Mercedes-Benz announces its fashion collaboration for S/S 2013
The new CLS Shooting Brake stars Joan Smalls shot by legendary photographer Mario Testino.
An intergalactic beauty is confronted with all the world’s treasures, wrapped and guarded in an underground warehouse, whereupon she reclaims her idea of the modern masterpiece - the CLS Shooting Brake.
Celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino is known for producing iconic imagery and timeless portraits. Here, Testino creates a striking scenery, presenting a futuristic and arresting vision, with the CLS Shooting Brake as the object of this woman’s desires.
In addition to these intriguing images, Mario Testino has also created a captivating fashion film, bringing the mysterious scene to life. A night watchman is guarding an underground warehouse of the most beautiful creations on earth, draped in monochrome and protected from prying eyes. A striking beauty, Joan Smalls, reveals herself by casting away the drapes that also concealed her. Trentemøller’s Vamp soundtracks this timeless collection, as Smalls reclaims her idea of the modern masterpiece by unveiling the CLS Shooting Brake and driving away, laughing audaciously.
Mario, supported by his creative agency Higher&Higher, described the inspiration behind this campaign, saying “I decided to create a picture that tells a story of the most sought after objects and design that stay in history and are preserved forever; with Joan Smalls – for this campaign made up to be like some character from the future – taking the CLS Shooting Brake with her into the unknown and leaving everything else behind”.
Distinctively styled Joan Smalls, known for her lithe and striking frame dazzles in vintage catsuit – cuts a modern, athletic figure with a spiked mohawk befitting the masculine, sculptural contours of the CLS Shooting Brake.
Joan Smalls, a modern symbol of beauty and elegance, is currently setting catwalks alight, making this the perfect partnership to celebrate perfection. Smalls commented "I've worked with Mario Testino before and it's always a pleasure. Everything from his work ethic to the way he shoots, to the way he treats people speaks to the fact that he is a true gentleman. You always know that the pictures will come out looking beautiful and iconic".
With the CLS, Mercedes-Benz revolutionized automobile design; they now present CLS Shooting Brake; a four-door coupé in a class of its own. With its perfectly formed contours the new CLS brings exclusivity to his most ambitious audience and is renowned for its innovative design, elegant masculinity and sportiness.
The S/S 2013 Form follows perfection key visual is the latest in a dazzling series of exceptional visuals celebrating the inimitable combination of design and style that is Mercedes-Benz. Nick Knight posed Julia Stegner in Gareth Pugh with the SLS AMG; Miles Aldridge photographed Milla Jovovich wearing a spectacular hat from Philip Treacy next to the Mercedes E-Class Convertible; Craig McDean and David James staged Karolina Kurkova next to the new CLS; Terry Richardson captured Jessica Stam on the roof of the A-Class concept car and last season Alex Prager presented Lara Stone with the SL Roadster....
