Mirte Maas - Spur November 2012

Ph: Jonas Gustavsson
Interview and Text: Wayne Sterling

From your debut opening at Alexander Wang in 09 to your Spring 12 ad for Tom Ford, how have you changed as a model?

From the beginning, I looked at modeling as a side hobby... Something I'd like to do for a year and go back to school. Once I got a real taste of the business, I started to understand that being a model is real job and something I could build as a career. When I started my first season I had no idea what I was getting into. I went from being a normal high school student in holland to working as a model with some of the top designers and professionals in the industry. When I finally decided to move to NY, that's when I began to take the job seriously.

What is the best thing you've learnt from the modeling industry?

To adjust quickly to a new environment. Before modeling, my weeks were pretty planned out, always knowing where I would be from day to day. Life was different when I knew I had friends and family around to help me out whenever I needed them.

With modeling you spend a lot of time with people you don't know in places you've never been and there's a lot of time alone as well. It's taught me how to be independent and overcome a lot of insecurities.

Tell us a little bit about the town you are from and your family.

I grew up near a town called Breda.  It's a really nice city in Holland - Kind of like a small version of Amsterdam. I lived there with my parents, brother and sister.

Our village was actually right next to Breda - about 20 min bike ride. I had a really nice childhood, never had to worry much. I never modeled much during school so I'm happy I really got to have my childhood and started working as a model after I finished high school and was old enough to understand the responsibilities that came with the job.

Fashion wise are you more an outfit oriented or are you more about accessories ( bags, shoes etc )

I guess more outfit-oriented. I love clothes and accessories, but I find that I wear my shoes and bags for longer and with a lot more frequency than any particular piece of clothing from my closet.

Of course, when I pick an outfit to wear that day I do try to coordinate a bag or shoe with it, but many of my accessories are neutrals so they go with everything.

How would you describe your off duty style?

Very casual. In the summer I always wear jeans or shorts and a blouse or a t-shirt. I like to keep it simple.

With my boots (I have 2 pair of the same rag & bone shoes that I really like-  I'd rather wear the same ones every day because they feel good and comfortable).

I just don't like the feeling of wearing a skirt or dress unless I'm going somewhere special.

What's a great hidden fashion store that you've discovered in your travels?

I love Tokio 7 in east village in NY.

Its a vintage shop that sells a lot of great designers on consignment.  I'm also a big fan of Acne and Helmut Lang.

What do you for fun when you have some time off from modeling?

In NY, I try to bike everywhere. Its a nice way to get out and see the city from a different point of view (plus it's good exercise). I ride along the river or across the bridge a lot.

What music have you been listening to lately?

It might not be the coolest, but I have to admit I love cheesy pop music. Especially when I'm shooting - I just love mainstream, everything from Wiz Khalifa to Nicki Minaj. As long as it sounds cool and makes me feel energized.

How to you stay in shape ?

I try to eat healthy. I've been pretty lucky that I have quite a fast metabolism, because I like more food than I can actually eat!

Of course, I try to work out when I have the time. I probably go to the gym every other day when I'm not working. I mostly mix it up with cardio, light weights and pilates.

Outside of your modeling dreams what is your biggest ambition for your life?

That one day I can say I am proud and content with what I've done in my life. I don't need to be famous or someone people admire, but I'd like to live a content life and find something I truly enjoy doing... some that I can succeed in and know I did well. I'd maybe have a family on my own someday also.

Spur Magazine July 2012, Interview with Ginta Lapina by Wayne Sterling

Spur Magazine July 2012 interview

Model: Ginta Lapina

Photography: Kikuko Usuyama, Jonas Gustavsson (runway)

Hair & Make-up: Kouta

Interview & text: Wayne Sterling

WS: Did you feel like you were always destined to model Ginta?

GL: When I was 15 I was one of the shortest girls and then I started to play sports and became one of the tallest, all in one summer . I was scouted a little bit before  my 16th birthday . It was at first a little bit of an issue because the scout thought I was too short. But one day...whoosh.

WS: What was your sport?

GL: Volleyball . I played it in school in Latvia. Nothing international.

WS: As a schoolgirl when everyone was encouraging you to model did you have any ideas about the fashion world?

GL: No. Because I'm from a small town so people wouldn't even think it's real. They think of fashion as something that is untouchable.

WS: Is there much of a fashion industry in Latvia?

GL: For sure we have more and more  modeling agencies ...but fashion as an industry...not really. There are some people who are aware ... there are those who aware of my work but not so many people.

