STIAAN LOUW 2 OF 6 REVEALED

Photographer Antonia Steyn

Model Eric Bester from Boss

Art director Michael Cooper from OneLeague

Hair and makeup Laura Kingma from OneLeague

FRESH FACES FOR NEW BURBERRY PRORSUM CAMPAIGN IMAGES

I previously posted this seasons Prorsum images for Burberry. Now they have released a few more but with all new models to market their edgier garments. Photographed by Testino, SELECT model Sacha M'Baye and the beautiful Jourdan Dunn are a nice change, don't you think? The only thing I question is if perhaps we are over studs and leather yet.

© Copyright Burberry/Testino

BAPTISTE GIABICONI FOR HOGAN BY KARL LAGERFELD

Karl Lagerfeld has designed a capsule SS 11 collection for Hogan. It's a women's collection with only six pieces which consist of a sneaker, a cowboy boot, a clutch bag, a messenger, a trench coat and a jacket. Normally you would find this sort of thing in image form but you know Uncle Karl, why stop there? 




In this small video we see actors models Magdalena Frackowiack and Baptiste Giabiconi get into a spat about trust, ride their bicycles around Paris all the while in the middle of a real-life shoot with Karl Lagerfeld. "She has some nerve!" Stellar acting. Take a look below. 
For those Baptiste fans you can also catch the latest images taken by Largerfeld once again but somehow don't include clothing. I'm guessing you don't care about that detail...

LOUIS VUITTON SPRING 2011

For Spring 2011 Louis Vuitton enlisted 'Soul' model Doug Pickett to front their campaign. Shot outdoors, photogtapher Cédric Buchet played at rugged urban-safari chic in mostly understated garments and styling,which actually works well.


JOHANNESBURG - (27) 11 784 9854
CAPE TOWN - (27) 21 405 9700

FORMICHETTI GETS HIS OWN MUSE

Nicola Formichetti is keeping it in the family. As the newly appointed Creative Director for Thierry Mugler, Formichetti has once again collaborated with Lady GaGa, but this time in song, and not for Gaga herself.

The following video was directed by Mariano Vivanco and features fashions latest muse to get people talking. The immensely talented but not often understood creative called on Rick Genest, a twenty-something model better known as 'Zombie Boy' who he found online. Genest has strong features and keeps in shape but that is the extent of the similarities to his model peers. Why? Because he is covered in tattoos from head to toe. And not just any tattoos. Skeletal, demonic-looking and quite frankly a little scary. Now put the model in the latest offerings (and Formichetti's debut line for Thierry Mugler), run an exclusive previously unknown Lady GaGa track behind it and it's magic.  It may not be traditionally beautiful or artistic but considering that we are slowly running out of original ideas it makes for a breathe of fresh air.




source: homotography.com, gq.com/us

GREGG HAMMOND IS COSMOPOLITANS SEXIEST MAN 2011

It's easy to win the Cosmopolitan Sexiest Man award. You just have to be, you know, tall and ridiculously handsome, and well built, and tanned and... well nevermind.  Taking over from Wynand Olivier who won in 2010 is Fusion model Gregg Hammond. Along with a R10 000 cash prize the winner also walked away with a floating trophy and goodie bags galore. 
According to claytonmorar.com Hammond is "currently focussed on his modelling career and appears regularly in print campaigns and commercials, he’s also completing his final year of studies for an LLB. He excels at anything sports-related; he cycles, runs marathons and loves the gym." Obviously.

The event which was held in Johannesburg last night was sponsored by The Oxford and KISS and hosted by Bonang Matheba.If you're want to see who lost to Gregg or if you're just jealous take a look at the other 12 guys in this year’s Cosmopolitan Sexiest SA Men Calendar, or take a look at the February 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan (on sale now) or visit www.cosmopolitan.co.za

(Credits: Cindy Ellis, Cosmopolitan magazine, Clayton Morar).

ADREJ PEJIC FOR GAULTIER 2011

In a time when using androgyny in fashion could/should be a normal occurrence it is somehow still met with confusion or distaste from some. I told you about Andrej Pejic. I told you about his long blonde hair and feminine features, the various interest from designers. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, because now Pejic can add 'high-end catwalk model' to his resume. Jean-Paul Gaultier decided to celebrate the model by using him for his new Spring campaign. In addition to this, Gaultier, who is known for his eccentric shows invited Pejic to join the Gaultier crew in the latest showing of his collection. In fur and high-heels. Does this mean similar models will be making appearances in both mens and ladies shows?

