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Desert Stories
7 Min Reading
In celebration of our 30th anniversary in 2017, Oliver Peoples partnered with pioneering photographer Peter Lindbergh for one of their most ambitious campaigns, Desert Stories.
From its inception in 1987, Oliver Peoples has developed iconic imagery and campaigns that reflect our commitment to integrity, craftsmanship, and timeless luxury. In celebration of our 30th anniversary in 2017, we partnered with pioneering photographer Peter Lindbergh for our then most ambitious campaign to date, Desert Stories. Over his prolific career, Lindbergh has paved the way for gentler, more lifelike standards of beauty through honest portraits with a cinematic feel. It was this commitment to going beyond glossy perfection that Lindbergh brought to bear in Desert Stories, a campaign that still marks a high point in our aesthetic journey.
The photo series centers on four friends as they meander through an abandoned diner on the backroads of the Mojave Desert. Fashion icon and supermodel Amber Valletta ushers an all-star cast giving nods to both the legacy and future of the Oliver Peoples brand: 90’s male model du jour, Alex Lundqvist, current editorial staple, Jac Monika, and newcomer Levi Dylan—son of Jakob Dylan and grandson to Bob Dylan.
Picturesque Joshua Trees dotting the topography, striking mountain ridges, and a cloud-speckled sky all add cinematic depth to the monochromatic narrative. And as the band of travelers ranges over their newfound desert haven, the viewer is enticed to speculate: Where are they going?
Where have they been? What journey are they on? As such, the Desert Stories campaign encapsulates the penchant of Californians to pursue their curiosity wherever it might lead them, to stray from the beaten path in search of more, and to create unforgettable memories in even the most deserted of places.
Gracefully candid details like angelic wisps of hair are staples of Lindbergh’s images. The stray locks add a human element, something we all connect with. Soft focus backgrounds convey a dreamlike place—a recent memory or an experience we’re longing for.
Peter Lindbergh’s images transformed space, light, and faces into iconic vignettes. It was an honor to work with such a renowned photographer. His ability to encourage the most honest expressions and create beautiful imagery will continue to inspire us.
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