this is one of my favourite editorials of all time, which is odd because i'm really indifferent to freja beha. But then, the concept of this editorial is just stunning. It's couture, fabulous, luxurious, extravagant couture, but the model is in various states of undress. It's like she's going out to a party and slipping into her bespoke sequined skirt and trying to lace up her corset. It's such a lovely way to shoot couture. Most of the time couture is always shot in a really 'i'm in couture but i'm just a normal person' way, like couture and converse in vogue US or natalia vodianova frolicking with a dog on a farm in vogue italia. That shoot was gorgeous too, and the clothes divine, but sometimes it's good to see couture in another setting. And this shoot does just that;
I know that ultimately if you had the money and body to wear couture you wouldn't really take it off... ever. But i just love this shoot so much. It's pure vogue, which of course means pure fantasy, which of course means such a lovely way to spend an afternoon. the clothes are gorgeous, especially that chanel feathered skirt, the lighting is so evocative of the mood, muted colours, very calm. the hair and make up are simple, never taking the focus off the real stars of the editorial; all that glorious glorious haute couture.
some of the shots have that mirror quality to them, like you're peering into a private moment as the beautiful girl gets ready before she makes her grand entrance... you're witnessing the 'in progress' shots, not the finished product, which i just love. It's not always that you are invited to see the model doing up her zip, or pulling the skirt over her legs. And i think it's very cute to think that even with couture mundane things like zips and buttons have to be done up. Sometimes the beauty of haute couture makes me forget that you don't just clap your hands and it magically appears on your body.
Everyone has different things that cheer them up. For Holly Golightly it was a trip to tiffanys, for Eliza Bennett it was long walks through the countryside, for me it's the simple thrill of really well done editorial. When clothes, model, hair, make up, lighting, photographer all interact to create images that are just stunning in their loveliness.
What cheers you up?
Much love to you all, as always.
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