When Haider Ackermann filled his S/S13 runway with transparent creations emblazoned with black and white dots, it seemed like an unusual move. Polka dots are a fashion standard dating back years, but the diminutive patterns are more often associated with the prim styles of the 1950s than with the kinds of cutting-edge wares favored on Paris’ runways. The designer so known for his innovative use of lush, saturated color was showing another side, taking one of the most uncool of motifs and making it feel new.

In keeping with the current craze for all things graphic, stylists have embraced the versatility of these simple circles, working Ackermann’s creations into a variety of editorials. On occasion the interpretations don’t veer too far from the runway approach (fashion abides by the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ mantra whenever it can) but the excitement comes when the spots are complimented by clashing patterns to create a dynamic visual treat. Whether it is layering in another of Ackermann’s prints from S/S or adding a bold kimono for interest, the real fun lies in the mix which offers stylists an opportunity to show their creativity.

W Magazine | Photographer: Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott | Fashion Editor/ Stylist:Edward Enninful | Hair: Malcolm Edwards | Makeup: Lucia Pieroni | Set Designer: Poppy Bartlett | Manicurist: Anatole Rainey | Model: Ondria Hardin

Vogue China | Photographer: Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin | Fashion Editor/ Stylist: Nicoletta Santoro (New York: Management + Artists, Paris: Management + Artists) | Hair: James Pecis | Makeup: Tom Pecheux | Manucurist: Gina Viviano | Casting: Piergiorgio Del Moro | Model: Arizona Muse

032C Photographer: Jamie Morgan | Styling:Jodie Barnes | Hair: Tomo Jidai | Make-up:Laura Dominique | Model: Arizona Muse

Elle France | Photogrpaher: Bjarne Jonasson | Stylist: Michele Beaurenaut | Model: Xiao Wen Ju

Vogue Thailand | Photographer: David Bellemere | Stylist: Anna Schiffel | Model: Anna de Rijk

Numero | Photographer: Greg Harris | Stylist: Sheila Single | Model: Stef Van Der Laan

Elle Italia | Photographer: Alexei Hay | Casting: Paul Hunt at JN Casting | Model: Pau Bertolini

Vogue China | Photographer: Sharif Hamza (Cadence New York) | Fashion Editor/ Stylist: Tiina Laakkonen | Hair: Esther Langham | Makeup: Francelle Daly | Model: Ji Hye Park

Marie Claire Magazine | Photographer: Danilo Gallinari | Fashion Editor: Enrique Campos | Hair: Javier Palacio | Makeup: Tatyana Makarova| Manicure: Lucia Cheptene | Model: Harmony Boucher

W Magazine | Photographer: Tim Walker | Fashion Editor/ Stylist: Jacob K | Hair: Julien d’Ys | Makeup: Stephane Marais | Set Designer: Rhea Thierstein | Model: Tilda Swinton

10 Magazine |  Photographer: Robert Schoerner | Fashion Editor/Stylist: Sophia Neophitou | Model: Kristen McMenamy

Vogue Russia | Photographer: Tom Craig | Fashion Editor/ Stylist: Olga Dunina | Model:Arizona Muse

i-D Magazine | Photographer: Mari Sarai | Fashion Editor/ Stylist: Erika Kurihara | Hair: Tomo Jidai | Makeup: Janeen Witherspoon | Casting: Shelley Durkan | Model: Soo Joo

Vogue Turkey | Photographer: Cuneyt Akeroglu | Fashion Editor/ Stylist: Semra Russell| Hair: Colin Gold | Model: Stina Rapp Wastenson

British Vogue | Photographer: Josh Olins| Fashion Editor/ Stylist: Clare Richardson | Hair: Shon | Makeup: Sally Branka | Set Designer: Kadu Lennox | Models: Meghan Collison and Juliana Schurig

Arizona Muse goes around the world for Vogue Russia in an elegant story by Tom Craig. Part travelogue / part fashion journey, the editorial follows Arizona through the streets of Sicily as she wears a selection of luxe yet casual pieces selected by stylist, Olga Dunina. Clad in pieces from Bottega Veneta, Kenzo, Ralph Lauren and of course Dolce & Gabbana, Arizona makes an especially elegant tourist. The accompanying video by Craig, with cinematography by Gus & Stella take the trip one step further with a beautiful exploration of one of the world’s loveliest islands.

