Boards of Reality

Every season I always look out for and collect pictures of designers' backstage "model boards." I feel like these usually get overlooked in favor of other backstage pictures (like ones that actually feature models), but I think they're a goldmine of information especially if you're big on models.

Aside from individual model polaroids, these model board are the closest most of us will ever get to seeing models au naturale. And the beauty of these boards is that you can see all your favorite girls in one go, and even discover some new girls that you previously overlooked. In addition to being extremely functional, these boards also serve as the fashion version of "Where's Waldo" in that it can take a few seconds before you spot whichever model you're looking for.

The boards look different from designer to designer, yet they feature nearly all the same girls. Some have the girls in their full looks, others just feature their stark head shots. On the surface these board don't appear to be anything special; but if you look closely they're full of little surprises. (And I'm personally attracted to their meta aspect in that they're pictures of pictures. I just love that!) They tell you a lot about the models, and a lot about the show process if you pay extra attention to all the notes, post-its and scribbles. For example, I noticed at least two instances where a girl was on the board, but didn't actually walk the show in the end. Let's see if you can spot who and what shows I'm talking about. ;) If anyone actually gets this I'll be impressed because that means you actually read what I write instead of just scrolling past it....haha! I'll even give clues if you ask....

You get to see how the girls look without full hair and makeup and also how they look all lined up next to each other for comparison. You begin to notice similarities, differences, who's naturally beautiful, who needs a little help from the makeup, etc... Also, I think that age tends to shine through really well in these. Some of these girls really look their age (which is really young) without the glossy sheen of the runway to hide their youthful innocence. On model boards things are laid out bare, without pretensions, without editing. Perhaps the closest thing to reality in an industry that is all about aspirations.

Have you been able to spot Freja in all the model boards posted so far? And here's one last final board for you to look over. It made quite a stir for it's realness. Freja isn't on it, but a lot of girls are and if you haven't already, it's definitely worth perusing for a good while. Some models look amazing to the point where they look otherworldly (hello Constance!)....others, not so much. I feel like this could go in a new section of US Weekly called "Models, They're Just Like Us!" they age, they get bags under their eyes, and they even get acne. Not that I think this is a bad thing at all, mind you.

Fashion is a wonderful form of escapism and fantasy; but sometimes we all need to be reminded that it's "perfections" stem from the same imperfections that bind us all together and ground us in a solid reality.

BTW, most of the images are in HQ so definitely click through if you want a better look. Also, the show and the image source are all in the image file name.

Image Credits: cobrasmake, dazeddigital, dossierjournal, elle, elle.fr, fashionista, dolcegabbana, lastnightsparty, models.com, style.com, style.it, thelovemagazineblog, videofashion twitter, vmagazine, ysl facebook

It Takes Two to....

Tango
Vogue Germany April 2010
Ph: Karl Lagerfeld
Styling: Christiane Arp
Other models: Baptiste Giabiconi

I think this is one of the better things that Karl has shot featuring Freja. Maybe it's because there's a story motivating the photography, even though that story is probably trite and overwrought. But in this case I don't mind because I really enjoy seeing the chemistry between Freja and Baptiste.

They are really throwing themselves into the story, to the point where I actually believe there's some sort of relationship between the two of them. I'm sure in real life they're comfortable working with each other by now, after countless shoots together with Karl, and it really shows. There's an ease and relaxation in these images that can only stem from familiarity, and this is what makes the editorial so enjoyable to me.

I can already hear some people complaining that this is the same old thing from Karl and that it's boring and predictable, but I actually don't agree with this for once. I really wasn't expecting the dynamic movement and intimacy of the images. And even though the Tango story set in a cafe has been done before, this one still manages to be alluring, sexy and eye catching. I was looking at each and every image in order to catch all the details. And Freja plays this unexpected role quite well. I'm thrilled that she's gone from playing the sexless androgynous model to the sexy femme fatale in yet another show of her severely underrated versatility.

