First Look: Alexander McQueen Fall 2010 Portfolio by Annie Leibovitz

The last ever Collection of 16 outfits made by the late Alexander McQueen for fall 2010 are each masterpieces. They were presented in a medieval hotel room setting, accompanied by the music of Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, which they say McQueen listened to while making the collection. The Collection has such exquisite craftsmanship that with silhouettes that Lee had cut himself. It has so many references to his previous collections and yet it, so ironically, does look as his crowning glory. His creativity, combined with his deep understanding of medieval art, silhouettes and ancient craft techniques, are exemplified in each of the pieces. With fabrics cut from the digitalised prints of Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delight, the outfits look literally heavenly. They are dazzling with loads of gold, mystery, and a beauty that is beguiling and surreal. Each model looked like a Goddess. 


The presentation of this collection in an intimate setting was questioned because of his having been the extravagant showman that he had been. Yet the clothes and his art shone brighter than ever against what seemed as the perfect setting. It makes u think it could not have got better than this. I might sound completely creepy but these clothes made me feel like they were made by someone who transcended life. The entire collection of 16 outfits can be seen here , in case if you have not seen before or want to have another look at it. Believe me. U cant get enough of it. 


The Collection's portfolio has been shot by Annie Leibovitz in a completely different setting but the essence has been captured precisely. With the wooden packing boxes, jute fibres, and the shadow-light play, the clothes get much larger than life and timeless. Especially the second pic featuring what was called the highlight of the collection. Irina K looks literally on top of the world. The other models featured are Tanya D., Frida Gustavsson, Raquel Zimmermann and Karlie Kloss. 

Photo Credit: vogue.com

This or that: Cameron Diaz for Vogue UK July 2010 vs Vogue Australia Aug 2010

A few days ago, we had a write up on the entire shoot and cover featuring Cameron Diaz for Vogue UK's July 2010 Issue here . It seems a different pic has been chosen for Vogue Australia's August 2010 Issue while featuring the same shoot. The outfit is the same but its just a different pose.

Now, while i didnt particularly like the earlier cover, iam not really warming up to the second cover either. on first sight, i kinda liked the new cover and thought the pose was better. but the font colors kill it. now it seems the earlier cover was better and the side pose was more suited for the cover!

Cameron Diaz for Vogue Australia August 2010          Cameron Diaz for Vogue UK July 2010

Tanya Dziahileva for Harper's Bazaar Spain July 2010

(Click the pictures for a bigger view)

Belarusian Model Tanya Dziahileva appears on the July Issue of Harper's Bazaar Spain, thats been shot in the crystal- clear beaches of Mauritius.The fresh make up, Swarovski and Bvlgari jewels and glamourous outfits only add to this celebration of summer. Here are some of the pictures from this citrus- fresh shoot.

The shoot features some glamourous individual pieces. The sequinned jacket in the first pic by budding Spanish Designer Maria Escote is one such. And so is the sequinned Giorgio Armani mini skirt in the second pic. These ultra- glam pieces have been taken out of their party/ evening setting and styled aptly to work in the sun, water and sand.

Maria Escote                                                  Giorgio Armani/ Lacoste

Another key part of this shoot are some fun and playful mini dresses like the two below. While that Louis Vuitton is full on playful with the colors especially working with the backdrop's blue and white, that Balmain is edgy and sexy. Contrasting pieces yet each work just as well.

            Louis Vuitton                                                                       Balmain              

What sweetly surprised me though is the Beauty Element thats been brought into a playful, sexy setting. May it be the first Elie Saab or the bottom Ralph Lauren gowns, me thinks its a nice and new dimension. They do have a sophistication about them.       

                     

Elie Saab, Emilio Pucci, Ralph Lauren

The high- fashion outfits have been handled with such ease and carelessness and that i think is the main thing that makes this shoot work!

Photo Credit: fashiongonerogue.com

Mariacarla Boscono for Vogue Russia July 2010

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The first thing that occurred to me while I saw this shoot was this paragraph from Lauren Weisberger's The Devil wears Prada, where Andrea the Assistant describes her boss Miranda.

