Swept away - Romance at the sea

Plein Air: Zac Posen

Magazine: Vogue US November 2011
Model: Caroline Trentini
Photographer: Patrick Demarchelier
Hair and makeup: Didier Malige and Gucci Westman

"Romance is in the sea air, as a tide of  fluid lengths, breezy silhouettes and colors of shell, sand and sky washes ashore" - a perfect quote with which the magazine embarks us on a very romantic journey shot in a marvelous landscape. The clear, shimmering water, the blue summer sky, the boat, the paddles everything comes into place and creates a wonderful story that gets you hooked and wanting to know more about it. 

The composition and the pastel colors remind me of French impressionist paintings and that's a huge plus for me! That was exactly the intention of the photographer, as every photo bears a title just like a painting. Here's the model, Caroline Trentini, showcasing garments from many designers such as Zac Posen, Rodarte, Dior, Nina Ricci, Valentino and more:

Swim Strokes: Rodarte, Chanel

Age of Innocence: Dior

Catch of the Day: Nina Ricci

New Horizon: Valentino

First Blush: Vera Wang

Motion of the Ocean: Alexander McQueen

Did you feel the romance in this editorial? What is your favorite look? I just can't decide between the Zac Posen silk-chiffon and organza dress in the opening photo, the white and ethereal silk-chiffon dress from Dior and the subtle beauty of the Vera Wang's pleated dress.


Photos: Vogue US

Designer costume for Halloween?

Emilio Pucci - "The Black widow"

Halloween is approaching at a fast pace (only a day left!!!) and it everybody is very excited about their costumes for this date. All around you everybody is posting pictures from their latest Halloween bash, or they're asking what are you going to wear for X's or Y's party when you don't have a clue because there are simply too many options and too many look-alikes... All this obsessing got me thinking: what if you were to wear a designer costume? It sounds insane I know, but wouldn't it be amazing?! 

Here is a small peek into the designers I thought were just perfect for creating a Halloween costume for me. If you're curious about my other picks, check out my guest post on Costin M.'s blog, you're in for a treat!

Givenchy - "The Gold Digger"

Francesco Scognamiglio - "The Bride of Frankenstein"

Dior Haute Couture - "Magical Egypt"

How about you? What designer would spark your imagination for Halloween?

Harper's Bazaar: Couture Couture

Giambattista Valli

Magazine: Harper's Bazaar US October 2011
Editorial: Couture Couture
Model: Candice Swanepoel
Photographer: Karl Lagerfeld
Styling: Andrew Richardson
Hair and makeup: Sam McKnight and Val Garland

The October issue of the American Harper's Bazaar presents a magnificent editorial shot by one of the biggest names in fashion, Karl Lagerfeld. Starring the well-known Victoria's Secret model Candice Swanepoel, the spread showcases amazing gowns from Haute Couture Houses such as Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Versace or Valentino and hats by Philip Treacy. Elegant and yet provocative? Definitely.

Giorgio Armani Prive

Dior Haute Couture

Chanel Haute Couture

Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci

Atelier Versace/Philip Treacy London

Gaultier Paris/Philip Treacy London

Valentino

What did you think about this editorial? Which is your favorite look?

Photos: Harper's Bazaar US

A tale of sequins: Part Two

Today was my self-proclaimed "Sequins Day" and as I promised you this morning, here is the second part of this fashionable love story between sequins and light! As color was the in the spotlight this morning, this second part honors light, shimmer and shadows with a series of breathtaking black and white stills. A special mention goes to the magnificent Zoey (in the last photo) who designs amazing sequined garments for her brand, Disco Pony, and whom I got to know through her blog. Enjoy the glittery view!

