Great Danes

When one is asked to think of a country from which the world's most beautiful models hail, Brazil is never far from the top. Gisele, Adriana, Alessandra, Isabeli...  some of the industry's most well-known, highest-paid models - their names themselves ooze sex appeal - argument enough that Brazilian woman are the most beautiful. Or so it would seem. Overt sexuality is only one interpretation of beauty, and this is one interpretation that the Brazilians can definitely lay claim to. Lately, it feels like fashion is favouring a different kind of beauty. The best way to describe it would quite simply be understated. Less exaggerated. Pared-back. Minimal. Much like the clothes we are seeing on the runways. Céline. Chloé. Calvin Klein. 

A newcomer fast becoming a favourite of mine is Caroline Brasch Nielsen, hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark. Making her first international appearance in Paris for Fall/Winter 2010, she debuted for Dries Van Noten and opened for Valentino and Sharon Whauchob. In the same season she also walked for the likes of Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Céline. She must have impressed Nicholas Ghesquière at least, because she nabbed a spot in Balenciaga's FW 2010 campaign- alongside Stella Tennant, Karen Elson and fellow country (wo)man Freja Beha Erichsen. She walked for no less than 60 shows in the most recent Spring/Summer 2011 season, opening 6 (including Narciso Rodriguez, Alberta Ferretti and Nina Ricci) and closing 4, one of which was Valentino. It comes as no surprise then that she was ranked third in FTV's latest first face countdown (behind Freja and Miss Kloss). Not bad for a 17 year old who has only been in the modelling game for 6 months. 

 I must say there is something captivating about these Danish girls - Freja has a similarly compelling nature. Reserved, almost to the point of shyness; but to the extent that it becomes enchanting, rather than awkward. Those insane cheekbones and solemn stare are softened with dimples, making sulky look serene. Ethereal, almost. After seeing her in Céline Resort I struggle to think of another girl who would have modeled that collection as perfect as she. She captured Phoebe Philo's minimalism to a (sharply cut) tee, and I wouldn't be suprised if some of her quiet freshness served as inspiration for Philo's (and many others, judging by the sheer number of shows she walked) latest spring collections. Fingers crossed for a campaign. To me she embodies THE Céline girl, and although 'obsession' doesn't quite seem the right word for Philo, here's hoping for something similar to Largerfeld's with Freja. Models as muses, as they say. Must just be those great Danes.  Siri Tollerød, Frida Gustavsson, Caroline and Freja, forget Brazil; those Nordic waters are where it's at. 

  

Pictures via tFS and Style.com

Morebid-ly obsessed with: Magdalena

One of my all-time favourite models, the gorgeous Polish-born Magdalena Frackowiak features (largely leather-clad) in the latest issue of Numéro lensed by by Greg KadelStyled by fashion editor Brian Molloy, she features in daring but dishevelled ensembles by Balenciaga, Givenchy and Christopher Kane. I can't get enough of Magda's chiselled face and edginess, but at the same time love how she can be soft and romantic and also fun (à la Karl in Lagerfeld's mini-movie "Remember Now")

Miranda

Well and truly cementing herself in the high-fashion scene is Miranda Kerr, featuring in her very first high-fashion advertising campaign; for Prada's Fall 2010 collection. Shot by Steven Meisel, the Angel shows off the line's 'new-woman' aesthetic along with Angela Lindvall and Daria Strokous. I'm loving how Meisel features the collection in a way that tells a story almost as much as an editorial; the mix between narrative, model-interaction, and of course, product placement, is perfect.

This comes a year after being hand-picked by Balenciaga's Nicolas Ghesquière to walk for his latest spring and fall collections, as well as appearing on Miuccia's 40's themed Prada runway. Having already walked for designers including Betsey Johnson and Jason Wu at New York Fashion Week before becoming an (almost) household name, walking in Balenciaga's spring show was her first foray into the world of luxury branding. She's also nabbed a number of high fashion spreads of late, including that contraversial nun-inspired editorial in June's Numéro, shot by Greg Kadel, as well as recent spreads in V Magazine, i-D, and Vogue Russia (there's even whispers of an upcoming feature for US Vogue). With rumours of a Jil Sander campaign in the works, one thing's for sure, this angel's star is shining bright.

Backstage at Prada Fall 2010

Making her high-fashion debut for Balenciaga Spring 2010

Numéro #114 La Mauvaise Éducation by Greg Kadel, styled by Patti Wilson.

photos from Fashion Gone Rogue and Style.com

Not so angelic...

