Stunning S/S campaigns keep coming in, take a look at some of the best ads to hit magazines of late.

BALENCIAGA

Nicolas Ghesquiere (Designer) | Steven Meisel (Photographer) |  Kirstin Liljegren, Kremi Otashliyska & Sam Rollinson (Models)

The final Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga collection is given the royal treatment in Steven Meisel‘s elegant new campaign for the luxe brand. Kirstin Liljegren, Kremi Otashliyska and Sam Rollinson star in the simple black and white images, which focus on the power of the clothing rather than elaborate set ups or outlandish imagery.

FENDI

Karl Lagerfeld ( Designer & Photographer) | Saskia de Brauw & Kati Nescher (Models)

Karl Lagerfeld shoots the dream team of Kati Nescher and Saskia de Brauw in Fendi’s colorful ads. With accessories serving as a focal point alongside the the vibrant geometric patterns of the S/S collection, Lagerfeld’s shots are a less is more take on Fendi’s opulent glamour.

CHLOE

Clare Waight-Keller (Designer) | Glen Luchford (Photographer) | Camille Bidault Waddington (Fashion Editor/Stylist) | Garren (Hair Stylist) | Aaron de Mey (Makeup Artist) | Anatole Rainey (Manicurist) | Fabien Baron (Art Director) | Michelle Lee for KCD (Casting Director) | Caroline Brasch Nielsen, Nadja Bender, Rosie Tapner & Tilda Lindstam (Models)

GUCCI

Frida Gianinni (Designer) | Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott (Photographers) | Karmen Pedaru & Anja Rubik (Models)

Karmen, Anja, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott - when you have all that, nothing more is needed.

JIL SANDER
Jil Sander (Designer) | David Sims (Photographer) | Juliane Grüner and Otto Lotz (Models)

Jil is back! With Sander back at the helm of her eponymous line, it is only natural that the S/S 13 campaign would have a completely different look and feel from what we’ve seen from the brand of late. David Sims shoots futuristic ad images that are completely in line with the streamlined Sander vibe, while Juliane Grüner and Otto Lotz perfectly embody the effortless chic of Sander’s aesthetic.

DIOR

Raf Simons (Designer) | Willy Vanderperre (Photographer) | Olivier Rizzo (Fashion Editor/Stylist) | Anthony Turner (Hair Stylist) | Aaron de Mey (Makeup Artist) | Piers Hanmer (Set Designer) | Anna Martynova, Daiane Conterato, Marie Piovesan, Nicole Pollard, Daria Strokous (Models)

We expect nothing less than the pinacle of elegance from fashion’s most storied house and Willy Vanderperre (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) delivers with a series of campaign images that effortlessly capture Raf Simons’ minimalist vision for Dior. The new look (pun intended) of the campaign feels refreshing and completely in line with the collection.

Man of the moment, Raf Simons covers the latest issue of i-D Magazine in an impressive shot by Willy Vanderperre. Inside, the newly minted Dior designer muses on his final collection for Jil Sander | I-D ONLINE

In a move that surprises no one, Vogue has issued a ban on models under the age of 16. Good thing they got that Vogue Italia cover with the 14 year old Thairine Garcia out for April, because the ban goes into effect with the June issues.

One has to wonder though, how much of this is lip service and how much is going to usher in legitimate change? Girls are still scouted while they are tweens, placed on development boards, sent out on jobs, etc. regardless of whether or not Vogue decrees under 16 year old models unconscionable. That said, having the world’s most prominent magazine take a stand for the rights of models is a major step in the right direction. | NY TIMES

Hong Kong’s YGM is in talks to buy Aquascutum, good news for the troubled label that recently fell into administration. Considering the shared heritage and trench coat stronghold that Burberry and Aquascutum share, it is interesting to look at the differences between the two brands. | WSJ

Experience Australian fashion week through the eyes of photographer Sonny Vandevelde – brace yourself for some bold color. | NY TIMES

Now that the months of Dior speculation are over and Raf Simons is confirmed for the job, there is a lot to look forward to. Sure we will all miss the bombastic, over the top spectacle of John Galliano’s now legendary collections, but there is no doubt that the house is in capable hands with Simons.

Raf’s Dior debut doesn’t happen until July, but there are more than a few trends from Simons’ days at Jil Sander that we wouldn’t mind seeing on the runways again. Take a look at four Raf fashion statements that wouldn’t look out of place at Dior.

F/W 09 – SCULPTURAL GOWNS

Years before the Dior opportunity was even a prospect, Simons was already using couture techniques in his designs. We could easily see one of the graceful shapes from F/W 09 show resurfacing in his work for Dior.

