Random Bits: The End of SS11 Edition

I finally had the time to catch up some on non-runway related Freja news, with the help from a few fellow Freja fans of course! Nowadays, there's entirely too much too keep track of, which is a very good thing I guess. Maybe it's not so good if you're trying to be comprehensive. But all any of us can do is try our best, especially coming off the runway season when every other model that you could possibly like has new updates to catch up on every single day. Anyway, here's what's happening off the runway for Freja. Some of it may be old to you, but it's all news to me:


-Freja will star in the upcoming campaign for Danish Jewelry label Georg Jensen. Always nice to see the Danes supporting their biggest model export since Helena Christiansen. TV 2 News in Denmark aired a feature on Freja a little over a month ago, which featured footage from the campaign shoot:

Thanks to the translation skills of AIHBA at tFS, you don't have to feel completely clueless while watching the clip.


-In other campaign news, Freja appears in the Harry Winston Jewelry campaign for Asian Markets. (At least I'm pretty sure it's only in Asian markets since I've never seen such an ad over here in the States.....I could be wrong though.) What's with the sudden proliferation of Jewelry campaigns? Regardless, it's a great step for Freja. Yeah, they're not exactly fashion forward, but they're stable, good paying jobs that require expensive, elegant looking models. Freja is expanding outside her stereotypes yet again, and looking good while doing it. This is why I gripe so much about wanting to see a feminine Freja....because the results looks like this!!

-In the strangest bit of news, Freja made Rolling Stone magazine's Hot List for 2010. I'm sure she must be thrilled, being the huge music aficionado that she is, but this is just so odd to me. For years I think we've all dealt with, and learned to come to terms with, the fact that Freja is a pretty niche model and relatively obscure person in general. (Isn't that part of what made her so special in the first place? You really felt like you discovered something and someone so unique who wasn't tainted by overexposure and extreme public scrutiny.) Now I wonder if and how that will change? Rolling Stone is a major magazine and this is undoubtedly good press and great exposure for Freja. But I'm going to proceed with caution. Either nothing changes and we all continue on like we did before, or we get a sudden influx of fans who are only interested in the "persona" that comes across in the accompanying article, instead of the model who does some really great work. I know I'm probably in the minority, but it's about the work for me and not about the personal life and all that it entails.

-Speaking of persona, Japanese magazine SPUR has a little feature on Freja in their November issue that shows you how you can emulate her style. It's cute, and I think it shows us that Freja is really starting to become a modeling trope, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

I did a similar feature about a year ago, and looking back you can see how much and how little Freja's style has evolved. It's all basically the same, except now things are just a bit more polished, refined, and probably expensive. :)

Image Credits: bbs.sfileydy.com via tFS member candlebougie, frejabehalove.tumblr.com, twenner.com, vvshu.com via tFS member Flashbang

Paris SS11 Recap

Paris Fashion Week S/S 11 - 12 Shows Total
1 Opening Slot
0 Closing Slots

Balenciaga - 1 Look
Balmain - 2 Looks
Celine - 1 Look
Chanel (O) - 2 Looks
Chloe - 2 Looks
Isabel Marant - 3 Looks
Lanvin - 2 Looks
Louis Vuitton - 1 Look
Miu Miu - 1 Look
Stella McCartney - 2 Looks
Valentino - 2 Looks
Yves Saint Laurent - 2 Looks

Ahhh, what a month it's been. We finally come to the end of the SS11 season, and while I'm always sad to see the shows end, I'm relieved and happy that I can get my life back. I'm sure most of you feel the same way. No more hunching over the computer compiling showlists, no more straining your eyes to take in a fuzzy live stream, no more searching through magazine sites for backstage pictures, no more any of that. As happy as we are, I can only imagine how elated the models, designers, editors, buyers, etc are to be going home to finally sleep in their own beds after a month straight of traveling. But I suppose there's no rest for the weary, for there is always business to take care of. Speaking of, Freja's Paris recap follows.....

SS11 seemed to end with a whimper and not a bang. After numerous closings and openings in New York and Milan, Freja left Paris with only one under her belt. A bit disappointing, but I know I'm being pretty ridiculous here. It's like being sad about getting an A on a test instead of an A+. It was a wonderful season overall, and Paris gave us a number of good appearances. The week started on Thursday, two days after shows started. Freja didn't walk for Dries Van Noten on Wednesday (which was the biggest disappointment for me since I love Dries), but she was at Balmain and Balenciaga as expected. These shows are staples in her runway repertoire and it's just comforting to see her on their runways.

