Press Bits

Just a few recent mentions of Freja that I've rounded up:

-Fashionista doesn't like the current i-D covers featuring Lady Gaga, Kate and Naomi, but they do seem to like Freja. For once I find myself agreeing with them. I think we all would "take Freja over these any day" as well.

-Just last month, NY Mag's The Cut declared Freja the model of the Summer. It seems like their love affair continues as they wonder if the Fall season will fall to Freja as well. They point out that her momentum is going strong into the new season.

-Adding yet another positive firsthand account to the very long and practically flawless list, photographer Andreas Laszlo Konrath had good things to say about Freja when he shot her for New York Magazine's Fall Fashion portfolio. Catching her backstage at Jil Sander and Lanvin, here is part of what Konrath replied when asked about his favorite subjects:

"As for models, Karlie Kloss was the most lovely girl — really amazing. Freja Behar [sic] and Abbey Lee were also very cool and gave me a lot of their time at various shows."

You can browse images from the fashion portfolio here, and if you look through it you'll notice the sheer number of subjects and models Konrath shot throughout the course of the FW1011 shows. So to have Freja (along with Karlie and Abbey) stick out in his mind just reaffirms what we already know, and what we've heard time and time again from other backstage photographers, fans, and people who have had real life encounters with Freja. That she's one of the most affable, courteous, laid back, charismatic, alluring, agreeable, and down to earth models out there working today. Five years going through the ups and downs of the modeling world hasn't given her a big head, a nasty attitude or a sense of entitlement. That, probably above all else, is what makes me proud to be a fan.

-Lastly, no doubt you've been hearing and reading all about the planned events for Fashion's Night Out. The event is being held on September 10th in conjunction with the start of NYFW, and it will also span internationally with stores in countless other countries joining in the festivities with shopping events, concerts, meet and greets, etc. Having browsed through the events happening in NY, I think our best bet for a potential Freja sighting will happen the night before the big event, fittingly enough. Freja has always been one to avoid the spotlight and red carpet events, so I actually don't know if she's taking part in FNO at all. But if she is, I think there is a good chance we could see her at the Chanel dinner hosted by Karl, feting the re-opening of the Soho Chanel boutique.

She's one of the current faces of the brand, and she was just seen traveling with Karl in St. Tropez, complete with a classic Chanel 2.55 flap bag dangling from her shoulder. So I guess we'll see come September 9th....then again, if we don't see Freja at all I won't be surprised. I mean, every season I still hold my breath out of anxious anticipation until I see her on her first catwalk. Anyone else do this too? Just me? Oh...ok. :)

Image Credits: nymag.com

Random Bits: Inspiration, Encounters and Candids

-Molly Girard Coonan and Alice Barlow, the two people behind new label Barlow, are just like us in that they find a source of inspiration in Freja. Her picture is apparently up on their inspiration board, and they told NY Mag's The Cut that they "like to mix in elements that are both masculine and sexy." Well, if you ask me they couldn't have picked a more perfect source for that type of inspiration.

-I came across a lovely (but oldish) Freja encounter. During the shooting of the editorial "Before the Fall" for Vogue UK August 2008, fashion intern Rebecca got to meet Freja and just recently posted about the experience (complete with pictures) on her blog. Here's a snippet of what she had to say:

"Anyway in between camera flashes and set manoeuvres I found myself, the overzealous intern, engrossed in conversation with Freja and mesmerised by how laid back she was. Personally, I was overwhelmed by the whole experience. I’d acquired my own chauffeur for the day to ferry me to and from the studio, I was immersed in a sea of designer shoes and garments that, no doubt, amounted to more than what I would earn in my life time and I had drinks, CHOCOLATE, and first class food on tap. Freja was, obviously, used to what I wasn’t! and seemed so happy to sit and chat with me about me – oh and tatoos. She has ‘Float’ scrawled across her neck amidst numerous other skin engravings. She informed me that she just floats through life – like I hadn’t noticed."

