Lara Stone: American Fairytale

Dutch stunner Lara Stone plays a modern-day Dorothy swept away by a Californian desert storm in Alex Prager’s blustery new short. Starring the gap-toothed beauty alongside the sleek Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster, the film is part of the German luxury automaker’s autumn/winter 2012 “Icons of Style” campaign. Described by the director as “Mary Poppins meets The Wizard of Oz meets James Bond,” the fanciful short was shot in the dusty surrounds of Los Angeles. As well as conveying a sense of danger, Prager says her creation aimed to give “the impression that Lara is going somewhere interesting, off on a secret mission tucked away in those suitcases.” Known for her hyper-stylized, emotive work, the sought after young photographer and filmmaker was impressed by Stone's acting chops. “She was very on board with the whole tornado idea,” says Prager. “Being strapped into a harness with fans and rain blowing in all directions isn't the most fun thing to do, but she seemed to be enjoying herself and looking totally beautiful throughout.” The star of campaigns for the likes of Givenchy and Jil Sander, Stone says she was more than happy to play opposite an automobile during her acting stint: “The difference about modeling with a car as opposed to with another model is that the car doesn’t talk back—which I quite like!”