Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Nobuyoshi Araki for Barney's - Food for Thought

Since discovering Haruki Murakami's novels as a teen, his stories and scenes revisit me at completely random moments in my life. The same stands for the images of photographer Araki, an artist who also deals with love and death and the theme of melancholy; the perpetual chase for something lost that cannot be defined nor found. Now, the work of these two Japanese visionaries finally collides, although not directly.  Kiko Mizuhara, who will play lead in the film adaptation of Murakami's book, Norwegian Wood, just modeled in Barney's holiday campaign shot by Araki. The photos grasp a mild version of the sensuality that Araki always achieves without the 'death' undertones he usually evokes.

All photos Courtesy of Barney's New York (2010).
The cliché display of saccharine frivolity in holiday campaigns is apparently meant to encourage indiscriminate shopping-mania. But the overly accessorized, blingy blonde and brunette gals with bylines that read, 'all that dazzles!' and 'sparkle sparkle!' are a real turnoff for a window shopper wanting to be inspired by something different in a holiday campaign. Araki and Mizuhara do something different, something unexpected with their  shoot for Barney's. The saturated color and gorgeous, filmic blur make me dream, make me wonder. This will be the best holiday campaign for a North American department store this year. No contest. 

8 comments:

k said...

This is definitely a great shoot...so interesting!

bravegrrl said...

love it!

Nádia said...

Awesome shoot! Love the head thingies! ;)

http://myfashioninsider.blogspot.com/

Diana Mieczan said...

That is amazing:) I really love it:)
Kisses,sweetie

Ps: I’m hosting a sweet t-shirt and tote GIVEAWAY today, so please join in :)

Cubicle 4 said...

Is that a little sardine necklace mobile dangling before Kiko? Very cool. Especially the shadow... the shadow really brings in the uncanny... uncanny beauty!!! so, yeah.... Round red plummy fruit and mouth. ANd babe. I understand everything!!! Thanks for sharing Raji Sohal!

Grace said...

I LOVE the model.

Love Grace.

misslikey said...

interesting. I am also Haruki's devoted fan

Glowing Doll said...

I never thought I'd see a department store shoot like this. It's great!