Earlier this week it was announced that the consistently stellar Vogue Hommes Japan would be shuttering as part of Conde Nast’s decision to switch their men’s publications globally from Vogue, to GQ Style. Magazines come and go, but Vogue Hommes Japan was something special. Led by Nicola Formichetti and featuring the talents of some of fashion’s biggest names, the mag delved into the artistic, eccentric and boundary pushing side of menswear. Fashion can often be disproportionally focused on the ladies, but Formichetti and co. breathed new life into the world of men’s editorial with an outlook that was bold, brash and always on point. We’re going to miss VHJP and their in-your-face style, take a look back at some of our favorite editorials from the magazine and share your own in the comments.

One Impression of Francis Bacon
Ph. Tim Richardson
Fashion Editor – Shun Watanabe | MU Kristin Gallegos | Hair Cash Lawless

A mind-bending tribute to one of art’s heros, accompanied by an equally compelling film.

Digital Vol. 1 iPad Special
Ph. Pierre Debusschere
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Before gifs became a regular part of our appreciation of editorials, Vogue Hommes Japan was creating content that utilized new media to tell fashion tales in a whole new way.

Ph. Mariano Vivanco
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Gothic glamour at its finest, a theme the magazine has revisited since, but this story holds a special place in our hearts.

Samurai Fiction
Ph. Hedi Slimane
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Pushing past the expected Slimane-isms and into new territory, this story explored the Asian influenced menswear trends in the most beautiful manner all in juicy, pops off the page color. We wish we could order prints of this one!

Glamourama
Ph. Miles Aldridge
Fashion Editor – Shun Watanabe | Makeup - Lloyd Simmonds

High gloss fantasy and saturated colors are Aldridge’s signature style, but this edit gives things a decadent menswear twist that makes things pulsate with energy.

Style & Product
Ph. Santiago & Mauricio Sierra
Fashion Editor – Shun Watanabe
Makeup –  Maud Laceppe | Hair - Diego Da Silva

You might remember this one from MDX recently, Shun Watanabe turned it out with the styling – Thom Browne has never looked this good.

The Americans
Ph. Hedi Slimane
Fashion Editor – Nicola Formichetti

Instant classic!

Bondage Warriors
Ph. Steven Klein
Fashion Editor –  Nicola Formichetti |  Makeup – Kabuki | Hair –  Shon

Steven Klein’s preoccupation with bondage has led to some truly exquisite editorials and this is no exception. Many fashion stories get called edgy, but this one pushed all the limits and it payed off big time.

The Creator of Devotion
Ph. Matthew Stone
Fashion Editor - Matthew Josephs
Makeup - Alex Box |  Hair - James Pecis

Pure beauty from one of the art world’s most exciting talents. Stone is a noted photographer, sculptor, performance artist, curator and more, this story utilizes his talents to create a sumptuous vision that went beyond fashion.

A Glowing Response
Ph. Richard Burbridge
Fashion Editor - Robbie Spencer
Makeup –  Peter Philips

Who says a men’s beauty story has to be dull? Burbridge plays with color and light, while Robbie Spencer’s styling talents are put to good use with the expressive styling.

Is there a single more ubiquitous luxury item than the Givenchy couture nose rings? Sure those Prada car print skirts are everywhere and you can’t walk down the street without seeing a Celine luggage tote, but nothing is more noticeable than five pounds of metalwork dangling from a beautiful girl’s face.

Add to this that the Givenchy nose rings have all the elements of an editorial frontrunner; undeniable visual impact – check, expensive – check, hard to get your hands on – double check. There was absolutely no way editors could resist themselves and as such the rings have been showing up in every magazine imaginable for the past few months.

Are you still enjoying seeing these beautiful ornaments – or are you ready to move on to the next trend? We admit to experiencing a bit of Givenchy fatigue – considering that the pieces are always styled with Givenchy looks, which is nice but not exactly exciting. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see these paired with something else – maybe mix in one of those other overexposed editorial favorites, Balenciaga Darth Vader visors anyone?

