Backlessdress

Breed:The Sphinx?

2011-11-25T10:12:00.001-08:00

Shala Monroque

We received just a taste of the woman behind the persona of fashion journalist and muse, Shala Monroque. As it was only an excerpt of her personality, curiosity is still rampant. So she's from Saint Lucia, an island girl who dances the whine, arrived on the east coast young and tried her hand at both acting and modeling, became a fashion editor, and stinted as an escort. Somewhere in-between those last two; she rose to the ranks of high style on the arm of her art gallerist beau, Larry Gagosian (the two are rumored to have split), and became a leader in the pack of the many beautiful women who stalk the hallways of fashions corridors. Yet she stands out. Not just by way of her creative & timeless looking getups, she’s black. A black woman succeeding in a historically European and notoriously racist industry is still -in the second decade of the twenty first century- a big deal. She's been seen seasonally at every major catwalk since 2009, is a contributing editor for the newly established fashion & art magazine, Garage Jain, and is the muse for and makes mood boards for Prada. Success has been reached. And doesn’t this story feel like Mahogany all over again; a pretty black girl not born of the esteemed social class rising in the ranks of the high fashion industry. But it's a story not completely unheard of. There is the non-fictional Tracy, last name Reese, who helms her own critically acclaimed eponymous label. The direct counterpart of Miss Monroque is Genevieve Jones. Complete with the same (there is no way in hell you are from New Orleans or any foreign island) valley girl accent. Like oh my god Americans. Like Genevieve, Shala is tight lipped and keeps a minimal profile, which is what makes these women so interesting. All we really know about her is that she likes and wears Prada. I’d call it the allure of the socialite, while they coexist with the Jolie’s and Lady Gaga’s of the world, they’re celebrity is limited to fashion, and are allowed a little more discretion, and in that, mystery for those dedicated followers of the fashion industry. No doubt she is a Pretty Woman, beautiful really. But is she the enigma the fashion media portrays or simply another pretty black girl in an expensive dress? We may never know. It’s part of the allure.

Mood:And Die

2011-11-22T18:00:00.000-08:00

10 Magazine Fall/Winter 2011, Erin Axtell by Olaf Breuning

Red Carpet:Hey Dolly!

2011-11-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Celebrities. Some love them, and even more love to hate them. Our media 'stalks' them and obsess over every little thing they do, say, wear, and sometimes even eat. It's disgusting. And as I have a yahoo account (and pretty much naturally cannot get away from popular culture) I am not exempt from this behavior, and couldn't get away from the rummaging over Christina Aguilera's bad taste. Her style has evolved into something of a toddler in tiara Dolly Parton hybrid. Excessive cheap beauty pageantry glamour, massive boobage, crazy weaves and bleaching, and obvious

Today:The Gorgon

2011-11-21T13:23:00.000-08:00

I always thought it fitting that Donatella Versace was the creative director of Gianni Versace S.p.A. She is the younger sibling of the houses originator, but not for that reason alone. She also serves as the face of the brand; which is even more fitting. Unlike the campaign models (which have included Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Gisele, and more recently Lindsey Wixson and Abbey Lee Kershaw) who come and go- her image will allways be synonymous with the brand. To understand why that is, one must go no further than to inspect the brands logo, which shares a striking resemblance to both the head on Minerva's Aegis shield and Caravaggio's snake headed bust. For proof of this you need no more evidence than a photo of her face, like the one above. Medusa incarnate much? My personal nickname for her is the Gorgon Mistress.

Today:Copycat

2011-11-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

Terry Richardson, Terry's Diary

Daddy's Boy- You are not your fathers child. I even think he said so. That man understood and captured culture. Our culture for what it was, and as he saw it. Understood. You on the other hand, imitate this work, and don't have your own style. And I think Mr. Teller would agree. No sir, you are not your fathers child. He was an original, that you are trying to be, and you will and have never amounted. It's cute at best, and cheap at worst. Tasteless and repetitive themes. Use your brain and take some time to come up with something; your own. So they've accepted you, and given you work. People like last names. You work for Vogue? I'd think it wise -while there- to keep your hands to yourself.

-the editor

Mood:Have I Lost my Touch

2011-11-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

W September 2011"One For The Ages", Amber Valetta by Steven Klein

Mood:Honesty

2011-11-18T15:13:00.001-08:00

Oroma Elewa

I recently read a post on Oroma Elewa's blog, Oroma's Therapy and she made a statement about adhering to truth. This really inspired me, it moved me in such a way. This blog is going to get a whole lot more honest, and "here's to adhering" to truth. The quoted, which is the name of a beautiful poem by Maya Angelou that you should seriously consider reading, and you know who you are.

