Steven Meisel: Fashion's most Controversial Photographer

Steven Meisel, one of the most most respected photographers in the fashion industry, has long inspired me with his beautiful photographs, often conveying a strong message. His work for Vogue Italia is particularly impressive. Remember the controversial 'Make over Madness' shoot, which featured Linda Evangalista undergo painful cosmetic procedures all for the sake of beauty? Or how about the 'State of Emergency' editorial from 2006? Taking inspiration from the strict border force laws and immigration across Europe, the shoot featured models being slammed against cars by police for security checks and having to remove their clothes at the airport. Moreover, it showed normal civilians as victims of violent security laws, causing quite a stir in the media. Controversial yes, but these realistic shoots are what makes Steven Mesiel so perfect as a social commentator through the medium of fashion photography.

Born on June 5th, 1954, Meisel loved photography from a young age, famously waiting outside Melvin Sokolsky's studio for hours to catch a glimpse of Twiggy, at 12 years old. After studying at the prestigious Parsons New School of Design, he went on to become an illustrator for a number of publications, with photography not even crossing his mind as a potential career move. It wasn't until he was asked to take some test photos for Elite Model Agency that he discovered his true passion and something he was rather good at - taking photos of people. Since then he is famed for taking some of the most iconic photos of the supermodels in the 1990's as well as his narrative driven shoots for US Vogue and Vogue Italia, where most of his photographs are featured. He also shot ad campaigns for numerous fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi and Versace - his sexy, dark glamorous photographs a favourite among the Italian brands.

Famously a very private man, Meisel has grown to be one of the most admired and in demand photographers in the fashion industry. Controversy seems to follow his work, from the 1990s Calvin Klein ad campaign which was criticised as a form of child pornography, to his 'Water and Oil' editorial which highlighted the catastrophic oil leak which killed millions of birds and sea life. For over 20 years his photographs have captivated audiences and impacted the industry immensely. I have picked out some of my favourite photographs of his below and hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

The First Monday in May - My Review

Now that the mayhem surrounding Fashion Weeks, celeb parties, Kim Kardashian getting robbed etc has died down, I can write about the American Vogue documentary I saw last week. The First Monday in May is truly an inspiring and informative documentary film, which charts the build up to the 2015 Metropolitan Gala, staged at the renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In cooperation with American Vogue, the Gala is the biggest fashion event on the calendar, and has been widely refereed to simply as "Anna Wintour's party". If you're lucky enough to be invited (we're talking mainly celebrities here) then you can expect a grand red carpet entrance, a private view around the current exhibition and a sit down dinner with some of the most influential people in the world. This documentary shows you how it all unfolds.

A lot of emphasis in the documentary was on Andrew Bolton, chief curator at the museum. From meetings with Anna Wintour, planning the exhibition and traveling the world to meet key players in the art world to delving through archives in Paris and trying to organise an 11 room display; you see Bolton navigate it all, keeping a cool head the whole time. I found watching his way of working so inspiring, as someone who studied Fine Art, and the way in which he is not phased by Wintour at all, but regards her simply as another person he comes across at work. I wouldn't want to be a curator after watching this film though! Stress, stress and more stress.

But Bolton is fantastic at what he does, and manages to create a simply stunning exhibition, China: Through the Looking Glass. I especially loved when he spoke to John Galliano about his use of Chinese culture in his designs and when he visited the Yves Saint Laurent archives in Paris, with so much knowledge about the clothes. And he's British which makes him even better!

Anna Wintour comes across excellently too. Straight to the point, honest, hard working and so passionate about what shes doing with the museum, I saw a different side to her compared to 'The September Issue.' In meetings she makes decisions in a flash, is able to literally put everyone in their places all the while Vogue make the move from their old offices to their swanky new premises at 1World Trade Centre. When Michelle Obama makes a moving speech about Wintour at the museum before opening a Costume Centre in her name, she was visibly moved and I swear I saw tears in her eyes. The ice lady has a heart. Anna Wintour has raised millions for the museum and after seeing how much she does for them, I admire her even more.

Overall, the whole documentary was touching, intriguing, fascinating and not once boring. My eyes were glued to the screen the whole time and I would happily go and see it again. So if you haven't seen The First Monday in May yet, I suggest you book a ticket and watch the show. It's a real treat.

Best Dressed at the Met Gala 2016

Met Gala 2015: Best Dressed

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual gala is one of the biggest nights in the fashion calendar. It brings together designers, editors, artists and of course, many celebrities in what always promises to be an exclusive evening of champagne and wonderful art. This year, the theme was 'China: Through the Looking Glass,' focusing on Western couture with an Eastern twist, with guests advised to dress in outfits matching the oriental theme. Some took this to the extreme (Lady Gaga) while others such as Kate Hudson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley went for a more classy approach. And with tickets costing about $25,000 each, the Met Gala is one event you definitely want to look your best!

