On the Beauty of Magazines

I finally got around to picking up a copy of Freja's Vogue UK. My encounter with this particular issue is just going to reiterate how important I think it is to buy actual magazines because the viewing experience is so much more enriching and fulfilling than just seeing the images online. The colors seem more vibrant, the glossiness of the paper adds dimension and having a tangible object in your hands makes the images look better......at least to me. You're also privy to more information about the images you're viewing, making for a more robust experience. Case in point: The editor's letter and contributors pages tell us what people think about Freja, and they tell us about the context and inspiration for her editorial.

I feel like I was destined to love this editorial because it combines two of my (and probably the vast majority of twenty-something females') interests: art and fashion. I know this isn't a novel concept by any means, but I feel like rarely do we get to see the connection and conversation between the two so pronounced as it is in this editorial. Josh Olins took his cue from English figurative painter Euan Uglow. Knowing this tiny, but significant, fact changes things completely. I now look at the editorial with new eyes and the images take on new significance, especially when compared with their inspirational source:

If you read about Uglow and his artistic process, Olin's photographs don't seem so simple in their appearance anymore. My previous thoughts on the editorial read Freja's positions and poses as the best way to display the clothes. But I found this particular bit about Eglow's working methods particularly enlightening:

"Planes are articulated very precisely, edges are sharply defined, and colours are differentiated with great subtlety. His type of realism has its basis in geometry...."

That's from his Wikipedia page. (I have better researching skills but considering my lack of time and library resources, that will have to do.) Freja was posed that way to emulate the figures in Uglow's work. The planes, sharp edges and colors also happen to be great ways to show off new looks for the upcoming season. :) Fashion and art intersect in so many ways that it's a pity the same respect and scholarly seriousness hasn't been accorded to fashion like it has been to art....but that's a whole other story.

In case you want to know, here's what Josh said about Freja on the Contributors Page:

"I'm really glad my first cover is with Freja. She's beautiful but boyish, and has this great repertoire of innocent and feminine expressions. She'll sit down and look grumpy, but when you take the picture she looks captivating."

And here's what Alexandra Schulman said in her Editor's Letter:

"We all admire Freja for her distinctive looks, which stand out amoung the sea of pretty, tawny-haired models that often prevail on the catwalk. Photographer Josh Olins's shoot, featuring autumn's off-beat colour mixes, is the perfect vehicle for her boy/girl allure."

Mentioning Freja and "boyishness" has become too easy and trite that's it's completely lost all meaning for me. I wish people would start to move away from that because it dilutes the meaning of the term, and frankly I think it's a misuse. In her modeling work I really don't see how she's more boyish than any other model. Hilary Rhoda and Isabeli Fontana (no offense to them) have the manliest jaws in the industry but they're both considered "sexy." Maybe the term is in reference to her body, but in editorials where she's wearing clothes to cover that up it becomes a non-issue. Maybe it's in reference to her demeanor in person and on set, and for that I have no factual basis to judge that on. It just don't get it, so please someone enlighten me. Moving on....

This instance just strengthens my resolve to continue buying magazines because the industry cannot die out. If I had not bought this issue I never would have read about the Uglow reference. It would be a travesty to lose the print industry; not just magazines but books as well. Having something in my hands forces me to read it and absorb it more than I would have if it was just on the screen. (The irony of me using a digital method to communicate this message isn't lost on me.) Technology is wonderful and it gives us so many things, but to completely lose the preciousness and uniqueness of certain experiences in the haste towards progress and technological trends would be a huge mistake. It doesn't have to be one or the other. People can have i-Pads and e-readers and still buy magazines and books, with both mediums working in concert to create a complete and total experience. Or maybe I'm just too old-school and living in a dream world....

Image Credits: Scans by tFS member fearless123, artnet.com, marlboroughfineart.com, telegraph.co.uk

Random Bits: Inspiration, Encounters and Candids

-Molly Girard Coonan and Alice Barlow, the two people behind new label Barlow, are just like us in that they find a source of inspiration in Freja. Her picture is apparently up on their inspiration board, and they told NY Mag's The Cut that they "like to mix in elements that are both masculine and sexy." Well, if you ask me they couldn't have picked a more perfect source for that type of inspiration.

