Fashion Copious

Russia’s Modeling Revolution Under Australian Siege

I was chatting with Snejana earlier today, discussing the modeling industry, when she brought to my attention that Russia's Modeling Revolution is coming to an end.

"It's the fact that the "Russian Revolution" is over, and Australian models are soon going to dominate." she said.

Her statement made me realize that three of the "New Faces" I recently showcased on Fashion Copious are in fact Australians! Those are Myf Shephard, Ilvie Wittek, and Sarah Stephens. Three very sought after models right now.

This intrigued me even more now, so I asked her if this is recognized industry or just a personal opinion, to which she replied "By us models... I talked to Valentina about it.... The Slavics will go on for one or two more seasons and then yes, it is over."

How will this develop? Let's wait one or two more seasons I guess! But how does the princess of the current models react to this take over?  

"I think that Australians will do amazing, they are a gorgeous people" she says. There you have it. No hearts feelings.

Interview Mag Aug Issue: Marc to Eva

The August issue of Interview Magazine will feature Eva Mendez on it's cover, as well as an editorial titled "Eva" shot by Mikael Jansson. Photographers Craig McDean, Terry Richardson, Anthony Maule, and Jason Kibbler will all have editorials/works in the issue as well, as the Interview continues to up the quality of it's magazine content.

Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Fall 08

Top 20 looks from Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Fall 08 show.

Ads | Balenciaga A/W 08-09 with Charolette Gainsbourg

3 Ads for the Balenciaga A/W 08-09 season; with Model Charolette Gainsbourg.

ARMANI PRIVÉ Haute Couture Fall 2008

20 looks I liked from the GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVÉ HC fall 2008

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2008

Painting by: Karl Lagerfeld
Medium: Fabric on Super Mannequins
Date: July 2008
House of: Chanel

Inspired by what seems to be organ pipes Karl Lagerfeld showcased his couture collection for Chanel and above is a look of the painting as a whole collection. With a total of 64 pieces I felt he over did it. And though the individual pieces are nice the whole collection does not speak in one voice. If you're able to select say 30-40 pieces from the 64 you might end up with a much stronger collection/painting.You can see the pictures in full at Style.com.

Discovery | LookBook.nu Have Got It

There are plenty of "check out my personal style" websites on the net, including our own votour.com, but I just stumbled upon the new LookBook.nu and I must admit their quality of looks are A+. It's an invite only website which could explain the high quality looks. Whatever it is it's worth checking out!

The site which was started by "Just a guy and a girl hailing from San Francisco, CA who love art, fashion, and urban culture" is described as "an international social experiment in style..." with a mission to "to cultivate a collective fashion consciousness driven by creative people around the world." Cool.

Here are five looks I liked today.

Katty Ukhanova | New Faces We Like

I wasnt sure if I should post Katty for the simple fact that she's already 20 and wish she was discovered 3 or 4 years ago. But her beauty one me over at the end of the day. And since she reminds me of Gemma Ward who's busy making films, my own argument was over won. So from the land of..well Russia of course, comes Katty Ukhanova. She's beautiful and cute and elegant and sexy all at the same time. Surelly we'll see more of her this coming fall season.

She's 5'9". Blue and Blonde. And born June 7 1988, in Cherepovets, Russia. She's now signed with Major in Paris & Milan, New York Models in NY, Premier in London and her mother agency President in Moscow.

TheOnes2Watch Talks to Sean & Seng

TheOnes2Watch caught up with up and comers photographers Sean & Seng and got to ask them a few questions. Since I like their work I thought I would share this with you. You can find the full interview and pictures at the TheOnes2Watch but here is are a few of the Q&A.

[In above photo is model Laragh McCann]

How did you start your careers?
We met at the London College of Fashion and started working together, our first commission was for Vivienne Westwood Red Label lookbooks while we were still studying.
How would you describe your style?
Simple, portrait based fashion images.
What do you think is your best work so far?
Every new shoot we love more than the last.
Who or what has influenced you?
So many people and works of art, music, architecture, books, nature; Scavullo, Warhol, Cranach, Vivienne Westwood, David Lynch, David Cronenberg.
Where do you find inspiration?
Models, actors, artists, transvestites, street kids, prostitutes, travelling, school girls, grannies…
Best advice you have ever been given?
“Don’t be wet.”- Isabella Blow

On December 17, 1892 VOGUE Was Born

How far has Vogue come. 116 years ago, December 17, 1892 to be exact, Vogue was born; and fashion has never been the same since. Thanks to Fashioneo at theFashionSpot.com. we now have a look at the first ever issue of the iconic magazine.

