Heaven Sent

Proving that nothing compares to a model on the cover of a fashion magazine, are the latest selection of covers from four of my preferred publications; W, The Last Magazine, Russh and Purple. The word iconic springs to mind at first glance of W Magazine's March 2012 issue featuring Kate Moss captured in a heavenly robe and veil by Steven Klein. Fellow veteran Malgosia Bela looks every bit the natural beauty with minimal hair and makeup for the cover of the Last Magazine shot by Josh Olins. Shutterbug Terry Richardson assembles a trio of dynamic models Aymeline Valade, Saskia de Brauw and Daria Strokous for Purple Magazine. And last but not least, Aussie publication Russh shows plenty of love for model Mirte Maas lensed by Hugh Lippe.

Kate Moss
W - March 2012
Photographer - Steven Klein
Source - models.com

Malgosia Bela
The Last Magazine - S/S 2012
Photographer - Josh Olins
Source - models.com

Aymeline Valade, Saskia de Brauw & Daria Strokous
Purple - Issue 17
Photographer - Terry Richardson
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Mirte Maas
Russh - February/March 2012
Photographer - Hugh Lippe
Source - fashiongonerogue

A Fine Line

Was it only a year ago that Karl Lagerfeld's artful imagery set a new standard for the traditionally risqué Pirelli calendar? This year Pirelli returns to its provocative roots, enlisting the talents of photographer Mario Sorrenti, who is well-known for creating sensual images for Paris Vogue, V Magazine and Purple. Amongst this year's alumni are models Kate Moss, Lara Stone, Joan Smalls, Isabeli Fontana, Saskia de Brauw, Malgolsia Bela, Edita Vilkevicuite, Natasha Poly, and Guinevere Van Seenus. Actresses Rinko Kikuchi, Magareth Made and Milla Jovovich also disrobe for Sorrenti amongst the beautiful remote landscape of Murtoli in Corsica. 

Of his approach for the Pirelli shoot, Sorrenti reveals to WWD, "You know, originally, I was going to do very sexy pictures, and when we got there I realised that I didn't want the pictures to be sexy at all... I didn't want them to be posing and arching and like sticking their boobs in my face or anything like that." Sorrenti, a former model himself, explains his approach to nudity in an interview with Glenn O'Brien at the Pirelli calendar press release, "I always thought about taking off clothes as a way of getting closer to the individual and the person, and of getting something that was more honest and pure."   

Joan Smalls

Joan Smalls

Edita Vilkevicuite

Lara Stone

Saskia de Brauw

Isabeli Fontana

Guinevere Van Seenus

Saskia de Brauw

Edita Vilkevicuite

Isabeli Fontana

Rinko Kikuchi

Natasha Poly

Kate Moss

Guinevere Van Seenus

Malgosia Bela
Photographer - Mario Sorrenti
Source - fashionista.com

Cover Girls

I've got to say that I am a sucker for a great cover shot. Give me a gorgeous cover with a beautiful model as subject and I will gladly purchase a magazine without even peeking at its content. December 2012 is shaping up to be a particularly festive period, with a  slew of innovative covers featuring models hitting the newsstands. Kate Moss channels David Bowie for Paris Vogue, Karlie Kloss continues her winning streak for French Numéro, newcomer Marique Schimmel goes Indie for the hip Aussie publication Russh and Lindsey Wixson is Muse's December Golden Girl. For me, models and photographers have always played an integral role in fashion magazine's identity. I remember the days when the names of photographers such as Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Herb Ritts, Peter Lindbergh, Gilles Bensimon and Steven Meisel were synonymously tied in with specific publications. I stopped purchasing US Harpers Bazaar (post-Liz Tilberis) and W Magazine when the covers began to resemble the latest cover of In Style. These days I anticipate instead, the arrival of the latest issues of publications including Paris and Italia Vogue, French Numéro, Russh and i-D. 

Kate Moss
Paris Vogue - December 2011
Photographer - Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Karlie Kloss
Numéro - Issue 120
Photographer - Greg Kadel
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Marique Schimmel
Russh - December 2011
Photographer - Nick Dorey
Source - models.com

Lindsey Wixson
Muse - Winter 2011
Photographer - Will Davidson
Source - models.com

Worth the Wait

The September issue of US Vogue has finally landed on newsstands with the newly-wed Kate Moss gracing the cover in Alexander McQueen with an accompanying editorial feature on the nuptials. Moss looks every bit the radiant bride-to-be as she prepares to wed Jamie Hince in the Mario Testino lensed editorial. The mix of candid and posed shots have a poignant feel to them which is made all the more appropriate given that most of us have witnessed the evolution of Ms Moss since her days as a gangly sixteen year old on the cover of the Face. My favourite shot hands down of the editorial would have to be of Moss posing with her daughter Lila Grace, in what is surely one of the most beautiful images ever of this modelling icon.

