Natasha + COS

Natasha Poly and COS. Two of my favourite things. Shot alongside Eddie Klint by Alasdair McLellan for the Swedish label's autumn/winer 07/08 campaign and lookbook. I've never seen these shots of Nat before, which is surprising because on many a rainy day I find myself traipsing back through her old tFS threads. I love her with brown hair, and now she's gone back to it I am reminded of the days when she was just starting out. Blonde or brown, these shots are breathtaking. Soft and whimsical but at the same time strong and resilient. The perfect embodiment of the phrase "they only have eyes for each other", and with these two, I almost forget it's just a fashion shoot. But then again, when it looks this good, the question becomes; is it? That's the thing about great photography, it captures a moment that can forever be real. 

via: tFS

Animal Farm

"I was thinking about everybody's obsession with being famous" Miuccia Prada said in reference to the choice of the red flooring of her Miu Miu runway. And while the title of this post may be more obviously applicable to Miuccia's Prada show, where dancing monkeys featured as reappearing motifs, I feel it has more relevance to her latest outing for Miu Miu. Saying that, the more delving one does into any Miuccia show, the more questions remain unanswered. She is like the George Orwell of the fashion world, every show containing an almost satirical (or at the very least, allegorical) commentary on the society in which we live. The silver lamé dress with leather appliqué (or rather, the placement of said appliqué) could be fraught with sexual innuendo as to the repetition within Hollywood's fishbowl. Who knows? Or perhaps, in Miuccia's way, she was doing nothing more than provoking us to ask unanswerable questions, all the while showing us pretty little things to tempt us into her world. Regardless of intention, any messages will be translated differently depending on the experiences of the receiver. The more I consider the details, the more I am reminded of the Orwell's Seven Commandments of Animalism, where I am sure many in that elusive Hollywood scene are convinced they may be just that little bit more equal than those outside of it.  

Regardless of varying interpretations, it all begs the common question: when isn't fashion allegorical? Most, if not all, collections have a theme, a starting point; inspiration that was based on something, which more often than not is carried right through to the end product. That end product, which, upon viewing, requires thought on behalf of the audience to decipher and do what they will with any possible meanings. Still think fashion is nothing more than a slew of pretty dresses? Take a closer look at any fashion editorial, and you'd be hard pressed to explain why they're often referred to as "fashion stories". Because, I'm afraid, stories they (as well as the dresses within them) do tell. 

Enough literary wonderment. Here's Kasia Struss lensed by Mert & Marcus for Miu Miu's spring 2011 campaign. Allegorical or nay, this campaign is hot. 

 via Style.com

Givenchy SS11

The remaining pictures from Mert & Marcus' campaign for Givenchy SS11 have finally leaked on tFS overnight. Along with Dutch newbie Daphne Groeneveld and albino model Stephen Thompson we have Tisci favourite Mariacarla Boscono in front of the lens once again. They've kept the same hauntingly beautiful thread running through the rest of the pictures, and I love that contrasting shadow shot, where Daphne appears almost as Mariacarla's ghost. And of course, as predicted since her Paris exclusive for the house back in September, Natasha Poly (and her new brown locks) also landed a spot. 

via tFS

Natasha's Givenchy

It's no surprise that Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci is most definitely pro-Poly. Both Nat and Tisci made their simultaneous debuts for the house back in 2005 for the autumn haute couture collections. Natasha has been a regular fixture in Tisci's line-up ever since, up until until the most recent spring/summer 2011 shows, where she was a Paris exclusive. Meaning: she was booked exclusively for Givenchy- and did not walk in any other Parisian show.  She featured in their autumn/winter 2008 campaign alongside fellow Tisci favourite Mariacarla Boscono, Lara Stone and Lakshmi Menon. And who can forget the Natasha Obsessed issue of Muse, where she was shot by none other than Riccardo himself for the cover (and spread) featuring many a Givenchy accessory, including the infamous couture crown of... spikes.  She had the first look (of 11) for the house's latest couture showing, and nabbed the November 2010 cover of Vogue Paris, shot by Mario Sorrenti, styled with the same brown (yes, brown!) plaits she sported for her Givenchy exclusive.  Where is all this leading, you may ask? To a spot in the new Givenchy campaign, I say. 

Here's the first leaked imaged from the SS 2011 camapign, so far featuring Dutch newcomer Daphne Groeneveld (another Tisci favourite who was also featured in the exclusive spring couture lineup) and albino model Stephen Thompson. Shot by photographic duo Mert & Marcus, this picture is hauntingly beautiful. The black and white combined with the overlapping exposure makes for a campaign that will be nothing short of mesmerising. Watch this space.