I think one reason why Paris seemed a bit quiet for me was because it lacked surprises. It was all a bit predictable. On Friday Freja walked for Isabel Marant and Lanvin, both eagerly anticipated shows that we all expected her to be at. Don't get me wrong, she looked great; but it was all a bit boring......maybe that's just the show season fatigue speaking in me. I do love to see Freja at Marant, mostly because her models always look so chic, effortless and stunningly beautiful. There's just something about that Parisian, bohemian style that gets me every single time. And do I even need to mention that both Marant and Lanvin are known for their own respective interpretations of femininity? So I do LOVE that Freja is a runway regular at both shows.

The weekend was definitely slow and quiet, with Freja only walking for Celine on Sunday. But most of the shows that happened over the weekend weren't shows I expected Freja to walk for. Yeah, I hoped for Givenchy, but that was just a pipe dream. After her refusal to smile at Rykiel two seasons ago, it will be a miracle if we ever see here there again. And with Karl Lagerfeld's namesake line discontinued, that left Celine. But since it's Celine, that made everything ok in my book for Phoebe Philo can do no wrong.

Monday brought about a flurry of activity compared to the slow weekend. Freja started the day at Stella McCartney with two sleek, but trendy looks. Denim? Conspicuous prints? Check and check....expect to see a lot of those come spring. Next came Chloe and my two favorite looks of the week. It's just so nice to see Freja look simple and refined. Her true beauty really shined through because this kind of pared down styling enhances and compliments her features. It's the kind of thing that makes me remember just how pretty Freja is; because to tell you the truth, I do forget sometimes. I look at so many pictures of Freja and so many different models, especially during fashion season, that everything kind of blends together and loses its impact after a while. So it's nice to be reminded. :) I also love how Freja is giving the side-eye in her first Chloe look. Anyway, Monday ended with two looks at Yves Saint Laurent. With rumors running rampant about Pilati leaving and the inevitable shakeups that would cause, we should enjoy Freja at YSL while we can!

As I've made pretty clear, I love Karl Lagerfeld. And after this season I love Chanel. On Tuesday Freja opened the Chanel show at the Grand Palais along with Stella Tennant. If you haven't seen video of this show yet, stop reading this and go watch! This is fashion at its best: it whisks you away and drops you off in a fantasy land where everything is beautiful and problems don't exist. For 15 minutes you can forget about your daily life, or the problems that plague the world, or the upcoming midterm elections in the US. Yeah fashion can be frivolous, but sometimes you really just need a good 15 minutes full of frivolity. The day continued on with Freja walking for Valentino. Two shows for two brands, both featuring Freja in their campaigns. Chanel has already signed her on again, can we expect the same for Valentino?

And this brings us to today (or I guess yesterday considering the time it is here), the last day of Paris Fashion Week and the SS11 season. Again, no surprises.....just two good shows. Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. The former being a nice reprise after an absence last season. The later being the always dependable and pleasant end to the season.

So there you have it! A post season mega wrap up to come later, after I pay some attention to all the life things I've basically ignored these past few weeks. I tell you, the more seasons I follow the shows, the more things and models (beside Freja) I develop an interest in. It's fun, but it makes it a pain to try and follow everything. Anyone else have this problem too? Or am I basically just talking to a bunch of hardcore Freja-only fans? :) Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the season! Our girl did great and we should all be proud. Now everyone can rest, relax a bit and catch up on some much needed sleep.

Image Credits: style.it

I Love You Karl

Yes, you Karl Lagerfeld. You, who have been the biggest and most loyal supporter of Freja. You, designer of Chanel, Fendi and up until this season Karl Lagerfeld. You, drinker of Diet Coke and wearer of sunglasses inside.

It's because of you Freja never faded away, even when she wasn't doing too well a few years ago. It's because of you that we get to see her in magazine ads every season. It's because of you that we can take comfort knowing she'll always be at at least one runway show during Resort and Couture seasons.

Thank you Karl and I love you Karl, no matter how ridiculous you may seem. My favorite model owes a large part of her career status and a record 4th consecutive Chanel campaign, amazing 6th overall, to your constant, unwavering support. I was a little bit worried when it seemed like your favor had swung over to Natasha, but I should know better than to doubt you.