Franzi Mueller by Greg Kadel for Vogue Germany

Jessica Chastain by Paolo Roversi for W Magazine, styling by Edward Enninful

Vlada Roslyakova by Richard Burbridge for Dazed & Confused, styling by Robbie Spencer

Karlie Kloss by Angelo Pennetta for British Vogue

Natasha Poly by Mario Sorrenti for Vogue Paris, styling by Emmanuelle Alt

Grimes by Hedi Slimane for Dazed & Confused

Marie Piovesan by Paolo Roversi for Vogue Italia, styling by Panos Yiapanis

Arthur Gosse by Fabien Kruszelnicki for Hero Magazine

Richard Burbridge‘s latest over the top story for New York Times Magazine celebrates the season’s candy colored dresses & bold fruit prints, with a festive food meets fashion series of images. The idea is simple – take the plum prints on a Dolce & Gabbana dress and serve them with a side of fruit salad for good measure – but the magic is all in the execution. Robbie Spencer‘s styling on this story is nothing short of amazing – though we do wonder if he was the one picking up the cart at Whole Foods in addition to selecting the stellar designer looks. Hanne Gaby Odiele and Julia Nobis bring the concept to life with animated posing and the occasional taste of sweetness.

The story got us thinking about all the other time’s we’ve seen fashion and food collide. Though we prefer our meals on a plate something has to be said for the unexpected art that comes about when you re-imagine what every day items can do. Have a trip down memory lane and see some of our  favorite food meets fashion combos.

There is a Dolce & Gabbana dress hiding beneath all that produce.

Even if you didn’t notice the lobsters, this would be an epic shot.

Viktor & Rolf‘s decadent designs get coated in candy – very fitting!

Artist Sung Yeon Ju‘s Wearable Foods series (2009-2010) featured clothing crafted out of materials like banana peels and slices of eggplant.

2010 Kirsi Pyrhonen wore lettuce as a fashion statement in images by Magnus Unnar for the Barneys holiday catalog.

Who can forget that meat dresses Lady Gaga wore on the red carpet & the cover of Vogue Hommes Japan in 2010 – also designed by Sung Yeon Ju!

Cintia Dicker delights in a dress full of M&Ms in Ryan Yoon‘s shoot for Virgine Magazine - 2010

And now for something you can actually put in your mouth. How about some Chanel & Christian Louboutin cupcakes? Prop stylist Lisa Edsalv and photographer Therese Aldgard collaborated on these and we’re petitioning Aaron de MeyKarl Lagerfeld to get them in stores.

Richard Burbridge.
Robbie Spencer.
Vlada Roslyakova.
Dazed & Confused.

Couture taken to the next level in a spirited and spectacular story that pairs the best of luxury with items straight from the local sporting goods emporium. Truly a one of a kind experience – see more from the April issue on Dazed Digital.

Vogue Italia knows that nothing grabs your attention better than a striking fresh face, no wonder they’ve enlisted the gorgeous Corinna Ingenleuf for a gorgeous edit by Richard Burbridge. With her sleek look and steely gaze, Corrina is the perfect choice for a hard edged story with loads of black leather. We love how effortlessly cool girls like Corrina, Freja Beha Erichsen, and Saskia de Brauw are creating an androgynous model moment. In addition to the gothic pieces, the story syled by Robbie Spencer, the story features a selection of in your face wristwatches from the likes of Cartier & Rolex.

Richard Burbridge is always pushing fashion photography to new heights and his latest story in Dazed & Confused, puts an creative spin on portraiture with help from artist, Maurizio Anzeri. Utilizing Anzeri’s unique sewing techniques and Robbie Spencer‘s knack for pulling the seasons’ best pieces, Burbridge creates a story that is just plain fun. Fresh faces (cast by Edward Kim) Herieth Paul, Dempsey Stewart, Charlotte Free, Bethany Terry, Christoph Ribbe, Kaan Tilki, Miles Frank and Sen provide the unusual poses, while Anzeri gives them added oomph via his expressive embroidery.

Richard Burbridge.
Tatiana Cotliar.
Robbie Spencer.
An editorial that shocks us out of our jaded fashion malaise with some truly incredible imagery. Merging the latest designs from Prada and Lanvin with over the top gems from Dior and Alexis Bittar, all hidden within a mass of natural wonders; leaves, branches, flowers, foilage combined to create art for the New York Times Magazine. Lynn Yeager‘s accompanying article is an engaging read as well – be sure to check it out.

Hair: Martin Cullen | Makeup: Peter Philips | Set Design: Gary Card | Manicure: Michina Koide

Vogue Italia pushes the beauty story to its ultra-girly limit with a story by Richard Burbridge featuring Magdalena Frackowiak. Mixing bright makeup by Peter Philips and layers of tulle, the team creates a unique look that is whimsical and lovely.