Jacques Naude for Barneys

This South African model has come a long way since his 2008 debut with his CK Jeans campaign.  Jacques Naude of Wilhelmina has featured in a long list of major publication which include VMAN, Details and Vogue Homme Japan and now he we have images of him acting a fool and getting paid modeling for Barney's "Have a foodie holiday". It's so good to see our boys and girls making a name for themselves overseas. We do make the best looking people though!



Images from thefashionisto

Androgyny for Marc Jacobs

Continuing the topic of re-inventing the modern model, Marc Jacobs has reportedly called upon the talents of Andrej Pejic for his latest Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring campaign. The 19 year old Serbian Australian recently returned from Marrakech where he was shooting with Juergen Teller. His co-model was none other than the Latvian (my people) beauty Ginta Lapina for their strikingly similar features.

The emerging model is swiftly becoming the "poster-boy for fashion androgyny" according to WWD due to his long platinum hair and feminine features. Mert and Marcus and Steven Meisel have all noticed the great potential for this young model and have put him alongside Daphne Groenevel, Iselin Steiro and the aforementioned Givenchy muse Lea T and featured him in both French and Italian Vogue as well as Arena Homme +.

Images from thefashionisto/Nymag.com/

Givenchy Introduces An Albino Model

Models are much like the clothing they help sell, designers choose models to further extend this seasons look. In the case of some designers like Dolce and Gabbana they are selling sex too, but these days there has been a shift. One year models are flawless and the next they are awkward and geeky but it goes further than that. When Riccardo Tisci pushed the envelope by including Transsexual model Lea T in a Givenchy campaign it was met with respect from the public. Now he has done so yet again by including an albino model by the name of Stephen Thompson into his latest campaign (photographed below). 

Thankfully models like Lea T and Shaun Ross (photographed above) are breaking the mould and opening doors to models of all kinds. After all, designers are meant to be unique so why should their models not be too?  I could never understand why albino models were not used on mainstream fashion before but I am pleased to see that they are now. While Ross is not the first, it is Thompson who is steadily becoming a popular choice in fashion with spreads in various magazines in the new year. Isn’t that fantastic?

Images from models.com/Giantlife

Matinique FW/2010

Featuring the great Jon Kortajarena as their lead man, Matinique chose a simplified one-on-one direction for their Fall/Winter 2010 Campaign. Although truthfully their seems to be a lot of that going around. Luckily for Matinique Kortajarena is just that good. I like the playful James Dean masculinity he exudes in the campaign.

Noah Mills for BREIL

I personally always wanted to be a male model. All that traveling, the access and opportunities, the clothing... But alas I just don't have the jaw structure. Noah Mills on the other hand, does. His career is doing mighty, mighty well right now having landed jobs for Tom Ford and D&G's new fragrance collection this past year. In addition to these he is now the face of Breil and will feature alongside Kim Cattrall in the hugely anticipated Sex and the City sequel. Some guys just have it all...

Clever alternative to the "Underwear Shoot" featuring model Andrei Beliakov.

MODEL MINUTE: MARC BUCKNER

Marc Buckner's career is on the rise and rise. Not only has the local Boss Model graced the cover of Mens Health more than once he even became the face of Canal Walk. He took a minute to sit and answer a few questions for me today and this is what went down:

You are showing up all over the place these days, Marc. Did you ever plan to be a model?

I never planned on much in my life but started at 17 because a friend dragged me to a school fashion show where we had to do rehearsals... I immediately pulled out but slowly got convinced into going to an agency by a scout.

Where are your favorite destinations? I imagine modeling has taken you all over the world!

I loved all the big cities like New York and London in the beginning but soon realised that due to my lifestyle I am drawn to places like Thailand and many of our African islands. ( Asia is by far the worst place as u work your ass off but the payoff of all the interesting cultures is way worth the hard work ). I leave for Thailand in April to buy a house.

List your three essential items when traveling for work/pleasure.

My favorite Thai style shorts, a vest and some fruit. I really take nothing with me when I travel...even for work, then it would be a pair of long pants and a smart shirt but nothing enters my backpack until I have laned at my destination.

What has modeling taught you about fashion?

That like anything else in life it is an expression of self and only what you make of it. I have worn so many labels that I cant even spell but have gravitated toward keeping it simple and functional.

What was your favorite shoot so far in your career?

Tough one. It would have to be a combo of good people and great location. A shoot on the isle of Scilly outside the U.K. We took a train, then a helicopter, then a boat and finally a landy up the mountain to our destination. I was for Moët & Chandon. Everyone on that shoot was amazing.

