Eliza Cummings is back and better than ever! Fresh off a solid show season the Brit phenom is racking up editorial mileage in all the coolest magazines, gracing the pages of Dazed & Confused, Vogue China and i-D Magazine with new stories that showcase her versatility. No matter the scenario Eliza manages to exude the kind of nonchalant cool that will always be in high demand.

Vogue China | Photographer: Daniel Jackson | Fashion Editor: Alastair McKimm | Hair: Didier Malige | Makeup: Yadim | Model: Eliza Cummings | See more in MDC Fashion Database

Dazed & Confused | Photographer: Ruth Hogben  | Fashion editor: Katie Shillingford  | Model: Eliza Cummings | See more in MDC Fashion Database

i-D Magazine | Photographer: Alasdair McLellan | Fashion Editor: Jonathan Kaye (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Hair: Tina Outen | Makeup: Lucia Pica | Model: Eliza Cummings | See more in MDC Fashion Database

Transparency was all over the S/S13 runways and as the season draws closer it seems fitting to explore one of its dominant trends. The house whose designs exemplified the look was VALENTINO, where designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli showed a variety of pieces that utilized transparency expertly, revealing skin but keeping the demure sophistication the brand has become known for. Whether they were dazzling with delicate embroidery, or creating a sublime showcase for the body via cutouts, the duo set the standard for diaphanous dressing.

One piece in particular took the look to its logical endpoint and dazzled with its whimsical cheekiness. The PVC trenchcoat embellished with the line’s signature rockstuds has become an editorial favorite, with stylists providing their own take on the Valentino look. The trench lends itself to a myriad of different interpretations and stylists did not disappoint, creating a variety of looks that range from sensual, to avant-garde. When a garment can go from the all out sexy of Missy Rayder‘s powerful image in Numero, to the easy cool on the back of Angela Lindvall it more than proves its versatility.

Vogue Italia - Ph. Paolo Roversi | Styling – Cathy Edwards | Model – Guinevere Van Seenus | Hair – Shon | Makeup – Yadim

Numero - Ph. Greg Harris | Styling – Elizabeth Sulcer | Model – Missy Rayder | Hair - Holli Smith | Makeup - Benjamin Puckey

Purple Diary - Ph. Max Snow | Styling - Vanessa Traina (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Model - Iekeliene Stange | Hair - Tamara Mcnaughton | Makeup - Hung Vanngo

V Magazine - Ph. Sharif Hamza (Cadence New York) | Styling - Tom Van Dorpe (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Hair - Shay Ashual | Makeup - Maud Laceppe

Vogue Paris - Ph. Mario Sorrenti | Styling -Marie Chaix | Model - Anja Rubik | Hair – James Pecis | Makeup - Yadim

Elle Spain - Ph. Juan Aldabaldatrecu | Styling - Inmaculada Jiménez | Model - Angela Lindvall |

Vogue Germany - Ph. Knoepfel & Indlekofer | Styling – Nicola Knels | Model - Maria Bradley | Hair - Rita Marmor | Makeup - Benjamin Puckey

InStyle UK - Ph. Arved Colvin-Smith | Styling: Amanda Bellan | Hair: Soichi Inagaki | Make-up: Natsumi Narita |Manicure: Katie Jane Hughes

Marie Claire Magazine - Ph. Dancian | Styling – Nina Sterghiou | Hair – Kenshin Asano | Make-up – Aya Komatsu

Vogue China - Ph. Boo George | Stylist - Victoria Young | Model - Katlin Aas

L’Officiel - Ph. Jonathan Segade | Styling: Alexandra Elbim | Model – Theres Alexandersson | Hair: Marc Orsatelli | Make-up: Eny Whitehead

By its very nature, fashion is in a constant state of change, but the industry has a way of rehashing the past every few seasons with collections that draw inspiration from key moments in fashion’s history.  Nostalgia was the predominant fashion mode of the aughts, and it saw  designers revisiting everything from 1920s flapper fixtures, to ’80s powerdressing and (gasp) ’90s grunge redux. We may have just entered into 2013, but when it comes to manufacturing clothing that looks awfully similar to styles that could have been worn generations earlier, designers show no signs of stopping.

