Adriana Lima Hairstyle on Donna Karan Spring 2012 Campaign

Adriana Lima Hairstyle on Donna Karan Spring 2012 Campaign 1

Graphic Spring - Adriana Lima stars in the spring 2012 campaign from Donna Karan, photographed by Russell James. Inspired by the work of Haitian artist Philippe Dodard, the advertisements were shot on location in Jacmel showcasing the collection’s graphic prints. Donna Karan has taken yet another Victoria's Secret Angel under her wing. After tapping Isabeli Fontana for her politically minded Fall 2011 ads, the designer takes a sultrier and more exotic tack with her just-released Spring 2012 campaign starring Adriana Lima. Shot in Haiti by photographer Russell James, the Brazilian beauty smolders in tribal prints and statement horn necklaces made by local Haitian artists. The historic Hotel Florita is the stunning (and Graham Greene-esque) backdrop as Lima models a black halter top and graphic-print circle skirt, while an inky printed one-shoulder dress takes inspiration from Haitian artist Philippe Dodard. Another image provides a bit more local color as Lima shows off her lingerie model figure in a plunging olive green silk jumpsuit aboard a "tap tap" bus. "Bringing awareness to Haiti has become a personal passion," glam grandma Karan says in a press statement. "For Spring, it was also my creative inspiration, bringing my two worlds together. This campaign, shot in Jacmel, infuses the vibrant spirit of Haiti into a sexy New York sophistication. Experience the seduction, art, body, and soul.”

Adriana Lima Hairstyle on Donna Karan Spring 2012 Campaign 2

An image from Donna Karan's spring/summer 2012 ad campaign featuring Adrianna Lima with two Haitian children has been met with disapproval from many fashion watchers across the internet. Photographed by Russell James, the ad campaign was inspired by the work of Haitian artist Philippe Dodard and shot on location in Jacmel in the south of the country. In one of the images from the ad campaign, supermodel (and Victoria's Secret Angel) Adriana Lima wears an olive green jumpsuit and strikes a sultry pose while two local children appear to blend into the shadowed background. Fashion commenter's across the internet immediately suggested that the ad has racist undertones. Donna Karan's intent was for the ad campaign to draw attention to the plight of the Haitians. It should also be noted that Donna Karan spent a considerable amount of time in Haiti following the tragic earthquake last year, and her spring/summer 2012 collection is heavily influenced by her continuous charity work there. Designer Donna Karan hand picked Brazilian beauty, Adriana Lima as the star of her Spring / Summer 2012 collection. In the ads, shot in the southern town of Jacmel, Haiti, a tanned and sultry Lima wears muted, earth tones and graphic pieces inspired by Haitian culture. After spending time in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, Karan’s designs were inspired by local artisans, one being artist Philippe Dodard.

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According to an article in Briton’s Telegraph newspaper, the campaign has provoked some controversy. Some have referenced the use of the natives in the background of a high-fashion shoot as an insensitive attack on the poverty-stricken country. But Karan does seem to have an emotional sentiment towards Haiti and its plight. According to Urban Zen, Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti was set up by the designer with the mission not only to save lives, but also to “honor Haiti’s rich past and indigenous culture” and to “build a bridge “so that the future Haiti would be a connected and sustainable country. Lima does a fanastic job showcasing the collection which was shot by Karan’s photographer friend, Russell James. In one of the images, she appears nonchalant, sitting on a “tap tap” taxi wearing a plunge-neck romper paired with leather-strapped sandals, as an oversized opaque charm hangs from her neck. In another image, she wears a graphic skirt with a necktie to match. Lima's iconic deep gaze also helps set the tone of the ads.

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Karan told WWD that she had never used Lima before but is “totally in love with her.” She explained Lima represents "the heart and soul of Haiti." The campaign will launch in March and will appear in fashion and lifestyle books. A 16-page image brochure that details the inspiration behind the campaign is also in the works. Donna Karan’s spring 2012 collection was heavily influenced by the time the designer spent in Haiti following the earthquake–so it was only fitting that she shoot her spring ad campaign there. “Bringing awareness to Haiti has become a personal passion,” Karan said in a release. “For Spring, it was also my creative inspiration, bringing my two worlds together. This campaign, shot in Jacmel, infuses the vibrant spirit of Haiti into a sexy New York sophistication.” Her spring 2012 collection was inspired by Haitian artist Philippe Dodard. Karan enlisted her photographer friend Russell James of collaborative art project “Nomad Two Worlds” to shoot the visuals, and tapped Brazilian model Adriana Lima, best known as a Victoria’s Secret angel, to appear in it. “I have never used her before, and I am totally in love with her,” Karan told WWD. “She shows the heart and soul of Haiti.”

Adriana Lima Hairstyle on Donna Karan Spring 2012 Campaign 5

Shot in the Southern Haiti town of Jacmel, several of the atmospheric images feature Lima in the Hotel Florita or on a “tap tap” taxi typical to Haiti. The campaign will break in fashion and lifestyle books in March, and the company is also producing a 16-page image brochure for consumers with more photos and details about the inspiration for the season and campaign. Donna Karan's Spring 2012 collection is heavily influenced by her charity work in Haiti. The designer spent time there following the tragic earthquake last year, focusing upon initiatives dedicated to exporting Haitan craftsmanship and artistry, and rebuilding communities. Photographed by Russell James, the shoot was inspired by the work of Haitian artist Philippe Dodard and shot on location in Jacmel in the south of the country. Model, Adriana Lima poses amongst local residents in graphic dresses and earth-toned hues, from the spring/summer 2012 collection. Lima is a Brazilian model, most famous for her Victoria's Secret Angel body. "I have never used her before, and I am totally in love with her" said Karan to WWD . "She shows the heart and soul of Haiti." In one of the images, however, the local children appear to blend into the shadowed background behind the model. A commenter labelled as Circe on Fashion Gone Rogue refers to them as "minorities in the background." A commenter, identified as StrawHat on the Huffington Post , notes that "using the downtrodden as props for high-fashion shoots smacks of completely insensitive imperialistic attitudes."

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There are lots of issues in our world that cause controversies, and plenty of those relate to the fashion industry. Using a younger model to promote women’s clothing, wearing fur, or even smoking a cigarette are all considered to be potentially risky. Donna Karan’s Spring 2012 campaign with Adriana Lima seemed to me pretty normal. But some people noticed something racist in it. Ridiculous!. Adriana Lima looks gorgeous and fierce on images for Donna Karan Spring 2012 ad campaign which was inspired by the designer’s charitable trip to Haiti right after the earthquake that shook the island last year. The controversy arises from one of the three photos where the model poses with two kids on the left. Kids are said to be local Haitians, so their skin is naturally dark. Lima, being Brazilian, has lighter skin. And according to some people the contrast in skin color has clear racist undertones.