Marc Jacobs isn't the only one in New York who will be streaming his show live. Alexander Wang and Rodarte are the latest designers to join in on the democratization party. Like twitpic-ing blurry runway pics last season, the live streaming show seems to be this season's "it" thing to do. Isn't it amazing how fast things are changing? Before we know it, fashion week might be a thing that exists entirely and solely online. I hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised either.
Anyway, Freja will probably walk Alex's show so you'll get the chance to see her live on Saturday the 13th at 5pm. Rodarte is happening at noon on Tuesday the 16th, but I'm not sure if she'll be there. She walked the show last season, but that was her first time working for the Mulleavy sisters. At this point, who knows what type of runway season Freja will have? She's been working a ton lately so she could ride on her momentum into the shows and convert a good runway season into some nice campaigns (besides Chanel). Or she could decide to lay low, take a break and recover from her busy year (the busiest in a while).Whatever this season brings, I'm sure we'll be on the edge of our seats.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Freja, Lucinda and Josh
Freja continues her long running Vogue UK relationship with a new editorial.
Cyber Tribe
Vogue UK, March 2010
Ph: Josh Olins
The colors! The feminine styling! Freja has finally moved firmly away from the androgyny that was (in my opinion) stifling her abilities and limiting the work she got. It's great to see her in a beautiful editorial like this. Even though it might not be the most inspired one ever, it's a welcome change of pace. And the people at Vogue UK sure do know how to do a studio editorial right.
A thing that immediately struck me about this is the prominence accorded to Freja's tattoos. In some pictures they seem to be as much of a focal point as the clothes are. I suppose when you've been in the industry for half a decade, the people who book you know what they're getting and are more apt to let your personal aspects shine through. Anyway, it takes an editorial like this to remind me what a great print model Freja is. Her face is just subtle enough that she can take a variety of looks, yet powerful enough that she doesn't get overwhelmed by her surroundings. All the different angles of her face photograph well, and she's gotten better at posing too. But that's probably partly attributable to the photographer. If you compare this editorial to the last one Freja shot with Josh, you'll see some similarities.
You rarely see Freja like this in, say, an editorial by Karl. So it shows us that she's capable of giving the photographer exactly what he/she wants, which is something all great models can do. It doesn't matter if you have the right look; if you can't work well with people then you're nothing more than a one-season wonder at best.
This piece was edited/styled by Lucinda Chambers, who also styled one of my favorite Freja eds from last year. I think she has this signature style that seems haphazard at first glance, but quickly moves into wonderful cohesion the more you look. Anyone can throw black on black on white together, but successfully styling prints, patterns and colors together is a completely different story. It takes a bold eye and lots of experience, which Lucinda has. After all, she's been working with Freja since the beginning of her career with the first editorial she shot for Vogue UK. Since then she's basically styled/edited almost everything Freja's done with the magazine. So with their amazing track record of working together (especially in what has to be my favorite Freja editorial ever), I truly look forward to the next thing they'll produce because you can bet it will be visual wonder.
Image Credits: Scans by tFS member fearless123 and tFS member Carla-A
Cyber Tribe
Vogue UK, March 2010
Ph: Josh Olins
The colors! The feminine styling! Freja has finally moved firmly away from the androgyny that was (in my opinion) stifling her abilities and limiting the work she got. It's great to see her in a beautiful editorial like this. Even though it might not be the most inspired one ever, it's a welcome change of pace. And the people at Vogue UK sure do know how to do a studio editorial right.
A thing that immediately struck me about this is the prominence accorded to Freja's tattoos. In some pictures they seem to be as much of a focal point as the clothes are. I suppose when you've been in the industry for half a decade, the people who book you know what they're getting and are more apt to let your personal aspects shine through. Anyway, it takes an editorial like this to remind me what a great print model Freja is. Her face is just subtle enough that she can take a variety of looks, yet powerful enough that she doesn't get overwhelmed by her surroundings. All the different angles of her face photograph well, and she's gotten better at posing too. But that's probably partly attributable to the photographer. If you compare this editorial to the last one Freja shot with Josh, you'll see some similarities.
You rarely see Freja like this in, say, an editorial by Karl. So it shows us that she's capable of giving the photographer exactly what he/she wants, which is something all great models can do. It doesn't matter if you have the right look; if you can't work well with people then you're nothing more than a one-season wonder at best.
