Sang d’Encre

I had such a visceral initial reaction to this editorial.  It seems trivial saying it now.  I recognize how easily excitable I am by fashion, but this is just…wow.  There’s something morbid and beautiful about it.  The title, “Sang d’Encre,” is equally poetic and morbid and quite apt as it translates to “Blood Ink.”  The make up of course is expertly done and the lines created are just breathtaking.  This editorial is visually stunning and rich in color contrast.  I love how striking every single color is against the white of Dree and the background.  There’s something fantastical about the smoky patterns of ink, and I can continue to stare at this editorial for days.  I would love to blow it up and hang it on my wall just so I can.

Vlada Roslyakova by Paolo Roversi

<3  Not only did Vlada make a spectacular redhead last year, but she’s absolutely gorgeous in this portrait series as well.  Paolo Roversi is also quickly rising in my books as a romantic style photographer.  I love how the gray scaled shots aren’t quite black and white.  At least not the standard black and white that one can play with in photoshop.  It’s softer and suits the tone of this portrait series.  This series has an aesthetic that I appreciate and there’s a timeless quality to it.

Plein soleil

Not only is Anj one of my favorite models, having Camilla Akrans as the photographer makes me love this shoot even more.  I have yet to find a Camilla Akrans shoot that I’ve disliked.  The perspective is certainly unique; she makes me aware of things I normally wouldn’t look at.  In one, she brings the focus to Anja’s eyes in one shot in a way I wouldn’t expect.  The play of shadow and light brilliantly illuminates the hollow of the throat or the planes of her face in other photos.

Just the Two of Us

This is cute.  And playful.  I can definitely see mini-style themes emerge as every shot is quite different from the last.  Not much to say here other than the poufy cloud of curls are a nice touch.

Hippie Yeah!

EPIC hair.  I think I saved this editorial simply because of that.  Honestly, the hair and makeup for this shoot is crazy good.  I’m not even aware of anything else.  I guess that’s what Patrick wanted to focus on.  Awesome.  Not enough shoots focus on the beauty aspect of it.  Because it does make for an interesting angle.

Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down

Each and every one of these shots are striking.  Just a little bit haunting and yet, sensual.  There’s something a little off about it too, which I love.  Perfect settings and perfect pieces are boring.  You need something that’s a little off to keep things interesting.  The lighting is most excellent.  It’s not too bright with the right amount of saturation.

Isabeli Fontana by Sølve Sundsbø

Leather, greased up skin, and smudgy makeup?  I’m totally in.  What a positively sinful editorial.  It knew how to get me hook, line, and sinker.  Sølve Sundsbø normally shoots with a more romantic style, but I love the edgy sexiness to this shoot.  Isabeli Fontana is an excellent model for this and she keeps things interesting by drawing the eye in many different ways.  In some ways, some of the black and white shots remind me of Jac’s piece for Numero a little while back.

Natalia Vodianova by Mikael Jansson

This is a very multifaceted editorial.  It appeals to more than sight and vividly sets the scene for the viewer.  It’s a bit teasing and sensual and makes you picture warm summer nights where you can’t help be lounge around in the heat.  You’re overly warm and lazy.  Desire is flaming within you despite the heat and you can’t help but tempt with all that glistening skin.  And now I feel like I’m writing soft porn aka “smut with adjectives packed in the spaces” (rageprufrock in “Paraphase”).  However, I’m not denying that that’s the image it gives me.  Frankly I blame Carine with her Gallic sense of sensuality and Natalia for being such a tempting little vixen in this editorial :P

Wishful Sun, Scattered Sea

The haziness of this shoot (perhaps it is the quality of the scans) works quite well for it.  Not to mention, I’m totally charmed by the quirkiness of the model.  She has a rather intense, slightly off-putting stare though.  This shoot reminds me of long languid summer days where I can lay about sunbathing.  It’s fantastically lazy.  And more than a little eccentric.  There is a whimsical quality to it that I like.

Blanco Classico

While this editorial doesn’t vary all that much and  has the constant of the white corset styling-wise, I still really like it.  There’s something romantic and spring-like about it.  It makes me happy.  It’s sensual and warm; the lighting is the wonderful near-dusk casting that turns the world to gold.  The white appears earthy and compelling.