Tao Okamoto by Lachlan Bailey (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists)

TAO’S FILM DEBUT

In news that should please comic book fans, Variety reports that Tao Okamoto is set to join Hollywood star, Hugh Jackman onscreen in the latest Wolverine movie. Directed by James Mangold, the man behind 3:10 to Yuma, Girl Interrupted and Walk the Line, the film traces the origins of the iconic character and his time spent in Japan. According to Coming Soon, “Okamoto will star as Mariko, daughter of Shingen (Wolverine’s arch nemesis and the film’s primary antagonist) and one-time fiancee to Wolverine.” Tao isn’t the only model in the cast either – Rila Fukushima is set to play Yukio, “one of the deadliest assassins in Shingen’s clan.”

Sounds like it is going to be an action packed and high drama extraganza, we can’t wait to see if Tao & Rika are as compelling onscreen, as they are on the catwalk.

Kati Nescher by David Sims in the latest issue of American Vogue

ART PARTNER’S NEW BLOG

It may feel like fashion and the internet are completely intertwined, but there is still a rush of excitement when an industry powerhouse heads to the web. Art Partner’s newly launched blog features the latest work from their slew of artists – names like Mario Testino, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, David Sims and Cedric Buchet among them – and is every bit as sleek as you’d imagine. Keeping up with the latest images from the biggest names has never been easier.

NEIMAN MARCUS + TARGET + THE CFDA!

A lot has been said about the merger of high and low end, but when Neiman Marcus starts collaborating with Target, the game is definitely changing. A limited edition collection featuring looks created by an all-star lineup of designers, including Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta and Tory Burch, will launch just in time for the holidays. If those names aren’t enough to entice you, dont’ worry Alice + Olivia, Altuzarra, Band of Outsiders, Brian Atwood, Eddie Borgo, Judith Leiber, Lela Rose, Marchesa, Philip Crangi, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, Robert Rodriguez, Rodarte, Skaist-Taylor, Thom Browne and Tracy Reese will also be participating. Prices are from $7 to $499 – so there is sure to be something for everyone.

As the fashion world mourns the passing of legendary hair stylist and entrepreneur Vidal Sassoon, we look back at some of his greatest career moments. As one of the industry’s true innovators Sassoon influenced not only how we style our hair, but also the way we view modern beauty.

1955: MAYFAIR’S YOUNGEST HAIRSTYLIST

Sassoon trained under Brit hairstyling great, Raymond Bessone, but by the time he was 25 he had opened his very first salon in Mayfair. For a glimpse at his early styles check out this vintage video. The dramatic shapes and precise details are all still there, but the romantic Spanish influenced styles are very different from the mod shapes we’ve come to associate with his work.

1963: BAUHAUS INSPIRED

Sassoon will always be remembered for bringing Bauhaus’ doctrine of “form follows function” into the world of hair dressing. Prior to Sassoon the look was all about hair that took hours to perfect and wasn’t meant to move – The Guardian details the era of “setting lotions and rows of hairdryers” well. Sassoon was all about working with the natural texture and shine of the hair, then creating dramatic angular cuts that were easy to care for. You can see his classic shape here on Peggy Moffitt, a style echoed by the famous crops of girls like Ranya Mordanova and Tao Okamoto.

MODEL MUSES
You have to love a man who appreciates models. When asked by W to talk about his favorites, Sassoon had a couple of greats in mind. “Grace Coddington became my top model. She was eighteen when I first met her. She was just a little waif when Mary Quant and I got on to her. She carried off the Five Point Cut to be believed. Here in Los Angeles in my work with Rudi Gernreich, it was Peggy Moffitt. She was an extraordinary model. She acted out every piece of clothing. She would look in the mirror and act it all out before she would go in front of the camera.”

1967: THE POWER PIXIE

Oft imitated but never duplicated, Sassoon’s close cropped coif for Mia Farrow remains style standard. Nearly every pixie cut since has been inspired by this one. Just look at all the current actresses who have given this style a try – Winona Ryder, Natalie Portman, Emma Watson, Michelle Williams, Carey Mulligan, Mia Wasikowska…

1985: SASSOON FOR MEN

When Andy Warhol endorses your hairspray it is kind of a big deal. In one of the most memorable ad campaigns ever the brand’s shampoos and conditioners were praised by a unique group of 80s stars. Getting Warhol was a coup but the most surprising endorsement came from bald actor, Geoffrey Holder.

