Remember those images of Kate Moss starring in the campaign for her collection with Fred and their uncanny resemblance to Moss' S/S12 David Yurman ads? Well, it looks like all hasn't been forgiven because the jeweller has dropped the model for fall 2012 and opted for Gisele Bundchen instead.
Changing models for campaigns isn't anything new but considering that reps from the brand called the Fred campaign 'embarrassingly similar' to the ones Moss posed for them the year before, this change was definitely a lot more personal. A source close to the brand reportedly confirmed this to the Daily Mail saying that 'David decided that after Kate's faux pas she just wasn't the right fit for the brand any longer.'
If you loved Kate Moss' campaigns for David Yurman, you'll love her recent ad for Paris-based luxury jeweler Fred. Yes, Moss schmoozes the camera in the way that only she knows how, but it's not just that. The latter campaign seems to strike an uncanny resembelance to Moss' S/S12 campaign for David Yurman. Although the company aren't happy about it, they have no intention of suing. “When you are a leader in your category, you get used to people copying you. We are confident consumers know the difference,” a rep told Page Six.
Do you think the similarities are worth the controversy?
Naomi Campbell has had her fair share of bad press over the last few years with several allegations of assault against her assistants. Despite the allegations none have had a serious impact on her modelling career. In fact, she famously booked that memorable TK Maxx TV advert ironically showing Campbell attack the price signs.
However, her recent alleged involvement with the handling of uncut blood diamonds is expected to prevent the model - who in the past has modelled for jewellers like David Yurman and Graff - from ever fronting a jewellery campaign again. According to the head of the industry's trade association, whether Campbell was aware that they were blood diamonds or not, no jewellery retailer will want to be associated with them or the former Liberian leader, Charles Taylor.
"The allegations around Charles Taylor involve such abuse of human rights, cruelty, violence and elicit war, it's just another level, another magnitude," said Sally Morrisson, the director of the Diamond Information Centre. "It might not be her fault, she might not have done anything wrong it might only be by association but working with her would be a step backward for the industry that has worked so hard to address the issue of conflict diamonds."
Do you think the response of the jewellery industry has been fair to the model?
