Dope Ambition

Former plus-sized model Crystal Renn gets decked out in some very brand-obsessed hats for Vogue Japan, which calls to mind images from the logo-crazed 80s, when Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Fendi logos were splashed across every bag, backpack, and pair of sunglass, whether authentic or otherwise. Styled, of course, by the ever-eccentric Anna dello Russo, Renn lets logos top her off in a very high gloss spread where she is a walking billboard for the flashier, more obnoxious side of high fashion.

The Dior photo, though, is whimsical and kind of perfect.

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Don’t lie: if Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is on late at night (and it is), and episodes are playing back to back (and they are), you watch. Will Smith may be a huge action hero now, but his days living with Uncle Phil and Carlton have earned a special place in the hearts of Generation Y. I never thought, however, that I’d see Will Smith’s face on a T shirt in a Vogue Paris fashion spread. And yet,  I came across this editorial starring Amber Anderson in a supposed pop-themed spread; the result, I must admit, is a bit awkward. A magazine who excels at pop-themed spreads? Well, POP!

Though the spread is a bit off, I really cannot get over Will Smith’s face on these T shirts. It’s kind of awesome.

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Thus far in winter editorial season, most of the androgyny and editorial gender-bending has been women, roughing it up and slicking it back to appear as the more masculine counterparts to their glazed and shiny feminine friends. The Dolce and Gabbana A/W campaign did a splendid job of this, and I particularly think Freja Beha and Arizona Muse perfect the art of editorial androgyny.

This editorial switches roles with Naleye Junior Dolmans getting prettied up in pink for the very 70s-feeling, Marc Jacobs-themed spread in Candy magazine, shot by Leon Mark. That pout is out of control.

Candy touts itself as the first fashion magazine completely dedicated to celebrating transvestism, transexuality, crossdressing and androgyny in all their glory. And who else would cover the latest issue but the omnipresent James Franco? Is there anything he does not do?

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Mikaela Carlén gets lost in a few knits and Ts for the latest issue of Velvet. I love the styling and overall aesthetic of this shoot; it’s clean and simple, an effect many other editorials fail to achieve with their busy backdrops and overly-conceptualized themes.

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It looks like the ombre hair trend is not going away any time soon, and in fact, it has gotten more fun: I just posted about the day-glo ombre ends in Bon magazine, but this pastel, bubblegum pink is a little less jarring and a lot more demure, if you’re looking to partake. Here, Jourdan Dunn plays like a pinup (minus the curves) shot by Damon Baker in a series of portraits where her especially beautiful berry-colored lip takes center stage.

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I kind of assumed the ombre hair trend peaked last year when Lily Aldrige sent women in droves to the hair salon for that washed out, grungy look that every celeb and style blogger seemed to sport. Perhaps it was when Drew Barrymore injected a little rebellion into her squeaky clean Cover Girl ads that I knew the trend had gone mainstream.

In Bon magazine’s issue #59, the ombre trend is center stage, but this time in acidic pops of color that would take major gusto to pull off. I’ve seen pink ends on blonds (dubbed “unicorn ombre”) and lime green on Dani Stahl, but this bright orange might take a new kind of woman.

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Why do I have a feeling the Fanning sisters are slated to be the next Olsen twins? Of course, I’m not referring to their state as sisters, but more about their influence. Just recently I posted about the Olsen twins and their influence on fashion and style trends that effected an entire generation. Likewise, alone, each of the Fanning sisters have more star power than most actresses can even hope for a fraction of, but together, their influence has infinite potential. It’s a little scary; Elle is only 13 and she already has the fashion world slobbering at her feet. Dakota, too, has bypassed the socialite Hollywood scene and seems to remain serious about her craft. Their blondness doesn’t hurt either…America loves that, no?

Here, the sisters cover W Magazine‘s December issue. I am torn between adoring the cover and thinking it’s a bit creepy. They both look beautiful, but Elle is cradling her older sister with a left hand that isn’t even touching Dakota’s head. It’s award…but oh, wait! I like it. And oh! the sparkles and ethereal ensembles. Are those frocks Marchesa?

See? Can’t make up my mind. Thoughts?

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We have given you a few ideas as far as wardrobe color palettes go, but these clashing colors seen in Playing Fashion‘s November issue are deliciously absurd. Bubblegum pink and marigold yellow? Sure! Powdery blue, deep purple and red? Why, yes! I don’t know how practical these ensembles are, but since when have editorials been about practicality? We love.

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jana knauerova by jason kim

Thankfully, the season of celebrity-flooded fall fashion covers has ended, and with winter arrives four faces ranging from veteran cover girl (Anja) to the burgeoning it-girl (Hailey Clauson). My favorite? Jourdan Dunn’s bubble gum pink, almost pop-themed cover with yellow nails and flawless makeup (shot by Alasdair McLellan).

Credits: Jourdan shot by Alasdair McLellan, Saskia de Brauw by Daniel Jackson, Anja Rubik by David Bailey and Hailey Clauson by Matt Jones.

Favorite?

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Vogue Italia always excels in these types of conceptual shoots, and the October issue’s “Mechanical Dolls” editorial, starring models Audrey Marnay and Kirsi Pyrhonen, is a perfect example of the magazine’s ability to seamlessly blend theatrical concepts with current trends without trying too hard. Photographer Tim Walker captures the models-turned-dolls lounging eerily alongside ventriloquist dummies, and somehow the effect comes off coldy beautiful despite the bride-of-Chucky-esque moments. I especially love the cover shot, with Stella McCartney’s polka dots opening the show (’cause that’s what it feels like, no?)

I’m going to have beautiful nightmares now. So thanks.

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