2004: THE SLEEK RELAUNCH

Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin knocked the ball out of the park with their chic ads for the line’s revamp that focused on the graphic quality of those ingenious cuts.

2010: SASSOON – THE MOVIE

What better tribute to a true legend? If you haven’t seen director, Craig Teper’s thorough exploration of Sassoon’s life and legacy you owe it to yourself to check it out.

You know you missed us! We’re back in time for spring to give you interesting news from around the ‘net.

Charities, Model news and more:

Parker Gregory and Patrick Sullivan by Kevin Tachman

More fabulous boys of Jeffrey Fashion Cares at Kevin Tachman’s Backstageat. We love Jeffrey Fashion Cares, an organization that helps multiple incredible groups like Lambda Legal, The Hetrick Martin Institute, The AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) and The Point Foundation. Check out the JFC website, here.

Sarah and friends try out all the ice cream in Milan.

We’re obsessed with models who shoot but Sara Blomqvist‘s images for The Last Magazine are especially fun: New York, Milan, Paris. (view it large for the full effect).

Claudia Schiffer by Ellen Von Unwerth, Guess 30th Anniversary Campaign Spring 2012

What child of the 80′s doesn’t remember Claudia Schiffer‘s iconic images by Ellen von Unwerth for Guess? She returns for the new campaign celebrating Guess’ 30th Anniversary (full story on WWD, subscription required)

Tao Okamoto, the lovely Japanese model is still tirelessly working to help victims of the Japanese disaster. “Contrary to some reports insinuating that Japan is a wealthy country that does not need help, there is indeed much need for assistance, and not just of the financial kind, but of physical and mental as well“. Check out their new Tumblr, where you can make donations, learn about different charitable organizations and send messages to people in affected areas.

Leighton Meester and Kerri Mullen, leukemia survivor, photographed by Alexi Lubomirski

DKMS is working with Vera Wang and Leighton Meester to encourage people to “get swabbed” to donate bone marrow. I’m registered, are you?

One of the fall fashion issues that really caught our attention was New York Times T Magazine. Under the direction of Sally Singer and with a little help from the likes of Hedi Slimane, Danko Steiner, Sebastian Kim and more, the issue features a vivid assortment of editorials and and an equally appealing lineup of top models. The issue is an absolute must have, but don’t take our word for it – have a peek inside and see for yourself.

Hanaa Ben Abdesslem by Danko Steiner

Joan Smalls by Boo George

Tao Okamoto and Ming Xi by Sebastian Kim

Susannah Ligouri by Hedi Slimane

Tatiana Cotliar by Emma Summerton

Meghan Collison and Siri Tollerod by Colin Dodgson

Has Freja Beha Erichsen graduated from star model to full fledged fashion icon? Vogue China seems to think so, enlisting Tao Okamoto to recreate Freja’s signature tomboy-chic look in Lachlan Bailey‘s beauty story. Styled by Clare Richardson and featuring leather and denim duds from Chanel and Calvin Klein, the story does a good job recreating Freja’s quintessential model off duty style. Always fun to see one model pay tribute to another, perhaps next month we can have the tables turned with Freja sporting Tao’s memorable bowl cut.

HAIR STYLIST Rudi Lewis MAKEUP Sally Branka MANICURE Kelly B

Scan Credit | Aja Mok @ tFS

Intermission Magazine never fails to excite us with its engaging mix of fashionable editorials and profiles of the industry’s cutting edge talent that makes for the perfect merger of style and substance. The latest issue features contributions from the likes of Mario Sorrenti, Karim Sadli and Mark Pillai as well as interviews with Peter Philips, Bob Recine, Christophe Lemaire, Ezra Petronio, Geraldine Saglio, Alex Wiederin. Not to mention outstanding fashion content with models Guinevere Van Seenus, Anouck Lepere and Tao Okamoto: take a peek at our little preview of issue 4 and be sure to pick up your copy!