[WWD]

other pictures via tFS, FGR & style.com

Alexander Wang + Abbey Lee

[Alexander Wang. Fall 2010. Campaign video. Abbey Lee. Made Infinitely better (if that's possible) by the xx, remixed by Flufftronics]

Zara Love

Stumbled upon these pictures with the lovely Toni Garrn the other day over at TFS, from Zara'a 2010 Fall campaign (shot by David Sims). Immediately jumped on their site to see the new collection, must say, I just can't get enough. Mostly because of the obvious Celine reference, no doubt. And I definitely see some Prada-like knits and Chloé leather skirtage, which is never a bad thing. Makes me all the more eager for the Spanish chain to finally hit our shores- just in time for my move to Sydney. How perfect! In the meantime, I will definitely be picking myself up that divine leopard print clutch and many a miliatry shirt when I make my way back over to Europe in September. More on this later, but - !!!!!!!!








via: TFS and Zara

Balmain Sneak Peak

Balmain Fall Winter 2010 campaign

Model: Kate Moss

Stylist: Emmanuelle Alt

Photographers: Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

...I like the couch. Reserving judgement until the rest are released.




via TFS

The September Issues

September. Without a doubt the most anticipated month for fashion magazines the world over. After all, it wasn't called The January/Febuary/March (you get the picture) Issue was it? Grab a copy of your favourite mag's September issue and you'll find all the latest ad campaigns, editorials and fashion features covering the latest Fall/Winter 2010 collections, as well as all the news from Paris Haute Couture fashion week. For me, I cannot wait to get my hands on the latest offerings from Vogue Australia and Harper's Bazaar. Judging by their covers, they won't dissappoint. Vogue have dedicated their entire issue to Aussie export Cat McNeil (currently sitting pretty at #12 on MDC, thank you very much), while HB have commissioned Elle Macpherson for their cover. I think Bazaar are right on the money with their cover choice, seeing as September is all about the fall collections and as Elle closed the show for Louis Vuitton, one of the biggest and most trend-defining collections for the FW10 season... looks like The Body is back. But, at three years shy of 50, had she ever left? What are you waiting for? Grab yours, NOW.

via TFS

Mirand-a for Jil Sand-a

As hinted a few weeks ago by the newly married Mrs. Bloom (yes, her and pirate-beau Orlando yesterday tied the knot) in an interview with Modelinia, she's nabbed herself yet another high-fashion get, this time with the latest campaign for Jil Sander. Also featuring int. runway regular Kasia Struss, the streamlined campaign was lensed by Willy Vandeperre, who also shot Miranda for i-D and V's summer issues. Although I think Miranda makes the transition from smiley VS model to edgy super quite seemlessly, not everyone does. One reader in particular disagreed with my sentiments, saying she looked more like Clark Kent. Hey, she mightn't please everybody in the high-fashion stakes, but at least one thing is agreed upon, and that is the link between herself and supermanmodel.

pictures: Fashion Gone Rogue

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

Sigrid s'il vous plait

 I just stumbled upon Céline's new campaign for their fall 2010 collection, and couldn't resist a quick post before my (somewhat ridiculous) 3am bedtime. Featuring French-born model Sigrid Agren (who better for a campaign of a fashion house currently epitomising Parisian chic?) whose fawnlike charm has featured in campaigns for the likes of Stella, Bottega and Chloe. Shot by Juergen Teller and keeping with the same minimal layout as last season's campaign (much like the collection itself) it also fetures 40-year-old Australian model Emma Balfour.

So simple, yet so effective- the line becomes the campaign and the campaign becomes the line. Genius. Love this campaign. Love Sigrid. Love Céline.

photos: Fashion Gone Rogue

Aussie ads

Miranda Kerr isn't the only Australian featuring in the latest campagns for the Fall 2010 collections. High-fashion favourite, fellow Girlfriend Covergirl Model Search winner-turned-runway-darling, Abbey Lee Kershaw snagged a spot in the coveted Chanel campaign, shot by Mr. Lagerfeld himself. Starring alongside fellow-Lagerfeld muse Freja Beha Erichsen, I posted some behind-the-scenes pictures of the Chanel campaign on set in New York, when they leaked earlier in April. Abbey-Lee also features in the latest campaign for British brand Mulberry, and is one of the faces of Fendi's new fragrance Fan di Fendi, along with Anja Rubik and Karmen Pedaru.

Last but not least, Cat McNeil contines with her return to the modelling world with none other than a Givenchy campaign, shot by Mert & Marcus. Cat returned to the catwalk (no pun intended) for a select few shows during the fall season, including Louis Vuitton and Prada: both of which, interestingly, were reponsible for this season's "curvy" movement. 

Photos: Fashion Gone Rogue