Joan Smalls covers the latest issue of W
TFS

People have been especially keen on leaking some the July covers this week. We normally get a couple of very blurry and odd-coloured camera phone shots a few days the magazines release them officially. However, this week we already saw quite a few previews of the latest American Vogue cover featuring Emma Stone, which I am very excited to see. While we will probably have to wait until Monday to see the high-res version, W's newest cover has already been leaked in all its glory.

A stunning Joan Smalls, shot by Steven Klein, covers the July issue of the magazine. Quite a few people on The Fashion Spot forums have mentioned how much she looks like Tyra Banks but I personally disagree. Tyra's got nothing on Joan, as far as I'm concerned. I love the golden hair, the amazing makeup and the ruffled white lace.

The editorial inside includes Karlie Kloss, who fronts the other cover of this issue. I can't quite tell which way the styling will go but guessing from the cover title – "The new face of fashion" – I'm hoping for an effortless supermodel vibe.

Nicole Kidman & Clive Owen cover the new issue of W
TFS

I am having some mixed feelings about the new cover of W magazine featuring Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen.

On the one hand, I am loving the colours and the late 50's feel of the cover. I love the composition of the picture, shot by Emma Summerton. And, well, I can't get enough of Prada on the covers of magazines.
On the other hand, I have sort of had enough of the Mad Men theme, right? Nicole Kidman's face is so Photoshoped I had to check the name because I couldn't figure it out. Not to mention the hair – is it hers? Because it looks like a horrendous 60's Barbie wig.
The story inside seems to be a bit hit and miss as well. Though I must say I absolutely love the black and white separate pictures of Nicole and Clive in an Art Deco lift. They are simply stunning and I do hope they have laid them out next to each other on a DPS.

What do you think of the cover?

Kate Moss covers the new issue of W
TFS

How amazing is this cover? Kate Moss always makes everyone talk whenever she makes the cover of any magazine but as of late we have seen more of a 'pretty' side. That is why I love the new cover of " so much. It's more of a gritty side of Kate, which all thanks to Steven Klein. I must say I've missed seeing his work in the fashion glossies as often as we did years ago. He was the photographer who first interested me in editorials.

W have created a double cover for this occasion – a good Kate and a bad Kate. Although I must say she looks more like he bad Kate in the white lace veil, no? I love the metallic teeth and the iridescent glimmer of her eyes. That one is also my favourite of the two. The March issue is the spring equivalent of the September one although summer fashion never seems to be as big a deal as winter's.

The styling, by W genius Edward Enninful, looks super interesting and I am curious to see the full editorial inside.

What do you think?

TFS

W has had so many hit covers this year so it's great to see them closing the year on such a good note. Dakota and Elle Fanning cover the December issue styled in Valentino by Lori Goldstein for the cover and shot by Mario Sorrenti.

I wonder whether it's a coincidence that this issue should come out at the same time as Vogue Best Dressed with Mary-Kate and Ashley on the cover. As far as I'm concerned, the Olsens are unbeatable both separately and as sisters –or should I say 'dynamic duos'?

What I love the most about the Fannings is the fact that they're super young and successful but they haven't fallen onto that tacky category of people like Selena Gomez. They don't feel manufactured and on top of it they're great actresses and dress incredibly well for their age.

It feels like Stefano Tonchi has finally found the place where he feels comfortable with W. He's brought half of Europe's fashion elite to its pages but, hey, Americans had to be introduced at some point.

Click below on read more to see the editorial story inside the mag.

TFS

It's pieces like this that make me love W. It's also this kind of stories that should quiet those people who sill murmur about the magazine not being as good since Stefano Tonchi took over. Get over it, he's ace.

I still haven't got my hands on a copy (I don't believe they've come to London yet) Steven Meisel has worked with Edward Enninful on an editorial story called 'Fabulous Fakes'.

Not only the editorial looks beautiful but it's very witty. I love Karen Elson in the raunchy version of a lingerie ad or Linda Evangelista advertising 'Lavez-les bien' (Wash it well) shampoo. The 'Visage' is also hilarious –with Anna dello Ruso and W's Lori Goldstein and the 'because you've earned it' slogan.