Guinevere Van Seenus by John Scarisbrick Styling by Daniel Magnussen

Anouck Lepere by John Scarisbrick

Tao Okamoto by Patrik Sehlstedt

Photography by Greg Harris Styling by  Tony Irvine Hair by  Anthony Turner Makeup by Yadim

Recine by Mario Sorrenti

Christophe Lemaire by Mark Pillai

Geraldine Saglio by Karim Sadli

Tao Okamoto by Russell James. Image courtesy of Tao

Naomi! Liu! Sean O! and more….Tao Okamoto’s Save Japan event is finally here. See items donated by the legendary Naomi Campbell, top models Jenny Shimizu, Heidi Mount, Liu Wen, Sean O’Pry and industry figures like François Nars, Cecilia Dean, Marie Chaix, Phillip Lim, Catherine Malandrino, Thakoon, Pamela Love and many more to raise money for the disaster in Japan. Though the location is called Saturday, the event is actually on Sunday, the 29th. Though we’re dying to see all the fashion items donated by such an eclectic and fabulous crowd, even better may be the chance to see some of these faces on Sunday pitching in for such a great cause. See you Sunday!

The awesome Sally Lyndley talks styling with Katie Grand on Fashionista. Also make sure you check out Katie’s new website, KatieGrand.com.

Carine Roitfeld, the “editrix/dominatrix” talks about her resemblance to Iggy Pop. Love it.

The Imagist has images of Ellen von Unwerth shot by the iconic Guy Bourdin, before she became a top photographer.

Lady Gaga and Karl Lagerfeld‘s t-shirts are our favorites in the Uniqlo t-shirt benefiting the Japanese Red Cross, available next month. Which is yours?

We love Mcqueen as much as the next person but it’s still fascinating to read about his dark side.

Are you Twitter? You’re not? Maybe that’s better, says the NYTimes. Meanwhile the entire MDC crew is: @themoskovic, @hisssquad, @ninjasze, @sansartifice, @fsorrenti, @jonathanshia.

We took a peek at the new YSL Eyewear video and we’re obsessed with the dramatic visuals created by Karim Sadli. With the exceptional Clement Chabernaud and pristine new face Othilia Simon wearing nothing but YSL’s new line of glasses and shades, it’s a stunning way to highlight the collection. (still courtesy of Artlist)

Fashion and photography news:

Gene Lemuel, one of Kate Moss‘ earliest photographers talks to Style.com about her IT factor (and how he also discovered Milla Jovovich).

Go ahead, you know you want to seeInez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin‘s Tumblr account.. gorgeous previews all around.

The super lensman Rankin, co founder of Dazed & Confused is coming to NYC’s Milk Gallery next week and he’s choosing a few of you to shoot. Find out details here.

Photographer Ben Watts collaborates with Hipstamatic on a new lens, the Bondi Hipstapak. Check out his Behati Prinsloo in Mexico on Fashionista. We are SO getting that!

Hear the delightfully sexy-voiced Nicola Formichetti talk about his new Lady Gaga themed collaboration with Gilt Groupe.

The iconic Yohji Yamamoto in his new documentary, WWD reviews the film.

Check out the FU Crew’s interview w/ Hungarian photographer Marton Perlaki. They’re doing some really cool things over there in Hungary.

Model news:

The beautiful Ashley Smith is interviewed by Ponyryder.

The rise and rise of the Australian model. Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa, casting director James Scully and Models.com’s own Wayne Sterling expound to Frockwriter on why Aussie girls are so in fashion.

Tao Okamoto‘s Japanese agent comments on modeling in Japan after the disaster, and who she credits as the pioneer Japanese model who started the rise in Japanese modeling.

Speaking of Tao, models in NYC, clean out your closet now! Support Tao and her friends in their benefit to Save Japan. Trust us when we say the growing list of supermodels helping out is eye-popping!

Around tomorrow, May 19th in NYC? Join Coco Rocha and Behati Prinsloo for their benefit at Industria to help Malawi kids

Congratulations Sara Ziff! The model/award winning filmmaker graduates with top honors from Columbia.