Marc Jacobs s/s 2011 campaign is out!

Marc Jacobs is finally using real models in his campaigns again (no celebs thank god)! As a result the campaigns are getting so much better (smart decision, Marc).

For the spring show, the clothes were very vibrant and colorful. They had a 1970'a disco feel to them. The spring campaign, photographed by Juergen Teller, perfectly captures the theme of the collection.

It's kind of cool to see how closely the campaign captures the essence of the show. If you want to see what I mean here's a quick video of the show from nylon.com.

Usually, the Marc Jacobs campaigns are pretty bland with dull lighting and emotionless faces. (Although I must say that last season wasn't bland because the model choice was spot on).

Either way, I claim this season's campaign to be downright groovy! (haha) Take a look at the newest images featuring models Caroline Brasch Nielsen and Masha Kirsanova.

Models.com says that this campaign is "reminiscent of Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver." Do you agree?

Have a wonderful day!

xox

Meggasus

"Hit or Miss" at Jil Sander

This season the Jil Sander collection left me with mixed feelings. Half of the collection was beautifully designed with flattering silhouettes and bold colors. The other half of the collection was composed of floor length dresses with zero structure whatsoever. These dresses seemed as wide as they were long (the horizontal stripes didn't help), and even looked unflattering on the runway models!!

As I looked through the runway images my opinions for each look became very polarized. Basically, they were either a "hit" or a "miss". Here is a little of what was going through my head:

Hit! I love the splash of color on the white dress....gorgeous.....

Miss! This pastel color has potential, but the shape of the dress is just...a blob.

Hit! This collection is clear evidence that vertical stripes work wonders and elongate the body whereas chunky horizontals can be a bit unflattering. Here's what I mean....

Miss!!! This dress DROWNS the model. People with thinner frames are usually the exception when it comes to wearing horizontal stripes, but not in this case. The only redeeming quality is the lip color.

But no worries, for every action there's an equal but opposite reaction....

HIT! I love the nontraditional shape of this dress. Some may think the design is unflattering but I think it's intriguing and Shena can really pull it off. The tangerine color works amazingly with her skin color!!

Miss! Too much fabric, no structure. Where's the body underneath?

Ok, I'll end it on a positive note:

This was my favorite outfit of the show. I love the combination of vertical/horizontal stripes, as well as the light pink color paired with black. The top is dark and sexy (Sheer tends to bring sexiness to any outfit), and the bottom is feminine and conservative. The outfit is one big juxtaposition and I love it.

Do you agree with me? How do you feel about this collection?

xx, Meggasus

Alberta Ferretti Spring 2011 Collection: Stunning as Always

Ever since I was 17 Katie-Lu and I have had this Alberta Ferretti ad photographed by Steven Meisel on our bedroom wall back in F-town.

Coincidentally, I once found myself sitting next to Siri Tollerod on the subway when I was heading to a Lacoste casting back in my modeling days. I instantly thought of this ad. (Siri is the 2nd girl on the left).

Anway, I always love the Alberta Ferretti campaigns. Every season Alberta continues to impress me. Last season was no exception. Here is one image from the last campaign season.

While checking style.com for the most recent runway images for this spring, the Alberta Ferretti collection really caught my eye and did not fail to meet my expectations: feminine and gorgeous.

My favorite part of this collection was how the dresses alternated with horizontal blocks of sheer chiffon and silky/metallic fabrics. This gave the clothing a very delicate look, but with a modern twist. The colors of the fabric, as well as the floral patterns are very beautiful and compliment the soft, flowing silhouettes. All in all, the collection was absolutely stunning.

xx Meggasus

Tommy Hilfiger Celebrates 25 Years

I love the Tommy Hilfiger collection this season. Maybe I'm just a sucker for his classic, all-American, prepster style but honestly, you can't blame me. I have lived in Connecticut my entire life.

This "twisted country club' themed show marks Hilfiger's 25th year in the business. What I love about the Tommy Hilfiger brand is that it was probably the first designer whose clothes I could easily point out without checking the tag as a kid. This is because the Hilfiger label is distinct and loyal to its image. Some may think that Hilfiger's designs have been repetitive season after season, but to me the constant clean cut style is reliable and comforting. It is a company I can trust.

However, Style.com mentions how the newest addition to the label, designer Peter Som, has mixed things up a bit by merging some of his quirky style into the collection. I welcome this change because the label has maintained its Tommy vibe. In my opinion, Peter Som is a perfect match for the brand. Som seems to embrace the prep look with his own label as well. This season the Tommy brand just has a more electric color scheme and seems to cater to a younger consumer. Otherwise, the 25th anniversary show still proved to be classic Tommy, through and through.

