VOGUEBAMA

Michelle and Barak Obama photographed by Annie Liebovitz for the April 2013 issue of American Vogue. Fashion Editor: Tonne Goodman. Click to read the full story.

What the Michelle Obama VOGUE cover means for America. 

Have you been framed?

What really influences the clothes you see in your favourite fashion magazine?

We Need To Talk About Kristen. (And Gwen, And Britney)

How do we feel about Kristen Stewart? I know I was always a fan, but in light of the whole cheating-on-Robert-with-the-Snow-White-director thing one must wonder if she's really as cool as she's been made out to be this year on the cover of UK ELLE, US ELLE and Vanity Fair.

You may think that with a scandal like this, she'd be a cover no-go. But British Vogue certainly doesn't shy away from controversial subjects...

Here we have the alleged home wrecker wearing Gucci on the October 2012 cover to UK VOGUE. Of course the magazine hasn't hit our news stands just yet, but it is said that we can look forward to an interview that touches on her big scandal. I for one can't wait to read it.

 

Meanwhile, UK ELLE has been styling up a storm for their October issue, the result being Gwen Stefani in a Peter Pilotto top and McQ skirt. How refreshing! That's the newsstand cover above and the the subscribers' below...

 

And finally, US ELLE has decided it's time for another Britney cover. I must say I do think their cover making skills are showing some improvement.

Newsstand October 2012 above, subscribers' below.

 

50 Shades Of Fashion

So here's the latest style buzz.

Lady Gaga released a new image for her perfume campaign which I'm really enjoying. I love the whole Zorro feel... That said, if you're an American Horror Story fan, this is actually a little scary.

 

A label by the name of Marc New York Andrew Marc (which I've never heard of and has nothing to do with Marc Jacobs) have opted for a 50 Shades Of Grey theme for their fall campaign. You have to hand it to them, it's a smart way to get press exposure. The whole thing got me thinking about which designers should reference which films in their campaigns. Here are some ideas:

Prada: The Hobbit.

Alexander McQueen: The Dark Knight Rises.

Meadham Kirchhoff: Any Afrikaans movie.

Dior: Black Swan

Dolce & Gabbana: My Big Fat Greek Wedding

 

Stop the press! Victoria Beckham is guest editing the September issue of American Glamour (note: this sounds great when said out loud.) I don't usually (read: ever) buy Glamour, but queen V may prove impossible to resist...

 

This next one (my favourite) she tweeted exclusively to her fans yesterday...

 

 

But the Beckhams didn't stop there! David makes his return to mens magazines with the September cover of UK Esquire. If I had a Prada shoe for every Beckham cover this year...

 

 

And finally: US ELLE revealed their decision to put Katy Perry on their September cover yesterday. They're up against the biggest Vogue ever (with a yet-to-be-revealed Gaga cover) and the Viccy Glamour... But this is one of the least boring covers I've seen from them in a while. Nice work.

 

So what does all this magazine mania mean, you may ask... Well, it means I will soon be bankrupt.

 

US ELLE Brings It!

I was not very friendly in the last post I did about a US ELLE cover, and while I stand by what I said I am happy to say I'm a lot more optimistic this time around.

Although I am not a Selena Gomez fan at all, I must admit she looks v amazing on this July cover in a Dolce and Gabbana dress. And best of all: THE BACKGROUND IS NOT WHITE!!! I think I should celebrate. Congratulations, ELLE! Do keep it up.

Vogue's Golden Standard. (And Kristen... Again)

 

Anna Wintour and co are ready for the Olympic season with this super patriotic June cover. The athletes (I didn't know who they were either) are Hope Solo, Ryan Lochte (fourth man to ever be on a US Vogue cover) and Serena Williams. Although I've yet to see an Olympics cover that really thrills me, this one looks fresh, fun, and approachable.

And here, on the cover of US ELLE we have their most original idea in years... Kristen Stewart. I really hate to be pessimistic about ELLE, but the American version just really has a knack for screwing up their covers. Look at her! It's Kristen Stewart....! Why is she in an obviously posed pose with a wind machine in her face? It's so plastic fantastic. It's taking the Kristen out of Kristen. If you told me this cover was five years ago I'd believe you. Death by lack of creativity.

I'm done now. I'm going to pretend this cover never happened. Seriously, I shan't speak of it.