Who is your favorite designer?

I know no designers... myself and the many unknown people who put pieces together just for the love of it.

If you were handed a blank cheque what would you buy and why?

Whoever deserves it would get enough money to get out of the rat race and enjoy life. I leave for Thailand to buy my mom a house in our favorite place. I suppose I am already doing that.



What kind of hobbies keep you busy when you're not in front of the camera?

Every day that I am not casting or shooting I am on the mountain or in the ocean , yesterday I was in Tokai forest mountain biking and the day before I was up table mountain bouldering. Thats my life and the reason I do this job... so I have time to do that.

Where do you see 'Marc Buckner' five years from now?

Not much different from now only a little wiser, a little more fit and a lot happier, I want to go forward as we all do but consistently and slowly. I would love to have visited many new places and to have gone back to many old. I have made friends all over the world and I would love to see them all again. I leave again for New York in a few months and I would love to have made it big there by then just to fill the other side of the spectrum.

To strip that winter weight off what do you recommend?

Diet, health, sport-- but something you love....if you have no sport you love then find one, preferably something outdoors. It will make you a better person. I eat much like our ancestors, unrefined and natural.

What is one fact about yourself that no one would guess is true?

You want me to give away my secrets ...? if someone were to show that they would give from the heart, they would and could receive anything from me and besides that my favorite sweet is Liquorice!



You can find more images of Marc on his website www.marcbuckner.com

Photography spotlight: Patrick Hoelck

I came about the first image the way I generally do. I browse casually until something stops me dead in my tracks and thus I investigate. The first image is beautiful, almost biblical-- but that can be said of any man with a long bristly beard carrying a lamb. Yet the photography of Patrick Hoelck seems to offer more than just a two-dimensional image. And I find myself writing stories for the mili-second in-which the photograph was taken. And I do believe that makes a good photographer. The model, or anti-model as he's more commonly known is Tony Ward and his catalog is worth taking a look at too.


He is quite well known actually. And has many a celebrity name to under his belt, having photographed C.D covers for Maroon 5, Ciara and many more. His Polaroids are poetic and somewhat chilling. The image on the left speaks to me but the model is a little frightening- his face is not very open or honest but yet it's still beautifully shot. The image on the right is of Alicia Keys.







You can find more on Hoelck online at his official site including the long list of artists and celebrities he has frozen in time, I especially liked the portraits of Zach Braff and Dita von Teese. Go have a look!

BUBBLEBUM GOODNESS FOR WAD MAGAZINE

In a colourful editorial (yes in South Africa we spell it with a "u") for Wad magazine, Claire Duport and Laura Watters cast their minds back to a palate of childlike pastels. Styling that could have been the birthchild of Paul Smith and Marc Jacobs to name only two...


Photographer Laurent Humberts editorial entitled “Boys to Men” features Jeremy Dufour and Florian Bourdila. There are so many parts of this that I love! The bow-tie chain, the bows on the shoes and the pastel leather jacket! And what surprised me more was how much I love the oversized trousers in the first image. Keep in mind this style is starting to make appearances!












{fashionisto}

Stiaan Louw Model Preview

South African designer Stiaan Louw is doing wonderful things to shape menswear in our country. While there will be a lot more to follow I do have some images of latest model/muse Greg Dodds.



Dodds was photographed by Miguel Sobreira wearing clothing from Stiaans Positive Heroes collection, including the horizontal striped mesh creation that I want!



Greg Dodds is of Ymodels.

Stiaan Louw: New faces, new aesthetic

Think you have what it takes to be a model for Stiaan Louw? Only a few days left to audition! Follow this link or email Stiaanlouw@yahoo.com right away! So far only one model has been chosen... will you be next?

Tom Ford 2010 Campaign

Never the one to shy away from nudity, our beloved Tom Ford released these photo's as his new 2010 press campaign. Naturally Mr. Ford took these shots himself. As if Designing, Acting and Directing wasn't enough now he fancies himself a photographer too. The model was used in his prior campaign.

GQ - Kings of Neon

Photographer Neil Kirk delivers a colourful and tasty feature on the return of Neon (for guys anyway) in the Sep 09 issue GQ South Africa. While it may be a bit behind in terms of International fashion South Africa has always been lucky in that the delay works for those items you might not be ready to let go of, just yet. Paired nicely with Paul Smith (floral jacket). Mens Fashion in South Africa is slowly but surely replacing the likes of Nike and the boardshort/haviana combo. Kudos.


Issues in stores now!
Model: Samuel Allerton for Boss NYC