Case in point, S/S 13′s mod moment, which saw a wealth of graphic prints invading the runway. Checks, stripes, and houndstooth patterns  made appearances on the runways of labels like Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Michael Kors and Dolce & Gabbana, offering a pleasant alternative to spring’s tried-and-true florals and providing a bit of deja vu. Granted, these design elements are timeless, but fans of ’60s style will recognize the cuts and patterns that make up these new designs as the hallmarks of mod innovators. Take a look at  the work of Pierre Cardin, Mary Quant, André Courrèges, and Ossie Clark,  and you can’t help but see where Marc Jacobs and co. took their lead from.

With the very same designs getting major play in the pages of this month’s magazines, editors have been showcasing these looks in a variety of ways. Most choose to play up the retro appeal inherent in these collections by creating stories reminiscent of days past: what says ’60s more than an angular Vidal Sasson bob or an oversized bouffant? Others focus in on the graphic element, shooting the pieces against white backdrops and playing up the contrast.

PAST

Designer Ossie Clark and one of his creations

Models in Who Are You Polly Magoo, 1966

Houndstooth Coat, Ph. Art Kane, 1966

Designs by Andre Courreges,

PRESENT

Vogue Japan | Ph. Emma Summerton | Styling Patti Wilson | Model Aymeline Valade | Makeup Dotti

American Vogue | Ph. Steven Klein | Styling Grace Coddington | Models Carolyn Murphy and Karen Elson

Harper’s Bazaar | Ph. Greg Harris | Stylist Tony Irvine | Model Marte Mei van Haaster | Hair Akki Shirakawa | Makeup Pep Gay

Marte Mei van Haaster in Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors

Harper’s Bazaar Spain Ph. Txema Yeste | Styling Melania Pan | Model Ginta Lapina | Hair Olivier Lebrun (See Management) | Makeup Christopher Kam

Ginta Lapina in Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana & Michael Kors

Vogue Japan Ph. Victor Demarchelier (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Styling Sabino Pantone | Model Jessica Stam | Hair Didier Malige | Makeup Adrien Pinault (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists)

Stam inLouis Vuitton & Acne

Vogue China Ph. Daniel Jackson | Styling Nicoletta Santoro | Models Kel Markey, Agnés Nabuurs, Athena Wilson, Bo Don & Chiharu Okunugi | Hair Yannick D’Is (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Makeup Yadim

Josh Olins.
Alastair McKimm.
Suvi Koponen.
Vogue China.

Less is more in Olins’ take on the seasons’ most appealingly minimalist pieces. Styled to perfection by McKimm, the luxurious runway pieces especially sleek – even Miuccia Prada’s decadently girlish collection manages to seem stripped down in these stark images. Suvi proves the perfect muse for the current mood and with her slick hair by Esther Langham and glistening skin courtesy of Sally Branka, she embodies modern, nonchalant chic.

It’s cover vs. cover in this roundup of the month’s fashion hits. Let us know which covers were your favorites and which one’s didn’t quite make the cut.

ANDROGYNOUS APPEAL

Both Saskia de Brauw and Milla Jovovich have an innately stylish vibe that sets them apart from other cover stars, so seeing their faces peering out from the newsstand is always a treat. On February’s Vogue Russia Saskia provides a bit of androgynous edge to Paolo Roversi‘s moody blue imagery in a serious yet sensual cover. Milla J on the other hand is looking resplendent in Saint Laurent Paris on Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin‘s New York themed cover of the new Vogue Paris.

SASKIA ON VOGUE RUSSIA OR MILLA ON VOGUE PARIS – WHICH COVER GETS YOUR VOTE?