 

Fashion Loves Rachel McAdams And Channing Tatum

My love for Rachel McAdams started with Mean Girls (the cult teen movie of my generation) and hasn't dwindled one bit. This Friday she teams up with Channing Tatum in the much anticipated (at least by me) film, The Vow.

With that in mind, take a look at these shoots from ELLE US and GQ Style. The Rachel one is a little out of date, but the whole dark romance thing does fit in pretty well with AW12. The Channing one is highly retro... In a good way.

Rachel McAdams for ELLE US June 2011. Photographed by Alexei Hay and styled by Joe Zee.

 

Channing Tatum for GQ Style SS2012 Photographed by Jack Pierson and styled by Luke Day.

 

The US May Covers: Rihanna and Scarlett

It's not easy to make a strong impact on a US ELLE cover - you're always gonna be up against a white background and smothered in copy - but Rihanna has managed to make quite the impression on their May cover. Now blond, the pop star looks fresh and fierce. Since I'm so good at making cover predictions these days, I'm willing to bet this story will land up in the pages of SA ELLE sooner than later. Can't wait!

And over in VOGUE land, Scarlett Johansson is looking lovely and serene on the cover of their annual city style issue. Scarlet, an ideal VOGUE cover star, can't help but look beautiful. I imagine the rest of the story looks brilliant too.

These issues, sadly, will only hit South African shores mid June... but I'm betting the'll be worth the wait.

 

 

Jessica Does A Demi... And Other April Covers.

The April issues have all been released in their respective countries. You can see the Olsens on the cover of UK ELLE here: http://www.thoughtoffashion.blogspot.com/2012/03/olsen.html

Meanwhile, over at US ELLE, Jessica Simpson striped down for an Demi Moore-style pregnancy cover. Althought the whole idea is by no means original, I think it makes quite the statement. It's certainly the most exciting US ELLE cover I've seen in a while.

The US VOGUE Shape Issue covers are always a winner. Last year Rihanna looked incredible, and this year Jennifer Lopez doesn't disappoint. The cover is fresh, bold, and crisp. My favourite US VOGE cover this year.

And back in Britain, UK VOGUE chats to Sienna miller about privacy and pregnancy (consider it a trend). While I'm not so much a fan o f her, I am a fan of that Stella McCartney dress and her joyful expression.

The 16th birthday edition of SA ELLE hits stores tomorrow. Expect to be blown away.

 

 

Who Copied The Copy?

The March Fashion Issue covers have been revealed. British Vogue and Elle picked two very different cover stars this month: Vogue making a unconventional move by picking the very fresh music star Lana Del Rey, and ELLE choosing British fashion obsession Alexa Chung… which will sell.

The differences end there. Both girls are wearing Louis Vuitton (last month both were wearing Prada) and then there’s the copy: OH SO PRETTY is largely proclaimed on both covers. Coincidence? Probably. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about… since both magazines have a wonderful knack of ignoring the other’s existence.  

US ELLE dressed cover star Blake Lively in Victoria Beckham. She looks fresh, sporty, and pretty. But maybe not oh so pretty.

Now we wait with baited breath to see who US VOGUE chose to front their power issue… stay tuned.

Images sources:  UK VOGUE and ELLE from the magazine’s facebook pages. US ELLE from justjared.com

First Header

The header on this blog, like fashion, will change very often. Each header will showcase a trend or mood in fashion which I am currently attracted to. This one is from the January 2012 issue of US ELLE. The article is all about the fashion powerhouse that is Victoria Beckham (take 40 mins of your free time to re-watch season 2 episode 7 of Ugly Betty in which V guest starred – she’s hilarious) who seems to design what every girl wants. Her new more affordable line, ‘Victoria, Victoria Beckham’ is selling faster than you can say cat print, so I’m sure we can expect to see much more from her.

What I love about Viccy B is how she doesn’t take things too seriously. The dresses are playful, cooky, and very wearable. This line also features some of my favourite prints of the new season.

From left: Cotton dress $515, crepe de chine dress, $645, printed cotton dress, $515, printed viscose dress, $750, all Victoria, Victoria Beckham, collection at net-a-porter.com. Sunglasses, all Cutler & Gross, $460 each pair. Maryjanes, all Charlotte Olympia for Victoria Beckham.