"Silver surfer" by Zoey @ Disco Pony

Photos: tumblr

A tale of sequins

This morning I woke up really energized and feeling all sparkly inside and I thought what better way to start your day than with some enchanting sequins? I don't know what happened, I never used to be a fan of big sparkly things, but all these sequins seem to be irresistible now, as if there's nothing better than them to brighten up a chilly autumn morning or a pouty face! Worn either as an accessory with a dark color palette, as a complement to something more demure or simply as a sparkling bombshell, sequins will make you feel like a million bucks! I'll let you contemplate these great looks, with a promise: if you haven't had enough of them yet, you'll get a second fix this afternoon... in black and white this time ;)

Project Runway: Final 4

With last week's post on America's Next Top Model, I told you that I'm actually quite a big fan of some fashion-themed reality shows... well, here's the other one: Project Runway! As you may already know, we are only a few days apart from knowing who is the big winner of the show and seeing the final participants' collections on the runway at New York Fashion Week. In last week's episode the final four have been revealed. I didn't want to give out any spoilers, so I just illustrated each designer with garments that were already presented in last week's episode. Here are the finalists:

Anya

Viktor

Kimberly

Joshua

What are your thoughts on the final four? Do you think that there were other designers that deserved to be here but were overlooked? Who is your favorite contestant?

Photos: Getty Images

Boudoir. Giorgio Armani.

Label: Giorgio Armani
Season: Fall/Winter 2011-12
Model: Sasha Pivovarova

In order to showcase his F/W collection, Giorgio Armani chose the stunning Russian model Sasha Pivovarova as his muse for an enticing fashion film, called "Boudoir". The classic music, the soft colors of the garments contrasting with the empty, white setting and the male model's constant pursuit of Sasha  manage to give life to the incredible garments and portray perfectly the confident and sexy Armani woman. Here are some stills from the film and below the video:

And here's the video:

Until First Star - Haute Couture

Atelier Versace

Magazine: Vogue Russia (November 2011)
Photographer: Vincent Peters
Models: Ginta Lapina, Axel Hermann
Styling: Ekaterina Mukhina
Hair and makeup: Perrine Rougemont and Christine Corbel

By now you all know that one of my current model obsessions is Ginta Lapina, so it won't surprise you if my topic for this cold Sunday afternoon is this Black Swan-inspired editorial for Vogue Russia's November issue. Shot by Vincent Peters, these scenes seem to be stolen moments captured directly from the exercise hall or from the changing rooms of some famous ballet house. Showcasing breathtaking  garments from many designers such as Valentino, Chanel, Givenchy, Dior Haute Couture or Agent Provocateur among others and accessories from Chanel High Jewelry or Boucheron, this ode to Haute Couture is truly perfect!

Givenchy Haute Couture

Valentino Couture Collection

Chanel Haute Couture and Chanel High Jewelry

Agent Provocateur and Dior Haute Couture

Giambattista Valli

Dior Haute Couture and Boucheron

Armani Prive and Lanvin Homme

I'm sure you loved it! What is your favorite look or photo? I love the one in the opening photo, I think her silhouette is simply stunning there, but I have to say that each one of these garments could be my favorite!

Photos: Vogue Russia

Coco Rocha and ANTM

Coco Rocha is definitely one of the best top models out there right now, with an exquisite look and a thousand different poses per second. I don't think I've ever talked about reality shows around here, but yes... I do watch some of them, so when I found out yesterday that America's Next Top Model invited Coco Rocha for their latest episode I was thrilled! 

Not only was she a guest judge, but she was also involved in the girls' photo shoot - how terrifying must that be, to pose alongside Coco? The theme of Wednesday's shoot was a bar fight, with Coco standing in the middle and trying to stop the models from fighting. Look through the photos and tell me what you think:

Coco Rocha versus Allison and Kayla

Coco Rocha versus Bianca and Shannon

Coco Rocha versus Dominique and Lisa

Coco Rocha versus Angelea and Laura

Coco Rocha versus Alexandria and Bre

What's your favorite photo of this bunch? I know I loved the first two, the one with Kayla and Allison for the overall movement and the tension in it (just look at Coco's face!) and the second one with Bianca and Shannon because of Coco's demonic signature look!

Who do you think outshone the others? Coco? Do you also watch ANTM or other reality shows like this? If yes, I'm really curious to find out who's your favorite!