Loewe Basks in the Glow of Tyler Mitchell's Lens

Jonathan Anderson’s artful spin on Loewe has taken a journey home. For the Fall 2019 campaign, the Spanish brand’s creative director brings the collection from its runway debut at Paris Fashion Week to Toledo, Spain, using the city’s historic landmarks—particularly the Piedra del Rey Moro and the Museum of Santa Cruz—as a grounding backdrop for his exuberant, playful designs.

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the ancient metropolis is a melting pot of influences: Christian, Muslim, Jewish. It’s a diversity reflected in the lineup of idiosyncratic looks Anderson created through wild juxtapositions of colors and cuts: a sky blue button-down with yellow leather chaps topped off with a bullet-shaped cap; a tan monastic-style hooded dress with leather boots and square-frame sunglasses; an oversized varsity sweater with striped drawstring pants and check-print wool scarf; necklaces and headpieces made of wallets.

Anderson, to be sure, takes a cerebral approach with his designs, always pushing the envelope on wearable fashion. Yet, the presentation here—models standing near notable artworks or trekking through picturesque fields—roots the clothes and accessories in reality, albeit a somewhat peculiar one.

Such presentations have become somewhat of a trademark for the campaign’s photographer, Tyler Mitchell.  The 24-year-old wunderkind who shot Beyoncé’s 2018 September Vogue has developed a knack for imbuing outré fashions with a cool, everyday vibe through his images. He takes away the pretentiousness, the unattainable quality that is often associated with high-fashion pictures, replacing it with a welcoming glow. To whit, it makes Anderson’s collection shine brighter.