Kool Like Karlie

Karlie by Terri Richardson

This six-foot bamboo pole of beauty and grace caught my attention because she had ballet training when she was younger. As someone who has nothing but love, passion and absolute respect for ballet as an art and ballet dancers as the most dedicated artistes, I am naturally more inclined to people who have experienced the beauty of dance and gone through the love-hate and obsessive compulsiveness that comes with perfection of this art form. Repetition of the same motions on a regular basis, just to achieve a personal standard that the dancer sets for his or herself based on the limitations of the respective bodies, without complaint is proof enough of the discipline a dancer has mentally and physically to push the body in that way.

It never occurred to me that it is a talent that dancers can move their bodies the way they do. For most part of my dancing years, the comparison I took on with my own body was with the professionals, oftentimes questioning why the turnout is not turned out, why the torso is too short, why can't I turn triples just like that and so on. Until about the age of 20, it came to my realisation that I was already gifted with one statement the ballet mistress made in class "remember the body doesn't naturally move or stand in this way" (or something like that). 

Ballet in particular is the foundation for most forms of dance. Watch So You Think You Can Dance and the judges usually advise the non-ballet trained to at least take a few classes to get their basics together. Ballet is so precise that there is no space for mistakes and one wrong placement will definitely, without a doubt, lead to muscles building in the wrong areas, killing lines and inevitably the professional career. This highly technical form of dance basically forces you to truly understand your body, from muscles that ache daily to those that you never even knew existed. It teaches form, discipline, posture and rhythm, which is exactly what Karlie herself referred to, that ballet taught her how to move.

The versatility of this leggy beauty is nothing short of impressive. If models are blank canvasses onto which hopes, dreams and ideas are displayed upon, then Karlie is definitely one of the top dogs. Her ability to morph into any style or look is a quality I believe all models dream to possess.

Alexander Wang Lookbook

From couture to Victoria's Secret to regular girl, Karlie has pretty much done it all, and all in her youth too. Talk about accomplishments.

Saucy and sultry for none other than Vogue Italia

Good morning Karlie

With Frida Gustavsson

And fellow VS Angel, Chanel Iman. Candid this-is-super-fun shots are the best. 

Adorable. Although not my favourite type of dog, but who's complaining?

Such is why, Karlie is model of the moment in my books. 
And then there's Freja. 
Float. 


♥,
Fir

Anna Dello Russo for H&M

 

So word is out that Anna Dello Russo is designing a collection of accessories for H&M. This collection will feature jewellery, shoes, bag, sunglasses and a trolley (?) and will be available at H&M stores around the world on 4 October 2012.

If you have the ADR syndrome, i.e. obsessive love for all things bling, you're going to love this collection. Watch a video of ADR talking about the inspiration for her collection and check out her Accessories Bibliothèque (home) here.

'They make a great sound... that bling-bling sound, it's a great sound because it's a therapeutic sound' - ADR on jewellery.

-Fal

Fairy Tales: Not for the fainthearted

Dreaming of a white Christmas led me (yes, Fir is still alive, thank you Fal for holding the fort) to thinking about snow. snow and white, white and snow and low and behold, Snow White came waltzing through my dreamscape with hair as black as a raven's, skin as white as snow, lips as red as a rose and a voice so high-pitched like she has a constant supply of helium in her lungs.

For Snow White, Brothers Grimm trumps Disney hands down. The cartoon is a watered down version of the original tale, tailored for the kids and for consumption by the masses. In fact, most fairy tales are a little sinister behind the facade of happy endings, prince charmings and beautiful damsels in distress. Most people choose to overlook the darkness behind these happy tales, choosing to push those dark thoughts to the periphery, aided by none other than the media big-wigs eager to keep their audiences happy and wanting more. After all, life is tough enough as it is, no one needs more evil on screen, everyone just wants a two hour escape from reality.

In the original version, Snow White actually only 'died' on the wicked Queen's third try with the poisoned apple; her first two assassination attempts failed thanks to the dwarfs who managed to revive the (stupid or naive) girl twice. It is indeed satirical that Snow White, the Queen and the Prince (the main characters) are portrayed as such separate entities from the dwarfs even though they are all human; from the way their relationships roll out right down to where they work; the dwarfs are diamond miners who slog underground, and where they stay; in a secluded cottage in depths of the forest, away from public scrutiny. It comes so naturally to think of one Snow White and seven dwarfs that the fact that there was one female with seven males in one secluded house doesn't even cross our minds. What more to think that one of the dwarfs might actually end up with Snow White doesn't even occur and if it does, it's (unfortunately) somewhat repulsive. Another thing is that they all don't have names. Snow White would be a lot sexier if the 7 dwarfs were named after the 7 deadly sins.

Sad but true, we've all been conditioned by the fairy tale into believing in happy endings. Sure, we scoff at the cheesy lines and sappy scenes (so lame right) but deep down, that little voice goes awwww. Contemporary fairy tales restructured into cartoons still follow the same formula, albeit with updated humour, better graphics and better looking leads with better clothes. All the better for mass consumption.

However, the original versions of the fairy tales are the most haunting and definitely the most fascinating. They are gloriously magical, openly sinister and do not always end on that cheery and unrealistic happy note. Take Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid for example, her body dissolved into foam and she turned into a spirit who had to do good to earn her place in the kingdom of heaven. The nonsensical logic that governs the entire Alice In Wonderland pokes fun at the inherent need for science and logic in our daily lives. The Six Swans is another heart-wrenching tale that is centred around the suffering and sacrifice of one beautiful maiden who spun at the spindle for six years to make magical jackets for her six brothers. They had been turned into swans by an evil stepmother (of course) with only fifteen minutes of being human each evening.

