Bella Hadid stars in J.W.Anderson’s new campaign

With the kind of versatility that means she looks as natural posing as the new face of Dior beauty as she does Snapchatting selfies, Bella Hadid is officially owning this year. Revealed today as the star of J.W.Anderson’s AW16 campaign, the model’s latest role is a testament to that. 

Shot by longterm Anderson collaborators Jamie Hawkesworth and Benjamin Bruno, Hadid is cast as a screen actress caught in a candid moment backstage. The portraits are contrasted with a photograph of a young boy with a puppet, further highlighting her role as a character. As well as Hawkesworth and Bruno, famed art direction duo M/M Paris also worked on the images, along with celebrated make-up artist Peter Philips and hairstylist Syd Hayes.

The series marks the first time that the brand has used a model of similar stature, having previously opted for lesser-known faces. “When we were discussing the general concept of the campaign, we wanted a beautiful girl with a strong personality,” Anderson shared of his casting choice. “Bella’s name came up and it was then decided!”

As for the collection itself, it featured dramatically futuristic silhouettes, studded details and rows of zips that encircled trouser legs and hips. The only clue to Anderson’s thought process came in the form of a quote by interior designer David Hicks – “The excitement of today is in the freedom of the individual to make his own choice and the vast range of possibilities from which he may choose”. The words were fitting for Anderson’s fashion, where instead of being force-fed prescriptive press releases, the is audience or wearer is invited to interpret it as they wish.