This piece was edited/styled by Lucinda Chambers, who also styled one of my favorite Freja eds from last year. I think she has this signature style that seems haphazard at first glance, but quickly moves into wonderful cohesion the more you look. Anyone can throw black on black on white together, but successfully styling prints, patterns and colors together is a completely different story. It takes a bold eye and lots of experience, which Lucinda has. After all, she's been working with Freja since the beginning of her career with the first editorial she shot for Vogue UK. Since then she's basically styled/edited almost everything Freja's done with the magazine. So with their amazing track record of working together (especially in what has to be my favorite Freja editorial ever), I truly look forward to the next thing they'll produce because you can bet it will be visual wonder.
Image Credits: Scans by tFS member fearless123 and tFS member Carla-A
Thursday, February 4, 2010
In Print vs Online
As much as I'm all for embracing technology and progressing with the times, there is really something to be said for traditional ways of viewing. As I was flipping through the current issue of US Vogue, Freja's Chanel ad really popped out at me.
I know it's kind of ironic that I'm using this digital scan to convey to you what a beautiful impression this image is on the the actual print page, but oh well. You gotta work within the limitations of what you're given, right? Anyway, this image is so much more dynamic and elegant on the page than it is on the screen. In fact, when I saw it I thought it was a new one that we hadn't seen yet because it looked so unfamiliar. I had to go back and double check that it had indeed been released. Freja looks so alluring, and the composition and perspective of the shot really enhance her and the clothing.
I think we tend to forget that the way we view things imparts much more meaning into images than we realize. Nowadays we see ads on the internet before we see them in magazines. We make our judgments based on what we see and move on to the next thing in this hyper active, image parade of a world in which we live. We are incessantly bombarded with things and we can just gloss over them without really absorbing anything. Case in point: when I didn't recognize this Chanel ad. Since much advertising money is still with print, most ads are still created with that medium in mind (this season's Balenciaga campaign being a prime example). So I guess what I'm trying to say is that we should think (and look) twice before we write something off, especially if we're seeing it online first.
As for the larger topic on hand, I don't think it has to be one way or the other. I don't think we have to give up print for online. With enough time, innovation and creativity, I think the two mediums can perfectly co-exist, and even bolster each other. Each one filling in the shortcomings of the other. They provide such different experiences and satisfy different needs that it would be a shame to lose one. So why can't we just have the best of both? I don't know...maybe I'm just a tad old school. :)
Image Credits: my scans
I know it's kind of ironic that I'm using this digital scan to convey to you what a beautiful impression this image is on the the actual print page, but oh well. You gotta work within the limitations of what you're given, right? Anyway, this image is so much more dynamic and elegant on the page than it is on the screen. In fact, when I saw it I thought it was a new one that we hadn't seen yet because it looked so unfamiliar. I had to go back and double check that it had indeed been released. Freja looks so alluring, and the composition and perspective of the shot really enhance her and the clothing.
I think we tend to forget that the way we view things imparts much more meaning into images than we realize. Nowadays we see ads on the internet before we see them in magazines. We make our judgments based on what we see and move on to the next thing in this hyper active, image parade of a world in which we live. We are incessantly bombarded with things and we can just gloss over them without really absorbing anything. Case in point: when I didn't recognize this Chanel ad. Since much advertising money is still with print, most ads are still created with that medium in mind (this season's Balenciaga campaign being a prime example). So I guess what I'm trying to say is that we should think (and look) twice before we write something off, especially if we're seeing it online first.
As for the larger topic on hand, I don't think it has to be one way or the other. I don't think we have to give up print for online. With enough time, innovation and creativity, I think the two mediums can perfectly co-exist, and even bolster each other. Each one filling in the shortcomings of the other. They provide such different experiences and satisfy different needs that it would be a shame to lose one. So why can't we just have the best of both? I don't know...maybe I'm just a tad old school. :)
Image Credits: my scans
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Showcards
IMG's showcards are up finally, and I'm happy to see that they're much better than last season's rush job.
It's interesting that both of Freja's shots are from her most recent editorial. They're good and striking, but I think IMG could have picked another shot from a different ed to display her range and versatility. Although, at this point everyone already knows who Freja is and what she's capable of so showcards are more of a formality.
