LOVEstruck

LOVE is one of those magazines that I find so hit and miss (along with Wonderland, Indie, Dazed and Confused...) but their AW11/12 issue actually looks really good. I sound surprised only because previous issues have featured the likes of Justin Bieber which lets face it, is never going to be the most exciting of reads. In true LOVE style, they've gone all out and created a load of covers, of which Elle Fanning's is definitely my favourite.

Now, I don't actually know anything about Elle other than she's the younger sister of Dakota Fanning and that she's another teen-actress (did someone say pushy parents??) but this cover shot by Mert and Marcus is really rather charming, don't you think? I've previously harped on about how I hate seeing celebs on the cover of magazines all the time but maybe I can make an exception for up-and-coming actresses... The other covers do in fact feature models (Lara Stone included) but this was, for me personally, the standout. 

As well as having several covers (eight, to be precise), the issue has some stunning editorials - I didn't want to post about each and every one purely because I want to actually see them in the magazine first (I'm a proper magazine hoarder, fellow collectors will understand). However, I figured I'd share a couple of images from Super Natural featuring Lara, Kristen McMenamy, Daphne Groeneveld, Mariacarla Boscono and Nyasha Matonhodze.

Until I actually pick up a copy I won't hazard a guess as to why everyone is crying in this issue, I'm sure there's some deep and meaningful/political/social reason...It's been a while since I've actually looked forward to buying a magazine and whilst I never expected to get excited about LOVE, I'm pleasantly surprised. What do you all think and has anyone actually looked at it yet? 

photos from thefashionspot.com

Lara Stone covers Russian Vogue

It's official, silver is definitely having a moment. Last week I suggested that of all the metallic colours currently on the market, silver was the best and most user-friendly bet. It's been a while since I've seen anything with Lara Stone in - probably because I dropped off the blogosphere for a while - but this cover for Vogue Russia's July issue, although nothing particularly special, is really quite wonderful.

In a way it's quite morbid but I think it's really striking - you don't often see Vogue completely simplifying their covers but it makes a nice change. Lara also looks different - I'm not sure if its just the lipstick (and I hate to say this) but she kind of resembles newcomer Lindsey Wixon - or maybe that's just me?

I've always said that international editions of Vogue are much more interesting looking than the American and British verions - Korea always have something different going on. I think this is a really good direction for Vogue and its nice to not be inundated with some boring celebrity life-story, wouldn't you agree?

photo from forums.thefashionspot.com

Paris Fashion Week: Hakaan AW11

This time last year (Friday 19th February, to be precise) I was sent to watch a show by little known designer, Hakaan. No one knew who Hakaan was so I was hardly expecting big things to happen. Oh how I couldn't have been more wrong. To say that it was bewildering to see Lara Stone, Natalia Vodianova and Natasha Poly at his début show in London would be a bit of an understatement. At the time, Hakaan caused a bit of a furore but mainly for his star-studded FROW and model line-up; this season, I have a feeling time has repeated itself...

The clothes are undoubtedly beautiful but I don't think his success is down to skill alone - were it not for the stellar line-up: Freja Beha Erichsen, Maria Carla Boscono, Natalia Vodianova, Karolina Kurkova, Natasha Poly and Anja Rubik, Hakaan might simply be another struggling designer. One gets the impression that Hakaan has friends in very high places, which is great, but there's only so far that monochrome-tailoring and pleated mini-dresses can take you.

Maybe I'm being too harsh; I was all over the début collection after all. I'd like to see some innovation and ingenuity if I'm going to track Hakaan's progress - not just a handful of the world's best models (although apparently, that helps). Do you think a world-class line-up is enough to propel Hakaan into designer stardom or does he need to up his game?

Photos from style.com

Meow!

I was going to post about the start of New York Fashion Week but I haven't seen anything that exciting yet. This has become a bit commonplace on Bang Bang You're Dead because I'm really rather fussy. Anyway, in its place, I wanted to share this super-cute editorial from an old issue of Vogue Paris with you; I'm a bit of a cat lover (yes I am aware of the negative connotations) and a massive Lara Stone fan, so this is my idea of editorial heaven...

 Morning Beauty featuring Lara Stone by Mark Segal, Vogue Paris 2007.

 I love the whole 'let's use a baby jungle animal' strategy to sell things; if I had enough money I clearly would have bought the entire Cartier collection just off the back of the adverts. Lara is so incredibly beautiful and I can't wait to see her and David out and about here in London; they were adorable after the Hakaan show.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Fashion Week - a designer? A Celebrity? A Model? Let me know!

photos from fashiongonerogue.com

Spotlight: Ashley Smith

Unless your first name is Abbey, Freja or Natalia, my model knowledge generally isn't too hot (I was in close proximity to Imogen Morris-Clarke, Ali Stephens and Hanne Gaby Odiele and was oblivious). But then every once in a while, a model will pop up on the runway or feature in a magazine and I'll be obsessed. Right now my obsession is Ashley Smith.

