27 February 2007
nine wonders of the oscar world
Dear Maggie Gyllenhaal, I love that you're wearing Proenza Schouler. It would've worked but it's very ill-fitting around the hip. Anne Hathaway is in beautiful Valentino but somehow, it seems like something's missing.
Olivier Theysken's magic works again on Reese Witherspoon, but I wish she would've done something different with her hair. Helen Mirren, as always looks magnificent and wears age-appropriate Christian Lacroix.
Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi look is just perfect. I love the hair, I love the Chanel Haute Couture dress. Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé, once again, can pull off anything.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Zac Posen with stick-straight blonde hair looks refined and radiant. Nicole Kidman in red Balenciaga. Wow.
Emily Blunt! The raven 'do is a perfect contrast against her glowing skin and the sparkly Calvin Klein gown.
24 February 2007
my continuing affair
With metallics.
If I were to loosely interpet this look by Siouxsie Sioux:
I think the street-friendly guy version would look something like this:
I don't know the dude's name but he's standing with Ali Michael (DNA) and he's wearing what looks like a silver lamé jacket from McQ Alexander McQueen and Y-3 shoes.
Envy.
By the way, Teen Vogue has the majority of their content available on their website, which defeats the purpose of actually buying a hard copy of the magazine. Pffft.
Photo credits (Top-Bottom) Fifibear, Teen Vogue
22 February 2007
goodbye newport
Well, it's really Goodbye Malibu, Redondo Beach, Agoura Hills, Palos Verdes, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, LA, Manhattan Beach, USC, UCLA, Valencia, San Pedro, Marina Del Rey, and the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood.
The OC has filmed all over Southern California and I will miss all the great outfits and the wonderful sets and locations. It slid downhill after a while but Marissa and Summer dressed better and better every week.
Wearing Chanel couture to your Senior prom? Why, accessorize with
the soon-to-be perpetrator of vehicular manslaughter.
Ah, Malibu sunsets. Those are always nice.
Marissa Cooper says goodbye.
R.I.P. The OC
Photo credits Mischa-B.com
18 February 2007
'tis the weekend before erudition
I could curse over and over again. I could even throw in a little "Sale p*t*!" and some "¡P*t* asquerosa!" here and there, but nothing can change the fact that I'm going to have to scale down on the posts and start going back to hitting the books. "Ew" is probably the only appropriate interjection I could use.
Horrendous things aside, Kristopher Dukes featured ilovesecondhandsmoke's picks on ThisNext's blog under the posts London Fashion Week: Marc-y Marc by Marc Jacobs, Fall 2007 and Seeing Red. Thanks, Kristopher! I wanted to say a little something about FW07 Marc by Marc but Sarah Mower and Kristopher Dukes pretty much said it all.
Also, I won a Marc by Marc Jacobs credit card holder from Fashion.Verbatim's contest at ThisNext. Thanks, Adrian!
Happy Presidents' Day Weekend to my countrymen and Kung Hei Fat Choi to all those who celebrate Chinese New Year! Since it's the Year of the Golden Pig, what does it mean for fashion folk? Golden Henrik Vibskov laptop cases, cardigans, and scarves perhaps?
Envision these items in that lustrous color:
That's all for now. And with all the Freddie Mercury fortitude that I could muster, "I think I'm going back!"
Photo credits Aloha Rag, Agentur V
15 February 2007
face off
versus
Looks like Models.com has found some formidable competition by the name of Faceforward. While Models.com has been around since the start of the new millenium, Faceforward is relatively new. Both websites have fashion week coverage, rankings, feeds, interviews, and agency partnerships. What sets them apart? Let's break down both websites.
Models.com
Clearly the veteran of the two, Models.com prides itself in providing membership for aspiring models all over the world. It's well-known for its Top 50 Female and Male Model lists and Of the Minute updates. It has had very good fashion week coverage in the past, giving site visitors access to backstage photos and videos (which Faceforward lacks) at shows like Marc by Marc, Anna Sui, Proenza Schouler, and Doo.ri. Recently, it has been in somewhat of a slump. Its FW07 coverage was not as thorough and not as exciting as past seasons. Evidently, its ranking system gives more room for more girls and its co-ed Model of the Week is twice the freshness, so a huge pair of thumbs up to all of those features.