WS: Are you a celebrity in Latvia?

GL: Not really. maybe once or twice a little girl on the street will point and say my name but that's it.

WS: So you still have a little bit of a private life.

GL: Yes. I do. Which I like. For models it's different. Once you are a known model it's not the same as an actor. Once you are in the movies, millions know you. Models still get to keep their private life.

WS: What's the main city that you live in now?

GL: New York. I love the people in New York. I like the mix. It is a lot of energy but I have to say, time to time I have to get out of the city, just to stay sane (laughs) I live in Chelsea and there are construction workers every morning at 7am outside my bedroom for a year now starting with jackhammers.

WS: Are you ready to slow down the fast pace of your life?

GL: I have to say I enjoy a lot, traveling and I like being with people but  I like exploring by myself. I like those moments when I'm by myself. Let's say ...I'm going to go, for instance tonight to Milan for a job, I'm kind of looking forward to it because that's your time . You go to the hotel, spend a little time in the spa. The 8 or 9 hrs on the plane means I can read my book. I'm reading right now, "The Hunger Games" which just came out as a movie. I'm reading already, the third book. I'm a little bit obsessed . That's the moment . I can read my book .

WS: What did you think of the movie?

GL: I liked it . But they were missing things. In the books of course you have more details. It explains more whats happening, why some people die and what happens to the kids in The Hunger Games after they die. They turn into ghosts but they didn't explain that in the movies. The whole forest thing was just as I imagined it. But I didn't like the train. I thought it looked too robotic and futuristic.

WS: Speaking of futuristic, I love your nails by the way.

GL: I just did a video with the directors Santiago & Maurcio yesterday  for models.com with the theme about Japanese cartoon characters . I liked it so much I kept them.

WS: Have you been to Japan?

GL: I've been to Japan like 5 times . I love the culture. In Tokyo I love to go shopping but the clothes are always smaller than my size . I like to buy lots of little souvenirs like chopsticks . My grandmother is so cute she doesn't even use them. She just keeps them on display. I don't have many siblings . I have one brother but I have lots of uncles and aunts and cousins .

WS:  You've pretty much grown up from a young girl to a young woman in this business!

GL: Yes. The journey I've been through is something I'll never forget. Being here on my own. ...it was definitely a growing experience and I believe I had to go through all these things to be where I am now. I understand myself better. Because I now know how easy it is to fall down. I've been through the stages where everything was a challenge which is why I am so happy with where I am now. What I like about my job now is that you go to your bookings and people have now become your friend . It's more like a family feeling which is interesting. I can get nervous sometimes before a shoot but it depends on the story . Sometimes you just go to the shoot and they give you the inspiration . Other days sometimes I wish I had more homework to do (laughs) . It's nice if they send the inspiration or reference beforehand because sometimes I go to the shoot and there are crazy ideas and I want to do my best. It's where I get nervous.

WS: Do you think there should be an age limit for models.

GL: I think there should be verages I imagine if I had a daughter I wouldn't her to be modeling full time since he's 15. I think it's a little bit too young because you not know yet why you are in this world. Occasionally it's great to start young but you do it full time maybe it's best when you are 17 or 18.

WS: If you had stayed in school and not modeled what would you be doing now?

GL: I would be an interior designer. Yup. I was in an artistic school in Latvia and if you had asked me 5 years ago I would have said "oh I want to be a painter or working with stained glass"  but now I think I would have  loved  to be an interior designer .

WS: Do you experiment with your decorating skills at home?

GL: Yes I just got a place in Riga. It's a raw space so it's like my little baby. I'm slowly working out exactly how I want everything to be. The walls...the floors...the apartment I have is in the old part of the city. So I'm going to make my kitchen look like we are on the street . It depends on the mood of the room but I like a lot of gray, black and white. It might feel more modern but I also have a liking or classical. I keep a more classical apartment in New York.

WS: Tell me about your favorite music right now.

GL: With music it's a little funny. It can be pretty much anything. I like rock n roll. Hip hop especially when I'm at work. At home I like 80s . Because I love to dance.

WS: Speaking of dancing, I love that Madonna gave you dance lessons on that Miu Miu set with Mert & Marcus.

GL: Yes. I mean Madonna is Madonna . When she walked into the studio that day, me and the girls didn't know she was coming . So we are in the dressing area and I'm looking and going...no it can't be Madonna. Is she really here?  I was so surprised but she was the sweetest. She remembered all the girls names. We didn't have to say it twice. We learnt the moves. She has such a good memory. Madonna's focus is incredible. She knows exactly what she's doing.

