Doutzen Kroes models my favourite FW12 pieces for Vogue Paris
TFS, Style.com

I received the August issue of Vogue Paris this weekend and even though I've been drooling over the Marion Cotillard cover for the most part I have also managed to take a look inside. I always really enjoy the August issues because there's just enough new season content to digest. The September issues are amazing to go through but they take several goes to process. Vogue Paris always does a long new season editorial story for August. This year's is called 'Paris mon amour' and is shot entirely by Mario Sorrenti (like 90% of the issue) and styled by Emmanuelle Alt, Joe McKenna and Marie Chaix. There are some incredible shots in it and I love how each stylist brings their different view to the story. My favourite, though, are the Doutzen Kroes pictures styled by Emmanuelle.
I've been infatuated with Doutzen ever since I saw her at the Giles show last season and I'm glad that Vogue Paris has got behind her. She even got her own cover in April. In the new editorial she models some of my favourite pieces from the FW12 collections. From the black croc Tom Ford number that Rihanna already rocked at the Met Ball, to the Miu Miu winter prints that will be all over the covers in a few months. The sexy emerald leopard Gucci dress Natasha Poly wore in Cannes and the stunning Burberry Prorsum quilted velvet coat that closed the FW12 show.

TFS, Style.com

Vogue Japan takes Shala Monroque on a tropical holiday
TFS

Looking at this story from the January issue of Vogue Japan many stylists must be kicking themselves in the head for not thinking of it first. The truth is this is one of those ideas that seems so obvious to be good but it is, in fact, great!
Shala Monroque, shot by Tommy Ton and styled by Aurora Sansone (woop!), travels to a tropical island to showcase the latest from the Cruise 2012 collections. And I am in love. Shala is one of the best dressed and most elegant-looking women I have ever seen. I briefly met her during the last LFW and was taken aback by her poise –being in her presence feels a bit like being underdressed or unprepared for a meeting.
I struggled putting together the collage because there wasn't one shot of her in the entire editorial that I didn't want to include in it. I really love how Aurora played with ethnic elements from the resort collections in a way that they also made sense back in the 'real world'.
For me, what really makes the shoot work is the fact that none of the looks feel overdone or unwearable because Shala would actually wear any of these outfits to a fashion show, an intimate dinner or just out in New York City.

Happy Sunday!

Fashion Gone Rogue

I already told you how excited I am about Vogue Australia when I posted about their latest cover with Isabel Lucas last Saturday. The fact that they're now focusing on summer wear instead of FW11 only adds to their strong aesthetic and point of view.

One of the main editorials inside the December issue follows the line of African inspiration that the cover suggests. In L'Afrique c'est chic, shot by Max Doyle and styled by Fashion Editor naomi Smith, Katie Fogarty slips into some of my favourite Proenza Schouler, Burberry Prorsum and Armani pieces from SS12.

Once again, I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly that draws me to their imagery but I love every single picture, something I can't always say even with stories by Steven Meisel. I love the mixture of interior and exterior locations, especially the shabby cracked colourful walls.

The styling had a hint of 60's but feels very modern and the hair and makeup are perfect for it –they make a statement without being over the top. J'adore!

TFS

I don't know about you but I've never been a Tatler fan. It's such a stuffy and old fashioned fashion magazine with such a bad commercial point of view.

Their last cover, see here, had a Pippa Middleton picture in black and white surrounded by colourful flowers. Even to this day I'm still horrified by the sight of it.

Now, don't ask me why I would go an revisit the issue online but I did. And I'm actually glad I did because that's how I came across the "Don't you know who I am?" story shot by Robert Trachtenberg.

I think what's great about it if the fact that because of the f/w11 trends, it was easy to play with 60's and 80's references that are quintessentially British.

The shoot is far from flawless but I absolutely loved the pictures of the orange Burberry coat with the famous British Vogue 60's cover, the Twiggy shout-out in Prada and Lady Di's anglomania in Fendi.