"...Either way, it was perfection. She looked breathtaking. She herself was an objet d'art, chin jutted upward and muscles perfectly taut, a neoclassical relief in beaded Chanel silk. She wasn't beautiful- her eyes were a bit too beady and her hair too severe and her face much too hard- but she was stunning in a way I couldn't make sense of, and no matter how hard I tried to play it cool, to pretend to be admiring the room, I couldn't take my eyes off her..."


Italian Model and Theatre Actress Mariacarla Boscono appears on the July 2010 issue of Vogue Russia. The shoot has been done by Sharif Hamza and has been shot in the Roberto Cavalli House in Florence, Italy. It features some of the outstanding Cavalli outfits I've ever seen, with exquisite jewelry from Florence's ver own Gold Merchants Ponte Vechchio Gioielli to Yves Saint Laurent, Bvlgari, Grimoldi,  Pasquale Bruni and Kara Ross.

Cavalli's Animal Prints just overflow with the rugs, carpets, outfits, backdrops and one word to sum up the shoot would be Fierce. This quality has been brought out so well that its almost in- your- face, with Mariacarla's sharpness of features and expression being the perfect foil.

*The Good*

The first three pics here are all outdoors and are what I call the good pics of the lot. The red mini dress is a perfect contrats for that Leopard fur Coat while the pencil skirt in the second pic is such a match for that voluminous top. The third pic's fur coat is again stunning. While iam not loving the hat, I can understrand the quality it brings with it. And how amazing is that footwear in the first pic!

*The Better*:

The Next lot is the better ones which includes the cover. The first pic almost makes her look like an animal herself with her frame, her pose and that leopard print patchwork in the trousers. The second pic is relatively toned down and that Jumpsuit in the cover pic is ultra playful. I have to say the gold jewelry here is amazing and especially the necklace in the middle pic. How cool is that!

*The Breathtaking*:

The third lot here is Breathtaking. The animal prints are back in full flow and the first pic with the tiger- print maxi has so many prints overflowing everywhere yet it works in such perfect harmony! The detailing of the second gown is stunning while the gold and black sequinned dress is such a sharp contrast to that soft fur rug. Am not a fan of smoking bu the cigarettes here and the red nails and lips, are the glorious finishing touches.

Overall, this is one opulent shoot that has completely blown me away. The creative madness has overflown and that shows!

Photo Credit: fashiongonerogue.com

Katherine Heigl for Harper's Bazaar June 2010

American Actress Katherine Heigl features in the June 2010 Issue of Harper's Bazaar. Katherine had a movie coming up this month- The Killers.

Must admit that the shoot has quite a personality. The first words that came to my mind on seeing these pictures are aristocratic and rich. It has been shot by Alexi Lubomirski and has a beautiful 50's feel to it. Its sophisticated, elegant and at the same time quite playful (with the lovely dogs and all!). I am a fan of her but didnt quite knew that she could have this regal air about her. A part of this must be down to the charming location and classy outfits from the coming Autumn/ Winter 2010-11. The Hair and make up especially are flawless.

The first pic here is obviously the cover and its quite cheery and sets the tone for the Editorial inside. The next pic has her wearing a Lanvin Jacket that has such a graceful drape at the bottom and is so very well fitted that it showcases Katherine's perfect shape.

                                                                                        Lanvin

While the next shot here is quite Lady-like with her wearing the Louis Vuitton, its back to being girly and playful with that Oscar De La Renta. The pleats, ruffles, the buttoned up collar and the skirt's silhouette are so modern yet so distinctly 50's.

                              

Louis Vuitton                                                         Oscar De La Renta

*Picks of the Lot*

Not being able to pick one out as my favorite, I am going with both of these two pictures down here as my favorites. While the first pic is just as dreamy as that Marc Jacobs blouse and skirt, the second pic adds such a playful juvenile quality to that 50's Prada Frock dress (the head band is a cool addition!)

Marc Jacobs                                                                Prada

Over all, this may not be stylistically ground breaking but its such an example of how a shoot can not just focus on a star but have an uniqueness about it instead of being random.

