Milan SS11 Recap

Milan Fashion Week S/S 11 - 12 Shows Total
3 Opening Slots
3 Closing Slots

Alberta Ferretti (C) - 3 Looks
Bottega Veneta (O) (C) - 3 Looks
Dolce & Gabbana - 2 Looks
Emilio Pucci (O) - 2 Looks
Etro - 2 Looks
Fendi - 2 Looks
Gucci - 3 Looks
Jil Sander - 2 Looks
Marni (O) - 3 Looks
MaxMara (C) - 3 Looks
Prada - 2 Looks
Versace - 2 Looks

Even though the shows in Milan aren't over yet, it's safe to assume that Freja has already moved on to Paris considering she didn't walk in the Roberto Cavalli show held earlier today. Never mind that though. Her week was already packed enough, and filled up with some great runway appearances to satisfy any fan. I'm pretty flabbergasted by how much demand there still is for Freja. She's a model doing her 12th runway season circuit, yet she's opening and closing shows left and right. Of course it's what you always hope for for your favorite model, but it's not something that usually happens in this industry especially at this point in a model's career. It feels like things are too good to be true, and I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop......but maybe that's just my pessimistic, over-analytical self. To be honest, I've been feeling like this for the past year despite all of Freja's success. Sometimes it's hard to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Anyway, the week started off predictably with Freja walking for Gucci on Wednesday. Things got a little unpredictable when she closed the Alberta Ferretti show later during the day. It's a show that she only recently started walking for back in FW0910; and prior to Wednesday's appearance, Freja has only ever had one look per show. So to have three looks including the closing one says a lot to me. (I know it's toooooo early to be speculating, but I can't help it! Campaign perhaps? Maybe if Meisel goes back to shooting it.)

Thursday was my favorite day for Freja in Milan, because it brought about her return to the Prada runway after last season's absence. She walked for Karl and Fendi in the morning with two looks, and then she did Prada later on. I know that the Prada runway prestige seems to have lost some of it's clout in recent seasons; but no matter what people say, Miuccia is still an influential taste maker. And the models who walk her runway (whether they're forgotten by next season or not) still catch the eyes of everyone who matters. It was a beautiful collection and it got people and critics buzzing immediately. So I was happy to see Freja, and a lot of old regulars like Kinga, Marina, MCB and Marija, take part.

Freja walked for Etro and Versace on Friday, two shows that she's walked for many times before. I just love the fact that she's always at the Versace show, and has been since the beginning of her career. Proof that Freja wasn't always considered to be tough and androgynous first and foremost, since the mere mention of Versace connotes sensuous femininity. The runway aesthetic has changed a bit since the 2005 years of Daria, Hana, Elise and the likes, but Freja has been a constant presence and perhaps even the bridge linking the Versace models of the past to the Versace models of the present. She's legitimately gorgeous, but she also has that modern edge and the ability to transform fluidly in between different extremes.

Saturday was by far Freja's biggest day in Milan as the shows (and openings and closings) came one right after the other. I could barely believe it when all the news of her runway appearances started rolling in. Two opening and two closings, just in one day! Things started when Freja opened and closed Bottega Veneta in the morning, only to zip over to Max Mara in the early afternoon where she closed that show as well. Being that she is the current face of the brand, it was only appropriate. Next came Jil Sander, a brand which I think Freja is perfectly suited for. The sharp angles of her face always coincide wonderfully with Raf's minimalist designs. The last show of the day was Emilio Pucci, and Freja had the honor of opening the show wearing an unbelievable dress with thigh high tan boots. (The return the femininity definitely continued in Milan.)

Freja continued her streak on Sunday when she opened the Marni show. See what I mean when I say things seemed almost too good to be true? Anyway, with Marni's early call time, hopefully we'll get some Marni backstage sleeping pictures again. The season never seems to be the same without those and pictures of Freja's middle finger. ;) The last Milan runway appearance for Freja came later during the day at Dolce & Gabbana. It was an all-star cast and a nice way to end an absolutely fantastic week on the runway.

We only have one more city to go before the season is over. Time sure does fly! But as fun as it is keeping up with all the shows, it's even more fun to have your normal life back. Yes? Yes? Luckily we have a bit of a break before the Paris shows come at us full force, so rest up.

