My Cowgirl Hero, Indeed

I actually really like this editorial. Even though I had my reservations in the last post, and even though Freja is still stuck playing the role of the androgynous tough girl, this is a really beautifully shot editorial. Solve Sundsbo has a talent for creating very striking images. I love his use of tonality and shading to create this very mysterious vibe, all while spotlighting the clothes that really do have a western cowgirl feel to them (except maybe for the Balmain dress). For a studio shoot, this editorial is completely engaging and far from boring, even though it is a bit cliche in terms of Freja's oeuvre.

My Cowgirl Hero
Vogue Nippon July 2009
Ph: Solve Sundsbo

I'd really like to see these images in color. Even though I love black and white photography, when it comes to fashion spreads I can't help but feel that an important dimension is taken away from the clothes when they're only shot in b&w. And I wish Solve had shot this on location somewhere. Perhaps the location where he shot this editorial would have also been apropos for this one, non? Anyway, this is definitely one of Freja's strongest editorials in a while, but I just hope it isn't the sole indicator of what we can expect to see from her work wise in the upcoming months. I'm just waiting for someone to give her the chance to show off her softer side once again. That being said, it is weird that my favorite image from the editorial is this one?

It's such a soft, quiet, introspective moment. Seemingly out of place when compared to the other images where Freja is posing strongly and glaring at the camera. Maybe that's why I love it. It's unexpected and simple, yet beautifully and precisely composed. I also love it because you can see five of her tattoos, some of which we've never seen clear images before. The dashed circle behind her ear, the inverted triangle on the back of her neck, the lightning bolt on her side, the phrase on her arm, and the "mine" part of the "this world tonight is mine" phrase tattooed on her wrist. For the longest time I just thought it said "this world tonight." And don't you just love how the triangle tattoo is echoed by the triangle on the strap of the Hermes vest? Intentional or not, that's just so beautiful.

Anyway, huge thanks to MAGstyle at tFS for taking the time to make these beautiful scans. If you're a member of tFS, remember to thank him and to thank all those that scan. It's a tough job and they're generous enough to do it.

Image Credits: Scanned by tFS member MAGstyle

Little by Little

Two more pictures have surfaced of Freja's editorial in Vogue Nippon. At this rate maybe we'll get to see the entire thing by the time the SS shows roll around? :) I wish my local bookstores carried Vogue Nippon because then I'd just scan the images myself, but no suck luck. Well, patience is a virtue as they say.

Anyway, from the images so far this editorial doesn't seem to be anything groundbreaking. Don't get me wrong, Freja looks great albeit a little too stern in the eyes for my tastes, but I just wanted to see her doing something else besides the androgynous, tough girl. (At this point I would even love to see Freja jumping against a studio backdrop in a Mario Testino photographed editorial because it would be something different for her.) We've seen this before in Vogue Nippon, and seeing her other Solve Sundsbo collaborations, I guess I was just expecting something very different and new. I'll hold my final judgment until we see the complete editorial, but I doubt the rest of the images will veer away from the mood and theme set by these. Work is work though and I guess we should just be happy for what we can get.

Image Credits: hudie.com via tFS member Joerg C.

Preview!

Courtesy of surrealseven @ tFS:

Looks interesting so far! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get the rest of the images today!

Solve Sundsbo

Freja has an editorial in the new issue of Vogue Nippon shot by Solve Sundsbo. I'm excited to see this because Freja's past work with Solve has been outstanding. I believe she's only shot two editorials with him, but both have been full of beautiful images. No mundane studio shots here, as Solve likes to shot on location with an emphasis on colors against a more muted backdrop. You can see one of his editorials here. And while we're waiting for images from the new editorial, I thought I'd post the other one as well.

Brights
Harper's Bazaar March 2008
Ph: Solve Sundsbo

Just in case you're wondering, Solve is Norwegian but he has been living in London since 1995. He used be an assistant to Nick Knight, and he is known for a highly manipulated, technical style. He dabbles in things such as 3-D scanning and x-rays on the one side, and hand-painted retouching on the other. The new editorial he shot with Freja is titled My Cowgirl Hero, and I can only imagine what visual gems we'll get from that.

