United Colors of Benetton ads never cease to dazzle me. Not only do they push the envelope with controversial campaigns, which have included world leaders kissing, HIV/AIDS activists, a priest and a nun kissing, and even condoms but their cohesive message of diversity and tolerance has always resonated with us. For its latest campaign, the brand tapped Alek Wek, Charlotte Free, Lea T., Elettra Wiedemann, Hanaa Ben Abdesslem and Kiera Chaplin, who all tell stories about themselves in the behind the scenes video. With creative direction by Macs Iotti, the theme of the campaign was color as each model takes on individual looks styled by Sissy Vian in the vibrant images.
Chris Brown lookalike Dudley O’Shaughnessy, who starred in Rihanna’s We Found Love video is also in the campaign. The images, photographed in Paris, will be printed onto limited-edition tees that will be sold online and in-stores. All proceeds from the shirts will go towards supporting Benetton’s UNHATE Foundation.
