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

Eliza Cummings is back and better than ever! Fresh off a solid show season the Brit phenom is racking up editorial mileage in all the coolest magazines, gracing the pages of Dazed & Confused, Vogue China and i-D Magazine with new stories that showcase her versatility. No matter the scenario Eliza manages to exude the kind of nonchalant cool that will always be in high demand.

Vogue China | Photographer: Daniel Jackson | Fashion Editor: Alastair McKimm | Hair: Didier Malige | Makeup: Yadim | Model: Eliza Cummings | See more in MDC Fashion Database

Dazed & Confused | Photographer: Ruth Hogben  | Fashion editor: Katie Shillingford  | Model: Eliza Cummings | See more in MDC Fashion Database

i-D Magazine | Photographer: Alasdair McLellan | Fashion Editor: Jonathan Kaye (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Hair: Tina Outen | Makeup: Lucia Pica | Model: Eliza Cummings | See more in MDC Fashion Database

Amy Troost.
Alastair McKimm.
Nadja Bender.
i-D Magazine.

The radiant Ms. Bender takes to the pages of i-D in an expertly styled editorial focused on the season’s undone extravagances. Expertly styled in muted colors and featuring pieces from J.W. Anderson, Comme des Garcons and Rick Owens, Troost’s story fits right in with the issue’s theme of youthful exuberance.

For more on the Time Is Now Issue, be sure to check out i-D Online. 

Images Courtesy i-D

i-D Magazine looks to the power of young voices with an issue focused on youth, vibrance and the stars of the future. The ‘Time is Now’ issue features the cream of the current crop from fashion, art and film with five of the modeling world’s freshest stars on collectable covers. Julia Nobis, Grace Bol, Lily Mcmenamy, Sam Rollinson and Xiao Wen Ju shine on covers that celebrate the uniqueness of the moment’s most vital fashion trends  from grunge to Gatsby.

For more on the Time Is Now Issue, be sure to check out i-D Online. 

Ph. Paul Wetherell | Fashion Editor – Elgar Johnson | Model Julia Nobis

Ph. Benjamin Alexander Huseby | Fashion Editor – Elgar Johnson | Model - Lily Mcmenamy

Ph. William Baker | Fashion Editor - Judy Blame  | Model Grace Bol

Ph. Sølve Sundsbø | Fashion Editor - Charlotte Stockdale | Model - Xiao Wen Ju

Ph. Alasdair McLellan | Fashion Editor - Jane How | Model - Sam Rollinson

Mikael Jansson
Alastair McKimm.
Joan Smalls.
i-D Magazine.

A fittingly edgy tribute to the season’s most alluringly avant garde pieces. Unexpected shapes and textures abound in McKimm’s expertly edited selection of looks from Givenchy, J.W. Anderson, Celine, Maison Martin Margiela and more. The stark wares are highlighted Jansson’s sleek photographic style and of course the endlessly appealing Joan. Top it all off with hair by Anthony Turner and shimmering bronze shadow by Hannah Murray and you have the makings of a spectacular cover feature.

See more from the Q&A Issue – including a special behind the scenes video & interview with Joan – on i-D Online

Are we in the midst of a Karmen Pedaru moment? All signs point to yes; as the lithe Estonian burns up the runways of Milan we’re treated to several stunning new covers of Karmen this month. The Pedaru visage is featured on some of the coolest magazines in existence and each image provides its own creative take on her appeal.

As one of the ten top model covers of The Last Magazine, Karmen exudes sensuality in Lachlan Bailey (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists)’s sultry black and white shot. On Flair‘s cover Karmen provides an elegant ease that Katja Rahlwes (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) captures beautifully. That said, the most unexpected cover shot has to be i-D Magazine‘s trippy Daniel Sannwald (New York: Management + Artists, Paris: Management + Artists) image that comes complete with a gif party. 

Ph. Lachlan Bailey (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) Alastair McKimm (Fashion Editor/Stylist) Rudi Lewis (Hair Stylist) Romy Soleimani (Makeup Artist) Magnus Berger (Editor) Tenzin Wild (Editor) Image Credit – The Last Magazine

Katja Rahlwes (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) Sissy Vian (Styling) Luke Hersheson (Hair) Georgina Graham (New York: Management + Artists, Paris: Management + Artists) (Makeup) | Image Credit – Flair

Daniel Sannwald (New York: Management + Artists, Paris: Management + Artists) Charlotte Stockdale (Styling) Tomo Jidai (Hair) Peter Philips (Makeup)  | Image Credit – i-D

Grace Coddington by Sebastian Kim

On the eve of the publication of Grace Coddington‘s memoirs the famously flame haired fashion editor is everywhere. Pick up a copy of i-D Magazine‘s latest issue and you’ll see her on the cover, head to any news website worth its salt and you’ll find an excerpt from the tasteful tell-all (or just check it out on Vogue.com) detailing the backstory of some epic editorial moment straight from Vogue’s pages.  Indeed it seems we’re living in a state of Grace, so to speak, so what better time to look back on the trademarks of her work – those quintessential details that set her styling apart from everyone else. It would be impossible to go through twenty years of Grace and pick a few editorials that sum up the depth and diversity that make her work great, instead we look to four Coddington calling cards that are certain to appear in every one of her stories; glamour, history, fantasy and humour.