2 SIDES OF CONSTANCE

February brings double the Constance Jablonski for you to enjoy, with two very different Vogue covers. Vogue Germany‘s Alexi Lubomirski (New York: Management + Artists, Paris: Management + Artists) image offers a sultry vision of the Estee Lauder face, complete with dark lips and a retro chic bob worthy of a classic film siren. Patrick Demarchelier shows another side of Constance on Vogue China‘s springy cover shot, a simple portrait that is about as pretty as it gets.

SULTRY CONSTANCE OR FLOWERY CONSTANCE – EVERYBODY WINS!

BATTLE OF THE BLONDES

It is hard to find a flaw on Scarlett Johansson, but how does Elle UK‘s Rankin cover with the Avengers beauty compare to their one and only Anja Rubik? Both stars are clad in minimalist chic, both are looking phenomenal, but ultimately Anja’s cover is the more dynamic of the two. Naturally that means it is also the more difficult one to get your hands on, if you’re in London head on over to Selfridges to get this limited edition Elle cover.

SCARLETT’S ELLE COVER OR ANJA’S ELLE COVER – WHICH GETS YOUR VOTE?

THE TEASERS

LOVE Magazine‘s new ‘Clean Issue’ may not have debut just yet, but they really know how to amp up the anticipation. The teaser shots of models of the moment, Cara Delevingne and Edie Campbell by Sølve Sundsbø are elegant without losing any of LOVE’s trademark cool.

CARA OR EDIE – WHICH LOVE TEASER GETS YOUR VOTE?

Hedi Slimane’s dramatic rebranding of Yves Saint Laurent was one of the most divisive collections in recent memory; everyone had an opinion, some more hotly debated than others. While many found Slimane’s changes to be completely in line with the spirit of the house and a much needed makeover that pushed the brand into the future, others felt the overhaul was unnecessary, overly hyped and even underwhelming. Wide brim hats and seventies style suiting aren’t for everyone, but no matter how you felt about the Saint Laurent Paris ensembles themselves, you knew you were going to be seeing a lot of them. Like the McQueen visors and Prada stripes that came before them, those SLP hats were destined for editorials; fashion editors can’t resist a look with instant visual impact and Slimane’s designs are always distinctive.

Though the chapeaus are shaping up to be one of the most photographed editorial pieces of the moment, few stylists have strayed from the vision Slimane presented on the runway. Every so often though, the mood of the image goes beyond simply rehashing the nonchalant cool vibe of Slimane’s Le Smoking influenced style and pushes into expressive territory. Take a look at the way Lori Goldstein adds a touch of 60s glamour in the Vogue Italia shots of Fei Fei Sun, putting a more structured version of the SLP headpiece to good use but making it right for a completely different kind of mood.

British Vogue photography by Angelo Pennetta, styling by Francesca Burns

Marikka Juhler & Kirsi Pyrhonen in Harper’s Bazaar UK photography by Tom Allen, styling by Cathy Kasterine

Jessica Stam in Vogue Japan by Victor Demarchelier (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists), styling by Sabino Pantone

Fei Fei Sun in Vogue Italia, photography by Steven Meisel, styled by Lori Goldstein

Gwen Stefani in American Vogue photography by Annie Leibovitz, styled by Tonne Goodman

Julia Nobis in Numero, photography by Anthony Maule, styling by Samuel Francois

Harmony Boucher in Marie Claire, photography by Danilo Giuliani, styled by Enrique Campos

Dree Hemingway in Vogue China photography by Max Vadukul, styled by Nicoletta Santoro

Anja Rubik in Elle UK photography by Jan Welters, styled by Anne-Marie Curtis

If there is one designer who knows how to get women (and men) excited it is Phoebe Philo and her continued success at Celine is a testament to her ability to tap into the pulse of what women want. For F/W Philo went in a graphic direction, with primary shades, bold color blocking and a mixes of texture, from matte leather to plush fur. One of the most editorially beloved pieces from the Celine collection was the Geometric Intarsia Sweater, a playful clash of mink and leather that succinctly merged the essence of the entire collection into a single item. If another designer were to throw together that many things on one top it might seem overwrought, or ridiculous but Phoebe Philo keeps the look minimal.