Image Credits: Scanned by Luxx @ tFS

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Three day weekends are wonderful, aren't they? I hope you take this time to....

Catch up on your sleep.


Hang out with your friends.


Go out dancing.


Get plenty to drink (I'm sure most of you will be going for stronger stuff.)


Peace out!

Image Credits: celebritycity, firstview, jdvision, myspace, sonnyphotos, style

Danish Female Model of the Year

So I'm sure that by now you all know Freja won Best Female Model of the Year at the Dansk awards held on Wednesday. No surprise there. Even in an off year her body of work was more substantial than her competitors Agnete and Charlotte. Granted Freja's been on the modeling circuit longer than the two of them, but she's one of the top ten working models today so the odds were tough to beat. Freja's is also the most well-known model to come out of Denmark since Helena Christensen, and if she keeps on working I have a feeling they'll be giving this award to her next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.

She attended the awards looking beautiful, while staying true to her own style. There were elements of glamor--some makeup, heels, and new bag--but there were elements of Freja's everyday style as well. She wore tight, skinny black pants and layered tees under a black blazer. It's a uniform we've seen many times during fashion week, but the presence of the heels made all the difference.

Choosing to forgo her usual flat boots, Freja opted for Isabel Marant studded, heeled boots straight off the FW0910 runway. (Perhaps a take-away from walking the show?) She also left the Balenciaga bag at home in favor of the very popular black Alexander Wang hobo. Her sartorial choices may be simple, but they exude fashion, quality and quiet, relatable luxury.

That's what the best models do. They make all clothes look good no matter when or where they wear them. Yes, Freja could have gone a little more lux considering it was an awards gala. But I'm kind of glad she didn't because I always love seeing a woman who is completely at ease in her own style and sense of self.

On a last note, of course I have to mention Freja's hair. She's definitely growing it out now. Maybe my musings on commercialism actually have some substance? She already has the Gap campaign on her plate for this season. Maybe next we'll see her reprising her commercial role in an H&M campaign? If this happens, then you read it here first. :)

Image Credits: 7inch.dk, msndk.starlounge.com, uniquemodels.blogspot.com -- all courtesy of Candlebougie at tFS (thank you!) Other images: celebritycity.com, kirnazabete.com

Interview in Danish Elle

Thanks to slow_hands over at tFS (and Google translate), we have this short interview Freja gave recently to Danish Elle. There isn't much in the way of new information, but that's to be expected in a piece like this. It's still a cute read and I've done my best to write it all out and clean up the mistakes left in by Google translate:

She kick started her career in 2005 at an exclusive show for Prada and has since been on the catwalk over 200 times for designers such as Christian Dior, Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton. Additionally, she has decorated the covers of Vogue, Numéro, and V – and now Danish ELLE. She has been a campaign model for Gucci, Balenciaga, Chanel and others, and Karl Lagerfeld is so thrilled with the Danish beauty, he also has appointed her as the campaign model for his own brand Lagerfeld Gallery. And once again hip brand Jaeger of London has her as their face this season. ELLE asked Freja...

HOW DO YOU STAY HEALTHY?
I always try to eat healthy and varied. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, supplemented with good, big man steaks!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST CATWALK EXPERIENCE SO FAR?
That was in 2007 when I walked the Chanel Haute couture show at the Grand Palais in Paris. I wore a beautiful dress, and Cat Power played live.

WHAT HAVE YOU ON WHEN YOU GO OUT?
Black tight jeans, a black top, a black jacket, high heels and a simple makeup.

WHAT IS YOUR MUST HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCT?
A fragrance oil from Narciso Rodriguez.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE?
Enjoy life!

ELLES CHOICE
Freja is the biggest model in Denmark right now, ranked number 11 in world ranking list of models on the site models.com. She is a fantastic model, but she is not classically beautiful. Rather, she has a very special and androgynous look - and some edge. And she's a very professional model and a pleasure to work with, says ELLES fashion editor, Sille Henning.

