nowohucianka's fashion

Sasha Pivovarova making her acting debut

2011-07-27T11:35:00.007+02:00

Sasha, one of my all-time favorite models, follows the footsteps of Gemma Ward who has recently starred in the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and starts an acting career. The Russian model is set to appear in the upcoming science-fiction thriller "In Time" alongside Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and Cillian Murphy. Sasha will play a minor character - Seyfried's grandmother and by her devilish look in the trailer we might guess she'll be one of the bad guys.

Elle and Dakota Fanning in US Vogue August 2011

2011-07-26T17:34:00.004+02:00

I do not understand this whole sisters-celebrities-fashion icons phenomenon. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Penelope and Monica Cruz, Aly and AJ Michalka, Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Emily and Zooey Deschnel... And now we're getting Dakota and Elle Fanning. The new Hollywood sweethearts appear in the current issue of Vogue US, which - as it always does in August - celebrates women of all ages. In their case - of very young age - as Dakota is 17 and Elle is 13, which has not prevented her from scoring two Vogue editorials this year.

The interview opens with Elle's quote: "My look today is Virgin Suicides meets Twiggy! Right now I’m into a long, flowing, flower-power vibe." When I was her age I did not know anything about Twiggy and certainly I had a very vague idea of who virgins are. Seems like new teenage fashion victim to me.

Gemma's probably back

2009-11-17T22:43:00.002+01:00

After the loooong break we may expect Gemma to come back to the fashion world as she wrote in an e-mail to The West Australian newspaper: "I have not 'quit modelling' and my fans back home can expect to see me back at work modelling and acting in the new year". I keep my fingers crossed, we all miss her.

Yves Saint Laurent - Top-Earning Dead Celebrity

2009-11-02T22:25:00.003+01:00

Yves Saint Laurent has recently obtained World's Top-Earning Dead Celebrity title winning by far with such people as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley or John Lennon. Although the fashion designer died in June last year, it didn't prevent him to gain $350 000 000. Actually, it helped him doing so, as most of his art collection was sold out postmortem this February and the profit was given out to charities. For comparison - no2 in the countdown belongs to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, who earned over $100 million less then Saint Laurent.

Pin me up. Pin me down.

2009-10-27T00:10:00.007+01:00

Miranda Kerr changing her image - vol. 2. Australian model teamed up with Ana Beatriz Barros as pinup girls in the upcoming issue of V Magazine.

Magazine: V #62 2009
Title: Pin me up, pin me down
Photographer: Willy Vanderperre
Model: Ana Beatriz Barros, Miranda Kerr
source: V

My personal fav of the month

2009-10-26T23:40:00.003+01:00

I'm a huge fan of Vogue Paris, especially of Carine R.'s styling. I'm such a huge fan, that I'm writing my bachelor thesis on that. I mean... Just look at the picture above.
The picture comes from Vogue Paris November (not out yet - checked it today) and was taken by Richardson. Love it, as always. source: tfs

Caroline Trentini for Numero Korea #16

2009-10-26T00:53:00.003+01:00

We don't get to see a lot of Caroline outside Vogue US, do we? Which means that we don't get to see her in original stylings either.
Well... this one reminds me of Billy Elliot. Why? No idea, but still like it.

Jalou telephone by Sony Ericsson and Dolce&Gabbana

2009-10-26T00:12:00.009+01:00

While working on the new Jalou telephone, Sony Ericsson has invited Dolce&Gabbana fashion house to design a limited line of the new phone. Although their luxury version comes with basically the same features as a regular phone, special Jalou line will also contain display-turn-mirror, pedometer, gold accents plated in 24 carats and preloaded Dolce&Gabbana brand info. The phone comes in a dusty rose color matching Rose the One fragrance.

Although the price of the new technology miracle is not decided yet, the advertising campaign has already started. And I must admit, it's a good campaign - both for a telephone producer and a fashion house.

“The film is about bad girls desiring an object more than anything, and we felt this was the best way to reflect the key qualities of Jalou by Dolce&Gabbana. The mood has a gangster theme, combined with a style, sexiness and humour of Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin. The style is luxurious and the colours and lighting used throughout are reminiscent of the phone, which is all about glamour, fashion, strong women and fun,” said Cyril Guyot, director of the commercial, who's been working rather with fashion designers, then cellphone companies.

Oh, and by the way, if you haven't noticed, the models (who are still unidentified) wear Dolce & Gabbana Winter 2010 collection. "The link with the Dolce & Gabbana brand is the strong femininity, the exclusivity and luxury of the women that wear the Dolce & Gabbana clothing, use the Jalou by Dolce & Gabbana phone and embrace our world in general," say Domenico and Stefano. source: Sassy

Ralph Lauren - Filippa Hamilton case

2009-10-19T21:47:00.014+02:00

So you've probably heard about the ridiculously photoshopped pictures for Ralph Lauren brand. If you have hard time following-up, here is a short review and at the same a little guidebook on how not to do PR:

Everything started with a note at the Photoshop Disasters blog. The authors of the blog very accuretly stated, that the head of the model in the picture below is bigger than her pelvis. This post was later on linked and quoted on boingboing.net.
The second website received a letter from Ralph Lauren, who probably have never heard of the Streisand effect.

"This is classic fair use: a reproduction "for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting," etc. However, Ralph Lauren's marketing arm and its law firm don't see it that way. According to them, this is an "infringing image," and they thoughtfully took the time to send a DMCA takedown notice to our awesome ISP, Canada's Priority Colo. One of the things that makes Priority Colo so awesome is that they don't automatically act on DMCA takedowns. Instead, they pass them on to us and we talk about whether they pass the giggle-test."
Probably Photoshop Disasters received a similar threat as they put down the note.
When the message had already spread around the internet, the company finally published the following statement (please note, that there's nothing on threatening the websites):

"For over 42 years we have built a brand based on quality and integrity… we have learned that we are responsible for the poor imaging and retouching that resulted in a very distorted image of a woman's body."
The model from the picture, Swedish-French 23-year-old Filippa Hamilton was fired even before the story due to "her inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us", which meant, that she couldn't fit in their clothes anymore. At least that's what she says now and that's what is considered to be the truth to the public. The story came out after the photoshop controversies.

Filippa and her normal size.
Photoshop Disasters have posted another picture of a starving looking model - also made for Ralph Lauren brand. This time the girls's name is Valentina Zelyaeva.

Valentina for Ralph Lauren...

...and in reality

The internet is on fire and I really don't envy the Ralph Lauren PR guys. Anyway, if you'd like to take part in the discussion, I recommend those two texts: Yes, Thin's In -- But Why Is That A Surprise? by Robin Givhan from the Washington Post, stating basically that the models are so skinny, because the society gets so fat and that modern fashion redefines beauty, and Would You Buy an Overweight Barbie? by Irene Rubaum-Keller from the Huffington Post, who points out, that supper skinny models are attractive only for gay men (who are the majority of the designers).*

*I've even found a forum post saying, that skinny models look more like young men (no breasts, no butt, no curves) and that's why gay designers/stylists prefer to work with them. I know that's a very radical statement, but - honestly - I'd like to see some psychological research on that. That could be really interesting.

Top 10 catwalkers of the recent fashion weeks

2009-10-19T00:23:00.006+02:00

The Fashion Spot people have counted the number of appearances of the most active catwalkers of the recent fashion weeks. Below are the results:

1. Constance Jablonski with 72 shows (opened 8, closed 3). Wow - that is an impressive number! Especially that we haven't seen a French model getting that popular in quite some time.

2. Liu Wen with 70 Shows (opened 2). I'm a huge fan of Du Juan, but time has come for other Asian models. I'm so glad to see her here. (She's got such a cute smile!)

3. Kasia Struss with 61 shows (opened 3, closed 1). Definitely this Polish beauty is still in the competition. Although Kasia didn't appear in the London Fashion Week, she improved her position in the ranking anyway (last season - 8. place).

4. Frida Gustavsson with 60 shows
5. Eniko Mihalik, Imogen Morris-Clarke, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Tao Okamoto all with 58 shows each
6. Charlotte Di Calypso with 57 shows
7. Hanne Gaby Odiele, Iris Strubegger, Karlie Kloss all with 56 shows each
8. Alla Kostromichova with 55 shows
9. Angelika Kocheba with 52 shows
10.Dorothea Barth Jorgensen, Elsa Sylvan, Katie Fogarty all with 51 shows each

One more thing - Altamira blog has put the top 10 girls together with their street fashion pictures. Nice to see.
pictures: style.com

Vogue US November 2009

2009-10-11T11:59:00.002+02:00

This is not funny anymore. This is sad.

