Friday, September 18, 2009

Art and Commerce

I've never been this underwhelmed by Freja's presence in an editorial. Perhaps my expectations were raised too high when I first heard about the ed. How can you go wrong with Inez and Vinoodh shooting Freja and Raquel? The first preview image seemed promising, even though Freja was relegated to the role of masculine, androgynous model once again. Even though it's a hackneyed role for her, Freja still could have been amazing, especially with Raquel playing the counterpoint.

What we get instead is Freja confined in the background, mostly as a prop. She doesn't even change outfits. The two main players in the editorial are clearly Raquel and all the amazing contemporary art. Both deliver so well that I wonder why Inez and Vinoodh even used Freja at all? She's a great model, so I'd rather have them take advantage of her skill then stick her casually in the back because that's just a tease.

Anyway, this editorial is long, but really amazing despite Freja's underwhelming presence. The art history lover in me is thrilled by the artists and pieces included. And Raquel shows how amazing she is once again, and why she's been in the industry for so long. You'd be hard pressed to find someone better than her to emulate and interact with the art the way she does.

Art and Commerce
W Magazine October 2009
Ph: Inez and Vinoodh




















Image Credits: My Scans

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Freja's expression in the 5th shot, she is beautiful.
It's harsh the way they've used her though.
x.

Anonymous said...

actually, i thought freja showed precisely her flexibility in modeling. her gestures (facials and shoulders) in portraying the different feminine facades of the man was uncanny. :)

Rrose Sélavy said...

^lol, you're starting to sound like me. ;) I do love in-depth analysis.

j. said...

I think she is supposed to let Raquel shine. I dont think its in any way underwhelming. :-)

Anonymous said...

I think a switch in outfits could have taken away from the monotony of her shots in specific. I am not referring to the shots in their entirety just Freja. Also my biggest complain is that in more than one shot she is relegated to the background or has her face turned away from the camera, hence the prop comments on your part are quite valid. Oh well, still getting this magazine, if not for Freja then for Raquel.

Federica said...

I think her role here can be interpreted as Raquel's angel:Freja is omnipresent and impeccable.
I actually really like the shots,there's such an interesting mistery;and what is fantastic is that this atmosphere is just given by freja's presence!

Rrose Sélavy said...

^That's an incredibly insightful interpretation. I never thought of it that way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

FASHION SPREADS said...

Great editorial... absolutely in love with Freja!