It's Going to be a Good Year

No time for excessive words, other than to say that we're being spoiled with a wonderful start to the new year:

The new model of the moment and the veteran model of the moment, together on the cover of Vogue Italia shot by Steven Meisel. Old school, vintage, and nostalgia are just some of the words that come to mind. So how perfect to combine those ideas with two models whose features stand out for their modern sensibilities.

Anyway, no time for over analysis today! Just enjoy the cover and the feeling that Freja isn't going to fade away anytime soon. And enjoy your New Year celebrations! It's the last time to let loose before real life and real responsibilities return on Monday.

Image Credit: vogue.it via IAmLordZen @ tFS

Wish A Stylish Step in 2011

Louis Vuitton SS 2011

Photo Credit Candids of LV: Kevin Tachman

Photo Credit LV collection, Marcio Madeira, firstView

Lee Alexander McQueen

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Lee Alexander McQueen SS 2001

Lee Alexander McQueen SS 2001

Lee Alexander McQueen SS 2010

Lee Alexander McQueen SS 2001

Alexander McQueen was one of the world's foremost fashion designers, renowned for his innovative pattern cutting, sharp tailoring and spectacular fashion shows until his death at the age of 40 in 2010. Born Lee Alexander McQueen in London in 1969, the youngest of six children, he left school at 16 and went straight into an apprenticeship at the traditional Savile Row tailors Anderson and Sheppard, followed by experience at neighbouring Gieves and Hawkes, both masters in the technical construction of clothing. From there he moved to the theatrical costumiers Angels and Bermans where he mastered 6 methods of pattern cutting from the melodramatic 16th Century to the brutally sharp tailoring which became a McQueen signature. Aged 20 he was employed by the designer Koji Tatsuno who also had his roots in British tailoring, and a year later travelled to Milan to be Romeo Gigili's design assistant. He finally returned to London in 1994 where he completed a Masters degree in Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art. His 1994 degree collection was famously bought in its entirety by influential fashion director and taste-maker Isabella Blow. He received considerable critical acclaim, quickly being dubbed an 'enfant terrible' by the international fashion press. He became one of the youngest designers to achieve the title 'British Designer of the Year' in 1996, 1997 and again in 2001. McQueen assumed the position of Chief Designer at the French Haute Couture House Givenchy from October 1996 to March 2001 - in December 2000 his own label underwent a partnership with Gucci, who acquired 51% of the company. McQueen's work combined an in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, French Haute Couture atelier workmanship and the impeccable finish of Italian manufacturing. Plans for expansion of the McQueen label included the opening of flagship stores in London, New York and Milan, and the launch of fragrances 'Kingdom' and 'My Queen'. In 2003, he was awarded a CBE and 'British Designer of the Year' for the fourth time. McQueen launched a diffusion line, McQ, in 2005. Following the death of Lee Alexander McQueen in 2010, Sarah Burton was named as creative director of the McQueen brand. 

To Lee, With Love, Nick

Video from Nick Knight, SHOWstudio.com

http://showstudio.com/project/to_lee_with_love_nick

Editorial: SHOWstudio.com

Photo Credit by British Fashion Awards

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The Sense of Wonder by Tom Ford

New Year's Eve Looks - 
     Tom Ford's comeback to womenswear after six years.

"The seventies is what I love. Soft touchable beauty is what I love," says Tom Ford.

From left: Leopard-print suit, plunge-neck blouse, shredded silk-organza ..., silk wrap dress, suede trench, fringed silk dress, leopard-print sheath, back-tied silk dress, tuxedo jacket, trousers, and all jewelry and hats by Tom Ford.

'New Fashion Moment'

Tom Ford's triumphant return to fashion communicates a simple message: Ironic women in ironic clothes. Julia Reston Roitfeld slips into Ford's high-glam Spring collection for a series of self-portraits and a conversation with the designer himself.

Source: V Magazine, read more on

http://www.vmagazine.com/2010/12/new-fashion-moment

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to take this time to say THANK YOU to all of you out there for visiting this blog and making it the place that it is today. Of course it wouldn't exist without Freja, but more importantly, it wouldn't exist without you. For it is because of your excitement, encouragement, and participation that I continue to keep this going. And yeah, I guess it doesn't hurt that Freja's had an amazing year filled to the brim with great work. (So much so that Design Scene called 2010 Freja's year.) But if you fans weren't so dedicated and loyal, it wouldn't really matter that much, would it? Never underestimate the power of a large and loud fan base, especially in the age of the internet! ;)

So I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, full of good cheer, laughter, and times. If you don't celebrate Christmas, may the simple pleasures of life be enough of a reason for celebration. Thank you all so much, and I look forward to seeing what 2011 will bring to us all.

CADEAUX !