Did Leibovitz's financial problems effect her photography? Because this cover is her worst cover in the history. Why?

"cut-out" feeling - especially around women's heads
you can tell that it was a beautiful day on the beach, but the natural light was ignored
the two factors above make the actresses look like they were shot separately and then "copied-pasted" into one image (in a very cheap way)
Kidman's face
even the beautiful background looks fake

How could they waste this way such a wonderful casting? It's just wrong.

Lily Cole's new profession

2009-10-11T11:30:00.003+02:00

Lily is indeed a renaissance lady - does so much, it's hard to follow up:

She's a model - obvieusly
She's an actress - you'll be able to see her in the up-coming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus starring next to such actors as Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer or Johnny Depp
She's a charity worker/environmental activist - being involved in Global Angels Children's Charity, WaterAid and Environmental Justice Foundation
She's a student

And how she's become a designer. She will join Katherine Poulton, Alice Ashby and Isobel Davis to design a collection of knitwear for a brand The North Circular (with a cute slogan "Knitted by grannies, supported by supermodels").

source: Sassybella, more here

Gaultier made a present for Jourdan Dunn

2009-10-05T22:35:00.004+02:00

Isn't that cute? 19-year-old Jourdan Dunn pregnant with her first child (due December) took part in the Jean Paul Gaultier show. Especially for her (and all the pregnant celebrities, of course) the designer created this sweet baby-bump thing. I guess we can expect some Hollywood stars getting those really soon.
source: style.com

Anja in Self Service #31

2009-10-05T19:35:00.005+02:00

Anja is definitely not afraid to show her body off. Love it!

Magazine: Self Service #31
Photographer: Katja Rahlwes
Model: Anja Rubik
source: Fashion Copious

Victoria's Secret Angel for Balenciaga

2009-10-05T18:37:00.002+02:00

Can you recognize this lady?

This is Miranda Kerr - 26-year-old Victoria's Secret Angel and Orlando Bloom's girlfriend. Miranda is rather known for her "girl-next-door" look and - of course - lingerie ads. So she surprised us all taking part in Balenciaga show last week in Paris, looking so edgy. I'm really happy for her - combining commercial modeling (if you can use that expression) with modeling for chic fashion houses makes a perfect model.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

2009-09-28T12:23:00.004+02:00

Sonia Rykiel is the next designer in the line to create H&M collection. Parisian "Queen of Knits" will design for the Swedish brand lingerie and accessories line for women as well as knitwear line for young women, teenagers and girls aged 18 months to 8 years old. Lingerie collection will be launched December 5th in 1500 stores (not bad), the knitwear - February 20th in 250 stores (so again we will have to buy clothes rather through ebay). source: H&M

Sonia Rykiel Resort 2010

VoGues

2009-09-23T22:08:00.003+02:00

What's wrong with those 'g's this month?

Raquel Zimmermann by Mario Sorrenti in Vogue Nippon October 2009 and Kate Moss by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin in Vogue Paris October 2009
source: tfs 1 2

Comic S/S 10 show packages

2009-09-23T21:17:00.004+02:00

For the upcoming Paris Fashion Week, two agencies caught a little more attention with their new show cards. Women and WM decided to go with very Sin City-like style - black&white comic pictures with some touch of red. You can find entire portfolios here and here. Below some samples - Kasia Struss from Women and less known Alla Voronenko from WM.

source: FashionCopious

Audrey Tautou for Chanel No.5 (again)

2009-09-21T22:09:00.003+02:00

OK, guys, I just moved to Paris last Saturday, so expect more news from the world fashion capital. I couldn't do it differently but start with something on Chanel.

Do you remember Audrey Tautou advert released in spring? (Ohh... I love the Orient Express motive).

Well, apparently the contract has been prolonged. Below you can find a small preview of the new Chanel No.5 campaign, which is coming up this Friday, September 25th.

source: Sassybella

Miley Cyrus and Max Azria for Wal-Mart

2009-09-18T08:34:00.007+02:00

As you may know teenage celebrity Miley Cyrus and "bon chic, bon genre" Max Azria were working on a junior line for Wal-Mart. Well, their work is done and now this collection (named unconventionally "Miley Cyrus and Max Azria") may be admired in the movie below (which, frankly speaking, is neither a commercial, nor a music video). Enjoy!

If you are into the clothes, you can buy them over here.

London Fashion Week guidelines

2009-09-15T23:09:00.003+02:00

Although fashion is a huge market in the UK (Topshop, Evans, Biba, Dorothy Perkins and many, many more), the London Fashion Week is considered to be not as prestigious as Paris, New York or Milan. People say that it's rather chaotic and not well organized - but it should be no surprise as it was always heading more towards avant-garde rather than mainstream. "London Fashion Week is still a celebration of anarchy, creativity and sheer bloody minded can do-ism; still a place where new names get their first breaks" states Lisa Armstrong in Who's who in London Fashion Week article for The Times.

And it's hard not to agree. But this also brings one big negative - the London Fashion Week was never about big names. Then if you are an avant-garde ignorant and out of all the designers signed for LFS you know well only Christopher Kane and Betty Jackson - the above mentioned article is just for you.

New H&M ads - fall 09

2009-09-15T22:36:00.005+02:00

Those ones are really nice! Although I wouldn't consider the clothes to be very interesting, the pictures themselves are (click on them to see full size). Karen Elson (did you know that she's already 30?) and Patrick Petitjean (look at those blue eyes!) are shown against traditional white background, but this time with red leaves matching Karen's hair. The scans found on TFS come from Vogue Germany October. I'm pretty sure we can expect more of those ads with new October issues coming up.

Carolina Herrera & Carolina Herrera got milk

2009-09-15T22:11:00.004+02:00

"Fabric is my livelihood, and good health is the fabric of my life. That's why my daughter and I love milk. It's nature's wellness drink – naturally nutrient rich like no other beverage. Now that's style to live for." - said new Milk Mustache Celebrity, Carolina Herrera in got milk? campaign. The designer and mother of four daughters was photographed for the ad with one of her girls (Carolina junior) in Madrid (yay!) - you can find behind the scenes pictures and video on whymilk.com. The campaign is also connected with New York Fashion Week next Feb - there are two tickets for Herrera's show to be given out if you follow the rules on MilkMustache twitter. Source: Sassybella

Fashion´s Night Out pics!

2009-09-12T23:06:00.005+02:00

Fashion´s Night Out 2009 has already made history, so now it´s time to see how did it look like and whether it has reached it´s goals. The Cut has posted over 100 pictures over here. Hope you enjoy.

I´m sorry I´m writing not as often and not as extensively as before, but I´ve been traveling a lot those days. Right now, for example, I´m in Lisbon.

"Decade in style" editorial

2009-09-10T23:41:00.003+02:00

AnOther Magazine celebrates it's "decade in fashion" with pictures featuring 10 muses of pop culture and fashion in selected best-designers pieces from past 10 years. The editorial was being created during 18 months, involving photographers Craig McDean and Hedi Slimane, who shot the ladies in Paris, London, New York and Los Angeles.

Above Lovefoxx in Viktor & Rolf S/S 2003 by Hedi Slimane. Below Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu S/S 2006 by Craig McDean. Source and more: Dazed Digital.

Klum vs. Lagerfeld

2009-09-10T23:24:00.003+02:00

Do you remember Karl critising Heidi and her husband, Seal? Mother of four, pregnant with her fourth child answers now in Page Six Magazine: I don’t know why [Karl] said that. Maybe he wanted to be in the paper? Maybe he doesn’t understand what I do? It’s bizarre to me that he says he doesn’t know who I am because he’s dressed me in the past. I’ve worn Karl Lagerfeld. Not even Chanel—his line. Lagerfeld doesn’t just send random things everywhere, so it was a big thing for me [to wear his label] to the CFDA Awards a few years ago. I don’t know how he missed that, when he dressed me that time. But you know, it’s cool. People can say whatever they want to say. You can’t please everybody, and you can’t live your life wanting to please everybody either.

The interview and Heidi's semi-naked pictures appeared today in Page Six Magazine.

