The 12 Days of Christmas

In light of the holiday season, I've been searching for a festive editorial to share with the blogosphere. Recently I came up with this one called "The Twelve Days of Christmas," photographed by Steven Meisel in 1998 for US Vogue.

We've all heard several renditions of the classic holiday song, but have you ever seen a visual artistic interpretation of it?

Well, back in 1998, US Vogue did an entire fashion spread based on the song, featuring supermodel Shalom Harlow. (She's actually still working today...omg)!

Anway, here's the editorial:





















Granted, I was seven when this editorial was published, so maybe it's just too outdated for me to really understand, but personally I found parts of this editorial to be a little odd.

For instance, the "Three French Hens" photo has three french maids. Come on now, just because they are french hens, doesn't mean "interpreting" them to be french maids will cut it. Changing three french hens to three french maids is the same thing as changing it to three french fries, basically.

Also, when I think of eight maids a-milking, I don't not think of babies...(I'm guessing they're referencing breast feeding? Honestly, I feel awkward just saying that.) Generally, I think of maids milking cows....

Well, what are your thoughts with this editorial? My favorite photo is for "nine ladies dancing." Look at them raise the roof! Par-tay!

Merry Christmas to all!

Meggasus Peggasus

Where will you be September 10th?

If you've already gotten your September issue of US Vogue, you know that the place to be on September 10th is New York City. If you haven't gotten your issue yet, you've now heard the news from us.

Why should one be in NYC? Because September 10th is Fashion's Night Out, that's why!

Below is a public service announcement about FNO from last year, but I still think it's relevant for 2010! PS- Does anyone else find it hilarious how Raquel Zimmerman is just draping herself on Alex Wang throughout the video?


To sum it up, Fashion's Night Out is basically one giant, city-wide celebration in the name of fashion. On this night, from 6pm to 11pm, there will be designers, models, celebrities, food, drinks and fun activities in several stores across the city. According to the Fashion's Night Out website, "The goal of Fashion's Night Out is to celebrate and support the fashion and retail industries with full-price shopping." By keeping the stores open into the night and enhancing the shopping experience, the fashion world hopes to encourage more people to shop during these difficult economic times.

By the time September 10th rolls around I will already be slaving over my books at Uconn, but I might just try to make a trip to the city anyways. I mean come on.... Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will be judging Karaoke at Barney's. How am I supposed to miss that?

For more information on where to shop during FNO, check out fashionista.com.

The Newest Trend?

For most people, getting gray hair is not something to look forward too. However, I've noticed recently that going gray is actually a trend that is being embraced by the fashion community. Just this month, US Vogue released a new editorial by David Sims featuring 43 year old model, Kristen Mcmenamy, donning a full head of lustrous silver locks.

In my opinion, Vogue is sending a great message to its readers- that age is something to be proud of. This editorial reminds us that with age comes wisdom, grace, and for a few lucky ones, a well deserved sense of self actualization.

However, Italian Vogue is taking this trend one step further by casting 25 year old model Sasha Pivovarova and having her sport gray hair as well. It's like the people at Italian Vogue are saying, "Who says you need to be old to have gray hair?". In my opinion, having your hair colored gray at a young age is like when a person with perfect vision wears non-prescription glasses to look smarter. Gray hair makes a young person look wise and experienced. Take a look at this picture of Sasha from Vogue Italy (May 2010).

Call me crazy, but I really like the idea of a person coloring their hair gray. Just think of how cool Stacy London from What Not to Wear looks! If you're not sold on this idea, just look at this picture of one of my favorite models right now, Hannah Holman. I found this picture of her on The Fashion Spot and I think it looks totally awesome! I wonder if this is permanent for Hannah or if it's just some sort of transitional coloring from a job.....either way, I think she should keep it.

So, are you guys feelin' the gray hair on youngsters like I am? Don't worry, I'm not planning on coloring my own hair anytime soon but I have wondered what I would look like if I did.

xox Meggasus

It's Officially Summer

Now that it's July, summer is in full swing. To get everyone excited for the month ahead, I've decided to post one of my favorite beach editorials from Vogue Paris, 2009.

Take a look at this amazing set of photographs from the lens of Bruce Weber....

I love this editorial because it proves that Sasha Pivovarova, who is (in my opinion) the queen of being fierce, also has the best smile in the business.

















What is your favorite beach editorial? Another one of my favorites is Jacqueline Jablonski and Erin Heatherton in Russh, Issue 32.

xox Meggasus

ANTM Winner to be on Italian Vogue!

Tyra Banks

According to New York Magazine's Fashion blog, The Cut, America's Next Top Model will be making many changes in the near future which will transform the reality show from extremely commercial to the highest of high fashion.

An ANTM winner on the cover of Seventeen

Before I started modeling, I would be glued to the television every Thursday night watching America's Next Top Model. When I finally broke into the business, I was highly disappointed when I realized the winners of every cycle never actually amounted to anything beyond their Cover Girl contract.

Recently, former editor at large for Vogue magazine, André Leon Talley, signed on to be the newest judge on ANTM for at least the next three seasons.