Breed:Pig

2011-11-18T15:03:00.001-08:00

Terry Richardson

This man is a predator. If you condone this behavior -and there are many who do- think of these girls.

Today:What A Transformation

2011-11-18T14:51:00.001-08:00

Then

Now

As we all know the fashion industry has become more and more popular over the last three to five years, and the role of fashion editors (behind Anna Wintour's surge in notoriety through her 'nip and tuck' of Vogue, by means of Hollywood's deities on its cover) have been pushed into the media ten fold. Face-lit much Joe? Don't get me wrong. I've always loved Joe Zee, I think his focus with Elle is very current, and his counterparts could learn a whole lot from his approach to popular culture, which he is now very much apart of. Why beat around the bush, or worse lie. It's like pretending that Madonna's cheek implants don't make her look like a squirrel, and her arms like she's on steroids. Extraordinary woman though, and can't wait to see her directorial film debut, W.E, which I missed back in September. The man was not seriously unattractive, but there are some obvious distinct changes to his face. For one, it's much thinner than it was before, he's lost more than a bit of weight, and congrats, a beautiful face promotes a healthy life, and even better, a positive work ethic.

This must be without implants

Mood:Naomi is A Bad Bitch

2011-11-16T11:14:00.001-08:00

Yes, very gorgeous Lee, but even more fierce.

Mood:Red is The Mood Not The Color

2011-11-15T13:04:00.001-08:00

Dolce&Gabbana Eyewear Collection S/S 2011, Naomi Campbell by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggot

Today:Happy Veterans Day

2011-11-11T18:01:00.000-08:00

Vogue Italia 2004, "Make Love Not War" by Steven Klein

Fashion is synonymous with culture. The clothes on our backs, being related or rather the result of trends in the 'high' fashion industry, are also related to things from our every day lives. Designers themes for their collections (in all of their frivolity) reflect things from their world. One theme that has been seminal for American designers especially -though not only as it has affected the global population - is war. As I said. Fashion is a reflection of culture, this image -while very dramatic- is a representation of the war that the United States has involved itself since 2001. Though this particular image/editorial I believe is lamenting on a scandal where US soldiers where taking pictures and raping Afghan detainees, it suffices in commemorating "our boys" fighting in the war.

I Like It A Lot:Princess/In Vogue:September

2011-11-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

Princess Loingalani, El Molo Bay, Lake Rudolf, Kenya, 1967, by Peter Beard

Vogue September 2011, Oroma Elewa

The coveted September issue was a cumbersome read last month, and I will be honest, the advertisements were a bit overwhelming, and as I only shop a few of the labels, along with the repetitive themes that photographers and designers have been fondling, were more than uninteresting. But par usual the articles kept me enthralled, and tiring my wrist, flipping the glossy pages. Of course the most inspiring of them was of Catherine Lagarde and her triumphant induction into the male dominated world of high finance as the first the female president of the IMF. A woman of complete poise and totally class, who unlike so many of the women stalking the corridors of fashion, genuinely exudes chic, and lives and breathes luxury. I am a student totally in love, with maybe just a twinge of fear. All in all she is, a true Fashionista of the aristocracy, and maybe her constellation will lead her to take up her predecessors other occupation as incumbent for the French presidency.

While a few articles in the magazine impressed, nothing stood out more than this stunning picture of Oroma Elewa. Founder of Pop Africana; Africas official fashion and culture magazine. The image captures her beauty effortlessly, which is not a arduous task when dealing with an extremely beautiful subject. The picture instantly reminded me of a very similar radiance that is excreted in the photo of Princess Loingalani by Peter Beard. Two astoundingly beautiful women who both hold extreme confidence and illustrious poise in their presence. Not to mention the striking similarity that Orama shares to the princess, she could pass as a reincarnation. And she truly is a fashion Princess, erected in last months September issue into the It Girl gang of fashionistas. But she certainly doesn't need Vogue's anointment. Girl has got killer style, all natural beauty, and the brains to back it up. She'll go far. Check out Pop Africana here, and her blog here.

Today:J'adore Dior

2011-11-07T15:46:00.001-08:00

"Arcade Couture: Mise en Dior"

After reading the profile of Dior accessory designer, Camille Miceli, on Nowness the other day, I had become a bit obsessed with the brand all over again. While the fuss over Marc Jacobs replacing Galliano as head of house is no doubt an incentive to be interested, the genuis work and craftmanship of this woman is more than an appropriate distraction from the scandal. Watch the video and see for yourself.

Another treat- And if you were not amazed at the incredible work that goes into Dior jewerly and even more of the artisian that designs it, you might be pleased with this chic commercial for the fragrance. A bit longer than the thirty second version that usually airs at Christmas. See Charlize Theron's thirty seconds with Marilyn after the jump.