WS: What's your big remaining dream?

GL: My biggest dream in the future...the one thing I really want is to be happy . Always happy. I never want to lose the little Ginta inside of me. I still want to be who I am and remember the place where I am coming from . Because that will lead you into your future.

WS: Beautifully said Ginta. Thanks a billion for making time for Spur this morning.

                                                                        

Spur Magazine July 2010 interview: Fei Fei Sun by Wayne Sterling

Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Fei Fei Sun for Spur Magazine on April 26, 2010.



It started as a glimmer when Fei Fei a 20 year old fashion student from China came ambling down the Jil Sander FW 10 runway . Because of her presence and her poise in that engagement, instantly the queries started to pour in as to who this sensational new find ,might be. Casting directors found themselves cross-comparing notes, a rare occurrence in a modeling world marked by an overflow of too many new faces at the same time. By the time the dust settled in Paris, Fei Fei had marched down the catwalk for the likes of luxury brands like Celine, Miu Miu and Hermes signaling just how unique a beauty she was. The feedback from the fittings and the go-sees was that Fei Fei was a rare proposition offering a new look that was so distinct and editorial you could sense that her success was not a fad but rather the first steps in what could be a truly breakthrough career. Spur caught with this fascinating newcomer in her first week in New York. We found that all the advance buzz about Fei Fei's intelligence, grace, humor and humility were all totally true. What we found most touching was her determination to share her wonderful new experiences with her classmates back in her Shanghai University. That is the mark of a truly sensitive spirit, the feature that will render Fei Fei a very memorable model for a long time to come.

Wayne Sterling: Where in China are you from Fei Fei?
Fei Fei Sun: I'm from a small town near to Shanghai. I model in Shanghai though.

WS Your agent tells me you studied fashion at your University.
FF. Yes I was studying clothing design and there was a little bit of modeling to that.At Suzhou University they allow you to study just about anything. Taking photographs…modeling…clothing design…or singing…playing the piano…You could study anything at my school.

WS: What did you use as your reference for learning about international modeling world from China?
FF: As you know I have many friends and they are starting out as clothing designers. We talk among each other about the Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan, Paris so everyday we would check models.com and style.com and look at the pictures of the shows and the backstage. We also would buy the magazines like Vogue and Elle in China. We'd buy foreign books too like ID and Pop. My school in Shanghai is a very good university . When you finish your high school and are trying to get into the university…my university..the entry requirement is very high. You have to study hard to get into that university so my friends…everyone there is very bright (laughs)

WS:Does China has a main fashion city?
FF: In China Shanghai and Bejing is like New York vs Paris. Shanghai is the New York and Beijing is more like Paris. It is very different. I chose Shanghai because my university is near Shanghai and for modeling every day I have castings and jobs there. So I told my school I wanted to give international modeling a try so I could travel and see everywhere. This is my first time ever in New York and so was London, Milan , Paris so everything to me is new.

WS: How does New York strike you as a first time experience?
FF: My friends told me that New York was going to be a lot like Shanghai but I think New York is better. I love my agency. Everyone here is friendly to me. Once I had some rest I started just walking everywhere in New York. I went to Times Square because my friends told me if you come to New York, you must go to Times Square.

WS: Are there lots of young girls in China deeply into fashion?
FF: It is different than the way it is in Europe. Girls are in school and the teachers don't like young girls in China to wear in make-up. Maybe Saturdays and Sundays. But Monday to Friday you wear your school clothes.

WS: Do you think you're going to be famous in China?
FF: In China the Market Directors always come to the shows in Milan and Paris.. When the fashion editors see me in the shows they stop me after the show to say congratulations. It is my first time in Europe. I'm a new face there. My friends and the fashion editors are very supportive because sometimes it is hard to get into those shows when you are a Chinese girl. Maybe 1 or 2 shows would be good.

WS: But not so many top shows in your first season was amazing! Are there Chinese designers becoming big stars at home?
FF: Shanghai and Bejing both have Fashion Weeks. The time is March to May. Do you know Qiu Hao? . Foreign people call him Hao Qui. He started in London at St Martins . In China the Fashion Week is not like Paris or New York. The Fashion Week has many clothing designers showing and many Chinese models.

WS: It means it is a growing market.How was experiencing Europe for the first time?
FF: I liked it . During the day you had many to things to do and you had very little free time. I got to see many famous models. Many super girls and Top Models.

