Monthly Mashup

So there have been a few things that have popped up in the last few weeks that may be of interest... This is what I've managed to gather:

Elite has released another preview shot from Caroline's editorial from LOVE, shot by Alastair McLellan. The issue has been out on stands for a little while now, but I'm still waiting on a full scan of the editorial before dedicating a full post to it. It is looking a little intriguing though, very Studio 54. I'm glad she's in this issue in particular though: with all the press it's generating due to the Kate Moss + Lea T cover, and the added audience that Katie Grand is hoping to capitalize on with the Justin Bieber cover, not to mention that the specific editorial also features Duran Duran, this should be a good boost for Caroline's notoriety. Granted, people are more likely to be talking about her costars in the issue, but she'll have a foot in the door at the very least. 

We also have a behind the scenes video from the Valentino S/S 2011 campaign. It's basically just a montage of clips set to epic background music, but it's always interesting to see models at work, especially top ones like Freja. You get the sense that they are incredibly aware of their own presence and bodies in front of the camera, and understand the changes that even the most subtle of movements have on the dynamic and emotion of a photograph.

This excerpt from Vogue Russia was posted in Caroline's tFS thread. The poster indicates that it is from the April 2011 issue, but where the cover was given to Abbey Lee Kershaw, I'm not entirely sure what this is. Gill Ford (thank you!) has kindly translated "Читайте в Апрельском" as meaning "Read in April", and that the rest of the text is discussing the trends for summer 2011. She's thinking that it is likely a preview for the May issue, which should be out in April (you know, because fashion is all about getting tomorrow's look today). 


Regardless of where this shot comes from, and whether we'll be seeing more, I'm glad to see The Brasch is continuing a string of performances with Vogue Russia. By no means is she getting an editorial every issue a la Lara Stone with Vogue Paris, but she had that great shoot for September 2010 and another just the past January. It's good to see that she's getting more work with the magazine, which is always creative and entertaining in the editorial department. This shot is the handy work of Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer, who Caroline has previously worked with for Vogue Paris. Looking forward for what's to come (Numero and Vogue Nippon ;) )!

Photos courtesy of tFS posters mousyy and Stereo Flo

Sweet Freedom

Caroline has a forthcoming editorial in January 2011's Vogue Russia! Titled "Это сладкое слово свобода" (translates literally to "This sweet word, freedom"), it's a set of 9 black and white shots by photographer Anthony Maule. The shoot was styled by Geraldine Saglio.

I am glad to see The Brasch getting some more editorial work, because goodness knows the girl needs some (and deserves some too, I reckon). At best, this is mediocre work, but keeping in mind that Caroline is still very inexperienced, that is only to be expected. In fact, I was expecting a bit worse to be perfectly honest, so this is more of a pleasant surprise than a let down. 

We have some repetitive facial expressions, and posing is less variable than I might like, but there's no denying that she looks stunning. The second picture actually reminds me of an ed of Kate Moss I saw recently... I'll edit this post when I remember where that one came from. The seventh one... well, it's a classic pose, and she's looking very high fashion. But all seriousness aside, is that not what you would do if you found yourself decked out in harem pants? Yeah, I thought so. 

Of the set, my personal favorite is the fourth though. There are so many different ways to interpret the emotion on her face; it's like one of those optical illusions where looking at it one way shows you two faces staring at each other, while another view shows a single face peering from behind a candlestick. In this case, paying attention to different features on the face allows you to infer myriad of messages. Sometimes she looks displeased, others skeptical, and on occasion, there is a faint smile... or is it a smirk? 

Overall, I give this editorial two thumbs for effort, one for execution. And an honorable mention to Saglio for her styling on the shoot... I don't remember the last time I saw such minimalism in Vogue Russia. I wonder if that's what the title refers to? Minimalism is plain, but in its basicness it is functional and unhindering. Whereas the tendency of the Russian styling is to be extremely decorative, furry and the like. If this appeared anywhere else, I would probably say the editors were trying to express freedom in life and emotion through wardrobing, but everyone knows the Russian views on the nature of oppression (Hint: it is constant and never ends. If you need proof, the Russian verb for 'to oppress' has no past tense conjugation. I know right, bleak.). Perhaps this explains Caroline's expressions and posing, which at times look heavy and labored? Ohhhhh those Russians...

Photos courtesy of tFS user shely