Anna Wintour is #1 again

2009-09-08T19:48:00.004+02:00

With the September Issue movie and her presence in Fashion's Night Out campaign, there was no other option. Although the Vogue sales dropped by 26% comparing to last year, she's just won 2009's Most Powerful Fashion Magazine Editors countdown by Forbes. They took into consideration the following factors: number of unique users monthly at the magazine's website, advertising revenue, number of advertising pages, circulation and hits on Google (of the name of the editor).

Nevertheless, this year due to the difficult situation in both magazine and fashion markets "each editor's public relations power struggle could be a race for survival rather than a battle for the throne". What does it mean to us? Well, basically, that the magazines should/will do a bigger shift towards relatively cheap on-line publicity. In the countdown this was considered to be Anna's biggest weakness: "While Style.com is a popular site within the fashion industry, it's failed thus far to reach a mass audience."

Out

2009-08-28T18:15:00.003+02:00

I'm having vacation and in general getting tired somewhere around Andalusia. Recovery in front of the computer commencing September 7th. Cheers!

Live From New York - V #61

2009-08-27T22:19:00.002+02:00

Oh, New York, New York.... We get more and more of you every September. It's one of those places, that looks good in the pictures, no matter who is behind the camera. But when it's Mario Sorrienti and the Big Apple is accompanied by Sasha Pivovarova and Freja Beha, the outcome must be stunning. I love the claustrophobic angles, I love the poses and I even like the circus-like styling. And it's 20 pages.

Magazine: V #61 (September 2009)
Title: Live From New York
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti
Models: Sasha Pivovarova and Freja Beha Erichsen

And more September covers

2009-08-27T21:15:00.004+02:00

This time two Serbian beauties!

Harper's Bazaar Russia September 2009 - Milla Jovovich by Igor Vishnyakov - she just looks wonderfully creepy

Elle Serbia September 2009 - Georgina Stojiljkovic by Milena Rakocevic - striking a pose!

Top models' nationalities

2009-08-26T22:07:00.005+02:00

Have you ever heard "oh, fashion - it's all about Russian and Brazilian models". Well, I have. So just out of curiosity I took models.com Top 50 Models list and came up with those stats:

US 8
Russia 7
Poland 5
Netherlands 5
Belarus 4
Canada 4
UK 3
Australia 3
Ukraine 3
Germany 3
Sweden 2
Estonia 2
China 2
Brazil 2
Slovakia 2
France 1
Japan 1
Norway 1
Dominican Republic 1
Finland 1
Belgium 1
India 1
Lithuania 1
Martinique 1
Austria 1
Denmark 1
Hungary 1
Italy 1

I find it interesting. US and Russia are leading - that I could tell without statistics. But where's France? Where's Italy? Where's entire South America with all its beautiful latino girls? Where's Asia?
I guess we will not get rid of the blond, blue eyed type for long, long time.

More September covers

2009-08-26T21:27:00.005+02:00

I'm glad there is some more good covers this month. After terrible Vogue China (so disappointing!), boring Vogue US and Kate Moss everywhere, we can enjoy for example those two below.

i-D September 2009 – Chanel Iman, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn & Arlenis Sosa by Emma Summerton - black models striking again

L’Officiel Paris September 2009 - Jana Knauerova by Enrique Badulescu - Paris, Paris...

Anna Wintour + Fashion's Night Out

2009-08-26T20:24:00.006+02:00

Two days ago Anna visited David Letterman on his Late Show to talk about fashion, The September Issue movie and Fashion's Night Out. I don't think she did a good job there, but Letterman was even worse (I have this feeling he was afraid of her(?)).

Anyway, she's mentioned an interesting thing - this whole NY Fashion's Night Out, which is basically supposed to be a massive shopping spree. After seeing the movie above, I found this ad of the already famous night featuring Vera Wang, P. Diddy, Carolina Herrera, Coco Rocha, Donna Karan, Ashley Olsen, Diane Von Furstenberg and Anna, of course. But... watch out - she is wearing a t-shirt!

Sesame Street in Harper's Bazaar

2009-08-24T20:02:00.004+02:00

Isn't that cute? After Simpsons in Paris and Bambi for Stella McCartney we got a new fashion&cartoon mixture. This time Harper's Bazaar and designers joined forces with Sesame Street. Although the idea is rather cheap (they could do more than this...) - I love it! The editorial can be found in September's issue of HB + here.

Oscar de la Renta with Oscar the Grouch

Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte with Cookie Monster

Francisco Costa with Grover

Carolina Herrera with Elmo

Derek Lam & Thakoon Panichgul with Bert & Ernie

Vera Wang with Abby Cadabby

Diane von Furstenberg with Big Bird

Into the Woods - Vogue US September 09

2009-08-19T21:56:00.003+02:00

I guess crisis and sales dropping came out doing well for the quality of Vogue US. The best editorial of theirs I've seen in a long time. But to be not too innovative, they used Natalia (and for the rest of the eds - Karlie Kloss). Well, you can't have everything. More + source: tfs.

Magazine: Vogue US September 2009
Title: Into the Woods
Photographers: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott
Model: Natalia Vodianova

Lara Stone for Vogue Paris September

2009-08-18T19:22:00.006+02:00

Is somebody going to beat it? I don't think so. This will be the best September 09 cover.

In the picture - Lara Stone looking like Natalia Vodianova. I absolutely love it - her lips (!), her eyes, her hair... Wonderful. Photo was taken by duo Mert & Marcus.

It's Lara's fourth Vogue Paris cover (after April 2007, March 2008 and February 2009) and her seventh Vogue cover in general (Paris (4), Nippon (2), Italia(1)). Although she's not my fav, I like the fact she's scoring so many covers. Stylists seem to love experimenting with her uniqueness (starting with famous teeth gap) and Bardot-like features.
source: tfs

Rachel Zoe criticizing Rachel Zoe

2009-08-18T18:01:00.005+02:00

OK, that is a good one. Zoe has held yesterday a conference regarding the second season of The Rachel Zoe Project debuting on Bravo next week. Guess what she said on her own style in the first season of the program? "I thought, ‘oh my god do I really look like that everyday?’ I need less hair, less makeup, less everything. I can’t even watch it. It was way too much of everything. Why didn’t anyone tell me I looked like that?"

Healthy self-criticism is the key to success. source: Black Book

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana perfume ad

2009-08-18T17:37:00.005+02:00

In September a new perfume by Dolce & Gabbana will be launched - Rose the One. This time our Italian fellows have come up with romantic version of Scarlett (not pregnant) instead of sexy version of Gisele (pregnant) for the ad campaign.

source: Sassybella

Prada for W

2009-08-14T23:24:00.007+02:00

Honestly, I don't like Prada. Not the brand, nor the lady. I'm prejudiced towards any woman not using make-up (I'm dead serious). So pardon me if I'm not the most objective person commenting her thoughts from the newest W (yes, it's this issue with Kate Moss on the cover).

On models falling down during her SS 09 show: "I liked it. It made the show more interesting." Well, no, it didn't. It basically showed that Prada shoes are unwearable. If professional catwalkers have problems walking in them, potential customers will not try. Unless they want to have a nice collection to watch only.

On economical crisis in fashion: "When you say 'commercial,' it shouldn't be an insult, like something is not beautiful. It has to be best in the sense that [it's] really what people want to wear to look beautiful and elegant [in]." Hold on, hold on... Didn't you just express your happiness over the fact that people can't wear your artistic, non-commercial shoes and now you want to be commercial, because we have the crisis?

On dressing up: "It's important that you feel right, so I use an instinct at the last moment. What I think is unbearable is to wear something that we don't feel comfortable in. It's completely, totally psychological. One dress you felt so happy in for that day and that occasion, you put it on in another moment and all the magic is completely disappeared. There is a very tricky [relationship] between the occasion and your mind at that moment." Good advice if you have more then 20 big-moment-dresses in your wardrobe and you choose whichever you feel "comfortable in" 5 minutes before going out. Not everybody is that lucky.

And my fav, on criticism: "I don’t believe that anyone is not bothered by critics. I think that everybody cares." Absolutely true. So why are you still claiming that you enjoyed models falling down in shoes designed by you?

Mean me.

FotoDecadent

2009-08-13T21:47:00.005+02:00

Dear Good Fashion Spirits, thank you for bringing back to life FotoDecadent. Without it I would have no idea about existence of many pretty editorials and - above all - this picture:

Domenico and Stefano by Terry Richardson for GQ Italy June 2009

Dior is not going to have Fall 09 campaign

2009-08-12T23:29:00.007+02:00

...fine, not exactly, but close. The brand changes its advertising approach due to the financial crisis and big loss in profits. Sidney Toledano, Dior CEO has announced (temporary) end of typical seasonal campaigns featuring professional models and a big move towards long-lasting campaigns with celebrities: "Now we have to give more meaning. People are looking for iconic products and they want to see a product representing the values of a company."