Most stylists didn’t stray too far from that ideal, pairing the sweaters with either the runway approved striped trousers, or an equally understated crisp white skirt. Most of the time what stands out are the accessories and add ons, be they gleaming silver cuffs, avant garde headgear or the label’s coveted Trapeze Bag. Take a look at the way in which several different teams interpreted the Celine look and subsequently the sleek mood of the season.

On the Runway – LOOK 10  | Image Courtesy of Celine

The Editorial Interpretation :

Kasia Struss by Steven Pan (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) for Vogue Japan, stylist Vanessa Traina (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists)

Kasia Struss by Knoepfel & Indlekofer for WSJ, styled by David Vandewal

Kati Nescher by Josh Olins for Vogue China, styling Nicoletta Santoro

Karlie Kloss by Raymond Meier for American Vogue, styled by Elissa Santisi

Zuzanna Bijoch and Stella Tennant by Paolo Roversi for W Magazine, styled by Giovanna Battaglia

Olga Sherer by Marcin Tyszka for Elle France

Milagros Schmoll by Alexander Neumann for Harper’s Bazaar Turkey, styled by Sara Francia

Jenna Earle by Takahiro Ogawa in Amica, styled by Claudia Cerruti

Mina Cvetkovic by Henrique Gendre for Grazia, styled by Marine Chaumien

Diana by Anton Jhonsen for Clara Magazine, styled by Lilian Ng

Kirsi Pyrhonen by Mel Bles for Twin Magazine, styled by Celestine Cooney

Asia and its diverse cultures have long had an unmistakable impact on the industry, but in recent years the influence has been especially prevalent. The growth of the Asian market and the rise of a new generation of influential Asian talents has prompted designers and photographers to look East in search of inspiration. The F/W runways were filled with pieces whose details seemed cribbed from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean fashions. Two fresh editorials showcase the season’s East Asian-inspired fashions in uniquely beautiful ways.

First Fabien Baron reinterprets the myth of the samurai in Interview with a striking and suitably stark story that owes as much to history as it does to larger-than-life, action-packed anime. Meghan Collison stars in Baron’s expressive fantasy and brandishes a katana as she poses in looks from Haider Ackermann, Gareth Pugh, and Issey Miyake. Karl Templer‘s styling prowess is on full display, even as he mixes together the perfect modern approximation of the samurai look. | View the full story on Interview.com

Vogue China‘s interpretation is no less elegant, but the approach is softer and sexier. Karim Sadli shoots the always alluring Liu Wen in pieces that focus on rich embroidery and detailed pattern. Set against the refined backdrop of an airy drawing room and featuring a host of Balmain, Proenza, and Dries van Noten selected by Alastair McKimm, the story offers an alternative imagining of this look. There are no well-dressed warriors or brandished swords, just a beautiful girl looking especially chic.

HONOR
Interview Magazine
Ph. Fabien Baron
Fashion Editor – Karl Templer
Hair – Luigi Murenu | Makeup – Francelle Daly
Model – Meghan Collison

Zac Posen jacket, Maison Martin Margiela gloves

Haider Ackermann jacket, skirt and belt, Issey Miyake collar, Calvin Klein collar

Gareth Pugh top, collar and boots, Issey Miyake pants

Nicolas Andreas Taralis top

Meghan Collison by Fabien Baron for Interview, November 2012

ORIENTAL TALES
Vogue China
Ph. Karim Sadli
Fashion Editor – Alastair McKimm
Hair - Yannick D’Is (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Makeup – Yadim

Proenza Schouler dress, Dior shoes

Balmain vest and mini dress, Dior shoes

Dries Van Noten blazer

Jean Paul Gaultier robe,

Liu Wen by Karim Sadli for Vogue China December 2012