BAPTISTE GIABICONI FOR HOGAN BY KARL LAGERFELD

Karl Lagerfeld has designed a capsule SS 11 collection for Hogan. It's a women's collection with only six pieces which consist of a sneaker, a cowboy boot, a clutch bag, a messenger, a trench coat and a jacket. Normally you would find this sort of thing in image form but you know Uncle Karl, why stop there? 




In this small video we see actors models Magdalena Frackowiack and Baptiste Giabiconi get into a spat about trust, ride their bicycles around Paris all the while in the middle of a real-life shoot with Karl Lagerfeld. "She has some nerve!" Stellar acting. Take a look below. 
For those Baptiste fans you can also catch the latest images taken by Largerfeld once again but somehow don't include clothing. I'm guessing you don't care about that detail...

LOUIS VUITTON SPRING 2011

For Spring 2011 Louis Vuitton enlisted 'Soul' model Doug Pickett to front their campaign. Shot outdoors, photogtapher Cédric Buchet played at rugged urban-safari chic in mostly understated garments and styling,which actually works well.


JOHANNESBURG - (27) 11 784 9854
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Edge

Top: Equipment. Scarf: Madewell. Pants: Jcrew Minnie. Shoes: Luxury Rebel. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Purse: Vintage LV. Belt: Jcrew. Jewelry: David Yurman, Pomellato, BR, GAP, Michael Kors. Lipstick: Make Up For Ever Professionals #41. Nails: Essie, Lollipop.

MUST SEE: APRICOT BY BEN BRIAND

On a different note I have wanted to share this short film with you all for a while now. While the heat is beating down on Met goers in Cape Town today and you are in-doors, my gift to you is this exquisite ten minute film. It speaks for itself so I don't have to. Enjoy.

FORMICHETTI GETS HIS OWN MUSE

Nicola Formichetti is keeping it in the family. As the newly appointed Creative Director for Thierry Mugler, Formichetti has once again collaborated with Lady GaGa, but this time in song, and not for Gaga herself.

The following video was directed by Mariano Vivanco and features fashions latest muse to get people talking. The immensely talented but not often understood creative called on Rick Genest, a twenty-something model better known as 'Zombie Boy' who he found online. Genest has strong features and keeps in shape but that is the extent of the similarities to his model peers. Why? Because he is covered in tattoos from head to toe. And not just any tattoos. Skeletal, demonic-looking and quite frankly a little scary. Now put the model in the latest offerings (and Formichetti's debut line for Thierry Mugler), run an exclusive previously unknown Lady GaGa track behind it and it's magic.  It may not be traditionally beautiful or artistic but considering that we are slowly running out of original ideas it makes for a breathe of fresh air.




source: homotography.com, gq.com/us

Schön! FEATURES LOCAL DESIGNERS IN ISSUE 10

Local designers Stiaan Louw, Suzanne Heyns and David West are featured in the latest issue of Schön! magazine. You can access the whole issue at nineteen74.com but make sure to see page 138.

GREGG HAMMOND IS COSMOPOLITANS SEXIEST MAN 2011

It's easy to win the Cosmopolitan Sexiest Man award. You just have to be, you know, tall and ridiculously handsome, and well built, and tanned and... well nevermind.  Taking over from Wynand Olivier who won in 2010 is Fusion model Gregg Hammond. Along with a R10 000 cash prize the winner also walked away with a floating trophy and goodie bags galore. 
According to claytonmorar.com Hammond is "currently focussed on his modelling career and appears regularly in print campaigns and commercials, he’s also completing his final year of studies for an LLB. He excels at anything sports-related; he cycles, runs marathons and loves the gym." Obviously.

The event which was held in Johannesburg last night was sponsored by The Oxford and KISS and hosted by Bonang Matheba.If you're want to see who lost to Gregg or if you're just jealous take a look at the other 12 guys in this year’s Cosmopolitan Sexiest SA Men Calendar, or take a look at the February 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan (on sale now) or visit www.cosmopolitan.co.za

(Credits: Cindy Ellis, Cosmopolitan magazine, Clayton Morar).

Dash

Sweater: Banana Republic. Skirt: H&M. Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Flowers: H&M. Sunglasses: Chloe. Jewelry: Michele, David Yurman, Forever21, Thrift, BR.

ADREJ PEJIC FOR GAULTIER 2011

In a time when using androgyny in fashion could/should be a normal occurrence it is somehow still met with confusion or distaste from some. I told you about Andrej Pejic. I told you about his long blonde hair and feminine features, the various interest from designers. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, because now Pejic can add 'high-end catwalk model' to his resume. Jean-Paul Gaultier decided to celebrate the model by using him for his new Spring campaign. In addition to this, Gaultier, who is known for his eccentric shows invited Pejic to join the Gaultier crew in the latest showing of his collection. In fur and high-heels. Does this mean similar models will be making appearances in both mens and ladies shows?

THE OLD SPICE GUY IS BACK

Another clever video featuring the 'Old Spice guy'.

NADAL FOR ARMANI JEANS

When I posted the news that Raphael Nadal would replace Christiano Ronaldo as body face of Armani jeans the opinions were varied. Would he make a suitable model for the brand? Is his face as marketable as Beckham and Ronaldo? Apparently so. Here are some of the new images that have been released for both Fox and Nadal's respective campaigns. The images look great but they could have been a little more inventive with posture positioning and theme. No?

TOM FORD COVERS INTERVIEW

Tom Ford walked out on his fashion career in 2004. The fashion world cringed. Imagine the designer that rerouted fashion to sophistication and glamour making his exit at his peak. What we didn't know was Ford's peak was yet to come. Follow John Currin and Tom Ford as they discuss beautiful women, his naked interview and surprise, surprise sexuality. Read the interview here.

