Designer makeover for animated duo

9:59pm Monday 25th August 2008

Fashion chain Harvey Nichols has chosen Oscar-winning animated duo Wallace and Gromit as the face of their new store.

The wardrobe of the maverick inventor and his canine sidekick has been given a designer make-over as part of an advertising campaign for the new outlet in Bristol.

Promotional shots include unlikely style icon Wallace swapping his green tank top and string vest for a Dolce & Gabbana fitted shirt, Armani tie and an Alexander McQueen cashmere jacket.

In another he wears a woollen Prince of Wales check grey two-piece suit by Paul Smith while Gromit dons a pair of Ray Ban wayfarer sunglasses and Duchamp silk scarf.

A third picture sees Wallace's love interest Lady Tottington wearing a black draped jersey Acorn dress by Alexander McQueen, red patent Triclo shoes by Christian Louboutin and metallic bronze Puffy bag by Zagliani. The shots will be used on posters and in magazine adverts in the run up to the store's opening in September.

They were chosen to front the campaign because Bristol is where animator Nick Park created the duo whose hit films The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and Curse Of The Were-Rabbit have been a worldwide success.

Julia Bowe, marketing director of Harvey Nichols, said: "We were delighted that these two characters so close to the heart of Bristol agreed to appear in our ad campaign for the launch of our sixth store in the UK. I hope that now they have started they will continue to shop with us".

Mr Park said: "Wallace usually shops at Tank Top Man so this is a big transformation for him.

"He isn't exactly known for his up to the minute fashion sense but I know he's feeling pleased with himself, it's great to see him looking so chic and stylish.

"I caught him looking at his reflection in a shop front window on West Wallaby Street the other day, he says he looks and feels 10 years younger. Gromit reckons it'll be moisturiser next!"

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