The Beauty of Modern Love

Continuing on her path towards utter domination, Freja has a magnificent editorial in Interview to cap off this whirlwind of a month:

Modern Love
Interview Magazine August 2010
Ph: Craig McDean
Styling: Karl Templer
Other Models: Dan Kling
Casting: Michelle Lee @ KCD

This is just a beautiful story perfect for some escapism. You can lose yourself in the narrative and let the portrayed emotions wash over you. This is as sentimental and delicate as we've ever seen Freja. It's the type of fashion story that seeps into your consciousness slowly, imbuing your mind with thoughts of loves lost, loves who never were, and loves who could have been.

This is so beautiful because of these implied emotions. Love stories have been done many times over in fashion editorials, but when it's done right it hits an emotional chord that makes us forget that what we're seeing has been seen before. Old associations become new, powerful and very raw again.

McDean/Freja is most definitely my new favorite photographer/model combination. The work Freja has done under the scrutiny of his lens has been some of her best. It's been the work that stands out in my mind as superb, and when I think back on the year that was 2010, I'll inevitably return to their collaborations.

There come times when I think I've seen it all in regards to Freja, but then she surprises and delights me with facets and subtleties of her modeling I never knew existed. Whether it's the intensity and sheer dexterity she displayed in Tough Ballerina, or the delicacy and wistful contentment she displays in this story; it's clear to me that her best editorial work happens under McDean's guidance. Feel free to argue with me on that point but you'll be hard pressed to sway my opinion. Oh, and how about giving it up for Michelle Lee? Kudos to her for the brilliant casting and for envisioning Freja in a role most other people wouldn't or couldn't envision.

Freja plays the role here convincingly, and with aplomb. The chemistry she has with Dan is palpable and they could have fooled me. Not to mention they share eerily similar features and have the same type of presence, making the role of lovers that much more distinguished, albeit a little disturbing. I'm always surprised by people who are surprised to see Freja express any type of femininity. The type she displays here is the kind that's ever so slightly tinged with an undertone of modern androgyny (which is itself present in a good majority of models working today), and I think this is what has defined the better part of her career save for a few seasons. However, I suppose that once you cut off your hair and become the poster child for androgynous, rebel bad girl, you can't easily shake that stereotype even if the work you've been doing for over a year is completely counter to that old meme.

Anyway, no boyishness from Freja to be seen anywhere on these pages. All I see is a woman and a model growing into her own self and being allowed to express a different aspect of that self that she might otherwise never get to express. And isn't that what modeling is about? Successfully taking on different roles, but never completely losing yourself in the process? If so, then Freja is most certainly one of the best and her number 2 rank on models.com proves it.

Image Credits: My scans

Commentary

Finally got my copy of W in the mail. Freja has two more shots in addition to the one I already posted before. At first glance this seems like just another studio edit, but one neat thing about this is that W has supplemented each shot with commentary from those involved, whether it be designer, stylist or model. You can read the commentary on the pages, and also some additional insights online. This approach definitely brings new breath to what could have otherwise been just another studio ed languishing in the mundane.

Best In Show
W Magazine June 2010
Ph: Craig McDean
Styling: Alex White
Other Models: Various girls all from IMG, but only Freja's shots scanned below

“How do you look both powerful and feminine? I wanted to explore that question.” —Tomas Maier, Bottega Veneta
“I wanted to make her look kind of glamorous, and a little cherubic at the same time. I hadn’t see Freja like that before. It’s an unusual way to do a look like that—prettier instead of boyish.” —Eugene Souleiman, hairdresser

You can't ask for a better model to embody both power and femininity, as Freja has proven over and over again. And Eugene definitely succeeded in drawing out the cherubic qualities of Freja face in this first shot. I don't know about you, but cherubic definitely wasn't a word I ever associated with Freja before. But I'm glad others are starting to see beyond the boyish androgyny.