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Source: VOGUE Paris, Décembre 2010

Photographe: Sharif Hamza

Realisation Fashion: Mélanie Huynh

Réalisation Jewellery: Brune de Margerie
Fashion Credit: 
ETRO, GUCCI, YVES SAINT LAURENT, GIORGIO ARMANI,
LANVIN, PETIT BATEAU, GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI, CÈLINE, PRADA, SABBIA ROSA, 
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, LOUIS VUITTON

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My Christmas Likes - Miu Miu

!Love it  - Miu Miu

Miu Miu Swarovski stoned bangle combined with the suitable bag Swarovski brooch decorated - Wonderful pieces for my Christmas wish list ...

Miu Miu FW 2010/11 - window at Goethestrasse, Frankfurt

Photography Andrea Janke

Dynamic Blooms Looks - Christian Dior

! Love it  - Dynamic Blooms 

The first highlight featuring Jac in Lanvin and Christian Dior a.o.

Today, for me it was a great day, following the Live-stream by nick Knight's Showstudio - Dynamic Blooms photo shooting for AnOther Magazine's 10th Anniversary.

Source: SHOWstudio.com 

Random Bits: Hello Holidays!

Instead of being stuck in the cold east coast snow, I managed to escape for the holidays just in time. Woot! But that doesn't mean I've completely checked out.....yet. So here a few news bits to get you through the rest of the week, until you make it home for the holidays. :)

-Freja just wrapped up shooting in São Paulo for the Brazilian shoe brand Santa Lolla. The shoot took place today and yesterday, and she was shot by Henrique Gendre. Any Brazilians out there with encounter stories to share? (Thanks to reader Gabriela for the tip!)

Behind the scenes at Santa Lolla

-It's the end of the year and you know what that means....lists. Freja's made it onto Vogue UK's Best Dressed List of 2010, accompanied by a quote from uber talented and revered stylist Lucinda Chambers:

"Freja is the ultimate in boy/girl cool. She’s so down-played but everything she wears is exquisite. Every girls wants to look like Freja.”

That's quite an endorsement coming from Lucinda. Freja is 1 out of the 6 models featured on the 20 person list. The others are Edie Campbell, Elisa Sednaoui, Kate Moss, Lara Stone, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. (Hmmm, does anyone else think that Vogue UK is determined to make Edie the next big British model export? They put her in December's Star Girls ed, and now they feature her here again, when I can think of lots of other girls more deserving.) Now we wait and see if Freja will show up on any other lists. With the year she had, I'm kind of expecting it to be honest. But we'll see.

-Remember this twitpic that was burning up the blogs and forums a while ago? I got a tip from lovely reader Kate, letting us know that it's for the campaign of a Scandinavian based, fast fashion chain store with a predilection for designer collaborations. But shhhhhhhh, you didn't read it here.

-Lastly, thanks for the shout outs models.com and Unique Denmark! It's quite humbling, and also a bit embarrassing to know that this blog is being visited (and maybe even being read....ha!) by people who actually work in the industry. So thank you for that recognition. I guess it means that I must be doing something right. But all the credit of course goes to Freja for keeping all of us enthralled with her work, and to all you out there for your constant input, encouragement, tips and well wishes. I would have given up a long time ago if it wasn't for you amazing and passionate fellow fans. So thanks most of all, to you!

Image Credits: Noctilux tumblr via tFS member Carla-A

Invitation by CHANEL 'Paris-Byzance'

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Chanel Paris-Byzance

Chanel invitation in Blue Majorelle of Marrakech - inspirations of the Byzantium!

"A snowy and rainy evening in Paris on December 7th 2010. After passing through the black wrought iron gate og the 31 rue Cambon, we climb the stairs to the Couture salon and go on through to a magic place that takes us back in time, 15 centuries into the past, to the banks of Bosporus, at the heart of the Byzantine Empire. We are transported to a time when Constantinopel was not yet called Istanbul, but the Subliem Porte between East and West! ...

... The walls are covered with bronze sequins, oriental lanterns cast a soft sensual glow and in this harem-like atmosphere one is tempted to lie down on the deep plush sofas, decorated with hand-painted cushions. Turkish Delight... Paris seems so far away ...

The accessories are extravagant in their refinement, - handbags embroidered by Lesage, drawstring purses like small Chinese teapots, decorated with gem stones, the opulence of the bodices is subtly offset by strict cut of the dresses they embellish.

... the models moved with an almost opium induced nonchalance ... noble fabrics, voile, lace, embroideries, offering a glimpse of the Empress of Constantinopel, Theodora, as Karl Lagerfeld experienced and adored her ..."

CHANEL Paris-Byzance défilé Rue Cambon

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel 

Photo show fittings: Benoit Peverelli

Editorial extraits: Elisabeth Quin for CHANEL

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