Image Credits: style.it

Sense of Self

There are so many reasons why Freja is one of my favorite models. But perhaps the biggest reason I admire her is that she's attained extreme success all while seemingly staying true to herself. In an industry that pressures you to do and be a lot of things, maintaining a solid sense of self is a really difficult thing to do. I always get the sense that with Freja, it's no compromises. What you see is what you get. Any change that has taken place is the result of natural growth, progress and maturation. Nothing seems forced, and Freja doesn't seem like some modeling robot born and breed to walk catwalks. She's an individual and her uniqueness comes across so well, which is why I think her fanbase is so large and so devoted. For some reason, we all find something in her to connect and relate to. And that is what fosters loyalty and love.

Anyway, I was looking at some backstage pictures from Alberta Ferretti and those are what got me thinking along these lines. Take a look at what I mean. Here are pictures of all the other models coming off the catwalk:

And now here's Freja:

When I saw these pictures the contrast literally made me laugh out loud. But this is why I love her. She's so endearingly herself. Just because she's a model, arguably one of the most "feminine" careers one can undertake, doesn't mean that she'll act the way we all think models should act. She could care less if there's a camera around, and she doesn't need to wear a new outfit everyday in an attempt to fit our conventional notions of model style. Just a pair of black jeans, a soft tee and a black leather jacket and Freja's good to go. Whether she's on duty, off duty or caught off guard, you honestly get the sense that she is the way she appears to be, without pretense. It's this genuine quality that drew me in and served as my gateway into fashion in general. If you can believe it or not, before Freja I barely knew anything about fashion. Now it's a whole different story.

Even if I get frustrated with her work sometimes, and even if it seems like I'm a bad fan because I'm overly critical, Freja will always be special to me. She ignited my love of fashion and models, and she also anchors it closer to reality with her individuality and accessibility. I love discovering new models, but I think a part of that has to do with the hope that I'll find another Freja among all the newbies.....that I'll find another model who will get me excited and make me feel inspired for more than just a season. Impossible, I know. But I still hope for it nonetheless. I'm willing to bet that most of you out there have similar feelings and stories as well. :)

Image Credits: sonnyphotos.typepad.com

Gucci is a Go

After skipping the London show season, Freja is back on the catwalks in Milan. Already walking with three looks for Gucci, she's making her first day a busy one with appearances at Alberta Ferretti and possibly even No. 21 Allessandro dell Acqua. I guess she really was resting up for what will hopefully be a busy Milan Fashion Week.

It's great to see her relationship with the Gucci brand continue it's long run, but the big question on my mind is, will she walk for Prada tomorrow? After making her international debut on its runway over 5 years ago, Freja was bypassed for the show last season since she didn't fit the overall aesthetic. What will Miuccia be going for this season? Is Freja still a Russell Marsh favorite? All the answers to these questions and more come tomorrow.

Image Credits: style.it

In Milan?

The Burberry Prosum show was today and Freja didn't walk. Fashionologie has an interesting report up:

"According to rumors, last night, Gucci demanded all girls cast in their show fly into Milan, pronto. That means Burberry's usual all-star London lineup — Freja Beha Erichsen and Lily Donaldson among them — were already gone; Burberry did nab Jourdan Dunn and Lisanne De Jong, however."

We know that Freja is both a Burberry and Gucci favorite, walking in both shows countless times throughout her career. However, I suppose this means that she's more of a Gucci girl since she didn't show up at the Burberry show. Makes sense considering she's been a Gucci campaign girl many times while Burberry continues to stick with British faces.

Of course, Freja could have just skipped London altogether to get some much needed rest. She didn't walk in any of the week's other big shows: Julien MacDonald, Christopher Kane, Pringle of Scotland, Jaeger London (the last two being brands that she's done campaigns for in the past). Who knows? I guess we just wait and see until tomorrow if Freja shows up on the Gucci catwalk.....

New York SS11 Recap

New York Fashion Week S/S 11 - 13 Shows Total
2 Opening Slots
3 Closing Slots

Alexander Wang (C) - 1 Look
Anna Sui - 2 Looks
Carolina Herrera - 1 Look
Derek Lam - 2 Looks
Diesel Black Gold - 2 Looks
Marc Jacobs (C) - 1 Look
Michael Kors - 3 Looks
Narciso Rodriguez (C) - 2 Looks
Oscar de la Renta - 2 Looks
Ports 1961 (O) - 3 Looks
Rag & Bone (O) - 1 Look
Tom Ford - 1 Look
Vera Wang - 3 Looks

New season, new venue, and arguably a new Freja. With the Bryant Park tents long gone and the glamor of Lincoln Center now commonplace, I feel like we saw a new/old version of Freja this time around in New York.

