In this month’s issue of British Vogue, Drake Burnette is sexy and sophisticated in an editorial focusing on elegant yet seductive styles. Burnette, fresh onto the scene at 27, is definitely one to keep an eye on, proving the fashion industry is anyone’s game in “Age of Beauty.”

Photographer: Josh Olins | Stylist: Lucinda Chambers

More from “Age of Beauty”

Text by Victoria Perillo

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

Karim Sadli captures the season’s off-kilter classicism with a vintage inspired story starring Tess Hellfeuer in the latest British Vogue. Wearing Francesca Burns selected pieces that mix refinement with a touch of street smart edge Tess is a picture of youthful grace. Sadli’s simple, effective imagery captures the rising beauty at her best, while Hellfeuer’s serene presence in front of the camera makes her one of the new editorial stars to watch.

Images Courtesy Karim Sadli

Is there a more buzzed about girl on the block than Edie Campbell? Fresh off the heels of a very mod-British Vogue cover by David Sims, the Penelope Tree-esque beauty is front and center on Vogue Italia in a dramatic Steven Meisel shot that takes her into edgy territory. April belongs to the versatile Ms. Campbell, but which side of the Brit beauty do you prefer – punk or pretty?

See the full story on Vogue.It | Steven Meisel (Photographer) Karl Templer (Fashion Editor/Stylist) Guido Palau (Hair Stylist) Pat McGrath (Makeup Artist) Jin Soon Choi (Manicurist)

Go inside the April issue of Brit Vogue on Vogue.co.uk | David Sims (Photographer) Joe McKenna (Fashion Editor/Stylist) Paul Hanlon (Hair Stylist) Diane Kendal (Makeup Artist) Anatole Rainey (Manicurist)

Hedi Slimane’s dramatic rebranding of Yves Saint Laurent was one of the most divisive collections in recent memory; everyone had an opinion, some more hotly debated than others. While many found Slimane’s changes to be completely in line with the spirit of the house and a much needed makeover that pushed the brand into the future, others felt the overhaul was unnecessary, overly hyped and even underwhelming. Wide brim hats and seventies style suiting aren’t for everyone, but no matter how you felt about the Saint Laurent Paris ensembles themselves, you knew you were going to be seeing a lot of them. Like the McQueen visors and Prada stripes that came before them, those SLP hats were destined for editorials; fashion editors can’t resist a look with instant visual impact and Slimane’s designs are always distinctive.

Though the chapeaus are shaping up to be one of the most photographed editorial pieces of the moment, few stylists have strayed from the vision Slimane presented on the runway. Every so often though, the mood of the image goes beyond simply rehashing the nonchalant cool vibe of Slimane’s Le Smoking influenced style and pushes into expressive territory. Take a look at the way Lori Goldstein adds a touch of 60s glamour in the Vogue Italia shots of Fei Fei Sun, putting a more structured version of the SLP headpiece to good use but making it right for a completely different kind of mood.

British Vogue photography by Angelo Pennetta, styling by Francesca Burns

Marikka Juhler & Kirsi Pyrhonen in Harper’s Bazaar UK photography by Tom Allen, styling by Cathy Kasterine

Jessica Stam in Vogue Japan by Victor Demarchelier (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists), styling by Sabino Pantone

Fei Fei Sun in Vogue Italia, photography by Steven Meisel, styled by Lori Goldstein

Gwen Stefani in American Vogue photography by Annie Leibovitz, styled by Tonne Goodman

Julia Nobis in Numero, photography by Anthony Maule, styling by Samuel Francois

Harmony Boucher in Marie Claire, photography by Danilo Giuliani, styled by Enrique Campos

Dree Hemingway in Vogue China photography by Max Vadukul, styled by Nicoletta Santoro

Anja Rubik in Elle UK photography by Jan Welters, styled by Anne-Marie Curtis

British Vogue is certainly starting the new year off right, the trend setting mag places Kati Nescher front and center on its February cover dressed in a standout piece from the latest Givenchy collection. Shot by Patrick Demarchelier, the less is more story provides an especially elegant take on the season’s understated runway favorites, each one accentuated by Kati’s modern beauty.

Take a look at what else is inside the new issue of Brit Vogue – including new editorials, a special interview with Juergen Teller and an in depth update on upcoming trends, all on Vogue.co.uk.

Looking back on the season that was and some of the runway proportion plays, we started to think back to the larger than life silhouettes of the 1980s. Back when a shoulder pad was de rigueur you couldn’t open up a fashion magazine without seeing the incredible designs of Claude Montana. Focusing on exquisite construction, luxurious materials and of course shape, Montana’s eponymous label flourished from 1979 until 1997, and for two years in the early nineties he even held down the reigns at Lanvin and yes there was life before Alber.

The amount of designers who namecheck Montana as an inspiration is staggering, the late Alexander McQueen cited him as a primary influence and numerous others owe a great deal to Montana’s inventive spirit. Take a trip back to the past with a glimpse at some incredible House of Montana pieces, as worn by top models of the era. The clothes may be over 20 years old, but notice how relevant and modern they still seem – the ruffled skirt on the red suit wouldn’t seem out of place on this season’s Balenciaga runway, the oversized shearling jacket would work with today’s Rag & Bone and that dramatic white column for Lanvin, could appear on any red carpet today and be completely refreshing.

Jenny Howarth by Paolo Roversi for Montana, 1986

Jenny Howarth by Paolo Roversi for Montana 1988

Linda Evangelista in Montana in American Vogue, 1987

Annelisse Seubert in Montana, 1992

Linda Evangelista by Paolo Roversi for Lanvin S/S 90, by Montana

Karen Mulder by Paolo Roversi for Lanvin by Montana, 1991

Claudia Mason on the cover of British Vogue in Montana, 1993

Emma Sjoberg in Elle by Gilles Bensimon, 1991

Emma Sjoberg in Montana 1992 ads

Modern minimalism with a shot of color reigns supreme in Josh Olins‘s sleek British Vogue story. Styled by Lucinda Chambers and featuring heaps of Celine, Marni and Dries Van Noten, the story represents a thinking woman’s idea of chic, an ideal encapsulated in the striking Suvi Koponen. Pared down hair & makeup by Samantha Hillerby and Samantha Bryant, completes the look with style and panache.