Melodie Dagault, Constance Jablonski, Charlotte de Calypso, Sigrid Agren, Jennifer Messelier, Mathilde Frachon by Victor Demarchelier for Vogue Paris August 2009

A few new French faces for the flock. Great jaw lines. And the canvas covering? A little obvious, but fitting.

Christina Kruse by Richard Kern for Muse #18 Summer 2009

Reading this article was such a breath of fresh air that I just had to share it with you (you might have to fiddle around with your browser size to see the second column).
There is something very exacting in the way Kruse answers the questions. Terms are clarified, ideas develop fluidly, and each question is systematically answered and even elaborated upon. Her style is almost mathematical, in an unassuming sort of way. In the end I was left with the sense that I spoke directly with Kruse and walked away with something to chew on.

Carmen Kass by Terry Richardson for Vogue Paris August 2006

Even though this shoot is already three years old, I just love it. Carmen is one of my favorites because, unlike those fresh-faced teens, she has a look that only comes with experience (she was 28 at the time of this shoot). There is a certainty in the way she holds herself and composes her features that make her more relevant to the 20 and 30-something readers that live in this world, not just the world of glossy magazines. She lends her character a depth that cannot be styled or summed up in a quick directorial motivation blurb - a depth that grounds the shoot beyond what younger models can do early in their career. Coupled with the styling of Emmanuelle Alt (who very craftily uses the same pieces for several outfits, lending yet another layer of reality by acknowledging that we don't have an infinite jewelery chest), and Terry Richardson (who has an eye honed to capture shadows that lend an air of nonchalance), this shoot is stunning in its composition and real in its applicability.



oh, and a little PS -- check out the white burnout shirt. Its use in this shoot is a perfect example of how trends don't always come out of nowhere but take a while for the public (mainly State-Side) to become familiar with it and understand how to wear it by seeing here and there, and then blow it up to trend level.