Season Favourite: Roberto Cavalli S/S 12 Campaign by Steven Meisel

The new Roberto Cavalli advertising campaign for Spring/Summer 2012 revolves around the iconic beauty of four Supermodels: Naomi Campbell, Karen Elson, Kristen McMenamy and Daphne Groeneveld are the Florentine designer’s muses, as he chose to represent the collection through women who embody the standards of a modern appeal.



Steven Meisel shot the campaign in the studios situated on Pier 59 in New York, set against a monochromatic background which emphasises the splendour of the printed silk dresses and the garments, illuminated by golden embroidery and sumptuous embellishments. The make up was done by Pat McGrath.

Pictures are property of Roberto Cavalli

A static equilibrium, a structured form that creates a perfect geometry, with Naomi Campbell capturing attention with her magnetic gaze, bright and sensual. An extremely sophisticated and feminine vision.



Ladies and gentlemen, this is my favourite campaign S/S 12!
It is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT; it features four stunning Supermodels, representing different types of women in different ages, in breathtaking dresses. It is shot by my favourite photographer, who knows that 'the perfect woman' in the perfect dress doesn`t need any further addition. I love that this campaign doesn`t try to manipulate me by adding 'lifestyle scenes' or 'emotional promises'. This campaign fully stands on its own, shining and impressing with what it is: pure luxury. The world`s most beautiful women wearing stunning gowns being shot by one of the best fashion photographers of our time. Once again, Roberto Cavalli shows his true understanding of beauty and it`s perfect staging by picking only the best of everything, reminding us that luxury is not just in the opulent surface but runs deep.

How do you like the campaign?

Backstage at Salvatore Ferragamo S/S 12 & what I learned there

I was lucky enough to be granted backstage access at Ferragamo`s S/S 12 show. It was a truly exciting and crazy experience but it also was a lot different from what I expected it to be.


Zuzanna Bijoch & Izabel Goulart


Daga Ziober

Predjudice 1: 'The cameras are always on': TRUE. I expected that the photographers would be allowed in for about 5 minutes and then kicked out. But the photographers are already waiting backstage (watching the models getting dressed) and start shooting about 10 minutes before the show begins and leave right when its over (rushing on to the next show).


Daga Ziober, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Alana Zimmer


Zuzanna Bijoch, Alana Zimmer & Jacquelyn Jablonski

Predjudice 2: 'Backstage areas are big': FALSE. Judging by the backstage photos I had seen I had the idea that backstage areas were big. This one was small and packed with busy people.


Juju Ivanyuk & Alana Zimmer


Magdalena Frackowiak getting dressed...

Predjudice 3: 'Models make friends in the industry': (probably) FALSE. With all the time models spend waiting backstage and how (physically) close the (hair-)stylists are getting to them I assumed that models would somehow get to know these people (if only on the level of superficial smalltalk). But I only saw models talking to other models, completely ignoring all the people styling them.


...and strikes a pose.


Daga Ziober & Melodie Monrose

Predjudice 4: 'Models are arrogant': this predjudice is rubbish anyway. As with all other humans, some of them are nice and some are not so nice. That`s the way it is. I still noticed that the newcomers were more friendly & co-operative than the stars. (Wonder why Daga Ziober is in five pictures while I only got one blurry shot of Anja Rubik? ;)


Izabel Goulart



Predjudice 5: 'Models are young': TRUE. Ok, this is no news and we know this but I was stunned HOW young they actually look are when the make-up and styling is off! In pictures they look like 'young women' but they are actually young, teenage GIRLS. I`m a declared enemy of society`s obsession with youth and highly appreciate all things feminine and mature but I admit (without envy) that these girls are flawless & stunning! Also BECAUSE they are that young. It`s politically incorrect to admit but the 15-year-olds really "look better" than the 25-year-olds. You can`t really tell why but there is some kind of freshness about them.


Jasmine Tookes


Lindsay Lullman

Predjudice 6: 'Models always know how to strike a pose': TRUE. Oh yeah, they do and it makes them look fabulous & glamorous.


Karlie Kloss coming back in from the runway


Valerija Kelava & Karlie Kloss

Predjudice 7: 'Models have to multi-task': TRUE. I thought that models were first going to make-up, then having their hair done and then getting dressed (maybe in different order but certainly not all at once). FALSE. It`s amazing how many people are fixing different things on one model at once! It must be annoying but the models did bear it with professional patience.


Anabela Belikova & Jasmine Tookes


Gertrud Hegelund, Monika Sawicka & Magdalena Frackowiak

Predjudice 8: 'Models are mostly bra-less': TRUE. May it be streetsyle photos or runway, models are mostly seen without bra. Well, there are many reasons for that. Firstly, because they can :) They are young and skinny so everything is firm. Secondly because nothing is more beautiful than the natural breast. Bras (leave alone plastic surgery) are just a disturbance to nature`s perfect aesthetics.


Patricia van der Vliet, Melodie Monrose & Juju Ivanyuk


Monika Sawicka

Predjudice 9: 'Models have to adjust quickly': TRUE. I was amazed how cool and collected they posed for the photographers coming straight off the runway.