Congrats on six Chanel campaigns Freja. You're a true Chanel woman and the perfect modern embodiment of the brand. I think you've most definitely secured your place in fashion history with this.

Direct from the source:

"Inès de la Fressange, the face of Chanel in the Eighties, will be back on the runway for the French brand at its show on Oct. 5, WWD has learned.

What’s more, Karl Lagerfeld has booked her to appear in Chanel’s spring/summer campaign, along with modeling greats from the two subsequent decades, Stella Tennant and Freja Beha Erichsen.

“She is beyond stunning,” Lagerfeld enthused about De la Fressange. “Also, she is the Parisienne.” Lagerfeld said the advertising shoot would take place in the south of France.

De la Fressange parted ways with Chanel in 1989 after a fracas over her lending her likeness to the French republic. But Lagerfeld and his former muse have recently enjoyed warm relations.

Today, De la Fressange is Roger Vivier’s brand ambassador."

Your Turn

I feel like trying something different today. Since some of you find what I have to say so repetitive and boring, I'm going to save myself all the time and effort that it takes and leave it up to you all to come up with something new and meaningful to say. So if you don't like what's written here, now is your chance to do it your way. Yay! The comments are open. The editorial is below. Be respectful of each others opinions and have fun. :)

Cinnamon Girl
Dossier #6 2010
Ph: Cass Bird
Styling: Gillian Wilkins

Image Credits: My scans

Balenciaga Beckons

We have touch down in Paris! After a disappointing absence at Dries Van Noten yesterday, Freja finally made her first runway appearance in Paris at the Balenciaga show, walking in the second to last look before Gisele. Not too shabby. And with two looks at Balmain already under her belt as well, Paris is turning out to be as we expected.

What I didn't expect from Paris is the general lackluster feel of the collections so far. After a brilliantly colorful week in Milan, rocker chicks, leather, and studs all seem kind of passe to me. Even Dries didn't bring the usual eccentricity that I've come to love and expect from him. What gives? Have Milan and Paris traded places this season? I guess it's too early to tell, but I hope the rest of the designers step it up a bit.

Image Credits: style.it

Think Punk, Think Again

Oh boy. I'm going to try and make this short and to the point. Seeing that Paris Fashion Week just started, I think we'd all rather dwell on that than this.....

Think Punk
Vogue Paris October 2010
Ph: Mario Sorrenti
Styling: Emmanuelle Alt

This editorial challenges me for sure. It challenges my tastes, it challenges my notions of beauty, it challenges my ideas of Freja. I never thought it would be possible to make her look so unattractive and harsh. I'm trying really hard to find some redeeming qualities in this, and not to let my own personal notions of beauty determine whether this editorial is good or bad. But it's really difficult for me to get past the way Freja looks. Call me shallow...I don't care.

I get the impetus behind the editorial concept. I'm familiar with the whole punk scene and it's history, but I'm just disappointed that we get this in the 90th Anniversary Issue of Vogue Paris. My expectations were raised so high....maybe too high. On the other hand, I know I should just be happy that Freja is included in the issue (twice!). And I suppose that she is even further expanding the range and testing the limits of her look and portfolio. Love it or hate it, it's most definitely something that pushes the boundaries of her modeling work. And it contributes to the notion that she's one of the most versatile models working today. Not many can go from this, to this so easily and effortlessly.

Despite the harshness of Freja's look, her hair, the styling, and everything; I admit that I am impressed with the little moments of softness in the last shot above and the first shot below. Maybe I'm just reaching for anything good, but I see a tenderness there that's actually quite alluring, and not always present in Freja's other work.

Sigh. What do you guys think? Maybe some of you are better at looking past the obvious and finding the beauty beneath. For as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Although, one thing I cannot and will not stand about this editorial is that it further entrenches Freja within certain stereotypes that have followed her around for the past two years. Yes she's tough. Yes she's cool. Yes she can be androgynous. Yes she has tattoos. We get it already. Now it's time to move on and show us other sides to her modeling persona, instead of repetitively highlighting this one. But I guess all models have a shtick they can't get away from....Lara and her boobs immediately come to my mind. And maybe that's a good thing because it means the model is memorable and the model is known. In such a fickle industry, I guess that's all that matters....or is it??

Image Credits: Scans by Carla-A at tFS