Don't believe me? I'll let a few names explain what I mean: Carolina, Anna, Oscar, Vera and Tom. All designers known for a certain type of femininity and lauded for the way they can dress a woman. Yes, the model constantly heralded as the archetype of androgyny has grown up and returned to a softness and femininity that characterized the very early seasons of her career. I have to think that this new/old look is closely tied to the length of her hair, which is noticeably longer this show season than it has been since she first cut it all off in September of 2008. It's interesting how so much can ride on so little....but that's another story for another day.

The week started off strong with two shows on Friday, and two opening looks. After skipping last season's show due to illness, Freja came back to open this season's Rag & Bone show. In one day, she went from being strapped in and harnessed, to being soft and flouncy with three looks at Ports 1961, including the opening one. This would merely be the first instance in what I saw as a noticeable return to femininity that I mention above. Less pants and tough girl looks, more dresses and gowns.

Continuing on with her prominent placement in shows, Freja closed the Alexander Wang show on Saturday. She's always been a favorite of Alex's and the two seem to have developed a nice working relationship over the years. Not to mention that Freja is constantly seen wearing his clothes and carrying his bags, so we can assume the feelings of admiration are mutual.

Sunday brought with it two shows. Derek Lam in the morning, and the surprising Tom Ford at night. Freja is a fixture at Derek's shows now, but most people would never have pegged her for a Tom Ford woman. Things have a way of changing, yet remaining the same. A few years ago, Freja with the long hair and fringe would have fit in perfectly with the Ford aesthetic circa 2004. But as all modern woman are apt to do, she underwent changes and transformations in her life and appearance. It's those very changes that inform who she is today, and make her (in my mind) a great Tom Ford woman for the new decade. Different, yet still the same.

One of the things I like most about Freja is how versatile of a model she is. People don't give her enough credit for that, preferring to pigeonhole her into one role and niche. On Monday she displayed that versatility brilliantly with her three shows. At Caroline Herrera she showed us refined elegance. At Diesel Black Gold she showed us modern toughness. And at Marc Jacobs she showed us a glamorous throwback to decadent beauty. Only a few models can carry off such different images in one day. And to top it all off, she closed the MJ show, which is a really big deal because it's considered to be the marquee show of NYFW. Go Freja!

On Tuesday, Freja returned to the runway for Vera Wang, a show she last walked during the SS09 season two years ago. It was Vera's special 20th Anniversary show, so it was nice to see Freja take part with three looks. There are so many designers who seem to have good relationships with Freja that it might be easier to keep track of the ones who don't. ;) Late in the day, Freja walked in and closed the Narciso Rodriguez show in a stunningly beautiful look. The gown was minimal, yet it made such a powerful statement in it's simplicity and Freja just looked absolutely radiant. So many times during the week I felt like I was being transported back 4 years ago. Freja seems to have retained (or regained) the innocence and excitement that comes so naturally to the young models just starting out in their careers.

As the week went on, Freja slowed down just a bit, maybe in preparation for the rest of the cities? When I say slow down, I mean she stopped closing and opening shows and didn't walk in a few shows I thought she would be at. Anyway, Freja walked for Michael Kors and Anna Sui on Wednesday. If you haven't already seen it, you have to watch this cute pre-show video of fittings for the Kors show. Freja is featured prominently, along with an appearance by Karmen.

On the last day of NYFW, Freja walked the Oscar de la Renta runway for only the second time in her career. Last season was her debut and she opened and closed the show. This season she had two looks. I've noticed that as her career progresses, the type of shows Freja walks in changes as well--ODLR and Anna Sui being the two most prominent examples. But I guess that's a given for any model who's been around as long as Freja has. You have to change it and keep things interesting.

Now we're off to London! Actually, the shows have already started today. Will Freja walk? I'm not sure, but I'd like to think so. She doesn't have a showcard, but no showcard doesn't always mean no model. Especially when it comes to models of Freja's status and seniority. So stay tuned!

Image Credits: style.it, contributormagazine.com