I feel like we're seeing a completely different model nowadays, and while I might still miss the Freja of yore, I'm starting to really admire this new one who is constantly surprising me with her maturity, intelligence and dexterity. It finally feels like Freja is completely at ease with her job as a model and that she's gained complete control of her body as a creative instrument.

You know, there is going to come a month where she won't have editorials in multiple magazines and I just don't know what I'm going to do when that happens. Sure, my wallet will be happy and I'll get a break from feeling like I have to say something pertinent, but I'll still be sad nonetheless. These past few months have been a complete joy in that I feel like we've seen Freja grow and transform once again before our eyes; like a second introduction five years into her career. And to be honest, I think we all needed that...at least, I know that I needed that.

Image Credits: scans by the wonderful helligirl @ tFS

Editorials Keep Pouring In

In addition to having editorials in the April issues of both Vogue UK and Vogue Germany, Freja also has another editorial in the upcoming April issue of W Magazine. It seems like "March Magazine Madness" isn't relegated to one month, and Freja's ubiquitous prominence in nearly all parts of the fashion world continues.

New York, New York 10021
Ph: Inez and Vinoodh
Styling: Alex White
Other Models: Raquel Zimmerman

We only have these small images with weird lines on them for now (part of W's "shop the issue" concept on their website), but I'll post better scans as soon as I can. From what I can see though, this editorial is glamorous, beautiful, and old school; and it gives us a good indication as to how people are conceiving of Freja's look now that androgyny is no longer her only calling card.

Image Credits: wmagazine

A Modeling Model

One of the things I enjoy the most about Freja's recent panoply of editorials is that they have given us the opportunity to see her work with people she doesn't normally work with. Patrick Demarchelier is the example here, and even though this new editorial isn't the most brilliant breakthrough of Freja's career, it is solidly decent, something different and shows us another side to her modeling skill.

Urban Renewal
Vogue UK April 2010
Ph: Patrick Demarchelier
Stylist: Lucinda Chambers

I'm a big fan of Lucinda's work and this editorial is no exception. It also helps that I absolutely love, love, love the trend towards modern, wearable, minimalistic clothes that real women who have real jobs can seamlessly integrate into their existing wardrobes (thank you Phoebe Philo!!). The clothes are straightforward and the styling, photography and model poses coincide with that aesthetic. Freja was the perfect girl for this shoot because I think her face personifies the mood of the layout; sleek, refined and modern, but not at the expense of being interesting.

Sure, it isn't ground breaking, but not every thing has to be. Sometimes you just want to see a good fashion spread with desirable clothes modeled by someone who knows what she's doing. Someone who's using her body in the best possible way to display the clothes. And lest we forget, that is the foundation of Freja's job after all, and she's damn good at it. For all the focus that's put on her personal life, who she's seen with and what she looks like off-duty, I can't help but feel that her abilities as a model are just an afterthought. I hope I'm wrong about this...and now that I think about it, that's probably the best summation as to why this blog exists. It's to bring the focus back to the work! Sorry for the tangent....

Anyway, Patrick's style can get very boring and repetitive, but under the styling hands of Lucinda I think this editorial is able to escape the mundane pitfalls of being just another plain studio edit. His style is distinct though. I see similarities between this editorial and the editorial that resulted from the last time Freja and Patrick worked together.

Proof that a photographer's direction has a lot to do with the way a model models? Yes, I definitely think so. Proof that Freja takes direction well and it easily malleable to different visions? Yes, I absolutely think so. Her body and her face are the creative vehicles and here she shows us that they are tuned up and in fine driving form.

By the way, who else thinks that Freja is waaaaay past due for a Vogue UK cover? Alexandra Shulman, the Freja fans are watching you. Don't let us down! You too Jaime Perlman. I know you're a fan....make it happen! (Hey, the return to femininity eventually happened after I griped about it many times last year. Maybe this will happen too, after I spend all of this year complaining about it. Ha!)

Image Credits: Beautiful scans of April issue of Vogue UK by tFS member fearless123, other scans by me