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Karlie Kloss in the Lastest Numero
Photographed by Lachlan Bailey
source: fashion gone rogue

A model roundtable of delights

This video is a treat to watch. In tribute of Vogue's model issue, the magazine gathered a bunch of models (and supermodels) at a table to talk about modeling; how it has changed, what they like about the job and their frustrations with the industry.

My facourite part is hearing Iman's delicious voice talk about how her favourite career moment was being the African Queen muse for Yves Saint Laurent. Other interesting tidbits include Caroline Trentini admitting she has insecurities about her body; 16-year-old Karlie Kloss' frustrations with being a "blank slate" and Naomi Campbell being, well, Naomi Campbell.

Please watch:

What Chanel means in the 21st century

French Vogue's March 2009 issue is dedicated to Coco Chanel, how her designs still influence modern designers today and how her clothes are still relevant to woman decades after "Mademoiselle" sent her first tweed suit down the runway.

It's perfect timing since the movie Coco Avant Chanel is set to debut in France (see the trailer here) and a new No. 5 campaign staring the movie's heroine, Audrey Tautou, has premiered.

It got me thinking about how Chanel, the designer, changed the way women dress, whether Chanel the brand still has relevance today and how modern women think about the label.

It was Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's suit that transformed forever the way women dressed. In the beginning of the 20th century, women still wore corsets. Chanel decided to free women from their restrictive garments and designed a suit that would allow easy movement and yet be stylish. Chanel herself called the suit, designer in 1913, as the "fashion statement of the century." She designed the suit in jersey, a fabric that was considered at the time to be cheap and demeaning. Flexible, simple and comfortable- the suit was a statement of defiance. Chanel later added tweed to her fabric of choice and it has become one of the most recognizable fabrics of the brand. The shape of the suit is boxy, with strict lines, a fitted cut, braid trimmings, cuffs, sleeves fitted at shoulder level, pockets and a chain sewed into the hem to allow the fabric to hang perfectly. The skirts are mountained on grosgrain at hip level.
Finally, freedom from corsets! Chanel said: "I gave women's bodies their freedom back; their bodies sweated under all the showcase clothes, under their corsets, their underwear, their padding."

So ladies, thank Chanel that we're not wearing corsets anymore!

It's thanks to her that I can wear blazers, jackets and t-shirts; in short, "manly" clothes and not be ridiculed.

Of course many women cannot afford actual Chanel suits; if you buy them straight from the boutiques they will cost you at least $5000. Pretty pricey especially in these tough economic times. Of course when you buy one it will last you forever. But there is the argument that any suit designed for women today has directly been influenced by Chanel.

But what of the real thing? Do women still lust after the Chanel suit? Does it still have relevance today?

After watching the Chanel Fall 09 show, I wasn't too sure that modern women would want one. To me, the suits seemed old, a bit gothic, too dark and too frilly. They were beautifully cut and had great details but it seemed as if the suits were channeling Mozart with the high-necked frills. In short, I couldn't see a woman in her twenties who would want to wear that.

Chanel Fall 09


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


Many editors make a lot of the fact that the suit can be worn by women of all ages; especially if you take it apart and wear a jacket with jeans for example. But it's hard to get rid of the image of a snarky old lady with her pearls and tweed suit (Sex and the City's Stanford's mother comes to mind.)

But then you look at the wonderful ads with Daria Werbowy in her jeans and Chanel jackets and you think 'I could wear that.'


I realized it all comes down to one rule: Keep it young. Jeans can make anything you're wearing appear fresh and modern. Even if you're wearing a dark, tweed suit with long sleeves and ruffles; if you wear it with jeans, you're hip again. Add on some shades, killer heels and simple jewelry and you're ready for a fun night out.

And check out actress Anna Mouglalis in Chanel and jeans:

To me, Chanel will always feel like a classic, timeless brand that has impeccable quality, beautifully-cut suits and style ; but it just takes some extra care to make sure you still look your age.


Here are the amazing images from French Vogue's Chanel issue:

Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova


Daria Werbowy
Edita Vilkeviciute



Iris Strubegger
Karlie Kloss

(Photos: The Fashion Spot)

Maybe Karlie Kloss isn't the best

This spread is from UK Vogue's November 08 issue. Here we have one of my favorite newbie models, Karlie Kloss, dressed up in clothes that only women twice her age should be wearing. But nevermind that. While I think Karlie has a great look, her facial expressions here are repetitive and boring.

Like this one. Her smile looks so forced and unfriendly. It actually scares me. Get those baby teeth away!

And this one. Her face looks like it was photoshopped on from the previous photo. Aren't models supposed to diversity their looks? Didn't they learn anything from America's Next Top Model?


And then there's this. Typical pouty face that just doesn't convince me. I want to believe that you are mad to be in this $3000 dress but the face fails to possess any emotion.

I'm sorry but only Coco Rocha can do the open mouth crazy pout. Learn from the pros, Karlie.

Did Karlie mistake this for a Teen Vogue spread?

When I say Karlie, you say Kloss. Karlie! Kloss! Karlie! Kloss!

Karlie Kloss in Dazed and Confused magazine. Doesn't she look all grown up? It's kind of scary to know that she is only 16 years old and with a lot of makeup, hair extensions and designer clothes can look like a 30-year-old socialite. She looks gorgeous and her poses are hot.

Karlie Kloss death stare at New York Fashion Week

Karlie Kloss is one of my favorite new models mostly because she has what I refer to as the "death stare." This is a facial expression that Karlie adopts when she walks the runway. I'll try to describe it for you: Her face tilts down and sways side to side, her mouth pouts as if she is really angry about the high heels she has to wear and her eyes turn into small slits which look like they could shoot laser beams.

This season it seems that she has turned down the "death stare" by about 15% which is a bit disappointing because it's so much fun to watch.

Here are some of her best "death stares" at New York Fashion Week S/S 09:

At Preen


At Rodarte


At Oscar de la Renta


At Oscar de la Renta


At Zac Posen


At Vera Wang


At Calvin Klein



At Alexander Wang

(Photos: Style.com)

Karlie Kloss is now my favorite model. Sorry Coco!

Ok I lied. No one can top Coco Rocha but Karlie is definitely in my top five. The girl is only 16 (!!!) and can take fierce photographs. Her eyes are so intense I feel like she could knock me down with her death stare. I want her to smile more though- she is so cute when she smiles. I think if she keeps going, she could be the next Kate Moss. She really has a unique face, she's not trendy or outspoken- she does her job very well and doesn't get into trouble. When Kate started out she was this little quiet girl who had a quirky and innocent face. She wasn't like the Supers who prowled down the runway and were always in the tabloids. Kate learned how to model well and she didn't overshadow the clothes but you always noticed her. I think Karlie has some of the same characteristics- she's sweet, she is a natural at modeling and she doesn't want fame; she just want to do the job right and go home.
I can't wait to see what she does when she's in her twenties.

(Photos: thefashionspot.com)