Can You Understand the British Vogue Thing Now?

Oooooh. British Vogue has put up an archive of their past covers (though not complete - I mean, there's not even a 1996). Much better covers than our US ones, though I would say that Harper's Bazaar is always satisfying (if not a little tedious, at least for the subscriber version. It irritates me that I always like the newsstand version so much better).

This is my all-time favorite. I have it filed away in the attic. The gold stars clinched it for me.



An incredible Kate:



Oh my god. They let you search for covers by model. I've officially lost the next 4 hours of my life.

Another from my files:



I dont like poor Kylie's face on the cover, but the art direction and concept are great. Why wouldnt you buy this issue?

Can you imagine a fashion magazine doing a cover like this today?



I bought this issue on my last day in New York (2nd time). I was carrying two bunches of flowers from my birthday - daffodils (from my mom) and some pink tulips (from Maria) that matched this cover perfectly.



There have been some missteps. For instance, I almost didnt buy this issue because the cover sickened me.



They used this typesetting on an issue a few years ago. I like when they play with the logo font.





Oh, and the $15 issue:

I think it was worth it.

Paris - SPRING/SUMMER 2006 - Valentino to YSL

I cant get Gwen's "Harajuku Girls" out of my head while viewing these...

Valentino - I'm quite the fan of ankle-length pants (though mainly because my clothes are fairly ill-fitting) and with girlish blouses and flats, I cant think of an easier Spring work wardrobe. Along with the usual full circle skirts and a mini-er version of the boxing champion belts. The florals bored me a bit, but the black and white gowns are gorge.




Veronique Branquinho - I love the nighttime landscape prints and the cool-girl understated chic. And black leather fingerless gloves. Oooooh.





Viktor & Rolf - Ha! The inverse of each of the evening looks is almost as fantastic as the correct one. Disco-fabulous with slinky satins and over-the-top ruffles. I'm wondering now why I've always found side-ponytails so disdainful.






Vivienne Westwood - Does rag-tag late 70s punk styling ever get old? Not really. Especially mixed with some bright colors and mesh fabrics.





Yohji Yamamoto - Totally digging the way-too-cool trouser suits, partic in camo. Ooooh and some more Mos Eisley gear. Perfect for Ep3 viewing tonight!




YSL Rive Gauche - Ruffles! Gorgeous suits, hints of safari and Spain - utterly YSL, just toned down and slightly unsexed.

Paris - SPRING/SUMMER 2006 - Nicolas Andreas Taralis to Undercover

Nicolas Andreas Taralis - Disco-sexy. If you miss Tom Ford - or actually Daryl K, this is a good name to know.





Nina Ricci - Super pretty cool girl - I'm thinking the new Marc Jacobs. I like the vague Swiss Miss vibe too.






Paco Rabanne - Futuristic ladies who lunch. Love the colors and sleekness. Sleek without that cold, edgy, sexy. That's a good thing sometimes.




This is the coolest coat in history:


Rick Owens - This gives me the creeps a little bit. I just keep thinking about the serial killer in "Silence of the Lambs" and making clothes out of skin. Ick. Severe to the point of freaky.

Rochas - Angelic matrons with a spanish vibe.




Sonia Rykiel - Quirky french girls. With incredible shoes.



Sophia Kokosalaki - More cool french girls. The technique here is so eye-catching - esp with the matching twisted fabric shoes.





Stella McCartney - The classic Stella girl. Sexy rompers and strapless dresses.




Tsumori Chisato - Pucci-esque prints, vibrant colors, cute styles.




Undercover - Spooky. Deconstructed. Done before. Except not the futuristic nun part.

Paris - SPRING/SUMMER 2006 - Hussein Chalayan to Martin Margiela

I couldnt find, pay, or threaten a single person into eating lunch with me yesterday, so - completely out of character - I went to Fuddrucker's alone (save for the November Allure). It was actually quite heavenly. I DONT NEED YOU GUYS! HMPH.

I love Allure for its die-hard love of hair and makeup, but also for their How-To section. This month has "How to Look Like a Million Bucks" written by Michael Kors. I loooove him. He would make the best best friend ever. "Disregard the Weather - Strappy sandals in winter, sunglasses on a cloudy day - these are signs of the glamorous life...But if it's snowing, wear mink gloves for goodness' sake." "Keep the nail lenth short enough to suggest you go horseback riding."

I also felt vindicated for my salad-eating ways with this bit from "How to Seduce a Man with Food": "On the side, do a Caesar salad (which was originally meant to be eaten with fingers)..."

Hussein Chalayan - The lightest suits and dresses. So much detail, but still so simple and easy to wear. This is maybe the most wearable collection I've seen of his - even with the Mos Eisley Cantina bits.



Jean Paul Gaultier - Cool farm girl, and luckily not very cowgirl. Part eastern-european boho, part english countryside dandy, and part widow fatale.





John Galliano - A little scary. I think the theme is contradictions - old and young, black and white, short and tall, and fit and fat...The clothes themselves are slick film noir, with a bit of sci-fi. A vampy, seedy underworld of dramatic clothing and characters.




Junya Watanabe - Someone's been watching Degrassi Old School. I will die for these skirt/shorts. Die.



Kenzo - Avant Sailore. How can you say no to so much fun and stripes and knitwear?? Love the jackets, dresses, shoes...antithesis of minimalist without a single rhinestone.







Lagerfeld Gallery - Mannish deconstructed white shirts, die cut hems and necklines, not too much excitement.

Lanvin - Perfect little dresses that could easily become your uniform for spring. Suits with little white gloves, without even a hint of retro. So modern and luxe, but ultimately very simple. The fabrics are just thick and fitted and perfect. Wide obi belts and ribbons, dont forget.





Louis Vuitton - With Lanvin, the chicest, sleekest looks for spring.





Martin Grant - Prim suits and dresses, but in shiny fabrics and modern detailing. I love the full skirt and bomber-esque jacket. I thought this is totally what I dont want for Spring, but my mind is definitely changed.






Martin Margiela - Modern sexy Broadway star partying it up disco-style.