I believe the Danish Elle cover referenced in the interview is this one:

I only have this small picture, so if anyone has a bigger image I would be forever grateful if you let me know. This image came out during the height of the FW fashion month frenzy back in February so it was probably lost amidst all the fervor over new runway pictures.

Also, Congratulations to Freja who won the Dansk Award last night! I'll post later when more pictures hopefully surface.

Image Credits: elle.dk

Marni Moments

I really love this set of backstage pictures so I had to post them. Marni also happens to be one of my favorite brands.

Isn't it kind of strange to see Freja with the newer girls, instead of her usual model crew? I kind of miss the Lily, Irina, Agyness days.

It's even more strange (to me at least) that Freja is six (!) years older than Jac, yet they look the same age. Maybe Jac even look a little bit older to me because her cheekbones are so sharp.

We always get a ton of backstage pictures after shows end, but I'm willing to bet they don't even begin to convey the craziness and chaos that constitutes the actual backstage. Thus is the nature of photography that the end result is merely a small moment, captured and frozen, separated from the greater whole. Anyway, the following two pictures remind me of this.

Just check out the sheer number of girls and looks that have to come together. All the meticulous design work during the months before the show culminates in a quick flurry of activity and 15 minutes on a catwalk. Craziness indeed.

ALSO! Don't forget about the Dansk Fashion Awards tomorrow (or today, depending on when you read this). On May 20th we find out if Freja can take home the award for Danish Female Model of the Year for the second consecutive year, or if she concedes the title to Agnete or Charlotte. Regardless of what happens, I hope Freja shows up and we get some candids!

Image Credits: fashionmag.com

Heavy Lifting

Whoever said that modeling was easy never had to lift a Prada bag. Models have a pretty tough life. Not only do they have to be super tall, beautiful and stylish; apparently, they also have to have muscles of steel. I guess designers must stuff those things with bricks or something.

Hold on Freja. You've got it!

Image Credits: fashionmag.com

Freidi

Take a look at the fabulous duo staring in the upcoming Chanel campaign.

Freja and Heidi seem to have great chemistry. Even though we don't have too many photos of them together, the ones we do have are extremely playful and hilarious.

Their looks compliment each other beautifully, and they photograph so well together. They're both with IMG so I'm betting they're friends, along with the cadre of other top IMG girls like Lily and Lara.

Freja and Heidi seem so comfortable with each other. There is a familiarity present between the two of them, so I hope this means good results for the Chanel campaign.

I'm just dying for images to come out because I just can't wait to see what the finished product will look like. We know it was shot up in Karl's Vermont house, so I wonder what we should expect?

Freja and Heidi swinging from the rafters of a barn? Freja and Heidi standing in a room surrounded by Ben and Jerry's ice cream, maple syrup and Vermont Cabot cheese? Freja and Heidi playing around the house while Baptiste lurks menancingly in the background a la Brad in the Chanel FW0708 campaign? Probably not, but it is fun to guess. I'd love to hear yours in the comments.

Image Credits: fashionactive, imaxtree, style.com

Back to the 90s

Thanks to a tip I got, here is a picture of Freja from 1994. It was posted on her official site. The nose, dimple and smile are unmistakable. And I'm quite surprised the hair is blond! Very cute.

So I guess this means the official site is really legit, eh?

Image Credits: frejabeha.com

Inspiration

I could not get yesterday's Chanel Cruise collection out of my head. After I had a chance to digest the images, the styling and mood of show really struck a chord with me and I decided to do a little research about Karl's inspiration.

Before the show even happened, word was already making its way around the blogosphere about what to expect. We learned from style.com to look for something reminiscent of Peggy Guggenheim. Vogue.co.uk told us to imagine a collection inspired by 1930's Venetian high society. After the images came out, it was clear to me that Karl was more inspired by the later.

