Transparency was all over the S/S13 runways and as the season draws closer it seems fitting to explore one of its dominant trends. The house whose designs exemplified the look was VALENTINO, where designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli showed a variety of pieces that utilized transparency expertly, revealing skin but keeping the demure sophistication the brand has become known for. Whether they were dazzling with delicate embroidery, or creating a sublime showcase for the body via cutouts, the duo set the standard for diaphanous dressing.

One piece in particular took the look to its logical endpoint and dazzled with its whimsical cheekiness. The PVC trenchcoat embellished with the line’s signature rockstuds has become an editorial favorite, with stylists providing their own take on the Valentino look. The trench lends itself to a myriad of different interpretations and stylists did not disappoint, creating a variety of looks that range from sensual, to avant-garde. When a garment can go from the all out sexy of Missy Rayder‘s powerful image in Numero, to the easy cool on the back of Angela Lindvall it more than proves its versatility.

Vogue Italia - Ph. Paolo Roversi | Styling – Cathy Edwards | Model – Guinevere Van Seenus | Hair – Shon | Makeup – Yadim

Numero - Ph. Greg Harris | Styling – Elizabeth Sulcer | Model – Missy Rayder | Hair - Holli Smith | Makeup - Benjamin Puckey

Purple Diary - Ph. Max Snow | Styling - Vanessa Traina (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Model - Iekeliene Stange | Hair - Tamara Mcnaughton | Makeup - Hung Vanngo

V Magazine - Ph. Sharif Hamza (Cadence New York) | Styling - Tom Van Dorpe (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Hair - Shay Ashual | Makeup - Maud Laceppe

Vogue Paris - Ph. Mario Sorrenti | Styling -Marie Chaix | Model - Anja Rubik | Hair – James Pecis | Makeup - Yadim

Elle Spain - Ph. Juan Aldabaldatrecu | Styling - Inmaculada Jiménez | Model - Angela Lindvall |

Vogue Germany - Ph. Knoepfel & Indlekofer | Styling – Nicola Knels | Model - Maria Bradley | Hair - Rita Marmor | Makeup - Benjamin Puckey

InStyle UK - Ph. Arved Colvin-Smith | Styling: Amanda Bellan | Hair: Soichi Inagaki | Make-up: Natsumi Narita |Manicure: Katie Jane Hughes

Marie Claire Magazine - Ph. Dancian | Styling – Nina Sterghiou | Hair – Kenshin Asano | Make-up – Aya Komatsu

Vogue China - Ph. Boo George | Stylist - Victoria Young | Model - Katlin Aas

L’Officiel - Ph. Jonathan Segade | Styling: Alexandra Elbim | Model – Theres Alexandersson | Hair: Marc Orsatelli | Make-up: Eny Whitehead

Unless you’ve placed yourself on a magazine ban, or been living beneath the safety of a rock, you’ve heard the murmurs about Vogue Paris losing its edge. Whether it is blog posts about lackluster covers, or tFS rumblings, it feels like everyone has an opinion on the excitement level (or lack there of) in the post Carine Roitfeld era.

While we admit to missing the sexed up, controversy courting, boundary pushing days of Mme. Roitfeld, the Emmanuelle Alt helmed VP has its high points - Wham lipsync moment non-withstanding. April’s issue features a striking beauty story by Karim Sadli, featuring Malgosia Bela reinvented by four of the top young talents in hair & makeup. Anthony Turner, Lucia Pica, Yadim & James Pecis create a series of strong, attention grabbing looks for Malgosia that showcase their creativity and modern views of what a striking editorial look can be — how’s that for excitement.

Vogue Germany shows a sensuous side of Anais Pouliot in Horst Diekgerdes latest for the magazine. Styled by Julia von Boehm and featuring a series of retro looks from Vuitton and Etro, the elegant story is equal parts flirty and seductive. With her gorgeous updo and hourglass curves, Anais calls to mind the classic sirens of the period.

HAIR James Pecis MAKEUP Stephanie Kunz MANICURE Kristin Glatzel