To say denim is a wardrobe staple is something of an understatement; jeans have moved from workwear, to becoming one of the hallmarks of modern fashion. As ubiquitous as jeans have become, there are still plenty of options beyond the basic blues. For Dazed & Confused Josh Olins and Robbie Spencer unlock the avant garde potential of denim-on-denim, creating looks that range from quirky, to full on outlandish. Kasia Struss keeps her trademark cool even as she’s layered in everything from oversized overalls, to jean jackets with linebacker sized shoulders. Olins’ ultra-cool photographs keep the focus on the clothes, while Spencer’s edgy styling never fails to excite.

For more on the April issue, check out Dazed Digital.com

The new issue of Exit Magazine is filled with things we love; exciting photography talent, models of the moment and a creative take on the season’s fashion standouts. Inside you’ll find new editorial eye-candy from Aitken Jolly, Hugh Lippe, Mel Bles, Steven Pan (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) and styled to perfection by Sam Ranger, Michelle Cameron, Joanne Blades and more. You’ll also spot appearances by a host of modeling faves, including Anais Pouliot, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Ava Smith, Asia Piwka,Rutger Schoone and Patricia van der Vliet. Models aside, what captivates us most about Exit is its unique way of presenting editorials with artistry, take a look at Patricia as artist Kembra Pfahler for a prime example.

Ava Smith by Benny Horne, fashion by Catherine Newell-Hanson

Anais Pouliot by Tung Walsh, fashion by Sam Ranger

Kasia Struss by Hugh Lippe, fashion by Joanne Blades

Rutger Schoone by Mel Bles, fashion by Jason Hughes

Patricia van der Vliet by Aitken Jolly, fashion by Sam Ranger

Jacquelyn Jablonski by Steven Pan (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists), fashion by Michelle Cameron

Karlina Caune by Dancian (De Facto), fashion by Hanna Kelifa

Asia Piwka by Aitken Jolly, fashion by Sam Ranger

If there is one designer who knows how to get women (and men) excited it is Phoebe Philo and her continued success at Celine is a testament to her ability to tap into the pulse of what women want. For F/W Philo went in a graphic direction, with primary shades, bold color blocking and a mixes of texture, from matte leather to plush fur. One of the most editorially beloved pieces from the Celine collection was the Geometric Intarsia Sweater, a playful clash of mink and leather that succinctly merged the essence of the entire collection into a single item. If another designer were to throw together that many things on one top it might seem overwrought, or ridiculous but Phoebe Philo keeps the look minimal.

Most stylists didn’t stray too far from that ideal, pairing the sweaters with either the runway approved striped trousers, or an equally understated crisp white skirt. Most of the time what stands out are the accessories and add ons, be they gleaming silver cuffs, avant garde headgear or the label’s coveted Trapeze Bag. Take a look at the way in which several different teams interpreted the Celine look and subsequently the sleek mood of the season.

On the Runway – LOOK 10  | Image Courtesy of Celine

The Editorial Interpretation :

Kasia Struss by Steven Pan (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) for Vogue Japan, stylist Vanessa Traina (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists)

Kasia Struss by Knoepfel & Indlekofer for WSJ, styled by David Vandewal

Kati Nescher by Josh Olins for Vogue China, styling Nicoletta Santoro

Karlie Kloss by Raymond Meier for American Vogue, styled by Elissa Santisi

Zuzanna Bijoch and Stella Tennant by Paolo Roversi for W Magazine, styled by Giovanna Battaglia

Olga Sherer by Marcin Tyszka for Elle France

Milagros Schmoll by Alexander Neumann for Harper’s Bazaar Turkey, styled by Sara Francia