Freja Beha Erichsen by Patrick Demarchelier for British Vogue August 2009

F/W 11 – BOLD FLORALS

Though he’s associated with minimalism, Simons has never been print-phobic – he’s especially partial to floral patterns in his designs for men and women. Given how ladylike Dior’s image has been lately, it wouldn’t surprise us at all to see Raf show a few of those flowers come couture.

Raquel Zimmermann by Steven Klein for American Vogue

S/S 08 – TRANSPARENCY

Simply put, no one plays with transparency better than Raf does. Whether he’s using swaths of see through tulle, or resurrecting fringe from its country-western trappings, Raf is a master of showing skin with subtlety.

Kasia Struss by Willy Vanderperre for Jil Sander S/S 08

S/S 12 – RETRO MODERNISM

Though Dior has been led by a series of very different men in the years since Christian Dior’s death, each of his successors has been adept at translating the master’s celebrated New Look into something modern. If Simon’s last two collections for Sander showcase anything, it is his ability to cull from vintage source material, while keeping things current.

Natasha Poly by Willy Vanderperre for Jil Sander S/S 12

Mariano Vivanco presents Anna Selezneva as the ultimate vixen in Vogue Russia. Dressed in minimal looks by Fendi and Jil Sander, Anna manages to radiate over the top elegance with her skilled posing. The all white styling by Ekaterina Mukhina works beautifully with the opulent locations, as do those incredible color-blocked Louboutins.

F/W campaigns keep coming and they seem to be getting more and more creative. Big brands are going for the unusual in an effort to grab our attention and it might just be working. Willy Vanderperre‘s stark shots for Jil Sander show a very different side of Natasha Poly and Arthur Daniyarov. The haunting pictures build on the theme from last season but the shots of color and Natasha’s bold hair make them even eerier.

The award for the most adorable campaign this season has got to go to Stella McCartney‘s Bambi themed F/W ads. Doe-eyed beauty Sigrid Agren joins a cast of familiar Disney favorites in Ryan McGinley‘s wooded forest. Cartoon animals are the last thing one would expect from a luxury ad but given Stella’s love of wildlife and the collection’s cozy look it all comes together.

So much news in the blogosphere!

If you missed OTM’s interview with rising star Mina Cvetkovic (in the current Alberta Ferretti campaign by Meisel) click here to watch the beautiful Serbian.

Luis Fernandes passes away, Tim Blanks remembers a longtime colleague and friend.

March Vogue Italia covergirl Kinga Rajzak interviewed by Ponyryder. Smart, sweet and hardworking, what more could you want in a model?

The economy hasn’t hit all areas of the industry. Art&Commerce opens an office in Paris. Jed Root London moves to bigger digs.

Anna Wintour gets 60 Minutes, Carine Roitfeld gets CNN. Who do you think will get the coolest story out of the news crew following them around?

Now THIS we call front row, courtesy of Mr Olivier Zahm, you can’t get any closer than this.

And in Brazilian news…. Check out these gorgeous new pics of Solange Wilvert, the Brazilan face of Gucci 05.    Who loves Brazilian bombshells Alessandra Ambrosio, Caroline Trentini and Emanuela de Paula? Click here to see them in action.  New face Lovani does Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana amongst others. Aline Weber on the cover of Wish Magazine, a new Brazilian magazine that’s featured some of the industry’s top faces (Raquel, Chanel and Aline..).

The Imagist muses on Milan: models, clothes and Raf Simons‘ timeless collection.
Check out Raf in a rare video interview for the NY Times.

Speaking of video, watch Showstudio’s special Gareth Pugh video and wait for Natasa V give you chills as she models F/W 09.

Check out Extreme Beauty from the Vogue exhibit in Milan. (from March 4th-May10th).

Another victim of the recession, Arena magazine (one of the few men’s magazines with excellent fashion editorials for men) is suspended. Arena Homme Plus thankfully is not being touched.

Supermodel Natalia Vodianova and young up and coming actor Luke Grimes are photographed by Mario Testino for V Magazine‘s spring issue.

Natalia Vodianova and Luke Grimes. Ph: Mario Testino for V Magazine #58 (from originalsin via tFS).

The sleek and starkly modern collection presented for Jil Sander S/S has found its photographic counterpoint via Willy Vanderparre‘s distinctive campaign. Natasha Poly, in her second season as face of the brand is joined by Doug Jewell for a series of high contrast images. Both models infuse the pictures with an unadorned refinement befitting both the simple black and white style of the campaign and the minimalist ethos of Sander itself.

Natasha Poly & Doug Jewell by Willy Vanderparre for Jil Sander

Milan’s first star is born! Women Management’s Yulia Kharlapanova put her graceful austerity to good use opening Jil Sander. Yulia’s combination of personality and beauty have made her a coveted choice this season.

Yulia Kharlapanova | Images Courtesy Women Management