sports illustrated: Ralph Lauren

Showing posts with label Ralph Lauren. Show all posts

Saturday, August 6, 2011

A Star is Born

Chinese model Sui He is fast becoming one of the most coveted newcomers following a succession of sensational editorial appearances in V, Love and W magazine. In addition to that editorial trifecta, is Sui's limelight stealing cover appearance on Vogue China's 6th Anniversary issue lensed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, and her star turn as the current face of Ralph Lauren's Fall/Winter 2011 campaign.

Born in Wenzhou, Sui has been modelling for four years and received her first major breakthrough at the Fall/Winter 2011 shows when she was selected by casting director Jennifer Starr to open for Ralph Lauren, making her the first model of Asian descent to do so. What followed was a Dries Van Noten exclusive in Paris and select runway appearances in Milan for D&G, D'Squared, Costume National and Anteprima.

Sui has a face that is distinctly Eurasian in appearance and is blessed with the most sublime angular bone structure. What is fascinating about Sui is that she is able to morph from a delicate and elegant beauty to that of a harder-edged unconventional gothic type as evidenced in her most recent editorial appearances for Love and V magazine. It is this versatility along with Sui's undeniable exceptional beauty which will ensure her longevity in the fickle world of modelling.

Photographer - David Urbanke
Source - davidurbanke.blogspot.com

Love Magazine - Issue 6
Photographer - Sølve Sundsbø
Source - models.com

Photographer - Unknown
Source - models.com

W Magazine - June 2011
Photographer - Daniele Duella & Iango Henzi
Source - models.com

V Magazine - Summer 2011
Photographer - Glen Luchford
Source - models.com

Photographer - Unknown
Source - models.com

Ralph Lauren - F/W 2011
Photographer - Carter Berg
Source - newyorkmodelsblog.com

Photographer - Unknown
Source - thefashionspot.com

Photographer - David Urbanke
Source - davidurbanke.blogspot.com

Friday, July 8, 2011

Diamonds In the Rough

The process involved in finding the right face for a global campaign is something that Andrew Weir, the founder and creative director of ACW Worldwide has down pat. Weir's magic touch has guided the brand marketing for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Zac Posen and Viktor & Rolf. In the modelling industry, Weir's approval can make or break a model's career, landing her on the pages of American, British and Italia Vogue, V Magazine, Arena Homme +, and W Magazine, all of whom are on Weir's client list.

In an interview with Lookbooks.com, Weir gives his perspective on the evolution of the modelling industry. "Almost everything is different now. The girls are younger, smaller and interchangeable. When I was first doing shows at CK, we used major, beautiful, top models who had been working a while and moved up through the ranks. The power and strength of the girls from a few years ago has been traded for the brand-new-face-of-the-second. There are usually trends in the demand for new faces every season. Lately there seems to be a lot of clients wanting talent from Holland and Scandinavia. There is a great group of new girls from this region who are impacting the industry at the moment."

Joan Smalls & Andrew Weir
Photographer - Unknown
Source - thefashionspot.com

Candice Swanepoel & Joan Smalls
Photographer - Andrew Weir
Source - style.com

When quizzed by Lookbooks.com as to which new model of 2010 made the most indelible impression on him, Weir replies unequivocally "Joan Smalls. She is not a new face. We have been working with her for years. I feel like she is the one 'new' girl who has the most potential long-term for 'off the charts' success. She is that rare face that is all things. She will have fragrance and beauty campaigns. I feel strongly that she will do all the Vogues and many major campaigns and editorials." In an interview with style.com Weir also lists Candice Swanepoel as a potential contender, "Candice is a beautiful girl who sends a hush over the room when she floats in. She reminds me of what the girls were like when I first started in this business."

ACW's annual casting call at the Hudson Hotel in New York attracts hundreds of models hoping to impress Weir and his team. Weir's advice to models attending castings is "I like to see the kids as they are, so if that means they come in with a dirty t-shirt and chewing gum, so be it. I would rather see them come in unprepared and 'real' than the kid who has been over-styled and over-coached by an agency. I am looking for individuals with personality, not a polished version of what someone thinks they should be." The following casting shots taken by Weir aptly illustrate the beauty of models in their natural, unpolished state.

Arizona Muse

Liisa Winkler

Eliza Cummings

Madelene de la Motte

Lily

Bambi Northwood-Blyth

Iselin Steiro

Julia Nobis
Photographer - Andrew Weir
Source - weirdiary.com

Friday, April 8, 2011

Brave Heart

The lovely and beautiful Tao Okamoto has joined forces with photographer John Paul Pietrus to raise funds for the disaster relief in Japan. Hailing from Japan, Okamoto was in Tokyo at the time of the earthquake and tsunami, and saw first hand the devastating effects of the natural disaster. In an open letter to the general public, Okamoto recounts the fear felt by her fellow country men and women and encourages "friends of the world" to continue in their support of the relief efforts in Japan.

New York based Okamoto has since been searching for a way to contribute to the relief effort and to raise awareness for the long road to recovery for the people of Japan. Okamoto has collaborated with Pietrus to produce a limited edition print run of 100 photographs signed by the photographer and his muse with proceeds going to the Red Cross specifically for the Japan Tsunami Appeal www.redcross.org.uk/japantsunami

Okamoto who is represented by Ford Models in New York, rose to prominence in 2009 when her waist length hair was cut with dramatic effect into a pixie-like bob. Okamoto has appeared in advertising campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Benetton, Kenzo and Uniqlo, and has also featured in editorials for US Vogue, Interview and i-D Magazine. More a muse to designers and photographers alike, Okamoto is fast becoming an iconic model and her efforts to raise awareness for the Japan Tsunami Appeal demonstrate that beauty is indeed more than skin deep.

True Spirit
Source - thefashionspot.com

Open Letter to Friends of the World
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Japan Disaster Relief
Source - models.com

So Young Kang, Hyoni Kang, Tao Okamoto, Fei Fei Sun & Ming Xi
US Vogue - February 2011
Photographer - Mario Testino

Vogue China - February 2010
Photographer - Max Vadukal

Interview - April 2011
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

V Magazine no. 67
Photographer - Paul Rowland

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Fall/Winter 2011 New Faces Sui He

Chinese newcomer Sui He made a lasting impression at the Fall/Winter 2011 shows by becoming the first model of Asian descent to open and close for Ralph Lauren. Represented by New York Model Management, the 179 cm willowy beauty has had an impressive season, treading the runways for Doo Ri, Jill Stuart, Vivienne Tam, Diane Von Furstenburg, Cushnie et Ochs, Ohne Titel, Marchesa, Ports 1961, Elie Tahari, L'Wren Scott, Ralph Lauren, Anteprima, C'N'C Costume National, D'Squared, Dolce & Gabbana, D&G and Dries Van Noten. Marked with natural poise, elegant long limbs and an ethereal like beauty, Sui He has the kind of editorial appeal and relevance in the global market which will place her in good stead in the aftermath of the shows.