Playing it Safe

As the big name campaigns begin to emerge, it appears that designers are relying on established faces to draw in consumers. Gisele Bundchen flaunts her trademark sass appeal for Versace and Givenchy whilst fellow Brazilian turns it out in Haiti for Donna Karan. Natasha Poly is one of the boys for DSquared2 whilst iconic Italian model Maria Carla Boscono embodies the very spirit of Yves Saint Laurent and doubles up for Givenchy. Age and experience appear to be a major draw card with each of the aforementioned models having been in the modelling game for more than a decade. The exception to the rule is Prada who assemble an eclectic cast of recognisable faces alongside new recruits. Natasha Poly and blasts from the past - Elise Crombez and Meghan Collison, join newcomers Katryn Kruger and Kati Nescher for its gas guzzling hotrod themed campaign. 

Maria Carla Boscono
Yves Saint Laurent - S/S 2012
Photographer - David Sims

Maria Carla Boscono
Yves Saint Laurent - S/S 2012
Photographer - David Sims
Source - models.com

Adriana LIma
Donna Karan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Russell James
Source - nymag.com

Adriana Lima
Donna Karan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Russell James

Adriana Lima
Donna Karan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Russell James
Source - models.com

Gisele Bundchen
Versace-  S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - models.com

Chris Moore, Gisele Bundchen & Simone Nobili
Givenchy - S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Maria Carla Boscono, Simone Nobili & Chris Moore
Givenchy - S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Natasha Poly, Dmitriy Tanner, Matt Woodhouse,
Paolo Anchisi & Ton Heukels
DSquared2 - S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - models.com

Ymre Stiekema & Katryn Kruger
Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Steven Meisel

Kati Nescher & Meghan Collison
Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Steven Meisel

Natasha Poly & Elise Crombez
Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Steven Meisel
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Best in Class

W Magazine recruits models Jourdan Dunn, Lily Donaldson, Nyasha Matonhodze and Cara Delevingne for a sumptuous editorial lensed by Emma Summerton. Decked out in fashions from the Spring/Summer 2012 collections, the editorial features the latest trends as updated by Balenciaga, Prada, Roberto Cavalli and Chanel. Styled by Edward Enninful, Dunn et al. look striking as they embody the various themes attributed to each image including Gatsby Girls, Holy Daze, the Lady is a Vamp and Graphic Content. Summerton who is a regular contributor to i-D Magazine, brings her trademark lavish cinematic aesthetic to the pages of W Magazine.

Jourdan Dunn, Cara Delevingne & Lily Donaldson

Lily Donaldson & Nyasha Matonhodze

Lily Donaldson & Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan Dunn & Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne

Nyasha Matonhodze & Jourdan Dunn

Lily Donaldson

Jourdan Dunn

Cara Delevingne & Lily Donaldson
W Magazine - January 2012
Photographer - Emma Summerton
Source - thefashionspot.com

The Exclusive Laura Kampman

Seventeen year old Dutch model Laura Kampman was the most buzzed about model of the recent Spring/Summer 2012 season. Kampman who is represented by New York Model Management, scored the two most coveted runway spots of the season thanks to her Calvin Klein exclusive in New York and her Balenciaga exclusive in Paris.

Listed by models.com founder Wayne Sterling as a Top Ten Newcomer of the S/S 2012 collections, Kampman has an unique look that is mix of masculine, tomboy edge and delicate, feminine features. It is this juxtaposition coupled with an amazonian 180 cm frame which has industry pundits marking her as a newcomer with credible staying power. Already photographed by Paolo Roversi for the January 2012 issue of British Vogue, Kampman has also been shot recently by Steven Meisel for the Spring/Summer 2012 Balenciaga campaign and has an upcoming Vogue Italia editorial in  the works.

Looking at Kampman, I get the same vibe that I got when I first laid eyes on model Freja Beha Erichsen. It's that combination of sensuality and nonchalance which makes Kampman so alluring and intriguing. Watch for Kampman to explode in 2012 as a defining model amongst the next generation of models.

Laura Kampman
British Vogue - January 2012
Photographer - Paolo Roversi
Source - models.com

Laura Kampman & Francisco Costa
Calvin Klein - S/S 2012
Source - vogue.com

Calvin Klein - S/S 2012
Photographer - Filippo Fior
Source- style.com

Balenciaga - S/S 2012
Photographer - Unknown
Source - thefashionspot.com

Backstage at Balenciaga S/S 2012
Photographer - Unknown
Source - thefashionspot.com

Balenciaga - S/S 2012
Photographer - Steven Meisel
Source - models.com

Photographer - Felix Wong
Source - thefashionspot.com

Photographer - Unknown
Source - thefashionspot.com

Comp Card
Courtesy of New York Model Management
Source - thefashionspot.com

The Evolution of Bette Franke

Dutch model Bette Franke, who has been modelling since 2003, was the big surprise package of the Spring/Summer 2012 collections. Franke, a runway veteran at age twenty-two, left a gaggle of newcomers quivering in her wake during her, wait for it, 54 runway appearances for the likes of Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Chloé, Chanel, DSquared2, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Oscar de la Renta, Hermés, and Jil Sander amongst others.

