29 April 2007

mcneil mania



When Mario Testino decides to bolster your career, when you're highlighted in a V magazine editorial with such a prescient title, and when you're starring in campaigns like D&G (above, with Marta Berzkalna & Alexandra Tomlinson) and Hugo Boss for fall, are we to believe the hype?

Extraordinary Aussie Catherine McNeil (Next) first surfaced in the Milan shows and went on to wow the crowd in Paris. It's a little surprising, coming from an agency that's swarming with swimsuit beauties, an agency whose stars are few and far between, that Catherine would generate such buzz.

When I first saw her polas, one word came to mind: HOT. Obviously, "hot" doesn't really have a place in high fashion, as evidenced by the recent wave of models who have been described as "quirky", "doll-like", and "unconventional". "Hot" is nowhere near synonymous to these adjectives. Though only 17, she looks a bit more mature than her age whereas a lot of her peers who start out at 15 look exactly like their age—or younger.

Maybe she is what the industry needs right now. Amidst the walking porcelain mannequins, she is a definite throwback to a young Christy Turlington. From head to toe, she is the antithesis of her fellow Aussie Gemma Ward.

So is this really the birth of a supermodel? We'll have to wait a couple more years.


Photo credit Pussycat Doll

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 7:05 PM :: (7) comments

25 April 2007

from belarus with love

You already know these beautiful faces:


Maryna Linchuk (DNA)


Olga Sherer (One)


Veronika Antsipava (DNA)


Looks like Belarusians are stepping it up. Look out for these new girls:


Miakina (IMG)


Anabela Belikova (IMG)

Each season, they seem to get younger and younger, but IMG undoubtedly has one of the best new finds!


Photo credits (top-bottom) DNA, COACD, DNA, IMG, IMG

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 8:49 PM :: (3) comments

23 April 2007

"i'm pissed."



"I've put my heart and soul into this and it wasn't enough and I got called a bitch the whole way through it and it sucks and I feel really misunderstood and I'm sad. It's just bum city right now."

~ America's Next Top Model Cycle 7 runner-up Melrose Bickerstaff, on losing to CariDee English


Um, yeah. That's her walking Fall 2007 Malan Breton. She's supposedly signed with Bleu and LA Models, but I can't find any proof. I came across some fashion nudes of her over at Fashion Model Directory. Interesting. I still say her big stumbling block is that she photographs old.

Why do I watch ANTM again?


Photo credit Nikola Tamindzic and Gawker

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 11:03 PM :: (8) comments

20 April 2007

aish & abhi





Bollywood's darlings Aishwarya Rai & Abhishek Bachchan are finally married!

I think I prefer Abhi clean-cut. The scruffy look ain't working.

Look at all that opulence. Whoa. Indian weddings are always so embellished and over-the-top (in a good way, of course).


I apologize for not posting much recently. I've been très, très occupé.

More exciting stuff coming very soon!


Photo credit Gautam Singh for AP

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 6:28 PM :: (5) comments

19 April 2007

i am a hokie too



My deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy, most especially the victims and the families involved.

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 5:05 PM :: (0) comments

14 April 2007

this made me chuckle



I'm not sure if they made a mistake, but John Galliano is on IMG's Women's board.

Daha.

Check out his Press Kit.


Photo credit IMG

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 11:08 PM :: (3) comments

09 April 2007

od-ing on ossendrijver









Damir & Branimir Vladušić (Nathalie), twin argentinos of Croatian descent with matching Karen Elson locks front the SS07 Lanvin campaign. Why not Tiago Campos (Success)? Well, check out these digitals as first reported by COACD and you'll find out why. How bangin' are those shoes? SS07 Lanvin is all about metallic shine and luster in classic, casual designs.






Fast forward to FW07 Lanvin and the shoes are all of a sudden athletic and in frosted metallic shades (and some in patent as well). Those are awesome, aren't they? I really like the fuschia high-tops.






I guess that's where we're going. From lustrous to frosted. Another example above, American Apparel. First there were those lamé leggings and now they have nylon tricot leggings.





And how about those hybrid caps-cum-riding hats? Those are on my fall shopping list!


Photo credits (Top-Bottom) Steven Klein for Lanvin, Frillr, American Apparel, Frillr

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 7:48 PM :: (11) comments

06 April 2007

these clothes are fitting on me



So it turns out I won't be able to go. I'm counting on a last-minute call for a volunteer. Please Ann, please let me in! Haha.

Well have fun you lucky folks who get to go tomorrow.

I'll be shopping in the store soon, though.

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 1:25 AM :: (3) comments

05 April 2007

i'm a fannatic



Anna Bayle in Versace on the cover of April 2007 Philippine Tatler.

If you haven't already checked out her website, go ahead!

Can you believe they wanted her to change her name to Maria Montezuma? That would've been disastrous. It almost sounds scary.


Photo Credit Nigel Barker for Philippine Tatler

Posted by ilovesecondhandsmoke @ 11:58 PM :: (2) comments