Inside the Pages of CR
By Dara Block
Yes, the anticipation is on for the second issue of CR Fashion Book, which comes out in February, but until then I thought it would be appropriate to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and creativity of three of my favorite editorials from the current fall/winter issue of CR Fashion Book.
First, let's start with the editorial "How do hue do?" photographed by Brigitte Niedermair. The editorial features this season's hottest accessories mixed in with a kaleidoscope of color, pattern, and some strangely chic wigs. Personally, I love the humor, wit, and imagination depicted in this layout. It is obvious that Carine Roitfeld was very much inspired by the late Diana Vreeland and her brilliant eye-catching Vogue editorial she styled back in 1968. Just look at that striking red hair with dramatic necklace and you can easily see where Carine Roitfeld found her inspiration.
Yes, Carine Roitfeld was very much influenced by Diana Vreeland's vision, but I so admire the way in which she took her idea and transformed it into something completely unique and individual to her aesthetic. She managed to take a vintage image and manifest it into a look that is completely modern and so CR. My first favorite look is this purple wig with Lanvin clutch and Miu Miu necktie. The styling is superb and I love the purple tones... this is how color should be done in editorials... a total visual feast for the eyes, how could you not love this!
I admire that vibrant red wig featured, as well. It's so brilliant the way that hair acts as a mask... very freaky, yet super-chic, at the same time. It's the perfect complement to that black sweater and laced up Fendi boot. Plus, I so appreciate all the details with that Miu Miu necktie, the iPad case, and of course, those beautiful red nails. Just leave it to Carine Roitfed to showcase all those exquisite details. I have a feeling that Diana Vreeland is probably somewhere in heaven smiling at Carine Roitfeld's genius styling! Carine Roitfeld proves that in order to think about fashion's future you must look back into the past for inspiration... love the way her style brain works!
Yet another savvy editorial featured in CR Fashion Book is entitled "Electrapolitan," which features fall's newest faces in some of the season's most interesting silhouettes. Not only does Carine Roitfeld work with new and intriguing photographers like Brigitte Niedermair, but she also has established photographers like Jean-Baptiste Mondino in her magazine. "Electrapolitan" is so stunning to look at especially with all those unique dress shapes. My favorite look has to be this Comme des Garçons puffed out dress as seen on model Marte Mei Van Haaster. Comme des Garçons has been quite popular in fashion layouts this fall and I love the way Carine Roitfeld styled this dress into a look all her own. I totally love that voluminous-chic short hair and if you look past the sequined dress you can see that she is wearing black tights and super high heels, which are very much Carine Roitfeld signatures.
There is another triple-chic looked featured in "Electrapolitan" that pretty much defines how one should dress this winter. Starting from the left, model Cora Emmanuel is wearing an Alexander Wang sweater with a vibrant Callalilai skirt. Model Kati is in a Louis Vuitton top with skirt and an extra Louis Vuitton skirt as a headdress... gotta love that unique styling. Also, on the right, model Magda is wearing a Haider Ackermann jacket with Callalilai skirt. I totally love how all these models look together collectively. If you look closely you can see that they are all wearing the same floral Dolce & Gabbana boots. It's interesting how their outfits are not at all the same, but somehow they coordinate precisely through textures, patterns, and of course those boots.... amazing styling through all those details.
Oddly enough, Jean-Baptiste Mondino is back again for a second editorial entitled "Cosmotropolis." Model Stef Van Der Laan starts the editorial off with a sparkle in lots of gorgeous jewelry and even some chic grills. Her earrings are by Repossi and her necklace and bracelet are by Chanel. I love the way Carine Roitfeld works with jewelry. There is a great mixture of bling balanced with that beautiful black Belfstaff sweater... such a perfect blend.
Personally, I love the way Carine Roitfeld works with black in editorials and in this layout it is all done impeccably. My favorite black styled look is this one featured on models Cora Emannuel and Magda Laguinge. Both are in head to toe Azzedine Alaïa looking very noir chic! Carine Roitfeld always knows how to style Azzedine Alaïa in such a gothly glamorous way. Yes, not every woman could get away with wearing Alaïa leather, but she makes it look so effortless and sharp... two very inspiring winter looks, indeed!
As you can see, all three of these editorials magically display Carine Roitfeld's unerring eye for styling. It's quite interesting to dissect all the details of her layouts, there is so much to discover. One can't help but admire all the intelligence, fantasy, and inventiveness that she has brought to the pages of her magazine. Carine Roitfeld has truly managed to take all of this winter's best looks and transform them into a vision that only true followers of fashion could understand... can't wait to see what she has in mind for spring!
[Editor's note: Please visit Dara at Sisters in Black Frocks, the inspiring blog that she curates with her sister, Erika, and be sure to wish them a happy blogiversary — today is Sisters in Black Frocks' fourth birthday! Congratulations on your milestone, Dara and Erika, and thanks for always keeping it chic!]
More from CR Fashion Book Issue 1: Rebirth
CR Fashion Book: A Woman's Life
By Renee Hernandez
CR Fashion Book: Elsa
By Bernie Rothschild
CR Fashion Book: High On Rebellion
By Jessica Eritou
CR Fashion Book: Hush Little Baby, Don't You Cry
By Kate Ringo Suzuki
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CR Fashion Book images courtesy of crfashionbook.com