Is Michael Phelps still in hot water over these LV photos?

Following all the hoopla over Louis Vuitton's latest campaign featuring the already-legendary Michael Phelps, news broke out that he may be in trouble for allegedly violating the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Rule 40, which provides that Olympians cannot promote brands that are not official sponsors between July 18 and August 15. The first photo, featuring Phelps in Speedos while in a bathtub, was leaked on August 13.

Phelps's agent, however, assured that the swimmer won't be losing any of his medals since Phelps had no hand in the leak. This was later seconded by an IOC official, according to a report from businessinsider.com. So I guess it's all settled then. Besides, the official ad campaign (not the one with Phelps in a tub) is A-grade.


Shot yet again by Annie Leibovitz, the ad features Phelps -- who looks dashing in a three-piece suit, by the way -- with former gymnast Larisa Latynina, whose 48-year-old record as the most decorated Olympian ever with 18 medals Phelps had just smashed in London (his total now stands at 22)* casually seated on a couch as if engaged in a light conversation. I've always loved Leibovitz's work and with how she always manages to make her subjects look better than they actually are. I also love how candid this photo looks.

As for the bathtub photo that started it all, while LV has not released it as an official campaign ad, it is nonetheless striking. It definitely was worthy of all the buzz that it generated.

michael phelps for lv 02

LV's core values campaign have previously featured boxer Muhammad Ali, actor Sean Connery, astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell and Sally Ride, musician Keith Richards, and actress Angelina Jolie, among others.

*Latynina's record for individual event medals (14), however, still holds.

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 23, 2012 at 11:59 PM

    He is becoming an icon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 24, 2012 at 12:45 AM

    Awwwh, stunning !

    xoxo
    ysophisticates.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andudei HardyantaAugust 24, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    He's going to be an outstanding icon.
    He looks great on suit.

    ReplyDelete
  4. roberto syriousAugust 24, 2012 at 3:54 PM

    they choose a very good men as testimonial!
    he is stylish and he has a great body! quite perfect mix!
    xoxo

    Syriously in Fashion
    Syriously Facebook Page

    ReplyDelete
  5. The White ListAugust 24, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    I doubted he was going to lose them. Olympians love a good hero and he earned his medals so I'm sure they would have found a way to make the issue go away.

    Liking the ad campaigns as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. halfwhiteboyAugust 25, 2012 at 11:19 AM

      there would probably be outrage if he was stripped of his medals.

      Delete
  6. dimitriAugust 24, 2012 at 6:20 PM

    He is very interesting. He looks great in these photos. It's a very nice campaign.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Street Fashion ParisAugust 24, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    Lookis very interesting!!! pretty decent campaign!!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownAugust 24, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Awesome post!!! Looooooooove that photo ...u know wich one :D :D :D

    Gladly follow you, man!

    Hope to hear soon with u!


    Have a happy weekend, love!!!

    www.nicoleta.me

    ReplyDelete
  9. JessicaAugust 24, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    thanks for following, i followed you back! this one is funny to me because on one hand i don't see the big deal if he endorses other things he is going to before and after so does it really matter if he does during the olypmics? but also i don't see why he couldn't have just waited a couple weeks until it wasn't an issue haahh either way the guy has the all time record as an olympic champion, i think we should cut him a little slack right??

    -Jessica
    http://www.jumpintopuddles.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. halfwhiteboyAugust 25, 2012 at 11:20 AM

      there's an IOC rule prohibiting them from doing so.

      Delete
  10. SHOP STYLE CONQUERAugust 25, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    he is becoming pretty famous!

    x

    ♥ Ellen
    SHOPSTYLECONQUER.COM

    ReplyDelete
  11. halfwhiteboyAugust 25, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. AndreasAugust 31, 2012 at 4:56 AM

    Love this!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ana CarneiroSeptember 4, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Love this campaign! Especially the first photo, incredible!

    My Own Project

    ReplyDelete

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