Natasha Markova by Mathieu Vladimir Alliard

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Certainly one of the fiercest portrait series for a new model that I’ve seen in a good long while.  I love how edgy Natasha comes across in this.  The almost hostile stare is rather haunting in some respects as the feeling lingers even after one has stopped viewing this series.  Especially the last shot with her smeared makeup; there is an intensity to it that I really like.  It is rare for new models to make an impression quite like that.  And I love the mix of seventies quirk and sixties punk vibe this has going on.  The Lennon-esque sunglasses were an awesome detail to add, shifting the grittier punk styling into something a little more unexpected.  I like when editorials can surprise me.  This series managed to do that right out the gate with its intensity and Natasha’s fierce attitude.  Also, I love the variety in the shots with the focus and texture shifting from shot to shot.  This feels more like an art installation than a standard editorial, making this a really great start for Natasha Markova.

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Liza Yermalovich by Evan Browning

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Liza Yermalovich has some spectacular eyes.  I can easily see her up for an ad campaign; her eyes effortlessly draw the viewer in.  Moreover, her distinctive features make for a spectacular base in the more avant garde beauty looks.  Funnily enough, she is a lot like a cartoon siren with her cat-like eyes and full pout.  I like the portrait series remains classic with its soft composition; Liza does not need to do much to stand out.

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Jose Molenaar by Richard Bakker

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

There is something about her face that I really really like.  I love that freckles have made a bit of a comeback lately as they can add a lot of interest to the look.  Moreover, she has a haute couture feel about her.  The minute shifts she has from shot to shot feel very natural as she intuitively finds the light.  And she does this wonderful little furrow while simultaneously giving the viewer a very pointed look.  I like that Richard Bakker has chosen cast this entire portrait series in black and white as it highlights the marked contrast of her skin to everything else.

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Becker by John Ciamillo

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

 A newbie to dissect.  I don’t know if I have seen enough of her to assess her technique and whatnot, but the styling is rather fabulous.  I love the spider-web feel to the deconstruction.  And I always enjoy black and white shots.  Other than that, I don’t really know what to make of her.  She tilts her neck rather extremely.  Looks rather uncomfortable to me…

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Brynja Jónbjarnardóttir by Toby Knott

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

This is a rather sweet little portrait series.  It is full of light and innocence with playful accessories and floaty tulle.  Toby Knott has a soft touch with this, displaying youthfulness and romantic whimsy in a delightful manner.  That is all there is to it really.  Short and sweet.

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Brittany Hollis by Jeff Tse

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

While she feels a bit blank to me, I love the concept of the scarves.  They truly make this portrait series.  It’s almost like the swirling of ink dropped into water.  However, in some sense, the blankness works in Brittany’s favor.  The mood feels just slightly eerie with the scarves enveloping her.  I like the vulnerability that I sense in this; it makes for a more powerful impact.  Moreover, there is a fluidity to this that is really lovely.  Coupled with the vividness of the color palette, this portrait series is rather striking.

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Loren

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Loren Kemp by Rokas Darulis for Fashion Gone Rogue 2011

*Warning: Nudity*

The power of this series lies in its simplicity.  Rokas Darulis doesn’t overwhelm the viewer with an ambitious concept or blind the viewer to Loren’s spark.  Because this girl does have a spark.  And while I don’t like the smoking bit, I find Loren very intriguing in this.  She’s captivating.  I like how she can draw your eye with just a look and little else.  Moreover, she seems very at ease in front of the camera.   I love how natural the nudity feels.  Loren has this cat-like grace that makes her a very sexy subject to capture.  She seduces me easily with her natural magnetism and fluid lines.  Just in shot 10, I fall in love with how she arches her spine and creates this beautifully fluid line as she pulls her sweater off.  Or shot 3, where she’s sitting there gazing at the camera but manages to pull the viewer in anyway.  I think this is a fantastically sexy yet perfectly at ease series of intimate shots.

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Andreea Diaconu and Ollie Edwards by Blair Getz Mezibov

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Gorgeous intimate portrait series by Blair Getz Mezibov.  I love the classic muted black and white tone to it.  Moreover, the composition is lovely; Getz Mezibov blurs the edges a little by softening the angles of their bodies.   And stunning angles those are.  The hollows and angles of their bodies are beautifully showcased here.  The human body (and the lines that can be created) is a lovely thing to witness.  I find it interesting that my eye is more drawn to Ollie Edwards in the foreground.  I just love the shadows along his shoulder in the feature shot; I keep returning to it.  And as lovely as Andreea is, I find Ollie the more interesting subject.  Possibly because I can see more of him than her or just how Getz Mezibov ended up directing it.  Perhaps the perspective and focus was meant to be on Ollie.  In any case, this is a gorgeous classic portrait series.  It left me wanting more.

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Janneke Van Den Bosch by Pierre dal Corso

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Boy does she has a lovely neck.  Elegant with swan-like elongation, Janneke catches the eye instantly. While her features remind me a lot of Jac, this young ingénue has a different sentiment of her own.   I love the classic feel to this portrait series, especially since dal Corsco is using a film rather than digital.  The graininess of the shots are lovely.  Portrait series are normally used to present the model as a blank slate so the concept can’t be too ambitious.  I wasn’t terribly impressed with the last few shots, but I find the profile shots absolutely gorgeous.

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Emily Baker by Dima Hohlov

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Intensely fierce dude.  And only 16 to boot!  All that fierceness already…amazing.   Well Emily certainly has some striking features; those are some lovely cheekbones she’s got there.  She actually reminds me of a favorite newcomer of mine, Britt Maren.  Must be the similar bone structure.  And the intensity of course.   Moreover, this is a rather intriguing shoot; she showcases different…texture (I guess for lack of a better word) with every shot.  The hollowed cheek windswept bun look gets translated differently between shot 1 and shot 2.  I like that; it demonstrates some depth on her part.  Although, she does seem to have a habit of gnashing her teeth often.  Interesting trademark to have…

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