Introducing Puppets and Puppets’ Postmodern Mona Lisa

In a world where high fashion is intertwined with art, Puppets and Puppets stands out with its surrealist, audacious spirit. From banana-handle bags to the coveted cookie top handle, designer Carly Mark finds herself at the forefront of blurring the boundaries between the two mediums with experimental, pop art-inspired creations. Staying true to the powerhouse brand’s irreverent nature, Mark places herself in front of the camera to star in the S/S 25 campaign as an ode to art's original it-girl, the Mona Lisa.

In this surreal series, she reclines in a minimalist black ensemble, her gaze distant and enigmatic, evoking the Da Vinci muse with a hint of irony. Behind her, a replica of the timeless masterpiece looks on, an icon of the old world in quiet conversation with the avant-garde. Mark sits in an ordinary plastic chair, but with a poise that turns it into a throne. It's an ode to the beautifully bizarre, redefining elegance in its rejection of convention. The hallmark of Puppets and Puppets' ethos.

The campaign was shot by London-based photographer Luca Khouri, with styling by Taylor Thoroski. Following her sartorially bare S/S 25 show (the brand’s first since relocating to London), Mark’s attire—a stark black bra and laced thigh-highs—drips with understated sensuality. The muted tones and raw styling highlight Mark’s unfiltered presence, transforming her into a postmodern Mona Lisa, alluring yet unreachable. It’s a bold statement, challenging conventions of beauty and sophistication.

Her allure is heightened by the real star of the campaign: The Pillow. Introduced at the September show, this leather shoulder bag is the first accessory introduced by the brand since leaving New York. The sculptured silhouette, with corners cinched by leather harness straps, adds a new layer of elevated kink to a brand previously renowned for its playful wit.

Combined with Mark's enigmatic presence and Khouri's gritty imagery, the campaign signals a new era for Puppets and Puppets: where wit becomes wonder, where irony meets elegance, and where high fashion and art find holy matrimony. Here, fashion is not just a garment—it’s a playful, provocative statement that defies definition.