Jenna Earle by Takahiro Ogawa in Amica, styled by Claudia Cerruti

Mina Cvetkovic by Henrique Gendre for Grazia, styled by Marine Chaumien

Diana by Anton Jhonsen for Clara Magazine, styled by Lilian Ng

Kirsi Pyrhonen by Mel Bles for Twin Magazine, styled by Celestine Cooney

Some collections are made for editorial greatness, on the runway they’re good but when a talented team gets ahold of things the stories those garments can tell are limitless. One collection that has found new life editorially is Comme des Garcons‘ excellent fall/winter showing. The exaggerated proportions, bold patterns and plays on dimension have made for some truly striking imagery. Stylists seem to love playing with Rei Kawakubo‘s artful creations, and there are a few looks that keep popping up in magazines month after month. Whether they’re worn by the likes of style legend Iris Apfel, transformed into samurai gear for Meghan Collison, or made part of David Sims‘ stark imagery, it is impossible to miss a CdG piece. Take a look back at some of the most memorable uses of the collection thus far and see how different stylists dealt with some of the more popular pieces.

Meghan Collison by Craig McDean, styled by Karl Templer in Interview

by Sarah Moon, styled by Jacob K for 10 Magazine

Meghan Collison by Fabien Baron, styled by Karl Templer for Interview

Cara Delevingne by Jean Baptiste Mondino, styled by Carine Roitfeld for CR Fashion Book

Saskia de Brauw by Mario Sorrenti, styled by Emmanuelle Alt for Vogue Paris

Erjona Ala, Lida Fox, Lula Osterdahl, Ophelie Rupp and Ros Georgiou by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia

Magdalena Langrova by Sebastian Kim, styled by Katie Mossman in Vogue Germany

Kati Nescher by Mario Sorrenti, styled by Joe McKennafor Vogue Paris

Dorothea Barth Jorgensen by Charlotte Wales for Vision China, styled by Clare Byrne.

Laura Kampman by Philippe Vogelenzang, styled by Jos van Heel in Vogue Netherlands

Franzi Mueller by Mel Bles, styled by Vanessa Reid in Pop Magazine

Iris Apfel by Jeff Bark, styled by Robbie Spencer for Dazed & Confused

Kasia Struss by Knoepfel & Indlekofer for WSJ

Anais Pouliot by Paolo Roversi, styled by  in Purple Fashion

Mackenzie Drazan by Mikael Jansson styled by Karl Templer for Interview

Kati Nescher by David Sims for American Vogue

The shoulder pads, the layers, the luxurious excess and sexiness of power dressing are brought to life in Vogue Germany in a spirited story by Knoepfel & Indlekofer starring Kasia Struss. Clad in oversized suiting separates selected by Nicola Knels, Kasia is a vision of feminine authority and innate chic – simply put, the girl’s got it and K&I capture her at her best.

BALENCIAGA, THE COLLECTOR

Museums are kicking their fashion focus into overdrive with several choice exhibits happening at once. At Paris’ Musee Galliera two incredible fashion retrospectives are happening, the first looks back on the career and life of Cristobal Balenciaga via his couture fashions and personal collections. Even the masters draw inspiration from somewhere and some of the pieces featured date back to as far as 1730. The fascinating exhibit also explores the designer’s one of a kind pieces made for friends and contemporaries like Elsa Schiaparelli.

COMME des GARCONS – BUBBLELICIOUS

From the past to the future – the museum also offers a unique look at the current Comme des Garcons collection, all white and encapsulated in giant bubbles. Viewing just off the runway designs as works of art isn’t hard when the designs come from as idiosyncratic and skilled a creator as Rei Kawakubo. Take a look at Interview magazine’s preview of the event.

NAOMI REMEMBERS HERB

A decade after his death and Herb Ritts’ work still sets the standard for beautiful fashion imagery. Naomi Campbell remembers Herb and her work with him in a special interview with Time and even recounts the creation of that now legendary supermodel shot. Angelinos can catch the Getty Museum’s retrospective of Ritts’ photography from now until August.

