Imagine picking up the phone and getting Gucci and Alexander McQueen delivered right to your door, QVC style. That is exactly what Vogue Italia and photographer Steven Meisel have dreamed up in their delightful editorial for the February 2012 issue. Creating a faux home shopping network called IVC, gorgeously styled models wearing the trendiest spring 2012 looks strut around a hilariously tawdry showroom.

Perhaps the most amusing part about the witty photo story are the comical marketing statements about the featured clothes. The tag lines and advertising proclamations about the products are arranged exactly as you would see them on QVC and have priceless attention to detail. “Headpieces in the new year… Sea Creature inspired looks, Your next dramatic and modern silhouette!” describes several edgy and elaborate McQueen 2012 ensembles. In another photo, two lively hosts cradle Yves Saint Laurent 2012 shoes and the tag line describes the product “as wearable art” and “ ‘It Girl’ footwear. Across also is a “sold out” sign is over these tag lines, delineating that fashionistas in the real world as well as on the fictious IVC channel are craving these masterpieces on their feet! Yet another tag line declares the 89,523 color blocked jersey Tommy Hilfiger dresses have already sold. If only there was that much of our favorite high fashion to go around!

This editorial is also complete with an extra footage video from the shoot, pushing the entertaining faux shopping channel experience to the next level. Cheesy elevator music plays as the models and hosts display the designer products for viewers at home. I think it’s safe to say if IVC were real, it might be every fashion fanatic’s favorite channel.

By Sarah Humphries

Georgia May Jagger is one of our favorite gapped tooth beauties in the office, and not just because she’s rock & roll offspring either. The blonde wavy haired model first got our attention with her Hudson Jeans campaigns and now she’s turning the tides by posing as both a male and a female for photographer Ellen von Unwerth in Vogue Italia. Of course, the male version of Jagger carries some feminine traits, but we can’t decide which gender bending Jagger we prefer for this shoot. Do you have a preference?

See the full editorial on MyFDB.

Professional Credits:

Beyonce, who recently sassed up the covers of W and Dazed & Confused, is taking a surprisingly shy approach to modeling in her shoot with Vogue Italia. The singer is practically hidden from the camera in dark mysterious poses while wrapped in luscious furs. Normally known for showing off her bootylicious bod, it’s actually nice to see her mixing things up and looking artistic up for a change. Although, when we do get to see her face it’s hardly visible and she doesn’t even look like herself. Hmm…Could this be a new trend in celeb photography?

Photographed by Francesco Carrozzini, I found myself gazing at the hair whippin’ contrast between the two photos shown here. Her moves would even make Willow Smith proud!

See the rest of Beyonce’s moves for Vogue Italia on MyFDB.

Professional Credits:

So yes, kudos to Vogue Italia and their June cover which features not one, but three plus-sized models (Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine, and Robyn Lawley) shot by famed photographer Steven Miesel…However, does anyone else find it a little odd that the publication only has two plus sized editorials in it’s entire issue that are literally smushed between other editorials with more fit models?

Franca Sozzani, the magazine’s editor-in-chief (who has quite the opinions) recently told WWD, “We help [plus-size women] dress fashionably. We say: It’s pointless for you to buy leggings, take this because this will look good on you. We help them choose. We don’t talk about diets because they don’t want to be on a diet, but it’s not a ghetto. Why should these women slim down? Many of the women who have a few extra kilos are especially beautiful and also more feminine.”

An interesting take on the issue, but what do you think? Regardless of the fact that in March, Sozzani launched a petition against pro-anorexia websites, do you think this was just a sad attempt at featuring plus size models, or a genuine one?

[via]

Good shoes are usually worth a good fight. With this in mind, Vogue Italia Accessory shows off some of the latest trends in footwear in their annual “Portuguese Soul” editorial. Clunky wooden soles with cutouts are definitely trending in the shoot, hence why there’s some hair pulling going on. Meanwhile, the guys in the show off shoes that are casual, but have some flair. Another bonus? There’s no shortage of abs in this editorial either.

See the full shoot and all the shoe styles on MyFDB.

In the world of Vogue Anna Wintour isn’t the only alpha female, there’s also power player Franca Sozzani editor in chief of Vogue Italia. Unlike Wintour, Sozzani doesn’t hide behind dark sunglasses and she’s not afraid to call things like she sees them. She even has her own blog on Vogue Italia‘s website and her posts helped boost the site’s traffic to over one million unique visitors a month–now that’s major editor power! Sozzani recently sat down for an exclusive interview with WWD, and of course we just had to bring you all the highlights.

When asked about the use of photoshop in Vogue Italia…
“We use it less and less, increasingly so — actually recently I am very much against it. But now it’s part of daily use and you can’t blame it. There are few photographers who don’t use Photoshop, very few.”

On her boredom of fashion shows…
“I do get really bored at shows. Shows must be creative, without becoming ridiculous, otherwise a showroom presentation is best. And also I’m bored with what has emerged around the shows.”