Thoughts?

FashionGoneRogue

I mentioned a few weeks ago how much into Zoe Kravitz's style I was. She is just so cool. And it totally comes through in every single picture you see of her.

For the new issue of Wonderland Simon Burstall has shot these stunning black and white pictures of Zoe wearing some of this season's editorial hits. The pictures are very uncomplicated and yet I think Anthony Unwin has done an absolutely awesome job with the styling.

Pieces like the Versace top or the Pucci backless dress look a lot more urban on Zoe and you forget for a second how many times before you've seen them on paper.

Are you a fan?

Read the interview with Riccardo Tisci by Donatella Versace and see the rest of the pictures here.

[Interview]

I've never hidden my fascination with Vogue Paris. It's my favourite of the magazine's editions and, regardless of what's been said, I think Emmanuelle Alt is doing a remarkable job with it after a somewhat weak first issue.

One of the stories in the latest Juin/Juillet issue, 'Down Town' shot by Inez and Vinoodh and styled by Joe McKenna, is a standout and my favourite. Sasha Pivovarova stars in it with a mixed inspiration of maculin, feminine and free alliances of always favourite pieces —a good coat, the classic jean or your accomplice blouse, in the words of the magazine.

To me, it's a brilliant amalgamation of two styles. Firstly, Gabrielle Chanel's garçon look, which she herself sported for the first part of her life, as illustrated by Audrey Tautou on 'Coco before Chanel'. It takes from Coco the manly tailoring and oversized fit (which also reminded me of one of Marylin's famous pictures) and the sportswear pieces she famously brought into high fashion such as the Breton striped t-shirt.

And secondly, Madonna's 80's style. From it they draw the references to popular urban pieces such as classic high waisted jean and elements like the headband bandana, the hoops and a rock'n'roll attitude.

J'adore.

[TFS]

It seems the May issue of American Vogue is full of fashion jewels. If Reese Witherspoon's beautiful editorial by Peter Lindbergh wasn't enough, Anna also decided to include an even more stunning story by Bruce Weber.

The concept for the shoot is supposed to be Natalia posing with all these Hollywood young talent. To be honest, no one really caught my attention apart from Chloë Morezt, Hailee Steinfeld and Elle Fanning posing with Natalia, in Oscar de la Renta, before bedtime. And that's what makes Bruce Weber so great. He's got the cinematic quality of Annie Leibovitz but he tells his stories in a more documentary glossy way.

I couldn't find a styling credit anywhere. Wouldn't it be great if Anna herself had done it? After all, Natalia is wearing her Balenciaga Pre-Fall dress in one of the pictures.

[Vogue.com, Style.com]

"Vogue Italia is very Italian", that's what I constantly hear people say about the magazine. Something that, to me, is actually a really great thing because Italian style is the only one that has always managed to stay classic throughout decades yet it feels contemporary and relevant every season. Has Miuccia Prada not been one of the most forward-thinking designers in the world for decades now? I always love what Franca Sozzani does for her Vogue and if you include Jessica Alba in lacy masks, Giorgio Armani sequins and black feathers, well, I'm on board. The editorial, shot by Michelangelo di Battista, goes along an interview with Jessica, which I can't wait to read. I always giggle with her good sense of humour (I remember a particularly good one from Interview magazine) and I'm also constantly amazed at how real and down-to earth she seems. Give me a real woman with a Prada fur stole any day!

See the rest of the editorial here.

[Pictures: Vogue.it]

I know I have been pretty rubbish at blogging for the last week or so. I've had so many ideas for posts but so little time to actually sit down and edit the pictures and write. Which is half of the reason for posting these pictures today. The other half is how incredible this shots by Edward Enninful for i-D magazine are. Karlie Kloss and Jourdan Dunn are possibly two of the most beautiful and interesting models of the moment. In fact, there is something so special even just about the way they look into the camera that there's nearly no point for Kayt Jones' styling (not that it's that good anyway). There's great chemistry between the two girls and obviously with the photographer too and it transcends the page. I'm not or have ever been a fan of i-D in the least but this story is just phenomenal and possibly one of the best things they've ever published. Check out the rest of the shoot here.

