By Chevaun Jackson
Mango released their new ads for their winter catalog starring socialite Olivia Palermo and her boyfriend, model Johannes Huebl. In the series of images, shot by Txema Yeste at Barcelona’s Hotel Palace, Palermo wears an asymmetrical purple sequined dress, a black party frock with a tulle overlay paired with a faux fur, a burgundy dress with a knotted neckline, and a white spaghetti-strap top tucked into a black skirt. In another photo we see Palermo in a more dramatic look than we’re accustomed to seeing from her with deep plum lips and relatively nude eyes, while her hair is straight, severe, and slicked back.
Of the shoot Olivia said, “I love working with Johannes and the photographers love seeing the chemistry that exists between us.” My reaction is: Chemistry? I don’t see it. Throughout the campaign ads I can’t help but focus on Johannes. He steals the focus in every photo. Sure it could be because he’s attractive and modeling is his job, but usually the men in fashion ads are accessories to the woman. They both look spectacular—they are well outfitted— but whether because of Johannes good looks, the robotic, predictable poses or Olivia’s dead eyes; she is surely over shined.
The 24-year-old Palermo admits she was initially uncomfortable to shoot, saying, “At first, it was really embarrassing–but then I remembered it was just him and I could be normal–so then it was really fun.” She also confessed her ambitions in the fashion industry explaining, “I want to act, model, try it all. Designing a collection will come in time.” Of her own style, Olivia said, “I play around with different styles. I don’t think I can wear the clothes I wore when I was 20, now that I’m 24.”