GLAMOUR

It goes without saying that Vogue is a repository for high-glamour imagery, but Grace has always pushed the borders of what that means. It isn’t enough to showcase off the runway looks or exquisite couture, the image has to convey something powerful and iconic.

‘The Heat of the Moment’ – Photographer Ellen von Unwerth, Model Naomi Campbell American Vogue, March 1998

‘High Art’ Photographer - Annie Leibovitz, Model - Natalia Vodianova, American Vogue November 2004

‘Daydreams’ Photographer Steven Klein, Models Daria Werbowy and Natalia Vodianova American Vogue September 2004

‘Talk to Her’ Photographer - Steven Meisel, Models - Joan Smalls, Coco Rocha, Karen Elson, Guinevere Van Seenus, Caroline Trentini, Liya Kebede, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Daphne Groeneveld, American Vogue 2012

HISTORY

Recreating the look and feel of historical periods with contemporary design has become something of a Vogue standard and when Grace takes on history the end result is always memorable. From haute baroque, to 50s style Brando-chic and 70s style glam rock, her interpretations of the past have always been fresh and dynamic.

‘French Twists’ Photographer - Annie Leibovitz, Models – Lily Cole, Gemma Ward, Gisele Bundchen, Daria Werbowy, Karen Elson, American Vogue May 2004

‘A Feast for the Eyes’ Photographer -Steven Meisel, Models – Kylie Bax, Amy Wesson, Elsa Benitez, Carolyn Murphy, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Behennah, Guinevere Van Seenus, Trish Goff, Chandra North,  American Vogue December 1996

‘Custom of the Country’ photographer Annie Leibovitz, Model Natalia Vodianova, American Vogue August 2012

‘Wild At Heart’ Photographer - Peter Lindbergh, Models – Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford,  Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Karen Mulder, Tatjana Patitz, and Stephanie Seymour, American Vogue 1991

Rock the House, photographer Steven Meisel, American Vogue, November 2001

FANTASY

No one creates a fantastical scenario via clothes quite like Grace does. Her instantly recognizable fairy tale collaboration with Annie Leibovitz has raised the bar for just about everyone by taking the familiar childhood tales and re-imagining them as fanciful fashion moments. Who says Alice can’t fall down the rabbit hole while wearing head to toe Tom Ford? Even with the elaborate sets, mythical allusions and high concept themes, Grace makes you notice the clothes first and foremost.

‘Joy to the World’ Photographer Steven Meisel, American Vogue December 2002

‘It’s a Jungle Out There’ Photographer – Steven Klein, Models – Maggie Rizer, Trish Goff, Oluchi Onweagba, Liisa Winkler, Anouck Lepere, Karolina Kurkova, American Vogue June 2001

‘Garden of Delights’ Photographer -Steven Meisel, Model - Caroline Trentini, American Vogue December 2006

‘Alice in Wonderland’ Photographer - Annie Leibovitz, Model - Natalia Vodianova , American Vogue December 2003

‘Wizard of Oz’ Photographer - Annie Leibovitz, Model - Keira Knightley, American Vogue December 2005

‘Romeo and Juliet’ Photographer - Annie Leibovitz, Model - Coco Rocha, American Vogue December 2008

HUMOUR

A concept that is regrettably missing in most fashion editorials yet always has a place in Grace’s work. Whether it is Stella Tennant leading a troop of boyscouts or Karen Elson starring as Grace herself, there is always that added touch of whimsy that makes her work a delight.

‘A Shot of Scotch’ Photographer - Arthur Elgort, Model - Linda Evangelista, American Vogue September 1991

‘Graceful Elegance’ Photographer - Steven Meisel, Model - Karen Elson, American Vogue August 2008

‘O’ Pioneers!’ Photographer - Arthur Elgort, Model - Stella Tennant, American Vogue June 2001

Every season we look forward to Alexander Wang‘s Confessional film series. The artfully directed mini-movies place a spotlight on a noteworthy beauty and allow us to experience the world of Wang from a new perspective. This season’s star, the always engaging Liberty Ross gives a candid look at her career, from her first cover for i-D Magazine, to her stint playing Ozzy Osbourne’s bride on an LP, and of course her memorable trip down Alexander’s runway.

Watching the clip is a treat that gives some insight into Liberty’s life away from the spotlight, and shows you just why Wang’s show is such a model favorite – more than a few girls name-checked the designer when listing their fave moments this season.