The Emmanuelle Effect

Skinny cigarette pants. Pointy-toed heels. Loose tees. Tailored (often Balmain) blazers or long-line coats. Always finished off with the most perfect dishevelled hair. Wonder how many interpretations of "The Emmanuelle" we'll see this fashion month? Can't wait! 

Geraldine Saglio. Fashion Assistant. French Vogue.

Melanie Huynh. Fashion Assistant. French Vogue.

Barbara Martelo. Freelance Stylist. Spanish Vogue, French Vogue.

via: jak&jil, tFS, stockholmstreetstyle

Socks and sweaters

Socks and sweaters. There's something about this combination that is just so... cosy. A homespun twist on Julia Roberts' Pretty Woman days when she donned Richard Gere's white shirt... and only his white shirt.  Despite being in the midst of a Sydney summer, there's something about this shot that makes me want ditch the light cotton tees for an oversized woollen sweater and snuggle up. With knitted socks to match. It's an easy kind of comfort that doesn't even have much to do with fashion (unless the sweater and socks in question are Michael Kors of course). The combination conjures up primary school memories of sitting round a creekbed campfire, with molten marshmallows oozing out of their slightly blackened shell, hanging off a whittled down gumtree twig before being gobbled up with greed. Those were the days where my camping attire consisted of grandma's hand-knitted jumpers, in an array of creams, blues and pinks, dad's Explorer socks and not much more.

Those are the best images, the ones that gently nudge you into recalling a time or memory of which you will be forever fond, allowing you to revel in its glory once more. And this one by Mario Sorrenti for the February issue of Vogue Paris does just that. Styled by new editrix Emmanuelle Alt, we get a quick glimpse of Natasha Poly and her wispy fringe in the stunning editorial simply called "Natasha Poly" - further proof that simplicity is most definitely where it's at. Au naturale, as my mum likes to say. Here's a collection of sweaters I'll be kicking around in (or wishing I was) come winter. 

Rag & Bone The Chunky Pullover sweater 

Rag & Bone Hayle mohair-blend cropped sweater

Celine ribbed sweaterdress 

Acne Lauren cashmere pullover

Vince cable-knit wool-blend sweater

via: tFS

Day 3: Emmanuelle Alt

Initially I'd planned not to double up on editors from the same country, much less the same publication. But it just can't be helped when Parisians (more specifically, Paris Vogue staffers) are so damned stylish. Emmanuelle Alt, fashion director of Paris Vogue, right-hand woman to Carine Roitfeld, is certainly no exception.

With two of 2009's best editorials (as voted by models.com) to her name - she styled Game Girl with Daria Werbowy for May and Graffi Couture with PV favourite Raquel Zimmermann for November - 2010 has also been a stellar year for the stylist, as both her work and personal style clearly shows. She's responsible for some of my favourite editorials this year; styling super Natasha Poly in the latest swimwear looks for May as well as the moroccan-inspired Comtesse Natasha in April, Kate Moss and Raquel Zimmermann for June/July, Iselin Steiro in the unforgettable Balmain-themed Commando shoot... the list goes on. And that's just her work for Vogue. Outside the magazine she's responsible for styling the last three Balmain RTW shows and fall '09 campaign, as well as numerous campaigns for Gucci and Isabel Marant. And with almost all her outfits containing a piece by at least one of these labels, her work for these clients continues way past styling their campaigns.

 Daria Werbowy in Game Girl for Paris Vogue's May 2009 issue, voted best-styled shoot by models.com for the year 2009.

Iselin Steiro in Commando for Vogue Paris March 2010, wearing Balmain Spring 2010 crocodile leather jacket.

 Gucci F/W 2009 campaign, shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, styled by Emmanuelle Alt.

Alt's another who can easily wear the same thing over and over and still look amazingly fresh and new. It's not so much what she wears (Balmain, Isabel Marant, Balmain again), but how she wears it. She doesn't wear it because it's perceived "cool" or "on-trend"; she wears it because she can, with an attitude that says she really doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks of her style. With an otherworldly knack for interpreting runway pieces for everyday wear, her look is angrogynous but chic, nonchalant but confident and - most importantly - never overdone. Her uniform of a sharp shouldered blazer, deconstructed tee, slick leather pants or skinny jeans teamed with boots or strappy sandals never fails. Some would say she needs to mix it up, but when you look as amazing Alt, why would you want to?

Photos: models.com, The Fashion Spot, Jak&Jil and The Sartorialist

7 editors in 7 days: Carine Roitfeld

After spending years getting where they are, these ladies have had the time, the experience and the know-how (not to mention those amazing closets) to be some of the best dressed in the biz. I'm sure not a week goes by without at least one popping up on The Sartorialist or Garance's blog.

