Interview Germany‘s latest issue is a bold mix of chic stories from top tier talent. With newly appointed, International Fashion Director, Julia von Boehm joining fashion director, Klaus Stockhausen for the first time the May issue represents something of a turning point for the publication. From the start you know you’re in for something different; two covers grab your attention, one featuring iconic German actress, Katja Riemann and the other starring top model Cara Delevingne as a doe-eyed vamp. Inside the magazine is dominated by imagery with attitude – the content that runs the gamut from sexy – Ben Hassett‘s avant-garde beauty story starring Marie Piovesan is sure to quicken your pulse, to simply captivating, Sebastian Faena shoots Magda Laguinge like we’ve never seen her before.  Casting by Samuel Ellis Scheinman.

Don’t take our word for it – get a first look inside the brand new issue of Interview Germany.

Ph. Peter Lindbergh | Model – Cara Delevingne

Ph. Ben Hassett | Model - Marie Piovesan | Hair - Akki Shirakawa | Makeup - Yadim

Ph. Sebastian Faena | Styling - Julia von Boehm | Model - Magda Laguinge | Hair - Shay Ashual | Makeup - Jeanine Lobell

Ph. Charlotte Wales | Styling - Clare Byrne | Models - Dauphine Mckee and Muriel Beal | Hair - Wesley O’Meara | Makeup - Justine Purdue

Ph. Olaf Wipperfürth | Styling - Klaus Stockhausen | Star – Katja Riemann |

Hollywood costumer Edith Head’s legendary collaboration with filmmaker, Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most enduring fashion reference points. Head’s costumes with their luxurious detailing and elegant shapes were the ideal compliment to Hitchcock’s sophisticated heroines and together they shaped the iconic “Hitchcock Blonde” look. The duo worked together on nearly a dozen now classic films – Vertigo, Marnie, Notorious, To Catch a Thief, just to name a few and the legacy of those pictures has influenced everyone from Alexander McQueen to Bill Gayten.

The latest industry power player to find inspiration Head / Hitchcock is none other than Vogue Creative Director, Grace Coddington, who creates an impressive take on Rear Window’s 50s style fashions using the season’s key pieces, with the regal Carolyn Murphy filling the shoes of Grace Kelly and actor Tobey Maguire in the Jimmy Stewart role. The story shot by Peter Lindbergh recreates the atmosphere of L.B. Jeffries’ apartment down to the last detail, but gives things a Vogue twist. Ladylike pieces from Marc Jacobs, Oscar De La Renta and Miu Miu are mixed perfectly for a wardrobe that is steeped in vintage glamour, yet keeps its modernity. Carolyn certainly captures the All-American elegance of Grace and even though Tobey Maguire isn’t our first choice for a Jimmy Stewart substitute, this story still has all the charm & intrigue of a Hitchcock flick. 

VIEW THE FULL STORY ON VOGUE.COM

TAKE A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES AT GRACE CODDINGTON’S PHOTO DIARY 

THE INSPIRATION: Rear Window

THE EDITORIAL: Window Dressing

Photographer: Peter Lindbergh
Fashion Editor: Grace Coddington
Models: Carolyn Murphy & Tobey Maguire
Hair, Didier Malige
Makeup, Stéphane Marais.
Set design, Viki Rutsch for Exposure NY
Produced by Ricardo D. Martins for North Six.

All Images Courtesy of Vogue  - for more on the April issue check out Vogue.com

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

Fashion shows are well and good, but the true test of a collection’s impact is often played out in the editorial pages. When you have multiple editors reaching for the same pieces over and over again you know a designer has hit a nerve. Even when the styling itself isn’t that noticeably different between images, there are always key changes in presentation that separate fashion stories; whether it is the model choice, the manner in which the photographer chose to present the garment, or even something as simple as color vs. black and white, each team puts its own special stamp on things. Take a look at the way in which different magazines have interpreted two of the most popular pieces within the collection and let us know who you think pulled it off best.

Look No. 48  

Black fitted cashmere top with a black duchess satin skirt embroidered with electric blue flowers.

