# Frisky Fashion Faux-Ads Steven Meisel's Fabulous Fakes for W are Too Good to be True By Meghan Young | Published 2011-10-21 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steven-meisels-fabulous-fakes References: [adrants](http://www.adrants.com/2011/10/fashion-photographer-steven-meisel.php) & [wmagazine](http://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/2011/11/steven-meisel-advertisements-ss) As readers flip through the latest issue of W Magazine, they may find themselves in wonderment at how good some of the ads are this time around; that will be because those ads are part of a sneaky editorial titled Steven Meisel’s Fabulous Fakes. Enlisting one of the [fashion industry's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stylish-fashion-campaigns-marc-jacobs-unveils-its-spring-2025-marcworld-cam) most celebrated and talented photographers, W Magazine has put together a [photo spread](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-femininity) that masquerades as [faux-ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/americas-next-top-primer). Starring the "who's who of pop culture today," as W puts it, Steven Meisel’s Fabulous Fakes include 'Toddlers & Tiaras' star Eden Wood modeling for a fake children's clothing label, Anna Dello Russo in a green face mask and Karen Elson with a bevy of red-bottomed men. The series of nine fake ads will be scattered throughout the issue. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fake-ads:** Opportunity for brands to create fake advertisements as a creative and attention-grabbing marketing strategy. - **Sneaky-editorial:** Potential for magazines and publications to incorporate sneaky editorials to surprise and engage readers. - **Faux-modeling:** Possibility for models to participate in photo spreads that simulate advertising campaigns, offering a new form of artistic expression. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion-magazines:** Disruption potential for fashion magazines to experiment with unconventional editorial concepts, blurring the lines between content and advertising. - **Advertising-agencies:** Opportunity for advertising agencies to create innovative campaigns that mimic real advertisements, generating intrigue and buzz among consumers. - **Fashion-photography:** Potential for fashion photographers to collaborate with magazines and create photo spreads that challenge traditional notions of advertising and editorial content. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mock Social Good Fashion Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-models-own.md) - [Cinematic Fashion Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alessandro-micheles.md) - [Star-Studded Fashion Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/winter-2025-campaign.md) - [Character-Driven Fashion Newsletters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-realgirl.md) - [Authentic Fashion House Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/springsummer-2024.md) - [Spoof Cosmetics Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/americas-next-top-primer.md) - [Body Paint Fashion Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miley-cyrus-maison-margiela.md) - [Iconic Stylish Bag Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fendis-summer-2025-campaign.md) - [Intimate Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/velvet-heat.md)