Anja Rubik's street style at the March 2010 Paris shows, Anja Rubik's street style at the March 2010 Paris shows again, Anja Rubik's street style at the Feb. 2010 New York Fashion Week shows, Anja Rubik's street style at the October 2009 Paris Fashion Week shows, and exiting the Viktor and Rolf show at Paris Fashion Week in October of 2009
For additional shots of JacJac Jagaciak's street style with Kasia Struss at the July 2010 Paris Couture shows, the story of Jac before and during the Balmain show at the March Paris Fashion Week, Jac Jagaciak's street style at the Feb. 2010 Milan Fashion Week shows, and Jac Jagaciak's street style the October 2009 Milan Fashion Week shows and more!
What a great pleasure it was today to meet Copenhagen's landmark to street fashion, Jenny and Soren from Copenhagen Street Style. I met them at the Danish Design Center where they have a special exhibit among other leading fashion insiders in Copenhagen.
I had the privilege of asking a few quesitons. "What do you find most fulfilling about taking street style photographs?" To which they replied, "Challenging the fashion hierarchy" (see top left of first pic). Then when I asked them, "What's important to you about challenging the fashion hierarchy?" they replied, "It provides an alternative to what the mainstream says is 'in'" I hope they keep up the great work for years to come!
Asbury by Suzanne Scott, photo credit to Suzanne Scott
It's going to be a slow week as far as updates are concerned. I'll be back on Monday with fresh updates though.
In the meantime, there is a great street fashion site run by Pete Miszuk, the street fashion photographer for Elle.com whom I had the pleasure of chatting with briefly during London Fashion Week. You might be interested in visiting his site for regular updates.
As well, a Happy Birthday goes out to my friend Suzanne Scott whose work titled Asbury is pictured above. She's already an accomplished artist and looks forward to showcasing her work at galleries in Cologne and Milan.
Anne Christensen on Sixth Avenue outside of the tents during fashion week. The movement of the person in the background suggests how challening it was to weave through people at New York Fashion Week, let alone get a clear picture.
I found Carine Roitfeld fun and really cooperative with my requests. Instead of shooting a full body picture of her, this close-up picture of her wearing a hoodie with the wind blowing her hair was captivating. Notice the cab driver in the background.
This is Brian Ermanski and this is not his kid, nor is it mine. This little boy curiously walked in on the photo wanting to see what was going on. A delightful moment in time caught on camera for years to come.
The editorial style pose in this picture still rivets my attention. You might be able to notice the guy in background looking back, wondering what was going on.
I was walking across Lafayette Street when I heard the putter coming from the engine on this man's moped. Not only are the different historical references in his outfit mesmerizing, but the fact that the foreground is juxtaposed against a background of people and buildings from 2007, give this photo a paradoxical feel.
This is Sato. I like his absolutely couture approach to avant-garde style.
This is one of the first photos I took at London Fashion Week. Not only did I think her outfit was superb, but I deliberately left the street sign in the composition in the background for added visual impact.
Androgyny fascinates me when it is artfully expressed. The perfect hairline on this girl, her still facial expression, and the curved lines which lead to the dual decker bus in London in the background made for an intersting shot.
I always admire people who defy modern fashion in favor of retro-style couture. Notice the leading lines of the row of homes, leading off into the far distance, where you can see Londoners going about their daily business.
The outfit is inspiring and so is the fact that you can see the words "London Fashion Week" on the car doors in the background.
At the end of the Donna Karen show at New York Fashion Week, the fire department showed up. I'm guessing there was a report that the building had violated some fire code and the excess crowd was causing street congestion. While the lights from the F.D.N.Y. truck in the background were going off, I was able to snap this shot of well know model Irina Kulikova.
You are cordially invited next Saturday for an official blogger get together!
TIME: 17:00, great for soft outdoor lighting
PLACE: Soho Park , corner of Lafayette and Prince
Reservations are under the name "WhatShaunaThinks", but I'm sure you will be able to spot us readily from the sidewalk.