Faceforward
It's fresher, sleeker, and definitely a lot newer. Don't expect to see established faces in Faceforward's ranking system because it's a lot friendlier to newer blood, which might be good or bad for some. It has excellent coverage of the couture shows, the men's shows in Milan, the NY shows, and the ongoing London shows, and with a fashion calendar to boot. Though its Face of the Week is just that, one face and one face only, it follows up with an interview. It does have a few cons, like the lack of visitor interaction and participation. It doesn't have membership or forums. Ultimately, what makes it stand out are its model profiles and one-of-a-kind ranking system.
So which one is better? You tell me!
MDC Top 10 Girls / FF Top 10 Girls:
1. Gemma Ward / Johanna Stickland
2. Malgosia Bela & Raquel Zimmermann / Ekat Kiseleva
3. Doutzen Kroes & Julia Stegner / Elsa Sylvan
4. Freja Erichsen & Iselin Steiro / Diana Moldovan
5. Sasha Pivovarova & Jessica Stam / Kristina Vaiciunaite
6. Hilary Rhoda & Maria Carla Boscono / Truus Hooiveld
7. Lily Donaldson & Caroline Trentini / Luize Salmgrieze
8. Coco Rocha & Irina Lazareanu / Elianne Smit
9. Anja Rubik / Eva Arlauskaite
10. Natasha Poly / Lara Stone
MDC Top 10 Guys / FF Top 10 Guys:
1. Mathias Lauridsen / Joschka Netz
2. Bev Moore / Marcus Hedbrandh
3. Eddie Klint / Stas Svetlichny
4. Lars Burmeister / Dimitri Vankerkoven
5. Eugen Bauder / Caio Vaz
6. Evandro Soldati / Mads Larson
7. Danny Beaucham / Sean Opry
8. Nicolas Bemberg / Ryan Taylor
9. Jamie Dornan / Jesper Lund
10. Andrew Richardson / Sebastien Lund
Photo credits Models.com, Faceforward
13 February 2007
NYFW wrap up part three
Prepare for Takeoff
Technically they're not newcomers, but they started out in the industry as quiet as a whisper. When Paris and Milan commence, expect these girls to finish off with full blown banshee screams.
It is the season of returning models:
A young Irish lass by the name of Laragh McCann (Women) started off in Paris last season but has recently made her New York debut walking in shows like DKNY, Jill Stuart, Marc Jacobs, and Y-3. Look for out her in Europe. This just might be her breakout season.
Ukrainian Alyona Osmanova (Supreme) had an impressive SS07 show season, clinching Marc by Marc, Miu Miu, and Prada included. For FW07, she walked for the likes of Calvin Klein, Costello Tagliapietra, Jill Stuart, Marc Jacobs, Peter Som, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon, and Tuleh. Paris and Milan, here she comes!
Finnish Model School winner Suvi Koponen (Supreme) rode on the momentum of her SS07 Miu Miu and Prada (which she opened) exclusives, leading her to runway turns for Donna Karan, Luella, Malo, Matthew Williamson, TSE, and Zac Posen.
Kim, Sophie, Doutzen, Iek. This season's Dutch dutchess is Lara Stone (IMG). Returning for another amazing season, she's already done shows like Derek Lam, J. Mendel, Malo, Proenza Schouler, Richard Chai, Rag & Bone, and Zac Posen.
Belarusian Olga Sherer (One) has been doing shows for a while, starting out as a brunette. She then dyed her hair red and conquered Milan, Paris, and London last season. It certainly looks like she's poised for a more prominent FW07 season, opening Marc Jacobs and appearing in shows like Alice Roi, Badgley Mischka, Chado Ralph Rucci, Chaiken, DVF, Malandrino, Stærk, and Temperley.
Diana Moldovan (IMG), the Romanian 10 covergirl I blogged about before is at it again with a NY show list that includes 3.1 Phillip Lim, Anne Klein, Costello Tagliapietra, DVF, Heatherette, Karen Walker, Matthew Williamson, Marc Jacobs, Jill Stuart, Narciso Rodriguez, Peter Som, and Phi.
Brazilian Carol Sippel's (Supreme) life during NY Models involved doing scattered New York and Paris shows, but with representation by Supreme, she's finally establishing herself in New York with turns at Alexander Wang, Alice Roi, Bruce, Costello Tagliapietra, Jill Stuart, Monique L'huillier, Richard Chai, Tuleh, Vera Wang, and Yigal Azrouël.
