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]

The year of M&M

It is that week of the year when the Internet is bombarded with all the new advertorial campaigns for next season. I normally try to have a quick look to see who's doing what but I don't like looking at the whole series of adverts because I love the feeling of opening a magazine and seeing big and glossy an image I haven't seen before. For SS11 is not the models, celebrities or themes which have caught my attention but a particular photography duo. Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott have shot some of the most important brands in their very particular way. This got me thinking about some of the things I have read about them and what I remember they have done in the past. Looking closer at photography credits of my little archive I have realised I have been attracted once and again to their work without even noticing. I love the plasticity of the colours as much as Steven Klein's and how exquisite all their (over)tweaking is. From their SS11 ads I would choose Loewe's as my favourite. Mariacarla Boscono and Andrés Velencoso look phenomenal in the Andalusian house, which serves as the set.

After shooting campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss, Bulgari, Gucci and editorial spreads for Vogue, W, and Pop they have become one of the most sought-after photographers in the industry. Some of my favourite work from them includes all their Vogue Paris covers and stories, their work for Interview magazine, their LOVE covers and also their Miu Miu adverts.

I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS]

Runaway

When I first heard about Kanye West's latest video I got very confused as to what the nature of the video was. I could not quite figure out if it would have music and be played on MTV or if he had ventured into the difficult world of short films. As it turns out, he did both. The full version of Runaway is 34:32 minutes long but it's also been edited in a video version for TV, which runs for 4:38, and an extended video version, 8:29. My advice is to watch the full length version, put it on mute and play some nice music you like on the background. From a short film point of view it is a stunning piece of work, with incredible photography and beautifully produced. I was personally blown away by Kanye's directorial skills, which just as his dress sense, exceed his musical ability. The concept is a little sci-fi with the right amount of avant-garde and I was mesmerised by the colours and landscapes just as much as I was by the art direction and the costume design (by Phillip Lim and Martin Izquierdo).

















As a music video, however, it simply sucks. Not only the song is extremely monotonous and nonsensical but the part of the film chosen to go with it has the exact same characteristics so that you enjoy those 4:38 minutes as little as possible. Which is a shame because the ballet dancing is a fantastic part of the film and it feels very current set against the worn out green inside of a warehouse.Do turn back the sound at about 26:50 to listen to the only decent track throughout the whole film. It still sounds a bit like Kanye but it's a lot more Imogen Heap than him.
I definitely think he has found his path in life with this kind of thing. As much as it pains me to admit it he has a very good eye for art. So do us a favour, give up music and make more of these.
I'm off.

[Pictures: screen caps from video]

Jak & Jil puzzles

I wasn't aware of Jak & Jil's existance until about two years ago, when a dear and very chic friend pointed out to me that it should be on my list of fashion sites to visit daily. Ever since then I visit it religiously. My favourite thing about the way Tommy Ton takes the pictures is that you always want to see more. None of his pictures are a 100% satisfying (in a good way) because you would like to see the rest of the outfit, or put a face to the style. He always ends up adding at least another previously unseen part of the most interesting outfits and this is where my hobby starts. I try to predict the other bits that he'll publish of the same outfit and so I save them and wait. So far, I haven't been that right... which makes it all a little sad altogether but made me think of an even weirder idea. Why don't they make Jak & Jil puzzles for kids where they have to find the different pieces to an outfit? That would raise a generation os stylish and clever people. And from that to world harmony there's just a step.

I'm off.

[Pictures: JakandJil.com, and Tommy Ton for Style.com]

DOYLE-licious

Style is a precious gift. That, we know. But most people ignore that it's not only a feature you find within stars, but one that you are born with. This takes us to "ordinary" people; ordinary because they do not get screamed at or asked for signatures. They are the true fashionistas of our time, those who simply have the skills to perform actual miracles on their looks.
Maive Doyle is not only a half-Irish, half-Spaniard student living in Gijón, Asturias (Spain); she is one of the "chosen ones", a person with the power of pulling any sort of garment off to the point of dazzling. Behold.


Having Irish blood running through her veins has, obviously, a lot to do with it all. If you take a look at the —genious— pictures you'll agree that there is actually nothing really "unordinary" about her clothing; and that is right fellas. Shirts, cardigans, skinny pants, shades, bags, coats, hats, vests, scarves... not a thing any of us cannot possess. But I've said she was born with IT. This is why. Maive can compose an outift with Way Farers, Fred Perrys and Birkins and look genuine, look like there is nobody else making their way through their life in this planet that can catch up with her style-rythm. And then we accidentally —though pleasantly— come to find a big word lately misused: VINTAGE. "Oh, la la, Vintage!", another term only few people can dream of uttering making a reference to themselves. But, ladies and gentlemen, Miss Doyle is once again one of those rare beings.
Envy would most likely be what she can raise from within yourself that time you have a first glimpse of her. Amazement is fase number two; and admiration is the finish line. I've won the race.




[Credit photos: Igor >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/salutemyshorts]


I'm off.

PS. Make sure you check out Maive's amazing blog "Chicken Pie in the Sky" (http://chickenpieinthesky.blogspot.com). Permanent link on soVIP sites.