Confirmed attendees so far:
1. Copenhagen Street Style --Jenny and Soren
2. Icing --Gala Darling, Australian fashion blogger
3. The Bargain Queen --Sara, Australian fashion blogger
4. Wendy Brandes --Wendy Brandes, high end jewelry designer
5. The Pin-Up Poet Strikes Again --Andrea Grant, Multi-Media artist
6. Bobble Bee --Patricia, NYC wardrobe stylist
7. Ropa Vieja --Art Director
8. BorderlineMag.com -- Nick Whitehouse, street fashion photographer
If you wish to attend and your name is not on the list above, please post a confirmation to attend in the comments section below. Then I will add your URL to the list above. Conversely, if your name is on the list above and you can't attend, please notify me ASAP. Thanks.
Anyone with an interest in fashion is welcome to join us for a snack, dinner, and drinks. I realize it's a bit of a last minute notice, so there's no need to stay the entire time, just stop by to say hello! :)
With the opening of the Metropolitan Museum's exhibition The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion starting today, the May issue of Vogue U.S.'s pages on Models Street Style, an April model-centric Harper's Bazaar, and a new fashion month Models Off Duty section at Teen Vogue.com, I felt it was appropriate to celebrate the possible re-emergence of the model as a fashion icon by sharing an entire week's worth of models street style.
What makes these photos special is that they will all be from the streets of New York, sans any fashion month flashbacks. Imagine jumping in front of a model on the street, pausing very briefly while you study the face behind the sunglasses and opening with, "Hey, you're Catherine McNeil!"
boots -- Bess dress -- Hervé Léger Bandage Dress in bag -- footwear purchased at Opening Ceremony
random passerby taking photo of Mercedes Fashion Force squad car
Karolina stops twins on the street to ask for a photo
Ornela and Odelia Samuels get snapped
Karolina also chose a 3 month old puppy, Daphne.
Edward Barsanian of the New York Times - T Magazine.
Of this gentleman, Karolina said, "I like his little Russian hat. It's smart and he's staying warm, which is very important. It's different. You know I don't see a lot of men wearing those kinds of hats and he's owning it. I like that"
Tuesday afternoon as part of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Force program, I was offered a car ride with Karolina Kurkova (discovered by Miuccia Prada at age 15 and later a Victoria's Secret Angel). We weren't exactly police men in that black and white car though, more like street style bounty hunters as Karolina kept a keen eye for stylish peeps on the street--from twins, to a T Magazine editor, to a 3 month old puppy....And not only did Karolina act as the street style hunter de jour, but I also got to ask her a few questions while we drove:Craig: When you were a little girl, what did you dream of being when you grew up?
Karolina: I wanted to be a princess. I wanted to have super long hair. When i was a little girl I had short hair. ... I was like a little tomboy. And I'd walk around and put a tiara on and I'd put a duvet [editors note: duvet = bed sheet] on my head like I'd have super long hair to the floor and I'd wear my mom's high heels and walk around.
Craig: If you could wake up anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
Karolina: Somewhere on the beach. This beautiful beach. Sun is shining...(pause)...sun of the ocean...it could be anywhere. I just love the beach. I love the sunset and watching the ocean and hearing the sound.
Craig: so what are you wearing today?
Karolina: I'm wearing a J. Mendel coat, nice and warm. And then I'm wearing Hervé Léger--let me show you. I'm wearing a dress and over the dress I'm wearing an Hervé Léger skirt. So I'm kind of layering and playing with his clothes to make my own. And make it so I feel comfortable, yet stylish but at the same time comfortable and me. And then I'm wearing Brian Atwood beautiful patent leather shiny boots....
Above is Peter M, another professional New York Street Fashion photographer. While not doing street fashion work for ELLE, he's busy updating his blog super.fantastic.picture.time on a daily basis with his latest photos. It's a good picture when you click to enlarge the image.
Put together: cool tie, cardigan, cuff links, and really cool shoes. Spotted on West Broadway.