You can see the pictures over on her blog as I don't feel comfortable posting them on here because I really only came across them by chance.

-Lastly, here's a candid picture of Freja, Abbey Lee and Leigh Lezark back in May at the Chanel Cruise show that was held in St. Tropez. It's still slightly odd to see Freja wearing a "color" other than black. ;)

Image Credits: My Scan

In China

As some of you already know, Freja was spotted in China recently by some fans. Thanks to a kind e-mail I received from Freja fan Pauline (thank you so much!), I can tell you that the reason she's in China is because she's shooting the ad campaign for a Paris brand called Mo & Co (The site says the label was founded in Paris, but parts of the website are in Chinese and they're shooting the campaign in China. Go figure.)

According to firsthand accounts, Freja was kind and thoughtful, even going so far as to have a cup of water ready for the sleeping fan when he woke up on the flight. The picture below already appeared on tFS, but other pictures must remain unposted at the owner's request. If you read Chinese, I think you can find them somewhere at this address: t.sina.com/xuanzheng. Looks like the site requires registration though.

After a bit of a quiet spell, we're finally getting some new Freja news. Although, she's always been such a private person that I wouldn't take the quietness to mean that she hasn't been doing anything. If there's one thing she knows how to do, it's how to operate completely under the radar considering her level of status and fame within the industry and among fans.

Anyway, thanks again for the e-mail Pauline! And thanks to the fans in China for being so vigilant. Hopefully this is just the beginning of an eventful summer season!

Image Credits: t.sina.com/cn/xuanzheng

Shout Outs

A few mentions of Freja lately in the fashion atmosphere.

Fellow Dane and model Amanda Norgaard talked with vogue.co.uk about walking the SS10 Chanel show:

"There were such incredible models - like Natasha Poly and Freja Beha - backstage and I started to think, 'Ok, this is really good'!"

And Kaiser Karl told WWD why he likes working with Freja so much:

“I just think she is the most modern girl and the most elegant person...”

It's always nice to hear good things about your favorite models. I'm not one for cattiness and drama, so I'd rather hear nice stuff like this instead of backstage dirt. Although....if you know any I would mind it too much if you shared. ;)

And to go along with the small discussion taking place on this previous post about eyewear vs. mainline Chanel campaigns, it seems like Freja will one again reprise her staring role in the former, in addition to sharing the role with Abbey in the later. I definitely can't wait to see what both campaigns will look like. As established by an anonymous commenter in that previous post, Chanel has a history of making the two campaigns entirely different in style and aesthetic. So for all the people out there who were disappointed at the news that Abbey would also be in the mainline campaign, you can take comfort knowing that Freja's lovely face is the only one you'll see staring back at you from under chic Chanel sunglasses.

What a great season this is turning out to be: Chanel Mainline, Max Mara and Chanel Eyewear. And with May 11th and the Chanel Cruise show fast approaching, I can safely say that there won't be any dearth of Freja news.

One Last Front Line Report

New York fashion week is officially over and the tents are being taken down for the last time. Bittersweet moment for all those involved I'm sure. So as the tents go down, I have one last report and one last batch of pictures to bring to you from Cameo.

Before Isaac Mizrahi


After Isaac Mizrahi


After Calvin Klein

Word is that Freja will be doing London. Although, Cameo tells me this news doesn't come from Freja herself, so believe it or ignore it....it's up to you. I know some people are curious, especially with the lack of a London showcard and all. But Freja's only missed one Burberry show since she started walking the runways, so the news could be valid. I guess we only have to wait until Tuesday to find out for sure. Besides, with the way her show season has been going so far, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Freja walks every major London show. Things are just that unpredictable this season.

It's been a pleasure Cameo. Thanks once again for your generosity, and for being our eyes and ears at Bryant Park! I know I speak for everyone when I say we truly appreciate it and we'll miss your reports!

(Once again, please don't forget to credit Cameo if you're going to repost these pictures anywhere else. Thanks!)