There are so many other tales that are equally haunting and a little twisted, especially those of Russian folklore. Russian fairy tales are a window into the elusive Russian culture (the Cold War and communism partly to blame for Russia's exclusion from the greater world culture also known as Macdonalds and Starbucks).

Fairy tales, old or new, revised or original, have inspired designers and photographers alike. Budding young designer label from London, Vassilisa, plays on Russian folklore and heritage. Through a modern interpretation of myth, history and symbolism, designer Nadja Solovieva presents gorgeous pieces that encompasses beauty, magic and femininity. Her Spring Summer 2012 birds collection is simply gorgeous complete with romantic prints and soft luxurious silks.



The fairy tale theme is often employed by photographers as well for fashion shoots, the fantasy theme lends itself brilliantly to the editorial and translates to that magic and mystery in the glossy pages of a magazine.

Snow White and Dopey perhaps

Did you guess this? Alice in Wonderland

Down the yellow brick road

There is nothing more distinctive than that red riding hood

Beauty and the Beast in Vogue

A personal favourite, the Princess and the Pea

The Nutcracker reinterpreted

Imogen Morris-Clarke shot by Tim Walker for Vogue Italia

Granted, there is lots to say about the fairy tale and its hidden agendas but when it comes to the fairy tale as inspiration be it for clothes or photography, the resulting product draws you into the fantasy and mystery like no other and so we've come to the happily-ever-after.

 ♥,
Fir

Fashion week goes online

Vogue has just made fashion history with its first ever Online Fashion Week. I'm really curious to see how this is going to pan out, but Vogue has promised a really exciting showcase of online activities that is sure to keep you glued to your screens. Hundreds of retailers have come on board to offer exclusive and limited edition collections, stunning competitions and never-seen-before content. I'm definitely not going to miss out on the special online events, prizes, discounts and free gifts. 


All these activities are going to take place on Vogue's OFW blog in which there will be live-blogging 24-hours-day for five full days. The line up of designers include Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Mulberry, Stella McCartney, Prada, Burberry, Miu Miu and Christain Louboutin. High street brands such as Topshop, Reiss, Gap and Urban Outfitters have also been roped in. 


The idea of taking Fashion Week online is simply brilliant, since people from around the globe can now participate in the event without feeling left out. I've listed a few of OFW highlights throughout the week (all timings are in local Singapore time):


Mon, 5 Dec, 9:00pm

Advice From The Top

Top industry figures reflect on their career successes and offer advice on how you can get started in the industry.

Tues, 6 Dec, 9:30pm

HANDBAG HALF HOUR: Anya Hindmarch on Twitter

Handbag designer Anya Hindmarch will be taking part in a Twitter takeover - answering all of your questions via @BritishVogue.

Wed, 7 Dec, 11:00pm

Online Fashion 100

Leon Bailey-Green will be unveiling his annual Online Fashion 100 exclusively on VOGUE.COM during Online Fashion Week. The list names the 100 most influential figures in the digital fashion industry. Come back at 3pm on Wednesday 7th December to see it here.

Ready your phones, computers and iPads because you don't want to miss this extravaganza. Online Fashion Week kicks off in a few hours - 9.36am today! Click here to visit the OFW blog.



♥,
Fal

Milan Fashion Week: Gucci S/S 2012

An overdue note on the Gucci show at Milan Fashion Week. I strongly believe the writers from Vogue.com in the front row at MFW would provide a way better show report than one that I could possibly write over here. That being said, please don't close this tab because I will nonetheless talk about what I felt about the show. It is strange for an Italian show that I felt a hint of that Willy Wonka darkness and mystery à la Johnny Depp and yet saw Charlie's Chocolate factory in the (dizzying) display of geometric shapes and patterns boldly emblazoned with striking gold, black, white and silver embellishments on swing dresses, jackets and pants. Frida Giannini was clearly for the drop waist and swing dress, reminiscent of the flapper from the roaring Twenties, bringing back some of the glitz, glamour and fun from that era. As the first show to open Milan Fashion Week, Gucci sure did the dynamic and alluring Italian fashion scene proud. Impressive? Word. 

♥,
Fir

The September Issue

"September is the January in fashion."

This year, I somehow remembered that September was at my doorstep, and reminded myself to get a copy of the September issue of Vogue, which happens to be as thick and heavy as an encyclopedia. I spent Sunday afternoon pouring through the magazine, or should I say fashion encyclopedia, and feeling very inspired after that. 

I think I revered the September issue of Vogue a little more this year after I watched the documentary film 'The September Issue', which was a peek into Anna Wintour's life as well as the assembling together of 2010's September issue of Vogue. If you love fashion, you simply HAVE to watch this (I thoughtfully put the trailer below).

Documentary film aside, here's a peek into what I really like in this coming month's issue of Vogue.

Featured on the cover is Kate Moss, and within the magazine, you'll find a whole fashion spread/ photoshoot of Miss Moss' very lovely wedding in the English countryside. Vogue flew two of its photographers to Cotswold to take her wedding photos. With her gown made by John Galliano himself and her gorgeous photos featured in the September issue, Kate Moss is one lucky woman.

Then there's Karlie Kloss' fashion shoot in Beijing.

What caught my eye though, was a write-up on designers closely identified with a certain aesthetic, and the five different personalities that have emerged from such an aesthetic, namely, the romantic, the modernist, the bourgeoisie, the artisans and the subversives. Try making a guess on which designers have been catergorised under the personalities above.

While I've listed some of my favorite articles in this month's magazine, you'll find other interesting features within the magazine. So go get your hands on the September issue of Vogue now.

♥,

Fal