Blake Lively Backlash? Fashion Ads Going Indie

Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Landov; PR Photos

While 2011 was the year of Blake for Chanel, Rihanna for Armani and Demi for Ann Taylor, many retailers are introducing lesser-known faces for spring 2012 campaigns.

WWD recently confirmed the appointment of Alice Dellal as the face of Chanel’s Boy collection. Best known for her half-shaved head and punk rock band, the British model is noticeably edgier than Lively, who fronted the collection’s Mademoiselle handbag range. “Alice Dellal represents the perfect incarnation of all that is unique about the Boy Chanel handbag collection, which strives [to be] far from conformist notions of femininity,” brand reps told the trade publication.

Courtesy Macy’s INC

This season, Prada takes a chance with indie darling Michael Pitt, who appears in the brand’s menswear spots, while Burberry backs Eddie Redmayne, a British actor relatively unknown to American audiences.

For their first-ever celebrity ambassador, Macy’s INC taps up-and-comer Max Irons (left), son of Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons. “We liked his polish and the fact that he isn’t well known yet in the U.S.,” SVP of marketing, Nancy Slavin, tells WWD. “He’s on a trajectory and is quintessentially this brand. He wears the clothes very naturally.” Tell us: Do you think brands should hire lesser-known celebs more often?

 –Justine Harman

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