As one might imagine, it was a bit of a shock to see supermodel Gisele Bundchen closing the Spring 2011 Balenciaga show in Paris this fall. Not only is the house of Balenciaga known to favor a more waif-like, gamine look -- the brand's recent muses include Jennifer Connelley, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and models like Freja Beha and Karen Elson -- but Gisele is not often seen on the runway.
Now, it seems, the brand has a much larger vision in mind: The supermodel is the face of Balenciaga's punky Spring 2011 campaign, and is sporting a new look that marks a serious shift away from her usual bouncing waves, sultry gaze, and obvious curves.
The ads, shot by Steven Meisel, also feature a male model in ghost-like costume makeup and clad only in a black sheet, giving the whole campaign a, eye-catching, spooky appeal. For a glimpse of the ads in print, snap up one of February's fashion issues (hitting newsstands soon), or take a peek at WWD's coverage.
