The Fall of Rome & Fashion Follows - It didn't happen overnight...

Or is that the fall of fashion photography, it didn't happen overnight but it did happen! While SFS does not normally critique the bad in the world, after all, mother always said "if you haven't something nice to say dear then its best to say nothing at all". But enough I say; when that bellwether of Fashion Photography, superstar shooter Steve Meisel starts to bend to the pressures of what looks to me like; lets shoot the stills and the video together AKA, the top end of fashion is trying to save money-while hoping you will keep spending yours...

Yes I know this sort of campaign shooting business of stills with video-on-set has been going on for quite a while (& yes this seems to be video with stills (OK?)), but it has created all sorts of worrying trends. What worries me most about this campaign and you can view it yourself below, is that we have an indisputable Master of Fashion Photography; Meisel sacrificing first rate stills for second rate video. Turn down the sound and watch its not pretty. Sure its a bit of fun, nothing wrong with that. And if this is a campaign designed around the idea of; "if you can't dance at least you can wear Lanvin", then that would be great but I would be surprised if that were the case.

Lanvin Fall 2011 Campaign | Raquel Zimmermann & Karen Elson by Steven Meisel


You can view the not-what-you-would-expect stills from Steven Meisel over here at Fashion Gone Rouge, and rouge indeed it is this time!

Come on Steve; fashion needs you; lets not all have our heads turned by moving pictures, Stills still have their place and retain their power; you-can't-tell the-girls-can't-dance in a great still shot like we have come to expect from you.

So Is Fashion Photography Dead?

We will leave that for you to decide, but remember dear readers; you heard it here first at Street Fashion Sydney. Sometimes it helps to be a long way from Paris and New York!

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Oh, and remember, its Fashion, its all been done before!