This is one of the stunning images which will be used to promote Italian coffee stalwart Lavazza over the coming year.

The creation of celebrated French fashion photographer Thierry Le Gouès, it will be joined by one other picture to form a £1m press and poster campaign, which is set to break in the UK from the middle of this month.

The images, inspired by the 1960s cult film Barbarella, were commissioned to make up Lavazza’s annual calendar.

They will now get a wider showing with posters going up on the London Underground and in and around the capital, accompanied by the familiar ‘Espress yourself’ catchline.

Lavazza also plans to use the images in seven other countries as part of a 113m (£9m) push to give the brand greater international recognition.

The advertising will also be complemented by a specially developed internet site.

It will be the third year running that Lavazza has used its calendar to inspire an advertising campaign.

Previous photographers to see their work for Lavazza go up on billboards include David LaChapelle and Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

David Rogers, head of Lavazza UK, said: “Our primary goal is to drive brand awareness in the London area by 50% with the new advertising campaign.

"Outdoor media is a visually high profile medium."