Emmanuelle Alt © Garance Doré

Emmanuelle Alt is writing her own ticket for VOGUE Paris. I was not expecting a fundamental change in the Editorial Direction being that she has been the Fashion Director of the magazine for over ten years and collaborating with Carine Roitfeld. Thus the assumption that there would be little change from the status quo. However, the April 2011 issue of VOGUE Paris gives a clear new direction; bye bye porno chic, provocation, unjustified nudity, welcome softness, lifestyle, casual clothing. Emmanuelle’s approach is more consensual and obviously more commercial, which the fashion customer might find more accessible.

I want to show in French Vogue more and more a lot of clothes … It’s a different point of view, but nobody gave me a mission to change it or make it more commercial. she stressed in her WWD’s interview

Her vision of fashion is also conditioned by the choice of photographer she has decided to collaborate with and thus don’t expect any radical changes in those she has already worked with.

I want to keep the quality, the photographers we work with—David Sims, Mert and Marcus, Mario Testino, and Bruce Weber. I don’t think there should be radical changes. The magazine should still be chic and sophisticated. VOGUE.com interview

There has been one huge surprise however… The Return of Hans Feurer in VOGUE Paris is great news and a welcome change.

Hans Feurer ©DR

Hans Feurer’s style is easily recognizable:

• Outdoor shoots, long lenses, grainy film aspect, blurred background, sharp on the model (bokeh effect), sunrise or sunset light and often with the introduction of back light and flare.

This style was in “VOGUE” in the 70′s and 80′s and has come back in to fashion since certain internet bloggers started to photograph street fashion a few years ago. The styling often associated with his photography is ethnic, tribal in wildly natural spaces. However, he can express himself in a more urban environment as he did recently in French VOGUE with Supermodel Anja Rubik.

Anja Rubik by Hans Feurer for VOGUE Paris - April 2011

Feurer, a highly renowned fashion photographer in the 70s and 80s, is Swiss born and studied photography in London. In the ’60s, he became a photographer for British Vogue, Vogue Paris, US Vogue, Marie Claire, French Elle… He photographed most of the major supermodels from Claudia Schiffer to Laetitia Casta with Yasmeen Ghauri, Christy Turlington… He launched Amber Valletta in French Elle Magazine.

Who do you dream to photograph?

- I had the chance to work with the most beautiful women in the world from Pat Cleveland, Christy Turlington to Stephanie Seymour… Kate Moss is the only one that I haven’t photographed. Excerpt of his interview in the Contributor Section of French VOGUE April 2011.

I would add “so Far”… , but I have the feeling that with his statement in the Contributor Section of the magazine, this omission will be repaired quickly enough.

Some of his archives

In the early 60′s, he was assisted by French Photographer Patrick Demarchelier. Hans Feurer is also renowned for his collaboration with Kenzo for several of their Ad Campaigns in the 70′s and 80′s and was well known for his shooting of lingerie and swimsuits in a beach environment. In 1974, he directed the famous Pirelli Calendar.

Over the past few years Hans Feurer is back on track with magazines the likes of Numéro, I-D and VOGUE China, etc…

I really appreciate the fact that Emmanuelle Alt went for the original “Real Deal” photographer rather than one of the numerous copies amongst the younger fashion photographers emulating his and Eddy Kohli‘s style.

DIM Advertising © Eddy Kohli

Watch more photos from Hans Feurer in VOGUE Paris – April 2011

Here is the video of the 2005 edition of the International Fashion Photography Festival in Cannes, France with interviews of Hans Feurer, Jean-Daniel Lorieux, Benjamin Kanarek, amongst others.

Josh Linam: Mercedes Benz is such a cool company. What do you think of Mercedes-Benz as a brand?

Karolina Kurkova: Well it’s a very classic, timeless brand. It’s innovative. They always have the safest cars. It’s luxurious but subtle without being too flashy. And I think it’s wonderful that they’re creating this event and supporting all these different fashion shows around the world where people can show their work.

Yes, actually that leads into my next question – what does it mean for Mercedes-Benz to sponsor Fashion Week, which is the epicenter for all things stylish?

I think it’s a great collaboration. Mercedes-Benz is very stylish and modern; it’s innovative, and it’s luxury. And it goes very well with fashion. It’s about trends, the newest and best things. Also, Mercedes-Benz is a lifestyle brand. It’s just not about the cars – it’s what they represent. You’ll see a lot of people who are a part of fashion week, designers, models and celebrities driving the cars.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week incorporates some of the best technology around. How do you see technology changing fashion?

I’m always amazed how technology is pushing the envelope and how it’s changing so quickly. You can see everything online right away. The things that are happening simultaneously, everyone can see it. I have a fan page on Facebook. It’s amazing how quick things happen. It’s so instant!

Are there any drawbacks about technology becoming such a part of fashion?

Sometimes there’s not that mystery or surprise or privacy. Almost everything is out there. People want everything right away. Maybe it’s not the greatest for the young generation who spends so much time online. They get so much into that world, and there’s so much more to see outside the Internet.

What are your favorite fashion Web sites or blogs to check out?

Well I just got to meet this guy, Bryan Boy. He’s so crazy, but he’s very sweet, very real and so true to his roots. He’s from the Phillipines, and he still goes back there. He’s very trendy and he’s a big fashionista, but he’s not affected by it. He’s still a true, real person, and I can feel that. I think he’s fun, and I like his style.

Last question for you. What’s your favorite thing to wear on a night out?

Well, I don’t have just one look. I’m someone who dresses by mood, by the weather and by where I am, my location. It could be from jeans to boots to a t-shirt and leather jacket to a beautiful Hervé Leger or Azzadine Alaïa dress with flats or high heels. So I’m really someone who dresses by where I am. It’s got to be comfortable, look effortless and classic, and have a personality.