Take a look at the show below :)

I hope you are enjoying fashion week as much as I am!

xox Meggasus

Scuba Diver Chic at Ohne Titel

Maybe it's the swimmer in me, but did anyone else think "scuba diving" when they saw the Spring 2011 Ohne Titel collection?

Opening with Cat McNeil in the neoprene bodysuit just made me think of dolphin trainers at Sea World. I love the creativity behind the body suits, but I just cant help associating them with water sports.

Overall, the collection has a very sporty vibe. The color blocking and tight buns adds to this effect. I give Alexa Adams and Flora Gill (the designers behind Ohne Titel) props for thinking outside of the box and making a memorable collection but will it be remembered for the right reasons?

What are your thoughts? Are you diggin' scuba chic?

We're Rooting for the Rookies

New York Fashion Week starts in just a few days (September 9th) and personally, I find several aspects of fashion week to be somewhat of crap shoot. Take the trends from last season, for instance. Who would have thought that velvet would have been all over the runways last February or that the VS angels would walk for Prada and Louis Vuitton? Nevertheless, this is all what makes fashion so exciting.

One of my favorite things to monitor throughout every show season is which of the hundreds of long legged hopefuls emerge as the memorable new face who books all of the big shows. I've been stalking Models.com for the past few days to see the NY show packages so I could scope out which runway rookies will take the industry by storm this season. Here are six of my favorite show cards featuring new (or relatively new) models from Marilyn, Supreme and Next.

Marilyn

Elizabeth is very memorable...check out that killer bone structure and those amazing eyebrows!



Isabella has such soft, angelic features...love her!

Supreme

Ok, I'm a little biased because Johanne is one of my best friends, but just look at her! She's got the most beautiful, whispy blonde hair and unforgettable freckles! She's also a gorgeous person on the inside as well, which is the best quality to have.



Teresa is a classic beauty with incredible cheek bones....can't wait to see what shows she will book.

Next

Ramona looks so edgy and this eye-catching picture makes me want to see more of her in the fashion world.



Last but not least, Naomi is an unconventional beauty destined for greatness. She's booked many desirable editorials and is already making her mark this season and seems well loved by all. She has the potential to have an incredible season for sure.

Oh, and speaking of trends, anyone else notice the black and white trend for the show cards? It's like this was planned or something...

xox Meggasus

The Queen of Cool

Have you ever been asked the question, "If you could be somebody else for one day, who would it be?"

For me, the first names that always pop into my head are fashion related....I've reveled in the idea of being Anna Wintour, Coco Rocha or one of the Olsen twins. Another fashion legend on my list is supermodel and designer, Erin Wasson.

For those of you who don't know much about her, she's done work for Maybelline and Victoria's Secret. Since her start in the early 2000's, Erin has landed on the cover of several Vogues and has strutted down the runways of nearly every designer from Chanel to Ralph Lauren. Her edgy, California-meets-New York style has made her a style icon within the industry and even served as an inspiration to designer Alexander Wang's "model off duty" style phenomenon.

Last year I was lucky enough to meet Erin at a casting for the s/s 2010 show of her clothing line, RVCA. I remember walking into the casting on Chrystie St. and seeing her sitting on a couch, holding my comp card in her hand. She told me that I had "the body of a fourteen year old black boy." I know she meant it as a compliment (and I gladly took it as one), but looking back on it I'm thinking, wtf (what normal girl wants to be called that)? Either way, it's an interesting story nonetheless.

At the casting, Erin's hair was pulled back and she was wearing a tank top paired with black and white, acid washed jeans. I was somewhat starstruck at first, but she was very easy to talk to so I was able to relax. I remember she complimented me on my Steve Madden heels, which my agency had spray painted black (no color allowed on Megadeath). I showed her my walk twice and then left the casting, passing Chanel Iman at the elevator on my way out. I must have made a good impression on her because I was confirmed for the show that same day. Here is a picture of me from her show....no worries, I don't recognize myself either.

Getting the chance to be in the RVCA show was one of my favorite parts of New York Fashion Week. Not only was it my first show in the tents but I was walking alongside models like Lily Donaldson, Irina Lazareanu and Freja Beha Erichsen. Backstage, it was like a party. Everyone was in a celebratory mood and there was great energy. The models got to keep the shoes (score!) and take home some Low Luv jewelry. (double score!!) Low Luv is Erin's jewelry line...it has a hardcore, Aztec inspired feel. I read in an interview that "Low Luv" is the motto that Erin lives by.....it's all about spreading love on the down low. Very cool, no?

Here are some pieces from the Low Luv line! I was given a silver version of the necklace on the bottom left of the image.

One thing I am dying to own from the line is this piece of body jewelry.... I need to save up and get me one of these!

I am very aware that this post is very scattered, but I just have so much to say about Erin Wasson. Bottom line is that she's just the coolest, and that's that.

