Modeling Journey

Pirelli enlists the remarkable artistic talents of Karl Lagerfeld and a cast of 21 models for it's Mythology themed 2011 calendar. The calendar features Lara Stone, Bianca Balti, Natasha Poly, Lakshmi Menon, Isabeli Fontana, Anja Kneller, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Freja Beha Erichsen, Elisa Sedanoui, Jeneil Williams, Iris Strubegger, Magdalena Frackowiak, Erin Wasson Daria Werbowry, Heidi Mount, Brad Kroenig, Garett Neff, Baptiste Giabiconi, Sebastian Jondeau, Brad Davies and actress Julianne Moore, each posing as different ancient Greek and Roman deities in varying states of undress. 

At the press conference for the unveiling of the calendar, Lagerfeld surmises "I wanted to do something different. I looked at all the other calendars," he said, adding that his had a message "of timeless beauty and youth." The 36 photos selected for the calendar, depict 24 different subjects, including gods, heroes and myths. Lagerfeld's series of black and white images take on a distinctly artistic slant with an emphasis on sculpture and form. Lagerfeld creates a luminous three dimensional quality to the images by contrasting stark backgrounds with light carefully positioned on the model's bodies. The resulting images are insanely beautiful and a welcome departure from the salacious pin-up style nudity of previous years.

I love this editorial shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin for V magazine's issue no. 48. The editorial, centred around the theme of before and after shots, features a cast of thirty models in their natural state and then with complete makeup, hair and styling. The juxtaposition between the before and after shots is startling and in most cases, I prefer the models pre-makeup and hair. Out of the thirty  beauties, Christy Turlington, Shalom Harlow, Lara Stone, Daria Werbowry, Raquel Zimmerman, Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly, Malgosia Bela and Natasa Vojnovic made my final cut.

Iconic model Daria Werbowry sets sail for the high seas in this free spirited editorial for the International Herald Tribune Style supplement, T magazine. The editorial shot by Cass Bird in St Bart's, features Werbowry at her best, thanks to the "less is more" styling by Sara Moonves. A sun-kissed Werbowry looks at one with nature in bikinis, tank tops and casual wear by Missoni, Erro, Liza Bruce, Opening Ceremony and Alexander Wang. 

Being a keen sailing enthusiast, Werbowry looks completely in her element. In fact shortly after this shoot, Werbowry was scheduled to embark on a two month island hopping sailing trip from Guatemala to Belize, with the final port of call being in Costa Rica. Werbowry reveals to T magazine that "Sailing is the closest I can get to nature - it's adrenaline, fear, a constant challenge and learning experience, an adventure into the unknown, and of course there is nothing better than wearing the same T-shirt for days and not brushing my hair for weeks." Werbowry's passion for sailing and life, permeate the editorial and illustrate why Werbowry has always been more of a character model rather than simply another pretty face.

I have been an avid collector of fashion magazines since the age of eleven. I can remember the first magazine I purchased being Vogue Italia and the feeling of wonder I felt as I was transported to a magical world of beauty, fantasy and creativity. I still have that edition in my possession. Back in the day I would purchase Vogue Italia, Paris Vogue, US Vogue, US Harper's Bazaar, Mademoiselle, W Magazine, Interview and Vanity Fair religiously each month. Nowadays with so many titles available on the market I have narrowed down my monthly mag fix to a select few.

If you are after an engrossing read which covers all aspects of the fashion industry, Industrie Magazine delivers just that. Self-described as "the world's first culture of fashion magazine", Industrie was founded in 2009 by Erik Torstensson and Jens Grede, and is published bi-annually. What I love about Industrie is that it's content is pure unadulterated fashion and it provides the reader with an insider's point of view of the machinations of the fashion industry. 

The magazine presents eloquent and thoughtfully written prose on all manner of topics ranging from fashion designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte fame, to legendary photographer, art director and editor of Interview magazine Fabien Baran. Industrie's second edition features interviews with three of fashion's power brokers ; mega-model agent Ivan Bart of IMG Models, Floriane de Saint Pierre (who is responsible for the appointment of perfect fit candidates such as Christopher Bailey to such high end fashion houses as Burberry), and lastly the President of the Federation Francaise de la Couture, Didier Grumbach.

Modelling's finest talent, Lara Stone, Daria Werbowry, Alessandro Ambrosio, Edita Vilkevicuite and Sigird Agren are also permitted to shine in editorials shot by Patrick Demarchelier, Solve Sundsbo, Camilla Akrans and Richard Bush. And as much as I love to see a model on the cover of a magazine, it must be said that Industrie's first three covers featuring Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs and Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, make for truly engaging cover subjects. 

American Vogue assembles an impressive cast of the industry's leading models for its annual "Shape Issue". Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott capture the incandescent beauty of a diverse group of models including Daria Werbowry, Lara Stone, Natalia Vodianova, Gisele Bundchen, Raquel Zimmerman and Joan Smalls. Each model's uniqueness and individual allure is showcased in a series of understated and elegant portraits. Styled by Tonne Goodman, the editorial features body conscious fashions in bold fire engine red and black set against a stark grey background. Seasoned veterans Werbowry, Zimmermann, Vodianova and Bundchen show why they are still at the top of their game after more than ten years in the game, whilst rising stars Stone and Smalls sparkle.

Paris Vogue's February edition offers a veritable smorgasbord of today's top models and fashions in a stunning portfolio photographed by Mario Sorrenti. Natasha Poly, Joan Smalls, Lara Stone, Freja Beha Erichsen, Sasha Pivovarova, Daria Werbowry, Daphne Groeneveld and Saskia de Brauw join forces to showcase the 65 looks for Summer. Sorrenti captures the individual beauty of each of the models in a celebration of bold, brazen femininity and glamour.