The pics were taken during a tour of the Condé Nast archives.

Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall 2008

By: John Galliano
Medium: Fabric on Super Mannequins
Date: July 2008
House: Christian Dior

Your are free to look at the above looks on Style.com but in our "looking at a collection as a painting" we're doing just that. Seeing if Mr. Galliano has achieved a masterpiece with his Haute Couture collection for Christian Dior, or not.

I'm judging the collection on the following scale:
1) Cohesiveness 2) Balance. 3) Point of view. 4) Originality. 5) Obtaining a life/soul.

The collection began and ended with white and black, with color being introduced in the middle. Though this interruption of color took place, the collection overall was cohesive and balanced. Nothing stood out of place and it flowed freely and gently from one look to the other. There was no break in rhythm. It's point of view and originality, which it had, was classic 50's mixed with modernism. John Galliano described it as "fresh couture—restrained and refined." The final test was whether it had a life and soul, and if it excited us and transformed us to a higher level of emotional plane. It sure did, and if you were to hear the music that played with it, it would be even more agreeable. Overall, it was a great collection. Even with the leopard print that snuck in, in between.

A Collection Is Like an Artist's Painting. Looking at Haute Couture Fall 2008

While the rest of the fashion world is covering the Haute Couture 2008, in full detail, I thought I take a different approach and look at each collection as an artist's painting. To see how it would speak to me, or more precisely how it would make me feel.

I always believed that a designers collection should act like a painting. Where all the pieces in it tell one story; have a point of view; be cohesive; and hence be a piece of art in it self. (Whether it's a dead or alive piece of art is another matter and subject all together)

The sad truth of the matter is though, that designers at times fall into the trap of over doing it, to not know when to stop, and how many pieces to include in a collection. It's like an artist who paints a masterpiece only to add a few more strokes and destroy his work. I've seen it once and again coming down the runway.

Marc Jacobs made reference to this (though i couldn't find it right now) with his S/S 08 collection. He said, and I paraphrase, that each piece is important to the collection, that one more, or one less look, can ruin the whole collection. He's one of a few that get this truth.

That truth, which some might argue, is understanding that it's not how many pieces are shown in a collection, but how well those pieces work together. There are collections like Ralph Lauren's that are made up of 60-70 looks, while others might include only 12. It's again how well those 70, or 12, pieces work together to present a complete and a true collection.

There are 5 points that make a painting endure the test of time and sky rocket it to stardom, and so it is with a collection. Here they are and we'll talk about them at another time. 1) Cohesiveness 2) Balance. 3) Has a point of view. 4) Originality. 5) Has a life, or soul.

*The above also applies to an individual look. It's what makes a true fashionist a style icon.

Covers We Like | Crash with Alice Dellal

Certain covers just catch my eye at times, for their simplicity yet original artistry and point of view. A perfect example is Crash's Summer 08 cover with Alice Dellal. Who her self has been a busy bee lately, getting the cover of LetThemEatCake issue#8 and an editorial in L’Officiel Russia, June 08. She to me is a fashion mini-icon, and who I believe is a natural fashionist; a natural sense of style and [my favorite word] attitude.

(I need to write about attitude soon).

New Face for July | Romana Vyhledalova

 
Goodbye June and hello July! For this month I've chosen a Czech Republic model (from Glamour Model Managment) named Romana Vyhledalova. Though unknown at large, I instantly loved her look, beauty, and gentle attitude. I hope you like her as well. You can find out more about her here.

Fall/Winter or Autumn/Winter ?

The industry, it seems, cant decide on a term, and hence acronym, for the season that follows Spring/Summer. The US seems to like Fall/Winter (F/W) while Europe tends to use Autumn/Winter (A/W). I seem to lean towards Autumn/Winter as it sounds more romantic and gentle. But which do you like best?
PS: The images are from a new editorial you can find on Fashion Phenoms!