Lila Grace & Kate Moss

Cover Girl

Jamie Hince & Kate Moss

Heading to the Chapel

The Wedding Party
US Vogue - September 2011
Photographer - Mario Testino
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Perfect 10

I recently had the immense pleasure of viewing the Peter Lindbergh exhibition entitled "On the Streets" at the C/O Berlin exhibition space. I have been an avid admirer of Lindbergh's photographic work for most of my adult life and to see examples of his work up close and on such a grand scale was a dream come true. Lindbergh's influence on shaping the supermodel phenomenon throughout the eighties and nineties can be witnessed in the pages of Paris, British and American Vogue, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar during that era. Polish-born Lindbergh spent his formative years in Duisberg Germany, before moving to Berlin to study design and painting, and to pursue a career in photography. Lindbergh is recognised as one of the most renowned fashion photographers worldwide and has worked for high profile clients including Prada, Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, Karl Lagerfeld, Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani. 

Lindbergh's unembellished black and white photographs of mostly female models, even when carefully staged, often lend the appearance of a snapshot or documentary style photo. Many of Lindbergh's images are constructed without the use of dominant backgrounds or outre styling, focusing rather on naturalism and a purist aesthetic. In doing so Lindbergh is very much a visual storyteller and a bearer of people's inner souls. Lindbergh's book entitled "10 Women", features supermodels Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, Christy Turlington, Kristen McMenamy, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss and Amber Valletta in their most powerful and fragile, straight forward and playful, and emancipated and sensual states. Many of these images are iconic and continue to influence today's generation of photographers, stylists and models.

Linda Evangelista

Tatjana Patitz

Naomi Campbell

Kate Moss

Amber Valletta

Claudia Schiffer

Kristen McMenamy

Christy Turlington

Helena Christensen

Cindy Crawford
10 Women - Peter Lindbergh
Source - automne-roi20.livejournal.com

Back in Vogue

The fashion industry has been abuzz with speculation as to the changes afoot at Paris Vogue with newly appointed editor-in-chief, Emanuelle Alt at the helm. In an interview with vogue.com, Alt revealed that "I want to keep the quality, the photographers we work with - David Sims, Mert and Marcus, Mario Testino and Bruce Weber. I don't think there should be radical changes. The magazine should still be chic and sophisticated." It is no surprise then that Alt's first three issues of Paris Vogue have all the regular staple photographers driving her vision for the publication. I was about to stifle a yawn, when I turned a page and saw a name that I had not seen in print in Paris Vogue for years, Hans Feurer.

Anja Rubik
Vogue Paris - June 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - models.com

Anja Rubik
Vogue Paris - June 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - models.com

Anja Rubik
Vogue Paris - June 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - fashionlookbook.rare.li

Swiss-born Feurer, was a renowned fashion photographer in the 70s and 80s, whose name was synonymous with publications such as British Vogue, Vogue Paris, US Vogue, Marie Claire and French Elle. I have been a long-standing admirer of Feurer's work which is clearly distinguishable by his use of long lenses, blurred back grounds and grainy film aspect with the subject in sharp focus. Much of Feurer's work is shot in outdoor location settings with the model in motion, taking maximum effect of the natural light and environment.

Hans Feurer
Photographer - Unknown
Source - fashionindie.com

Sasha Pivovarova
Vogue Paris - April 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - thefashionspot.com

Sasha Pivovarova
Vogue Paris - April 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - thefashionspot.com

Feurer has captured many of the world's most recognisable models on film. When quizzed in an interview for Paris Vogue as to who he would most like to photograph, Feurer rhapsodises "I had the chance to work with the most beautiful women in the world from Pat Cleveland, Christy Turlington to Stephanie Seymour... Kate Moss is the only one that I haven't photographed." Feurer is definitely back in the game having contributed most recently to i-D Magazine, Vogue China and Numero. I have a feeling the best is yet to come from Feurer and am hedging bets on Alt playing an instrumental role in combining the creative talents of Moss and Feurer.

Anja Rubik
Vogue Paris - April 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - fashionindie.com

Anja Rubik
Vogue Paris - April 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - thefashionspot.com

Anja Rubik
Vogue Paris - April 2011
Photographer - Hans Feurer
Source - thefashionspot.com

Kiss Me Kate!

Kate Moss stars on the cover of Emmanuelle Alt's second installment as Editor in Chief at Paris Vogue. The eye grabbing cover shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, features Moss staring cooly down the lens of the camera as she is being grappled by five hands. The allure and mystical appeal of Moss is as riveting as ever and her captivating beauty is that of a woman who has lived and experienced life to the full. The accompanying editorial showcases the latest haute couture pieces from the likes of Givenchy and Armani Prive and Moss works each luxe look to maximum effect as only she can.

Piece of the Action - Kate Moss
Paris Vogue - May 2011
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

Paris Vogue - May 2011
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - models.com