When I was growing up, I suffocated self-expression with silence. I was the one in the corner, the quiet one no one knew was in the room or house, the one with her nose comfortably in a book. I had a few outlets, singing for example, but my parents were the only ones ever witness to that. The older I got, though, I started to pay attention to fashion. I started to see how certain items of clothing or a piece of jewelry could reveal a little bit about yourself, maybe something you keep hidden. And so I became a fan, browsing the magazines and watching the shows; I admittedly eat all that up. The thing is, with my eye on fashion I’m often rewarded with images that set me ablaze. Because sometimes – a lot of the time – fashion photography rocks.
Take the editorial spread in the September issue of Vogue…
Model Natalia Vodianova portrays Little Red Riding Hood (photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.) This scan, found on Fashion Week Daily, cannot capture the vibrancy of color seen in the magazine, but you can at least get a sense for it. It was the color that spoke to me first. It reminded me so strongly of the New England autumns that I love so much, but the scene is brushed with an otherworldly air that brings to mind that fairytale nature. The color, the forest, the pose…it made me create my own story. It made me want to write and imagine. And it made me want that coat!
More pictures from the editorial if you…
I saw this last night and LOVED it too!!! Don’t you just want to jump into the pictures? SOOO gorgeous!!!
Yes! And wearing the coat would be a bonus.
Fashion photography does rock, not just sometimes but often! So many companies find creative ways to showcase their product. Have you ever seen the Anthropolgie catalog? Oh, I just love it. It is so creative. I’ll certainly grab a copy of the magazine the next time I’m in the store to see the images in their more vibrant format. These fit so perfectly into the spirit of the fall/gothic season!
“I’m often rewarded with images that set me ablaze” I love how you phrased that, because it so perfectly describes the way I feel about various forms of creativity that I come across, including fashion spreads exactly like the ones you feature here. I do believe fashion, like many things, can be used as a creative outlet for self expression. I rarely take the time myself anymore to do anything but dress comfortably, but my 17 year old daughter exercises a very unique creativity in the outfits she puts together. She is very much her own person and dresses to express and please herself rather than to conform. It is really fun to watch and is a creative inspiration in and of itself.
Wonderful post Chelle. You make me want to spend the evening tracking down new art/fashion sites for Friday Favorite posts.
Oh, I drool over the Anthropologie catalogs every month they find their way into my house. In fact, I tend to keep them because it seems like a crime to throw them away. (The Sept. one is sitting right next to me!)
Have you ever heard of/stopped by a blog called Bliss? It’s a photography/art/craft/fashion blog that has some amazing images on it. If you ever have time, you might want to go through the archives a bit. I feel at once at peace and energized when I’m there, poring over what’s been posted each day.
I would love to see a Friday Favorite post like that!!
I had seen Bliss before, but had forgotten all about it. Thanks for the reminder.
I haven’t got an Anthropologie catalog in quite awhile. They take me off the mailing list every so often, since we don’t order stuff. I feel guilty trying to get it again, but it is hard to resist. I keep them too. I have them down in my basement library with other keepsake stuff. They are too beautiful to throw away.
Oh these photo make me anticipate fall so much! Fall is my favorite time for writing – the crisp air, the vibrant colors, the silences, the mysteries… Thanks for scanning these! It does make me want to get that cute red coat among other things =)
It’s my favorite time, too! For very similar reasons. I’m glad you liked the pictures – I was almost considering not doing this post, but in the end had to.
This is great. You know my everyday fashion sense is lacking, but I love that coat! And, I don’t even like red, but I love red with black. The gloves, the boots and the bright red lipstick! If I had a place to wear something like that, I totally would. This is a great fall post, too. I was just thinking yesterday that I really love fall. Now that I don’t have that back-to-school dread that I used to get even long after I stopped being in school.
The bed in the forest makes me think of the Manual of Detection!
The combination is stunning, red and black. And maybe one of these days I’ll dare myself and wear red lipstick. I love the gloves, too! And the crisp white ruffled collar.
The apples were inspired, too, because they bring their own depth of color. I would love to take photos like that. (Not of myself, just in general.) And lord knows we have the scenery for a month or two.
I didn’t even think about the bed, but you’re right!
i dont get it
hi i was just wondering if you know who the designer is thank you