Blame it on the economic downturn and the increasing push from high-fashion designers to appeal to a wider demographic: big name brands from Rodarte and Zac Posen to Derek Lam are getting into the fashion advertising game for the first time this season. According to Women’s Wear Daily, Derek Lam shot his first ad campaign in San Francisco last week -- the fruits of which feature model Karmen Pedaru in Fall 09 Lam, shot by seasoned fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo. But Lam is by no means the first designer getting his feet wet with advertising this year.

As Fashionista points out, “this month we’ve seen Rodarte’s proper campaign debut in V and Zac Posen’s first ever ad, for Spring 09, shot by Ellen Von Unwerth for Spanish Indie mag Fanzine 137.” Out of the premiere fashion ads, I’d have to credit Rodarte’s as the most innovative. The Pasadena-born and based brand collaborated with music and art photographer Autumn de Wilde (who is responsible for snapping iconic album covers for the likes of Beck, Elliot Smith, and the White Stripes among others). And the ads, which feature model and Jack White wifey Karen Elson, no doubt benefit from de Wilde’s ethereal, evocative aesthetic sensibilities. Blood-spatter has never looked so chic.