That's why Dior focuses its efforts (and money) on Lady Dior handbag campaign with Marion Cotillard by Peter Lindbergh (last year, above) and Annie Leibovitz (now, below). In parallel to advertising in fashion magazines, the campaign is also run in the internet with one film released in May and the second one to be released in December.

I'm really curious about the outcome. We are used to continuous or similar campaigns - season after season (like f.ex. Madonna for LV), but not to campaigns lasting for more than a couple of months. Plus one can see more visible shift towards internet advertising, which is cheaper and relatively effective - perfect combination in difficult economical situation. Furthermore, I'm wondering whether using Cotillard (expensive) instead of a professional model (cheaper) will have an impact on sales results. If so, we may soon expect similar formulas used by other big fashion brands.
source: fashionologie

Anja Rubik - Vogue Germany September

2009-08-10T22:52:00.006+02:00

OK, next one scored! Actually, fourth this year (? - correct me if I'm wrong) after Vogue Korea in May, Vogue Paris in June/July and Vogue Nippon in August. This time Anja graces the German edition's cover. The picture was taken by Alexi Lubomirski.
I love Anja, she's a great editorial model, but she doesn't have much of luck with covers, does she?
source: tfs

Jennifer Gucci barred from using Gucci trademark

2009-08-10T22:21:00.010+02:00

"The court concludes that (Gucci) has proven that defendants willfully infringed and diluted the Gucci trademarks" wrote NY court in its statement regarding Gucci trademark usage by Jennifer and Gemma Gucci - ex-wife and daughter of the fashion heir. The ladies have developed a line including coffee, bedding, housewares, cosmetics, hosiery, handbags, wine and gelato under their name with a very similar logo to the one developed by Paolo Gucci, now belonging to French luxury goods seller PPR.

Jennifer Gucci has been trying to use commercially her name since 1998 - seven years after divorcing Paolo. Fortunately, up to the moment she's not been successful. source: Reuters

Linga Evangelista for Vogue Italia

2009-08-09T21:48:00.004+02:00

I don't know... Everybody says it's such a good cover, but I hate it. Maybe because I'm tired of:

Meisel
Linda Evangelista everywhere
"Dreamy" style created by increasing contrast and blurring a picture
This week

Vanity Fair's Best Dressed

2009-08-04T21:16:00.007+02:00

Vanity Fair has released today on its website preview of the annual International Best-Dressed List - officially it's going to appear in the September issue. Celebrities included on the List are divided into a couple of categories like f.ex. "[Fashion] Professionals" (with Tory Burch), "Couples" (with Natalia Vodianova and Justin Portman) or "Hall of Fame" (with Catherine Deneuve). Not only almost no Hollywood stars appeared the List (exceptions: Brad Pitt and Anne Hathaway), but also Anna Wintour didn't make it.

Vogue UK - September 09

2009-08-04T20:16:00.003+02:00

Kate Moss got her 28th Vogue UK cover! This time the magazine invested in the classy-classy trio: Moss + Testino + Burberry coat.
And below - four editorials appearing in this issue. Click on the picture to see the entire ed. Everything scanned by OhJane at tfs.

"It girls" for Mango F/W 09/10

2009-07-31T23:08:00.005+02:00

Apart from the campaign with Scarlett Johansson, Mango has prepared for the upcoming season the four pictures below featuring "it girls" of the moment. "We decided to count on them because of their undeniable personality, originality and unique style. Each one perfectly reflects the essence of the collection. Their respective careers, linked to the world of fashion and art, bring an avante-garde and fresh perspective to the collection" said Ninona Vila, Mango PR Manager.

Daisy Lowe, famous for being daughter of Pearl Lowe

Riley Keough, famous for being daughter of Lisa Marie Presley

Leigh Lezark, famous for being a DJ

Marie-Ange Casta, famous for being sister of Laetitia Casta

To sum up - if you have no famous relatives, the only hope for you to enter the fashion world is to become a DJ...

Brand: Mango
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographers: Mariano Vivanco, Txema Yeste, Bela Adler, Salvador Fresneda
Models: Daisy Lowe, Leigh Lezark, Riley Keough, Marie-Ange Casta
source: Mango

Vogue China has ruled the month of August

2009-07-30T23:26:00.008+02:00

We already know the cover, but just look at this:

Magazine: Vogue China August 2009
Title: Inspired by China
Photographer: Quentin Shih
Model: Du Juan
source: tfs, scans by kazaf

And if it's not enough, you can have a look at this, this, this, this and this. I'm irrevocably falling for this magazine.

DKNY Jeans F/W 09/10

2009-07-30T22:43:00.006+02:00

Looks like a street fashion photo to you? It may indeed - the newest DKNY Jeans campaign was shot by Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist. And if you're tired of "it girls" - well, too bad as the picture shows MTV host Alexa Chung. source + Hilary Duff for DKNY as well

Sex and The City 2 - good and bad news

2009-07-30T22:01:00.006+02:00

I always start with bad news.

Bad news: the filming has been delayed. All because of cultural differences. Part of the movie is supposed to take place in Dubai, but "The UAE authorities aren't keen on the title because of the word 'sex'." states Us Weekly's source.
Good news: they are still looking for some supporting cast! "Open casting call for union/non-union background performers for “Sex and The City 2″ to play international types (middle eastern, arabic, asian, european, british), professional soccer players, fashion models, urban club goers, gays and lesbians, celebrity types, upscale socialites." I especially like Middle-Eastern and Arabic distinction as well as European/British one. Anyway, casting call opens August 4th in NY, so hurry up all international types!

I <3 The Cut

2009-07-28T23:09:00.007+02:00

After some rumors stating that US Vogue will refresh its image due to the crisis (the ad sales are dropping and the upcoming September issue is going to be as skinny as Anja Rubik), NYMag's blogger Amy Odell wrote on The Cut:

"What could that mean? Jourdan Dunn has to take maternity leave anyway, but no more Karlie Kloss? That would make us sad, but if we never see another picture of her against a gray backdrop jumping as though a spider fell down her pants, we won't be devastated. But no more Mario Testino? No more Annie Liebovitz? No more silly spreads inspired by Pimp My Ride or visiting the eye doctor? Might they deign to shill outfits that only cost as much as a new armchair instead of a new hybrid vehicle? Those would all be refreshing changes. But our greatest wish for Vogue is that they stop using Photoshop to turn their cover subjects into humanoid versions of themselves."

The rest of the text is over here. BTW, the lady on the left - that's Amy.

More and more of Lily Allen

2009-07-28T22:28:00.007+02:00

Next celebrity who's goal is to become the "it" girl in fashion. To my mind she's trying too hard to pretend like she doesn't care what she's wearing. When asked how she decides what to put on, Lily replied: "There are generally three factors - what's clean? What's going to make me feel fat and ugly? How many photographers are there outside my house? Usually I'll just wear trousers and a T-shirt or a dress for meetings. I've only worn my £6,000 Prada dress three times so far."

Yes, this was said by this person:

Anyway, seems like Karl L. prefers her style over Beth's. He shot Lily for the newest Chanel accessories campaign (loosing weight definitely has helped her).

Brand: Chanel (Coco Cocoon bags, jewels and other accessories)
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographer: Karl Lagerfeld
Model: Lily Allen
source: tfs

The note was inspired by her new video:

W August 09 editorial

2009-07-23T20:29:00.009+02:00

As I've been living in Spain for some time, one of the things I miss the most is green color. That's why looking at something like this makes me double happy.

Magazine: W August 2009
Title: Sanctuary
Settings: Cumberland Island National Park, Georgia
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti
Model: Guinevere Van Seenus
source: W

Jill Sander + Miu Miu F/W 09/10

2009-07-23T19:32:00.006+02:00

Two very nice campaigns, where simplicity is the key word.

Brand: Jill Sander
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographer: Willy Vanderperre
Model: Natasha Poly
more here, final versions here

Brand: Miu Miu
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographers: Mert & Marcus
Models: Hannah Holman, Ilda Lundqvist, Mimmi Söderström
more here

Lindsay and Fornarina vol. 2

2009-07-19T11:48:00.006+02:00

"Wild and sexy at the same time, Lindsay Lohan shows, in this new campaign, that part of herself as a popstar, the lead singer who speaks the electrical language of decibel and whose charm glows under the stage spotlights."

