Six Degrees of French Vogue - The Fashion World's Game of Musical Chairs

THE SIX DEGREES OF FRENCH VOGUE

Okay yes, we can all admit that the fashion world is more a of a fashion 'community' and a business together and they go hand in hand, AND it works... For the most part. Just recently it seems to be going off track - or possibly I'm just more aware of it because it has been involving some of my favorite geniuses in this ever-changing community.

First this year, news broke that Carine Roitfeld would be stepping down from French Vogue. No real reasoning was given other than her own saying 'she was done' and she had done what she could or wanted to and she wished to move on. -I'll respect that, but this woman brought back fashion blackface and exposed nipples to the land of fashion editorial journalism. She pushed the line for what was accepted and added a power to the magazine. -Anyway, I've already ranted about that in an earlier post :) -Rumors flew that she would go and advise/help Tom Ford with his recent return to Womenswear line in 2011. (which were soon put to an end quick.) Covering French Vogue and co-editing the magazine in December 2010 added to the speculations of what was to come of the powerful twosome. Then just recently this past month it was reported that Roitfeld had been helping style Barney's Fall Campaign, and just yesterday news flew that she had style Chanel's Fall 2011 with Karl Lagerfeld. Whatever Carine does will be amazing so I have no doubt or any left over bitterness for French Vogue's loss of her even though I will miss my fix of the occasional exposed nipple.

Replacing Carine Roitfled as Editor in Chief was Emmanuelle Alt, previously stylist for the house of Balmain under Christophe Decarnin. -She replaced Roitfeld earlier this year and debuting her first cover for French Vogue in April 2011 covering with Gisele. She has said that her take on French Vogue would focus on 'more clothes' and have 'one boob' otherwise no one would be able to tell it was French Vogue. A little saddening to hear thinking of how far it was come, but we shall see if the French appreciate their Fashion journalism more breast-less and possibly more 'Balmain-less'.-

After hearing today's news about Christophe Decarnin's departure from Balmain after his no-show at his Fall 2011 presentation, (of course again rumors began to fly).

It had been reported that Christophe Decarnin was not present at the finale of his FW11 show because he had been 'hospitalized', but was fine. Only until today did official word come out that rumors of Decarnin being in a mental facility were false and that he and the chief had been having disagreements about the brand's direction for a while. Decarnin came to Balmain in 2005 and since then he has added the 'attitude' of the line that makes the Balmain girl look like she rolled out of bed in her studded army coat costing a few thousand and skinny jeans so skinny that the models sometimes looked to be 7 feet tall. The Balmain line under Decarnin gave the female form of sex appeal and power for the girl ready for the front line. No word yet on Decarnin's replacement, but he will definitely go down in history as having his reign for reviving the skinny jean movement.

(Photo credit: NYTimes, AvenueInsider, StylePov)

Art of Androgyny

Androgyny : (an.drodg.a-knee) -

simply means having the physical or natural characteristics

of both a male and a female.

(ALSO: the word androgyny is derived from the Greek words,

'andros' meaning man, and 'gyne' meaning woman.) WEBSTER

Fashion is all about form and how a vision is expressed from the artist's/designer's mind and translating it onto their canvas or in most cases their muse or model. In the real world there seems to be a pretty defined line between what is appropriate for the male and female sexes to wear and be 'expected' to wear to fit the social norms.

Over time this art form has been accepted more and more and well understood in the artistic community and those in the world of fashion. The appeal behind this interesting idea is based on the art of beauty and marketing. By using a form that can be viewed as both male and female it is more likely to be drawn to by more of those who see it other than eliminating the gender line. In 2010 and into 2011, two have taken the runway and ad campaign world by storm, House of Givenchy transsexual model, Lea T, and very pretty boy, Andrej Pejic.

Lea T was featured in Givenchy's FW10 ad campaign and has become a muse like for Riccardo Tisci the past few seasons. Andrej Pejic more recently walked in Jean Paul Gaultier's Couture show and in his Menswear FW11, (both in heels)! He also is in the SS11 Marc by Marc Jacobs & Jean Paul Gaultier SS11 ad campaigns.

Lea T in GIVENCHY's FW 10 ad campaign.

(L to R) Andrej Pejic finale-ing out the JPG FW 11 Menswear show with JPG himself - Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 11.

(Top to bottom : Andrej appearing in JPG SS11 ad campaign, Andrej again in Marc by Marc Jacobs SS11 ad campaign.)

The androgynous look is so different and hard to forget that it has become iconic over time and has brought some models into the mainstream light and famous because of their intriguing and gender bending look. Such as Cole Mohr, who Marc Jacobs snagged to wear some dresses for his FW08 ad campaign or Agyness Deyn, who can pull off just about anything from a dress to a suit - even channel Michael Jackson in Harper's Bazaar's Sept 09 issue.

Cole Mohr in Marc by Marc Jacobs FW08 ad campaign in drag.

Agyness Deyn in Harper's Bazaar Sept. 09 tribute to the King of Pop in both masculine and feminine looks just like Michael Jackson himself who was a lover of the marching band/military jacket that has made its mark on Menswear and Womenswear over time.

Probably the most recognizable model who became a large influence on androgyny in the industry is Linda Evangelista, who is still modeling ever since she started in 1978. A favorite of the 1990's Chanel shows and campaigns of Karl Lagerfeld and even during his years at Chloe'. Evangelista brought her short hairstyle to womenswear and added a powerful and strong hold onto the top spot during her prime. She gave herself an edge with that bob and now it is all over the fashion world!

Linda Evangelista in 1990's Chloe and Chanel ad campaigns under while Chloe was still under the reign of KLag and Chanel was very on 90's trend electric and Cher Horowitz-like.

Blonde Bombshells for Spring!

First off, I'd like to start by apologizing for my absence for almost an ENTIRE MONTH from StopTalking. I really can't pinpoint a concrete reason other than a lack of news I found worthy of posting or just laziness. Sorry either way! :(

Secondly, THIS. (below)

Yeah, just James being himself, hitting on himself in a mirror. He's just that good.

And now I'll spit out some news I guess...

-Blake Lively is Chanel S11 Handbag Ad Campaign's lucky lady! :) But is it any surprise? I think I recall reading an article where Karl said he "adored" her and I knew something had to happen. Plus all the Paris Haute Couture BFF time with Anna this past summer...

& I've recently become obsessed with MAD MEN, so of course it would only become a matter of time that I become obsessed with January Jones and her

House of Versace-muse-flawlessness.

Donatella has named January the Model for the Versace S11 Ad campaign (!!!YAY!!!)...also not groundbreaking since Donatella and January are attached at the hip and January has been draped in Versace everywhere! Who can forget the already infamous blue Emmy gown. She and Blake both such timeless looks. I guess blonde is in for Spring...also, not a surprise.

UPDATE: (December 18 --- The first images of the campaign have been released. (below).)

ENJOY!

Who Would Karl Do?