The Essentials

The ingredients to a good magazine editorial are actually quite simple. A good editorial must first consist, and be based on, the pure rules of aesthetic value. Is it beautiful? Is it interesting? Shocking or ugly in a way that makes one reel back in horror but come back to realize that there is still remaining beauty in the image? Could the image stand on its own as a piece of artwork? Often times, a figure wearing beautiful clothing against a mid-tone gray background is not enough. Sometimes the beautiful clothing begs to be overpowered by a paramount theme or background. A reclusive facade of fashion frontier is the perfect editorial. Often like fine art; inaccessible and intimidating to those who do not understand it.

Too many classless tattoos of inky butterflies and jumbled words aspiring to be some kind of poetry spattered across people's lower backs have made the creature lose much of its original innate beauty for me. However, in this editorial, the butterfly's beauty and grace are astounding. Butterflies should really only be dealt with by Alexander McQueen, Italian fashion magazines, and the hands of children. No tattoo artists, please.

Photos from Marie Claire Italia, June 2010.

Vogue POV July

Every month American Vogue prints a page called Point of View in which a concentrated idea is cited. Sort of an empowering theme or mantra that leads into the focal fashion frontier of the month's issue. I found this month's POV to be particularly appealing...

"...I do not emulate the pop-burlesque fashion stylings of Ke$ha or Katy Perry. I do not aspire to passe morning-after chic, with bird's nest hair and shredded leather leggings. No. Of Lana Turner and Barbara Stanwyck- and Lena Horne- I sing.

(Have you felt the smooth, snug tug of fine leather gloves being pulled on? Have you considered the REBELLION, the nonconformity, inherent today in a Mamie Eisenhower knit suit? Have you worn a crinoline lately?"

Photos, Lana Turner

Pure Gold

I've always loved gold nail polish. I've tried tons of brands and different variances of gold, but never have I seen anything quite like this!

From Sea Of Shoes

DeviantArt

I finally decided to add some art to my DeviantArt account after having it for a year and not uploading anything. So, to anyone who may be interested or to anyone else who has an account, here's my link:

http://toujours-en-vogue.deviantart.com/

Marc Jacobs Resort 2011

Marc Jacobs successfully and continually delivers each collection with an American twist season after season. That he, as a designer, can take an global idea or image and convey it while still incorporating the rapidly dying origins of classic American fashion is pretty amazing. It's no wonder MJ has earned himself his third Womenswear Designer of the Year Award from CFDA. For the resort collection, Jacobs took the so lately a-la-mode idea of "1960's Vacation in St. Tropez" and transformed it into a modern day searing tailoring and point-on classic Chanel references while still retaining his ever original Marc Jacobs style.