All of the models came down the runway in wigs and makeup clearly inspired by Marchesa Casati, an early 20th century eccentric Italian heiress who lived in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni located on the Grand Canal in Venice, the city where the Chanel show took place. Fittingly enough, in the late 1940s the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni became home to Peggy Guggenheim, and it is now the current home of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of early 20th century European and American art.

When you take the time to research things you begin to see that everything is really connected. Marches Casati is not new to the fashion conscious as she also served as inspiration to John Galliano's Haute Couture SS98 Christian Dior collection.

She was known for her vibrant red hair, white powdered face, kohl-lined eyes and vermilion red lips. Once you realize this, the reference is just unmistakable.

(Edita Vilkeviciute)

You have to give credit to Karl for taking a theme and running with it. Whether it's the tropical luxury of Miami beach or the Russian nights of Moscow, Karl makes his inspirations very clear. This is exactly the kind of escapism that I think we all need at the moment. We couldn't be there sitting on deck chairs at Lido beach, but we could all certainly feel the atmosphere through the models, makeup and clothes.

(HQs)

One last note about the degree to which everything is connected: Casati lead a very lavish lifestyle as part of Venetian high society. She eventually amassed a great deal of debt and had to auction off her personal items, and rumor has it Coco Chanel herself was a bidder in the auction.

Image Credits: amazon.com, designhistory.org, fashionologie

On the Boardwalk in Venice

So what do you think? I'm loving the two outfits, but I'm not feeling that hair. Although I suppose that in context it works because I get that high society vibe circa the Peggy Guggenheim era, which is what Karl was going for.

Anyway, I'm happy Freja walked and I hope this means a good turnout for her during the upcoming SS10 season. Freja has missed parts of the last two SS seasons in a row and I'm just hoping history doesn't repeat itself. At least we're off to a nice start here.

Image Credits: WWD

Any Sightings in Venice?

The Chanel Cruise show in Venice is happening tomorrow and I bet we're all wondering the same thing. Will Freja be there? At this point, your guess is as good as mine. The last time she walked a Cruise show for Karl was back during the Spring/Summer 2007 Resort show. You can see pictures in this post. Other than that, Freja has not typically walked this runway so it's hard to know whether she'll be present tomorrow.

History doesn't seem to be on our side since Freja has not walked in the last two Cruise shows. However, I think that Karl would want her walking this runway considering that she is one of the current Chanel campaign girls along with Heidi Mount. And Heidi appears to be in Venice already. So maybe we can be hopeful!

Afterall, Freja missed three Chanel Haute Couture shows in a row before she came back to open and close the SS09 Haute Couture show. At this point all we can do is wait and see. In case you are interested there are teaser videos up on the Chanel site, but they're nothing to get in a fuss over. Just some scenic video shots around Venice featuring the canals and water. And here are some pictures of Karl's luggage and his mode of transport in Venice. You gotta admit, the man travels in style.

Image Credits: fashionologie

Fall Into the Gap

This season is turning out to be quite the big one for Freja in terms of campaigns. We just got news that she will be in the upcoming FW0910 Gap ads, thanks to kimair over at tFS. So now you can ad Gap to an impressive list that already includes Chanel and Gucci. All three are very big names within the fashion industry, and they run the gamut from high end to mass-consumer fashion.

Can you call this a comeback? I mean, Freja never really left the fashion conscious aside from missing a few catwalks here and there. And granted, her campaign count last season wasn't the highest, but she's always had steady editorial work and some campaigns each season. So maybe this is a resurgence?

Last year Freja seemed to be pigeon-holed as the androgynous girl. Anytime someone was shooting something that needed a masculine edge, Freja seemed to get the job and to be honest, it was growing tiresome. I felt that her potential and versatility were being stifled by the bad-girl image that comes along with chopping off your hair and getting multiple, visible tattoos. But maybe this Gap campaign is signaling a shifting role for Freja within the industry--a role that sees her returning to the commercial sphere that she first occupied when she started her career, as that was the last time she had a Gap campaign.