Miranda Kerr walking for Balenciaga


Naomi Campbell, making a comeback?


Russian success story: Natalia Vodianova

Aussie's favourite mainstream model, Miranda Kerr, has been spotted out and about in Paris this week, making her debut on the high fashion stage with a spot in the Balenciaga lineup. As noted in my earlier post, she was miles away from her cherubic self in Ghesquiere's latest showing for the famed Spanish house, rocking futuristic winged eyeliner- and not the sort you'd see on a Victoria's Secret runway. With no glitter or feathers in sight, Miranda was barely recognisable in a grey leather vest and textually pleated skirt. Wonder whether we'll see her lovely face on the runway again before the week's out?! It wouldn't be the first time an Angel has traded their halo for haute couture- my favourite, Natasha Poly- started her career walking for the lingerie label, before being snapped up by the editorial world.

Speaking of transitions, Naomi Campbell proved why she's a part of the original supermodel club, also taking to the Paris runways this week. Nearing 40 (!) Campbell is more than twice the age of half the girls out there, proving longevity isn't just a myth in the modelling industry. She walked for Russian designer Igor Chapurin, and also made an appearance at London's Fashion Week- closing the show for Issa. It seems the '90s are not over- with Russia's Cinderella success-story and Calvin Klein's long-time muse- Natalia Vodianova walking for Stella McCartney.

With the models-as-household-names phenomenon long gone, let's hope the modelling industry has finally turned over a new (green) leaf and starts using their recycling bins a bit more....



photos: style.com and zimbio

Paris begins... ohh la la!

We're finally into the last, but by no means least, stage of fashion weeks for the summer 2010 collections; Paris. While the prêt-à-porter shows aren't what couture-loving Parisians look forward to most on their yearly fashion calender, they sure know how to make clothes women actually want to wear, that's for sure.

A prime example of a designer who is known for his often avant garde couture is Dior headhunter John Galliano, and his ready to wear collection was just that. Amongst all the overtly '80s inspired collections of late, it was refreshing to see inspiration from a new era emerge. Forties film stars reigned supreme; with shiny red pouts and bouncing waves offsetting feminine yet structured trenches amongst a collection of underwear-as-outwear; a trend single handedly put on the fashion map by Galliano.

Christian Dior

Other highlights at Paris so far have been Balenciaga, the greatly-anticipated Balmain and designer-for-the-cool-kids Isabel Marant. Ghesquière's latest showing is an obvious departure from his drape-heavy fall collection, with not a soft layer in sight in this urban-cool collection for Balenciaga. This show was all about stepping out of the box- it even featured our very own Victoria's Secret angel Miranda Kerr, who was without her feathered safety wings in a street-inspired schoolgirl get up. Leather hoodies, skin tights pants and modern patchwork were combined in a genius way that will definitely prove hard for chain store labels to rip-off; a problem still continuing to plague the next designer.

Christophe Decarnin has really set the bar in terms of sexy deconstructionism; combining military jackets with sequins and barely-there hemlines in a way only Balmain could. While the follow-on from previous collections is obvious, space age has been replaced by a sparkling disco dancer emerging from the caves. The aesthetic is more closely related to Decarnin's own style than previous lines, with the leather jacket and skinny army pants combo he donned himself looking like a piece from the same collection. With the bold-shouldered trend resting upon his own, it's going to take an army (probably dressed in Balmain) to knock him off his well-deserved perch.

Balmain

Newcomer to the high-fashion circuit Marant proved yet again why she's established herself amongst the cool crowd, with her relaxed boho style retaining that street edge from fall; her collection is extremely wearable. Not only is it wearable as a cohesive whole, one can see how those going for the model-off-duty look can add pieces into their existing wardrobes. With more colour than the greys of fall, one has to be leggy to pull off some of these pieces: loose minis with fringed boots, draped grey marle pants and skinny pinstripes. Still on the strong-shouldered bandwagon, it's obvious why the Marant fan club is recruiting members and a speedy rate.

Isabel Marant

Moroccan-born Israeli design genius Alber Elbaz took drapery and ruffles to a new, and unforgettable, level with his latest showing for French house Lanvin. No amount of journalistic genius can do this vision justice; the show was an array of gorgeously constructed garments where intricate design and textualisation were moulded together to create a visual delight for those who made the trek to a shed on the outskirts of Paris. This cult like following, revelling in the build up of beaded brilliance, is testament to the mind who lured them there. With the week just started, Paris is sure to be one we won't forget for a very long time, just as they intended, I'm sure.

Lanvin

photos: style.com