If you get the chance to browse through the rest of the girls you'll see other IMG stalwarts like Lara, Heidi, Marina and Sasha. I'm so happy to see Jenny S, but doesn't it seems like there are less newer girls this time around (Out of all the ones that caught my eye last season, Bara is the only one returning with a showcard). I don't know if this is actually the case, or if it just seems that way to me because I'm more familiar with a lot of the names? Go figure. Of course, no showcard doesn't mean absent model, so keep that in mind if some of your favorites (both old and new) from the various agencies are missing. Is there anyone else besides Freja you're looking forward to seeing?
Image Credits: imgmodels.com
It's interesting that both of Freja's shots are from her most recent editorial. They're good and striking, but I think IMG could have picked another shot from a different ed to display her range and versatility. Although, at this point everyone already knows who Freja is and what she's capable of so showcards are more of a formality.
If you get the chance to browse through the rest of the girls you'll see other IMG stalwarts like Lara, Heidi, Marina and Sasha. I'm so happy to see Jenny S, but doesn't it seems like there are less newer girls this time around (
Image Credits: imgmodels.com
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Alexander Wang Backstage
The full Alexander Wang backstage video is up, but there isn't that much more Freja to be seen. Regardless, it's a very well done video (Sorry for the bad upload quality. You can see a better version on the site itself under Collections < Spring 2010 < Backstage Video). The mood and music-can't go wrong with the Chromatics-are pitch perfect in conveying that air of coolness that pervades anything Alexander Wang. And I love seeing the juxtaposition of the calm, orderly runway walk next to the mad, dash backstage run. Not to mention that this was my favorite collection from last season so I'll take any excuse to see it in motion once more.
Alex's clothes are usually a hit or miss with me, but there was something so attractive about the way he did American sportswear that I just fell in love (despite the outrageous prices). The color palette, drape of the fabrics and overall feeling of levity made the clothes easy to relate to and wearable. And watching this video you get the sense that the models really felt comfortable, and that they were the ones wearing the clothes and not vice versa. After this SS10 collection I'm anxious to see what Alex has in store for FW1011. Hopefully it lives up to his hype. What about you? Any collections that you're particularly looking forward to?
Oh, btw, speaking of collections, Marc Jacobs is going to be live streaming his new one on his website, Monday February 15th at 8pm EST. Freja hasn't missed a Marc show in.....ever, so keep your eyes peeled. Don't you just love how the industry embrace of technology has the added reward of instant gratification for us?
Video courtesy of alexanderwang.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
On A Roll
Despite how I may or may not feel, I'm still happy that Freja has been landing some great work lately. It's actually quite impressive to look at her track record for the year so far.
-Vogue Italia with Meisel
-Vogue Paris with Inez and Vinoodh
-Vogue Nippon with Terry
-Vogue UK with Josh Olins
It doesn't really get any better than that folks. No other model so far can boast of these high caliber accomplishments for 2010, so brava Freja. Whether you've changed or not, you sure are working your ass off.
-Vogue Italia with Meisel
-Vogue Paris with Inez and Vinoodh
-Vogue Nippon with Terry
-Vogue UK with Josh Olins
It doesn't really get any better than that folks. No other model so far can boast of these high caliber accomplishments for 2010, so brava Freja. Whether you've changed or not, you sure are working your ass off.
Nuts and Bolts
If you haven't already noticed, I'm trying to doing some maintenance/archival work on this blog. At the top of the page you'll now see some links that are arranged into general categories. This is definitely a work in progress, but my hope is to have all that information up there to be as complete as possible. Of course this will take time because there is a lot to go through and I have to get all the image credits right. Throughout the years so many fans have taken the time and effort to document Freja's work and they absolutely deserved to be acknowledged. I don't think you know quite the effort that goes into making good scans until you attempt to scan something yourself.
Anyway, this long-term project has given me the opportunity to re-visit some of Freja's earlier work. It's been quite refreshing, yet sad at the same time. Refreshing in that it's been a pleasure to re-discover the reasons why Freja became my favorite model over three years ago. Sad in that I've also realized that the model she is now is so very different from the model I initially became a fan of.
This is the model that I miss. The one who had such a brightness in her eyes and liveliness in her face. The one who didn't seem so weathered by complacency and burdened by androgyny. I miss the Freja that used to walk down the runway seemingly thinking "Cool, you just want me to walk and you'll pay me for this?" instead of "I gotta uphold my too-cool for school rep and casually saunter down this thing." I miss the days when fans were drawn to her for her work and not just for her perceived sexuality or personality. And I know it's unfair of me to say these things and to think this way. It's unfair of me to want to capture Freja in a time-capsule and have her remain the perfect picture in my mind. But I just can't help it. How selfish of me, right? I should be happy that she's grown and developed her skill as a model. I should be happy that she's matured into an industry that accepts her despite her unconventionality.