Yet this commercial role does not preclude her involvement in high fashion. One of my favorite aspects about Freja is that her face adapts to both extremes of the fashion industry so beautifully. She can stand out enough to sell high end clothing in the pages of Vogue Italia. And she can exude the commercial appeal that brands like Gap depend upon in order to sell to a wide audience. Her campaign list this season is absolutely proof positive of this.

So yes, definitely a resurgence! A clear statement to the industry that says Freja is more than androgyny and tattoos. Now the question in my mind is, who is behind all of this? Is Freja the active agent of this change, or is it her agency? Times are definitely tough, and there is no doubt that Freja is one of the top girls and therefore one of the top money-makers at IMG. We all noticed last season that she appeared to be growing her hair out, and longer hair usually means more commercial viability. Do I sense some pressure from the top? Especially during this recession where it seems like not a day goes by without news of a store closing, a magazine folding, or a brand downsizing? It's no secret that Freja is a fan of shorter hair and that she had been wanting to cut hers off for a very long time before she actually did.

But enough of my postulating now. Maybe I'm just full of shit. Sometimes I'm just a jumble of thoughts and you, dear readers of this blog, are the unfortunate victims of my verbosity. If you've made it this far you definitely deserve these old Gap campaign pictures.

Image Credits: All taken from Freja's old thread at tFS

Art of Melancholy

Huge, huge thank you to tFS member nothingless for getting HQs of this old editorial. I had been looking for high quality images for a long time without any luck, and nothingless was generous and kind enough to help me out by getting the images from art+commerce.

Art of Melancholy
Vogue Nippon March 2008
Ph: Solve Sundsbo

This is one of my favorite editorials featuring Freja. The vibe of the shoot is just so alluring. Maybe it's her glistening skin or the vibrant colors of the clothes against the homogeneous desert backdrop. But the images absolutely pull you in. Can't you just feel the sun's rays radiating down on your skin? Can't you feel the dry and dusty desert air whip around the beads of sweat forming on your neck? The isolationism often associated with this harsh landscape is perfectly captured here with the eerily decrepit setting and long shadows. Add to this mix Freja's brooding stare and nonchalant body language and you really have the art of melancholy.

Image Credits: art+commerce via tFS member nothingless

Where's Freja?

Can you find her in the picture below?


Backstage runway rehearsal pictures are some of my favorites! I love seeing the models in their regular clothes walking down the runway because you have two disparate elements coming together. On the one hand you have the glitz and grandeur of the catwalk; and on the other, you have the models in their casual, pared-down street looks. Rarely do you get to see the two elements come together. We get plenty of model street style pictures but those are situated on the street...natch. And we see plenty of runway pictures but those feature full designer looks. To me, it's just refreshing to see both elements in a new light.

Image Credits: celebritycity

A Look Back at Gucci Runway

While we're waiting for images to come out from the upcoming FW0910 Gucci campaign, and since it's been relatively quiet news-wise, I thought now would be a perfect time to take a look back through Freja's career walking the Gucci runway.

There is no doubt that Freja is a Gucci girl through and through. She's already starred in three campaigns and a runway show just isn't the same without her. When she missed walking during the SS09 season, people took notice. Freja has that glam rock look that suits the Gucci aesthetic, so when the two meet the result is chic, cool and enviable. Take a look.

Spring/Summer 2006 Ready to Wear



Fall/Winter 2006/2007 Ready to Wear



Spring/Summer 2007 Ready to Wear



Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Ready to Wear



Spring/Summer 2008 Ready to Wear



Fall/Winter 2008/2009 Ready to Wear



Spring/Summer 2009 Ready to Wear
Freja does not walk


Fall/Winter 2009/2010 Ready to Wear

It's pretty interesting to see the evolution of Frida Giannini's style since she took over as creative director after the Tom Ford era. Many have criticized her designs in recent seasons as being too commercial and too much like Gucci-copying Zara-copying Gucci. Nevertheless, I'll always have a weakness for Gucci because I loved the FW0809 season's take on the "babushka."And I melt a little bit every time I see those knee high boots with the long fringe.

