For the past few weeks I have been stalking my newsagent to see whether the autumn/winter 2012 issue of ELLE Collections had been released and now I am pleased to confirm that the issue has finally hit newsstands.
Today, just about every magazine has a runway magazine but sadly, very few offer anything that extends beyond simply providing a round-up of images from the big shows (hello, Style.com). As Joe Zee said at the IFBCon a while ago, the onslaught of the digital space has meant that editors have been forced to do just that, edit and Avril Mair, the magazine's editor, has mastered this.
While the magazine always features images of the top 10 shows, it also features street style photography from Tommy Ton, fun numbers round-ups and invite images along with a string of great stories. The main story in the latest issue centres around the appointment of Hedi Slimane at Yves Saint Laurent and Raf Simons at Christian Dior. In the piece, writer Holly Shackleton weighs in on how both appointments will impact the way we all dress in future and asked five industry heavyweights what they think we can expect from their highly anticipated shows this September.
It's that time again. The Fall issue of ELLE Collections has finally hit newsstands. Although we say it is every season, the latest installement is definitely the best yet. Touching on the controversy that has dictated the fashion headlines over the last six months, editor Lorraine Candyintroduces the issue by assuring us that it's still, as it should be, all about the clothes.
As always the issue features images that capture the key most memorable moments from this season. Nicola Formichetti's first bow as creative director of Mugler accompanied by Lady Gaga appears, as does a shot capturing the moment snow fell from the ceiling in the breathtaking production by Burberry - all of which is mixed amongst the latest campaigns and regulars like the season's best invites and Tommy Ton's best street style shots from the shows.
Pictures aside, what I most look forward to are the special interviews and this issue was no different. Susie Bubble was brought on board to talk to Alexander Wang about everything from those scathing comments from Cathy Horyn to his plans for the future and in a candid interview with Nicola Formichetti, the stylist professed his love of all things social media, revealed all about his latest porn project (yes, you did read that correctly) and how he juggles his comepeting commitements. Avril Mair also sat down to talk to Victoria Beckham after the royal wedding in an interview ithat was refreshingly fashion based rather than the tendancies to focus on her 'celebrity'.
Last month Nicola Formichetti was the centre of attention after he allegedly made derogatory statements about overweight people to W magazine - an assertion that he vigorously denies. Now the stylist is in the headlines again but this time for alleged ageist remarks. In the latest issue of ELLE Collections Formichetti said, "I think old people should just be old and go away," adding, "It's not about being in the industry for ten years anymore: it's about good ideas."
As The Cut point out, this clearly seems a case of wrong timing. After the W controversy it seems that people instantly interpreted these comments as being ageist when in actual fact, he seems to be referring to people that have worked in the industry for a long time rather than the elderly generally. He made this clear when he added: "[Fashion] still has this elitist feeling — it's really scary ... Me and Gaga, our motto is 'fuck fashion' because we love it so much we want to destroy it and start again and keep it fresh."
Good news for fans of ELLE Collections: there's now an iPad version of the well loved biannual fashion title that's been hailed as "the best magazine in its category" by Karl Lagerfeld. The app, which launches this week, will offer an interactive, insightful guide to the top 10 shows of the spring season, a roundup of the best accessories and exclusive backstage footage.
The main highlight of the app is its interactive capabilities, such as the option to watch the ELLE team talk through the shows or view an interactive front row feature all of fashion's who's who. You can find the free app through here.
Just before the start of the next fashion season we get excited. It's that time again: ELLE has hit shelves and has released the latest installment of their biannual guide to the collections. The latest issue is more special than usual as it sees the magazine celebrate the 10th edition.
If you're new to ELLE Collections, the magazine takes the reader behind-the-scenes of all of the big shows, shows the complete catwalk looks from the big collections and includes articles by acclaimed writers like Robin Givhan as well as fashion blogger favourite, Susie Bubble. "ELLE Collections is unlike any other newsstand magazine in this country," Lorraine Candy said. "As well as being a tool for the fashion industry due to the breadth of information from the runway shows and the exclsuove access to designers, it also has very high production values and an extraordinary approach to design and layout."
