Allure March 2009
Sessilee Lopez & Edita Vilkeviciute/Photographer: Mario Testino
Two of the strongest editorial faces from the new model class—Sessilee and Edita—pair up to create a striking contrast in the Mario Testino-shot beauty ed in March’s Allure.
Filed under Beauty, Editorials, Fashion, magazines
Even though New York Fashion Week’s not quite over yet, there’s one emergent trend that’s hard to ignore—the prevalence of bold neon colours. What’s behind it? For one, it’s a little counter intuitive and therefore creative to use such eye-popping colours in fall/winter collections, which are usually dark and opulent. Another explanation comes from Marc Jacobs, who said about his day-glo designs, “The collection is all about clubbing in the ’80s, when New Yorkers could have fun, be creative. Not like now . . .”
Michael Kors was more hesitant to cite an ’80s club scene inspiration, but said his cheerful collection was all about channeling the distinctive and colourful flavour of New York. In light of a very depressing economy, it doesn’t hurt to show bubbly optimism or reference an era of excess—after all, what’s a better way to escape than through fashion?
Filed under Fashion
The Good
Iris Strubegger is '80s excess in the Mert and Marcus-shot cover
Interesting angle, so much so that's it's hard to tell it's Mary-Kate, but cool nonetheless
The Interesting – as in interesting pose, cover subject…
Madonna strips down for a typical Steven Klein shot and canoodles with her boy toy Jesus inside the pages
The Decent – not bad but nothing strikingly outstanding (from best to worst)
The highly buzzed about Michelle Obama classic and classy cover shot by Annie Leibovitz
SJP is totally overshadowed by the intense pink in a very optimistic cover shot by Peter Lindbergh (Bazaar's new graffiti font is reminscent of Stephen Sprouse's LV bags)
Julia Roberts captured in a prematurely beachy shot, looking a little washed out with her light hair (shot by Michael Thompson)
Jessica Alba's face looks over-photoshopped (shot by Carter Smith)
The fashion set came together at the amfAR Gala to raise money for AIDS research and kick off Fall/Winter 2009/10 NYFW. In addition to the major fashion players Anna Wintour, Donna Karan and Kenneth Cole, celebrities like Mary J. Blige and Liza Minnelli also turned up. And of course models like Lily D., Anja and Stam celebrated before buckling down for the grueling runway season. Most stuck to elegant floor length gowns by the likes of J. Mendel, while others like Lara and Caroline chose fun cocktail dresses.
Filed under Fashion, Models, Street Style
Figuratively that is, on the issue of model safety. After her Zero + Maria Cornejo NYFW show, she addressed the Hervé Léger slip and slide yesterday, remarking:
And I suppose she can say those things without sounding hypocritical because she accessorized her fall/winter collection with flats and low wedges, instead of following the eight-inch platform trend. But perhaps she should share her opinion with Miuccia Prada, whose show last season took the cake for models falling on the runway.
Filed under Fashion
The Hervé Léger Fall/Winter 2009/10 runway proved hazardous during their show yesterday, as more than one model stumbled or fell. Among the unlucky ones were the highly buzzed about Polish 15-year-old Monika “Jac” Jagaciak and 17-year-old German Karolin Wolter, both of whom are pretty green on the runway.
Even Alexander Wang offered the reward of tequila shots to models (mostly underage, mind you) that didn’t fall at his show. With falls becoming more common, you can’t help but feel a little sympathy for models who have to contend with super-slippery runway surfaces and increasingly sky-high, ankle-breaking heels.
To commemorate what’s likely to be the first of many runway tumbles this season, check out Fashion Television’s compilation of memorable model falls (including the epic face plant by Jessica Stam at Chloé Fall/Winter 2006/07 at 0:39 and again at 1:59).
Filed under Fashion, Fashion Shows, Models
German model Julia Stegner‘s been in the game for a long time now and is more commercial than high fashion. That success is due to her longtime work for Victoria’s Secret and the holy grail for models, a contract with a major beauty brand, in Julia’s case it’s Maybelline. That financial and career security means she doesn’t have to vie for print work or walk 30+ shows during fashion weeks like newcomers (although for Spring/Summer 2009, she was exclusive in New York, Milan and Paris for the Rag & Bone, Gucci and Givenchy runway shows respectively, and is the current face of Berlin Fashion Week) and has more time to hit the party circuit, as shown by her event style below.
Filed under Fashion, Models, Street Style
Model Bar Refeali will soon be known as more than Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend because of two major gigs. The first is landing the coveted cover of the 2009 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. The Israeli model topped many other girls for the cover spot, including Estée Lauder face Hilary Rhoda, Andy Roddick’s fiancée Brooklyn Decker and comeback queen Anne Vyalitsyna.
The second isn’t officially announced, but in a Time.com interview, Bar revealed that her next project is the revival of MTV’s House of Style, once hosted by Cindy Crawford. If so, she either beat out or will co-host with all-American teen model Chanel Iman, who was supposedly also in the running. I hope Chanel co-hosts because at least she’s better positioned to get insider fashion scoop than Bar, who is more commercial pinup than haute couture. And don’t feel too bad for Chanel if she doesn’t have any role in the new House of Style, it’s rumoured she will cameo in an episode of Gossip Girl. Meanwhile, let the speculation begin as to whether Bar scored the jobs on her chops alone or because she’s dating Leo…
sarahdanslenoir 