I first noticed ELLE Urkaine's editorial not that long ago when the images of their March 2011 hit the web. I was really in awe of their bold colours editorial, which seemed so fresh amongst all the overload of Prada and Jil Sander total looks of the better known magazines. I was also embarrassed of my ignorance and realised how little I consider titles that haven't been known for as long. I'm definitely not making that mistake twice. Also below are another two pictures of a second editorial from the April 2011, which is centred around the Dolce & Gabbana SS11 white lace collection. It might've been obvious to shoot it in Rome but I think it works so well. Both editorials have been shot by Nikolay Biryukov and styled by Natalia Osadchaya. Two names that, along with the mag's title, are now on my radar.

I'm off.

[Pictures: FashionGoneRogue.com]

Karlie Kloss is my favourite model of the moment. I love her smile and the sexy and playful look that's always in her eyes. Her SS11 editorial for AnOther magazine and today's sunny London have automatically got me in the mood for the new season. I want to do lots of colour blocking and pattern mixing! Happy Saturday.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Fashion Gone Rogue]

SS11 in a nutshell

This picture, from one of T magazine's latest editorials, summarises the new season that's just starting. Bold is the key. Be it in terms of colour, print or combination choice. It can be tremendously tricky but trying mixes of colours or prints you wouldn't normally wear (it's the summer after all) can end up having successful results. Think Anna dello Russo on on a laid-back day.

Styled by David Vandewal

Shot by Walter Pfeiffer

I'm off.

[Picture: RDuJour.com]

Carine's colourful farewell

It's that time late in the month when pictures from all the new month magazines start filtering into the Fashion Spot before they magazines actually come out. And, of course, this means I have to post about the new Vogue Paris. And I don't only have to do so because the March issue is particularly good (I am in love with Giovanna Battaglia's story) but because this is Carine's last issue as Rédactrice en Chef. After the big controversy of the Tom Ford issue Carine seems to be making up for all the advertisers she left out then by making incredible over-the-top styling on the spring editorials. My favourite, by far, is Pop Égerie, styled by Emmanuelle Alt and shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Not only they have used an obscene amount of Jil Sander (officially my favourite SS11 collection) but also those Prada stoles that are everywhere, a lot of Blumarine and Miu Miu all modelled by Daria Werbowy!. Do you love?

I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS]

Anja and her boys

Today the March issue of Vogue España hits the newstands. Now, I know I often say this or that is the best cover so far but I genuinely mean it this time. This feels quite different from what Vogue España usually does and it works so wonderfully way. For their main story "Anja y sus chicos" (Anja and her boys) my favourite model in the world (she's my laptop wallpaper) dresses up in Givenchy, Pucci and one of those fringed Versace dresses in blue to reinterpret the 70's. And to do so she surounds herself with remarkably underdressed models Andrés Velencoso, Jon Kortajarena y Oriol Elcacho, who also happen to be the most iconic Spanish male models of the moment. The story, shot by Alexi Lubomirski and styled by fashion director Belén Antolín, proves that a studio shoot doesn't have to be boring. Watch the making of the video here.

