CHECKER CHIC

We’ve been seeing a lot of Marc Jacobs’ mod influenced collection for Louis Vuitton, so it is no surprised to see it showing up on the covers of two stylish publications this month. Numero‘s sleek image by Sebastian Kim gives you two sides of of Nadja Bender, while Vogue Japan offers a girlish take on Jacobs’ designs with a coquettish image of Lindsey Wixson by Patrick Demarchelier. Both pictures present a compelling fashion moment, so it really boils down to whether you prefer your Vuitton girl seductive, or syrupy sweet.

NADJA ON NUMERO OR LINDSEY ON VOGUE JAPAN – WHICH VERSION OF VUITTON DO YOU PREFER?

TEASER PLEASER

Dansk returns with two images designed to whet readers’ appetites for more of the famed Danish magazine’s blend of art and fashion. Nadja Bender shows up again (there isn’t a magazine you won’t find Nadja in these days) looking effortlessly cool in Hasse Nielsen‘s black and white shot, but the image that grabs our attention is that of the aptly named Adonis Bosso taken by Raf Stahelin. Dressed in a debonair fedora and head to metallics, Bosso cuts an impressive figure – we can’t wait to see the accompanying editorial.

NADJA OR ADONIS – WHICH DANSK TEASER CATCHES YOUR EYE?

BRAZILIAN BONUS!

Giampaolo Sgura and Anna Dello Russo are at it again! This time the duo creates four wildly different covers for Vogue Brasil featuring Magdalena Frackowiak, Izabel Goulart, Bette Franke and Mirte Maas. Each cover captures a completely different mood within the sexy & chic theme: from the all out glamour of Magda’s shot, Mirte’s full on Dello Russo eclecticism, Izabel’s vibrant  cover image and the purity of Bette’s Prada collection image. Each cover has its merits, but we can’t help but think that Bette’s austere Miuccia madness feels freshest.

BETTE? IZABEL? MAGDALENA? MIRTE? WHICH VOGUE BRAZIL COVER GETS YOUR VOTE?

We love a magazine with a distinctive point of view and brand new biannual Beauty Rebel, is as distinctive as it gets. With a focus on all things beauty and the endless allure of cosmetics, stunning makeup and amazing hair, the glossy rejects overly photoshopped imagery in favor of the glamour of the 70s, 80s and even the 90s supermodel era. Who better to appear on the cover than ultimate fashion rebel, Daphne Guinness, who pays tribute to another legend, the late, great Hedy Lamarr.

Inside an array of beauty centric content from behind the scenes shots of top models, to fresh editorials featuring inventive hair and makeup is certain to delight.

Daphne Guinness by Joseph Lally, makeup by Kabuki

Daphne Guinness by Joe Lally

Ulyanna & Nina by  Lena Kholkina

Ellie Weston by  Alexandre Valerio

Amanda Queiroz by Simon

Sophie Pomfrett by Ian Cole

Tiara by Joseph Sinclair

Kimberly Wyatt by Joseph Sinclair

Lindsey Wixson and Kelly Mittendorf by Barbara Anastacio

Idina Moncreiffe by Ian Cole

The ads keep on coming, check out a few more of our faves from the season – take a look back at our previous campaign favorites post too.

Balenciaga

While we can’t imagine either Nicolas Ghesquière or Steven Meisel spending a lazy weekend at the shore, the Balenciaga campaign is set in such an idyll. Fresh faces Anniek Kortleve, Linn Arvidsson, Hirschy Hirschfelder, Julier Bugge, Juliet Ingleby and Rosie Tapner lay out on the dunes in those eccentric looks from F/W.

Chanel

Simple, clean and led by a stellar cast, Chanel’s fresh ads feature Kati Nescher, Lindsey Wixson & Cora Emmanuel as styled by Carine Roitfeld. Naturally, Karl Lagerfeld is behind the camera – which depending on your perspective you either love or hate, that said the casting on this is flaw free.

Dolce & Gabbana

A taste of Italian nostalgia shot by Giampaolo Sgura and featuring Monica Bellucci, Bianca Balti and Bianca Brandolini – each image feels like a still from a Pasolini film.

Valentino

Valentino once again gives us a vision of pure class from the iconic Deborah Turbeville. Elegantly color coordinated looks on Jac Jagaciak, Caroline Brasch Nielsen and Frida Gustavsson - what’s not to love?

Fendi

When you have Joan Smalls and Karl Lagerfeld you don’t really need much else. With the natural setting and powerful poses, this new ads remind us a bit of Anja Rubik‘s S/S 10 ads for the luxe line. 

Every top tier brand ushers out a new campaign each season, but only a select few push creative boundaries instead of just pushing product. With fall ads launching earlier than ever (remember the days of opening up September Vogue and experiencing new ads for the very first time) there are already several ads that impress us with their unique interpretation of their brand’s message. Take a look at our picks for most intriguing ads so far and be sure to share your selections in the comments!