Meisel is probably one out of a handful people in the world who can get away with a shoot of this nature published in a mainstream magazine with a really strong advertising weight. The same story would have worked as well had it been in a less commercial magazine. It's that sort of controversy that makes is brilliant.

TFS

I'm finding it hard to keep up with magazine covers at the moment. When I see them at the newsagents I can't figure out whether I have them or if I've only seen them online. The November covers are now being released and I've only managed to buy all the September issues I wanted...

I have some mixed feelings about the new W cover. It reminds me of the old times before Stefano Tonchi but I don't know whether that's a good thing. I do love Sui He on it and what they've done with the cover as if it was on 3D. Although I must say I'm not a fan of the big 'W' in yellow...

I am totally in love with Lurve's new cover, though. Naomi Campbell is channelling a bit of Grace Jones in a sort of Rick Owens way. I really like the eye makeup and the hooded bright jacket over the see-through corset!

FashionGoneRogue, Models.com

In this era of technology we live in where we get to see magazine editorials before they even hit newsstands it's weird that some people still think they can get away with anything.

I was looking through the images of the "Kapow!" editorial on the September issue of W –shot by Mario Sorrenti and styled by Jane How. It quickly hit me that I had seen that before. In fact, I had already made a post the likes of this one a few months ago about a Britney shoot for Harper's Bazaar, although the comparison is abysmal.

Emanuelle Alt had styled a very similar story for Vogue Paris, also shot by Mario Sorrenti. I guess he really likes graffiti and models against them. However, I have to admit that even though Raquel Zimmerman's version has always been one of my favourite editorials Jane How's styling works a lot better with the backgrounds.

Which one do you prefer?

FashionGoneRogue, Models.com

Courtesy of Harper's Bazaar España, TFS, Models.com

Since I sort of missed the opportunity to stop and comment on each of my favourite September 2011 covers I thought I would do a roundup (and a gif).
It would be fair to say that, Vogue Paris aside, my absolute favourite is W's cover with Kristen Stewart by Mert & Marcus. It's such a different look for her –soft and girly, very pin-up– and it works so well. I love the over-the-top cat-eye makeup, the big hair and the balanced layout.
I wouldn't say that Kate Moss by Mario Testino for US Vogue has lived up to my expectations but it's still great cover. I really like the pose –a good change from Vogue's usual boring close-up crops. The purple McQueen on Kate looks incredible and is in the line of her boho-Medieval wedding style.
It's crazy to think Harper's Bazaar España has only been around for a year. They are rocking the magazine scene in Spain. Constance Jablonski looks fierce in Dsquared2 and I love the twist of her holding onto the Z.
Beyoncé's UK Harper's Bazaar and Katie Fogarty's Vogue Australia's covers are neck and neck. The cover photography is definitely September-issue worthy. They're both straight up and don't try to hard, which I appreciate.
And lastly, Flare, which I already posted a few days ago but I thought it deserved another, bigger, mention. I am struggling to get a hold of a copy in London but I will  
keep trying!

Wmagazine.com

To all the doubters who still questioned Stefano Tonchi's point of view as editor of W, here it is, the August issue.

Tilda Swinton, shot by Tim Walker and styled by Jacob Kjeldgaard, covers the issue in some Ferragamo, Acne and Chris Benz (hat!). And I barely know where to begin.
Someone at work very rightly pointed out how this editorial could easily fit into an issue of Dazed and Confused, which I guess is what makes it so genius. The fact that something quite so alternative can cover a mainstream magazine is super refreshing. Tim Walker's photography brings a cinematic element into it and Tilda absolutely rocks the styling, which includes everything from Rick Owens, Chanel, McCartney, Haider Ackermann, Margiela, Chalayan, Armani, Comme des Garçons, Zero + Maria Cornejo... the list goes on.

I have been so excited about this since I saw it two hours ago I would probably be happy filling 1000 words saying "IloveitIloveitIloveit" but the spell check would be a nightmare.
I just hope that this is enough to quiet all the voices that kept insisting on how the magazine was so much better before Tonchi. I've been a bigger fan of the magazine since he started at it and have been repeatedly saying so. I will even forgive him the horrific Aguilera/Beyoncé double cover from last month.

