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Prada and Miu Miu share dark and surreal Fall 2013 ad campaigns

Wednesday nights are looking a little brighter with the return of ABC's Modern Family." Fresh off of the its fourth consecutive Emmy win for Outstanding Comedy Series, the sitcom returned on Sept. 25 with two back-to-back episodes for its fifth season premiere.The first of the two episodes, "Suddenly, Last Summer" brought the viewers through the Pritchett clan's chaotic summer and up to the fall. A true highlight of the episode was Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell's (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) engagement story - finally made possible after Proposition 8, which barred same-sex marriage in California, was overturned this past June. Like many plotlines in the show, the proposal plans were initially farcical and rife with misunderstandings. Both men planned on proposing to the other in elaborate, romantic ways that could have ended in disaster - who didn't see that coming? But fitting the mold of the show, the story ended up being quite touching. The couple stopped on the highway to change a flat tire and, in a truly romantic moment, simultaneously said, "Yes!" to each other.While Mitch and Cam's proposal could have been horribly sappy, the chemistry between them made the moment authentic and "aww"-worthy. The dynamic between all of the cast members - both romantic and familial - is one of the main reasons to keep coming back to the show. And the Emmy voters clearly agree. "Modern Family" has won three Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and Julie Bowen, who plays Claire Dunphy, has twice picked up a trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Although this past season the show failed to collect, for the first time ever, any acting Emmys in the supporting categories, "Modern Family" still garnered five nominations - three for supporting actor and two for supporting actress. It is rare for all or almost all of a show's principal cast members to receive nominations, but any fan of "Modern Family" can easily understand why it is so critically acclaimed. The cast creates an incredible energy. If these first two episodes are any indication of the comedy's future, the acting looks as strong as ever.As always, the child actors, who have improved noticeably over time, continue to contribute to the strength of their adult costars. Although Rico Rodriguez, who plays Manny, and Nolan Gould, as Luke, have seen their voices start to change, they are consistently both endearing and hilarious. The writers have also finally starting using the rather flat tone of Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who stars as Lily, to their advantage. A highlight of "Suddenly, Last Summer" was her exchange with Jay (Ed O'Neill), who assures his granddaughter, "Oh honey, no one ever leaves home and never comes back." Lily, who is adopted from Vietnam, responds wryly, "I did."As the actors continue to deliver phenomenal performances, the writers will have to be careful as the comedy enters its fifth season. At this point in a sitcom's run, it is easy for a once funny and creative show to slip into a writing rut. While part of the show's appeal is the ridiculousness of the characters and the situations in which they put themselves, the writers should be wary of overdosing on this humor. "Modern Family" appeals to audiences because it is relatable. Many viewers have similarly struggled with planning family vacations or dealt with parents that never really grew up."Modern Family" is also easy to enjoy because it succeeds without many long-term plotlines

Wednesday nights are looking a little brighter with the return of ABC's Modern Family." Fresh off of the its fourth consecutive Emmy win for Outstanding Comedy Series, the sitcom returned on Sept. 25 with two back-to-back episodes for its fifth season premiere.

The first of the two episodes, "Suddenly, Last Summer" brought the viewers through the Pritchett clan's chaotic summer and up to the fall. A true highlight of the episode was Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell's (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) engagement story - finally made possible after Proposition 8, which barred same-sex marriage in California, was overturned this past June. Like many plotlines in the show, the proposal plans were initially farcical and rife with misunderstandings. Both men planned on proposing to the other in elaborate, romantic ways that could have ended in disaster - who didn't see that coming? But fitting the mold of the show, the story ended up being quite touching. The couple stopped on the highway to change a flat tire and, in a truly romantic moment, simultaneously said, "Yes!" to each other.

While Mitch and Cam's proposal could have been horribly sappy, the chemistry between them made the moment authentic and "aww"-worthy. The dynamic between all of the cast members - both romantic and familial - is one of the main reasons to keep coming back to the show. And the Emmy voters clearly agree.

"Modern Family" has won three Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and Julie Bowen, who plays Claire Dunphy, has twice picked up a trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Although this past season the show failed to collect, for the first time ever, any acting Emmys in the supporting categories, "Modern Family" still garnered five nominations - three for supporting actor and two for supporting actress. It is rare for all or almost all of a show's principal cast members to receive nominations, but any fan of "Modern Family" can easily understand why it is so critically acclaimed. The cast creates an incredible energy. If these first two episodes are any indication of the comedy's future, the acting looks as strong as ever.

As always, the child actors, who have improved noticeably over time, continue to contribute to the strength of their adult costars. Although Rico Rodriguez, who plays Manny, and Nolan Gould, as Luke, have seen their voices start to change, they are consistently both endearing and hilarious. The writers have also finally starting using the rather flat tone of Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who stars as Lily, to their advantage. A highlight of "Suddenly, Last Summer" was her exchange with Jay (Ed O'Neill), who assures his granddaughter, "Oh honey, no one ever leaves home and never comes back." Lily, who is adopted from Vietnam, responds wryly, "I did."

As the actors continue to deliver phenomenal performances, the writers will have to be careful as the comedy enters its fifth season. At this point in a sitcom's run, it is easy for a once funny and creative show to slip into a writing rut. While part of the show's appeal is the ridiculousness of the characters and the situations in which they put themselves, the writers should be wary of overdosing on this humor. "Modern Family" appeals to audiences because it is relatable. Many viewers have similarly struggled with planning family vacations or dealt with parents that never really grew up.

"Modern Family" is also easy to enjoy because it succeeds without many long-term plotlines

While Burberry was all about romance for Fall 2013, Miuccia Prada’s campaigns for both Prada and Miu Miu veered towards the dark and surreal.


Shot by photographer Steven Meisel under the hair-raising light of a cold and ominous casting studio, Prada’s Fall 2013 campaign serves as the perfect setting to showcase the film noir glamour of the fall collection. The campaign’s short film stars 9 models, who play the roles of hopeful actresses, preparing for auditions and reciting lines. The dark and desolate theme mirrored that of Prada’s Fall 2013 fashion week show in which models walked down a shadow-clad runway. Miuccia Prada, the designer behind the label, was quoted post-show by style.com saying “through cloth, you can really make movies,” reinforcing the theme of the campaign.



The short film stands out our radar for both it’s seriously dramatic tone and because of an appearance by 19-year-old model Malaika Firth, the first black model cast by the brand in almost two decades. Firth holds her own alongside top models Christy Turlington and Freja Beha which is a feat to say the least. The 9 model-strong cast is reminiscent of the label’s much lighter Spring 2013 advertising campaign, also shot by Meisel, in which 10 models embodied the delicate, frilly characteristics of flowers featured on garments in the Spring 2013 collection.

An equally dazzling cast of models is found in Miu Miu’s Fall 2013 campaign, which shows off the collection’s vivid colours and bold patterns against the moody backdrop of a seaside pier at twilight. Directed by Inez & Vinoodh, the campaign features a roster of It girls including Georgia May Jagger, Adriana Lima and Lindsey Wixson. Set to the The Meters’ “Hand Clapping Song,” the gaggle of free-spirited models dance against a vanishing horizon in the campaign’s short film. A dreary sea-side promenade has never looked so chic.

The curious settings for both campaigns are intriguing, to say the least. From Miu Miu’s polka-dot hankerchiefs and striped stockings, to Prada’s vibrant checkered coats and handbags, both ads encourage pops of colour for fall.
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