Kenzo

The brand’s thrilling reboot continues with Jean Paul Goude breathing new life into the fall campaign imagery. Xiao Wen Ju & Simon Sabbah are connected in these cheeky reversible shots with a neon Kenzo logo flashing in the background. Goude’s image has instant visual impact and is a fun showcase for those cool Humberto Leon and Carol Lim designs.

Raf Simons
In case you had any doubt’s about Raf Simons’ ability to be subversive check out the striking new f/w ads by Pierre Debusschere starring Yannick Abrath. The impressive sculptural shots are a sight to behold, as is the corresponding campaign video that brings the imagery to life with beautifully abstract visuals.

RAF SIMONS RUN FALL RUN from 254⚡FOREST on Vimeo.

Mulberry

The fuzzy-wuzzies from Where the Wild Things Are invade Tim Walker‘s fantastical ads for Mulberry. The ads otherworldly vibe is only heightened by the addition of fashion’s favorite pixie, Lindsey Wixson and Jane How‘s sleek styling.

Prada

All the things that made the show so memorable are served up with glossy perfection in Steven Meisel‘s ultra-luxe ads. Vanessa Axente, Magdalena Frackowiak, Madison Headrick, Elza Luijendijk, Iselin Steiro and Anne Vyalitsyna sport the dip-dyed extensions and gilded accessories with panache.

Louis Vuitton

Putting that one of a kind Louis Vuitton train to good use Steven Meisel shoots a cast of it girls for the brand’s fall ads.  Elena Bartels, Erjona Ala, Franzi Mueller, Hedvig Palm, Julia Nobis, Mackenzie Drazan, Magda Laguinge, Marie Piovesan, Marina Heiden, Ros Georgiou shine in those signature oversized hats.

Givenchy

It is hard to beat an ad with fashion by Carine Roitfeld, images by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and a fresh cast including Stella Tennant, Joan Smalls, Daniela Braga, Stef Van Der Laan, Rodrigo Braga, Simone Nobili and Jarrod Scott. Givenchy’s campaign is all about motion and movement, be sure to check out the behind the scenes video to see how those action shots came together.

Who are the modern modeling icons? Tough question, but Antidote Magazine offers their take on iconic women with 8 new covers featuring models from different generations who have made a fashion impact. Shot by Jan Welters, with creative direction by Yann Weber, the images are elegant and evocative, as is Welter’s corresponding video. Who doesn’t love a great shot of a beautiful girl in a white gown?

The cast selection is sure to stir up a fair amount of debate; no one can argue that Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova and Malgosia Bela aren’t iconic, but do you think relative newcomers Saskia de Brauw and Lindsey Wixson are worthy of the title? We already know some people are lobbying for Natasha Poly on the icons list, but how do you feel about the inclusion of the stunning Bianca Balti & Aymeline Valade?

Naomi Campbell

Bianca Balti

Lindsey Wixson

Eva Herzigova

Saskia de Brauw

Natasha Poly

Malgosia Bela

Aymeline Valade

Vogue Italia has never shied from controversy and its March cover story has people talking left and right. From The Huffington Post, to Jezebel debate is raging over whether or not the story is in poor taste, misguided and/or exploiting negative stereotypes about blacks and Latinos. On the Vogue Italia website, the inspiration for the story is listed as “messy drags: untidy, dishevelled, counter-intuitive cross-dressers.” Meanwhile Jezebel’s intrepid Jenna Sauers, found direct links between the hair styles featured in the editorial and the gallery of Ghetto Fabulous Edible Hair dos. We can’t help but wonder what the originators of those colorful, candy-inspired styles think of the VI story and its intentions.

Controversy aside, the Steven Meisel cover of Joan Smalls marks the first time a black model has been on the cover of VI since the infamous Black Issue, which makes another triumph for Joan. Getting a VI cover is always a coup for a model, but considering how rare it is to see a woman of color fronting the world’s most influential fashion mag, this is kind of a big deal. Perhaps the greater controversy is the fact that there are multi-year periods where we just don’t see  people of color on the covers of our fashion mags.

Styling: Lori Goldstein  | Makeup: Pat McGrath |  Hair: Jimmy Paul | Models: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Coco Rocha, Guinevere Van Seenus, Jessica Stam, Karen Elson, Lindsey Wixson, and Daphne Groeneveld

See the full Haute Mess story on Vogue.It

Karl Lagerfeld.
Numero.
COUTURE.

Fashion’s grandmaster takes on couture in a beautiful way with some of his favorite girls Aymeline Valade, Daria Strokous, Karlie Kloss and Saskia de Brauw all feature on collectible covers. Lindsey Wixson joins them for a sleek editorial filled with neon lights and featuring the very best pieces from Gaultier, Dior, Alteier Versace and of course, Chanel.

Purple Fashion.
Terry Richardson.
Carine Roitfeld.

The seasons best clothes, the brightest stars and the signature Purple polish – plus those Balenciaga helmets for good measure. See the full story on Purple.fr

Aymeline Valade, Saskia de Brauw & Daria Strokous

Candice Swanepoel & Sui He

Daria Strokous & Joan Smalls

Lindsey Wixson & Bambi Northwood Blyth