Ever since Stafano Tonchi took over the role of Editor-in-Chief of W magazine there's been a lot of negative talk of his work for the magazine. The fact is that I'm truly loving everything that he's done so far. I have had some problems with some of the covers but when am I actually happy with a cover? Exactly.

The cover of the June issue is almost perfect. Julia Roberts hasn't done a big cover since the slightly odd American ELLE in September'10 so this one doesn't feel repetitive like Alexa on the cover of British Vogue. I'm also quite keen on the picture crop. As I've said before I'm so tired of awkward close-ups. It kind of reminded me of the criticised December/January issue of Vogue Paris.

L'Wren Scott styled the shoot by Mario Sorrenti, which while it's not the edgiest of styling, it suits Julia's effortless elegance.

What do you think of the cover?

[Wmagazine]

It's covers like this one that make me love magazines so much. This is probably my favourite cover of W since Stefano Tonchi took over and one of the best ones he's done so far. I wasn't the biggest fan of the last two issues. Even though I really liked the content the covers were messy and I didn't quite see how the cover stars were relevant.

I can't deny the fact that January has a lot to do with it but I love how minimalist and clean these shots by Craig McDean are and how modern and elegant Lori Goldstein's styling is. I love that they've kept the cover headlines to a minimum in at least one cover, my favourite, and that they've done a full body second cover. We don't get to see many of those these days and, quite frankly, I am getting very tired of the waist crop, not to mention Anna's and Alexandra's extreme close-ups.

From what I've read about the content of the issue I already know I will love it back to back. I am excited about the big Design Now feature as much as I am about Silvia Fendi's and I can't wait to see Alexander Wang's apartment!

[Wmagazine.com]

Gossip Girl Fashion: "Damien Darko"

I have been excited about this episode of Gossip Girl since last week. But before I tell you why I feel like I should warn you, yet again, of the spoilers ahead. Although let me just say that if you keep coming back on Wednesdays it's kind of masochistic unless you've watched the episode before.
The main and, to be honest, the only story line worth it on this week's episode is Dan and Blair's. Not only their brand new friendship (which-may-end-up-in-something-else-but-no-one-really-knows) keeps growing and getting more fun but this time they competed on an internship at W magazine. Now, I am still wondering whether those are the actual W offices. If they are, go them, I have never seen such an immaculate space so well conceived for its purpose. Also, it was such a clever move to further revamp the magazine's image after its radical makeover for the September issue (Please notice the controversial Kim Kardashian issue on the wall). My favourite bit of Dan and Blair's episode is the stuffing bags. If only it looked so glamourous in real life...

But the best moment of them all had to be when W's very own editor-in-chief Stefano Tonchi shows up at the mag's party while Blair and Dan wrestle on the floor. I really appreciate that he wore his signature look of neckerchief and shirt rather than the cleaner more modern look he's been sporting as of late. I also particularly enjoyed his very stylish accent and how he owns his moment and poses for the cameras.

Despite the episode's uneventfulness, this week GG was refreshing because it lacked all that cloned drama we are used to see every week. There were even two great Dan Humphrey fashion moments. The first, when he walks into the W offices looking extremely cool in his chunky cardigan and looking as if he hasn't even tried. And the second, inside W's closet when Blair tries to play him by giving him the wrong pair of shoes to which he responds: "I didn't date Serena van der Woodsen for two years and not come away knowing that those are Marc Jacobs and their mustard". Go Dan!

And someone has finally realised Blair deserves a much cooler wardrobe than she used to... At the end of this week's episode she wore an incredible, although completely wrong for the season, outfit with patterned tights, high-waisted pink shorts and a really cool embellished cardigan. Please notice her amazing legs and how stunning and cool she looks as she walks into the office. Maybe this W internship will do it for her...

Serena also had her fashion moment. Even though her little plot was quite dull and she still wore some very SVDW things I was really keen on her first outfit, which included a winter D&G see-through top. I really liked that collection and it was a nice touch for S, kind of funky for her, no?