-I came across a lovely (but oldish) Freja encounter. During the shooting of the editorial "Before the Fall" for Vogue UK August 2008, fashion intern Rebecca got to meet Freja and just recently posted about the experience (complete with pictures) on her blog. Here's a snippet of what she had to say:

"Anyway in between camera flashes and set manoeuvres I found myself, the overzealous intern, engrossed in conversation with Freja and mesmerised by how laid back she was. Personally, I was overwhelmed by the whole experience. I’d acquired my own chauffeur for the day to ferry me to and from the studio, I was immersed in a sea of designer shoes and garments that, no doubt, amounted to more than what I would earn in my life time and I had drinks, CHOCOLATE, and first class food on tap. Freja was, obviously, used to what I wasn’t! and seemed so happy to sit and chat with me about me – oh and tatoos. She has ‘Float’ scrawled across her neck amidst numerous other skin engravings. She informed me that she just floats through life – like I hadn’t noticed."

You can see the pictures over on her blog as I don't feel comfortable posting them on here because I really only came across them by chance.

-Lastly, here's a candid picture of Freja, Abbey Lee and Leigh Lezark back in May at the Chanel Cruise show that was held in St. Tropez. It's still slightly odd to see Freja wearing a "color" other than black. ;)

Image Credits: My Scan

Building a Wardrobe

With the number of things being named after Freja, you could most definitely start a wardrobe. First we had the Jill Stuart and Chloe bags, then we had shoes covered by Alexander Wang, and now we move onto clothes. In addition to a Marc Jacobs dress, Freja has a Christopher Kane dress named after her as well. Thanks to an anonymous commenter for tipping me off!

Freja Embroidered Dress

And probably by no coincidence, it's also the same dress she wore to close out the S/S 10 runway show:

It seems as if Christopher, like Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs, likes to name his designs after the models that wear them and/or inspire him. Here is the Katlin (Aas) Gingham Silk Dress:

Know of any more products? Let me know and I'll add them to the rapidly expanding closet!

Image Credits: net-a-porter, style.com

Freja Gets Taller

Do you remember last season's Alexander Wang Lace-Up Stiletto Boot with Zip Detail named after Freja? Well, this season it's back and taller than ever before. Behold the Freja Laced Tall Boot:

When the cold, crisp days of fall creep back upon us, you can take comfort knowing that you're calves will be wrapped snugly in black leather....never mind your exposed toes though. I suppose fashion can't be practical 100% of the time. ;)

Freja is one of the few models to return this season with an A. Wang product named after her. Granted it's just an update of last season's shoe, so of course the name would remain the name. Nevertheless, the shoe must have been a great S/S season seller if it was deemed worthy enough to return in some variation for the F/W season as well. How appropriate to name an indefatigable shoe after an indefatigable model.

Alex always names his accessories and footwear after models; so in case you're wondering, this season also features a Constance (Jablonski) Platform Chukka Bootie, Daria (Werbowy) Small Duffle bag (which I'm already lusting over), and Addison (Gill) Mid-Calf Platform Boot. If you like to drool over accessories like I do, the full F/W 10.11 Accessory report is up here.

Image Credits: Style.com

The Namesake Part II

Thanks to an anonymous commenter, I found out that Freja also has a Marc by Marc Jacobs Ruffle Dress named after her.

It's from an older season, and not very Freja-ish if you ask me. But I guess that's not necessarily the point of naming something after someone. The object doesn't literally have to be inspired by the person. The act of naming can just be a sign of admiration and acknowledgment. And sometimes it's just for fun. There are a variety of possible reasons behind namesakes. Regardless, it's just nice to know that Freja is well-known and well-liked enough to have so many things named after her.

Am I missing anything else? Does Freja also have a small country named after her or something? I actually wouldn't be surprised if there was a small province in China named after her...they do love her a lot over there. :)

Image Credits: net-a-porter.com

The Namesake

First it was Jill Stuart. Then it was Chloe. Now Alexander Wang is the latest designer/brand to name one of his products after Freja. Breaking away from the two before him, Alex decided to go the shoe route rather than the bag route. Behold the Freja Lace-Up Stiletto Boot with Zip Detail:

The second they made their debut on the runway you could hear all the Wangsters and fashionistas alike swooning over the zippered, laced-up, folded-over, seemingly three-shoes-in-one details. They are guaranteed to be the it shoe come spring which means Freja will literally be walking all around us.

