Inspiration
anna selezneva and malgosia bela by ezra petronio for self service s/s 2010
I love the slightly over-exposed, Polaroid-like feel of these photos. Bela and Selezneva remind me of sultry seventies gals, and matched with the heavy-handed makeup, glitter, and black garb, both models radiate a minimalistic glamour. I’m also obsessed with the idea of a different colored shadow on each eye, especially the combo of blue-violet and teal… I can’t wait to try it.
a glimpse at “dior couture” by patrick demarchelier and ingrid sischy
Pairing the meticulously-crafted creations of Christian Dior with the magic of distinguished fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier is nothing short of a dream; now, it’s blossomed into a 239-page reality. Last week, Rizzoli released “Dior Couture,” a tome of the famed fashion house’s haute couture archives.
Authored by former Interview Magazine editrix Ingrid Sischy, the book is comprised of garments from each designer’s era. The stunning silhouettes, exquisite fabrics, and delicate details of post-WWII and recent collections are elegantly revived, while the portraits taken by Demarchelier are works of art unto themselves. This peek into the book’s pages is all the convincing I need to feel enamored, and it’s now officially at the top of my Christmas list.
elsa hosk, zuzanna bijoch & julia bijoch by david bellemere for free people “through the decades”
David Bellemere’s interpretation of ’20s Paris has proven to be my favorite portion of Free People’s Fall “Through the Decades” catalog, capturing the romance, lavishness, and glamour with a subtle modern twist. The clothing’s sleek lines and the models’ understated styling provide the vision of a surreal soirée. Set against well-traveled streets and intimate cafés Bellemere allows the glittering rhinestones, skin-tight frocks, and menswear-inspired looks to convey a simple and sensual narrative. I’d give anything to time-travel back to the era à la “Midnight in Paris,” but until the proper technological advancements surface (or the magic decides to find me!), Bellemere’s portrayal will have to suffice.
nadja auermann by ellen von unwerth (nsfw)
Photographer and director Ellen von Unwerth captures sensuality in the subjects she shoots. Citing Helmut Newton as an influence, von Unwerth imprints her habitual aesthetic of feminine erotica into her images. With her work featured in publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, and i-D, she is a well-known figure in the industry. In addition to her skill for stills, von Unwerth is known for directing short fashion-oriented films and music videos. From moving pictures to solitary ones, her deliberate employment of black and white adds romance and nostalgia to her subject matter.
Though I wouldn’t necessarily call this photo shoot inappropriately erotic, it definitely feels evocative of early nude photography. I love the grainy quality of the photos paired with Nadja Auermann’s pale skin, heavy makeup, and sleek, slicked-back hair. Von Unwerth’s work definitely fosters my interest in the body as an art form, and encourages me to purchase Helmut Newton: Sumo, Ellen von Unwerth: Fraulein, and Taschen’s 1000 Nudes.
elsa hosk by alexei hay for free people “through the decades”
I love the playful, all-American quality of these images. This segment of Free People’s “Through the Decades” lookbook touches on classic ’50s elements and shapes—patriotism, pin-up girls, full skirts—that are iconic. The ’50s are truly one of my favorite decades, not only for the fashion, but for the historical significance of a post-WWII era. With suburbia, consumerism, and military tension rampant throughout the US it was a fascinating time for society (from an observer’s point, that is… I’m sure if you ask some people who grew up in the ’50s they’d think that it wasn’t all that special).