Bette Franke
Australian Harpers Bazaar - January 2012
Photographer - Benny Horne

Australian Harpers Bazaar - January 2012
Photographer - Benny Horne

Australian Harpers Bazaar - January 2012
Photographer - Benny Horne
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Over the course of her modelling career, Franke has not only been a regular fixture on the international catwalk circuit but has also gained significant editorial exposure in publications including British Harpers Bazaar, Italian Flair, W, V Magazine and in the Japanese, British, German, Italian and French editions of Vogue. Campaign appearances throughout 2006 and 2007 for Hugo by Hugo Boss, Max & Co., Celine, Blumarine, Oscar de la Renta, cK Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Lacoste suggested that Franke would continue to ascend the rungs of the modelling ladder.

US Harpers Bazaar - September 2011
Photographer - Camilla Akrans

US Harpers Bazaar - September 2011
Photographer - Camilla Akrans
Source - models.com

I have had my eye on Franke's evolution over the past eight years and have always thought of her as a beautiful, sweet looking kid. As happens all too often with models having started out so young, interest in Franke began to wane from 2008 and her editorial and show options slowly dwindled. In 2010, Franke took an extended break from the international show circuit only to reemerge at the Spring/Summer 2012 collections with a renewed vigour and a sensual, womanly allure that shed her in a completely new light.

Franke not only looks sensational but she also exudes a confidence and sense of knowing that perhaps this is now her time to fulfil her true potential. I am certain that in 2012, Franke will be turning up in blue chip editorials and campaigns everywhere as fashion editors, casting agents, stylists and photographers clamour for a piece of fashion's "newest" star.

Polaroid courtesy of Why Not Models
Source - thefashionspot.com

Roland Mouret - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos

Alexander Wang - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos

Barbara Bui - S/S 2012
Photographer - Alessandro Viero

Isabel Marant - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos

Nina Ricci - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos

Calvin Klein - S/S 2012
Photographer - Filippo Fior
All runway images courtesy of style.com

Close-Up

The latest issue of Contributor Magazine features models Frida Gustavsson, Theres Alexandersson and Madelene de la Motte in a dramatic editorial befitting of their striking beauty. Hasse Nielsen captures the enigmatic trio in a series of illuminating high impact close-up beauty shots. Gustavsson, de la Motte and Alexandersson look astonishingly beautiful as they morph into character allowing Nielsen to emphasise the individual beauty of each model. The classic beauty of Gustavsson paired with de la Motte's extreme feline-like features and Alexandersson's aristocratic air, work in unison to create visually intoxicating editorial.

Frida Gustavsson
Contributor - Issue 4
Photographer - Hasse Nielsen

Madelene de la Motte & Theres Alexandersson

Frida Gustavsson

Theres Alexandersson & Madelene de la Motte

Madelene de la Motte

Madelene de la Motte & Theres Alexandersson
Contributor - Issue 4
Photographer - Hasse Nielsen
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

The Contender

Models like 19 year old Santo Domingo native Marihenny Rivera Pasible remind me of why I fell in love with modelling in the first instance. Rivera Pasible possesses a rare innocent, child-like beauty that is simply mesmerising in its purity. Backed by casting agents Michele Lee, Russell Marsh and Katie Grand, Rivera Pasible made an indelible mark at the Spring/Summer 2012 collections appearing in a total of 16 shows. The Dominican stunner who is represented by New York Model Management, was earmarked early on for success by influential casting agent Katie Grand who selected her to open the Giles show in London. The buzz generated paid dividends in Paris and Milan with Rivera Pasible walking for Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Loewe, Kenzo, Hussein Chalayan, Prada and Marni.

Introducing Ms Marihenny Rivera Pasible
Photographer - Terry Gates
Source - thefashionspot.com

With editorial appearances in V Magazine, Lurve Magazine, Teen Vogue and Nylon under her belt, as well as an up-coming British Vogue editorial lensed by Paolo Roversi, Rivera Pasible is fast becoming one of the most coveted newcomers of the Spring/Summer 2012 season. The interest in Rivera Pasible is evident with the Cut, models.com and Vogue Italia all featuring interviews with the elegant and articulate beauty on their websites. Watch for Rivera Pasible to dominate at the Fall/Winter 2012 collections in February where I am certain she will have the bounty of New York's designers falling before her well turned feet.

Photographer - Unknown
Source - models.com

Lurve Magazine - Issue 5
Photographer - Matteo Montanari
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Photographer - Unknown
Source - interview.com

Photographer - Idris & Tony
Source - vogue.it

Photographer - Idris & Tony
Source - vogue.it

Ohne Titel - S/S 2012
Photographer - Filippo Fior

Hussein Chalayan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Filippo Fior

Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Monica Feudi

Rebecca Taylor - S/S 2012
Photographer - Alessandro Viero

Marni - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos

Top Shop Unique - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos
All runway images courtesy of style.com