They also devote a broad story, "Lección de Anatomía" (Anatomy lesson), to six women with very different body types. This is a constant topic to be discussed in fashion and recently brought to the frontline of news by Erin O'Connor. My other favourite editorial in the issue is "El arte de la seducción" (The art of seduction) shot by Camilla Akrans (who shot those beautiful Dior pictures for the last issue of Industrie). Malgosia Bela, the up-and-coming model of the moment wears Sissy Vian styling for this story. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Courtesy of Vogue España, TFS]

EA's Greatest Hits

As days go by after the announcement of Emmanuelle Alt as the new Rédactrice en chef of French Vogue I think more and more that we can expect great things from her. Vogue Paris is the only version of the fashion bible that I have religiously bought every month for most of my "adult" life. No other excites me as much as it does. There's a question of affinity as well. Their vision and style is the closest to my personal one. And so I have looked back at my little archives to dig out some of my favourite Vogue Paris editorials styled by Emmanuelle. I stopped at three because I have an endless array and you'll guess from it that many of them include Daria Werbowy and are either shot by Inez and Vinoodh or by Mario Sorrenti.

September 2008

Lignes et Attitudes

Photographer: Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

April 2006

Noces Blanches

Photographer: Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

February 2006

Le crédo du soir

Photographer: Mario Sorrenti

Do you have a favourite Emmanuelle-styled shoot?
I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS]

Some Alba to end the year

First of, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Giulia and I hope you've had a great few days and that Santa has been as kind to you as, we know, you deserve (you read soVIPzone, after all). We hope that your new leather iPad covers, winter fedoras and fur vests have kept you amused enough for our absence to go unnoticed. Just as we're gathering forces to post are round-up of the year, choose our New Year's ensembles and write down (or list) our resolutions for 2011 we thought we'd make one last regular post on 2010. Jessica Alba has pretty much owned it this year in and out the red carpet. She's as good an actress and she is a mum and she's now adding style icon to the list. She's now on the cover of the Jan/Feb 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar Australia looking incredible in some Louis Vuitton, which makes us doubt the obsoleteness of Cruise collections. It also sets the mood for the new season, SS11, which we'll soon be getting ready for.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Celebrity-Gossip.com]

To the Tom Tom Tom

I'm usually not too keen on having a look at my favourite magazine's features before they hit the newsstand because I like the excitement that I feel as I turn every page and discover something new. However, there are occasions when I can hardly help myself. Tom Ford guest-editing the latest issue of Vogue Paris is most definitely one of those times. I hope what I've seen so far is only the beginning of what I'll get to se inside the magazine once it comes out on the 30th. From what I've seen so far, Ford has done a lot of the photography himself, which is very much a treat. I am not only a fan of his photography because it's Tom but because he worked with Steven Klein so closely and for so long that the influences are evident. And Klein is one of my favourite photographers. I am particularly interested on his "La panthère ose" ("The daring panther", a title already used by the magazine for their December 2007 issue) editorial as it reminds me so much of one of my favourite shoots, "Makeover Madness", by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia. Ford's version seems like the aftermath of Meisel's work. Hopefully, it will live up to it's predecessor's standard.

I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS]

Same Couture, different takes

Let me first apologise for posting another editorial-rant (just coined the term) but, you see, I am flying back to Madrid for the weekend today and I 'm not sure if I'll be able to post anything else today —Collage Sunday is still on, though. Besides, I wanted to share these two editorials with you guys and today seemed like the perfect occasion.
The first one, "Orlando", is from YO Dona, one of my two favourite Spanish newspaper supplement magazines. I used to read it every Saturday at my grandma's while she finished preparing lunch. They have very good taste but they're often too safe. This editorial, while not being too daring, is quite edgy for the publication, which is part of why I like it. The other reason why I do is because, even though it has taken Dior's inspiration too literally, the slightly Marie Antoinette theme works extremely well with all the pieces and it helps build up the drama of the Couture.
The second, titled "Meisterwerke", belongs to the October issue of German Vogue. I was also surprised to find such a great shoot in Vogue Deutsch, as they don't often push the envelope too much. In their editorial, contrary to what YO Dona did, they approach HC from a really down-to-earth perspective. I think this works particularly well because Anja Rubik stands for that sort of earthiness, if you will. Together, the two editorials make a beautiful contrast representing what Haute Couture traditionally represented and the way it's moving forward.

I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS]