A Construction Worker Who Collects Rocks

Since we're sitting firmly in the quiet that comes post show season and pre campaign casting frenzy, I thought I'd share this snapshot of Freja from five years ago:

"Has been modeling for a year. Would have been a construction worker in a nother life. Lives in Copenhagen, Addicted to shopping and sleeping. Collects beach rocks. Q: Which three things would you take with you to a desert island? A: My lover, my bed and a private jet, so I could leave if I got bored."

File this under things I didn't know: Freja used to (or still does?) collect beach rocks. I love digging up old stuff like this because it's so interesting to think of how a person develops and what changes they go through in a lifetime, or even in a matter of a few years. And with models, it's so rare that they're actually around long enough for us to fondly remember their "early years" and look back on their career trajectory with such nostalgia. In this context, 2006 seems like ages ago, doesn't it?

If this snapshot were done today, I wonder what things would change and what things would remain the same? Everything would probably change, because that's what humans do; we change. Even if we look the same on the outside, our daily experiences shift us little by little until we're new versions of ourselves. So I'm going take a venture and propose that this snapshot would read something like this today:

"Has been modeling for 6 years. Would have been a musician in another life. Lives in New York. Addicted to her Balenciaga leather jacket and cigarettes. Collects Guitars." :)

As for the question of things to take to a desert island, your guess is as good as mine. In another five years, maybe things will read in an entirely different manner. But that's all just part of the fun; because in the end, the change and uncertainty is what keeps things relevant and keeps all of us tuned in for the ride.

Image Credits: My scan

Changing Tides

I know I seem to be stuck on this subject (considering I just wrote something in the same vein two posts ago), but I think it's a pretty huge deal. Especially to all the longtime Freja fans out there. So what's the big deal? Freja is officially a modeling icon, or about as close as one can get to becoming a modeling icon these days under modern circumstances. She's no longer obscure, fringe or merely a cult hit. The tide has changed and she's mainstream, well known and recognizable now. I know, I know, we'll never return to the era of the supermodels. But at the same time, we shouldn't use that as the barometer against which we measure all subsequent modeling successes by. For the past is past, and we are firmly in the present. That past can never be replicated so long as the world evolves and things change. And if there is one certainty in life it's that things do change. The fact that a heavily tattooed, spotlight avoiding, tomboyish model sits at the top of a modeling industry predicated on long held feminine ideals of beauty should tell you as much. It's hard to imagine such a thing happening 10 years ago or even 5 years ago. But it's happening now.

We do get modeling waves: the Brazilians, the Russians, and (currently) the Dutchies. But the remarkable thing about Freja is that she doesn't belong to any of those waves. She didn't ride on the coat tails of an industry wide modeling trend. She started out when doll-like, blond models were all the rage. And so she got to where she is based on her uniqueness, personality, likability, authenticity and genuine appeal. That's what makes her an icon in today's fashion climate. That, and the fact that her career is stronger than ever five (almost six) years in.

Most of us had the fortune of witnessing the turnaround Freja's career has gone through this past year. She was a big name within the industry before, but now she's an even bigger name who has begun to transcend the boundaries that usually limit models like her to the high fashion sphere. So along with her high fashion cred, Freja has slowly earned commercial viability and mainstream appeal. She isn't a household name, but everyone seems to know her. And the work she's getting is beginning to reflect that.

Even Vogue Italia's editor in chief Franca Sozzani recognizes and write about it in her editor's blog on vogue.it:

"On July, 2010, three fashion magazines used the same Miu Miu dress, Vogue Uk, Elle Uk and W in America. Vogue UK had a model on the cover, Elle UK a singer - Lily Allen - and W Eva Mendes. In England sales were higher. Freja is the new icon for models. Eva Mendes didn't have an impact on W."

Freja can sell magazines! In a time where all American publications (cough, US Vogue, cough) tell us that celebrities are the only people who matter or who can move units off the newsstands, Freja is proving otherwise. Imagine that....a fresh, appealing face who isn't so completely overexposed that you're actually intrigued enough to see what she might have to say. Wow....I'm shocked (insert sarcastic smiley here). Anna Wintour take note; the general public might actually want to see someone besides a typical Hollywood starlet a la Blake Lively on the cover of Vogue. And to hit home on the idea of Freja's broader appeal, she'll be selling jewelry now as well.

Harry Winston Jewelry
Ph: Patrick Demarchelier

It's a bold move for Harry Winston, but a great coup for Freja. If I were her, I'd be going around to everyone I know saying "whatnowbitches...booyah!" But that's just me. I think that to a certain extent we've all underestimated Freja. Whether we think she can't pull off femininity or that she can't ever reach a high level of popularity, this campaign proves us all wrong. This is the type of campaign I've been waiting for. It gives her a completely new image, but one I always knew she was capable of. The irony of the images will not be lost on ardent fans, and the absence of tattoos might disappoint others; but the significance of this campaign is what's important here. And if all goes well, I think we could see Freja transcending even more boundaries in the future. So congrats to her. As she turns 23 and enters into a new stage of life, it's only fitting that her career should grow and mature as she has so beautifully done before our eyes.