COACHELLA’S CATWALKS

Just in case you haven’t maxed out on Coachella coverage, take a look at stylish shots from Vogue & Bazaar taken by David X. Prutting and Mr. Newton respectively. None of the fashionistas featured commit the crimes noted in Buzz Feed’s hilarious send up of music festival fashion cliches.

Hanne Gaby Odiele & Kasia Struss by Mr. Newton at Coachella for Bazaar

Now that the months of Dior speculation are over and Raf Simons is confirmed for the job, there is a lot to look forward to. Sure we will all miss the bombastic, over the top spectacle of John Galliano’s now legendary collections, but there is no doubt that the house is in capable hands with Simons.

Raf’s Dior debut doesn’t happen until July, but there are more than a few trends from Simons’ days at Jil Sander that we wouldn’t mind seeing on the runways again. Take a look at four Raf fashion statements that wouldn’t look out of place at Dior.

F/W 09 – SCULPTURAL GOWNS

Years before the Dior opportunity was even a prospect, Simons was already using couture techniques in his designs. We could easily see one of the graceful shapes from F/W 09 show resurfacing in his work for Dior.

Freja Beha Erichsen by Patrick Demarchelier for British Vogue August 2009

F/W 11 – BOLD FLORALS

Though he’s associated with minimalism, Simons has never been print-phobic – he’s especially partial to floral patterns in his designs for men and women. Given how ladylike Dior’s image has been lately, it wouldn’t surprise us at all to see Raf show a few of those flowers come couture.

Raquel Zimmermann by Steven Klein for American Vogue

S/S 08 – TRANSPARENCY

Simply put, no one plays with transparency better than Raf does. Whether he’s using swaths of see through tulle, or resurrecting fringe from its country-western trappings, Raf is a master of showing skin with subtlety.

Kasia Struss by Willy Vanderperre for Jil Sander S/S 08

S/S 12 – RETRO MODERNISM

Though Dior has been led by a series of very different men in the years since Christian Dior’s death, each of his successors has been adept at translating the master’s celebrated New Look into something modern. If Simon’s last two collections for Sander showcase anything, it is his ability to cull from vintage source material, while keeping things current.

Natasha Poly by Willy Vanderperre for Jil Sander S/S 12

Every year there are pieces that become repeat offenders: out of the hundreds of looks presented each season a few manage to monopolize editorial space and show up in just about every magazine. When you see the same piece in different images the importance of styling, hair & makeup really becomes evident – one wrong element and the clothes can look unappealing.

Lately we’ve been noticing a very chic Yves Saint Laurent coat popping up in editorial after editorial, looking different in each picture.  Made of “pale green lace jacquard with black cornelly embroideries” the coat was look one during the spring / summer show and looked pretty fetching on Kasia Struss. In the magazines the same look takes on a variety of guises: in the pages of Vogue Italia it turns into a harlequin costume for Querelle Jansen, while Harper’s Bazaar uses it as a retro topper for a blonde Bette Franke. W Magazine focuses on the graphic print with a black and white shot and some serious eye makeup on Cara Delevingne, while Elle goes in a flamboyant direction placing it on top of a red satin bra and a knit skirt from Chloe.

WHICH VARIATION OF THE LOOK IS YOUR FAVORITE?  

Ph. Craig McDean | Publication – Vogue Italia | Model – Querelle Jansen | Fashion Editor - Karl Templer | Hair - Eugene Souleiman | Makeup - Mark Carrasquillo

Ph.Lachlan Bailey| Publication – Harper’s Bazaar | Model – Bette Franke | Fashion Editor - Brana Wolf | Hair - Akki Shirakawa | Makeup - Francelle Daly

Ph. Emma Summerton | Publication – W Magazine | Model – Cara Delevingne | Fashion Editor - Edward Enninful | Hair - Odile Gilbert | Makeup - Miranda Joyce

Ph. KT Auleta | Publication -Elle | Model -Rasa Zukauskaite & Anne-Sophie Monrad | Fashion Editor - Lester Garcia | Hair – Bok Hee | Makeup - Benjamin Puckey