What would you say to a flower if you had the chance? What secrets would it unveil? 

Prada’s latest Fall/Winter 2023 women’s and men’s campaign dives headfirst into this whimsical notion. Beauty, care, and love—three eternal, timeless values of humanity. Delving into these values, Prada presents “In Conversation with a Flower”, a campaign that breathes life into these universal emotions. 

Through the enchanting depictions of flowers—storied symbols of tenderness and affection—the campaign unveils an exchange between humanity and nature. These human-sized flowers interact with the five campaign stars—Benedict Cumberbatch, Hunter Schafer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Letitia Wright, and Li Xian. Prada partners with these esteemed actors to reflect on its long-standing relationship with cinema as an expression of cultural ideas and ideals. It is apparent these stars have a knack for evoking emotions in motion pictures but the campaign illustrates their ability to evoke raw emotion in still images.

Each campaign photo tells a story. 

Within the campaign’s captivating frames, Benedict Cumberbatch, a BAFTA, Emmy, and Laurence Olivier Award-winning actor commands attention. Here, the flower and Cumberbatch stand as equals, exuding an aura of shared curiosity, showcasing the actor’s unyielding influence in the industry. His eyes, brimming with intrigue as he meets the flower in a conversation that seems to transcend the boundaries of status. 

Hunter Schafer, an American actress and artist who gained global recognition through her captivating performance in A24’s nine-time Emmy-winning series, Euphoria and for her work co-writing the special episode Fuck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob, casts her enchanting spell upon the flower. Mimicking each other’s movements, their interaction reveals an undeniable intimacy. It highlights Schafer’s captivating allure and unwavering determination, underscoring her blossoming creative career.

Australian actor Kodi Smit-McPhee, known for his roles in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Dark Phoenix, engages in a compelling tug-of-war with his flower companion. While the stems of his flower reach out to the actor, Smit-McPhee pulls away holding raw intensity through his gaze. The dark tango between the flower and Smit-McPhee emanates a captivating darkness that complements his acting history while illustrating the inherent beauty that lies within.

Letitia Wright, an award-winning Guyanese-British actor and producer, achieved global acclaim for her portrayal of Princess Shuri in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther. Standing tall and seemingly closed off from the flower, their encounter appears to be a standoff between two formidable forces. This captivating interaction magnifies Wright’s strength of character and the ever-increasing heights of her career.

Chinese actor Li Xian, renowned for his breakthrough role in the romantic comedy television series Go Go Squid!, exudes confidence as he leans in, metaphorical feathers puffing like a bird in competition. Meanwhile, the flower’s petals bloom larger in response. Their mutual intrigue forms a magnetic bond, symbolizing Xian’s unwavering confidence and his ever-growing success. 

Each conversation between the stars and their flowers unfolds as a story—a tale of harmony. The campaign masterfully captures the essence of these encounters, with each figure artfully mimicking the style and spirit of their floral companions as photographer Willy Vanderperre’s imagery transcends reality and presents a surreal sequence of dialogues that are both literal and visual.