Image Credits: bbs.sfileydy.com, twitter.com/amandaweiner, passionluxe.com via tFS member candlebougie

Upper East Side Glamor

Freja's latest editorial in W magazine is an absolute dream. I love it's updated take on the 1980s style of glamor, opulence and affluence. I love that it features Freja in full glam, feminine mode. I love the great casting of both Freja and Raquel as modern day ladies who lunch and lounge on the Upper East Side of NY. I love the big hair, ostentatious jewelry, fabulous clothes and cheekbones galore that pop out on every page. In fact, there isn't anything that I don't love about this editorial. Every single shot is strong and stunning with both models really emoting and showing all the new girls how it's done.

NY, NY 10021
Ph: Inez and Vinoodh
Styling: Alex White
Other Models: Raquel Zimmerman

Maybe it's the amazing sets with their extreme attention to detail, but to me this editorial looks like a beautiful tableau vivant. I keep waiting to see Freja or Raquel move on the page. I haven't been this enthralled with an editorial and it's complete vision in a very long time.

This is such a difference from the last time Inez and Vinoodh shot Freja and Raquel for W Magazine. Thank god Freja isn't treated like a background prop again. I only wish we had at least one shot of her and Raquel together so we could see them play off each others strengths and show us some really interesting contrasts. It's not often that you get two veteran models of their caliber working together, so it would have been really nice.

Speaking of, I'll never understand why people feel the need to say that so-and-so outshines so-and-so whenever there is more than one model in an editorial. Is it insecurity that elicits the need to put down one in the effort to prop up the other? I just don't get it. Perhaps I'm too PC. What I do understand is that is really doesn't get any better than Freja and Raquel shot by Inez and Vinoodh. Think about it. That's years worth of modeling and photography experience coming together in one editorial. How could it not be good? As much as I loved Freja's VI ed with Mathias, this one has to be my favorite of the year hands down. I knew from the moment I first saw it.

I always thought Freja had a little bit of that 80's era opulence in her look, and when styled in this manner you can definitely see it. The last shot is especially wonderful with Freja looking so feminine, playful and wistful. It's the perfect shot to end a beautiful story, and it's the kind of image that really displays the model who I've always known Freja to be. I'm just so happy that this year has finally brought that out again after we all had to dwell in the androgynous doldrums for so long.

You know you've just seen a good editorial when you're utterly disappointed to come to it's last image. And this might even be the last time that we'll get to see something like this, for there are major changes afoot at W Magazine. Changes that could result in major staff leaving the magazine, including Alex White who styled this editorial. I know that W isn't always the greatest when it comes to content and covers, but I feel like it's really the only mainstream American magazine that consistently runs editorials like this one and I would hate to see that change. Stefano Tonchi, now that you're the new editor-in-chief, I beg of you: give us more models and stunning eds, and less egregiously photoshopped celebrities please! Although, things are already looking bad for us fashion lovers. Blah!

Image Credits: My scans

Balenciaga and the Case for Change

I realize my posts lately have revolved more around shopping and clothes rather than Freja. I guess this must be a result of fashion month having just ended, the season changing from summer to fall (and thus necessitating a new wardrobe) and fall sales starting in anticipation of the holiday shopping season. Anyway, I thought some of you might want to know that Freja's wearing Balenciaga boots in this picture.

Perhaps another take-away from walking the show? Her style really has evolved since the beginning of her career. Gone are the Kawasakis and Rag & Bone leather jacket. In their place we have Balenciaga nearly from head to toe. Change is good. It's a sign of growth, maturity and acceptance of the evolving world around you. No one wants to be the same forever. I'm just surprised we didn't see this change happen sooner. Most new girls seem to buy into the hype and perks surrounding them almost immediately, not that that's a bad thing at all. For example, new face Keke Lingard is already sporting Acne wedges, the season's hottest shoe. During Freja's first season, she was still wearing her Kawasakis.

It seems like it took a little longer for Freja to accept her place in the fashion industry and her role as a model. She debuted during the FW0506 and we only started to see designer duds creep into her wardrobe last FW0910 season, starting with this Balenciaga leather bag.

I realize it may seem ludicrous to some of you that I'm using Freja's sartorial choices as an indicator of where she is in life and her relationship to fashion. I'm probably projecting, but I think you'd have to be blind not to notice a marked change in Freja over the last two seasons. Her approach to work, the type of work she doing and the quantity of it are different and I'm just curious as to why. I see evidence of this change most obviously in her style so maybe that's another reason why I've been doing so many clothes posts recently. I don't purport to know the real facts or give definite answers...I just want to make observations and provoke some thought.

Image Credits: coolhunt.net, barneys.com, superfantasticpicturetime, pic taken by tFS member devondevore

YES WE DID!

Competely Freja unrelated, but completely worthy of a post.

Today we elected Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America. After 8 years of incompetence and failed leadership, the American people voted resoundingly for change and hope. This is an historical moment that will forever be remembered by all who took part. Today I can say with absolute certainty that I am proud to be an American and I am proud of the American people.