Dsquared2 and Nadia Lee Cohen Pay Homage To Hollywood Pornos
The golden age of San Fernando Valley's adult film industry was the inspiration behind visionary photographer Nadia Lee Cohen's S/S 24 campaign for Dsquared2.
The golden age of San Fernando Valley's adult film industry was the inspiration behind visionary photographer Nadia Lee Cohen's S/S 24 campaign for Dsquared2.
Does sex still sell? Dsquared2 is banking on it with their S/S 24 campaign created in collaboration with image-maker Nadia Lee Cohen. In a daring move (fitting for the Canadian-born Italian megabrand), Cohen takes inspiration from the 90s pornography boom of San Fernando Valley, the epicentre of the adult film industry.
'I have always been fascinated by the rise and fall of this period,' writes Cohen in the press release. 'Authenticity was key: we intentionally gave the actors their lines only on the morning of the shoot – that’s how it would have happened on an adult set in the 90s. This of course resulted in clunky, deadpan delivery and numerous mistakes, which, to me, only made the whole thing all the more charming.'
The carefully selected cast includes models Nataša Vojnović along with Tony Ward whose iconic role in Hustler White defined homoeroticism and Los Angeles hustler culture in the 1980s. Haley Wollens, known for her signature unexpected and perfectly mismatched styling, brings an effortless appeal to the shoot that's perfectly undone.
'We're so excited to have been able to work with our good friend and collaborator Nadia Lee Cohen on this campaign as we have such a longstanding relationship with her and her work', explain co-creative directors Dean and Dan Caten. 'She has such an innate understanding of our ideas and really brings them to life while adding her own signature flair. Nadia is an incredible storyteller and was the perfect person to capture and convey the exact aesthetic we were going for with this collection.'
Cohen's flair for the provocative has made her a favourite among fashion circles in recent years. She was just tapped by Skims to create the ultimate pin-up-inspired campaign for the shapewear brand's Valentine's Day collection starring Lana Del Rey. While typically inspired by the nostalgia of mid-century Americana's seedier side, seeing her reimagine the 90s so authentically speaks to her ability and versatility as one of today's top image-makers.