The New Man In Miley's Life

We're all for idiosyncratic, faux-candid ads, but Marc Jacobs' Spring 2014 campaign featuring Miley Cyrus looking despondent is truly unprecedented. Photographed by David Sims and styled by Katie Grand, the campaign looks like the aftermath of a beachfront shindig gone horribly wrong. Cyrus stares sullenly into the distance wearing the designer's embroidered navy jacket and crimson shorts; a second image shows the performer rocking a pair of Jacobs' sunglasses.

The melancholic look of the ad campaign is a departure from Jacobs' typical aesthetic, which in past seasons featured a famous face against a light-flooded backdrop. Nylon magazine noted that the ad campaign reflects the runway design for Jacobs' Spring 2014 collection, which featured the same grungy beachfront vibe. Models sauntered down a litter-strewn, grassy catwalk complete with abstract sculptures in the background. While the motivation behind the ad campaign is clear, it doesn't make a petulant Cyrus perched next to an unconscious-looking model any less unsettling.

However, Cyrus's campaign seems to be directly in line with the actress's emotionally raw artistic efforts of late. From her controversial Wrecking Ball video to the many, many selfies on her social media accounts showing the singer in various emotional states, Cyrus has officially erased her Hannah Montana reputation in favor of a much grittier one.

The debut of her campaign for Jacobs also marks a sartorial turning point for Cyrus. The Huffington Post comments that Cyrus nabbing a campaign with a high caliber designer like Jacobs is a huge coup for the actress, especially in light of reported snubs by fashion industry leaders including Anna Wintour.

Does this mean Cyrus is the new face of edgy downtown couture? The use of clothing that doesn't resemble a stuffed animal or a onesie seems to be a step in the right direction. It remains to be seen whether other designers will soon be clamoring to feature Cyrus in their ads, but for the moment, it appears the singer won't stop until she's conquered the fashion world.

Images: Marc Jacobs; mileycyrus/Instagram