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo Meggasus

Fashion News: Calvin is Done with Size Zero

In the past few years, the high fashion scene in NY, London, Milan and Paris has had many underweight and underage models walk down the runways during Fashion Week(s). It is quite normal for most runway models to be about 5'11'' and a size zero. Some girls are this thin naturally, but lets face it, most aren't.



Thankfully, American designer Calvin Klein has taken a step in the right direction to change the health issues regarding size within the fashion industry.

According to Fashionologie, the creative director of Calvin Klein, Francisco Costa, has done away with casting size 0 models and is reportedly committed to only casting models who are size 2-4.

Francisco Costa (CK creative director)

Of course, increasing the standards to sizes 2-4 aren't in any way a big change, but this does allow flexibility for models and takes off some of the pressure that is put on these young girls to be super thin.

Booking the Calvin Klein show is one of the most prestigious jobs a model can have during NY fashion week, so maybe this change will be a good motivator for some models to maintain a healthier lifestyle?

Maybe other designers will follow Costa's lead and help solidify this change for the industry?

Who knows. I hope so.

XX Meggasus

Not Your Average Runway Show

Before you read this post, please know that the person above is Karl Lagerfeld, the head designer for Chanel.

You're welcome.

Now you may keep reading.

A typical fashion show consists of a few things. First, there must be some sort of runway...usually just a straight path..down and back. Then, don't forget the models, the clothes, and the background music. Pretty basic stuff.

Well, after viewing this season's Chanel show, I think it is safe to say it was not your average fashion show. In fact, I'm starting to realize that Karl Lagerfeld takes any opportunity he can to make his show the most talked about of the season by making everything very elaborate and entertaining.

Take last season, for instance. Playing with a rustic, farmer's daughter theme, Karl went all out...creating a dirt runway complete with hay, grass, wheat and even a barn! They might as well have had the show in Storrs, CT.... take a look!

Abbey Lee Kershaw at Chanel spring 2010.....

About 3/4 of the way through the show, Karl surprised us all when Lily Allen popped out from under the ground to give a live performance.....complete with dancing models! This show turned out to be a giant barn-raising party if you ask me.

Lily Allen gives a surprise performance.

Models Iekeline and Charlotte boogy at Chanel.

After this giant production, we were curious to see what would be going down this season...turned out to be yet another highly entertaining and innovative show.

This season's show took place in Paris--but it appeared to be Antarctica!

Yes, Karl decided to import an iceberg from Scandinavia for the show! Some of the models were even dressed in head to toe fur, as if they polar bears themselves! Like we blogged earlier, FUR is definitely in this season!

Take a closer look at this runway...Ewwwww, wet fur!

Yes, the iceberg started melting!! CLASSIC!

Anyways, that's Chanel fur you. ;) We're looking forward to seeing what's in store fur next season...maybe Karl will rent out an anti-gravity room at NASA and have an astronaut themed show.

Victoria's Secret Angels Take Over Prada Show

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about how Miranda Kerr is going from having a strictly commercial career to having a more "high fash" one. Well, after taking a look at the casting of Prada this season, it seems like other VS models are getting this opportunity as well.

So while I was in Art History the other day my professor who thinks he is a rock star went on a tangent about something insignificant to our midterm exam so I decided to check my twitter, of course. Like the fashion nerd I am, I follow MissDK (aka Victoria's Secret angel, Doutzen Kroes). My jaw dropped when she twittered that she was walking in the Prada show!! Later, I found out that other VS angels were cast in the show as well...Alessandra Ambrosio and Miranda Kerr.

Check out the transformations from commercial to high fash!!

Alessandra for VS

Alessandra for Prada

Doutzen (aka MissDK) for Victoria's Secret
Doutzen for Prada

Miranda Kerr for Victoria's Secret

Miranda Kerr for PradaSo what does this commercial model take-over mean? I'm hoping it means that the high fashion world is becoming more open to having varying body types on the runway. In this case, Miuccia Prada seems to be demonstrating a new appreciation for models who are more curvy and healthy.

Not only did the show cast VS girls, but many of the models in this season's show are known to be on the "bigger" side....like Lara Stone and Catherine McNeil.

Lara Stone at Prada...size 4 or 6

Catherine McNeil

Is this a sign that sign that the industry is going to start embracing a more healthy, realistic standard for runway models? Let's hope so. The VS girls at Prada prove you can look amazing on the runway and show off the clothes beautifully without being frighteningly emaciated.

Although I think the cast at Prada marks a step in the right direction, I think there is one more thing that could have been done to prove they are ready to make some serious changes.

Doutzen, Miranda, Alessandra, Lara and Catherine are all established models who are respected throughout the industry and have successful careers. Next season, I hope to see a NEW FACE who is unestablished and a healthy SIZE FOUR or even SIX, sweep up the show season and take the industry by storm. Better yet, multiple new faces who meet this criteria would be even better.