“This look has been influenced by an Irving Penn picture representing someone from the streets wrapped in a poster with words. I used words and text from the work of Cindy Sherman and the French artist Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster.” —Nicolas Ghesquiere, Balenciaga

Knowing that Nicolas incorporated Cindy Sherman's work just makes me love this Balenciaga look even more, as she happens to be one of my favorite artists. (I mean, who doesn't love Cindy Sherman?) So having Freja model the look is just icing on the cake.

“For this collection I was thinking what embodies chic now: a precise shoulder, the contrast of black and white, a skirt that fluidly encircles the body.” —Giorgio Armani

Don't you just love seeing Freja being so 80's power career woman chic? That hair actually does wonders for her and it's a look that I hope we get another chance to see again. The soft volume contrasts well with the severity of her stare and the linearity of her body.

If you have the chance, I really recommend that you go through each shot online to read the commentary. For it's within the context of the commentary that each look makes more sense to me. I can appreciate the entire story so much more than if it had merely been a studio editorial of just one girl jumping against a gray background (cough, US Vogue, cough).

Another great thing about this editorial is the use of models. You've heard the cliche "location, location, location," but when it comes to fashion and editorials I really think that "casting, casting, casting" makes all the difference in the world. Not only is this a great showcase for IMG and their robust roster of models, this also presents a wonderful cross-section of the modeling world today. You have models at all different stages of their careers, at all different statuses within the industry, and at all different levels of fame. I felt excited to flip through each page of the editorial because I couldn't wait to see who would be next and what she would bring to the page and to the clothes.

And speaking of, it's always nice to finally see how looks from the runway translate to the page. Perhaps it's a little too early to be thinking about Fall, but I don't mind one bit if it means I get to see those divine Balenciaga and Burberry looks.

Freja has done some great work for W recently, that I'll be so sad to see it stop. So please don't stop it Stefano Tonchi.

Image Credits: My scans

IMG & W

The upcoming June issue of W Magazine has an editorial featuring some of the many great models on the roster of IMG in a Fall fashion preview. Running the gamut from industry legend (Liya) to newly crowned it girls of the moment (Julija & Sam) and everyone in between, Freja manages to snag the opening shot for the whole story:

Best In Show
W Magazine June 2010
Ph: Craig McDean
Styling: Alex White

This marks only the fourth time that she's worked with McDean. The last time they worked together resulted in this brilliantly dynamic editorial for Interview magazine. And even though there's just this one shot for W, it's another great one. What better way to drawn in an audience than with a captivating, beautiful, and distinct face? Now frame that face with gloriously curly hair, and a fuzzy gray sweater and you have the perfect picture of Fall.

Even though I wish Freja and McDean would collaborate on more only-girl editorials (3 out of the 4 times they've worked together have resulted in one-shots like this), having something short but sweet is better than having nothing at all.

I also have to wonder if this is the last time we'll see Freja styled by Alex White? With Stefano Tonchi now at the helm of W, Alex's position there is uncertain as staff shuffles are likely to continue happening. And that's really too bad because Freja has been a consistent fixture in W under Alex's styling hands. But perhaps she'll continue styling for Karl and Chanel, and perhaps Freja will keep on landing Chanel campaigns. One can only hope for the best, since this is most likely the last time we'll see Freja in W for a while now that Tonchi wants to take the magazine in a different direction. Think more "lifestyle" (read: celebrities) and less "fashion" (not that there was even that much to being with). Yeah, I'm a little bitter.....

Oh well, more international magazines it is!

Image Credits: imgmodelsblog.wordpress.com

Busy Ballerina

Freja's April is turning out to be just as busy as her March was in terms of magazine editorials. In addition to features in Japanese SPUR, Vogue UK, Vogue Germany, W Magazine, i-D Magazine, and Vogue Italia we can now add Interview Magazine to the list:

Tough Ballerina
Interview Magazine April 2010
Ph: Craig McDean

For me, this is Freja's best work of the year; yes, even better than her Vogue Italia cover and edit. Everything here is just pitch perfect down to the tiniest details. And it's wonderful to see her shoot a proper editorial with McDean, and not just the one-shots she did before in 2006 for Vogue Paris, and earlier this year again for Interview. Judging by the results, Freja by McDean is definitely a collaboration that I want to see again and again.

