Tyson Ballou for H&M "The Blues" Ad Campaign

While at the Mall of America, I couldn't resist from taking a couple shots of Mr. Ballou, looking as fine as ever, as he helps out H&M do the color blue in a big way. After seeing it in person, that denim shirt is definitely a good buy, especially with the darker shaded cuffs as such, I'm still wondering why I didn't pick it up...oh well...

Burberry, Mall of America, Spring 2010 (and Fall 2009)

Although the majority of the Mall of America is rather devoid of taste, it doesn't take much to build a tourist trap when it comes to the good ol' Midwest. Hell, as a local, even I'm guilty of using it as one of my routine haunts when it comes to shopping -- both actual and window. "Everything" is just there under one roof. And there are pockets of better branding dispersed -- far and wide -- throughout...Burberry is a good example, although they do not (unfortunately, but understandably) stock Prorsum at their sole MN location. As such, perhaps what I appreciate most about the store is its storefront, which features two store-high panels that are always up-to-date with the current ad campaign... Currently, Emma Watson, her brother Alex, and George Craig all stand tall and proud, from the same set of images as the ones HERE.

And for completeness' sake, the same panels back when last fall's campaign first went up -- I took these images and then just left them lying around w/o ever having uploaded them here...so voila! -- also with Emma, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to do some snooping to ID the guys...tFS here I come, or better yet, help me out!

GAP 1969 Premium Jeans Ad Campaign, Spring 2010

The ad series for Gap's 1969 Premium Jeans picks up from where it left off last fall. The company has brought back Noah Mills and Will Chalker, both of whom I adore. Seriously, does life get any better looking than the both of them? Instead of taking on brooding serious expressions, the shots this time are more candid, but equally as attractive. I found the above shot online, and also couldn't help but snap a couple shots of the Mall of America storefront.

Looks like Chanel Iman gets double exposure standing alongside both studs...lucky...


With the latest online website update, Sean O'Pry joins the cast as well...what a gorgeous man himself...bravo.

image source

GAP 1969 Premium Jeans Ad Campaign

I gave up on the Gap a long time ago. Perhaps it's because boring became de rigeur once their then-CEO Mickey Drexler decided to market the company as the McDonald's of tees, jeans, khakis, and other basics. Or perhaps I just grew up and set my stakes higher.

However, one thing about the Gap that I've never lost respect for is their advertising/marketing machine, rich in creativity and history, and which I won't delve into here save only to say that their current 1969 Premium Jeans campaign does NOT dissapoint. With the clout to garner and dispatch an army of established models in the industry, the Gap even has me taking a second look at their current jeans.

Walking into one of my local stores last week, I found Will Chalker, one of my all-time favorite models (to me, he gives off the perfect mix of masculine but style-conscious) portrayed life-size against the wall. I could have stood there forever just looking/gawking.

At the Mall of America, he's even harder to miss (out of my way girls, you're ruining my view!).

Other notables among the male models include (with their respective fits) Andrew Cooper (Easy), Sasha Knezevic (Loose), Andres Velencoso Segura (Standard), and Noah Mills (Authentic):

Over at womens, the list is just as impressive...I love that they were all familiar names to me: Anja Rubik (Always Skinny), Maryna Linchuk (Sexy Boot), Isabeli Fontana (Curvy), Du Juan (Perfect Boot), Arlenis Sosa (Long & Lean), and Freja Beha Erichsen (Real Straight).

These girls are just gorgeous. End of story. But most impressive to me, is the fact that Carmen Kass is included in the roster! She sports The Boyfriend based on other images I've seen, it's a shame she didn't get a slot on the life-size "hall of fame" display at the Mall of America. Carmen was the first model I ever became enamoured with...waaay back in middle school...