Terry Richardson Double Dares Valentino Lovers To "Take Me Out"

I’m curious what it is about these super-simple, ordinary, Terry Richardson tattoed arms that is so important to the folks at Valentino. Richardson continues with another 2015 Resort Valentino Accessories campaign that screams ‘We love Terry’ — as only Richardson’s egomaniac campaigns can bellow. “I’m the guy with the swingin’ big dick, and don’t you forget it,” Richardson informs us in his campaigns. 

Dear readers …  ahem … we know that Richardson has a big swingin’ dick because … well, because he’s photographed it for us. This is not creative license or an exaggerated metaphor on my part.

My long-held issues with Terry Richardson’s photography focus on talent, not his top-of-the-heap, badboy reputation in the fashion industry. And yes, I agree that Richardson was set up on an April 2014 Facebook message to UK model Emma Appleton.

Maybe Terry Richardson is really a great guy; I don’t know him personally. I love his sidekick Tom Ford to death, so don’t call me a prude. And anyone who spends 15 minutes on Anne of Carversville knows I’m not against a free expression of sexy in advertising or in bed.

This week Terry Richardson is drawn into the Bill Cosby controversy — and there is no way that Bill Cosby will dig himself out of this mess. His bag man has receipts from 40 years ago.

Today’s Daily News writes:

Former model Jewel Allison fully embraced the Bill Cosby mythos — family man, knit sweaters, pudding pop pitchman — until the night she accepted his dinner invitation.

By the time she headed back home, sexually abused and vomiting in the back of a cab, Allison harbored no more illusions about the oft-honored comedian.

“We may be looking at America’s greatest serial rapist that ever got away with this for the longest amount of time,” Allison told the Daily News last week. “H

I won’t even ask the questions rolling around in the press this week? You can read for yourself.

Why Is Bill Cosby’s Career Over, But Terry Richardson’s Isn’t? Buzzfeed

Bill Cosby and Terry Richardson: All Accusers Are Not Heard Equally Styleite

Personally, I have no issue with Terry Richardson shooting Miley’ Cyrus’s new ‘Golden Lady’ video. Miley’s a wild child and this is part of the brand persona she brings to Golden Lady. In this context Cyrus and Richardson get on well together.

But Valentino I do not understand. And if Valentino Fashion Group thinks it will ever take the company public, I ask again: what is it that Terry Richardson brings to your brand except mediocre photography and pictures of Terry Richardson.

The Boys Club

I understand buddies wanting to protect buddies but Tom Ford and Terry Richardson do not breathe the same air in the talent department — even when the intent is to be bawdy. When Richardson shot the famous Tom Ford for Men fragrance ad in 2007, I liked it — putting me in a select camp of women who didn’t see the image as degrading and treating women as sex objects.

The image was much more Tom Ford than Terry Richardson and true to his brand. LOL, it was slick and chic rauchy, and Richardson only does raunchy. Dear Valentino folks. If you think your new ad campaign is slick and chic raunchy, please get an honest opinion from Tom Ford. This is business.

This Valentino Accessories Resort 2015 campaign shot by Terry Richardson’s arms — it make NO sense to me. It’s almost as it Richardson and the Valentino team are waving a red flag before our eyes, saying “I double, double dare you to take me out, you up-tight fashionistas. “

Exactly what business sense is behind Valentino’s decision to embrace such a brand message? Call me stupified. ~ Anne

 

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