Image Credits: Pictures taken by Cameo

Femininity's Triumphal Return

After months of complaining, the fashion gods have heard my cries. Freja is finally moving away from the androgyny that has defined her for so long, and into a femininity that was more characteristic of her early modeling days. I couldn't be happier right now. Yes, she is more than just the tough girl. Yes, she is more than just androgyny. Yes, she can look like a woman. Finally, people are starting to see what we've known all along. And here's the proof:

She walked on the runways of Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Anna Sui; three designers best known for their feminine frocks. A change has come and I'm so very excited to see how it all plays out for the European shows!

Oh, and two shows on the schedule for today. Isaac Mizrahi for sure, as Cameo tells me, and another one....probably Tommy. So Freja will be present for the last day of New York shows, but her London prospects are still uncertain. Even without a showcard, I have my fingers crossed for an appearance at Burberry.

Also, here are some more lovely candid shots courtesy of Cameo, who has been so wonderful and gracious this season. Thanks once again for being our eyes and ears at the tents! (As usual, please remember to credit her if you're going to repost these pictures anywhere. These candids are a perk and not a right so please don't abuse them. Thanks!)

Before Oscar de la Renta


After Oscar de la Renta


Before Michael Kors


After Michael Kors


After Anna Sui

Image Credits: style.it, catwalking, candids taken by Cameo

Report from the Front Lines

If you can recall, last season we were treated to a lovely first hand Freja encounter by fan Cameo. This season, Cameo is once again on the front lines, bringing us news and pictures. Thanks Cameo!

After Carolina Herrera

After Derek Lam

After Diesel

After Marc Jacobs

I'm happy to report from Cameo that Freja is still as gracious and nice as ever. Freja remembered her from last season, signed her copy of Vogue Italia and stopped to chat with her for a bit. I know that that's nothing outrageous, but it's still nice to hear good stories like this. Despite all her years in the industry and all her recent success, Freja has stayed grounded and real. And that's a true rarity in an industry like this, and something I'll always respect. It's probably the main reason why Freja will always remain one of my favorites.

Btw, if you're going to repost these pictures anywhere, please, please, please credit Cameo. She was nice enough to share so we shouldn't take without giving credit where credit is due. Thank you, and thanks once again Cameo, for giving us insight from the tents! Get some sleep, stay warm and enjoy the rest of your fashion week!

Image Credits: taken by Cameo

More New York Candids

Thanks to Megan, the blogger and owner of dariaw.onsugar.com, we have a few more candid shots of Freja in New York after the Derek Lam show. Megan had quite the New York fashion week experience. Not only was she lucky enough to meet the person she blogs about, she was also lucky enough to catch Freja coming out of the Bryant Park tents. Check out her shots (click through for HQs):

You can read about her experience here and see who else she photographed at the tents. Megan told me she didn't get to talk to Freja - she just admired her from afar. I don't know how you were able to contain yourself and maintain your distance. If I were in your shoes, I would have been all up in Freja's face. :)

Anyway Megan can attest, and it should come as no surprise, that Freja is just as perfectly gorgeous in real life as all her pictures would have you believe. And apparently she has a small paparazzi following. ;) Like I've said before, Freja fans are everywhere and from all walks of life.

Thanks for sharing your pictures Megan! And as a fellow Daria fan, I have to say that I'm so glad you got to meet her! Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to meet the person I blog about....

Image Credits: dariaw.onsugar.com

I Met Freja - Cameo Lwin's Fan Encounter Story

I don't know about you, but I'm such a sucker for model encounter stories. I love hearing every single detail from who they were with to what they were wearing. So, thanks to the kindness and generosity of a Freja fan, I can share the story of a Freja encounter from a few days ago in New York.

All the credit for this goes to the wonderful Freja fan, Cameo Lwin. If you're going to repost her pictures anywhere, I ask that you please give her credit where credit is due. She was kind enough to want to share her experience and pictures, so please be respectful of that! Thank you.