And, of course, I couldn't forget the breakfasts. Now that the Humphrey-van-der-Woodsen-Bass have kind of fallen apart as a family it's hard to put together a decent breakfast scene. However, it seems like Lily and Rufus are taking advantage of the alone time to cut down on eggs and bacon and enjoy more morning cakes. Serena and Blair also share a pretty brilliant breakfast moment in bed. The assortment of food is impressive. As must be the muscles of the maid who carried that tray to their room.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Screen caps, CWTV.com, Zimbio.com]

Miuccia (hearts) bows

Is it me or is W starting to look a bit more interesting now that Stefano Tonchi is sitting on the editor's chair? For the July issue they have chosen Eva Mendes, shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, in FW10 Miu Miu. Eva is not, by far, one of my favourite celebrities. In fact, there is something about her that I find a little annoying, but she does look amazing in this editorial (which you can see here). I love the fact that she makes it look exotic and apt for the summer and I like the fact that the dress is actually 'filled'. It's kind of refreshing to see curvaceous women wearing this amazing dresses.

Looking at the cover, it seems unavoidable to look at the massive (don't think badly) bow at the front. Suddenly I realised Miuccia had used this very rigid bow details not only in most of the FW10 Miu Miu collection but also in some of the FW10 Prada looks and most of the shoewear of that same line. There is something cartoony about Miu Miu's bows that makes me think they'll be a hit next season. After all, everyone loved the cats and birds splashed across the brand's SS10 shoes and pronounced neck lines.

Will you be wearing bows next winter?
I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, Style.com]

covered stardom

The cover of US Vogue's June issue was made public yesterday and revealed that Blake Lively is once again made its cover. I didn't know if it was me or Blake had actually been in a lot of big magazine covers in the last months so I did some cover digging last night. She started appearing on W magazine in 2008 after being in Gossip Girl for just over a year. From then on, she was literally all over the place, starting with her not-so-age-appropriate Vogue cover in February 2009 and rounding it up to be the front of the American bible again next month. I can't really complain about this, as Blake is anything but unpleasant to the eye but reading Fashionista yesterday a very fair point was made by pointing out she is "not exactly modern American woman material".

I suppose Anna Wintour very much adores Blake's perfect body, which is why it kind of makes sense to choose Lively as the most suitable celebrity to sport swimwear. But still, American Vogue seems to be missing the point more often than not lately. We want to see something new, don't we?

I'm off.

PS. Look out for our Gossip Girl fashion special tomorrow!

[JustJared.buzznet.com, MyMag.com, Magxone.com, dailyradar.com, Wmagazine.com]

the canny jumpsuit

So far, the best adjective to describe this year's Cannes festival in terms of fashion is inconsistent. There have been great moments by Cate Blanchett and Carey Mulligan, and even a more unexpected Beckinsale one (in Balmain today). But there have also been pretty bad moments courtesy of Eva Longoria and anyone else who wore the boring new Gucci Première. And to add up to the inconsistency, Elsa Pataky, a Spanish actress, surprised everyone looking dashing in a ruffled Fendi jumpsuit. The cleverest part of this choice was the fact that the jumpsuit in question had ruffles both at the front and back, something pretty handy when you're photographed from either side at will.

Also today, I found Cate Blanchett on the new cover of W magazine. In the spread inside, which is not to be missed, Blanchett donned another jumpsuit of a similar features this time by Chloé. This got me thinking about the tricky nature of jumpsuits and how much easier it seems to pull of in a jersey or silk of this champagne-meets-khaki kind of hue. I found two other similar, more casual jumpsuits by Halston and Stella McCartney that confirmed my theory.

What do you think of the jumpsuit trend? Would you wear one?

I'm off.

[Pictures: Wmagazine.com, Net-a-Porter.com, Style.com, BergdorfGoodman.com, Zimbio.com, Vogue.es]

midsummer night's dream

Jak & Jill triggered it, we followed, and then this. W magazine's January issue presents us with a girl's dream wardrobe in the soft colours and fabrics of the season. THANK YOU.

'Run of Show'

W magazine, January 2010

Photos by Craig McDean

xo Giuls