Kinée Diouf (NY Models) did a few New York and Paris shows last season, reappearing in New York this season for Bruce, Carmen Marc Valvo, DVF, Heatherette, Tuleh, and Michon Schur. Prepare for Europe!
English peroxide blondes seem to be doing well recently, Georgia Frost (Marilyn) included. She walked for Diesel, Jill Stuart, Lacoste, Morphine Generation, Peter Som, Rag & Bone, Reem Acra, Rodarte, Ruffian, Sue Stemp, Tibi, TSE, and United Bamboo. Catch her at London FW right. She just needs more presence on the runway and she'll be unmatched in Paris and Milan.
Russia's Ekat Kiseleva (Trump) seems like she has been on hold for a stellar New York show season. Her sharp aerodynamic features are a contrast to fellow Siberian Vlada Roslyakova's soft doll-like face. You glimpsed her at shows like Behnaz Sarafpour, DVF, Lela Rose, Marc Jacobs, Monique L'huillier, Narciso Rodriguez, Proenza Schouler, Ruffian, Thakoon, and Tuleh.
Like Olga Sherer, American Alexandra Tomlinson (IMG) has been walking for seasons but she hasn't really had the highlight she needs. After a successful SS07 RTW & couture season, she's set for greater heights. In New York, she appeared at Chado Ralph Rucci, Behnaz Sarafpour, Derek Lam, Doo.Ri, Max Azria, Phi, Ruffian, Rag & Bone, Vera Wang, and Yigal Azrouël.
As I've blogged in previous posts, Next is harboring Poland's gems. Marcelina Sowa (Next) had a FW07 show season worthy of applause. 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alice Roi, Behnaz Sarafpour, Jill Stuart, Monique L'huillier, Proenza Schouler, Réyes, Rodarte, TSE, Tracy Reese, and Vera Wang. Credit those exquisite elfin features!
Do you have any returning favorites?
And now let's pause for a moment to say goodbye to a friend. Season after season, you housed weary a traveler from afar and countryman alike. You played music and provided warmth and shade. Under your wing, both createur and spectator reveled in creativity.
You will certainly be missed.
Goodbye Bryant!
Photo credits Style.com
12 February 2007
NYFW wrap up part two
Power Players
IMG, Women, and DNA reign over the agencies in New York, but Supreme and suprisingly (and recently) Next are keeping a steady stream of gorgeous girls. Headed by Paul Rowland, Supreme is best known for its atypical models and quirky polaroids. Get ready for Next's resurgence, because they obviously didn't stop with Anja Rubik. They seem to have scouts crawling all over Poland these days because they're currently representing an impeccable slew of Polskimi dziewczynami (Polish girls) including Kasia Kniola, Magdalena Frackowiak, Marcelina Sowa, and Zosia Prominska.
It is the season of agencies:
Agyness Deyn, Ali Michael, Bette Franke, Doutzen Kroes, Euguenia Volodina, Hana Soukupova, Kim Noorda, Lindsay Ellingson, Maryna Linchuk, Milana Bogolepova, Morgane Dubled, Raquel Zimmermann, and Romina Lanaro.
Bobbi Wiens, Coco Rocha, Darla Baker, Daul Kim, Emina Cunmulaj, and Sosheba Griffiths.
Camilla Finn, Chanel Iman, Fabiana Semprebom, and Flavia de Oliveira.
Alexandra Tomlinson, Anna Mariya Urazhevskaya, Anouck Lepère, Caroline Winberg, Diana Dondoe, Diana Moldovan, Du Juan, Eva Helene Skarvig, Freja Erichsen, Jessica Stam, Kerstin Mannik, Kinga Rajzak, Lara Stone, Lily Cole, Lily Donaldson, Marina Perez, Sasha Pivovarova, and Tanya Dziahileva.
Caroline Trentini, Erin Heatherton, Georgia Frost, Han, Iekeliene Stange, Irina Lazareanu.
Alexandra Agoston, Anja Rubik, Anna Mikhaylik, Grieta Bastika, Kasia Kniola, Magdalena Frackowiak, Marcelina Sowa, Solange Wilvert, and Zosia Prominska.
Giedre Dukauskaite, Kinée Diouf, and Omahyra Mota.
Ines Crnokrak, Jenny Sweeney, Leah de Wavrin, Marta Berzkalna, Milagros Schmoll, Morwenna Cobbold, and Olga Sherer.