André Leon Talley

In case you don't understand the significance of this new judge, the Cut couldn't have said it any better:

"What Tyra is to 12-year-old girls, Talley is to the fashion industry. He appears at her side like a shepherd guiding her back to sophistication."

So, what's in store for ANTM as we know it? Well for one thing, the winner will no longer appear on the back cover of Seventeen magazine. Instead, Talley has arranged for the newest winner to be featured on the cover of Italian Vogue and have two editorials inside. Yes, you are not imagining things, I said Italian Vogue. Better yet, the winner may in fact be shot by Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue. And If I do say so myself, claiming yourself as a "top" model after being shot by Meisel for Italian Vogue has some definite legitimacy. With this said, I guess it will be safe to consider the winner of the next cycle an actual top model.

Italian Vogue by Steven Meisel

I have not watched ANTM since I was about sixteen but now I'm going to start watching it again! I wonder if our this show can actually produce our newest runway
star!

xox Meggasus

Happy Mother's Day!

In honor of Mother's Day, we've decided to post one of our favorite editorials from US Vogue, featuring supermodel Natalia Vondianova and her three adorable children.

Photographed by Mario Testino and styled by Grace Coddington, this editorial really captures the special connection a mother has with her children.









We really love our mom and have been trying to make this day special for her. Try to make it a memorable holiday for your mom too!

Enjoy the photographs and Happy Mother's Day!

Walker in Wonderland

Today I found this stunning image photographed by Tim Walker for British Vogue. In my opinion, this is fashion photography at its best. The baby blue dress, the spiral staircase,the lighting, the drama, the slight element of fantasy.....EVERYTHING just works.



Of course, I automatically did an image search and to find more of Walker's work.

I find his work to be very distinct....very vibrant and cinematic. All of images seem to tell a story.



His photography is addicting- I've already read his entire thread on The Fashion Spot and have checked out his website.

According to his site, once Tim graduated college he assisted legendary fashion photographer Richard Avedon, and his first photograph appeared in Vogue by the time he was 25. Walker's photographs have been in several magazines, including British Vogue, US Vogue, Italian Vogue, Teen Vogue, W, i-D and Harper's Bazaar.



What I love about his work is that it takes you to a fantasy world, full of color and imagination. I think this might be why it's so addicting to look at...who wouldn't want to be a part of this playful, fun world?

With these whimsical set designs, I wonder what it would have been like to play "pretend" with Tim as a child-I think it would have been a blast!






His images just speak to the inner kid in all of us and give us a feeling that our wildest dreams can become reality.

Have a wonderful day and enjoy the photographs!
xx Meggasus

The Best of the Zeros (According to Meggasus)

The decade of the zeros brought us several seasons of magazine editorials and ad campaigns. It brought us memorable faces and some incredible collections. We were introduced to Gemma Ward, Alexander Wang, and Lady Gaga. We wore ugg boots, trucker hats, ponchos (verrry bad idea) and even rocked the side bangs. The first decade of the new millennium produced some amazing stuff, and I've choosen what I believe is the "Best of the Zeros". Oh, and since I make the rules around here, some categories have more than one winner. Enjoy!

Best Ad Campaign:

Missoni fall/winter 09 Hanne Gabby Odiele by Steven Meisel

oh...and Gucci f/w 08 by unstoppable duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin was amazing as well...this one's hanging in my bedroom! Models are Lily Donaldson, Eniko Mihalik and Abbey Lee Kershaw.

Best Model:

Coco Rocha :)

Coco Rocha photographed by Greg Kadel for Numero 88.
I love Coco. If I could be anyone from the zeros, it would be her. She's been in and on the cover of American Vogue, Italian Vogue, I-D magazine, Dazed and Confused, and several others! Over the decade she scored several ad campaigns such as YSL beauty and fragrance. She's not a typical beauty of the the decade, but she really owned it nonetheless. Honorable mentions: Sasha Pivovarova Daria Werbowy, Lily Donaldson, Gemma Ward.

Best Cover:


i-D February, 2008 by Emma Summerton, models Gemma Ward and Lily Donaldson

Why is this cover the best? Because it clearly states a motto we must all live by. Not to mention that this cover is just brimming with attitude.

Best Editorial:

**Please note that I choose these editorials before the people at models.com read my mind and decided to pick these as their favorites too.

I call this one, "Kicking Ass"
This editorial for French Vogue was photographed by Inez & Vinoodh. Basically, the entire editorial is just really violent.....but what makes it the best of the decade is because it is so memorable. I never open up a magazine and expect a model to be beating up a bunch of biker dudes....brilliant! Choosing a favorite editorial was very very tricky. I will probably change my mind tomorrow.

Come to think of it...

US Vogue February 2009 shot by Steven Meisel is AMAZING too. The editorials in US vogue are a little more clean and beautiful than I usually prefer, but it's a more mainstream magazine...so.... the more beautiful the better in that case. With that aside, I love the elegance and sophistication in this spread. The styling by Grace Coddington gives the entire shoot a retro, 1930's vibe. Only US Vogue could make falling of your bike look fun. I mean, I want to go fall off a bike after looking at this photo above.


Last but not least....

Best Photographer

Steven Meisel
He ruled fashion photography in the nineties and he ruled in the zeros. He is the God of fashion. Know him. He's everywhere!