Cuidado con las Vacaciones!

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

 Myf Shepherd by Thiemo Sander for Elle Spain July 2011

*Warning: nudity*

As to be expected, Elle Spain‘s July issue stuns with a dose of sex appeal from a gorgeous Australian, Myf Shepherd.  I don’t normally post up such blatantly “sexy” shoots (they are neither inspiring nor creative), but in this case, I couldn’t help myself.  There is something very captivating about Myf. Her sensuality feels raw to me, making a simple shoot like this more intriguing than I would have expected.  And while her body is certainly stunning, I am more drawn to the angles of her elbows. I like the lines that she creates and the languidness that she inspires.  This is a simple piece that does not overly push the sexiness of it on the viewer.  Just enough.

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Beauty and perversity: The Gaultier Retrospective

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Monika Sawicka by Arkan Zakharov for Pulp #3

I just love this grungy type of glamour.  And the quirkiness of JPG is immediately apparent, making this a fantastic retrospective on larger-than-life personality and avant garde fantasy.  The effect of his designs are wonderfully captured on camera as they are put into motion by Monika.  I think Monika delivers the right amount of intense edgy and dreamy etherealness.   The setting is full of character while the pieces each have a voice all on its own.  Very punk, yet softly romantic.  It is utterly feminine.  Moreover, there is something a little undone about this which I really like.  It’s a well balanced deconstruction that is countered by the embedded technique of JPG.  Very nicely done Gaultier.

Oh, and Monika’s cheekbones are stunning.  I especially like how the partial gold face paint captures them.

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Bianca Spender S/S 2011 Lookbook

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

There is some seriously fantastic shape and fluidity to this collection.  While the tone is certainly minimalist, these designs most definitely do not fade into the background.  They speak volumes.  Each shot and piece is utterly striking.  And I love the intriguing color palette and gorgeous draping.  Not only is the design technique sublime, but the entire collection displays easy sophistication.  It is rare for me to post ad campaigns or lookbooks lately (Versace Atelier aside that is); I simply couldn’t look away when I saw this one.  I found this a perfect showcase of easy sensual summer elegance.

Moreover, the set director has a fabulous eye.  He/She played up the drama for each shot, either by crafting wonderfully stark blank slates for the piece to truly stand out or providing startling contrast with texture and unusual details.  Each shot stands on its own in terms of impact, and each can leave the viewer staring for a very long time.

Also, can someone identify this model for me?  She’s gorgeous.  She totally won me over in this with her beautifully arching lines and edgy cool.

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Ilse De Boer by Andreas Öhlund

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Ilse De Boer by Andreas Öhlund for Cover Magazine June/July 2011

Ilse’s stunning natural beauty really stands out in this.  I really like that the creative director for this shoot let her showcase that. Those freckles are absolutely delightful.  And while summer always brings a slew of all-white style print work, I like how classic this particular editorial feels.  It is not revolutionary or avant garde, but there’s a nice flow to this nonetheless.  I like the intensity that Ilse brings when she gazes into the camera and the dreaminess that she evokes when staring off into the distance.  And all that posing further showcases the intriguing angles of her face and body, creating some truly lovely lines.  There is a softness to this editorial without delving into romantic whimsy.  The styling may be distinctly gauzy, but it is decidedly streamlined.  Ilse comes across earthly rather than ethereal, depicting prêt-à-porter at its best. And of course, Andreas Öhlund should be credited for his lovely photography.

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Light of the Field

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Katherine-Clark by Grant Yoshino for Fashion Gone Rogue 2011

Dreamy and gorgeous.  I love the romantic feel to this editorial ; it evokes springtime softness.  And the styling is fabulous; the texture to every piece really stands out.  For once, I like that it is short and sweet.  The concept is not overly ambitious and I am not over saturated with the sweetness.   Just some charming, and very pretty, images with splendid lines.  This is a lovely little piece with just a touch of whimsy.

