Walking Patterns

Freja has a funny predilection for doing something different from the norm for her final walks during runway shows. I talked about this last season with Sonia Rykiel and Hermes. Now this season brings us Isaac Mizrahi. Take a look:

@ 8:00 with Marina

@ 0:58 with Lara

@ 9:40 with Abbey

I guess it shows a comfort level on the runway and sense of ease that only comes with walking in hundreds of shows over an 11 season period. And it must be a nice way to catch up with your model friends after not seeing them since last season. ;) Anyway, this goes to show you that the show isn't over until it's over. If you stop watching after seeing all the looks, you could miss funny and cute moments like the ones above that happen during the final walk. So keep your eyes peeled!

Happy Birthday Freja!

Today is Freja's 22nd birthday and the one year anniversary of this blog. Yes, I started this all as a 21st birthday present to Freja one year ago.

Cut to one year later and I never thought I'd still be doing this. I never thought people would actually care enough to read my words and hear my rambling analysis. I never thought Freja would make a resurgence and log one of her best years in terms of campaigns, editorials and runway appearances. I never thought she'd start an official site complete with a blog. It's pretty clear I never thought about a lot of things, but I'm glad they have all happened.

So thank you so much for your time, attention and all your enthusiastic comments. I started this for Freja but now I continue on for you, the Freja fans. And thank you so much, of course, to Freja for being this blog's inspiration and muse. Her uncompromisingly cool attitude, laid-back personality and rebel approach towards fashion keeps us all on the edge of our seats wanting more.

I'm sure Freja doesn't read this blog, much less know of it's existence; but I'm fine with that because it was never my intention. So I hope I can keep this running for as long as she has a career; and let us hope that that's a long time coming. But more than this, I hope that all of you continue to find solace, escape, happiness and whatever it is you are searching for, in our favorite model. Because isn't that what brings all of us back to her work? Isn't that why we just can't get enough?

I hope this upcoming year brings you as much satisfaction, enjoyment and creative release as the past year writing this blog has brought to me. And lastly, I hope that Freja has another year full of professional success, but more importantly, personal health, growth and happiness because she deserves it.

Happy Birthday Freja! Let's commemorate this occasion by taking a look at her very first runway appearance as a FW0506 Prada semi-exclusive at the ripe old age of 17.

@ 0:15

Amazing what four years experience and confidence can do. She really has matured into a beautiful, self assured young woman.

Walking and Talking

If you're too busy during all the fashion month chaos, I guess the runway can be another good place to catch up with your friends, right? Here are Freja and Marina during the Sonia Rykiel final walk at 8:00:

And here are Lara and Freja during the Hermès final walk at :58.

Maybe this is something you only perfect and feel comfortable doing after a few seasons on the catwalk. After all, you have to be able to talk over all the noise and not lose focus so that you fall in your heels. :) It kind of breaks the fourth wall though, don't you think? Nevertheless, people do say that fashion should be more accessible, so I guess this is one way of doing it. And I wonder what was so interesting in either instance that couldn't wait till backstage...

And off topic, but this warrants a mention: Congrats to Freja for moving up the models.com rankings! A four spot leap up was bound to happen sooner or later with the help of those five FW0910 campaigns. If she keeps it up this season, I think she's in the running for top three! Maybe even top two once Raquel vacates the number one spot and moves to the icons list.

Choice Quotes

Some morning entertainment for you. These parts of the video were making me laugh so much:

@ 1:00 "He must have used a ton of little old ladies somewhere in Normandy, you know, whipping them up. " - Cathy Horyn

@ 2:15 "I love lesbians. My best friends are all lesbians. It's very easy for people to live as lesbians. Men don't dislike woman, why should woman dislike woman?" - Karl Lagerfeld

And there you have it. Lessons in Sexuality 101 by Karl Lagerfeld, but if I were him I'd stick to my day job. I suppose the world that Karl lives in is light ages away from the world the rest of us live in, because I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that it's easy to live as a lesbian. Oh Karl.

Anyway, you can see the final walkout with Freja, Lara and Baptiste starting at 2:05.

Casual Swagger

Yup, she's still got it. That slightly aloof attitude, too cool smirk, and unhurried gait.

@ :25

@1:00

In an industry that changes faster than you can blink an eye, some things can remain constant. Freja's decidedly and defiantly casual walk is one of them. And hopefully, her opening Chloe will be another.

Fashionably Late

So as I was watching the Pucci runway video from this season, I noticed something kind of strange. Freja was late in coming out for both of her looks, and during the final walk she was looking down at her feet (look 1 at 1:00, look 2 at 5:20 and final walk at 8:30). This was strange to me because she's usually so consistent and steadfast on the runway. She hasn't fallen yet (fingers crossed, knock on wood) and the only times I can remember her breaking stride were during the Miu Miu FW0809 show and the Chanel FW0708 show when she had little trips.

I guess I'm just curious as to what was happening backstage during the show. Were the outfit changes too close? If you watch the whole video you'll notice the pacing of the entire show was off and many other girls were late in coming out. There were a lot of long pauses and you can see the audience looking restless and confused.

Maybe the venue is to blame? I know the runway path there isn't just a straight walk, contrary to what the video would have you believe. I'm pretty sure the girls come out in another room and pose for photographers, then make a few turns before entering the runway we see above. Or maybe it was the shoes? Although they don't look particularly difficult to walk in, but looks can be deceiving.

I know I'm being a little nit-picky, but I just hope this doesn't affect Freja's Pucci booking next season. She still looked amazing at the show. I think we all know that no one else can pull off a mini-dress the way Freja and her mile long legs can.

Image Credits: style.com