Legendary photographer Duane Michals has teamed up with luxury fashion house Bottega Veneta to photograph rising star Jacob Elordi in a new campaign that draws inspiration from Michals's own artistic legacy. The collaboration showcases the intersection of high fashion and fine art photography, featuring the acclaimed actor in a series of images that reflect Michals's distinctive visual storytelling approach.
The campaign takes its name from Michals's 1994 work titled 'What Are Dreams,' which featured both a photograph and an accompanying poem. This artistic reference demonstrates Bottega Veneta's commitment to connecting contemporary fashion with established artistic narratives, creating a bridge between past and present creative expression. The choice to reference this particular piece highlights the brand's appreciation for conceptual photography and poetic imagery.
This collaboration represents part of Bottega Veneta's broader strategy of working with renowned artists and cultural figures. The luxury brand has previously partnered with filmmaker Steve McQueen, who created a soundtrack for their Milan Fashion Week show that paired vocal recordings by David Bowie and Nina Simone performing 'Wild is the Wind.' Additionally, the brand worked with celebrated photographer Carrie Mae Weems on a project featuring AAP Rocky, which Weems dedicated 'to all the fathers who dare to dream, to all the fathers who dare to love.'
The partnership between Michals and Bottega Veneta represents a meeting of two artistic visions, combining the photographer's decades of experience in conceptual imagery with the fashion house's contemporary aesthetic. Elordi, known for his roles in popular television and film projects, serves as the subject for this artistic collaboration, further cementing his status as a fashion and cultural icon.