WS: And now you're one of them (laughs)
FF: It was very interesting the Fashion Week. When I first came to London, I thought…wow ..this is really different. I didn't know where to go…where to buy clothes…what area I was in. But the people in London were very friendly and when you were standing there and you don't know where to go , maybe some people would say "Do you need some help?" .The city of Paris is very beautiful. Fashion Week in Paris is very busy. Everyday it was fittings till very late , maybe until midnight. But my driver was so friendly and he would tell me what the name of the famous buildings were. He cared for me especially at lunch time and dinner time. After Fashion Week I went back to Shanghai and told my friends that the people were really kind and I didn't feel lonely.

WS: Were there any specific shows where you thought "Wow..these clothes are so beautiful"
FF: Every fashion show I go to is a new one for me. For me all the clothes were a surprise. I enjoyed all the designers. They were different. Different people had a different style. You could see their personality in the clothes they made.

WS: You said it so perfectly. Are you going back to university soon?
FF: Modeling is the first thing now but school will always be important too. In school you can learn a lot of different things. Your friends and you are all growing together. When I am finished modeling I will go back to school to study to be a clothing designer.

WS: What if the modeling is for a long time like 10 years?
FF: I hope I can do this for a long time. I love shooting and the shows and meeting different people. I'm trying my best to do it for a long time.

WS: The longer you work in New York and Europe the more famous you'll become in China.
FF: That would be fun but I was not modeling just to be famous. I was doing it just because I like it. I don't know how to say…I like modeling not because I want people to know me but because I enjoy it and it helps to learn so many new things.

WS: Well I adored speaking with you Fei Fei . I think you are so beautiful and you have the spirit to match it. Thank you for talking time out for Spur.
FF: Thank you it was very nice to meet you!

Spur Magazine Interview: Rianne ten Haken + Wayne Sterling

Wayne Sterling of The Imagist & Models.Com interviewed Rianne ten Haken for Spur Magazine at Women NYC on November 17,2009 :



Rianne Ten Haken, the 23 year old Dutch beauty currently igniting a major buzz in the fashion industry is the interesting case of a girl whose career started immediately from the top. In her very first season in September of 2003 Rianne opened the SS 2004 Marc Jacobs show on the recommendation of the show's power stylist Venecia Scott. Immediately there was a bidding war with Versace quickly nabbing the fresh faced newcomer to be the face of the label for Spring 2004. Italian Vogue and Numero covers followed quickly as well as assignments for Chanel. All seemed aligned to assure that the luscious beauty of Rianne was to follow the path of the traditional supermodel. But suddenly work slowed to a trickle even though her perfect proportions kept earning Rianne sporadic runway gigs like a cameo on the Vuitton Spring 2008 "Nurse" intro where she walked in the section of the show reserved for icons like Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. It was interesting then when Miss Ten Haken re-entered the Steven Meisel orbit in 2009 with back to back covers of Vogue Italia (Oct and Nov) proving that this powerfully glamorous girl has serious staying power with some of the most demanding photographers and designers in the business. Already the leverage of those two covers have earned Rianne a massive Only Girl story in Self-Service magazine as well as an interesting conversation about the return of image of strong women in magazine editorials. In her first post-comeback interview, Rianne sat down with Spur to explain what she had been doing in her "off duty" years, her views on femininity and sexuality in fashion and her thoughts on the increasingly fast turn over on new models. This was her strong perspective.

WS: Two Italian Vogue covers later everybody 's buzzing about you Rianne. You took a little time off. Tell us what you were doing during that off duty phase
RTH:
I was still working. I was doing some commercial work. I was living in Europe having a nice life…finishing my school and you know just enjoying the moment …not anything major but just going on with my life

WS: What were you studying in school?
RTH: It was business school which was a little bit boring but I had to get it out of the way. I'm done with school. I graduated in July . I'm enjoying the moment right now of not doing anything. I'm finally having the time to read the books that I want to read. And not always having that weight on your shoulders of having to do assignments

WS: What made you decide to come back to NY and plunge back into the industry?
RTH: I was living in Paris for 3 years. it was beautiful city and a beautiful life but at certain point you had done everything you can in Europe and you're ready for a change again. Because I used to live here in New York so I was kind of missing New York so I decided to give it another shot. It is such an easy city to live and the energy and the people make you feel like everything is possible.

WS:As opposed to Paris…
RTH: Paris is a little bit more mellow . It is definitely a better quality of life in some ways but if you want to work and make the most of your career you definitely have to come back to New York.

