Between the ridic nail art, band style, and facial hair happening this year, it's tough to keep up with it all before we officially cruise into 2013. But don't worry! We've got your back. The MTV Style crew has been scouring the internet for the ultimate best-of guide for 2012, and the best part is, it's only just beginning. Not that you REALLY needed an excuse to keep checking back, or anything...
Sure, advertisements are about pushing a product. But let's be real: sometimes the art direction, overall concept, or the star of the campaign is just SO good, that it doesn't even feel like an ad in the first place. These are images that you'll want to rip out (or print, because it's 2k12) and stash away in your drawer along with old issues of your favorite magazines or middle school art projects. At least that's how we feel, anyway, and we've waded through ALL of options this to year to present our very favorites. So whether it's starring a singer, an actor, or, ya know, a model, click through for the very best campaigns of 2012.
KATY PERRY FOR GHD: BEST MERMAID MUSE
Katy Perry for GHD.
Photo: Courtesy of GHD
With several GHD campaigns to her name already, Katy Perry has the super-glam, glossy fash thing on lock. But this shimmery edition stood out the most to us this year because a.) there's glitter, so obviously and b.) the combination of the Brooklyn bridge backdrop and seawater motif is just TOO good. Oh, and did we mention her side-swept purply-pink hair?! Well, let's just say Ariel would be jealous...
AZEALIA BANKS FOR ASOS: HAPPIEST HOLIDAY CHEER
Azealia Banks for ASOS.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
When we first got word that Azealia Banks would be joining Ellie Goulding and Charlotte Free as the newest ASOS girls, it was a total no-brainer that this was gonna be awesome. After all, we really can't think of anyone else we'd rather spend the holiday season partying with than AZ, can you? Between the clever marketing (free music, shoppable videos, and curated wish lists) and the supercute smiley ad, you'd have to be a Grinch NOT to have the #bestnightever.
ZAC EFRON FOR JOHN JOHN DENIM: MOST MUSCLY
Zac Efron for John John Denim.
Photo: Courtesy of John John Denim
Not that there was any question that Zac Efron has evolved from the squeaky clean High School Musical days or anything, BUT LOOK. He is all grown up, and he's out to prove it in the new campaign for John John Denim. He might be posing with muscle cars, but we're more focused on his actual muscles. Um, can you really blame us?
LANA DEL REY FOR H&M: BEST RETRO BOUFFANT
Lana Del Rey for H&M.
Photo: Courtesy of H&M
If there's one thing we know about Lana Del Rey, it's that this girl LOVES her bouffant. Her voluminous locks reached epic proportions in this year's much-hyped H&M campaign, perfectly complementing the retailer's new collection of effortless sweater dresses and cozy separates. Who knew hair could be such a statement accessory?
LADY GAGA FOR FAME FRAGRANCE: BEST BARE-ALL
Lady Gaga for Fame.
Photo: Courtesy of LittleMonsters.com/Steven Klein
Alright, we've got to give it to Lady Gaga: she's always finding new ways to shock us. And although it was tough to choose between her head-to-toe latex number she wore in her second Fame ad or the barely-there original, the image above REALLY speaks for itself. Little crawling men all over a sprawled-out, nude, Mother Monster? If that doesn't intrigue you enough to sniff the scent, then we honestly don't know what will.
LINDSEY WIXSON FOR MULBERRY: BEST MOVIE MOMENT
Lindsey Wixson for Mulberry.
Photo: Courtesy of Mulberry/Tim Walker
Where The Wild Things Are will always have a place in our hearts, but we never expected to see our favorite childhood tale pop up in high fashion. Leave it to Mulberry to give Maurice Sendak's story a designer twist with Tim Walker's gorgeous Fall 2012 photoshoot. Starring Lindsey Wixson and some of the model's furry friends, this creative campaign set the bar sky-high AND offered up more than enough fall fashion inspiration along with way.
SOLANGE FOR MADEWELL: BEST FASHION-MUSIC MATCH
Solange for Madewell.
Photo: via Madewell's Tumblr
There were plenty of musicians mugging for fashion brands this year, but no partnership seemed quite as effortless, quite as organic, as Solange Knowles for Madewell. The younger Knowles sis is a pro at mish-mashing patterns in a way that looks totally awesome AND doesn't give you a headache (which, trust us, is easier said than done!). Solange, can you just go ahead and teach a class in print-clashing already, please? Until that actually happens, we'll just keep watching this video over and over...
BETH DITTO FOR MAC: MOST EYE-OPENING
Beth Ditto for MAC.
Photo: Courtesy of MAC
Even though Beth Ditto's campaign for MAC dropped way back in January, it's forever cemented into our memories 11 months later because it's just THAT good. We love everything about the ad: the blue face dots, the careful symmetry, and the fact that the the awesome peeper motif is creative enough to finally come close to capturing the Gossip frontwoman's Bold (yes, with a capital B) steez.
IGGY AZALEA FOR HOUSE OF HOLLAND: BEST CALIFORNICATION
Iggy Azalea for House of Holland.
Photo: Via House of Holland
We totally predicted that Iggy was working with our boy Henry Holland on a hush-hush fashion project, and guess what, we were right. The Aussie rapper repped the British designer's debut collection of shades in a campaign that basically encapsulates everything we love about summer: sunshine, warmth, and really rad accessories. California dreaming, indeed!
A$AP ROCKY, DIPLO, AND PENN BADGLEY FOR ALEXANDER WANG: BEST DREAM TEAM
A$AP Rocky for Alexander Wang.
Photo: Via Alexander Wang
What do you get when you throw three of our favorite- albeit very different- guys together into a fashion film? In the case of Alexander Wang, it's a rare chance for us to watch A$AP Rocky, Diplo, and Penn Badgley in a fashion-centric environment, complete with slo-mo shots, personal deets, and close-ups of this triple threat in action. LOVE.
"The Big & Best of 2012: A Year End Celebration Presented by T-Mobile" goes LIVE at 12 p.m. ET on 12/12/12. Watch at BigAndBestOf2012.com for eight hours of live performances from stars like Bruno Mars and Miguel, special editions of "RapFix Live" with Ma$e and A$AP Rocky, "Big Morning Buzz Live," "MTV After Hours" with Norman Reedus, "You Oughta Know," surprise guest appearances, prize giveaways and much much more!
Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2012, including the Best Songs of 2012, Live Performances, Movies and EDM Videos of the year.
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