In 2005, about two years after "Hey Ya!" hit airwaves and Polaroid Corporation rode André 3000's coattails with the popularity of his lyric, "shake it like a Polaroid picture," Band of Outsiders released its very first Polaroid campaign.
The focus was holiday, with a few merry shots of model Mike Donahue wearing a sweater vest or a houndstooth tie and Santa hat, and, on occasion, clutching a bottle of whiskey and a candy cane. It felt familial, and the nostalgia-tinged, candid aesthetic worked. Ten years later, the Los Angeles-based has 20 more Polaroid campaigns and 900 pieces of instant film under its belt. As for the lightbulb moment that this would become A Thing, well, that came in 2009 when Jason Schwartzman ushered in a whole new era, says Scott Sternberg, the brand's founder and designer. Which is to say, lookbooks actually became fun.
Here, Scott shares his 10 all-time favorite Polaroid outtakes from the past 10 years. Take a peek and view his comments in the captions below each frame.
Shop all Band of Outsiders men's and women's. Plus, get your fill of special BoO anniversary goodies before it's too late—the Opening Ceremony New York, BoO shop-in-shop closes Monday, November 24!
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"I've known Rashida and Kidada since before I started Band. We always talked about doing a campaign and this particular season couldn't have been more perfect for them. Kidada is the definition of cool, Rashida is hilarious and so smart, and they're both so beautiful. Directing them and watching them interact on camera was really fun." Rashida and Kidada Jones, Fall/Winter 2013. All photos courtesy of Band of Outsiders ![]()
"The collection we were shooting took some inspiration from the Japanese film Battle Royale, so naturally we ended up at a Paintball arena. This place was slightly disturbing, but somehow made for a particularly beautiful backdrop. Greta was game for anything. She's rad." Greta Gerwig, Spring/Summer 2013![]()
"I still can't believe we actually shot Ed Ruscha. We stalked him for over a year to do it—politely, methodically—but I never actually thought he'd do it. He was so great in front of the camera and looked awesome in the clothes. Insanely cool day." Ed Ruscha, Spring/Summer 2012![]()
"This was the second campaign we shot with Michelle, who is a true Band fan and a great friend of the company. By this point she was a huge movie star, but still so down-to-earth and hadn't changed a bit, other than being much more comfortable in front of the camera. And that pixie cut—too good." Miche
The focus was holiday, with a few merry shots of model Mike Donahue wearing a sweater vest or a houndstooth tie and Santa hat, and, on occasion, clutching a bottle of whiskey and a candy cane. It felt familial, and the nostalgia-tinged, candid aesthetic worked. Ten years later, the Los Angeles-based has 20 more Polaroid campaigns and 900 pieces of instant film under its belt. As for the lightbulb moment that this would become A Thing, well, that came in 2009 when Jason Schwartzman ushered in a whole new era, says Scott Sternberg, the brand's founder and designer. Which is to say, lookbooks actually became fun.
Here, Scott shares his 10 all-time favorite Polaroid outtakes from the past 10 years. Take a peek and view his comments in the captions below each frame.
Shop all Band of Outsiders men's and women's. Plus, get your fill of special BoO anniversary goodies before it's too late—the Opening Ceremony New York, BoO shop-in-shop closes Monday, November 24!
"I've known Rashida and Kidada since before I started Band. We always talked about doing a campaign and this particular season couldn't have been more perfect for them. Kidada is the definition of cool, Rashida is hilarious and so smart, and they're both so beautiful. Directing them and watching them interact on camera was really fun." Rashida and Kidada Jones, Fall/Winter 2013. All photos courtesy of Band of Outsiders 
"The collection we were shooting took some inspiration from the Japanese film Battle Royale, so naturally we ended up at a Paintball arena. This place was slightly disturbing, but somehow made for a particularly beautiful backdrop. Greta was game for anything. She's rad." Greta Gerwig, Spring/Summer 2013
"I still can't believe we actually shot Ed Ruscha. We stalked him for over a year to do it—politely, methodically—but I never actually thought he'd do it. He was so great in front of the camera and looked awesome in the clothes. Insanely cool day." Ed Ruscha, Spring/Summer 2012
"This was the second campaign we shot with Michelle, who is a true Band fan and a great friend of the company. By this point she was a huge movie star, but still so down-to-earth and hadn't changed a bit, other than being much more comfortable in front of the camera. And that pixie cut—too good." Miche