Model

As much as we love artistic fashion, a bit of commercial appeal can’t be discounted. The latest round of campaigns goes to curvy beauties Bar Refaeli, back in stripped down form for Rampage,  and a covered up Scarlett Johannson for Mango. ScarJo was a PR pro while chatting on the shoot, “I love working with MANGO. This is the third campaign I have done with them. The photographer, Mario Sorrenti, makes me feel very comfortable: the sessions are great fun. I see MANGO as a casual firm, with lots of combinations of garments, fresh and youthful.” The actress also took time out to chat on her projects. “Among my projects, I have a play on Broadway, “A View From the Bridge”. I am really happy, but I’m still doing rehearsals. I didn’t have time to get nervous. I don’t know what I’ll be doing in 10 years time, I cannot imagine, I suppose I’ll still be working in film and I hope I remain in good health,” Scarlett elaborated.  ”Although I’m an actress and a singer, I feel I am an actress above all, it’s my profession. My latest record, ‘Break up’, is a record by friends more than a professional one. I recorded it with Pete Yorn, who is a friend of mine. I love sharing it with people and I hope they like it.” Now that we’re fully updated, take a look at both campaigns here. Continue…

Those Alexander McQueen armadillo heels have met their match in a set of slithering, brilliantly hued snakes. Brazilian beauty Raquel Zimmerman poses with the stylish serpents for McQueen’s spring 2010 collection. (Well, considering the photog was Photoshop-happy Nick Knight, the snake-eyes effect might have been courtesy of some digital enhancement.) Aside from teetering on snake phobia, the colors are rather astounding and as for all those creepy crawlies? Just as eye-catching as McQueen’s fantastical heels. Continue…

Things are getting political. Fresh from landing a campaign with Fox fashion, Bar Refaeli is getting some political heat with folks from her homeland calling for a boycott of the Israeli model. Bar, who is from a ridiculously rich family in Israel, skipped out on the country’s compulsory military service when she married a family friend — married women don’t have to serve. Then the blonde infamously commented to Page Six, “Why is it good to die for one’s country? Isn’t it better to live in New York?” Classy. Now most recently, Bar Refaeli was reported crafting an offshore company to reduce the amount of taxes she pays to Israel. Continue…

Move over David Beckham, there’s a new soccer stud in the fashion ranks. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo replaced Beckham as the face of Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani underwear and now the inaugural Spring 2010 campaign images are out. Not only may Ronaldo banish stick skinny male models forever (ok, well, into the distant future), but he’s got the cheekbones and jawline reminiscent of those hunky Mark Vanderloo and Marcus Schenkenberg days. Designer Giorgio Armani thinks the casting was a no-brainer. “Cristiano is a great looking man with the perfect physique of an athlete. For me, he is the essence of youth – spontaneous, exciting, a real maverick.” Er, not the Sarah Palin kind, of course. Shot on location in Madrid by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, the steamy images will roll out to sport, fashion and lifestyle mags in February. As for Cristiano’s model outing, the pro soccer player commented, “I am very pleased with the pictures we have done together – they are certainly striking and are full of an attitude and spirit that I can relate to.” Continue…

Last year, we were speculating why Megan Fox was hanging front row at Giorgio Armani’s couture show — and with the likes of Cate Blanchett no less. Flash to an announcement later that the sexy Transformers had landed the Armani Jeans and Underwear campaign and kicking Posh out of bed with the silver-haired designer. Now we have first look at Fox’s SS10 campaign images shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott here, and they’re, well, predictably foxy. As for the reason for the replacement? Giorgio Armani, the man himself, simply explains with this statement: “Megan is young and sexy and has a lot of spirit. Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans are all about a youthful attitude making her the perfect choice for the collections.” For those social media savvy, more images from the campaign are available starting from today, Jan. 12, exclusively to Emporio Armani fans on the label’s official Facebook page “Armani.” Continue…

What were we doing at age 17? Surely not sauntering down runways and posing for photogs wearing thousands of dollars worth of fine clothing. Karlie Kloss, the teen darling turned catwalk blue-chipper, has landed both Dior and Hermes for SS10. For Dior, Karlie is classic Lauren Bacall, while Hermes she’s a sleepy luxe bohemian chic. Perhaps, dreaming of more campaigns? Continue…

There’s a new girl in town and she’s making quite the splash. On the heels of her debut in British Vogue, with a multi-page editorial no less, Patricia van der Vliet (New York Models) landed the Balenciaga SS10 campaign alongside Mirte Maas.  So who is this Dutch blonde? Fun fact: Patricia competed on Holland’s Next Top Model Cycle 4 and came up only as third runner-up. Which lends a bit proof to what we’ve always suspected: it’s better to be offed Next Top Model than on. Continue…

Not only can Emma Watson claim the title of most profitable actress of the past decade, but the petite British star is out to conquer fashion campaign terroir as well. Watson returns for Burberry SS10 campaign along with little bro Alex Watson (good looks apparently run in the family) Matt Gilmour, Max Hurd and George Craig. And this campaign around, Christopher Bailey continues to prove that he’s on trend with the digital age too. He tapped Mario Testino for both SS10 shots and a behind-the-scenes video filmed of the shoot. “We always talk about how much fun we have making these images and I wanted to capture some of the excitement that you feel on set when all these different creative attitudes and personalities come together. Mario has shot these as both stills and video so we can share some of that energy with a wider audience,” Bailey explained. The youthful outcome? Hermione in a trench equals fashion magic. Continue…

So you wanna be a model? Among the more democratic reforms that the Internet has undertaken in the fashion world is the rise of the model search. CK conducted one for its next male underwear model, then Victoria’s Secret followed suit for its annual glamazon runway show. Now cool cucumber chic brand Hugo Boss has launched a model search for a girl and a boy to grace its Berlin catwalk through its Facebook page. (See, the fashion houses are adroit at that little ol’ thing such as online social networking. See Cathy Horyn.) But if you think you’re sufficiently lithe-limbed to qualify, brave the democratic online masses by submitting a photo and a little bio here. We’ve included a couple shots from the Hugo Boss Orange campaign featuring Erin Wasson, Angela Lindvall and Jamie Strachan by photographer Matt Jones for some inspiration. Continue…

Kate Moss may be turning 36 in two weeks but the model/entrepreneur/designer/mom isn’t showing signs of slowing down. Here she relaxes with cat eyes and tousled locks with two chiseled (and noticeably younger) guys. Yep, that’s “it” boy of the moment and Chanel regular Baptiste Giabiconi. Karl Lagerfeld better keep a tighter leash on this one.