But that's just it. She used to represent this rare honesty in fashion and modeling that I loved. It's what made her special and unique amongst all the other models. You got the sense that what you saw on the runway and in editorials was who she was in real life with no pretenses. She didn't bend her street style to fit in with the model-mold. She didn't care if she had visible tattoos or cut her hair against her agency's wishes. It's what she wanted to do and by god, she was going to do it, work be damned. Ironically enough, as Freja gets more work and becomes more visible and popular, she seems to be losing the very things that attracted me to her in the first place. I still love seeing new work from her, but the unbridled joy and spontaneity are gone. That unconventionality is gone, only to be replaced by conformity.
I thought that maybe writing all of this out and getting it off my chest would help me. Kind of like a therapeutic release. After all, it is my blog and it was created on the premise that I would share my thoughts and musings about Freja. Well, this is how I've been feeling lately, and I don't believe in censoring the bad and only focusing on the good. Therefore, I'm playing out my inner turmoil right here...lucky you if you've read this far, right? I know, you must be thinking that I'm a shitty fan. At least, I'm not the type of fan you would want to or think to run a fan blog. And how self-indulgent and petty of me to yammer away like this about stuff that isn't even a bit significant compared to the real turmoil going on in the world. How vain-glorious of me to criticize the only reason why you're reading my words in the first place...kind of like shooting myself in the foot. But with fashion week coming up I'm just trying to get back to that place where the sheer excitement of it all propelled and inspired me. So please bear with me for now.
Image Credits: eurowoman.dk via jelsoka @ tFS
Anyway, this long-term project has given me the opportunity to re-visit some of Freja's earlier work. It's been quite refreshing, yet sad at the same time. Refreshing in that it's been a pleasure to re-discover the reasons why Freja became my favorite model over three years ago. Sad in that I've also realized that the model she is now is so very different from the model I initially became a fan of.
This is the model that I miss. The one who had such a brightness in her eyes and liveliness in her face. The one who didn't seem so weathered by complacency and burdened by androgyny. I miss the Freja that used to walk down the runway seemingly thinking "Cool, you just want me to walk and you'll pay me for this?" instead of "I gotta uphold my too-cool for school rep and casually saunter down this thing." I miss the days when fans were drawn to her for her work and not just for her perceived sexuality or personality. And I know it's unfair of me to say these things and to think this way. It's unfair of me to want to capture Freja in a time-capsule and have her remain the perfect picture in my mind. But I just can't help it. How selfish of me, right? I should be happy that she's grown and developed her skill as a model. I should be happy that she's matured into an industry that accepts her despite her unconventionality.
But that's just it. She used to represent this rare honesty in fashion and modeling that I loved. It's what made her special and unique amongst all the other models. You got the sense that what you saw on the runway and in editorials was who she was in real life with no pretenses. She didn't bend her street style to fit in with the model-mold. She didn't care if she had visible tattoos or cut her hair against her agency's wishes. It's what she wanted to do and by god, she was going to do it, work be damned. Ironically enough, as Freja gets more work and becomes more visible and popular, she seems to be losing the very things that attracted me to her in the first place. I still love seeing new work from her, but the unbridled joy and spontaneity are gone. That unconventionality is gone, only to be replaced by conformity.
I thought that maybe writing all of this out and getting it off my chest would help me. Kind of like a therapeutic release. After all, it is my blog and it was created on the premise that I would share my thoughts and musings about Freja. Well, this is how I've been feeling lately, and I don't believe in censoring the bad and only focusing on the good. Therefore, I'm playing out my inner turmoil right here...lucky you if you've read this far, right? I know, you must be thinking that I'm a shitty fan. At least, I'm not the type of fan you would want to or think to run a fan blog. And how self-indulgent and petty of me to yammer away like this about stuff that isn't even a bit significant compared to the real turmoil going on in the world. How vain-glorious of me to criticize the only reason why you're reading my words in the first place...kind of like shooting myself in the foot. But with fashion week coming up I'm just trying to get back to that place where the sheer excitement of it all propelled and inspired me. So please bear with me for now.
Image Credits: eurowoman.dk via jelsoka @ tFS
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