Summary:
- Photographer Juergen Teller shoots the campaign inside the historic Belloni showroom in Italy.
- The collection pairs corseted knitwear with ornate Italian furniture from the classic workshop.
- Italian icon Ilona Staller joins street-cast models to represent subversive glamour.
Creative director Andreas Kronthaler positions the Vivienne Westwood Fall/Winter 2026 campaign inside the historic showroom of Belloni, a traditional furniture company in Barlassina, Italy. This family-owned business holds over 150 years of history in cabinet making. Kronthaler selected this setting after visiting the workshop, drawing inspiration from his personal move to Milan. Longtime collaborator Juergen Teller worked alongside creative partner Dovile Drizyte to capture the collection despite intense outdoor temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius. The resulting visuals frame the seasonal garments inside opulent salons, private studies, and detailed boudoirs.
The photographs present a sharp contrast between classical Italian heritage design and the subverted tailoring of the British fashion house. Gilded Rococo revival sofas, Art Deco cabinets, and Neoclassical seating arrangements provide backdrops for the wardrobe. The collection features heavy, dark felted fabrics with sudden flashes of bright red. The models wear these garments alongside draped dresses containing raw edges and exposed stockings. The structured Harris Tweed coats and corseted knitwear provide a firm counterweight to the historic environment, proving the clothing holds substantial weight next to expert construction.
Casting acts as a central element of the campaign. The brand mixes professional agency models with local street-cast individuals, establishing a raw, direct connection to the viewer. This cast functions like a contemporary Canterbury Tales, presenting distinct personalities passing through a shared environment. This choice mirrors the Geoffrey Chaucer references from the Fall/Winter runway show.
Italian cultural icon, former politician, and adult film actress Ilona Staller, famous under her moniker Cicciolina, appears in the campaign. Her participation brings a strong note of subversive glamour and local specificity. Staller poses in the showroom wearing black lace gloves, flower crowns, and long, low-cut knit dresses. Her presence prevents the campaign from feeling like a standard luxury catalog. Instead, her distinct persona contrasts with the historic, classic interiors, drawing attention to the rebellious attitude of the fashion house.
Andreas Kronthaler expressed his admiration for Staller, noting her status as an icon who connects different audiences. The creative director himself also joins the cast, posing alongside the models to emphasize the personal nature of the project. By placing the raw punk garments against the gold damask and trompe-l'œil wallpaper of the Belloni showroom, the team presents a narrative of coexistence. The campaign relies on authentic artistry and historic architecture to highlight the structural details of the clothing, creating a dialogue between British punk aesthetics and classic Italian manufacturing.
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