Golddigger

If I was better at applying make up, then I'd wear golden eyeshadow or pigment a lot more often. It looks so beautiful on blue or green eyes, and highlights a tan better than any other. So, I precariously apply it every now and then, usually when editorials pop up that feature it. I'm having a major gold rush at the moment having just discovered this editorial. It's the lovely Anja Rubik shot by Nathaniel Goldberg for Vogue Nippon back in May last year. Oh, and the most important detail? Make up by Diane Kendal. I just had to share it, because it's such a wonderfully simple formula for an editorial but has stunning results.





Anja is also the only model that makes me want to dye my hair blonde for the first time in years.

all images from thefashionspot.

Heat Index

Now that the weather is England is finally turning towards summer (inspite of the volcanic ash cloud!), I have been noticing some of the great summer editorials coming out. I've blogged about US Elle before, and I really hadn't realised how good it was. Joe Zee is a great creative director, and the variety of models and stylists used in Elle US is fantastic. In fact, I even think it beats US Harpers for editorial content. The cover stars are still a little iffy (Fergie in Burberry, anyone) but I had to share this editorial with vintage supermodel Rie Rasmussen shot by Max Farago and styled by Mel Ottenberg.





Have you ever seen breaking down in the desert look so good?
Oh, and an added bonus in the issue is a Night at The Museum style editorial with Olga in Givenchy couture:

Kate Kils Coachella

To be honest, Kate Bosworth has never been a style favourite of mine - she just popped up quite alot in magazines best dressed but never really did anything radically different. She seems a little too reliant on her stylist, I've never seen many interviews with her where she seems to have any real love for fashion so it all comes off a little too fake an try hard.
I only started paying attention to her when she started dating True Blood actor Alexander Skarsgård, and admitedly that was only to look at paparazzi pictures of him rather than her. That was until this weekends Coachella festival, taking place in the California desert it seems a million miles away to the skuzzy British festivals I'm used to.

Day 1:

Boots by Isabel Marant & Dress by Topshop.
I like how she manages to mix neutrals with her pale blonde hair and not look completely washed out. Although this isn't my favourite, but maybe I'm just jealous because there is no way you could wear neutrals at Reading Festival without it being decorated by Carling and cigarette ash by the end of the day.

Day 2

Dress By Suno & Bag Mulberry Leah
I'm not a fan of Mulberry as they usually look too generic but I love the shape of this one, and the different colour strap. But the dress is the real star here, it fits perfectly and is such a stand out shade. But this isn't the first time this dress has got such coverage, it's in the April issue of US Vogue worn by the divine Jessica Stam:


Day 3

Finally, someone who can pull of a leotard. This is how I think they should be worn, not as the main feature of an outfit but merely a supporting role. The white lace top stops the look from becoming too hipstery (which celebrities tend to at Coachella..) and is that a tiny Mulberry I spy?

All in all, Kate played it pitch perfect at Coachella. And why wouldn't you with Alexander at your side?

The Garden of Earthly Delights

I was so excited when I saw this new Dazed & Confused editorial pop up in my inbox, styled by Robbie Spencer and shot by Ben Toms. The cover features a beautiful Tilda Swinton, and if that wasn't enough reason to grab a copy, check out this editorial.
I love how such an earthly editorial is shot in black and white for once, instead of flooded in dreamy light. It gives such a different feel to the editorial, and it features one of my favourite new models Amanda Nørgaard (catch her in the new Topshop campaign too!).

All images courtesy of Dazed & Confused. (Taken from May 2010 issue)

Miss Joan

I don't know why I've left it so long to blog about Joan Smalls. The 22 year old Puerto Rican beauty started off on the catalogue circuit, modelling for commerical brands until she met the model maker that is Ricardo Tisci at Givenchy, and an exclusive appearance at Givenchy Spring 2010 couture followed.

But it was Fall 2010 that would be her breakout season, 44 shows and appearances at Prada, YSL, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander & Gucci.


Prada, YSL, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander & Gucci.

Joan has the regal look of Liya but the commerical appeal of Noémie Lenoir, so it's not surprise that her first major editorial appearance was in Vogue Italia April, holding her own against such veterans as Amber & Lara. Oh, and of course it was shot by Meisel.

With rumours of a Givenchy campaign to follow, it's hardly surprising that Joan has become the model to watch for the Fall 10 season.

images; imgmodels, style.com

In Vogue with your skin out

Raquel Zimmermann is up there with Anja and Abbey Lee as the best movers in front of the camera, and it seems like every editorial Raquel shows up in has the potential to be a classic. She's a veteran, and has been in the game for over a decade, and her experience always shines through. But she is never boring, just always a classic.
I had to post this editorial from Vogue Nippon May 2010, because it's easily the best editorial of the year so far. With Inez & Vinoodh behind the lense and George Cortina styling, I just love everything about this.







The deep golden tan, black and white clothes mixed with statement jewellery makes the studio setting really stand out, but it's Raquel's movememnt that brings it to life.

rest of editorial here. All images from thefashionspot.