Well... I hate it even more than the previous one. Anyway, here's the source and the rest of the pictures.

It's been four years...

2009-07-16T22:29:00.015+02:00

Almost four years have already passed for Chinese Vogue under Angelica Cheung. I remember the news about the first issue... Gemma Ward was being at the very top of the modeling world and Du Juan was just starting to get international attention.

Du Juan, Gemma Ward, Wang Wenqin and three other models

Before the September issue launches, let's look at all the covers of the magazine (beauty supplements excluded).

Gisele Bundchen, October 2005

Hana Soukupova, November 2005

Nicole Kidman, December 2005

Kate Moss, January 2006

Du Juan, February 2006

Gemma Ward, March 2006

Daria Werbowy, April 2006

Lily Donaldson, May 2006

Freja Beha Erichsen, June 2006

Doutzen Kroes, July 2006

Mariacarla Boscono, August 2006

Du Juan, Gemma Ward, Sasha Pivovarova, September 2006

Maggie Cheung, October 2006

Lily Donaldson, November 2006

Gisele Bundchen, December 2006

Natalia Vodianova, January 2007

Du Juan, February 2007

Gisele Bundchen, March 2007

Shu Qi, April 2007

Lily Donaldson, May 2007

Wang Wen Qing, June 2007

Doutzen Kroes, July 2007

Lily Donaldson, August 2007

Stephanie Shiu, Du Juan, Mackenzie Hamilton, Pei Bei, September 2007

Mackenzie Hamilton, October 2007

Emma Pei, November 2007

Du Juan, December 2007

Lily Donaldson, January 2008

Du Juan, February 2008

Sasha Pivovarova, March 2008

Zhang Ziyi, April 2008

Zhou Xun, May 2008

Shu Qi, June 2008

Gisele Bundchen, July 2008

Maggie Cheung, August 2008

Raquel Zimmermann, September 2008

Du Juan, October 2008

Agyness Deyn, November 2008

Kate Moss, Maggie Cheung, December 2008

Naomi Campbell, January 2009

Wei Tang, February 2009

Anne Hathaway, March 2009

Lucy Liu, April 2009

Du Juan, May 2009

Lily Donaldson, June 2009

Anna Selezneva, July 2009

Sigrid Agren, August 2009

And then, some statistics (correct me if I'm wrong):

There are 21 covers with Asian women, 29 with white women, 1 with black woman
There are 12 covers with celebrities
Du Juan appeared on 9 covers, Lily Donaldson on 6, Gisele Bundchen on 4
So far 48 issues were published, one of them having two covers
Out of the final 49 covers, only 2 are reprints
34 covers have completely white background

souce: many websites, but mainly tfs

Lifetime's fashion reality shows

2009-07-15T20:22:00.006+02:00

Both the shows will premiere on August 20th, Thursday.

Project Runway

It's going to be the 6th season of the show - but for the first time aired on Lifetime and filmed in LA instead of NY. Everybody already knows the format - 12 contestants - non-professional fashion designers are competing in developing their own pieces of clothing.
The filming of the upcoming series took place last fall and the show was announced to begin airing in January 2009, but was delayed due to a lawsuit between the show's producers and NBC. Although it's been almost a year, the identities of the finalists and the winner are being well kept secret. But what we know for sure are the guest judges: Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria and Lindsay Lohan.

Models on the Runway

A new show, although the format is already known from f. ex. Make Me A Supermodel. As all the contestants in this one are female (16 ladies, to be exact), the producers promise more "drama, anxiety, joys, tears and frustrations" while models will be competing for $25,000 and a fashion spread in Marie Claire US.

Alasdair McLellan

2009-07-14T23:23:00.004+02:00

I guess the guy is becoming Vogue Russia's favorite photographer. Three covers in half a year? Good job!

Dree Hemingway (August), Natalia Vodianova (June), Natasha Poly (March)

More of his work here.

Scarlett Johansson for Mango F/W 09/10

2009-07-14T21:39:00.007+02:00

I know that objectively it's not the best campaign in the world, but I can't help it. I like Scarlett, I like her new haircut and I'm starting to like Mango more and more with every month I'm spending in Spain.

Brand: Mango
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti
Model: Scarlett Johansson

source: tfs

Vivienne Westwood interview

2009-07-14T20:54:00.010+02:00

Here is an interview with lovely Vivienne Westwood from last week's Friday Night With Jonathan Ross (apparently BBC's version of those late US shows). Main topics: fashion, Pamela, environmental issues and Vivienne's life philosophy.

If you don't want to bother watching the entire interview, here is a short review:

Westwood was wearing her own new design - huge cloak made out of seven meters of duchess satin + boxer shorts
"Take the tablecloth if it’s beautiful, and even take towel if it’s good enough, or the curtains or anything — put things together yourself and take things from your husband or your boyfriend like boxer shorts or whatever" (I am so not a DIY person, but I love the concept. Sounds too radical in Vivienne's mouth, but it points out the right direction, I think.)
"Buy less, but choose well (...) I think it's even better don't buy anything (...) Don't just keep buying for the sake of it" (definitely! after longer "shopping diet" one start appreciating both - new and old clothes in his/her wardrobe)
"When I'm in the street, the only people I notice, are usually at least 70 years old, because they look really stylish."(look here)

Now that's my girl!

2009-07-14T19:49:00.008+02:00

I must admit - Emma Watson is my second "it" girl of the moment (right after Beth Ditto). I know she's played only in one movie, but who cares? She's got such a nice, British style and seems to be...hm... how should I put it?... Normal? And here's an example - her statement regarding celebrities' fashion lines:

"I’m really not interested in doing it for my own ego. I’m not a designer. If someone asked me to do something that was beneficial to a cause, then maybe I’d consider it, but not just [to be able to say] ‘Look at me! I’ve got my own line!’[It’s] gotten so ridiculous. The idea of making my own perfume makes me want to vomit."

I might even consider buying the Elle UK.

(Plus I like Harry Potter. Or maybe I shouldn't be confessing that?)

source: wwd.com

Feeble means happy

2009-07-13T21:55:00.008+02:00

"Of course it is fashionable to look fey and feeble, because this suggests you do not eat much, which suggests you are thin, which suggests you can fit into Chanel sample-size clothes, which is the most important thing in the universe. And even if you can't achieve this state of nirvana, if you pose in a manner that suggests feebleness — such as, say, folding your body in a pose that insinuates your bones have crumbled due to osteoporosis — you can fool onlookers into believing you are on the cusp of collapse. Malnutrition? Oh my God, like, such a good look."

Hadley Freeman, The Guardian's fashion journalist

found on NYmag, taken from Guardian

H&M F/W 09/10

2009-07-13T20:55:00.002+02:00

This is only the beginning, but I'm already unhappy. I adore Sasha, I love Richardson and I like H&M, but the collaboration outcome is so unoriginal. Oh, well... Let's wait for more.

Brand: H&M
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographer: Terry Richardson
Model: Sasha Pivovarova, Eniko Mihalik (not sure whether it's full cast)

source: tfs

So this is the final "bye"

2009-07-12T20:23:00.002+02:00

Although her agent claimed differently, Agyness Deyn finally confirmed her split up with the fashion world: "You know, even though I’m in fashion, I don’t, like, do fashion. Fashion isn’t me, even though I work in it. It’s just materialistic stuff. I just want to do whatever makes me happy."
Even if she changes her mind later on, I don't think there will be many designers willing to collaborate with Deyn after such a statement. Anyway, she'll be missed.

source: NYmag

Beth Ditto's collection launch - July 9th

2009-07-06T20:19:00.012+02:00

In two days the Beth Ditto's collection for Evans is launching, so media is full of articles on Beth and interviews with her. I've just found two really interesting ones - in Guardian and Daily Telegraph.

Beth may be a singer (although not trained), but I hope she will do as good in fashion as she does in music. She's got designer's intuition and - contrary to "regular" designers - faces problem of shaping big body with clothes every day.

"The shapes for a fat person have to be different. Even stores for big girls get it wrong. With some of the designs, the people from Evans were skeptical but I was like: 'Trust me.' And then when the model put it on, they were like: 'Oh, I get it now.'"