WS: Upon coming back did you find things different or essentially the same
RTH: I think you grow up and you look at it in a different way. Whereas when you were younger you just don't really know what's going on you just run around and people tell you to go here and go there and you just do it. I guess now that I have more life experience ..you form your own personality.. so you look at it in different way and you're not the youngest one anymore. That is what has really changed. People are not any more like "Oh you're a baby!" But you appreciate it more. You realize how lucky you are. You know who people are . The first season I came here I was like…Marc who? You have no idea who people are ..you don't understand the politics of the game . Now is better

WS: Do you feel like things in fashion are moving faster?
RTH: Well definitely. If I only look model-wise, I think in the last 3 or 4 years so many models pass through it . After 1 or 2 seasons of fame you never hear from them again. Whereas when I started I felt like there were more girls who were around for a longer period of time. Today you're big for one or two or three seasons and also I find the look of the models to be very different. Before it was more of a classic beauty whereas today it is like the girls look alike. Longish hair, pale skin. They work together on the runway. If you look at the fashion shows there is not much individuality.

WS: Speaking of individuality…your hair...
RTH: I know..I'm standing out. You couldn't miss me. After the Italian Vogue cover came out I thought let me just wait and see what the response is. We can always go back to a different color.

WS: Off duty from modeling what's fun for you?
RTH: I' m very much a homebody. I have very really beautiful house in Holland so I like to do some work on it in Holland. I like to read. I like to be in nature. I grew up no farm so I like to be outside. I like going out to dinners and to the movies. Music wise I like tacky 80's music.

WS: What would you say your career goals right now are
RTH: My goal is just about sticking around as long as I can. It is hard now to set certain goals to tell yourself like… I want to be on the cover of Vogue Paris. It is not up to you no matter how beautiful you are or how great a personality you have. I just take it as it comes and I hope I can do some great work still.

WS: There's a big surge of girls from Holland right now...
RTH: There is! There's Mirte… Patricia…I don't know all of them because they're really young girls . I think there's always a trend going on. There was the Russians for a while…the same thing for the Brazilians. There was a time when the Belgian girls were really hot.

WS:What quality would you say best describes a cool Dutch girl?
RTH: I think that if you look at Holland as a country you find that life is good there so models from Holland tend to be more laid back and relaxed because they know they can always go back to a stable life. So girls take modeling as something to enjoy as opposed to coming from a really poor country. There's a tradition of putting things in perspective. In Holland no-one asks me if I'm a model or what labels I'm wearing.

WS: There's something to be said also for a woman looking like woman in fashion shoot. How do you feel about this?
RTH: I also think it is different from what I remember from the past. I think it is different from the past three years in that the girls are very child-like. If you really look a woman then fashion is not so interested. People are very afraid of sexuality in the fashion industry. French magazines like Self-Service don't mind a very beautiful woman. But I think some people feel like it takes the focus off the clothes. Which is why people like the girls who are more like anonymous clothes hangers as opposed to attracting attention in and of themselves.

WS: Could you see yourself as being a star in the supermodel mould?
RTH:I don't think you can choose to be that . If it happens it happens but it is difficult to be in that position because nobody tells you the truth anymore. People just want to be your friend at any cost. Being a public figure is very difficult because you live under a microscope. Everything you say or do is being judged a million different ways. I love being able to go back to Holland and having my two feet on the ground.

WS: Well thank you so much Rianne for sharing your interesting perspective on the industry.
RTH: Thank you so much Wayne!

Steven Klein Selected Works

Steven Klein: Selected Works

Wayne Sterling interviewed Steven Klein exclusively for The Imagist:

Wayne Sterling: How common is it for mainstream magazines to find the images in an editorial too strong?

Steven Klein: 'I FIND MOST MAGAZINE EDITORIALS WEAK IN COMPARISON TO THE VISUAL FIELD OF CINEMA AND ART.'

WS: Do you think today's audience wants pushed images or do they want to sit in a comfort zone given the recession fears of today?

SK:'PEOPLE CRAVE TO SEE IMAGES THAT WILL COMPEL THEM OUT OF THEIR BOREDOM.'

WS: Do you think your images lose something when they're seen on the Internet as opposed to print?

SK: 'I AM FINDING MANY IMAGES TO BE STRONGER ON THE INTERNET. IN FACT WHEN THE NY POST PUBLISHES AN IMAGE FROM MY SHOOT OR I SEE MY EDITORIAL FEATURED ON A BLOG AND MIXED IN WITH ITS GRAPHICS AND TEXT, THE IMAGES TAKE ON A NEW LIFE, NOT SO PRECIOUS BUT VITAL.'