We had the opportunity to meet with Facehunter in Soho on Sunday. For those of you that are curious, there's no magic to asking for a picture. A direct, "can I take your picture" works just fine.
Yvan started Facehunter when he received a camera as a gift back around January of 2006. If you look at his photos from January 2006, you will see that he started out by first taking pictures only of people's faces. While faces may be interesting initially, on a month-after-month basis Yvan felt the concept could grow boring. He decided that there was more potential to tell an entertaining and seductive story if he included the whole outfit in the picture and in May 2006 Facehunter as we know it today was born.
Kudos to you Yvan. Keep up the great work.
Introducing New WhatShaunaThinks photgraphers
WhatShaunaThinks now has two new burgeoning street fashion photographers. Rommel and Marika are warmly welcomed to the team and eagerly look forward to providing you with quality professional street fashion pictures. Now there are three of us: Craig, Rommel, and Marika...
Dree Hemingway, December 14, 2008...before she became a media celebrity.
Joan Smalls, back on June 3, 2009 before she became a Vogue It Girl.
Frida Gustavsson, at London Fashion Week back on September 23, 2009, in her first runway season, before she became a street style phenomena.
Tati Cotliarbefore she even finished her first runway season back at New York Fashion Week on September 25, 2009
Mirte Maas just after finishing her first ever runway season on November 19, 2009. Before she went on to multiple shoots with Steven Meisel, the Balenciaga campaign, and a Vogue China Cover.
Ruby Aldridge, on March 3, 2010. Before she went on to be shot by Juergen Teller for the Marc by Marc Jacobs campaign as well as by nearly every other street style blogger around.
Lindsey Wixson on February 10, 2010, just after debuting with a Miu Miu exclusive.
Ming Xi, during her first ever Paris Ready To Wear show on March 6, 2010, in a Paris Metro Stop. This is before her Givenchy campaign went mainstream.
Samantha Gradoville, on July 14, 2010. She hasn't even finished a complete runway season yet. Last season she Opened and Closed PRADA, one of the most influential shows any model can walk in, let alone a new model who Opens and Closes the show. Here she is at the recent Paris Couture shows.
The Independent, a British based newspaper recently mentioned this about altamira, "Dubbed 'Models off duty,' this blog captures the streetstyle of all kinds of fashion professionals including the industry's best-known models, often predicting soon-to-be-famous new faces."
Not only has this site been recognized as the single most powerful concentrated resource for models street style on the internet, but over time, that reach and influence will just grow more and more.
So stay tuned for updates during the coming fashion season.
As I write this, my hands are actually a bit sweaty. Maybe it's the old fight or flight response mechanism inside of me, knowing that some of the country's top editors will be watching my work. Frankly, I think it's the excitement of knowing that I'll be the first photographer to be hired by Teen Vogue.com for New York, London, and Paris Fashion Week to capture models street style and "it" girls street style--close up shots might be included too. An endeavor to be taken seriously, no doubt. So for future reference, I'm going to ask that you click on the Teen Vogue.com banner links inside my posts and check out their new street style section for fashion week. The photos will be exclusive for use by Teen Vogue, so you won't be able to see them here. So go check out what's probably the first street style shot EVER, of FORD Supermodel of the World 2009 Winner, 14 year old modeling sensation Tayane Leao at Teen Vogue.com!.
Tavi Williams, Style Rookie, 13 the cover of the new POP magazine, under the editorial leadership of Dasha Zhukova
4 pages in the 2d edition of LOVE a photo in style.com's Front-Row Faces
In the middle The Glamourai, on the sides The Owls Are Not What They Seem
Fashion is Poison, The Fashion Void that is DC, Fashion Pirates, Style Rookie
"Abbey Road meets Mercer Street" blogger style
A few months Jessica Schroeder from Weardrobe.com and I chatted over coffee about Jessica's dream to hold a blogger convention in New York before fashion week started. It didn't come as a suprise to find that Jessica transformed this vision into reality by bringing to New York 21 bloggers from around the country within the short time span of just a couple of months of work.
