OOF. I try not to harp on about it, but when it comes to fashion styling, I believe no-one beats Grace Coddington. Case in point number 736352829? “Eternal Optimist” from Vogue US’ March 2012 issue. The casting choice alone was phenomenal: we have Caroline Trentini, Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn, Frida Gustavsson, and Aymeline Valade – all heavy hitters with a true transformational presence.

With Craig McDean on lens, Grace has pulled together a Fifties-inspired masterpiece without being contrived. Just look at that set design. Bow down. View Post

Alessandra Ambrosio Rodrigo Santoro

Alessandra Ambrosio and Rodrigo Santoro

  • I am lusting over the pairing of Alessandra Ambrosio and Rodrigo Santoro on the December covers of Vogue Brasil, as shot by Eric Guillemain.
    Alessandra Ambrosio Rodrigo Santoro

  • Fashion Week’s Autumn/Winter 2012 drama seems to be making some headway! After the “Fashion Gods” in Milan threatened to show at the same time as both New York and London, New York have now offered to pull their September 2012 dates back a week to accommodate the new Italian schedule.

    From there, Italy was said to have agreed to change their schedule to suit New York Fashion Week beginning on the second Thursday in September, going forward.

    For the apparent ‘final’ decision, the statement below has been released:

    Confirm the previous schedule for September 2012 with New York fashion week starting on Thursday 6 of September, followed by London, Milan and Paris Agree for the next two years ( September 2013 and September 2014) with the proposal of Diane Von Furstenberg, President of Council of Fashion Designers of America, to start New York Fashion Week on the second Thursday of September, that is to say on September 12th in 2013 and on September 11th in 2014.

    2.a New York’s last day should be on September 18th in 2013 and on September 17th in 2014 in order to allow London an additional day for the presentation of the menswear collections.

    2.b. Paris will accept this structure and follow Milan as always, starting on Wednesday 2nd of October in 2013 and on Wednesday 1st in 2014

    In case those conditions didn’t happen, the above mentioned solution could not be applied.

    Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana is looking forward to receiving a feedback(sic) from New York, London and Paris.

    Drama, drama, drama…

  • Today, AdWeek have released some very interesting statistics on shoplifting, ie. 1 in every 11 shoppers shoplift. (Really?!)

    Not only that, but 75% of shoplifters are said to be employed adults, and cost the U.S. $119 million dollars per year. Items that are often confused for a five-finger discount include alcohol, sneakers/trainers, women’s perfume, and – at the top of the list – filet mignon.

    This has to be a joke.

    • Big Adventure Vogue UK
    One thing I love about Tim Walker is his use of Kirsi Pyrhonen. She is one of very few elite models who always gives something unexpected in a shoot – something I think worked beautifully for her in Vogue UK’s “An Awfully Big Adventure” for their December 2011 issue. With the beautiful styling of Kate Phelan, the photos turned out to be everything that we now expect from a Tim Walker spread: humour and meaning which duel with the excess. Swoon. View Post

    Glacial Glamour Vogue Russia
    I love the way Vincent Peters‘ photography incorporates multiple uses of layering and lighting adjustments, yet can be viewed seamlessly. In the photographer’s spread for the November 2011 issue of Vogue Russia, “Glacial Glamour“, Ginta Lapiņa and her equally-extraordinary background models are set to seductive perfection. Ekaterina Mukhina did a beautiful job with the styling, as well. View Post

    Vogue Olsen Twins Cover
    A well-deserved “FINALLY” goes to the Olsen Twins for their Craig McDean-lensed cover of Vogue’s Best Dressed issue 2011. They’ve been in fashion’s public eye for almost their entire life, guys!

    “They (the Olsens) get it right a lot of the time and then sometimes they don’t get it right. That’s actually great because it shows that it’s their hands reaching into their wardrobes. They don’t have someone telling them, ‘This is cool, this is hot, this is what you should be wearing.’ It comes from within them. It’s instinctual. […] Look at what they’ve done with (their fashion labels) The Row and Elizabeth and James. They are legitimate fashion forces.”
    – Vogue‘s Fashion News Director, Mark Holgate

    Including them in the issue – as it is dedicated to international superstar siblings – is Beyonce and Solange Knowles, Kate and Pippa Middleton, Claire and Virginie Courtins-Clarins girls, Kate and Rooney Mara (no bad blood, she got last month’s cover!), Dakota and Elle Fanning, Poppy and Cara Delevigne, and Jane Birkin’s gorgeous daughters – Lou Doillon and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

    FASHION PHEW! The issue will be released in five short days.

    To see more photos of Mary-Kate and Ashley from the spread, as well as their latest and greatest promo video for StyleMint (imagine planking, storking, ‘plowling’ and owling in It’s a Wonderful Life, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Charlie Brown and The Wizard of Oz!), see below!
    View Post