And then on leggins:

"Leggings!" Beth trumpets, brandishing a pair that would house a bale of supermodels. "I'm proud of these! These are going to be life-changing." Life-changing because, according to Beth, they don't suffer from the two perennial problems for bigger women's footless tights. Which are, first, too much material at the bottom, so that they bag around the calf, and second, not enough material at the top. "See, if you're fat," she says, yanking up her vest to show me, "the waistband should come up over here, all the way up to under the breasts, so you feel secure and you get a smooth line. Not necessarily held in, but like nothing's going to be weirdly squeezed out."

Sounds like she knows what she's talking about, doesn't it?

Anyway, the collection is a result of several months lasting collaboration with Lisa Marie Peacock - Evans' head of design. Ladies were inspired by Blondie, The Slits, Grace Jones, Mama Cass of the Mamas and Papas, the Bauhaus and Art deco movements and drag queens. The clothes are going to range from funky-flashy style of the 80's to more functional pieces. The prices will vary from 18 to 65 pounds.

And that would never happen without Kate Moss' help. Kate, who's very good friends with Beth, introduced her to Philip Green, who now hosts the collection within his own label. Moss got it right again.

I love that dress!

Anja again! (this time for Balmain)

2009-07-05T17:11:00.009+02:00

I'm so happy to see more of her around - maybe less and less on the runway, but more and more in the magazines. She's recently got three Vogue covers (Vogue Paris being one of them) and appeared in the Gucci pre-fall (we're still waiting for her Gucci fall and GAP shots). And now - this:

The picture comes from F/W 09/10 Balmain campaign. I'm afraid this is going to be the only photo published from this series. Guess who was it taken by? What a surprise - Inez & Vinoodh.

Brand: Balmain
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographers: Inez & Vinoodh
Model: Anja Rubik

source: tfs

UPDATE!!! Anja also scored Giuseppe Zanotti campaign - here.

We are all beautiful bitches

2009-07-02T23:14:00.002+02:00

Celebrities design

2009-07-02T22:25:00.006+02:00

OK, I know everybody is already tired with the topic, so let's put it as short as possible. Here are the recent announcements of celebrities' fashion collections:

Beth Ditto for Evans: plus-size line will be launched in 6 days
Geri Halliwell for Topshop: just rumors so far
Madonna with Christian Audigier, French designer known for Von Dutch and Ed Hardy labels: the duo's goal is to create anti-age-discriminating collection: "Madonna and I are working on a new project called The Material Girl Project and I’m going to be a partner with her on it. It’s going to come out, in September, when it’s back to school time. So we are working on different designs and samples right now, so we’re going to have most of that done at the end of the summer. It’s going to be for everyone, all ages. We’re going for everyone, from seven-year-olds to 77-year-olds. We’re not excluding anybody."
Beyonce Knowles and her mother for Dereon: it's going to be a junior fashion line inspired by Beyonce's alter ego - Sasha Fierce (sounds awkward, doesn't it?) - sneak-a-peak on the right
Courney Love: rumors, rumors, rumors...
Amy Winehouse for PPQ: capsule collection for the British brand
Miley Cyrus + Maz Azria for Walmart

Beckhams for Armani - again

2009-07-02T22:03:00.007+02:00

In case the pictures of Victoria by herself and David by himself posing for Armani Underwear weren't enough, here are the two shots of the Beckhams together. The campaign is going to hit firstly billboards and then major fashion magazines (the usual order for this brand).

Can you see the expression on David's face? Looks like he's not enjoying the rope bed. I guess he would prefer to swing on it.

Brand: Armani Underwear
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographers: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott
Models: the Beckhams

source: thehollywoodgossip

Madonna for Louis Vuitton vol. 2

2009-07-01T21:46:00.005+02:00

Last week various fashion websites posted the first picture from this campaign (above), today we got the rest. Madonna looks like a photoshopped mermaid, although the overall look is supposedly to be inspired by Man Ray's photography. "After the fun we had with the Spring/Summer campaign, and the amazing reaction to it, all of us – Madonna, Steven and myself – were eager to get back together for Fall/Winter" - commented on the campaign Marc Jacobs.

Brand: Louis Vuitton
Season: F/W 09/10
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Model: Madonna

credits + HQ pics: tfs

"September Issue" HD trailer

2009-06-28T13:05:00.007+02:00

New trailer of the "September Issue"* has been recently released. The movie is going to be a bomb, but I don't think it'll change people's view on Anna.

*The movie is telling a story of preparation of the largest magazine issue ever published - September issue of US Vogue, focusing mainly on the editor in chief - Anna Wintour. "September Issue", directed by R.J. Cutler already won the Grand Jury Prize for Excellence in Cinematography at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. It's planned for theatrical release in both US and Europe in September 09.

Emma Watson in Teen Vogue

2009-06-25T19:02:00.006+02:00

With the new Harry Potter film upcoming, we will see the teenage actors starring in it more often in the media. And this applies especially this young lady - 19-year-old Emma Watson playing Hermione, who appeared recently in the Burberry FW 09/10 campaign and now graces the cover of Teen Vogue. I like the girl (talking smart), I like the surroundings, I like the clothes. The only disadvantage I can find is the text-overloaded cover.

Magazine: Teen Vogue August 2009
Title: Emma Enchanted
Settings: old English Country manor
Photographer: Norman Jean Roy
Model: Emma Watson
source + bigger pics: teen vogue, tfs

How Beth Ditto made my day

2009-06-25T18:30:00.003+02:00

As you may remember Beth Ditto met Karl Lagerfeld during Paris Fashion Week. They posed together to dozens of pictures and did a little chitchat in front of the media, but the love between the both has not been mutual. Karl was presumably even doing some fat-phobic jokes backstage.

Beth made a comment on that in the recent Scotland on Sunday: Do I enjoy standing next to Karl Lagerfeld? Yes, that was totally surreal and f**king cool. What if, come tomorrow, he hates me? Well, I don’t really care because he’s not my friend. It’s not like a break-up. He’s just a person who makes dresses for me sometimes. (...) I wouldn’t say he’s a really cool person but he’s a really cool artist. I appreciate a lot of art by really sh***y people. And I’m not so weak to think that this is going to last or they’re going to love me forever.
source: Scotland on Sunday, pic: glamour.com

Anja Rubik - Vogue Nippon August cover

2009-06-24T22:48:00.004+02:00

Another Vogue cover for Anja. Glad to see her getting some magazines' attention, even though it's a couple of years too late. The picture was taken by Inez and Vinoodh and will appear on the cover of August issue of Vogue Nippon. Generally speaking I don't like it, but Anja's legs make it work.
souce: tfs

Heidi's doll

2009-06-23T23:01:00.006+02:00

Heidi, who's been recently trashed by Karl, is getting a "don't worry" present. The German supermodel was recognized as one of the most iconic blonds in entertainment and is getting her own doll as a part of Barbie’s Blonde Ambition Collection (you can already order the toy over here.) The doll costs $45 and will be shipped as of October. To me - doesn't look like Heidi at all.
source: MyFashionLife, pic: style.com

Cause everybody needs vacation

2009-06-18T20:36:00.002+02:00

I'm there having a lot of fun. Be back on soon.

Brüno

2009-06-17T22:07:00.010+02:00

I've recently written a text on nude models on magazines' covers, but now I see that I could've waited two days more for this coquettish (god, I love that word) July issue of GQ.
One may like Sacha Baron Cohen or not, but you have to admit it - he's got a pretty nice body! And regarding humor - well, depends on what you like. Myself, personally, I still quote Borat from time to time with my former flatmate.

"Hey, Brüno, I recently started collecting unemployment. Any style tips for someone on a tight budget?
Times are hard, but if you shop around und are prepared to vear some things twice before throwing zem avay, it is still possible to look good on a clothing budget of about $20,000 a veek. Ich mean, obwiously you vill need a bit more zan zat if you are planning on leaving ze house.(...)

Dear Brüno, where should I be putting my iPhone? The wife says the belt clip is totally out, But it looks like a tuna sandwich in my pocket. Anyplace else?
Vhat ein stupid question. Keep it in your assistant’s pocket, obwiously."

More lovely pictures and the rest of the article here.