Saskia de Brauw by Daniel Jackson for Vogue Germany, stylist Christiane Arp

Aymeline Valade by Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue Japan, stylist Melanie Ward

Saskia de Brauw by Ruth Hogben for Another Magazine, stylist Katie Shillingford

Karlie Kloss by Eric Guillemain for Sunday Times Style Magazine, stylist Lucy Ewing

Hanaa Ben Abdesslem by Michelle Ferrara for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, stylist Elaine Lloyd Jones | Suki Waterhouse by Marc Hom for Tatler, stylist Deep Kailey

Stef Van Der Laan by Luca Guadagnino for CR Fashion Book, stylist Carine Roitfeld

NiNi in Vogue China / Thana Kuhnen by Marcelo Krasilcic for L’Officiel

Look No. 8

Blue and pink embroidered cut-off ballgown with black cigarette pants

Keira Knightley by Mario Testino for American Vogue, stylist Grace Coddington

Milla Jovovich by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue Italia | Saskia de Brauw by Ruth Hogben for Another Magazine

Dior couture illustration by Ignasi Monreal for Spanish V Magazine

Aymeline Valade by Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue Japan, stylist Melanie Ward

Every so often a fashion story lets you into the real world of a model and shows you another side of her persona. Girl of the moment, Joan Smalls shares the spotlight with her father Eric and sisters Erika & Betsy, in the latest issue of American Vogue and the resulting editorial is a pure delight. Norman Jean Roy shoots the stunning family in their hometown of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, while Tabitha Simmons styles them in striking looks from Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana & Rag & Bone. Take a look at the gorgeous behind the scenes video for even more of Joan & her family – plus see the full story in the August issue of Vogue.

Images courtesy of Vogue / Condé Nast

Vogue’s August issue featuring Marion Cotillard by Peter Lindbergh

The Olympics are right around the corner and magazines are jumping on the bandwagon. Open up nearly any magazine this month and you’ll see a special on the London Olympics and/or a fashion special themed around all things sporty. Which story do you think captures the theme of athleticism, health and fitness best – we’re partial to the editorials that pair models with athletes for the perfect mix of glamour and fitness. Who can resist the sight of Joan Smalls taking of in a sprint while wearing shimmering Ralph Lauren? Or Karlie Kloss balancing on beams alongside gymnast Jonathan Horton! Take a look at the month’s best sporty stories and tell us which one strikes your fancy.

Karlie Kloss by Annie Leibovitz for American Vogue

Joan Smalls and Usain Bolt for American Vogue

Britt Maren by Greg Lotus for Vogue Russia

Athletes Jodie Williams & Louise Hazel by Peter Lindbergh for British Vogue

Gymnast Louis Smith & Jourdan Dunn by Alasdair McLellan

Natalia Vodianova by Cuneyt Akeroglu

Liberty Ross by Matt Irwin for Elle

It is a proven fact that Hollywood actors cannot resist models – Leonardo Dicaprio we’re looking at you – so it is no surprise that magazines frequently pair actors & models together in covers and in editorials. We’re not sure why magazines always go for the actor + models combo instead of say actresses and male models (c’mon someone get Scarlett Johansson and Sean O’Pry  together already) but it is a proven formula that can produce beautiful results.

Or incredibly awkward and somewhat confusing results. Lets take a look back at some of our favorite model meets actor moments – the good, the bad and the just plain weird.

2012: W Magazine  : Tom Cruise + Abbey Lee Kershaw & Edita Vilkeviciute by Mario Sorrenti

W Magazine knows how to push all the right buttons don’t they? What better way to promote the blissfully cheesy 80s jukebox musical Rock of Ages than to put its star on the cover looking like a latter day Bret Michaels? Edita Vilkeviciute and Abbey Lee Kershaw are bringing the heat, but we can’t help but feel that Cruise looks more than a little uncomfortable. Perhaps this is simply his version of bored rock star blasé, but he manages to make standing between two of the world’s most beautiful girls look like a chore; to be honest he had more chemistry with Jeremy Renner in MI:4.

2012: Vogue Espana Clive Owen & Toni Garrn by Alexi Lubomirski

Love Toni, Love Clive. Love the city of Paris. Still he looks like her dad in this. Sorry. Unless they were going for the whole “cool dad takes his glamazon daughter to France thing”, if so then it totally works.

2012: American Vogue - Michael Fassbender and Natalia Vodianova by Craig McDean