Karolina’s newest, sizzling spread for Mercedes-Benz:

One obvious reason Karolina Kurkova has seen such success in modeling – she is outrageously beautiful. However, some may not know the real reason people love working with Karolina. The supermodel beams with positivity, and she is perhaps even a little bit of a jokester.

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Karolina turned the tables on me in our interview. Right from the start she humorously tried to throw me off with a big smile on her face. (Clearly, it worked.)

Karolina Kurkova: Wow, you’re so handsome. So are you dating anybody?

Josh Linam: Well, I’m kind of new to New York City.

So you’re looking for the right people? Call me. I can help. Ohh, I can help.

Wow, thank you; that would be amazing! So I’m from Fashion Indie, and I just had some questions for you.

So wait, you’re saying you’re new to New York. Where were you before?

I was in Texas.

In Texas? You lived and blogged about fashion in Texas?

Actually I lived in Texas, but I was writing a different project. So yeah, I just moved and I’m pretty new to New York fashion.

So this is kind of your first, big fashion week?

This is the first!

So is it a little overwhelming for you?

It’s new. Everything’s new. Overwhelming a little, as far as the shows and the partying I think.

And the tent. Isn’t it beautiful how it’s done? It’s not just going from show to show. It’s almost like a creative space where people can work and talk and see shows and connect.

It seriously is amazing how they can transform it into such a functional space. I love Lincoln Center!

Don’t forget to check out Part 2 with Karolina, where Fashion Indie questions the supermodel about her new partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

Lauren Hutton is one of fashion’s greatest icons, and she looks absolutely stunning in this photo from the February issue. I can’t wait to read the entire article, but here are some highlights:

On modeling: “I became a model to see the world, to make enough money to travel and experience other cultures,” she says. “I knew I had to get to New York to get to Africa.”

On starring in Tom Ford’s ultra exclusive fashion show: “He said, ‘I’m going back to fashion.’ I said, ‘Oh no, why? I like your work, but I love your movies!’ But, anything for Tom, and he knows that.”

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen asked her to pose for their lookbook in 2008: “I think I was 64 at the time and they were 22,” she says. “I thought that was fantastically hip. I did it, and they paid me in clothes, which is great.”

LINK LOVE: Harper’s Bazaar

The cartoon is meant to educate children on the importance of saving the planet. Cute idea I guess, but I think the hair could be a little lighter on her cartoon. I wouldn’t have guessed this was her if I didn’t already know. What do you think indies?

LINK LOVE: Catwalk Queen

Word has it Tom Brady is trying to beat out Gisele Bundchen for the role of supermodel. It has been announced that the football player is going to be the new face of UGG. Apparently Mr. Brady was approached because “he’s always been a fan of the sheep-skinned boots.” Don’t get me wrong, I love my UGGs, especially during the winter, but it never occurred to me that Tom Brady had a pair of his own to love. Can’t wait to check out this ad campaign, should be very interesting.

LINK LOVE: Cocoperez

I am a huge fan of this whole Naomi Campbell blood diamond fiasco. T-shirt designer Christopher Lee Sauve has already come out with a new t-shirt design featuring the supermodel with diamonds in her eyes and a solemn tear. It kind of reminds me of those gangsters who get a tear tattoo after they kill someone. (I watch a lot of TV) You can pick up one of these pricey shirts here.

LINK LOVE:Don’t Cry For Me Africa

LINK LOVE:BEHIND THE SCENES: Victoria Secret Shoot with Miranda Kerr

LINK LOVE:Ronnie Kroell by Lope Navo | Playgirl

Canadian  model and Irish dance sensation (she was discovered at a dance competition in Vancouver) Coco Rocha has been in demand for editorial shoots and runway shows for years now.  Now, she is adding Modelinia.com correspondent to her already-impressive resume, and speaking out about body issues in the fashion industry.

“I’ve been told to lose weight when I was really skinny,”  Rocha told The New York Times.

Apparently, not as many designers hire Rocha for their runway presentations as they used to, because she’s not as skeletal as she was in the past. Rocha has spoken out about the scary-skinny requirement placed on top models, which could be a reason why so many pre-pubescent teens are now being cast.

“Girls are told they’re not skinny enough, or they hear, ‘She’s old, she’s boring, we’ve had her, she’s not tiny anymore,’ ” Rocha said. “A lot of people don’t take into account the vulnerability of these young girls.”

Read the whole NY Times article here

I mentioned yesterday that I miss the age of the supermodel, and today Vogue UK has a tribute to one of the greats: Claudia Schiffer.

View Slideshow here

Kate Moss is not cast in gold in a provocative yoga pose for the work of Marc Quinn. The 2006 piece titled  Siren, will be unveiled today at the British museum.

As only befits one of the world’s greatest supermodels, Siren’s stats are impressive. It weighs in at 50 kilograms, is worth £1.5 million and is said to be the largest gold statue to be made in the world since the time of Ancient Egypt.

“I thought the next thing to do would be to make a sculpture of the person who’s the ideal beauty of the moment,” Quinn says of his supermodel subject.

Moss’ latest rendering joins works by the likes Damien Hirst and Anthony Gormley as part of the British Museum’s Statuephilia exhibition, which runs from October 4 to January 25.

Thanks Vogue UK

Although Penelope Cruz is August W‘s cover girl, the supermodels steal the show. Christy Turlington, the iconic 90′s supermodel and Gisele Bundchen both grace the pages of August’s W. The editorials are dramatic, strong and structured. Turlington and Bundchen, obviously, look gorgeous. The clothes are serious and paradoxically whimsical. W has beautifully woven precision and fun into their magazine. A+ for W‘s choice of models and editorial execution. Pick up a copy of August’s W today!