Breed:Who's That Woman

2011-10-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Numéro November 2011, "Eden", Aline Weber by Camilla Åkrans

Breed:

Browsing through the editors lovely categories I discovered Breed, and after further inspection through previous post, I deciphered what it meant; a model is not always a muse, but a mule in this industry, and of many different pedigrees. Clever and somewhat harsh pun. After seeing this amazing photo of model Aline Weber by Camilla Åkrans on models dot com, I couldn't resist a breed post.

This photo is more than striking. It is whimsically alluring and captures the spreads theme in its self. Inspired by the story of the Garden of Eden, titled oh so cleverly, "Eden." It is propped with fig leaf, deceitful snake, and of course the centerpiece of the story; the forbidden fruit eve was tempted to taste. Thus this picture sums up the old fable nicely. And all that is missing is the damned Adam. The editorial is beautiful, Åkrans never fails, but what is striking about this particular photo is the models striking resemblance to another mule. Claudia Schiffer, whose supple button nose, high cheek bones and iconic naturally pursed, sex kitten mouth, sum up a Bardot lookalike (and a portion of the eighties), and have all been trans-morphed onto Aline Webers face.

See the full spread after the jump.

Let ME Introduce Myself

2011-10-26T10:47:00.001-07:00

I am the fashion Dilettante (la Dilettante), new member of Baklessdress.blogspot.com. An expat of art, and an expert of fashion I am not, but with my die hard love of fashion, I think I can contribute something unique to the The Editors blog and I hope to have a lasting effect on it's readers.

Mood:Argg!!

2011-10-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

Laptop is down, back soon.

Today:Sir Andrej

2011-10-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

Andjre Pejics invite to meet the queen

It is so! I mentioned in my recent post on Andrej Pejic, that he was invited to meet the royal of all royals, her majesty Queen of England. This is his official invitation.

Today:Beautiful Freak!

2011-10-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

Harper's Bazaar Avril 1965, Donyale Luna in Pacco Rabanne by Richard Avedon

Donyale Luna- "I'm from the moon baby!"

"For a while back then it looked as if she might be one of the casualties of the Sixties. She is, in fact, one of its more elegant survivors. I wonder what she thinks when she looks at her face in the mirror. 'I feel like it has all gone but you might as well live,' she replies, and laughs. I think afterwards that it is a very Penelope Tree sort of reply: self-deprecating, and really rather wise."

Extremism

2011-09-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

Vogue September 2011, 'The Discipline of Fashion", Stella Tennant by Steven Meisel

The Corset- write upcoming soon...

1.Corset, 1891Maison Léoty (French, late 19th century)Silk, 2.late 1760s French silk, linen, leather, wood& baleen, 3.Corset, third quarter of 18th centuryEuropeanGreen silk damask

Breed:It Girl

2011-09-28T15:28:00.000-07:00

Schön Magazine, "Allure" Andrej Pejic by Christos Karantzolas

There have been more than a few androgynous models that have strutted their stuff down numerous catwalks, and in front of the lens of photographers for high fashion glossies. Jenny Shimizu, Kirsten McMenamy, and Stella Tennant all come to mind. Their unconventional 'slightly' masculine features (McMenamys bony hips, Shimizu's short hair & boyish face, and Tennant's chiseled jaw) all took the fashion world by storm and helped broaden the definition of beauty. Anrej Pejic stands out from this pack -he is the first successful male.

Pejic, (a 20 yer old Bosnian born Melbourne native) was described as "flawless and poreless" with "an English Rose luster" by New York Magazines Alex Morris in a profile featured in the Fall issue titled , "The Most Beautiful Boy in The World." Some might mistakenly compare him to transgender model Lea T, but the difference is simple; cross dressing and changing sex are not in the same category, and Pejic has never expressed a serious desire to become a woman. On the comparison Pejic stated, "I don’t think my situation and Lea T's are completely different when it comes to our personal lives but that’s personal, for me at least. And I really think people should stop trying to categorize me because of their need for labels. When it comes to our professional lives, well she only does women’s wear and I think I cover more fields. Some people in the industry will use us in a very similar way to represent similar ideas and some will want me to be a bit different from her — more androgynous, more boyish or even sex-less rather than womanly. I think professionally I am capable of being very versatile." He sounds confident in his role, but has Pejic seriously broken a mold by being a male whose made a career of wearing women's clothes?