Anyway, if you think I've missed a show please leave a comment. I think Freja may have done a Gucci Cruise show very early in her career but I'm not positive and I can't find any pictures. So if you have them, let me know!

Image Credits: Celebritycity, coutorture, style.com

Some News?

When I started this blog I never intended to participate in the perpetuation of any gossip. If you're a hardcore Freja fan you already know where to go to read about rumors and such. I wanted this blog to concentrate on Freja's professional work and the role she plays within the fashion industry. That being said, I do love gossip as much as the next person and this is why I read The Imagist on a daily basis. Their "scoup du jour" pieces are almost always spot on and they do like to ruffle the fashion feathers by posting juicy tidbits here and there.

Recently they had this little mention of Freja.

That is what I meant by my taking Manhattan life for granted. What other places give you sporadically, Manhattan gives you daily. Our long and langurous lunch stretched on until twilight, at which point Lily Donaldson slipped downstairs from what I assumed was her building (you know the one on the corner of Kenmare and Lafayette). Vogue Paris stylist Julia von Boehm in hardcore hard fashionista mode slumped down on the outside bench just as Freja whisked by and it was nice to see all the kids out basking in Cafe Select's unharried ambiance.

This is the kind of gossip I feel comfortable mentioning because I feel it could be work related and it seems pretty harmless. It's also rooted in a first person sighting so it's hard to debate. Freja has been in New York a lot recently. But the blurb above refers to this past friday, May 1st and the last time we knew of her being in NY was at least two weeks ago.

So what I wonder is has she been in the city this whole time or is this the result of multiple trips? What project could she be working on if any? Are the Lily D and Julia von Boehm sightings related to Freja, or just a coincidental convergence of fashion faces? The Imagist is pretty ambiguous, so I'm not going to jump to any conclusions yet. But wouldn't it be nice to see Freja in Vogue Paris again? It's been a while.

Now, please understand that this long rambling post doesn't mean I don't want to be informed of Freja gossip. If anyone out there reading ever has something they want to share, feel free to e-mail me. Address is in my profile. I'll keep it on the down low. I promise! :)

And for your time, a recent picture of Freja in NY from jdvision:

New Polaroid

"Danish star with the androgynous look got her first tattoo at 16. Freja Beha Erichsen is one of the tops."

Credit goes to candlebougie at tFS for the nice find! I believe the image is pretty recent. It was uploaded to the MUSE magazine facebook page today, May 4th. It's definitely from this past season judging by the hair. Now that I think about it, it's probably a by product of show castings from this past season, so it's not necessarily a recent picture. It could be from Frebruary for all we know. I'm so obsessed with knowing how recent this polaroid is because I want to know if Freja is growing her hair out, or if she's going to cut it again. Yes, who knew I'd ever be this vigilant about hair length.

Anyway, the polaroid comes from John Pfeiffer Casting and I was able to dig up an old interview from 2005 with John where he mentions Freja.

MDC: Speaking of new girls, are there any that stand out this season?
JP: For me, Freja (with IMG); I’m living for Freja, she’s such a nice girl, too.

Freja seems to have that special something that puts casting directors under her spell. In case you didn't know, she is also one of casting agent James Scully's all-time favorite models.

The queen of cool. Probably one of the most-requested models of all my clients. She is the perfect old-school clothes-hanger with a little eighties androgyny thrown in.

With acclaim like this, I hope it means Freja will be around for another few years. I can't bear to see her fade away yet, as models are prone to do in the very fickle fashion industry.

Oh Woe Is Me!

I bet this is how we all feel about the lack of Freja news recently. When do campaign pictures begin leaking? Ugh. Maybe we'll get a new editorial soon? Too bad she's not going to the Met Ball on Monday. I know that Freja isn't the type to attend events like that, but you'd think that in all these years of being a well-known model some designer would have taken her. I'm looking at you Karl!

Image Credits: celebritycity