All I can say is that it was an amazing experience meeting all these girls and I'm half envious of the good time they had: a hotel room overlooking Gramercy Park, free meals in Soho where the food was shaped like tiny sculptures, DIY projects, new shoes, new bags...yet another way for serious fashion bloggers to make their presence heard in the world. Glamour.com, Seventeen Magazine, and a few other notable news outlets were there to report on the event that left this group of 21 girls turning more than a few heads on the streets of New York.
Stage 5: first look, backstage before hitting the runway
Katrin Wesolowski, production and model line up for Balmain
This Paris Fashion Week, Katrin Wesolowski is busy casting shows and scouting new faces (above with British designer, Henry Holland) while working with La Mode En Images (In House Casting & Production Company for the Balmain show) founded by Olivier Massart. La Mode En Images also works on other various shows during Paris Fashion Week like Givenchy, Balenciaga, Valentino, and YSL to name a few. Katrin was kind enough to grant me backstage access to the Balmain show, which translated itself into a story revolving around model Jac Jagaciak.
I was fortunate enough to be able to catch up with Katrin after the show in between her busy schedule, and get to know her more and what she does as a Casting Agent:
Craig Arend: Thank you so much for taking the time out from your busy schedule of shows to speak with me.Katrin Wesolowski: My pleasure!
Craig: Can you please tell us what you are doing here in Paris for Fashion Week.Katrin: I work as a casting agent for La Mode En Images. It is one of the leading production companies in the fashion business.
Craig: What draws you to this line of work?Katrin: It's such an exciting environment to work in. There are always so many things going on at the same time.
Craig: How did you get your start?
Katrin: Well, I first started as a Stylist Assistant in Milan. I then moved to Paris to assist Julia von Boehm and then worked with Christopher Niquet at MIXTE magazine. In 2006, I left Paris and went home to Stochkolm to work as a Model Agent at Mikas Model Management. I stayed there for 2 years and moved back to Paris to work as a Stylist Producer for Art Partner. I then was called by Patrizia Pilotti of La Mode En Images, who offered me a job to work for her. And I've been working for Patrizia ever since.
Craig: What is a memorable moment that stands out for you in your experience?
Katrin: There are so many, but I'll never forget my first show in Paris. My best friend, Delfina got me in to see Chanel and I was so excited I could cry!
Craig: What are you looking for when you are casting?
Katrin: Castings are so very personal. It truly depends on what each individual client is looking for at that time.
Craig: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Katrin: I would love to cast on my own!
Craig: Well, thank you again for finding the time to sit down with me. Good luck with the rest of fashion week!
Ken Goh, Fashion Director at Harper's Bazaar Signapore.
holding hands
I've seen a lot of yellow cabs and black Lincoln Town Cars pull up to the tents today, but this form of transportation has to win the award for the most unique.
Martina Correa, currently with Supreme Models
Alana Zimmer currently with Supreme Models
I also had a beautifully composed shot with Milagros Schmoll of Trump set up today. She posed up against a light pole, with a cool window in the background, and the shadows were casting a cool reflection on the sidewalk. Then other photographers started shooting too and by use of their flash, ruined the lighting on every one of my pictures. Arghhh!
Imagine saying Freja Beha Erichsen every time you wanted to refer to Freja?
And by the way, the CORRECT pronunciation of her name is "fry-ah" not "fray-ah" which you can verify by listening to this V-magazine interview with her.
Freja Beha Erichsen street style: at the SS17 London Fashion Week shows
Freja Beha Erichsen Street Style: at the SS17 Paris Fashion Week shows
Freja Beha Erichsen street style: off duty after the Jaeger show
Freja Beha Erichsen street style: off duty after the Valention Couture show
The first thing that caught my eye here is the way Jeremiah mixed the diagonal print of his tie, and the horizontal/vertical print of his jacket, with his black pants and white shirt. I wasn't surprised to find out that Jeremiah is a fashion and commerical photographer in NYC.