E-mail alert: Jimmy Choo teams up with H&M

2009-06-17T21:15:00.004+02:00

"This autumn, British accessory brand Jimmy Choo will bring its international glamour and covetable shoes and bags to selected H&M stores. The collection will be available from November 14 in around 200 stores across the world. It is the first time that H&M is collaborating with an accessories brand, and to celebrate Jimmy Choo will extend its design vision for this collection to women’s clothing to complement the accessories. Further exciting news is that this collaboration includes a men’s collection of shoes, bags and accessories."

source: H&M newsletter, pic: tfs

2009 CFDA

2009-06-16T22:38:00.004+02:00

So here is the list of this year's winners:

Accessory Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler
Popular Vote Award: Ralph Lauren
Menswear Designer of the Year: Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein and Scott Sternberg for Band of Outsiders (tie)
Swarovski Award for Menswear: Tim Hamilton
Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Alexander Wang
Swarovski Award for Accessories: Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry
Womenswear Designer of the Year: Rodarte

If want some more details, visit WWD.com for a short article and a lovely slideshow.

Agyness Deyn quits modeling?

2009-06-16T21:21:00.010+02:00

Agyness Deyn is rumored to quit modeling and NY and come back to the UK to continue with her acting career. "She said it's so boring and lonely hanging around studios all day, she's not enjoying it anymore. She's got an acting agent and told them she wants to get involved in interesting British indie films."

And Agy already found herself a new British b-friend - musician Miles Kane: "She was really flirty with him and he seems to really like her. They will definitely be hanging out more when she moves back to the UK."
source: mirror, pic: style.com

Missoni S/S 09

2009-06-15T23:37:00.008+02:00

The models don't look themselves, the make-up is very heavy and the poses unnatural. But who cares? Steven Meisel and a stylist Marie Amelie Sauve did good in bringing back some of the 50's spirit.

source: tfs (pictures in the thread not in order)

Brand: Missoni
Season: S/S 09
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Models: Natasha Poly, Isabeli Fontana

Four man and fashion

2009-06-13T19:45:00.007+02:00

Embarrassed: On Thursday a giant Emporio Armani Underwear & David Beckham fall campaign poster hang in London. The event gathered so many fans, that the London police had to be involved. Beckham stated later: “When the pictures are unveiled it’s a bit embarrassing.” A little bit surprising statement for a person doing Emporio Armani Underwear campaign for the fourth time. (source: WWD.com, pic: zigazig-ha.com)

Annoyed: Alex Bilmes, GQ's Feature Director clearly doesn't like fashion world. On his blog he wrote: "Beth Ditto is a fat lesbian. She's also a fashion "icon". Hilarious, isn't it? I love fashion people, I really do. They're so... how do I put this? Stupid? Yes, that's it. They're so stupid. Here's what happened: stung by criticism of their unhealthy obsession with rexy supermodels, they hit back by lionising a pathologically exhibitionist 16 stone woman from Arkansas. Clever, huh? That'll get the feminazis off their case. How can anyone say they only promote thin women when they are so enamoured of a porker like her?" I recommend to read the rest. (souce: GQ's website)

Mean: Attack on Heidi Klum, episode 1234. Heidi has been receiving negative commentaries from German fashionistas (Karl Lagerfeld among them) as of publishing of this cover, being called "too heavy", "bling bling" and many more. But now Lagerfeld referred to the private life of the bombshell, specifically her husband, Seal: "I am no dermatologist but I wouldn't want his skin. "Mine looks better than his. He is covered in craters." (souce: The Sun)

Helpful: Roberto Cavalli dressed singer Mariah Carey for the 75th anniversary celebration in Apollo Theater (8.06). And Mariah almost scored a big fashion blunder when a photographer stepped on the dress. As per the rumors she was so afraid that the dress was ripped off, she went to VIP seats to Cavalli to ask for help. He did go with her to a dressing room, although it was not revealed whether he had to or not repair the thing. (source: WWD.com)

Chinese dream of Hawaii

2009-06-12T23:45:00.008+02:00

Russian model + beach + sunset = sounds overrated? It may indeed, but look at the pictures below.

The editorial comes from the upcoming Vogue China. The light, the female touch (Akrans), the place - everything in it is so (too?) perfect, but it's not bothering me - just makes me miss vacation even more.

Magazine: Vogue China June 2009
Title: Enchanting Hawaii
Settings: Hawaii!
Photographer: Camila Akrans
Model: Anna Selezneva

Credits & more pictures: kazaf @ TFS

Why do people think that models are stupid?

2009-06-11T20:36:00.006+02:00

Chanel Iman attended yesterday a party celebrating Kanye West's "top 25 women in fashion" list (yes, I'm confused too). Although, theoretically, she wasn't one of the lucky 25 ladies (she came there to "support her friend" - Kanye), her presence will be surely remembered because of this short interview for NY Magazine.

My two favorites below:
Where do you want to be in a couple of years? A glamour woman. Just glamorous.

What do you think men look at when they judge fashionable women? I say boobs and tits. I also say the eyes. I think the eyes are very seductive.
(Picture also taken from the NYMag.com website)

Vera Wang in DWTS?

2009-06-11T17:21:00.006+02:00

As E! News is reporting, Vera Wang has signed up to be a contestant in the 9th, up-coming edition of the American "Dancing with the Stars". If so, as of September 21st we may be able to watch this 60-year-old former Vogue editor and most famous wedding dress designer in the world - dancing! And Vera has a big chance of winning as for years she has been trained as an ice-skater (another figure skater - Kristi Yamaguchi - won the 6th edition).

However, for this time being ABC has not given any comments on casting, so we're still waiting for an official announcement.

Eliza Cummings

2009-03-01T11:25:00.003+01:00

This girl is getting everywhere these days! And it's all because of this Meisel's new obsession with British "it" models. London-born Eliza walked Marc and Rodarte in New York and scored most of the good shows in London and Milan, appeared in an editorial for Vogue Italia (February), then in a portfolio in W (March - kissing with Daisy L) and on an i-D cover (March - OK, this one was not done by Meisel) and now she is confirmed to grace Vogue Italia April cover.

If you have not yet heard of her, you will. A lot.

Source: fashionista, fashionologie, fashionspot.

Back in time

2009-02-17T21:39:00.004+01:00

Did you know that in the beginnings of fashion photography the designers feared it as it could lead to stealing their ideas? Plus it was always connected with celebrity photography as most popular models were nobles, actors, singers or any other artistic souls, as one had to be something more than good looking to influence other people's taste. Fashion wasn't universal - fashion was for rich and so was fashion photography.

The picture was taken by the first fashion photographer in history (or at least one of them) - Adolf de Meyer. Actually, he could be a celebrity himself as he got married to a bisexual goddaughter of Edward VII, while having affairs with men. He worked for Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper's Bazaar almost up to the World War II. The picture below comes from the beginning of his career - 1918. The person shown is Rose Dolores, a Broadway actress.

Stolen from here. You can find more here.

i-D March 2009

2009-02-15T17:06:00.006+01:00

Sorry for the delay in posting and not moderating the comments. I have just finished my exams session. What a relief now I feel...

Sooo... Below you can find 12 new i-D covers for March 2009 featuring best known British models (taken by Solve Sundsbo):

Naomi Campbell, Daisy Lowe, Stella Tennant, Twiggy;
Yasmin Le Bon, Susie Bick, Alice Dellal, Agyness Deyn;
Lily Donaldson, Jourdan Dunn, Eliza Cummings, Kate Moss.

And there's more - really interesting editorials inside with not only the models from the covers, but also with f.ex. Alek Wek, Lily Cole or Cecilia Chancellor. Funny thing - I haven't seen people at fashionspot so divided on an issue since long time. Everyone has different types. Mine is Susie (isn't she more of an actor than a model?), I really don't like Daisy - what about you?

The pictures by tarsha.

Retro quiz

2009-01-29T10:47:00.006+01:00

Which Marilyn would you rather choose?

Scarlett Johansson for Dolce&Gabbana cosmetics line by Sølve Sundsbø
Daria Werbowy for Roberto Cavalli SS09 by Inez & Vinoodh

Pam for Viv

2009-01-28T15:00:00.005+01:00

Oh-my-god! I love this SS 09 campaign. Regardless of what you think about Anderson's intelligence, acting, private life or appearance, Pamela has really became iconic those days. She is such a great match for eccentric Vivienne - no matter which picture, they look together like they are just in the middle of a great party! And Teller did surprisingly well (I usually prefer his editorials rather than campaigns). Plus Malibu reminds me of GTA Vice City again(obsession or what?).

More here.

LV + celebrities

2009-01-24T18:04:00.005+01:00

For quite some time every major advertising campaign must contain "behind the scenes" video. Especially, when Steven Meisel is the photographer, Louis Vuitton - the brand and Madonna - the model. I must say, those short movies are getting better and better and this one is just terrific.

