The unlikely pair form “the iconic Givenchy couple” in a series of surreal clips posted on the house’s Instagram
Revealed on Instagram via a trio of surreal short films, British actress Charlotte Rampling and American designer Marc Jacobs are the faces of Givenchy’s Spring/Summer 2020 campaign. The somewhat unlikely pairing – it is unusual to draft a designer from another label as a campaign star – nonetheless sparked excitement on social media, making it perhaps the most talked-about campaign of the year so far.
“I am Charlotte Rampling,” says Jacobs in one of the clips; “I am Marc Jacobs,” Rampling replies, before repeating themselves until nonsensical (Jacobs ends by stumbling over his surname, saying “lamb chop” instead). In another – much-retweeted – clip, Rampling slaps Jacobs around the face. “I love Charlotte, and would get slapped by her anytime,” Jacobs replied to Givenchy’s Instagram post. The clips purportedly depict an acting practice called the Meisner technique, developed by theatre practioner Sanford Meisner in which repetition is used to reveal an actor’s inner-most feelings.
However it’s not the first time that Rampling and Jacobs have worked together. In 2003, the actress starred in Jacob’s Spring/Summer 2004 campaign, photographed by Juergen Teller. Titled Self Portrait with Charlotte Rampling, the images depict Teller – wearing only a pair of silk boxer shorts – on a bed, cradled by the actress. Rampling also returned for Jacobs’ Spring/Summer 2007 menswear campaign alongside the photographer William Eggleston, once again captured by Teller.
“This season, Charlotte Rampling and Marc Jacobs form the iconic Givenchy couple,” wrote Givenchy on the Instagram posts. The full campaign will be revealed tomorrow.