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Acne Paper Sweden S/S 2011 Cover

 

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

 Anais Pouliot by Daniel Jackson for Acne Paper Sweden S/S 2011 Cover

This girl is adorable.  Can’t wait to see what she does.

Malgosia Bela by Greg Kadel

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 Malgosia Bela by Greg Kadel for Vogue Spain July 2011

Quite the pair these two.  Malgosia Bela and Greg Kadel aren’t quite to the level of Edita + Camilla yet, but are an often found model/photographer pairing nonetheless.  Malgosia kind of gives me the same face (and emotion) in editorial, making it feel a bit amateurish, but I find Kadel’s photography gorgeous regardless.  Malgosia comes across glamourous and sexy, if rather commercial in this shoot.   Which certainly has its place.  She feels very approachable in this, rather than fiercely aloof, a persona that the industry certainly loves.  And while I desire more edge and attitude, Malgosia exudes a softness in her seduction which draws me in.  I like the suggestion of vulnerability in those moments. [I think I will always love the slightly furled brow (shot 11); it’s just so… quintessentially high fashion.]  The wide-eyed open mouth stunned look in a good portion of the shots, however, detract from them.  Those are simply too contrived and far too comical to be believed.  And I don’t quite believe that the creative director was striving for farce.  However, as I have been told, the photographer and directors choose the shots from numerous numerous reels of shots.  They kept these particular shots in for a reason; however, I still believe that they take away from the shots of true sentiment.  Which is unfortunate, as this could have had moments of brilliance.

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Pool Daze

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Josephine Skriver by Rasmus Skousen for Cover Magazine July 2011

Cool girl.  I love how she’s chilling out in an emptied pool.  Josephine has an unflappable cool that really comes across in this editorial.  And the mood is just perfectly blasé.  I love how Cover Magazine has taken the typical beachwear to a different setting.  It’s not immediately apparent where she’s at, bring a skate park to mind.  I think the texture to this shoot is great: the edges of the pool are used often and the execution of this editorial is nicely done.  Moreover, sexy beachwear is transformed into skater it-girl chic.  Although she’s lounging around, there’s a different sentiment to it by taking it out of the sandy beaches.  Everything feels very effortless. And very Proenza Schouler-esque.  I definitely approve.

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Emma Watson’s New Day

Credit: Vogue.com

Emma Watson by Mario Testino for Vogue US July 2011

Hermione Granger who?

Love love love the high fashion extravaganza that is this shoot.  Emma Watson has been developing some high wattage style.  Always willing to take a risk and fly the flag for haute couture, she has very unique taste while remaining utterly chic.  I am quite impressed with the pieces she chooses.  Vogue (and Grace Coddington) certainly doesn’t hold back any; they pulled out all the stops for Emma’s very first Vogue shoot and cover.  And I, for one, think she looks utterly fabulous.

Emma shines in bedazzled pieces from Aquilano.Rimondi and Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 Collections and stuns in various oversized Prada sequins.  My personal favorite is the Tom Ford (featured above/Shot 1) brass feather skirt.  Amor-esque and eye-catching, it brings both decadent luxury and fierce edge.  Those two traits are something that Ford always excels at.  Moreover, not many can pull off these kookier Prada pieces.  This shoot is all about glamour and luxury coupled with fierce attitude and diva-entitled persona.   And to top that off, I am entirely charmed by the light dusting of freckles that I can make out in spite of the heavy slick makeup.   The makeup is very done, but she pulls it off well.  She comes across edgy yet approachable (love the slicked by pixie cut).  Not to mention, utterly adorable with that plastic Marc Jacobs beret in shot 2.  Brava Emma! I hope this is a sign of even more fabulous Vogue shoots to come.

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Vogue US July 2011 Cover

Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue

Emma Watson by Mario Testino for US Vogue July 2011 Cover

Emma stuns in Prada.  One of my favorite Vogue US covers in a good long while.