The combination of Freja's raw sensibilities and the delicate, soft construction of the clothes makes this editorial work. (I also love the pairing of black leather and pink silk.) Even though it's a bit cliche, this hard/soft juxtaposition is alluring, and I can't think of a better model to carry it out with aplomb. After all, Freja is herself a juxtaposition of many seemingly opposing characteristics.

The furrow of her brow, her scowl and the slight sense of unease portrayed on her face fit the concept, and for once I'm not disappointed to see Freja's toughness shine through. Her long, slender body lines (made even more so by the criss-crossing ribbons) serve to make the ballerina concept believable. And I really love the makeup job here. The white-chalkiness covering her hands, arms and legs make it seem as if she's ready to get down to serious business. Like she's preparing her body to undertake a grueling session.

The fifth shot is practically unreal. Just look at how precarious Freja's feet are! Yet, if you take a look at the posture of her upper body and face she looks completely at ease like she's staring off into space--as if she isn't teetering on ridiculously small toe-points. Pulling that off only comes with experience folks. Well, that and a good sense of balance.

And the last shot with Freja's thumb hooked onto the buckle loop is exactly the kind of attention to detail that takes an editorial from great to superb in my book. It's this type of calculated spontaneity that produces an editorial you can look at again and again without getting bored. In fact, the more times you look the more you discover. I didn't even realize this was a regular, old studio edit because I was so enamored with it's execution and Freja's delicately strong performance.

Lately I've been trying to organize the archive that you see at the top of this blog so I've had the opportunity to re-visit almost all of Freja's old work. When I see an editorial like this, I'm so proud and impressed at just how much she's grown as a model. The movements, the expressions, the ease, and the familiarity are second nature to Freja now. There is something to be said for taking the time needed to hone your craft and develop your skills through years of experience. And this makes me sad to think about all the models who are never given that time because we've moved on from their look in one or two seasons. Yeah, when Freja first started out she was awkward and probably couldn't have produced something like this. But the beauty here lies in the fact that we've seen her stick around long enough to mature and transform. So as much as I love discovering new models, I'd rather see less turnover in the industry if it means I get to see more work like this.

So here's to another 5 years, Freja!

Image Credits: Fashion Gone Rogue

Interview Editorial

Tomas Maier
Interview Magazine December/January 2010
Ph: Craig McDean


Just when I think Karl has a stranglehold on Freja's career, she goes and works with Meisel and Craig McDean. Always expect the unexpected when it comes to Freja. Lesson learned. Anyway, it's just one shot but at least it's something different. To my knowledge, Freja has only worked with McDean once before back in 2006 for an editorial in Vogue Paris, which resulted in this one shot:

A La Ligne
Vogue Paris September 2006
Ph: Craig McDean


And for reference, here are the rest of the shots from the Interview ed:

It's a beautifully simple and straight forward editorial, photographed with an emphasis on the clothes. As it should be since the accompanying article is all about Tomas Maier, designer of Bottega Veneta. Nevertheless, I'm a bit disappointed that all of the shots are solo ones because I was really looking forward to seeing how Freja, Hanne and Kasia would photograph together. Perhaps another time, as I think Hanne and Kasia are two of the most dynamic, newer presences both on and off the page.

Lastly, another thing I found of interest is that Michelle Lee at KCD did the casting. As past interviews show, she favors strong girls and she is responsible for casting many shows during fashion month--most notably Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Hopefully this means we'll be seeing Freja on those runways again come February. It's safe to assume Michelle is a fan, and unless Freja decides to retire in between now and then, I don't think we'll be disappointed.

Image Credits: artandcommerce, my scans from Interview Magazine Dec/Jan 2010