Ideals of Contrast

One of the most influential, artistic and powerful editorials of 2011, in my opinion is Lindsey Wixson, by Terry Richardson for Purple Fashion Magazine issue 16. The introduction to the sensationally absurd images cites Cecil Beaton and the revolutionary decision he made in 1945 during the Second World War to photograph a beautiful model amongst the rubble of a bombed out London building, as the source of inspiration.

"Beaton's picture was a prototype for a type of fashion photograph that contrasted expensive high fashion with social devastation, impoverished urban landscapes and squalid streets. This contrast reinforces the beauty of the model and the sophistication of the clothing. But it also highlights overwhelming social inequality."

The unconventional concept of the editorial fuses the ideals of depression, hopelessness, misery, rejection and abandonment with the beauty and desire of fashion and the carefree superior connotations it is predominantly associated with. The destruction and desolation that resonates through the locations is a direct and purposeful contrast to the fashion and elements of frivolity represented by the innocent and angelic Lindsey, creating an almost complete aesthetic of hope amidst the depths of despair. 

"Only a few minutes out of New York City we found the dark side of the American Dream. But for fashion's rising star, young Lindsey Wixson, the bright side of the dream can still come true." 

Photographed by Terry Richardson 

Art direction by Olivier Zahm

Style by Caroline Gaimari 

Waisted Effects

As someone who survived the low rise epidemic of the late 1990s to early 2000s and was similarly a part of the high-waist trend that followed, I can honestly say I have embraced both with equal force. Recently however, I have been noticing a very subtle, very discrete shift that’s seeing the waist line once again moving south. It’s something that’s been happening ever so slowly for the past couple of seasons and suddenly it’s got me wondering if we are going to be forced to once again say goodbye to the beloved trend of  high-waisted silhouettes. Despite embracing the, ever so appealing, (note the sarcasm), ‘hipster trend,’ with open arms and insatiable excitement, some seven years ago in my early teens, the thought of repeating this particular era in my fashion history sends a little flutter of panic and anxiety down my spine. Now I obviously don’t expect fashion trends to remain stagnant and motionless, the element of change is what makes it so unique, innovative and artistic, all I am simply saying is at this point in time I’m really not sure if I could willingly embrace the low depths of my past. 

Here’s to hoping the trend doesn’t plummet too low, or at least learns to coincide with the high-waisted look we have to thank for years and years of, ‘oh my god!’ iconic fashion moments. 

Stockings in Summer? Love it!

Last week’s unusually chilly weather saw me pulling out one of my favourite things about winter… black stockings! Yes that’s correct, last week it was significantly cold enough for me to be wearing stockings…in Queensland…in summer! Completely weird I know, but considering how unpredictable the weather is at the moment I guess anything’s possible, so instead of contemplating the hows and whys, I ran straight to my old favourites to embrace a little touch of winter, before it was once again ripped from underneath me.

I know they’re not everyone’s metaphorical fashion cup of tea, but I find stockings to be the epitome of style. I understand that most people find it difficult to move past the associations that stockings have with work attire, or an old, frumpy and essentially un-sexy look, however through my eyes, if worn correctly, they embody everything that is chic and stylised while possessing an innate element of cool, combined with subtle undertones of rock and roll edge. To me, stockings are an effortless accessory, they go hand in hand with the ultra-cool aesthetic of smoking a cigarette, matte red lips, slightly scuffed up ankle boots, or an abundance of eclectically mixed gold and silver rings. They’re worn by the girl whose individual style is so coveted, it’s emulated everywhere. She’s the girl who inspires your style, the one you want to dress like and more importantly the one whose wardrobe you dream lustfully about…
Of course, one of the most appealing, inspiring and important aspects of my love affair with black stockings is the fact that they were revolutionised by my all time idle, the ever eccentric and always alluring Edie Sedgwick.

Body by Kloss

Despite the negative hype and controversy surrounding this particular K.Kloss shoot for Vogue IT, when looked at through open-minded, non-judgemental eyes, the simplistic yet provocative images capture a serene sense of strength and beautiful moments of power.

When aiming to push controversial limits and stereotypically boundaries, one will always fall subject to scrutiny, so by choosing to feature a lithe-like, elongated, mostly naked Karlie Kloss in her December 2011 issue, it’s no wonder Franca Sozzani has yet again found herself under the critic eye of the public, as they pick to pieces what was a simply beautiful representation of elegance and poise.
The drama surrounding the editorial stems from both Sozzani’s decision to un-publish one of the shots, removing it from the Vogue IT website, and the general public’s personal, unsupported opinions regarding Kloss’ health and figure.

“I did not remove the first picture from the site because I thought it set a bad example due to its thinness, but because I am aware of the fact that people can easily attach labels without thinking, so I believed I could avoid a pointless debate. I made a mistake. I had to do what I thought was right. [It would have been better to], leave the picture and let everybody express their opinion freely. The picture is beautiful and that’s all.” -Franca Sozzani

It’s not the first time experimental and provocative creative concepts in the fashion world have been ridiculed and wrongly miss-interpreted by the public, however as long as we have strong minded, greatly talented industry leaders, like Sozzani, prepared to fight for and defend what they believe, fashion will, as always, continue to cause controversy by challenging the notions of normality.

Images: Body by Kloss; Karlie Kloss by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia December 2011.