Marc Jacobs Shows Susan Sarandon’s Rebellious Side

Last night, designer Marc Jacobs revealed the new face of their fall 2016 ad campaign—actress Susan Sarandon.

“SUSAN, Seduction Like so many teenagers, I spent countless Friday and Saturday nights at midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the 8th Street Playhouse (which is still standing!) and the Festival Theatre on 57th Street (which has long since closed). TRHPS was a coming of age and right of passage. It became an invitation (or excuse) to dress up and express oneself fearlessly. The cult classic made it cool for boys to wear sequins, satin and fishnets. I fell in love with Susan Sarandon’s onscreen portrayal of Janet during her “loss of innocence” scene by way of a crossdressing alien and her giddy, ecstatic rendition of, “touch-a, touch-a, touch me…” There was a subtle rebellious quality that I found in Susan with how she chose to play Janet and perhaps (as I now look back on it) her decision as a young actor to take a role in a film that challenged the notion of gender roles. In the hyper-stylized, gothic film, The Hunger, Susan’s portrayal as the lesbian love interest of vampire Catherine Deneuve was yet another progressive challenging of normal and a testament to Susan’s artistic exploration of boundaries. It was in my early days at Perry Ellis when I first had the privilege of meeting Susan. Her intelligence, courage, strength, conviction and ballsiness has always been so admirable to me. There’s an inherent seductive quality in Susan as a woman who always speaks her mind and an artist who takes risks. Her talent as an actress is one of extraordinary range, talent and power. The stunning Susan Sarandon by David Sims for our Fall ’16 ad campaign.” -@themarcjacobs • Photographed by David Sims Styled by @kegrand Casting by @bitton Hair by @guidopalau Makeup by @diane.kendal Nails by @jinsoonchoi Set design by @stefanbeckman #MJFW16

A photo posted by Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) on Jun 28, 2016 at 7:29am PDT

In the photo shot by David Sims, Susan is wearing a cleavage-baring dress, and was named “Seduction” in the post. But aside from her sexy portrayal of Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Marc says he saw something different about her.

“There was a subtle rebellious quality that I found in Susan with how she chose to play Janet and perhaps (as I now look back on it) her decision as a young actor to take a role in a film that challenged the notion of gender roles,” he writes on Instagram.

Even though Susan’s photo is meant to exude physical seductiveness, Marc says he admires her “inherent seductive quality in Susan as a woman who always speaks her mind and an artist who takes risks. Her talent as an actress is one of extraordinary range, talent and power.”

This campaign isn’t just another sexy shot of a woman. Let’s not overlook Susan’s talents and how she got to where she is now. And we should think that towards other women as well.

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