So, first up. Carine Roitfeld, My absolute favourite. Refined, edgy, super chic but always done with a darker twist. Better than that, she never takes herself too seriously, an attitude that goes perfectly with her wardrobe.  With her fabulous collection of coats, her trademark smokey eyes and straight tresses, the editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue never puts a black strappy sandal-ed foot wrong.

Picture: Zimbio, Style.com, Vogue UK, Paris Vogue

Universal Coverage

 US Vogue's latest issue features a fashion story (oh so suitable at this time of year) about- you guessed it- coats. Shot by the magnificent Steven Meisel (who else?) against a fall-appropriate backdrop of overgrowth and autumn leaves, the editorial features designs by Burberry, Balmain, Roberto Cavalli and Prada. Maybe it's the models, or maybe it's the backdrop or (just maybe) the clothes or all the elements combined; whatever it is, this is one of the first US Vogue spreads I love.

The whimsical and almost ethereal set design, the subdued lighting, the background fog that reminds you of a crisp autumn morning in which these coats would be perfect. The styling; the way the coats are just thrown over a relaxed shirt or womanly skirt in such a haphazard way (when we all know there's nothing haphazard about it), the dishevelled hair, brocade Balmain that doesn't look at all disco, Sasha, the shearling and the socks and the smouldering stares. Simply breathtaking.

photos: Fashion Gone Rogue

FBE 4 Vogue

Danish bad girl (and Lagerfeld favourite) Freja Beha Erichsen has landed on the cover of not one, but two, Vogues in the same month. Paris Vogue, wearing fall Chanel (no surprises there, seeing as she closed the show) and Vogue UK wearing new-season Miu Miu, where she also featured in an amazing colour-blocked editorial.

Anytime I see a new Paris cover or spread I immediately think back to last winter when I was lucky enough to be in Paris, where I could wander down to my local marchand de journaux and buy the very latest issue of Vogue hot off the press for less than the price of a café au lait et un croissant. Oh, to be in Paris! Damn you transcontinental passage for being so long and expensive, damn you.




pictures: Fashion Gone Rogue

Paris + McQueen = Erotica

Whilst avoiding study (which seems to be all I am doing these days) I stumbled upon an editorial from the May 2010 issue of Paris Vogue, on one of my favourite blogs for all things editorial; Fashion Gone Rogue. Shot by Steven Klein, the spread features Lily Donaldson and is styled by none other than the Editrix herself, Carine Roitfeld (whom I looooove).The shoot, titled Erotica, is a tribute to the late Alexander McQueen, and also features fashion from the Fall 2010 Haute Couture shows.

When I was looking through the spread my initial thought was that Lily looks a lot like Madonna! Especially with the '80s inpired shoulders and the peroxide blonde coiffure. As well as what looks like pink dishwashing gloves (such an unexpected, but much-loved "ingredient" in a Haute Couture shoot) I love the bold shadows. Magnifique!

Photos: Fashion Gone Rogue

Desert Days: Comtesse Natasha

What could be a better combination than Natasha Poly and Paris Vogue? Not too much at all (well, perhaps looking like her...) The Russian supermodel features on the latest cover and spread that was shot by Inez van Lambsweerde and Vinoodeh Matadin somewhere in the dunes of the African desert.

I looove the styling of this shoot, and how many of the trends of the past few seasons have been interpreted in a way that so perfectly fits the location. I especially love all the draping- but not in the way I usually do- all the colour, the clash of prints and embellishments is just gorgeous. Dohti pants, while fashionable now, did- and still do- serve as staple basic for desert travelers... everywhere. The heavily beaded neck pieces and stacks of jumbled bracelets aren't too far removed from what you might imagine adorning the local women of Cairo's market bazaars. Although I'm not too sure how often you'd see couture wandering the desert paths, I love that these contradictions exist at the same time as all the similarities. Oh, and I'm loving Isabel Marant's "Dana" fringe canvas boot from her spring collection- a follow on from the freakish success of her original "Ottway" studded ankle booties. Favourite look? The overtly-embellished Lanvin romper tucked into the aforementioned Marants. Not sure if it was intentional, but featuring Moroccan born, Israeli-raised Elbaz's creation in this ethnically inspired shoot? Genius.

Too bad I'm no longer in Paris otherwise I would've strolled down the Rue de Sevres just off St Germain de Prés, to my local marchand de journaux, and picked up a copy for my morning perusal. Until then, there's always airmail... and inflation.













I first stumbled upon this spread on the blog of super-stylist Monica Rose - definitely worth a look over. She's amazing.

Photos from fashionising.com