"The end result is something that other people consider sexual, but for me it’s just beautiful."

Photography by Craig McDean From Interviewmagazine.com

WISHLIST: ADRIAAN KUITERS AND MATBLAC

Take a look at these and other new garments now available at Spence. At a great, affordable price no less!

Golden Grecian

Dress: H&M. Shoes: Tory Burch. Scarf: Unknown. Jewelry: David Yurman, Michael Kors, Pomellato, Forever 21, Jcrew, GAP, BR.

THE AFI FASHION WEEK LINE-UP

Spotted at the AFI Fashion Week launch in Johannesburg last week was Stiaan Louw (with Joe from Jaylowlovesyou). We were able to discuss some of the treats lined up for his new collection but mums the word. Here is a list of designers showing next month.

• Suzaan Heyns, a Joburg label that pushes the boundaries in ready-to-wear fashion, appealing to strong-willed women;
• Errol Arendz, whose luxury fashion brands, DuSud and EA Ready to Wear, have a sleek and glamorous feel with delicate military touches;
• KlûkCGDT, a label that represents the merging of two designers dedicated to each garment with careful attention and dedication to detail;
• LISP, which is about living out rock and roll, with an autumn / winter collection drawing inspiration from the late 1960s and early 1970s;
• Wild Fig, a woman’s clothing label that makes the wearer feel feminine and beautiful;
• Spero Villioti, who for the past 25 years has been viewed as the leading haute couture label in Joburg;
• Abigail Betz, winner of the Best Couture Collection award, whose designs are characterised by femininity and romance;
• Karabo Finger, a specialty fashion brand focusing on women’s career, cocktail and lifestyle wear;
• Distinctive Wear, which creates clothes for sophisticated men;
• Avant for Gaschette, which notes that “inspiration from Joburg comes mainly from what is taken in visually and experiences on a sensory level on a day-to-day basis”;
• Grapevine, a new Joburg label;
• Bongiwe Walaza, who uses African prints strongly in her garments;
• Stiaan Louw, with his menswear;
• Thula Sindi, who designs clothing for elegant and mature women;
• Abigail Keats, whose signature style is best described as a sophisticated contemporary art form that plays with the paradox of masculine tailoring;
• Tart, which focuses on leisurewear;
• Loin Cloth and Ashes, which focuses on dresses for women who dare to be different;
• Heni, who won the Vodacom Durban July fashion challenge in 2007; and
• David Tlale, a home-grown label that stands out for its elegantly designed garments.

from joburg.org.za, image property of man of the cloth

WISHLIST: PERSOL 2979

What's on my current wishlist? I'll give you a hint: I wrote about this brand in December. Persol is fast becoming a favorite brand of mine. Sunglass Hut stock these tortoise shell beauties and the best part is they only go for R1770!  These crystal lense glasses are perfect for our climate, add a plaid shirt and rolled up chino's to complete the look.

Warm Light

Jacket: Zara. Pants: Jcrew. Sweater: Zara. Top: Express. Shoes: Pour La Victoire. Sunglasses: Chloe. Purse: Chanel. Jewlery: David Yurman, Pomellato, Michael Kors. Lips: MAC Myth. Nails: Strange Beautiful.

TYSON BALLOU FOR GQ JAPAN JANUARY 2011

I absolutely love photography. I couldn't count the times I've opened a blog post like that but it's true. I keep folders filled with imagery just to glance at from time to time to inspire me. While we expect images to sell us fashion it sometimes comes with the added bonus of just being beautiful to look at it. As is the case with Tyson Ballou and these lovely images of him in the woods. Photographed for GQ Japan by Alexi Lubomirski. Manly, isolated and filled with the warm knits and thermals we often find ourselves in during the Winter season. Enjoy the escape.













images from thefashionisto.com

DAVE MATTHEWS FOR JOHN VARVATOS SPRING 2011

South African born musician Dave Matthews has been chosen to front the latest campaign for John Varvatos. Danny Clinch sets him up as the one-man-band, and he even has a monkey. Matthews is a big fan of vintage instruments and it's said that inspiration for the shoot came from the late 1800's and early 1900's street performers.

STIAAN LOUW IN COSMOPOLITAN FEBRUARY 2011 ISSUE

With just a couple weeks to go before the new collection is unveiled, Stiaan Louw is once again featured in one of our local magazines. This time, for Cosmopolitan's February issue. The models, from 20 Management were styled by Margot Robinson and photographed by Natasja Maria Fourie.



AFI Fashion Week in Joburg starts on the 15th of February and Stiaan will be showing on the 18th. Having attended the opening party on Tuesday night I was able to hear about the very special plans for the designers which include multiple landmark venue changes. I am excited to see what the whole outcome is because it was truly planned with a lot of thought and passion.

For the second image, which includes the face of Stiaan Louw's "6" campaign Eric Bester and three strong new models are styled by the talented Michael Cooper and photographed by Justin Polkey.

BLOG ALERT: PORTRAIT OF A NATION

I was very honored at the beginning of last week to be photographed by Andrew Brauteseth. You may also know him by his other name "guy with camera". He was voted best photographic blog at the recent 2010 Blog Awards, his campaigns, editorials and shoots are in all the major local magazines and still he finds time to surf.

He started a project he calls "A portrait of a nation". He has long list of local personalities and figures, equally as long are the names he has already photographed for the series. Bloggers, entrepreneurs, politicians, comedians and regular people feature. So please do take a look at this wonderful series.




We went out onto the streets of Cape Town to take a snap of me ironing while smoking a cigarette. Andrew likes his subjects to smoke. He likes his images quirky and to place the models in out of context areas. Which is what we did. It was windy, to say the least. This was to be the original concept of the photo shoot but we later ended up in his studio where he chose my sacred anchor to make the shoot more intimate.