There's a reason why KarlieKloss is one of the most in demand models of the moment. Aside from the obvious, she manages to straddle the line between youth and sex appeal with ease. It was only a month or so ago that she was dressed like a teenager in floral prints for the latest Juicy Couture campaign but her latest shoot for Numéro is far from PG.
The model, who recently marked coming of age by striping down for Vogue Italia's December issue and becoming a Victoria's Secret's Angel, donned latex and well, not much else for the December issue of the magazine shot by Greg Kadel. Her body is on a full show, which is perhaps a deliberate move giving the finger to the critics that slammed her for representing an unhealthy body image for young girls.
The launch of Carine Roitfeld's new magazine, CR Fashion Book, hasn't been without its controversies. As you will know, Condé Nast reportedly banned several photographers, models and stylists from collaborating with the former Vogue Paris editor but despite all of that, Roitfeld is flying high. The preview of the issue has gone down well and this weekend, just about everyone turned up to congratulate her at the party she hosted to celebrate the debut issue.
'It's very different from my last party,' she told The Cut, having a look at the guests in the marble-floored atrium of the Frick Museum. Around the same time last year Roitfeld through a karaoke party to celebrate her Barneys campaign at a strip club on the West Side Highway so basically the polar opposite of this year's swanky 'do. 'I want to do something different, more classic,' she said about the formal Mercedez Benz-sponsored black tie event. 'After all, I am a grandma now.'
Karlie Kloss was recently unveiled as the new face of Juicy Couture's Fall 2012 ad campaign and the match works perfectly. 'Karlie is the perfect Juicy girl - beautiful, all-American and confident', LeAnn Nealz, Juicy Couture's President and Chief Creative Officer, said in a statement. ' But what really sets her apart is her wonderful and vibrant energy,' she added and besides, anyone that can make a velour jumpsuit look good is pretty major in my book.
But don't worry, the campaign isn't all velour and tracksuits. Over the past few years the brand has worked hard on expanding their repertoire by creating more fashion-led pieces that offer up something that goes beyond the aesthetic that they're most commonly known for and so far, the changes are going down well.
To accompany the release of the campaign images, the brand have also released a series of fun behind-the-scenes shots showing Kloss lying on the san in Malibu, playing with a dog and posing on a lifeguard stand.
British Vogue have delivered a string of strong covers this year, granted, but if there is ever one to get right it's September and sadly, it isn't their best. Karlie Kloss was shot for the big issue by Nick Knight and while the 70s vibe isn't problematic in itself, the combination of the styling with the bright pink and orange cover lines feels on the over-baring side.
Since it was launched nearly fifty years ago, the Pirelli calendar has become on the most coveted calendars of all time. The 2013 edition is particularly special, though, because it is full of firsts. Now age appropriate Karlie Kloss has reportedly made her debut, war photograper Steve McCurry has been brought on board to shoot it for the first time and Adriana Lima has also brought in a new first.
Vanity Fair Italy released this image yesterday showing the Brazillian model pose for McCurry heavily pregnant, marking the first time that a model has appeared visibly pregnant in the calendar. The look is also supposed to be different with the models being portrayed as 'protagnoists involved in the support of foundations, NGOs and humanitarian projects' as opposed to simply celebrating their bodies in all their glory.
Since June is in full swing most of the biggest campaigns for Fall 2012 have already dropped and so far they are looking good. This week Mulberry released all of the images of their campaign, in what has quickly become one of my favourites, and stars Lindsey Wixson alongside a furry friend shot by Tim Walker.
Equally good are the Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott-lensed Gucci ads, which stars very sultry looking Karmen Pedaru and Nadja Bender. For Jean Paul Gaultier, Karlie Kloss appears again and joins forces with Willy Vandeperre who shot her for those Bally campaigns a few seasons ago. Stella Tennant, who has been clocking up quite a few editorial appearances recently, has also bagged a big campaign this season fronting the Givenchy ads.
We all watch their annual runway shows but for a long time, Victoria's Secret has been out of reach to anyone out of America but that's all about to change. This morning the lingerie brand confirmed that they are expanding to London this year.
On July 25 they will open the doors to their first store in London, which will serve as their flagship. The store, which will stock everything from boy shorts to bikinis, will be based on the corner of New Bond Street and Brook street - and that's not all. The very next day will see the opening of another store in Westfield Stratford City, the day before the big opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics. To celebrate both openings, a big runway show will take place where Angels like Karlie Kloss and Miranda Kerr are set to appear.
Anthony Vaccarello's dresses with the hip high slits have gained a level of notoriety. Carine Roitfeld was the first to sport the style at her big fashion week party two seasons ago after Karlie Kloss sauntered down the runway in it days before and in the words of Kelly Rowland, Gwyneth Paltrow 'put it down' in the dress on the cover of Harper's Bazaar's special revamp issue.
Since the leg is the centre of attention, it was only a matter of time before one of the designer's dresses had a Angelina Jolie moment on the red carpet and that came last night. Anja Rubik sported a white version of the style to attend the Costume Institute Gala with the designer. While I've always been a fan of the model's, her jutting hip has rightfully caused a bit of concern and aside from that, I definitely prefered the dress of Paltrow.
Just about every major designer and model has descended on New York last night ahead of the Met Gala on Monday but ahead of the event, Balmain's Olivier Rousteing threw a big party last night at Chelsea's Hotel Americano. At the event the designer spoke about the launch of the brand's new Twitter and Facebook accounts that became live this week, revealing that he plans to get in on the Twitter action himself. 'It's a good way to understand what [customers[ feel about the collection, about the clothes and they can see the details, and they can be more a part of my soul,' he told The Cut at the event. 'I hope they will 'like us' and enjoy what we enjoyed to create.'
Aside from that, what was more interesting was his revelation that Joan Smalls is his guest at Monday's event. The partnership definitely works. Smalls looks good in everything but it will be interesting to see how she looks in a piece that showcases the new direction that the young designer is taking the brand.
That wasn't the only Met Gala confirmation from last night. Karlie Kloss will accompany Jason Wu, Anja Rubik is going with Anthony Vaccarello and Constance Jablonski will attend with Haider Ackermann. New in today is that Arizona Muse is teaming up with Erdem, Thakoon with Christina Ricci and Doutzen Kroes with Roland Mouret. The most interesting confirmation is that Karolina Kurkova will attend with Rachel Zoe, cementing her as a designer to be reckoned with.
See images from the Balmain party in the slideshow.