So who stole the show? I would have to say Queen Bey herself looked incredible. In a sheer Givenchy Haute Couture gown encrusted with jewels by Lorraine Schwartz, Beyoncé was like a shimmering mermaid with a high ponytail and angelic gold make up, looking a little ghetto but with an expensive spin. Yes, her outfit was extremely revealing but if you had this lady's figure wouldn't you want to show it off too? Jennifer Lopez also flashed the flesh in a beautiful red feathered Versace gown, custom made by Donatella Versace herself while reality star and 'Selfie Queen' Kim Kardashian chose a sheer dress by Roberto Cavalli, which also featured plenty of feathers and crystal embroidery. Kim doesn't usually wear Cavalli or many Italian designers for that matter, favouring French brands Balmain and Givenchy instead. So it was nice to see her flying the flag for another fashion label.

Red was indeed the colour of the night. Rita Ora, Poppy Delevingne, Kris Jenner in Balmain, Helen Mirren in Dolce and Gabbana, Amal Clooney in Martin Margiela and Reese Witherspoon all stalked the red carpet in opulent red tones - which is seen as a very regal colour in China. Even the ice queen herself, Anna Wintour, chose a column shaped red frock! Sarah Jessica Parker caused a fashion frenzy when she turned up wearing a huge crown, which looked like red flames were shooting up from her head. Lady Gaga also went for a more extravagant headpiece with a monochrome jeweled crown paired with a black satin dress and a very daring cleavage. Katy Perry and Madonna both attended the ball in near identical Moschino dresses, designed by Jeremy Scott who accompanied the stars on the red carpet. With a black base splashed with bold graffiti colours, Perry looked cool and elegant with the dress suiting her curvy figure. Sophia Vegara and Anne Hathaway also went for a old Hollywood glam look. I loved Anne's gold Ralph Lauren dress which came with a stylish hood.

And who could forget the models? Adriana Lima, Joan Smalls and Irina Shayk were just some of the models strutting their stuff on the red carpet. Kendall Jenner and fellow model Gigi Hadid went for a more sexy look, with Kendall stealing the show in an emerald Calvin Klein dress. Rosie Huntington Whiteley was another of my favourites in a beige cut-out Versace gown, which highlighted her slender figure and pale skin tone. Chinese actress Fan Bing Bing looked amazing in her gold gown and colourful cape, draped over her shoulders. Justin Bieber was another surprise triumph in the fashion stakes in his black and gold Balmain suit, as he steered well away from his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez who was also looking radiant on the red carpet.

As with every awards ceremony/red carpet event, there are those who get it completely wrong in the style stakes. Rihanna was most definitely top of that list! Never one to shy away from the limelight, Riri split opinions with her heavy, embroidered yellow cape which apparently took almost 2 years to make. The heavy fabric behind her was so long she needed four attendants to help her walk up the stairs,  while on Twitter people were quick to mock her cape, turning it into a pizza base, a Gregg Cornish pasty and even the yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz. Rihanna wore a bright pink leotard underneath (which again did not go with her canary yellow cape) but nevertheless, at least her outfit fit with the Chinese theme. Kris Jenner looked like a Disney
villain with her gelled black hair and heavy make up while Solange Knowles looked terrible in her Giles Deacon frock which did nothing for her figure.

Overall, I would say this Met Gala was not the most exciting - or glamorous for that matter. Yet it was still a night to remember and a grand opening to the new exhibition, 'China: Through the Looking Glass.'

Grace Coddington: Styling to Perfection

There is no other fashion stylist like Grace Coddington. Fact. Nobody can mix romanticism, enchantment, love, beauty and an overall fashion story through clothes the way Grace can. One of the most beautiful fashion editorials Grace has styled has got to be the couture spread featured in American Vogue for the famed September Issue 2007. This shoot in particular, features the modelling talent of supermodel Raquel Zimmermann photographed by the legendary David Sims in the extravegantly rich, Grand Trianon in Versailles, France...The perfect setting for a couture shoot. Zimmermann dazzles in dresses by John Galliano for Dior, Armani Prive, Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier, styled to perfection by Coddington. This is without a doubt one of Grace's most alluring, beautiful fashion spreads, highlighting exactly why she is celebrated throughout the industry as a top stlyist and right-hand woman to the Ice Queen herself, Anna Wintour.

Take a look at David Sims beautiful photographs for Vogue and breath in the pure, fashion beauty...

 

 

 

http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Grace_Coddington