Daria Strokus is a 21-year-old Russian model, actress and filmmaker and is best known for her youthful allure and gaze, but her latest shoot in the Vogue Russia August 2011 issue seeks to help Strokus graduate from teeny-bopper model to upper class, elegant woman supermodel.
And it succeeds, easily. The Vogue Russia August 2011 editorial was shot by London and New York-based Peruvian photographer Mariano Vivanco, who shows his ample skill by making Strokus' transition to more 'grown-up' modelling a smooth one. Strokus and her male companion are draped in extravagant tailored duds from some of the fashion world's classiest brands, including Gucci, Prada, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent.
This Vogue Russia August 2011 editorial works for several reasons: Number one, fashion photography fans will be delighted to see Daria Strokus ascend to the next level of modelling, the sexual attraction between her and her male counterpart is not only palpable, but it is alluring, and the designer dresses are like fashion porn to style-conscious consumers.
Implications - For a company set on selling a luxury product, they would be wise to focus not only on selling a product, but also on selling an image. By including non-verbalized markers of elegance (tennis courts, golf courses, country clubs) in the advertisement, the brand stands to connect with consumers who are used to spending time in these environments. This establishes the subconscious personal connection between the brand and consumer that companies spend years trying to create.
Classy Risqué Photography
Daria Strokus is All Grown up for Vogue Russia August 2011
Trend Themes
1. Transitioning to Grown-up Modelling - Opportunity for fashion brands to help young models transition from teeny-bopper image to upper-class, elegant supermodels.
2. Palpable Sexual Attraction in Fashion Photography - Potential for fashion brands to create alluring advertisements that evoke strong emotions and capture consumers' attention.
3. Fashion Porn and Style-conscious Consumers - Opportunity for brands to entice style-conscious consumers by showcasing designer dresses and using provocative imagery in their marketing.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion brands can capitalize on the trend of transitioning models by creating campaigns that appeal to consumers looking for elegance and sophistication.
2. Advertising - Opportunity for advertising agencies to create visually stimulating and alluring advertisements that generate strong emotional responses.
3. Luxury Goods - Luxury brands can appeal to style-conscious consumers by showcasing their designer products in provocative and enticing ways.