Sea longing at Theyskens' Theory

Theyskens’ Theory spring 2013 ad campaign has a dark suspenseful mood carried out in a simple and effective manner. Starring Los Angeles model Wylie Hays, captured by Belgian photographer Willy Vanderperre, with styling by his long-time collaborator - fellow countryman Olivier Rizzo.

The stone pier washed by sea in a juxtaposition with the long, dark corridor are reminiscent of the goth romantic style of designer Olivier Theyskens’ first collections, a style which he exchanged for a cool minimalist aesthetic at the helm of Theyskens' Theory fashion brand. The unsettling feeling is given by the contrast between two worlds “one that is confined, hyperrealistic, and pragmatic and the other, emotional and disconnected”.

A graduate of fashion design and photography from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in  Antwerp alongside key Belgian couturiers, Willy Vanderperre’s intense, daring images have graced the pages of top fashion magazines including: V, Vogue, Numero, Arena Plus Homme, i-D and Another. He also signed advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, Veronique Branquinho, Raf Simons and Proenza Schouler.