On constantly writing new content for her blog…
“What bores me the most is to write about fashion shows, because I’ve always experienced them at a visual level. To put it down in words is much more difficult, I enjoy it less and it interests me less. What I like is to tackle different topics.”

On initially being criticized for the “Black” and “Curvy” pages on her blog…
“Oh, very much so, because some said it was becoming the ghetto of plus-sized, the ghetto of black, but it’s not true. These are very happy readers, happy that we are looking at them in different ways.”

How feels when her blog gets negative reactions?
“I respond, ‘They can go to hell.’ I say that I’m sick and tired and I won’t write my blog anymore, then they say, “Oh, continue.” I write what I think and we can’t all agree; if we all did, where would controversy be? If there is no controversy, there is no opinion. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone, because I’ve been head of a magazine for 22 years, and I find that I can express my ideas the way I want to. Then if you don’t agree, we can discuss it. I didn’t say I’m right, I say what I think. This is why it’s fundamental to talk to our readers. They are so diverse, and it’s important to understand what they think.”

I don’t know about you, but after this interview I added Sozzani’s blog to my daily read list.

[via WWD]

The latest editorial titled “Close-up” in Vogue Italia is a mix of high fashion and eerinees. I can’t help but wonder if models Kristy Kaurova and Bo Don are actual models or just dolls. Shot by David Dunan, the editorial has a very nuertal tone to it as models rock the latest in trends such as mannequin hands (by manicurist Jenny Longworth)…No color blocking here and I love it! I also love the frizzy hair by Lyndell Mansfield and makeup by Ayami Nishimura, as well as, the lace, leopard and glorious jewels the models rock…although they totally look more like dolls than actual humans. What do you think?

View the team behind the scene and the editorial on MyFDB.

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Arizona Muse is at it again! But, this time she is musing around for Vogue Italia in their editorial called, So Pure So Modern. And, I guess the title is definitely a reflection of the purely white wardrobe Muse is dressed in. All of these white clothes are perfect for the upcoming Spring/Summer season. I’m giving this editorial’s Fashion Editor, Tabitha Simmons two big thumbs up!

Muse’s sleek hair, and glowing skin is absolutely beautiful. But, doesn’t it remind you of Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer ad campaign a bit? I feel a beauty trend coming on! Now if only a magazine or blog would come out with an editorial teaching us how to achieve such a gorgeous look. As for the photography of this editorial, I must give praise as well. Of course the talented Craig McDean is the perpetrator—his work is always so divine! Would you like to know a fun fact about McDean? He is actually married to the editorial’s Fashion Editor/Stylist Simmons! It’s no wonder the editorial turned out so fabulous, the couple makes a great team. I don’t know about you, but I’m about to go shopping for an all white wardrobe now!

Check out the rest of this editorial on MyFDB!

Professional credits

Have you ever wondered what a model casting or model fitting might look like at a top fashion house? Well look no further, Vogue Italia has it ready and waiting to be looked at in their editorial called, The Power of Glamour! And glamorous it is! The editorial features models who are decked out in full makeup and hair, dressed in gorgeous couture gowns with accessories to match. One has to wonder if casting and fittings actually look like this…Male model, Allen Tsai who plays the designer in this spread, looks as though he is channeling Valentino Garavani, Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang all at once—job well done.

What do all of the female models have in common? Daunting dresses, headpieces and they all seem to be holding numbers… I don’t know if these numbers are supposed to represent looks or models? I guess it’s up to your own interpretation! I have to say that photographer, Steven Meisel did a wonderful job capturing all of the action shots within this editorial—it looks like all of the models are in mid-strut or mid-pose. Some of these models include Herieth Paul, Anais Mali and Kinga Rajzak. That is quite the model lineup and quite the competition in this mock-model casting. I wouldn’t stand a chance next to those beauties!

Check out the rest of this editorial on MyFDB, maybe you’ll feel the power of glamour too!

Professional credits:

For this week’s edition of Model Monday we are featuring Tomek Szczukiecki. Yep, I don’t know how to pronounce his last name either, but I do know he’s one handsome hunk—cue the heart palpitations! Doesn’t he look like he belongs in the movie, Lords of Dogtown or something with those long locks? Szczukiecki is originally from Poland, but now resides in New York for his modeling career. He has been modeling for a while now (since 2008), and has been featured in a slew of magazines and ad campaigns. My favorite editorial of his has to be the one in Vogue Italia called, “Venus In Furs”. We did a blog post about it a little while back, AND it’s one of the featured editorials on MyFDB. Szczukiecki has also been featured in Paul Smith‘s Fall/Winter 2010 ad campaign, and Versace‘s Fall/Winter 2010 campaign.

A very exciting moment for team MyFDB was spotting Szczukiecki at the Diesel Black Gold show during New York Fashion Week. I feel as though Szczukiecki is a perfect fit for Diesel; rough, tough, and looks great in leather. Maybe they will use him in their next ad campaign? Fingers crossed! I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see what’s next from Szczukiecki!