Ad Men: Versace Goes Black & White for Fall 2012 Campaign

Donatella Versace's vision for fall 2012 was inspired by a dip into the archives of her late brother's designs. The savvy headmistress of the house reconnected with Versace's hedonistic heyday by presenting an assortment of studded leathers and denim, a garish camouflage motif, vividly colored outerwear, and a no-holds-barred excessiveness--unapolagetic opulence, revisited. It worked wonderfully, waking up sleepy editors and buyers from their Milanese naps. So it's interesting that the fabulous Ms. V has taken an understated approach for the campaign. Shot in stark black and white by Mert & Marcus, models Dmitriy Tanner and Philipp Schmidt stare down the viewer against a shadowy background. Where's the playful tackiness? The fabulously clashing colors? The Miami-tinged kitsch? Not that we don't appreciate a sexy, oild-up torso, but the show was so joyous, this ad seems a tad mopey, don't cha think?