WS: What do you see as the future of print magazines and lavish fashion editorials?

SK: 'THEY NEED TO CATCH UP TO THE MODERN LOOK OF MANY OF THE BLOGS I SEE.'

WS: Your images are certainly cinematic. Do you think we'll be watching fashion ads+ editorials that are mini- videos or mini-films in the near future?

SK: 'I AM ALREADY CREATING MINI FILMS ON MY WEBSITE THAT ARE DERIVED FROM MY SHOOTS,'

TO SEE THE MOVIES ON THE STEVEN KLEIN SITE :
stevenkleinstudio.com
enter site
go to: Moving Image
proceed to Film Projects

One of Steven Klein's fans, Robster16, edited a tribute video to Steven Klein:

Women Fall 2009 Show Package on Models.Com

The Women Fall 2009 show package is online at Models.com. The package and cards were designed for the 2nd season in a row by Jason Duzansky.

Azzedine Alaia spring 2009 lookbook - Kasia Struss, photo: Willy Vanderperre, stylist: Joe McKenna

Kasia Struss shot the Azzedine Alaia spring 2009 lookbook with photographer Willy Vanderperre and stylist Joe McKenna on November 24, 25 and 26, 2008 in Paris.

On The Imagist, Wayne ponders Azzedine Alaia's business model as the past, the present and the future of the fashion industry -

There is a lot of veneration going on in fashion but in the case of Azzedine Alaia, that aura of awe and respect is more than deserved. Beyond the proposition of his inarguable talent, there is also a great blueprint behind his business which a lot of young designers might want to look at as an ideal. No seasonal shows, no advertising, no freestanding boutique network, very little retail outlets and product that is about its own consistent identity, not the whims of a fashion moment. No wonder Alaia continues to sell out at places like Dover Street Market and designers like Rei Kawabuko and Miuccia Prada seek out a quiet, collaborative relationship with him. In this bracing new post-recession fashion world is the Azzedine Alia business model the future? TI wouldn't be mad if it were.

Azzedine Alaia Spring 2009 lookbook
model:Kasia Struss
Photographer: Willy Vanderperre
Stylist: Joe McKenna

Balenciaga Spring 2009

Paris: At Balenciaga, Light Play
By Cathy Horyn
A super-thoughtful and technically interesting Balenciaga show this morning from Nicolas Ghesquière: very light, luminous and leaning again toward the futuristic. He opened with beige-pink jersey stretched and gathered over a kind of heart-shaped form on the bodices of mini dresses, followed by a more complex use of second-skin tops and matching tights for under many of the looks. Slim pants and tunic tops — in pink shades of beige and light gray — had quilting, almost like a moto-cross detail but more polished and delicate like couture.
Metallic fabrics that looked like leather were in fact silk, and silver and gold finale dresses — some with fringe and the beige-pink leotard idea — were made of tiny pieces of ribbon. The tights pulled over the shoes, with apparently an opening for the sole. Very interesting effect: it blanked out the shoes, or the talk of shoes. Ghesquière said the show was about absorbing and reflecting light. It was certainly absorbing and, at the same time, difficult to describe. By the way, he had a passage of male models in the show, in stiff dark suits without lapels and flicker of gold at the nearly closed neckline.

BALENCIAGA SS 09: CONSISTENCY OF LINE WITH COMPLEXITY
Submitted by Wayne

A thousand opinions will bubble up around Balenciaga SS09. Whether you found it good or bad it retained all the codes that makes Ghesquiere's Balenciaga such a compelling proposal. At the precise time he could have chosen to feed the machine the familiar, Ghesquiere distorted the familiar into something uncomfortable. Which is great. The cake and the cake eaten too. The collection looked like a past Balenciaga collection thrown up against a fun house mirror, rippling and warping before your very eyes. The torqued fabric, an idea reflected in the extended gloves and the stockings over the shoes...a familiar styling trick yes, (see mid 90's Margiela) ...the shimmering palette the odd conjunction of textures...it was a intelligent way to mirror your expected themes.As for the menswear...I'd get into it, literally because it is so cult. "Not for everybody"...from a brand the scale of Balenciaga can seem like such an unfriendly position to take but you have to admire the honesty of that.

Natasha Poly



Shannan Click


Kasia Struss


Iselin Steiro


Laragh McCann