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

Since its inception back in 2003, the CFDA’s Fashion Fund initiative has helped the rising stars of American fashion talent grow their businesses and increase their presence. Previous winners have included the likes of Proenza Schouler, Joseph Altuzarra and Billy Reid, labels that represent the very best of what the current scene has to offer. Take a look at 2012′s nominees, the names you may now and a few who just might be new to you and find out what they’re bringing to the table.

Perhaps the most well known of the lines nominated, Suno has been on the scene since 2008. Osterweis and Beatty create atypical printed looks made with textiles from Kenya, Japan India & Peru; this combination of the traditional and the modern makes for uniquely inspired collections with a global point of view.

Fun Fact: An avid textile collector, Osterweis’ collection of Kenyan kangas inspired Suno’s first piece.

ILLESTEVA
Designers: Justin Salguero, Daniel Silberman, and Alina Silberman

Thing all sunglasses have to look the same? Think again, founded in 2009 Illesteva breaks the mold in more ways than one with daring designs and natural materials like bamboo, wood, titanium and natural buffalo horn. It’s no wonder then that everyone from Lady Gaga to James Bond himself, Daniel Craig has been spotted out wearing shades from the brand.

Fun Fact: Though Illesteva makes unusual specs, the designers like to think of them as classics. Founder Daniel Silberman told Interview Mag that their goal while designing was creating glasses “that you can give the glasses to your grandkids 50 years from now.”

Superstar stylist turned designer, Tabitha Simmons creates the kind of shoes that defy both gravity and reality. Skyscraper heels, crystals dangling off the ankles like chandeliers and enough color, print and pattern to satisfy even the most extroverted shopper. She’s already snagged the British Fashion Award for Emerging talent and her heels are consistently showing up in the pages of magazines like Vogue, W, Bazaar and more; could a CFDA be next?

Fun Fact: Though she doesn’t do a runway show, you’ll find Tabitha’s shoes appearing on the catwalk for designers like Creatures of the Wind.

With her sleek updates of urbane essentials, Andrea Lieberman has garnered a loyal following. Her A.L.C. line has been going strong since 09 and boasts an array of minimal separates with a very NYC feel. The corresponding line, A.L.C. jewelry filled with sleek cuffs and striking necklaces – not to mention our personal fave, the handcuff earrings. When it comes to creating a total look, Parson’s grad Lieberman has her client covered.

Fun Fact: Before starting her line, Andrea was a Hollywood power-stylist with clients like Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow!

Jennifer Fisher’s foray into jewelry began after trying to find a special piece to commemorate the birth of her son and coming up short. This led Fisher to create her own necklace, a dog tag charm with his name stamped on it, soon after she was bombarded by requests from friends and the experience led her to start her own line. “I wanted to create jewelry that signified my own personal style, incorporated all things I loved, and could be worn all the time.”

Fun Fact: Before designing jewelry, Fisher was a wardrobe stylist for numerous films & tv shows.

In 2008 Assembly began as one of New York’s most eclectic shops, showcasing a curated selection of hard to find designers, vintage and objects d’art. By 2009 owner Greg Armas branched out with an organic, unisex collection crafted from natural & historic fabrics, with the goal of creating “archival quality” pieces.

Fun Fact:

Sofia Sizzi’s career as a designer started at just 19 when she began working for Gucci; the fashionable Florentine went on to Donna Karan and Calvin Klein before launching her own label, Giulietta. Named after Fellini’s Giulietta degli Spiriti, the line merges old world and new with a feminine touch.

Fun Fact: In case you couldn’t tell from the Fellini reference, Sizzi is a major film buff. Fall’s collection was inspired by The Leopard.

You may not know Meyer’s name, but you’re sure to have seen her elegant pieces on celebrities like Katie Holmes, Kate Hudson and Nicole Kidman. Meyer’s signature gold leaf & wishbone necklaces have become downright ubiquitous in Hollywood and with their simple, beautiful design it is easy to see why. Though she spent some time in PR & as an editor for Glamour Magazine, Jennifer got bit by the design bug early; Meyer started crafting jewelry when she was just six years old, learning to make enamel pieces from her grandmother.

Fun Fact: Jennifer is married to none other than Great Gatsby star, Tobey Maguire.

Cutting edge cashmere for the dapper downtown gentleman, Greg Chait cornered the market on haute hipster with Elder Statesman’s easy going, yet incredibly luxurious sweaters, hoodies and sumptuous blankets.

Fun Fact: Founder Greg Chait is an avid surfer, he’s got Peru & the Caribbean on his surfing bucket list.

A young designer with the spirit of an old master, Wes Gordon designs clothing not for girls, but for sleek, jet setting women. Though he’s only 25 Gordon’s work reflects a sensibility that is worldly and sophisticated, something that sets him apart from many other designers in his age bracket.