Photo & ID Credit: Harper's Bazaar

Inside Filmfare July 2010: Sonam Kapoor

Here are some of the pics from the inside of Filmfare July 2010 Issue that has Sonam Kapoor on the Cover. The first pic here has her wearing an Asmita Marwah Summer/Resort 2010 dress which looks miles better here than it did in the runway, with those very interesting accessories.  ( It could be seen here )

Asmita Marwah

The second shot here has her wearing a Rajesh Pratap Tunic and as fabulous the Jacket/ Tunic and the shoes are, the shot could have been done without as it kinda feels out of place from the rest. It would have fared far better has the hair been worn better like the other pics here. The trousers had to have been done without and swapped for a funky shorts or skirt in white me thinks. The shoes however are so very sexy. 

Rajesh Pratap

*Pick of the Lot*

The third pic here where she is wearing a Sonal Dubal outfit is my favorite of the lot. The hair, the lighting, the backdrop, the outfit, the expresiion- everything is in sync and she looks so demure and earthy and sophisticated. Also, Theres something about barefeet thats far more sensuos than any pumps!

Sonal Dubal

She again wears an Anamika Khanna here and the Jacket is seriously interseting, and the trousers are not the least bit less interesting either. I would have loved to see this pic shot in the previous pic's lighting and shade. One thing thats for sure is that its Sonam who has the utmost grace and nonchalance to wear Anamika Khanna. 

Anamika Khanna

Pics Courtesy: Sonam K FC Facebook Group

Sonam Kapoor for FilmFare July 2010

FilmFare, one of India's most popular film Magazines features one of its favorites, Actress Sonam Kapoor on the first half of July 2010's Issue. Just in time for her upcoming Film Release 'I Hate Luv Storys', i would think. She is wearing quite a playful summery white dress by one of her favorite designers Anamika Khanna. Sonam is a far better model than most of the other film stars, not just in terms of her physique but her effortlessness and ease. It only comes to fore yet again in this picture. The White- Green- Black color scheme of the Cover works well, while the picture itself looks to me like it needs just a tiny wee bit of oomph to bring it to life. Those Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Wedges, however, are so flirtarious and so are those bohemian- looking Curio Cottage Accessories. Over all, I can see that It has had the makings of a great Cover.

Picture Courtesy: Sonam K FC ( http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55945&id=1628237862&l=43b02a10f0#!/profile.php?id=1628237862 )
Dress and Wedges ID Courtesy: www.highheelconfidential.com

Sarah Jessica Parker for Elle June 2010

SJP appears on Elle's June 2010 Issue and this is one of the pictures from the feature. She is wearing a very pretty Moschino dress which on first look i thought was a Valentino Spring Summer 2010. The ruffles and the fabric look rather similar. Nevertheless, its cute except that I wish it were an inch or two shorter. The star of the ensemble however are the Leaf green Christian Louboutin pumps that are so Carrie Bradshaw, and so is the black bra that peeps out. I for one have been a fan of her being a brunette than a blonde. The stockings do look a tad bit too girly; I would have preferred side parting of the hair and some accessorising, but have to say that she does look fresh!

Picture Courtesy: ellenow.com

AbhiAsh for Vogue India July 2010

My favorite celebrity couple Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan feature in the cover of Vogue India's July 2010 Issue. My first thought was why they are being featured in this issue rather then the one before as it would been an added medium of publicity for their film Raavan that got released on the 18th of June.

Coming back to the cover, the scheme of colors is really good even though I would not say it is summery. The costumes are good and the couple looks great, but other than that, it just looks as an okay sort of a cover. Their expressions just seem a bit out of sync and tried hard. I am not able to get any particular feel out of it. And where is Ash's other leg? Photoshop or mere shadows?

Photo Courtesy: Vogue India

Cameron Diaz for Vogue UK July 2010

Actress Cameron Diaz graces the Cover of Vogue UK's July 2010 'Ageless' Issue. The Cover and the Editorial inside screams Summer in spite of not using some of the usual summer suspects such as Floral Prints or bright summery colors. Cameron looks amazing for a 38 year old. Messy hair and no- make up look goes well with the loose shirts, khakis and jackets. I am not being able to pick a favourite but am especially loving the white lace top and the sequinned tube top. 

Thumbs up factors:

Shorts that help flaunt those killer legs

Styling that suits her casual style and cheerful persona

Great ambience that makes the pictures all the more alive than look like post cards.

On the flip side, as always, I do think Vogue could have picked a better pic for the Cover!