Alana Zimmer, Alyona Osmanova, Behati Prinsloo, Carol Sippel, Caroline Demarqui, Carolina Pantoliano, Cecilia Mendez, Daiane Conterato, Heidi Verster, Johanna Stickland, Sofi Berelidze, and Suvi Koponen.
Ekat Kiseleva, Eugenia Mandzhieva, Hye Park, and Lisa Cant.
Ana Mihajlovic, Bruna Tenorio, Ekaterina Kashyntseva, Heather Marks, Inguna Butane, Iselin Steiro, Julia Dunstall, Kasia Struss, Laragh McCann, Mariya Markina, Natasha Poly, Olya Ivanisevic, Suzanne Diaz, Svieta Nemkova, and Vlada Roslyakova.
Fresh New York Crop
Brazil and Eastern Europe are very much still veritable scouting grounds, introducing promising newcomers to the New York runways.
It is the season of new models:
Texan Ali Michael (DNA) opened Cynthia Steffe and went on to walk for the likes of Alexandre Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Behnaz Sarafpour, Lacoste, Proenza Schouler, and Rodarte, to name a few.
Daiane Conterato look-alike #1 Brazilian Carolina Pantoliano (Supreme) was confirmed for an impressive list of clients including Alexander Terekhov, DKNY, Generra, Heatherette, Jill Stuart, Proenza Schouler, and Richard Chai.
Daiane look-alike #2 (to a lesser extent) , another Brazilian Caroline Demarqui (Supreme) deserves a round of applause after doing shows like Alice Roi, Chris Han, Marc Jacobs, Pegah Anvarian (who moved on from her jersey dresses, thank goodness!), United Bamboo, Y & Kei, and Zero Maria Cornejo.
Latvian Grieta Bastika (Next) walked for a number of shows including Vera Wang, Rodarte, and Betsey Johnson.
Canadian-Georgian Sofi Berelidze (Supreme) wowed many at her turns in shows like Alice Roi, Heatherette, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Richard Chai, and Tuleh.
Polish stunner Zosia Prominska (Next) trotted down the runways of Abaeté, Atil Kutoglu, Cynthia Rowley, Marc Jacobs (blue hair!), Myself by Kai Kuhne, and Twinkle.
Photo credits DNA, Elite, Ford, IMG, Marilyn, Next, NY Models, One, Supreme, Trump, Women, Style.com
11 February 2007
NYFW wrap up part one
Hair Stories
Lovely Heather Marks tried the platinum look and then goth black but she looks fresh and stunning again in a more appropriate shade of honey blonde with a hint of ginger.
Luca Gadjus has an edgy new haircut! Nouveau bowlcut, anyone?
Were Thing One and Thing Two the inspirations for this look at Duckie Brown? Anyway, underneath that wig Bobby Warden has short hair now!
Going a couple of shades lighter, Sasha Pivovarova now looks even a lot more like Gemma Ward.
New Girls Alert
First there was Hye, then came Han, and now here's Daul Kim! Whoaaa, Korea!
Doesn't Jenny Sweeney remind you a lot of a young Isabeli Fontana?
Switcheroo
Oh dear daughter of Ken, may you find stellar representation at DNA, now that you've left Vision. Good luck, Anne!
All Smiles
Smiles were encouraged at Lacoste, as evidenced by Behati Prinsloo, Maryna Linchuk, and the two James, Neate and Rousseau.
Models also flashed their pearly whites at Michael Kors, including Hilary Rhoda, Julia Dunstall, Doutzen Kroes, and Anouck Lepère.
Coco Rocha was extra giddy at Lacoste, Michael Kors, and twice at Anna Sui!
Guessing Game!
1. She, along with a couple of other girls placed in a particular NY agency, have been the subject of criticism regarding their weight. She completely skipped the NY shows but will most likely make an appearance in Paris and Milan, that is if she passes the Camera Nazionale della Moda's BMI requirements.
2. She started out at the farther end of a size 4, quickly becoming thinner and thinner as each season progressed. By SS07, she only walked one runway but has recently walked for more FW07 shows presumably because of her healthier state of mind and appearance. Is she going to log more miles in Europe?
3. She is in the same agency as #1. Her weight loss was not as apparent or as rapid as #2, but she's terribly frail-looking now. Just watch the recent Marc Jacobs show!
Photo Credits Style.com