Fun Fact: For fall Gordon name-checked Greta Garbo and Rooney Mara as his sartorial inspirations.

Much is said about the relatively short span of most modeling careers. If you’re among the lucky few like Malgosia Bela or Naomi Campbell, you can model for decades, but most people who start their careers on the catwalk find that 15 minutes of fame comes and goes quickly. This isn’t always a bad thing, many move on to bigger and better things; you can’t see a movie without spotting a model-turned-actress and you can’t work on a fashion shoot without stumbling into someone had a modeling moment. Today we take a look at a few of the fashion editors who’ve done their share in front of the camera.

Camilla Nickerson  – Camilla has been styling since the 80s, but back in 1993 she graced the cover of Vogue Italia shot by Steven Meisel and if that doesn’t count for a model moment, we don’t know what does.

Tabitha Simmons - Shoe designer, stylist, Vogue Contributing editor – Tabitha Simmons has got a full plate on her hands, but somehow she found the time to strut down the Balenciaga runway back in Spring/Summer 02 when she was modeling. We have to say that Ms. Simmons looks right at home in those Ghesquière trousers – wouldn’t mind seeing her on back on the catwalk again if she ever gets a moment free!

Julia Sarr-Jamois - Wonderland Magazine‘s Fashion Editor is a rising star and a regular on the street style blogs, where she always looks camera ready. It should come as no surprise then that she modeled in her teens in ads for brands like Diesel and Fred Perry, but switched to styling because she wanted to express herself creatively.

Grace Coddington - If you’ve Netflixed The September Issue, you know that Grace began her fashion tenure as a model for 60s superstar photographers like Avedon & Carpatian – see her 1962 Vogue cover below. Her modeling career was cut short by a car accident at 26, but she went on to innovate the industry behind the scenes at British Vogue & American Vogue.

Edward Enninful – When he was 16, Edward was spotted on the train by none other than Simon Foxton, two weeks later he was scouted by a modeling agent! By 17 he was shooting with Nick Knight and introduced to i-D’s Terry Jones – thus began one of fashion’s most prolific and interesting careers.

Gorgeous models and their boyfriends; not exactly an original theme but, Patrick Demarchelier‘s Vogue story on gamine beauties and the men who love them, is beautiful all the same. The simple shots, accentuated by Tabitha Simmons‘s trench styling and Yumi‘s flawless makeup, serve as a lovely introduction to the significant others of several top girls.

Aminata Niaria & Laurence Dennis

Sasha Knezevic & Anja Rubik

Rock Ji & Bonnie Chen

Jamie Mazur & Alessandra Ambrosio

Mark Wystrach & Angela Lindvall

James Conran & Coco Rocha

Eva Marija, with Premier Model Management, is a lovely 5’10 1/2″ Latvian and arrives in London this week.

Josh Copeland with Select Model Management has some gorgeous green eyes!

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Don’t piss Chanel off

The Imagist talks about the men’s show from his fascinating vantagepoint.

Top stylist Tabitha Simmons launches her new shoe line, the Cut has a preview.

Sad, sad, sad. One of the original supermodels, Karen Mulder is in the news for harassing a doctor. (Vogue UK has her first Vogue cover for them).

The man who cuts Anna’s hair is a man named Charlie Chan!

V Man has a “look at our winners, they actually work” post on their blog.. So true, so true!!

Alice Gibb‘s first solo campaign is out for fall and it’s a fantastical image so fitting for the red headed British beauty. Highlighting Alexander McQueen‘s colorfully gorgeous frocks and Alice’s fiery mane, the whimsical and bewitching ad proves to be an all English affair with Alice being shot by Craig McDean and styled by Tabitha Simmons for the British designer.

Ph: Craig McDean for Alexander McQueen F/W 08.

Polaroids by Paul Rowland/Supreme

Polaroid by Paul Rowland/Supreme. Also with Premier London

Coco Rocha solidifies her position as one of the most vital models working today with her Only Girl edit in Vogue‘s all important September issue.

Ph: Craig McDean for American Vogue September 2008. Editor Tabitha Simmons, hair Eugene Soueleiman, makeup Peter Philips. Pics courtesy of Elite New York

MDC chose Georgina Stoljiljkovic as a Top F/W Newcomer, back in March. With her first major campaign, the new F/W 08 Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti shot by Mark Segal, Georgina lives up to the billing. Stylist: Tabitha Simmons, hair: Didier Malige, makeup: Aaron de Mey. Mark is a rising star photographer who has been working a lot with French Vogue. Ms. Ferretti backstage during Fashion Week, has a very nice energy to her!

Ph: Mark Segal for Philosophy, F/W 08. pics and info via Women’s blog