While visiting New York, Cameo was lucky enough to run into Freja on a few occasions at the tents. In addition to getting some great candid shots, she also had the chance to speak to Freja. Here are her pictures and her story, in her own words.

I’ve known of this model Freja Beha Erichsen, featured in CK in2U and Gucci by Gucci ads since a couple years back. But I just didn’t really "notice" her until my friend showed me the pictures of her after she cut her hair short. I liked her unique style and how she always looked effortlessly cool in any outfit. I’m not a fashion fanatic. I love photography; be it landscape or high fashion editorials, and I simply fell in love with Freja’s pictures. The more I googled her, the more I got hooked.

By chance, I am in New York for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2010, and so I decided to go to the tents to check out all the buzz, and to take pictures of models and celebrities.

I wasn’t feeling well and missed Alexander Wang and Erin Wasson shows on first few days :( I was finally well enough to go Bryant Park for Derek Lam’s show Sunday morning. I sat at the table opposite the backstage entrance of the tent, not so optimistic about my luck to bump into anyone big. I saw familiar faces of some models and I was casually snapping away candid shots of them passing by. Then I saw Freja walk out of the tent. She had her hair and makeup done, but she was still in her usual gear, i.e, t-shirt and jeans. She’s really thin (maybe since she doesn’t wear heels when she’s not working/walking, I think she kinda looked a little smaller compare to some other models with heels), but she look really fit. She sat at the table across mine and was talking to other models and crew. I went over to ask if I could take some pictures and if she would sign my t shirts, which she did willingly. She noted my hands were shaky and asked me if I was cold. I told her I was just very nervous to be in front of her. She laughed and told me there was no need to be. I believe all her fans already know that she has this low sexy voice. She was really warm and friendly. We chatted a little. She seemed genuinely pleased when I said I like her collection of tattoos. She even let me take a video of her saying hi to my friend in Asia, who is a HUGE fan of her’s. She told me to enjoy NY and the rest of the Fashion Week. I went back to sit down, still not believing that I’ve just talked to her. She continued to sit there for a good while, smoking and chatting with other models (Maryna, Heidi and a couple more), and only went back inside just before the show. It seems like everybody loves her and wants to be around her. After the show, she left with Lily D. Anyway, I am a Frily fan, so ... ;)

The next few days when I saw her at the Marc Jacobs, Narciso Rodriguez and Michael Kors shows, she remembered me and greeted me. I was on cloud 9! Every time I saw her, I noticed she was never late for shows. I never saw her running from photographers, or rushing and jumping over the chairs to get to the shows. She walked with a steady pace, always stopping and posing for pictures. Almost every reporter/photographer and fan I got to know during Fashion Week knows who Freja is and likes her. I don’t understand why some call her the bad girl or a rebel. I sincerely believe Freja is the nicest model I’ve ever met (followed closely by Lily Donaldson of course ^_^ ). I also got to meet and take photos of other models like Sasha, Anja, Natasha, Miranda Kerr etc and some celebrities like Eva Mendes and Emily Blunt, but Freja tops everyone…hands down!

Here are some of her pics I took. I know they are not the best quality photos but I'm glad I got them.

It still feels surreal to me that I met and talked to the edgy, stunning girl from the awesome pictures in glossy magazine pages. I adore Freja even more now, and wish her all the best in whatever she does :)

At Derek Lam with Heidi Mount


At Derek Lam with Lily Donaldson


At Derek Lam with Maryna Linchuk


FNO T-Shirt Autographed by Freja


After Marc Jacobs


At Narciso Rodriguez


At Michael Kors

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and photos with us Cameo! I know that all the Freja fans who haven't had the chance to meet her love and appreciate hearing stories from the fans who have. I know I absolutely do. I'm also so happy that everything worked out for you in New York. This couldn't have happened to someone nicer. :) Thanks again!

Image Credits: All Pictures taken by Cameo Lwin