But it's not end of the news about LV. Kanye West's sneakers were a part of the FW 09 Louis Vuitton's men show this Thursday. As far as I could spot, they went in orange, red and black (correct me if I'm wrong). Marc Jacobs seems to be very pleased with the collaboration, but Kanye after all these years dreaming of becoming someone big in fashion, must be dying of happiness.

Lindsay finally got a job

2009-01-21T22:46:00.002+01:00

Lohan was chosen to become the face of an Italian brand Fornarina last May and here are the results. I wonder why most of the websites call the pictures "sexy". Regardless Lohan's acting skills and her personal life, in the past she mainly did very good campaigns for high quality brands (Donney & Bourke, Miu Miu, Jill Stuart), but this time neither the pics nor the clothes are impressive. On the other hand, Fornarina has chosen a perfect model for their customers - "the Hollywood celebrity testimonial of the brand. Young, beautiful, eclectic, with great talent and a great personality, Lindsay Lohan immediately appeared as one of the few in the show-biz able to represent the glamorous style of Fornarina." Just one doubt from my side - isn't she wearing black, edgy clothes all the time in her real life? Plus I don't get the point with no facial expression.

More here.

If something goes wrong, let's clone what has been working in the past

2009-01-18T11:07:00.008+01:00

Make Me A Supermodel reality show is an originally British program airing on channel Five. Besides that the show has got it's Australian and US version, the US one, of course, being the best known.

The first American season averaged over one million viewers of which about 800,000 were adults of 18-49 years old (statistically the most active consumers). It was aired on Bravo cable channel known also for the Project Runway show.

What will be changed in the upcoming (March 4th) 2nd season are the judges, the host, the format and one of the "mentors", meaning pretty much for an average successful show. All the judges were replaced from supermodels Tyson Beckford and Niki Taylor, fashion casting director Jennifer Starr and Cory Bautista from New York Model Management by designer Catherine Malandrino, model Jenny Shimizu, model scout Marlon and a fashion photographer Perou, who's been also a judge in the original UK version of MMS. It will be now in single host-format - from a duo models Tyson Beckford and Niki Taylor, Tyson is the one who stays. From now on it is going to be the judges who get to determine the eliminations and finally eventual winner. Additionally an Australian 23-year-old model Nicole Trunfio will replace Taylor as a mentor to the female contestants.

There are 16 contestants altogether from the age of 18 to 30. Heterosexual and homosexual. Experienced and unexperienced. With children and without. Artists, students, sportsmen. Very typical mixture for such a show. It hasn't started yet, and we've already got emotional stories that hit one's heart. 22-year-old Karen wants to win for her family to "lift their spirits after they've suffered a family tragedy last year when one of her twin brothers died in an accident". 24-year-old Kerryn is "inspired by her brother, a Marine who received a Purple Heart when he was injured from a roadside bomb attack". 19-year-old Salome "puts in about 70 hours into two part-time jobs a week". And last, but not least 30-year-old Shawn is "inspired to win because his brother passed away a little over a year ago".

This series will require less of the viewers' engagement by changing the voting rules. Plus, after the first series it is already known, that all the contestants, not only the winner, will sign a contract with New York Model Management. I wonder how those are going to influence the number of audience.

More information, pics and videos here.

Back / FF for JV

2009-01-17T22:50:00.006+01:00

OK, so here it is - I am not a very organized person. Working for this big-international-tobacco-company (no... nobody knows, what am I talking about seeing their logo below my links) takes all of my free time, but - oh well - there are things that are important and those which are even more. Blog seems to me to be in the second category as a way to express my egoistic mind, which certainly is not being expressed at work. Plus, the theme changed a bit - hope you'll enjoy it.

So Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish band of a pretty sharped, stylish image. Their new CD (coming out in a couple of days) is said to be "taken straight out from the end of the '70". But above that they are just four simply good looking, but a bit strange guys fascinated with Russian avant-garde. And then we've got Greek-born American John Varvatos, who's been working in the past for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and - probably the best known collaboration of his - Converse. How could not a Converse guy make a perfect match with Russian avant-garde freaks?

So far there are only two pictures released for the SS o9 campaign. The were taken by Danny Clinch in Harlem and show the guys enjoying Mister Softee's ice cream (the scene reminds me of GTA Vice City - who's played, knows). According to Varvatos, Franz Ferdinand was "the perfect choice to express the sleeker, mod-inspired edge of my spring collection". Guess, it really was.

The first year of Vogue India

2008-10-23T23:00:00.006+02:00

"I suspect our Vogue will be nosier and more colorful and more vibrant than the western models" said Alex Kuruvilla, the managing director of Condé Nast India before the first issue of Vogue was published. Here are the results after the first year of its existence (taken from the FashionSpot).

This whole "more vibrant" part worked out. Besides the magazine is mostly very... "Indian" (contrary to the Chinese Vogue, which is less Chinese than what we expected after the first issue). But - being antibollywood person - I feel a little bit lost. Is it still a fashion magazine or more of lifestyle one? Hard to decide seeing only the scans at the Fashion Spot - but I'm disappointed anyways.

As a cover-lover - I was eager to see something more surprising, more original, more fashionable on the Indian Vogue cover. And I've got this:

Please, don't.

We'll be showing some body next season! (3)

2008-10-15T22:18:00.004+02:00

We'll be showing some legs. Anyone surprised?

Benjamin Cho, Dolce&Gabbana, Versace

Bluemarine, Marc by Marc Jasobs, Stella McCartney

Dior, Valentino, Herve Leger by Max Azria

Givenchy, Just Cavalli, Zac Posen

La Perla, Alexander McQueen, Erin Fetherston

source: style.com

Vivienne 2.0

2008-10-12T22:20:00.008+02:00

Vivienne looking like 100% Dame Commander or simply like an elder British lady. Looks more surprising than when wearing punk-ish stuff (reminds me even of Carolina Herrera. Or Elizabeth II. Can't decide.) Picture comes from 1999, stolen from style.com.

We'll be showing some body next season! (2)

2008-10-12T12:18:00.008+02:00

And this time - shoulders. Or, more precise - one shoulder. Next trend, which reminds me of 90's, but comparing to the bare midriff it's less provocative and more likely to stay in fashion for longer. We've already seen many of those for FW 08/09, but in the summer there's just more occasions to show off ones bare shoulder.

Abaete, Bottega Veneta, Max Azira

Carlos Miele, Carolina Herrera, Zac Posen

Preen, Yigal Azrouel, Versace

Luella, Rodarte, Reem Acra

Erin Fetherston, BCBG, Halston

Alexander Wang, Alberta Ferretti, Derek Lam

Calvin Klein, Elie Saab, Etro

Christopher Kane, Gucci, Rock&Republic

All the pictures I put here come from style.com, as usual. This is not even a half of the designers using this trend in SS 09 collections. It's going to become a huge thing.

We'll be showing some body next season! (1)

2008-10-11T18:35:00.005+02:00

Bare midriff brings back the memories, doesn't it? Early and mid 90's, Spice Girls on the covers and in our wardrobes - very short tees. This trend really did a buzz during the fashion weeks. It can either look trashy, modern or... just bad (sorry, but this one is definitely for slim girls only). I am really anxious to see will it be adopted by the streets.

3.1 Phillip Lim, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Topshop Unique

Hussein Chalayan, Chanel, Thakoon

Jeremy Laing, Malo, Proenza Schouler

Zac Posen, Alberta Ferretti, Alexander Wang

And who was the first one with the trend this time? Prada, of course. Below Resort 2009, FW 08/09 and SS 09 (twice).

Source: style.com

Milan SS09 - very short review (part 2)

2008-09-28T21:09:00.007+02:00

Versace goes summer-ish. Short dresses, vivid colors and those wonderful prints! Totally adorable. Donatella again didn't go into anything original, but watching this collection was just... pleasurable:)

Dolce&Gabbana go shiny. There is a little bit of everything in this collection - satin, oversized sequins, extra-wide shoulders, fur - everything screaming "look at me!". I really enjoyed the powerful woman look as well as the romantic dresses at the end.

Dsquared² go seventies. Very sporty, very American. It will definitely find it's fans - but not me. Reminds me of old James Bond movies.

Pucci goes Pucci. Williamson, enough.

Fendi goes simple. Transparent materials, pale colors, geometrical shapes. Very "it" for this season. But... who the hell has designed the hairstyles? Don't match the clothes so badly.