It's no secret Alex takes a lot of inspiration from models. He has already named some of his other products after them (most notably the Coco Duffle, although the name has now changed to the Rococo Duffle) and this season also features the Alla (Kostromicheva) Leopard Haircalf Wedge Mule. It was just a matter of time before he used Freja as a namesake since we already know that he's a Freja fan.

How very fitting that next seasons' sure to be most coveted shoe is named after one of fashion's most coveted models. And for once I think the product fits its namesake very well because I can actually picture Freja wearing these and integrating them into her current wardrobe. I couldn't really picture her carrying her Jill Stuart bag:

Nor her Chloe clutch (as gorgeous as it may be):

Alex's shoe gives off the right amount of the downtown, cool girl who doesn't give a shit and looks fabulous without even trying, vibe that fits Freja's sartorial personality much better than the two bags do. What do you think? Would you ever wear or carry Freja? Are some of you going to be making a big shoe purchase come springtime? All I can say is that my bank account is happy my feet can't handle stilettos...

Image Credits: style.com, fashionista, thebagforum (and thanks for the heads up slow_hands!)

Fans in High Places

It's no secret that Freja has a huge fan base scattered all over the world. However, what's becoming more apparent is that Freja has a huge fan base within the fashion industry as well. The latest to join the club are Rag & Bone designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, who have always been very model friendly.

There’s nothing like the backstage at Rag & Bone to immediately make you feel those high school insecurities all over again. With hot, hot design duo Marcus Wainwright and David Neville and their muse Freja Beha looking cool as hell, and male models and hipsters alike sipping on Peroni and smoking cigs, it’s no surprise this collection is a favorite of the cliques du jour. In fact, when I asked Marcus about the inspiration behind the spring collection he said, “It’s very Rag & Bone, it’s Freja.” Can’t argue with that! On a side note, I did see a striking blond model (not one of the Sashas!) crying by the bathroom backstage, with Gucci Westman’s makeup masterpiece dripping down her face, further proof that it’s not easy being beautiful.

Now, I've always thought Freja was more of an Alexander Wang type of girl. She does live in his T by Alexander Wang line of shirts and tanks, but I think it's wonderful that designers are taking inspiration from her uber-cool, laid back personality. She does personify an effortless, cool vibe that many people strive to emanate, yet with Freja it doesn't feel contrived in the slightest.

With fans like these in high places I guess it's only a matter of time before more and more collections become "very Freja" and we all start looking like mini-clones. :)

Image Credits: blog.shopbop.com

Inspiration

I could not get yesterday's Chanel Cruise collection out of my head. After I had a chance to digest the images, the styling and mood of show really struck a chord with me and I decided to do a little research about Karl's inspiration.

Before the show even happened, word was already making its way around the blogosphere about what to expect. We learned from style.com to look for something reminiscent of Peggy Guggenheim. Vogue.co.uk told us to imagine a collection inspired by 1930's Venetian high society. After the images came out, it was clear to me that Karl was more inspired by the later.

All of the models came down the runway in wigs and makeup clearly inspired by Marchesa Casati, an early 20th century eccentric Italian heiress who lived in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni located on the Grand Canal in Venice, the city where the Chanel show took place. Fittingly enough, in the late 1940s the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni became home to Peggy Guggenheim, and it is now the current home of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of early 20th century European and American art.

When you take the time to research things you begin to see that everything is really connected. Marches Casati is not new to the fashion conscious as she also served as inspiration to John Galliano's Haute Couture SS98 Christian Dior collection.

She was known for her vibrant red hair, white powdered face, kohl-lined eyes and vermilion red lips. Once you realize this, the reference is just unmistakable.

(Edita Vilkeviciute)

You have to give credit to Karl for taking a theme and running with it. Whether it's the tropical luxury of Miami beach or the Russian nights of Moscow, Karl makes his inspirations very clear. This is exactly the kind of escapism that I think we all need at the moment. We couldn't be there sitting on deck chairs at Lido beach, but we could all certainly feel the atmosphere through the models, makeup and clothes.

(HQs)

One last note about the degree to which everything is connected: Casati lead a very lavish lifestyle as part of Venetian high society. She eventually amassed a great deal of debt and had to auction off her personal items, and rumor has it Coco Chanel herself was a bidder in the auction.

Image Credits: amazon.com, designhistory.org, fashionologie