Images Courtesy Vogue Russia – See the full story in the database

When in doubt, go for elegance. The latest ad campaigns eschew gimmicks and rely instead on the kind of classic polish that never goes out of style. Bastion of uptown chic Tiffany & Co. enlists the new generation of top models in a stylish campaign by Michael Thompson that puts those fabulous jewels on superstars Liya Kebede,Liu Wen, Arizona Muse, Karen Elson and Doutzen Kroes. The stunning cast adds a touch of freshness to one of luxury’s oldest names, while Thompson’s graceful shots show the timeless appeal of gemstones.

Prada’s pre-fall shots are every bit as beautiful, but there is a hint of edge in Steven Meisel‘s minimal studio shots. Irene Hiemstra, Amanda Murphy and Vanessa Axente look pristine in Meisel’s imagery and the pared down collection provides a down to earth, yet wholeheartedly Miuccia take on seasonal dressing. What could be more classic than a whole lot of gingham and a good ol’ fashioned statement bag?

Tiffany & Co. 2013
Michael Thompson (Photographer) Paul Cavaco (Fashion Editor/Stylist) Serge Normant (Hair Stylist) Gucci Westman (Makeup Artist)

Prada Pre-Fall 2013

Miuccia Prada (Designer) Steven Meisel (Photographer) Olivier Rizzo (Fashion Editor/Stylist) Ashley Brokaw (Casting Director)

Resort ads from fashion’s haute houses provide a dose of glamour and some fresh photography, take a look at two of our favorites.

CHANEL

Chanel goes for baroque with a romantic resort campaign starring Cara Delevingne and Saskia de Brauw. Shot by Karl Lagerfeld (naturally) and featuring a sumptuous take on the house’s trademark luxury, the ads merge past and present into one chic package – note the Chanel Boy bag dandling from Saskia’s heel.

LOUIS VUITTON

Vuitton looks to its travel heritage with an atmospheric new campaign shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and starring Arizona Muse. Shot in famous Parisian locales like the Louvre (the Mona Lisa even makes a cameo) and Palais Royale, the ads focus on the “the art of travel” and will appear not just in print, but also in a special film version.

Katja Rahlwes (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) delivers a beautifully bold take on femininity for 25 Magazine, with a colorful story starring Arizona Muse. Exploring the glossy chic of high maintenance glamour, with a tongue in cheek perspective, Rawles showcases both the final look and the prep that goes into it, from shaving legs to sipping Coke while putting on megawatt jewels.

It is a proven fact that Hollywood actors cannot resist models – Leonardo Dicaprio we’re looking at you – so it is no surprise that magazines frequently pair actors & models together in covers and in editorials. We’re not sure why magazines always go for the actor + models combo instead of say actresses and male models (c’mon someone get Scarlett Johansson and Sean O’Pry  together already) but it is a proven formula that can produce beautiful results.

Or incredibly awkward and somewhat confusing results. Lets take a look back at some of our favorite model meets actor moments – the good, the bad and the just plain weird.

2012: W Magazine  : Tom Cruise + Abbey Lee Kershaw & Edita Vilkeviciute by Mario Sorrenti

W Magazine knows how to push all the right buttons don’t they? What better way to promote the blissfully cheesy 80s jukebox musical Rock of Ages than to put its star on the cover looking like a latter day Bret Michaels? Edita Vilkeviciute and Abbey Lee Kershaw are bringing the heat, but we can’t help but feel that Cruise looks more than a little uncomfortable. Perhaps this is simply his version of bored rock star blasé, but he manages to make standing between two of the world’s most beautiful girls look like a chore; to be honest he had more chemistry with Jeremy Renner in MI:4.

2012: Vogue Espana Clive Owen & Toni Garrn by Alexi Lubomirski

Love Toni, Love Clive. Love the city of Paris. Still he looks like her dad in this. Sorry. Unless they were going for the whole “cool dad takes his glamazon daughter to France thing”, if so then it totally works.

2012: American Vogue - Michael Fassbender and Natalia Vodianova by Craig McDean