Ashley, for comparisons sake, is pretty much a younger, more gap-toothed Lara Stone. This editorial for the summer issue of i-D is so soft and yet so honest, I mean those boobs are just insane. For a 19 year-old she seems to have her head pretty screwed on (although naivety can be deceiving) - "I'm not a twig and I've got titties...I think boobs are making a comeback. Models have looked like 12 year old boys for some time now, I think the fashion industry is looking for a change," she says.

I first caught sight of Ashley in this amazing Russh beauty editorial back in November but didn't actually know who she was until a few days ago, she's like some incredible Lara/Georgia Jagger hybrid!

As well as perfecting the quirky, edgy look, she's also pretty neat on the commercial circuit - check out this gorgeous US Elle editorial.

I think she's one of those models that I call 'superhuman' but I'm gonna wait it out and see what she does next, I really hope she isn't a flash in the pan. What do you think of Ashley, should Lara Stone (newly hitched, aww) be worried?

photos from fashiongonerogue.com

LFW Hakaan

Just yesterday everyone was asking 'who is Hakaan'?

With a star-studded front row (Kate Moss, Carine Roitfeld, David Walliams) and an even more impressive model list (Abbey Lee Kershaw, Natalia Vodianova, Lara "the only show I'm modelling for" Stone, Natasha Poly), it's now safe to say that everyone knows who Hakaan is.

For a relative unknown, the Turkish designers' debut collection at LFW today was incredible. Clean lines, butt-skimming bandage-mini's, sculpted fur-gillets and a strong but minimalist palette stormed the catwalk.

Backstage was a model spotters dream. There was alot of 'Lara?! Where's Lara??' and even more flapping around from Edward Enninful.

The sunlight (although a welcomed blessing) made street-style shots rather difficult; however, never one to miss an opportunity...

Natalia Vodianova & Maria Carla

Kate Moss

Carine Roitfeld

Apologies for the quality of the photo's. Look out tommorow for exclusive photos from Fashion East and Holly Foulton!

Photo's taken by me, do not use/copy without permission!

Lara Walliams?

Kind of has a funny ring to it, don't you think?

It was confirmed earlier today that Lara Stone and David Walliams are engaged; maybe I'm totally out of the loop but I didn't even know they were dating so consequently had a 'spit your drink out' moment when I found out. I can't really get the image of his multiple Little Britain aliases out of my head so they look extremely comical in my mind.

Stone is literally a modern day supermodel and Walliams, is well, a comedian. Not exactly the most likely of pairings but I think they look cute together. To the happy couple...

In my mind...

And then in real life...

At least he's taller than her AND she'll be able to give him pointers so he doesn't end up with another dodgy hair-do.

photo from mrpaparazzi

Versace?

It seems that 17 year old Georgia Jagger has been causing quite a stir in fashion land. The daughter of a Rolling Stone and now the face of the SS10 Versace campaign; you would've thought we'd be putty in her hands right about now. But we're not.

The SS10 Versace collection was sublime. Some saw Gianni in his heyday whilst others just loved its almost 'tackily' fresh aesthetic. I for one fell head over PVC heels for Donatella's Alice in Wonderland inspired collection. However, when Georgia Jagger was announced as the face of the Italian powerhouse last year I was a little sceptical. For one thing she is only 17 and I always felt that Abbey Lee would have so much better.

Fashion forums are in quandry; some love her, some hate her. Countless comparisons with the Louis Vuitton campaign, Lara Stone and Abbey Lee have been made - all of which are quite true. However, I loved the collection and I'm not turning my back just because I'm not 100% on the choice of model (I think she's beautiful, just not quite right). Abbey Lee would have been a better candidate and so would some variety but GOD I love the dresses and shoes.

What do you think of Georgia for Versace?

photos from thefashionspot.com

EAT MY SHORTS MUICCIA

Excuse the Simpsons reference but seriously, what are these utility shorts that look as attractive as sandpaper pants? I can't say I like what came out at Prada this A/W.


Everything looked a little stiff and strangely forced, appropriately described by Sarah Mower as looking as though it were constructed from "domestic upholstery fabric". I'm not keen on the tan leather jacket and the ribbed cardigans although I do quite like the silouette created from the slouching red coat (as worn by the gorgeous Lara Stone) and strangely enough the black fishing waders.


IMAGES COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Prove me wrong Prada.