Superlative Shoots
In addition to the usual-suspect monthly style mags we receive and allow to pile up in our foyers until we see a chewed-up copy of November's Elle at Aurora Foot Spa and realize we haven't yet cracked ours open, the year in online and niche fashion publications has been a visually stunning one. Creativity remains boundless, uncertain economic times be damned. We offer proof, in the form of snapshots from five of our favorite fashion stories this season.
The mag: W, now under control of Stefano Tonchi, former editor of T magazine. Tonchi's alphabetic switch-up when it comes to magazine titles this years has been debated in recent months. We're in the "good move" camp; there's something more topical about the publication, even if his psuedo-Sapphic love debut cover wasn't all that scintillating.
The story: "Spellbound," Alex Prager's fantastic resort wear story for the November issue. Saturated, lush, genius. We've been interested in the work of Prager's sister, Vanessa, for quite some time. How we love sibling rivalry.
The look: In this shot, Dior's silk organza dress. Click here for the full story.
The mag: Fly Magazine. If you don't have this one on your blog roll, add it. The Paris- and New York-based website casts aside stills for engrossing video. Always a hypnotic hit come mid-afternoon when your retinas demand something beautiful after staring at spreadsheets all day.
The video: "Cakes." Likely not eaten by any of the stick-thin models. But actually designed by some of fashion's biggest names. Here, the Cherry Blossom cake from Miu Miu.
Also check out: "Lou," Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci; don't you wish you were in New York right now?
The mag: Wonderland, the mag we never seem to find on newsstands; but luckily they seem to publish most of their balls-out fashion stories online.
The shoot: "69," photographed by Driu and Tiago and styled by Wonderland's fashion editor, Grace Cobb.
Why it's worthy: Attitude. So often it's manufactured. But this shoot is dripping with the authentic variety.
The mag: V magazine, which tapped model Natasha Poly for many jaw-dropping spreads.
The story: "City of God," photographed by Mario Sorrenti and styled by Jane How, known for her ad work with Christian Dior. A lot of buff men in the service of a pretty lady. But not viciously beaten up, as in the recent Interview story w/ Naomi Campbell. That one just scares us.
The discernible moral: When styled creatively and judiciously, fringe never goes out of fashion.
The mag: Contributing Editor, founded by Matthew Edelstein. Easily one of our favorite online fashion mags, and a prodigious one at that in terms of content.
The story: "Go West," photographed by Robert Nethery. Jonathan Lawhorne gets the fashion editor cred.
Why we've visited this page at least five times: First off, Ming Xi at Ford models is perfection. And Cavalli's collection is reason to celebrate (many of the looks use his pieces in the story). Look on the left: Roberto Cavalli vest, blouse, scarf, cummerbund and shoes; Levi's jacket, Bess trouser. Look on the right: Cavalli blouse, scarf and cummerbund; Missoni skirt, Stetson hat and Anna Sheffield ring.