Asia and its diverse cultures have long had an unmistakable impact on the industry, but in recent years the influence has been especially prevalent. The growth of the Asian market and the rise of a new generation of influential Asian talents has prompted designers and photographers to look East in search of inspiration. The F/W runways were filled with pieces whose details seemed cribbed from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean fashions. Two fresh editorials showcase the season’s East Asian-inspired fashions in uniquely beautiful ways.

First Fabien Baron reinterprets the myth of the samurai in Interview with a striking and suitably stark story that owes as much to history as it does to larger-than-life, action-packed anime. Meghan Collison stars in Baron’s expressive fantasy and brandishes a katana as she poses in looks from Haider Ackermann, Gareth Pugh, and Issey Miyake. Karl Templer‘s styling prowess is on full display, even as he mixes together the perfect modern approximation of the samurai look. | View the full story on Interview.com

Vogue China‘s interpretation is no less elegant, but the approach is softer and sexier. Karim Sadli shoots the always alluring Liu Wen in pieces that focus on rich embroidery and detailed pattern. Set against the refined backdrop of an airy drawing room and featuring a host of Balmain, Proenza, and Dries van Noten selected by Alastair McKimm, the story offers an alternative imagining of this look. There are no well-dressed warriors or brandished swords, just a beautiful girl looking especially chic.

HONOR
Interview Magazine
Ph. Fabien Baron
Fashion Editor – Karl Templer
Hair – Luigi Murenu | Makeup – Francelle Daly
Model – Meghan Collison

Zac Posen jacket, Maison Martin Margiela gloves

Haider Ackermann jacket, skirt and belt, Issey Miyake collar, Calvin Klein collar

Gareth Pugh top, collar and boots, Issey Miyake pants

Nicolas Andreas Taralis top

Meghan Collison by Fabien Baron for Interview, November 2012

ORIENTAL TALES
Vogue China
Ph. Karim Sadli
Fashion Editor – Alastair McKimm
Hair - Yannick D’Is (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Makeup – Yadim

Proenza Schouler dress, Dior shoes

Balmain vest and mini dress, Dior shoes

Dries Van Noten blazer

Jean Paul Gaultier robe,

Liu Wen by Karim Sadli for Vogue China December 2012

Cool girls have always been a source of editorial inspiration; open up any magazine under the sun and you’ll see a profile on a budding it-girl, page after page of models with just the right attitudes and a general focus on the kind of women that inspire adoration. We can’t help but be fascinated by an editorial that heads back to the schoolyard and focuses on all things cool – suburban style.

In the latest New York Times Magazine Tyrone Lebon shoots the fresh cast of Juliana Schurig,Kremi Otashliyska, Kate King, Hannah Holman and Charlene Almarvez looking like a bunch of private school escapees. Wearing the latest looks from Band of Outsiders, Theory, J.W. Anderson and more, all selected by Sara Moonves, the haute fashion high schoolers seem ready to teach a course on style, but will they let you sit at their table come lunch period? Check out the full story on NYT.

Hair: Tamara Mcnaughton | Make-Up: Francelle Daly | Nails: Megumi Yamamoto

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

Abbey Lee Kershaw is a living doll in Richard Bush‘s charming story for i-D Magazine. Sporting long bleach blonde locks and oversized accessories, Abbey is somewhere between Barbie and a Blythe doll. The mod styling by Sarah Richardson and whimsical false lashes by give this story a 60s feel that is right in line with Abbey’s vintage chic look and otherworldly appeal. For even more from the Dreams & Aspirations issue check out i-D Online.

HAIR Ashley Javier MAKEUP Francelle Daly SET DESIGN Andy Harman

It is always a pleasure to see Camilla Akrans‘s slick vision of luxury in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar and her September story featuring Bette Franke is an especially luxe endeavor. With candy colored furs chosen by Brana Wolf and a picturesque seaside backdrop, the story is a blue tinted vision of extravagance.

HAIR Franco Gobbi MAKEUP Francelle Daly MANICURE Maria Galindo

Chad Pitman creates a blue tinted world for Numero, with a story starring the lovely, Julija Steponaviciute. The edgy tale features Charles Varenne‘s eclectically styled mix of leather, lace and denim and Francelle Daly‘s stunning use of NARS cosmetics on Julija’s eyes. The rich shades of cobalt and sapphire used throughout the story make for a surreal take on a perfectly pretty tale.