Midnight Magic

Acne is one of my favourite labels, especially after Spring 2012 when colour blocking hit their runway in force. I love the way the fabrics are constructed in their pieces, and how easily they can be styled into different looks. So I was trawling through Net-A-Porter's New In page for today and came across this black silk Acne dress that looked like such a good day-to-night piece and could be a staple in any woman's wardrobe. Then I saw their beige suede biker jacket, and I now have it in my head that I need a jacket like this. Also they had this beautifully simple leather shoulder bag, perfect for those days when you don't need to carry much.

Next, I have always been an advocate of Topshop and I love it deep down in my heart, but at the current moment it has really fallen out of favour with me due to some problems with stock and quality of items I've been after. However, saying this, I did let out an 'ahh' when I saw this blue metallic skirt on their webbysite this morning. It looks so pretty for Spring, and is adding to their growing pastel collection.

I'm head over heels in love with Zara at the moment; there's a pair of printed trousers in there that I literally can't get out of my head. Also these black suede court shoe, and python trim city bag are high on my wish list. I would've bought the shoes but Zara really seem to have a problem with stocking sizes above 4, and I'm a giant 7. Not compatible. I did fall over the bag as well but I can't buy anymore bags. So I told my mother in my nicest voice that I would very much like it for my birthday.

In addition to this I want another copy of Elle's February issue because I want to cut it up and stick all the Spring editorials on my wall; there's about 14 pages of Chanel's gymnastic campaign at the start of the magazine, and despite my dislike of Saskia I really still love the images. Also this silver pendant is really cute and I need more jewellery as I never wear it. I got a sample of Clinique mascara (Boots have a mascara trade offer on at the moment, where you give in an old mascara and get a new Clinique sample), and it's great but the tube is small so it won't last long and I'd really like a proper one for when it does. Also, aren't those Marc Jacobs headphones just the cutest?

Loes x

P.S. Happy Birthday to my Grandaddy who is 85 today, and my cousin Nicola who turns 30! The birthday cake was beautiful.

Editorials of the Year 2011

1. Escape Artist - Elle US September 2011 (Jeneil Williams by Laurie Bartley)

Elle US showcased the colourful designs of Versace, Givenchy, Balenciaga and more in their September issue, with the backdrop of a tropical haven. I love this editorial because of the model choice, the styling, and one particular picture with Jeneil draped over a digger; it shouldn't work at all, but it just does.

2. Double Take - Vogue US August 2011 (Raquel Zimmerman, Arizona Muse and more by Steven Meisel)

Meisel photographed some of the world's biggest models (Raquel Zimmerman, Miranda Kerr, Candice Swanepoel, Arizona Muse and more) for the August issue of US Vogue, and displayed the top 5 trends straight from the runway. I loved seeing an Asian model in a US Vogue editorial, and any time that I see VS models in proper editorials is a good moment for me (apart from Candice's Ski Bunny editorial, that was hideous).

3. City Adventure - Vogue Italia July 2011 (Karlie Kloss by Stephane Sednaoui)

In a year where we saw Karlie Kloss reach the stratosphere of the modelling world, and her editorials were everywhere, this one was the one that stood out to me the most. The photography was excellent, as was the story. Shot in New York City, Karlie wore looks by Jil Sander, Bottega Veneta and more. As one reader commented on fashiongonerogue.com, this editorial exposed just how alien models can look against the 'normal person'.

4. House of Spirits - Elle US March 2011 (So Young Kang by Laurie Bartley)

So Young Kang wore the season's best girly looks in the city of Los Angeles. Some of the shots were truly beautiful, especially one of So on the chair of a roadside café. However the shots I fell in love with showed So in a neon pink number, and then in white on a busy Los Angeles road at sunset. Props to Elle US for their embracing of more ethnic models, something US Vogue has yet to acheive.

5. Through The Woods - Vogue China September 2011 (Du Juan by Stockton Johnson)

This editorial showcased the patterns and prints of pieces from Balenciaga, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and more, set against the absolutely stunning backdrop of China’s Moganshan Mountain. Du Juan is beautiful as usual, and I love the clashing of the clothes against the surroundings, espeically of the reds against the greens. In my opinion, Vogue China has produced some excellent editorials this year.

6. Edge of Forever by Max Doyle - Vogue Australia 2011 (Anja Rubik by Max Doyle)

Of all the Vogues this year, Vogue Australia jumped out to me as the one that was embracing the colours we saw on the runway; we saw this early on with Alina Balikova's latin themed spread. The colours however were shown best in the beach editorial of the year, Edge of Forever by Max Doyle. The picture I fell in love with was the sunset one; Anja Rubik really is a perfect model, and this really was a perfect editorial.

7. America The Beautiful - Vogue US June 2011 (Karlie Kloss, Arizona Muse, Isabeli Fontana, Raquel Zimmerman and Karen Elson by Craig McDean)

US Vogue didn't really set alight this year in terms of editorials, but the two I spreads that I loved (this and Double Take) capitalised on the magazine's ability to draw the top models. Here 5 top models wore looks from American designers, with Karlie Kloss looking like the perfect girl scout.

8. Love Story - Numéro China August 2011 (Du Juan by Vincent Peters)

Du Juan wore ladylike looks in Numéro China's editorial set amongst Chinese back streets. I loved this editorial because of the sheer intensity of it, as well as the beauty of the lighting, the hair styling (which I tried and failed to imitate) and the fact that the models actually made the story look like a real love story.

9. On The Road - Vogue Spain November 2011 (Natasha Poly by Lachlan Bailey)

This editorial was inspired by motorcycle culture, and gave Natasha the perfect bad girl style. There's only so many leather editorials we can take, but there's something about Natasha that didn't make me mind seeing one more, and when I did I fell in love with it. It's so simplistic, and I like the fact that she's on her own rather than with other motorcyclists. Also, Natasha helped to guest edit the piece; I love her even more.

10. Escale á L.A. - Vogue Paris August 2011 (Lara Stone, Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly, Arizona Muse and Freja Beha Ericsen by Inez & Vinoodh)

Under the command of Emmanuel Alt, Vogue Paris was braced for a chance in direction. I liked the new; the first cover put out under Alt's reign was the beautiful one showing Gisele in Dolce & Gabbana's white lace. This was the editorial I liked the most, especially because it had 5 of my favourite models in it. There was great intensity to the work, and despite a lack of a thread, some of the pictures separately became my pictures of the year; Freja in the Gucci number, and Arizona in Stella McCartney both stole my heart.


And my personal favourites...
1. Master Class by British Vogue September 2011 (Freja Beha Ericsen & Arizona Muse by Mario Testino)

2. Heat Wave by British Vogue June 2011 (Raquel Zimmerman by Josh Olins)

3. Chic Mood - Vogue Italia August 2011 (Karmen Pedaru, Joan Smalls & Ming Xi by Emma Summerton)

4. Sun Proof Summer - Vogue Japan July 2011 (Freja Beha Ericsen by Alasdair McLennan)