closer look at any fashion editorial, and you'd be hard pressed to explain why they're often referred to as "fashion stories". Because, I'm afraid, stories they (as well as the dresses within them) do tell. 

Enough literary wonderment. Here's Kasia Struss lensed by Mert & Marcus for Miu Miu's spring 2011 campaign. Allegorical or nay, this campaign is hot. 

 via Style.com

Miranda

Well and truly cementing herself in the high-fashion scene is Miranda Kerr, featuring in her very first high-fashion advertising campaign; for Prada's Fall 2010 collection. Shot by Steven Meisel, the Angel shows off the line's 'new-woman' aesthetic along with Angela Lindvall and Daria Strokous. I'm loving how Meisel features the collection in a way that tells a story almost as much as an editorial; the mix between narrative, model-interaction, and of course, product placement, is perfect.

This comes a year after being hand-picked by Balenciaga's Nicolas Ghesquière to walk for his latest spring and fall collections, as well as appearing on Miuccia's 40's themed Prada runway. Having already walked for designers including Betsey Johnson and Jason Wu at New York Fashion Week before becoming an (almost) household name, walking in Balenciaga's spring show was her first foray into the world of luxury branding. She's also nabbed a number of high fashion spreads of late, including that contraversial nun-inspired editorial in June's Numéro, shot by Greg Kadel, as well as recent spreads in V Magazine, i-D, and Vogue Russia (there's even whispers of an upcoming feature for US Vogue). With rumours of a Jil Sander campaign in the works, one thing's for sure, this angel's star is shining bright.

Backstage at Prada Fall 2010

Making her high-fashion debut for Balenciaga Spring 2010

Numéro #114 La Mauvaise Éducation by Greg Kadel, styled by Patti Wilson.

photos from Fashion Gone Rogue and Style.com