The Buzz
Image via WWD
Terry Richardson's first-ever campaign for Valentino launched today. Take a look, and you tell me if the notorious photographer's tattooed arms and veiny hands groping at shiny red stuff makes you feel like dropping over a grand per item on marked-up luxury accessories. I feel like, no.
As the brand's designers, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri, told WWD, the campaign was created to communicate “the sensual yet elegant nature of our accessories, described as objects of desire.”
And of course no one's better qualified to get grabby with objects of desire than the fashion photographer whose early work (that link is so extremely NSFW) anticipated the most hardcore, vile Internet pornography that's around today — where women are displayed less as objects of desire than as objects of ridicule. In some of those earlier, grimly sexual photos, Richardson sometimes shoots models with their faces buried in trashcans and their bodies nude. Richardson's professional work operates within the limits drawn out by his corporate clients and according to mass media content restrictions, but the vulgar, cruel impulses which are so shamelessly on display in his personal work are at the core of his commercial work, too.
And then there are the accusations that he has an exploitative, borderline-sexual harassment-y method to working with models. Another story, one I've discussed at length in previous posts — links to some of those are below.
I find it strange that these issues aren't at play when brands decide to sign on Richardson for a campaign. I realize that he creates fairly compelling, provocative fashion images, but the world doesn't need any of it — he's not making timeless art, he's just creating moderately amusing advertising. Can't someone less horrible do that?
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We told you there were big changes coming to tFS and well, now they have arrived. Here they are, all around you. On behalf of the editorial team, we hope you love the new "look" (scare quotes on behalf of myself) as much as we do and are excited about what's to come.
Just to go over some of the new updates (for more info about what's going on in the Forums, check out our earlier post):
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GIANT ATTRACTIVE IMAGES all over the site. Supersize pictures. Big, juicy, delicious visuals. We hope you find them pretty and chic.
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New Disqus commenting system: Easier for you to join in on the conversation and give us feedback, easier for us to keep track of what you're saying and respond. The bad news: It will not cure any major diseases or even the common cold. Also bad: we lost all your old comments as part of the changeover. We mourn the loss of your sweet loving words. Help us move on, give us some new ones (comments).
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Last thing: As part of the upgrades, we've also refurbished our various social media accounts. Not to brag, but our Facebook and Twitter accounts look amaaazzzzing (I lied about not bragging). You should go marvel at them, and give us a follow if you're not doing so already. Also worth noting: our Pinterest is so Pinteresting. And we have a newish Instagram you might like (especially if you like to look at photos of
my cat my manicure profane jewelry) and a Google Plus that's so new it was practically born yesterday, but already it's dying to be in your "circles."
Look around, enjoy, let us know what you think of my cat.
 Model/blogger Alexandra Spencer has built an online empire around her ridiculously good genes and love for finely tailored separates. She’s the perfect muse, then, for rising cool kid Michael Lo Sordo, who let her loose amongst the collection he showed to press during New York Fashion Week in February.
Lo Sordo is among a bubbling talent pool of Australian designers making waves overseas. Ellery and Christopher Esber both showed at NYFW last year, and New York is providing a good market for Lo Sordo’s prodigious tailoring skills and aversion of bright colours. The most recent collection is an investigation of light and dark inspired by a woman, and infused with a dark and stormy marble print.
Russh magazine made the New York via Sydney dream team recreate the magic, and photographed Spencer doing what she does best. The resulting images make a good case for wearing well-cut suits at every waking hour of the day, even if you’re just lounging barefoot in some else’s hotel room.
Images: Michael Lo Sordo's Facebook
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One-part Italian, one-part Canadian, it's an around-the-world heritage that gives Tosca Delfino a unique perspective on swimsuits. Whether she's inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge or Bondi Beach, her eclectic mix of pattern and prints always finds an anchor in some exotic locale and sentimental experience. Even if it's simply the Toronto skyline.
