AD-diction: Tom Ford White Patchouli

I haven’t written an “AD-diction” post in a while, and it’s basically because no ad has really moved me until I saw Tom Ford’s ad for his new White Patchouli fragrance popping up all over the internet. Hell, I don’t even know what the perfume smells like ( although Patchouli makes me think downtown Berkeley) but the portraits of Erykah Badu looking radiant, and naturally flawless in black and white cradling the fragrance in her perfectly manicured hand has me ready to beat down the doors of Sephora to pick it up. I know it’s not a new idea to use musicians in clothing/beauty ad’s but Erykah Badu is out there even for the music industry so I say bravo to Tom Ford for making a beautiful and unconventional choice!

photo cred: Tom Ford Beauty

AD-diction: Kenneth Cole “We All Walk In Different Shoes”

photo cred: Kenneth Cole

It’s no longer rare for a fashion based company to do something “alternative” in their ad campaigns to get peoples attention; the uncommon has become all too common. Yet, Kenneth Cole has managed to pull “it” off in it’s “We All Walk In Different Shoes” ads. I love love love this campaign which is compiled of the most unique individuals that are currently more relevant than any supermodel. This campaign isn’t simply challenging what we find beautiful, but it’s challenging what some of us find socially/politically acceptable. Where else can you see an Israeli and Palestinian film maker side by side, or a HIV positive women wearing it as a badge of honor, and even an undocumented immigrant all in one campaign? There is nothing preachy or over the top, just beautifully unique individuals sending a message. See all of the “Non-Uniform Stories” here.

Here’s to Kenneth Cole 25 more years of non-uniform thinking!