Men's Fashion
Boardwalk Empire star Michael Pitt cleans up for Prada's latest retro campaign
It’s difficult to look at Miuccia Prada’s Spring/Summer 2012 menwear collection without noticing a distinct nod to the old-world gentleman. Double breasted blazers, regal prints and ascots were all presented on an AstroTurf runway reminiscent of a golf course, and some models even carried Prada branded clubs.
This portrait of the bygone dandy era is ironic for Prada: In 1913, Mario Prada founded the company as a purveyor of fine leather goods and imported English steamer trunks and handbags. He did not believe that women had a place in business, and thus refused to allow female family members to join the company. But then his daughter took over the company, and after that came the era of Miuccia.
She has often said that she is inspired by things she hates, and probably isn’t too fond of her company’s history as a female-free organization. Luckily, much progress has been made since the early 1900s, and today Miuccia is one of the most powerful individuals in the fashion industry. And though she may not be fond of the way men used to dominate society, she clearly doesn’t mind the way they used to dress.
She has often said that she is inspired by things she hates, and probably isn’t too fond of her company’s history as a female-free organization.
Thus, for its spring/summer menswear campaign, Prada joined forces with another artist who’s capturing the old-world gentleman in a modern context: Michael Pitt, who stars in the hit HBO seriesBoardwalk Empire.
Well, maybe gentleman isn’t quite the right word: Pitt’s character is engaged in the illegal importation of liquor into the United States along with other organized crime. But, he has his moments, and represents and era where men wore bespoke three-piece suits on a daily basis, whether they were working or playing.
The Prada gentleman is also a renaissance man, and in the ads, Pitt “explores the language of male role models from the rock star to the playboy, from the self-reflective introvert to the engaging and humorous farceur,” according to an official press release.
Photographer David Sims created a series of unique portraits that channels photography of the 1950s, utilizing warm tones and saturated colors. The portraiture closely resembles the Prada spring/summer womenswear ads, which are based on vintage American automobile culture.
Look for the ads in major magazines and online this month.
