When it comes to Marc Jacobs, we’ve come to expect a little controversy. Just this year he got caught up defending the use of underage catwalk models, and last year caused offence when he used an image of young teen Dakota Fanning modelling his new fragrance ‘Oh, Lola!’ seductively between her thighs.

With that in mind, when his fall 2012 campaign broke online, Talent Management anticipated something outside of the realms of ‘save’.

And that’s exactly what he’s delivered, only this time his model choices don’t appear too young or sexually suggestive, instead they look like corpses.

And we’re not talking your regular grey-skinned, sunken-eyed type models styled on some horror movie set; these models are on a beach! The juxtaposition of the designer’s eclectic, vaguely Victorian looks, against the sunny tranquil beach is actually quite stunning. But couple that with deathly make-up, gaunt faces and skinny frames, styled with huge Dr Suess style fur hats making the girls appear even more waif-like, and the resulting ads just take that sickly vibe to disturbing level.

Shot, as usual, by Juergen Teller, and starring models Marie Piovesan and Marte Mei van Haaster – two fresh faces that don’t look particularly fresh at all – this is the kind of standard provocative imagery that comes with the Jacobs/Juergen pairing. But we can’t help but think promoting clothing on seriously unwell looking models just won’t appeal to the consumer, no matter how high-end.

But we may be wrong. Let Talent Management know your thoughts – does this image alienate you or can you appreciate the juxtaposition and beauty of the shot?