Arizona Muse


Supermodels Club: Anja Rubik, Daphne Groeneveld, Isabeli Fontana, Karmen Pedaru

Predjudice 10: 'Photographers are sensible artists': I have this 'romantic vision' that people who produce art have a special sensibility. Well, for the backstage- , show- and red carpet photographers it`s FALSE. There is lots of yelling, pushing and making inadequate comments to the models (like 'Let me know if I can help you with body make-up or something.' Picture a 45-year-old man saying that to an 17-year-old-girl! Gross!)


Lining up for the finale


Daria Strokus

My own pictures. Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Which picture, model or outfit is your favourite?

Fashion Show Coverage: Etro S/S 12 (september 23rd 2011)

My invitation



The venue




Left: Arizona Muse, right: Anna Dello Russo & Giovanna Battaglia front row



Pay attention to Anna`s and Giovanna`s lively conversation and how it evolves :)










Arizona and Abby Lee during the finale


Joan Smalls, Constance Jablonski, Bianca Balti & others

'The New Jazz Age'



For the Spring Summer 2012 season, Veronica Etro offers a clear return to elegance.
At its core, the collection has been distilled to essentials. The simplification of silhouettes and prints, however, takes on a new life with a touch of the modern Jazz Age, a theme that weaves its way around the collection in a subtle but consistent way.



Inspired by Futurist artist Fortunato Depero, Etro’s signature prints have been reduced to their most simple forms. The House paisley has been deconstructed until it resembles a broken collage. Stenciled florals and paisleys have a new modern look; geometrics are effortlessly folded into the mix, adding an exotic edge. An innovative new technique involves printing a fabric, then plisse pleating it, and then overprinting again to create burnt inky edges on the pleats. Also new this season: patterns have been strategically placed to emphasize the curves of the body, and black or white curved inserts break the visual space.



This season’s materials are silky and fluid, yet possess a weighty quality that gives them a more luxurious hand. Devoré, crêpe de Chine, silk and satin flow easily around the body and underscore a distinct femininity. Meanwhile, intricate stone or thread embroideries, and large tiled pailettes, showcase the capabilities of Etro’s exquisite workmanship. The fabrics are rendered in sorbet colors, like apricot, mint, raspberry, lemon, peach, cream and ice blue, mixed with harder pop colors like lime green or poppy orange. Black block trim cuts the softness.



The drop waist or no waist dress takes center stage in the collection. With trompe
l’oeil V fronts, halter necks, the dresses feature simple, yet unusual constructions.
Curved hems show off lower layers of silky fringe or printed plissé. Negative geometric space and strategic cut outs add a sportiness, while the sliced strips on the lower halves create a dance-like movement. The same loose, boxy shapes are applied to tops and skirts which appear to be one piece. Short shorts are made in compact knits, worn with printed silk shirts, long cardigans, kimono coats or tuxedo jackets.



Backstage



Make-up board S/S 12




The complete S/S 12 collection


Runway instructions


Daphne Groeneveld exiting the show


Constance Jablonski

My own pictures. Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Pictures 13-17 are property of Etro and may not be used without permission of the copyright holder.

I LOVE the return of 1920s elegance! Amazing how fresh and modern it looks. Fantastic collection!

What do you like best about the show and Etro`s S/S 12 collection?

Louis Vuitton Exhibition at La Triennale, Milano

'Louis Vuitton: The Art of Fashion'



The exhibition is curated by Katie Grand, who has styled Louis Vuitton shows and campaigns for years.



It shows thirty looks that Marc Jacobs created from 1998 to the present.



The clothing is not shown in it`s original runway styling but mixed with new shoes and accessories.



The Mannequins have reproductions of Louis Vuitton Speedy Bags for heads.



Daphne Groeneveld photographed by Sølve Sundsbø.



The red tartan coat was one of the highlights of Marc Jacobs's 13-years of designing at Louis Vuitton.



Mask detail from F/W 11/12 collection.



Mannequin made of wood covered in fluorescent pink Sprouse Louis Vuitton graffiti wearing cap, coat and monogram mary-janes from the fall/winter 2011`s Claridge Hotel-inspired collection.



Spring / Summer 2003 silk satin "coiffeuse" dress.



The very successful collaboration with japanese Pop artist Takashi Murakami created 'Monogram Multicolore' in 2003.



The exhibit is a celebration of Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and the (re-)opening of the Louis Vuitton store on Via Montenapoleone that has been closed for renovations for the past seven months.



Daphne Groeneveld by Sølve Sundsbø wearing one of the exhibited coats.



Mannequin made of wood covered in fluorescent orange Sprouse Louis Vuitton graffiti.



The spring/summer 2001 collection introduced Stephen Sprouse's graffiti.



Marc Jacobs reintroduced the print in 2009 as a tribute to the artist, who died in 2004.



The famous monogram fur scarf.



The exhibition is running until october 9th at La Triennale in Milano.



Monogram Multicolore fur bag.



Myself within the beautiful designs.



My own pictures. Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Which pieces are your favourites? Which prints or lines would you like to return?