Stand and Deliver.....Sort Of

I'm going to preface this post by saying that Freja will always be my favorite model. I love the idealized persona she represents, the niche she fills within the fashion industry, her projected sense of complete self confidence, and her resolve to stay true to herself. In many ways I owe my interest in and love of fashion to her, and for that I will be forever grateful.

But I think I'm going through a little rough patch in my Freja fandom. I haven't really liked any of her editorial work in a while and the new Twin Magazine ed is no different.

Stand and Deliver
Twin Magazine #1
Ph: Boo George

I don't know why I haven't been able to get excited about her editorial work recently. I see her eds and I'm happy because she's getting new work. But I save the images out of habit, not because they're so stunning that I just have to have them for posterity. As soon as I saw this new editorial, images from an older one immediately popped into my mind. The slight similarities in mood, makeup and look were striking enough to draw up the comparison. And while I was looking back at this particular ed I remembered what it felt like when I used to love everything Freja did.

Individuallure (excerpts and not the full ed)
Vogue Italia Supplement March 2008
Ph: Paolo Roversi

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This isn't Freja's fault, but the Twin editorial seems over-styled (fashion wise) and over-stylized (photo wise). The contrast and hues, in the black and white images especially, are overly pronounced to the point where they're distracting. And honestly, I'm so tired of Freja playing the same type of role over and over again. She has the talent and range to go more feminine, and I just wish people would give her the chance to do it more often. I realize that it's probably a bit unfair to use Paolo Roversi's editorial as a benchmark, but it shows the freshness, excitement, and inspirational beauty that I miss seeing.

I'm sorry to sound so negative, but maybe letting all of this out will get it out of my system. It's just that the fan adoration for Freja has gotten to be too much for me. The constant chorus of unanimous praise and the near-religious levels of devotion are rubbing me the wrong way and perhaps pushing my fandom in the other direction. I also feel the law of inverse proportion at play here in that the more work Freja gets, the less I get excited. Or maybe this is simply a manifestation of human nature--you always want what you can't have, but the second you get it you want something else.

Then again, as a fan I should be allowed to be critical. In fact, I think it's my duty and just because I don't like all of Freja's work doesn't mean I'm any less of a fan for it. Someone should say that Freja looks tired and worn out in this new editorial. Someone should say that she looks overworked and drained. Someone should say that they can't feel the heart behind the work. Someone should say that it feels like she's just going through the motions, even in the behind the scenes video. But of course, this is all very subjective.

Regardless, blind devotion and complete consensus don't move the world forward. If everyone agrees with everyone else all the time, how do you progress? It's the voice of criticism that challenges the status-quo and makes you reevaluate why you like something or someone. You're forced to take a look at your own positions, and as a result, they can be strengthened and solidified under the critical assault.

And since no one else seems to be capable of being critical (just read Freja's thread at tFS), I guess I have to be my own voice of dissension. Gah!! I'm know I'm such a hypocrite. Here I am talking about fan devotion on a freaking blog dedicated to Freja that I, myself started....just wait, in a few months time I'll probably be proclaiming my love and devotion once again on tFS, complete with the gross overuse of happy faces and hearts. Sorry, but you'll have to put up with my whining until then.

I'd appreciate hearing some of your thoughts on the editorial, whether you loved it, or loved it....or maybe, just maybe, even felt something less than love for it. :) I can get so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I sometime lose sight of the obvious...

But I will end on a positive note. The vulnerability that Freja projects here is amazing, raw and quite touching.

Image Credits: scans by tFS members candlebougie and leggy e11e

Twin Update

The publicity machine is definitely churning for this magazine...um, I mean...book as Refinery29 points out. Hopefully you've already pre-ordered your copy; but if not, you better hurry. With this much buzz surrounding the new tome and only 10,000 copies printed, it's sure to sell out.

I'm eagerly waiting for my copy to arrive, but not just because of Freja's editorial. To be honest, I'm more excited about the Todd Selby piece. I adore his website and I can't wait to see what his own home looks like. But that's besides the point. In addition to the write up done by Refinery29, Fashionista did a more Freja-centric writeup.

I feel like nearly every fashion blog I read is buzzing about this, so my expectations are definitely high. Hopefully they're not disappointed. If no one else scans it before I get my copy, you can bet I'll definitely do the honors. But that little book has to make it's way across the Atlantic first...too bad the Concorde doesn't fly anymore. :)

The official launch is happening tonight so if we're lucky we might get more information and pics tomorrow.

The First Twin

Some great news for those of you living in the UK. Freja is in the first issue of a new bi-annual publication called Twin. More art book than fluffy fashion magazine, Twin seems to have lofty creative aspirations; perhaps a method used to set itself apart from the pack in an industry already staring at the vortex of the obsolete.

While other publications are either shutting down or scaling back and cutting staff, Twin bravely releases this week in London. The previews so far are promising, as is their mission statement:

TWIN is closer to a book than a magazine
TWIN is strong, sensual and independent – like its readers
TWIN offers considered and uncomplicated art and fashion
TWIN loves creative women but does not worship empty celebrity
TWIN peels back the gloss and gets back to the basics of magazine-making
Substance over surface is our motto

Add to the above a stunning video preview of Freja's editorial.

Style.com has already jumped on the bandwagon with a writeup. And I must say I'm impressed with what little I've seen. Twin already seems like an old pro in the way they've been able to integrate their published content with the communicative technologies of the internet. Not to mention them pulling out all the stops for this issue in securing Freja and Kim Noorda for editorial features--two top veterans in their own right. And finally, throw in contributors like Miranda July, Garance, Todd Selby and Carol Ann Duffy and I definitely see the makings of a cult hit. Maybe something more along the lines of Self-Service rather than V Magazine, but I suppose I should wait until the first issue actually comes out before I make my judgments.

With seemingly something for everyone, and something to appeal to all aspects of your creative self, I hope some scans surface soon. If only so we can see how the rest of Freja's editorial turns out.

Image Credits: twinfactory.co.uk