Calvin Klein fragrance Advertisement 2001

Ru Paul may have been ahead of him by a few decades, and maybe just one or two other professional drag queens. We honestly can't say that his popularity in fashion is unexpected or something unusual. Forms of androgyny are not new to this industry or our culture for that matter. From Caravaggio and the fair faced -male- beauties of ancient iconography to the myths of Cupid and Narcissus (the later who Pejic has portrayed). Female cross dressing was popularized during the early 20th Century through the works of Gabrielle Coco Chanel, who famously wore trousers during a time when it was considered highly unfashionable. Pants continued as a staple for women's fashion throughout the century, and saw a strong resurgence in the nineteen nineties which introduced both Tennant and Shimizu. Commercially known label, Calvin Klein, who popularized unisex scents and accessories, was also known for using asexual looking models in its campaigns. More recently, avant garde brands like Rad Hourani and Gareth Pugh do entirely unisex collections -obviously using both male and female models to showcase the clothes. That said, Pejic is still something of a novelty.

Pejic for the fall issue of New York Magazine

We have yet to see a male model consistently book a girls castings the way that Andrej has done. And while there was no doubt a trend for the willowy, effeminate looking type in male modeling during his emergence, he raises the bar much higher than his counterparts. Marcel Castenmiller, Tomek Szczukiecki, and Willy Cartier who've been stuck with menswear, are not as nearly raved about. Pejic got his start in late 09 and already he is being mocked by mainstream publications like FHM who put the top model on their 100 sexiest women list, as a joke earlier in the year. He ranked 98th on the list and his profile read, "Although his sexual identity is ambiguous, designers are hailing him as the next big thing. We think "thing" is quite accurate. [...] The blonde gender-bender has jumped the gun in hoping he might one day be signed as a Victoria's Secret Model (Pass the sick bucket). Well, he might have a hard time keeping it a secret then." No response came from Pejic in regards to the derogatory comments, but he's shown himself to be a somewhat aloof character, who wouldn't be affected by ignorant comments from a men's magazine that features faux tanned women who've had one to many breast augmentations. Nothing he says or does goes unnoticed. His most recent famed quote about "not getting out of bed for more than $50" had the Telegraphs Olivia Bergin in an uproar. Ranting on about the indecency of a male model walking down women's runways, and of all things, in their clothes! His comment was in reference to nineties supermodel Linda Evangelista, who was quoted as saying, "I won't get out of bed for less than $10,000."

For all misanthropes, the jokes on you. Pejic has had a stunning career so far; ad's for Jean Paul Gaultier walking both men's and women's collections for the brand, a cover of New York Magazine, Marc by Marc Jacobs campaign (where he is cast as a male), consistent work for the most noted fashion books, and to top it off, he has an amazing personality. Pejic is something of a superstar back home where mum, Jadranka Pejic, has publicly expressed her support for her "beautiful son." To put the icing on the cake, Pejic has been invited to Buckingham Palace to represent Australians in fashion, where he will undoubtedly meet the queen.

Versace AW 1995, Kirstin McMenamy by Richard Avedon

Various Campaigns FW 2011, Jenny Shimizu by Jonathan Turner

Zara FW 11, Stella Tennant by David Sims

Mood:Red

2011-09-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Vogue Japan October Nyasha Matonhodze by Sølve Sundsbø

Red is the mood

No the color

Vogue Italia September 2011

2011-09-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

Magazine: Vogue Italia September 2011

Photographer: Miles Aldridge

Model: Jacquelyn Jablonski

Stylist: Alice Gentilucci

Website: http://www.vogue.it/en

Miles Aldridge is well know for his portrayal of societies leading lady, often casting the American archtype model, which he positions to look extravagant and aloof, in either an expressively bored or distressed state. This recent spread he's done for Vogue Italia -while still in line with his usual themes- is a bit of a curve ball. A strong play on 'delusions of grandeur'; Jacquelyn Jablonski (dressed to the nines) portrays a late eighties doyenne with a penchant for haute couture, but has lost her fortune and is left to live with the rummage of her fabulous past, in her car. See more after the jump.

Mood:Powerful

2011-09-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

Interview August 2011, Fredia Pinto by Mert & Marcus

Breed:Dutch Girl

2011-09-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

The New York Times Style Magazine October 2011, Lara Stone by Angelo Pennetta

Lara Stone has been fashion's it girl for quite some time. Raking in major campaigns every season; including all of the Calvin Klein ad's, Armani Jeans, DKNY fragrance and Tom Ford, to name a few. The Bardot look alike is the main feature in the latest Times Style, and is shot by renowned photographer, Angelo Pannetta, in her home town of Mierlo along side her parents and her interviewer Lynn Yaeger. The 'sex kitten' is in fact not French, but a simple Dutch girl -with the usual long limbs the territory affords- from the Netherlands. See the full spread after the jump.

Interview.