The Full Film

Without further ado, the critical masterpiece that we've all been waiting for:

I was expecting to be be delightfully entertained from second-hand embarrassment, but I actually think Karl made a decent film this time around. I wasn't cringing (that much) and everyone played their roles well. I guess no one was really playing too far out of their comfort zone (unlike Freja as a Chinese peasant girl) so that helped with the flow and execution of this film. Things were more believable and realistic, keeping in mind that the "reality" portrayed is true for like .0001% of the human population. But that's Karl Lagerfeld for you. It's about the glamor, the luxury, the unattainable, and the fantasy.

Would we expect anything less from the Kaiser? No, of course not. And that's what attracts us to high fashion. We can get lost in a world far away from our own. It's interesting that fashion itself can simultaneously occupy a very basic utilitarian role and an escapist role in our lives. It's operating on two ends of the spectrum, which of course brings me back to Freja and the many paradoxes that seem to contribute to her being: modern yet classic, commercial yet high end, distinct yet malleable, and so on and so on. I'm digressing.....I thought she played the Fairy role as best as she could and she did a good job. She looked gorgeous and I'm sure many girls are questioning their sexualities as we speak. Although I wish Karl would stop using her as a gimmick so much. But Freja's obviously more comfortable with it than she was at the beginning of her career, so good for her!

In any case, your thoughts? Did you love it? Hate it? Find yourself wishing you could teleport into Anna Mouglalis's body? Find yourself unable to stop drooling over Mark Vanderloo? Who am I kidding....I know my audience here, so I'm pretty sure I was the only one looking at him and not Freja. ;)

Videos courtesy of Chanel.com and FataleFashionII Youtube

The Tale of a Fairy

Chanel has just released the trailer for it's upcoming short film "The Tale of a Fairy." It looks deliciously full of lolz and I for one can't wait to see it. I need a good laugh right about now.....I think we all do after the craziness that life has thrown at the world: Japan, tornadoes in Alabama, Osama, etc... Freja plays the title role, which of course requires her to frolic around half naked, kissing random women. I guess Karl wanted her to feel comfortable with her role.

Anyway, the film will be shown Monday May 9th in conjunction with the Chanel Cruise show in Antibes. Us plebians will get to view the sure to be masterpiece on Tuesday, May 10th when it plays on Chanel.com. Until then, for your pleasure:

Edit: omg, Mark Vanderloo is going to be in this! I had the biggest crush on him when he did those DKNY ads with Ester Canadas. And I have to say that he's still looks amazing. Ahhhh flashbacks.

This or That?

It's a battle of the SS10 Eyewear campaigns. Both feature Freja and Baptiste. Both photographed by Karl. But one is dark, the other is light. One is sleek, the other is tousled. Which do you choose?

Karl Lagerfeld SS10:

Chanel SS10:

I think both sets make for striking images, especially when you see them in magazines. Haven't seen the KL ads yet, but the Chanel ones definitely stick out to me because of their insistent brightness. Interesting that Karl would choose to go completely dark for his namesake brand. I think it's rather fitting as I've always thought KL had a darker, more severe (in the German tradition) type of aesthetic message. And since the same two models are featured, the use of light and dark serves to develop a much needed distinction between the two brands. Although, if forced to choose, I'd probably go with the KL ads. I love how Freja and Baptiste's faces stand out against the black. And those ads really show how well they can work together.

Image Credits: designscene.net, my scans

It Takes Two to....

Tango
Vogue Germany April 2010
Ph: Karl Lagerfeld
Styling: Christiane Arp
Other models: Baptiste Giabiconi

I think this is one of the better things that Karl has shot featuring Freja. Maybe it's because there's a story motivating the photography, even though that story is probably trite and overwrought. But in this case I don't mind because I really enjoy seeing the chemistry between Freja and Baptiste.

They are really throwing themselves into the story, to the point where I actually believe there's some sort of relationship between the two of them. I'm sure in real life they're comfortable working with each other by now, after countless shoots together with Karl, and it really shows. There's an ease and relaxation in these images that can only stem from familiarity, and this is what makes the editorial so enjoyable to me.

I can already hear some people complaining that this is the same old thing from Karl and that it's boring and predictable, but I actually don't agree with this for once. I really wasn't expecting the dynamic movement and intimacy of the images. And even though the Tango story set in a cafe has been done before, this one still manages to be alluring, sexy and eye catching. I was looking at each and every image in order to catch all the details. And Freja plays this unexpected role quite well. I'm thrilled that she's gone from playing the sexless androgynous model to the sexy femme fatale in yet another show of her severely underrated versatility.

I feel like we're seeing a completely different model nowadays, and while I might still miss the Freja of yore, I'm starting to really admire this new one who is constantly surprising me with her maturity, intelligence and dexterity. It finally feels like Freja is completely at ease with her job as a model and that she's gained complete control of her body as a creative instrument.

You know, there is going to come a month where she won't have editorials in multiple magazines and I just don't know what I'm going to do when that happens. Sure, my wallet will be happy and I'll get a break from feeling like I have to say something pertinent, but I'll still be sad nonetheless. These past few months have been a complete joy in that I feel like we've seen Freja grow and transform once again before our eyes; like a second introduction five years into her career. And to be honest, I think we all needed that...at least, I know that I needed that.

Image Credits: scans by the wonderful helligirl @ tFS