 Toronto Skyline on Tosca Delfino Swimwear
"I get inspired by traditions, architecture and body types," Delfino told this month's issue of Fashion Magazine. Her current Spring 2013 collection takes inspiration from the Cayman Islands after the wanderlust designer took a trip there. Thanks to the picturesque beaches and palm trees aplently, the locale has ensured that this season is Delfino's most beautiful yet. But that said, a little thing called talent also helps the collection along nicely.
Delfino's vision is ever evolving; when she's not busy in her studio designing, she enjoys spending time musing and sketching at the beach, as well as traveling to source new ideas and fabrications. Plus, with more than 10 years experience studying at George Brown College and Milan's Instituto di Moda Burgo, as well as stints honing her skills for the likes of Missoni and Arthur Mendonca, Delfino's sizzling swimwear is quickly becoming the poolside gear to be seen in.
As of now, her swimsuits are manufactured in Brazil, but come 2014, all production will be 100% Canadian. She also hopes to add a line of cover-ups to her range, but for now we're content with the popping prints and perfect beach escapes.
 The Cayman Island inspired swimsuit.
Images via Tosca Delfino
 Thank you Harper’s Bazaar for proving that Tom Ford’s Fall 2013 collection is in fact, amazing. Apparently all it took to illustrate that was putting one of his dresses on supermodel Christy Turlington and having Daniel Jackson photograph it. Simply styled with pulled back hair and minimal makeup, Christy looks STUNNING. But then again, Christy pretty much always looks stunning, so I can’t fully credit the Bazaar team for that. I can credit them, however, for keeping the cover clean and minimal. Christy. Fashion Runs Wild. That’s all we need to know.
“What's not to love?” vogue28 asked.
Fiercification couldn’t help gushing over the cover shot. “That collection kicks so much ass, I don’t care what anyone says,” he laughed. “Even though it's far too early to see Fall/Winter items, I can appreciate Bazaar showing them already since this is a June/July issue… Christy looks amazing; her pose is a little animalistic, but it works so well. I’m digging everything about this.”
Hfgl, a model aficionado, also jumped aboard the admiration train. “Well, that is a dream come true! It's just perfect,” she commented.
Luxx also shared a worthwhile observation. “The use of the Tom Ford gown with its zebra mohawk is absolute genius on this cover – certainly fits with the fashion gone wild theme!”
Full disclosure – and I believe I’ve shared this before – Christy Turlington is my all-time favorite model and she can essentially do no wrong in my eyes. So, needless to say, I’m slightly obsessed (to put it mildly). I love everything about this.
Also worth seeing in this issue? Bazaar’s take on Alexander Wang’s first collection for Balenciaga (which editor Glenda Bailey was reportedly very excited about) as photographed by Melvin Sokolsky. It’s not even summer but Bazaar’s making the prospect of upcoming fall look super appealing.
Image via wwd.com
A couple of days ago, I told you to keep an eye out for some changes to tFS. Well, the first big chunk of improvements to the site are rolling out tomorrow.
Everyone knows the tFS Forums are great, but now they're going to be even better because we're giving them a whole new look. The boards will be running on an upgraded platform, with tighter security and better usability. Here's what that means for you:
Less clutter
The Forums are going to look better than ever. We're bringing the design up a notch (or two) to match the high fashion conversation that lives in the threads. You'll also notice that we've cleaned up the header section and moved advertising around, so you can get to the discussions you care about faster.
Albums and social groups
As part of the upgrade, you now have the ability to create albums and upload your own images. Which means: no more hotlinking necessary. Also, the new Forums will have a social groups capability, which will allow you to create groups to share albums and conversations with your friends.
A slight hiccup
In upgrading the platform, we did lose something: old buddy lists and profile comments. These features will exist in the upgrade, but old buddy lists and comments will not. We understand this isn't ideal, but it had to be done so we could build a smoother running, more secure experience for you.
Old school
What if you prefer the current color scheme and decide you don't like the new design? We've added an option to switch back to the retro color scheme, with the new layout pushed down to the bottom of the page.
Psst… sneak peek
You want to see the changes for yourself, don't you? Here's a sneak peek of the new design.
One more thing
Those are just some of the changes we have in store. We're also cooking up an exciting new homepage redesign launching this week. (We can't help ourselves: here's a sneak peek.)
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