sports illustrated: August 2011

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Stark Contrast

Steven Meisel shoots some of modellings most compelling faces for W Magazine's September issue. A cast of supers, current tops and faces of tomorrow make up the cast of chameleons assembled for the editorial entitled "Transformers". Linda Evangelista, Raquel Zimmerman, Karen Elson, Jamie Bochert, Jessica Stam, Aymeline Valade, Fei Fei Sun, Guinevere Van Seenus and Candice Huffine pose for a duo of portraits, first as they see themselves and then as their alter egos. The results are magnificent with each model undergoing a dramatic transformation thanks to the creative genius of Meisel and stylist Edward Enninful. The September issue of W marks Enninful's first full issue as the magazine's fashion and style editor, and if this is an indication of things to come I will be anticipating each issue with abated breath.

Linda Evangelista

Raquel Zimmerman

Karen Elson

Jessica Stam

Aymeline Valade

Candice Huffine

Fei Fei Sun

Guinevere Van Seenus

Jamie Bochert

Jamie Bochert
W Magazine - September 2011
Photographer - Steven Meisel
Source - models.com

Jamaican Pride

September is shaping up to be a bumper month editorial-wise for models of colour. American Elle showcases the illuminating beauty of Jamaican model Jeneil Williams in an editorial shot by Laurie Bartley. Represented by New York Models, Kingston-born Williams brings a touch of modernity to a series of outdoor shots set amidst the tropical flora and fauna of the Caribbean island of St Lucia. Williams looks simply spellbinding in neon bright graphic prints which contrast beautifully with her flawless ebony coloured skin. I have not purchased American Elle since the late Nineties but with editorials featuring the likes of Williams, Herieth Paul and Stephanie Seymour in its September edition, it may well be time to break the drought.

Jeneil Williams
US Elle - September 2011
Photographer - Laurie Bartley
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Dream Team

American Vogue ups the ante for its September issue with an incredible cast of models assembled for a Steven Meisel editorial. Veterans Caroline Trentini, Coco Rocha, Raquel Zimmermann and Jourdan Dunn mash it up with relative newcomers Fei Fei Sun, Mirte Maas, Arizona Muse and Daria Strokous. The spread entitled "Playing to Type" features the Meisel's favourite faces in a myriad of looks based on five distinct personalities; the Romantics, the Modernists, the Artisans, the Bourgeoisie and the Subversives. With styling by Grace Coddington and hair and make-up courtesy of Guido Palau and Pat McGrath, it's no wonder this editorial delivers on every level.

The Modernists

The Subversives

The Artisans

The Romantics

The Bourgeoisie
US Vogue - September 2011
Photographer - Steven Meisel
Source - models.com

In Flight

Supermodel Jourdan Dunn never fails to deliver the goods with each and every editorial appearance. American Vogue's September issue features the magnificent Brit in an only-girl editorial lensed by David Sims. Dunn looks sublime sporting a chin grazing bob and a super lean physique. I never tire of Dunn because she is the very embodiment of elegance, sophistication and refined beauty. As with model Liya Kebede, I predict that the best is yet to come from Dunn following her hiatus from modelling in December 2009 to give birth to her son Riley. Dunn looks as alluring and fresh as the day when she was discovered as a sixteen year old whilst shopping with a friend in Primark.

Jourdan Dunn
US Vogue - September 2011
Photographer - David Sims
Source - models.com

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Dazed & Intrigued

Dazed & Confused delivers a 60-plus page visual smorgasbord for its September issue featuring a genius mix of established models, new faces and kids discovered at street castings. Kacper Kasprzyk photographs the cast of nearly 40 models including Joan Smalls, Liu Wen, Emily Didonato, Marloes Horst, Aymeline Valade, Hanna Ben Abdesslem and Ajak Deng in a series of moody black and white and colour shots with blue lit backdrops. The editorial showcases looks from the Fall/Winter 2011 collections with styling by Katie Shillingford, Karen Langley and Robbie Spencer. An element of surprise is gleaned with each turn of the page thanks to the eclectic mix of high fashion faces, commercial models and unknowns.

Lydia Willemina & Teresa Pagh
Source - models.com

Joan Smalls
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Marloes Horst
Source - models.com

Ehren Dorsey
Source - models.com

Alyona Subbotina
Source - models.com

Ruby Jean Wilson
Source - models.com

Emily Didonato
Source - models.com

Ajak Deng
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Camille Rowe
Source - models.com

Liu Wen
Source - fashiongonerouge.com

Hanaa Ben Abdesslem
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Aymeline Valade
Dazed & Confused - September 2011
Photographer - Kacper Kasprzyk
Source - models.com

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Next Wave

Next Model's Sofya Titova is my pick to be modelling's next big thing. Judging by these test shots, the seventeen year old Russian newcomer has an stunning future ahead of her. The 177 cm tall beauty possesses a physique ready-made for the runway. Blessed with a wonderfully long torso and gazelle-like limbs, this beguiling beauty has already appeared in L'Officiel magazine and Russian Vogue. Miuccia Prada has Titova firmly in her sight, having featured the flaxen haired, blue-eyed ingenue in Prada's Resort 2012 collection. You can be guaranteed that Titova will be a strong contender at the Spring/Summer shows come September. Watch this face...