Freja – Handsome Girl

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

 Tao Okamoto by Lachlan Bailey for Vogue China August 2011

Although Tao brought the bowl cut back into favor in recent seasons, I love that she’s growing out her hair at the moment.  Cool easy edge and perfect for summer.  And while I like Vogue China‘s tribute to Freja’s androgynous style, it feels very different on Tao.  There is still the easy effortless cool, but it doesn’t outright scream Freja to me.  Likely that is due to the dramatic red lip (which I love); Freja would never be caught out on the street like that.  However, the red lip works very well for Tao.  It really stands out with her porcelain skin.  One thing both have in common is the inherent sexiness.  I especially like shots 3 & 5.  Both are sexy and just a tad elegant.  Overall, the homage to Freja’s street style is there.

Oh, and how can I not adore the little star tattoo?

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Girls on Top

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Liu Wen, Tao Okamoto, Shu Pei and Fei Fei Sun by Terry Tsiolis for V #71

While I am a little sad that Du Juan is not in this spread, this is still smoking hot.   I really really love the dramatic makeup.  The eyes are all fantastically done.  Moreover, I love the different feel that every shot has.  While the others are more pop-ish and perhaps occasionally a little sixties mod, the feature shot above feels a bit romantic seventies despite the baby doll lashes.  I love that these girls are part of a new brand of supers.  The concept of the super has changed a bit since the nineties.  While there is still the worry of a whitewashed fashion industry, I like the changes the industry has made.  For one, Asian models are a bit more prominent this season.  I feel that I see Liu Wen is everywhere.  Which is all well and lovely, but there are other great Asian models as well.  Tao Okamoto had a lovely little moment as well.  I think she single-handedly brought back the bowl cut when she debuted her new look on the runway.  Not to mention, I think Shu Pei is absolutely gorgeous.  She has a fantastically symmetrical face.  I kept going back to her during Fashion Month every single time.  Overall, I am very excited for this issue of V Magazine.  Asian feature + Gaga cover and inaugural Gaga article as well.

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Ports 1961 Spring 2011

Credit: NY Magazine

I thought that I would be more impressed by Ports 1961 but seeing as I never was before, I really should be surprised.  I did like a couple looks though.  The maxi dress that Tao is wearing is lovely.  Ports 1961 was a bit free-floating and little too unstructured for my liking.  I could care less for flowery spring offerings.   To be fair, they did open with structure.  I love the cape-like jacket that Freja is wearing.

Tao Okamoto by François Nars

Tao Okamoto can so pull off whatever hair color she wants.  I’ve seen her blond, I’ve seen her natural, and also successfully bring back the bowl cut.  And now fiery coral.  It’s a bit out there but totally fits in with François Nars.  Not to mention her nails are freaking AWESOME.

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Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Vision of Delight

After lighting the runway ablaze her intense stare and singlehandedly bringing back the bowl cut, she abandons her signature look for a softer blonder look.  Surprisingly, despite my reservations about Asian women going blonde, she looks good as blond.  It is a bit reminiscent of Daul Kim (who is still sorely missed) when she had gone blonde.  I almost didn’t recognize her because this hair softens her look quite a bit.  The photography adds to that romantic softness along with the styling of floaty summer dresses.   Camilla Akrans follows up well with her signature style. This is quite the spring editorial, making me long for warmer weather.