Print Media Still Has A Pulse: September Issues On Newsstands

Photo credit: nikkistyle.net

September's Trending! The other day me and probably 99.9 percent of the fashion industry scurried to pick-up every September issue pertaining to style and beauty. We've been also "liking" photo-after-photo on Instagram of fashion enthusiasts proudly showing off their stacks. September issues are generally finger-licking thick, and consists of overwhelming amounts of ads and free sample perfume scents. Speaking of size, Self is the thinnest magazine in my pile. (Ha!) Pun intended, or nah?  

Photo Credit: Google

I spend a lot of time studying and analyzing content and creative direction. Like reading, it's my way to escape into the creative minds of brilliant individuals in the world. Sometimes I'm so wow'ed by an ad -- that I fixate on it and often wonder what the brainstorming session(s) was like -- to produce such a magnificent concept. I'm a geek like that! Also, I have a keen eye for good journalism and do read selected stories (what's left of them), as well as stay on top of emerging runway and pop culture fashion trends.

Print's Alive. Come. On. I know I'm not the only one that enjoys the hands-on experience of touching and reading a magazine while sipping a latte...and clipping outfits to post on (mood) bulletin boards...and bookmarking articles using colorful post-it sticky notes. Right? Well. Let us be sure to bask in these moment, because the conversation about whether or not print media is dying a slow death is still up for debate.

"Print vs. Digital" talks are interesting as it relates to evolution, for sure. However, we must consider the consumer in efforts to keep a thoughtful, sustainable balance: Not every reader has the means to purchase, nor has access to, technology. And (holy catastrophe) what if the world goes dark for weeks with no electricity and mobile data - then what?

Dear Publishing Industry: We can't go full-blown digital yet; we're not ready on so many levels. Disclaimer: I'm not bias and this is not an attempt to save print. Okay, yeah it is.

PRINT VERSUS DIGITAL: 

COMPARING THE 2 TYPES OF MARKETING (INFOGRAPHIC)

Photo Credit: Root Studio (Print vs. Digital), Mind Your Black Business (Infographic)

Flick of the Day: LESS Campaign SS/14

Phone Credit: behance.net

Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo :)

Photo Credit: alice + olivia

Psst, click the photo to enlarge! I love it! ;)

Last Week On...UR! STYLE OPTIONS: Celebrity Style - Black and White PHOTOS

Who Run The World? Girls.

The Fashion Editorial Face-Off:Terry Richardson Vs. Miles Aldridge

Terry Richardson
Photo Credit: highsnobiety.com

Face-Off! Lindsay Lohan poses for LOVE's spring issue, shot by Terry Richardson. More pics! I love the spread, though when I first saw Lohan bent over and leaning on a lit stove, a cigarette hanging from her fire engine red lips (and with her blonde hair sweeping a stove-top looking like it'll catch-a-fire any second) — it reminded me of an old post of mine. Below: Photographer, Miles Aldridge, captured a similar shot for Vogue Italia a few years ago.

Which editorial do you 'love' more?

Miles Aldridge 
Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net, courtesy of Vogue Italia

Valerie Van der Graaf - EDITORIAL PHOTOS - Gorgeous Face!

Photo Credit: Who What Wear 

Editorial Pics via VOGUE Taiwan - PHOTOS

Photo Credit: vogue.com.tw/vwedding

Animal Print Heels

Style Notes | Now those heels ... I would so wear!

Photo Credit: Photographer, Leif Schmodde; Hair and Makeup, Patrica Bontscheff

EXCLUSIVE! INTERVIEW with Fashion and Beauty Photographer, Michelle Du Xuan

Meet Michelle Du Xuan

My style blog is all about highlighting unique fashion and beauty. Basically, if something is interesting and thought-provoking chances are I'll dedicate a post about it. 

So, it goes without great surprise that I would feature none other than photographer, Michelle Du Xuan, who recently shot an editorial for TUSH magazine (Winter 10/11), where she captured the complexity of  beauty. And the shoot certainly raised a lot of eyebrows. Michelle gives the lowdown on what inspired the TUSH shoot ...

Nikki: When I saw your editorial for TUSH magazine, the winter issue, I just had to get an interview with you.

Michelle: Thank you, Nikki. I think I do deserve an interview. [smiling]

Editorial: TUSH

Nikki: Some would say that the TUSH shoot is controversial, in terms of glorifying plastic surgery. Do you believe that to be true? 

Michelle: It has always been a controversial subject. Especially since recent years, plastic surgery has become a trend. It's no longer mysterious or the patent of celebrities. It is becoming a revolution of re-defying age and natural-born face and body. The opinion toward plastic surgery has changed a lot along the years too. Just like the revolution of make-up, mico-surgery is bringing a new definition to beauty. 

Nikki: And what message were you hoping to convey?

Michelle: The shoot is about the obsession behind plastic surgery and how it challenges the way we look at natural-beauty and artificial beauty. The message I am trying to send out is that plastic surgery is a double-edged sword. It fixes some flaws of our face and body but also leaves sequela. Before preparing for the "beauty suffer," think about what it will bring us besides the physical change. Plastic surgery isn't just about changing physical appearance, what’s behind the physical change may raise bigger psychological problems. Treat micro-surgery wisely—is my advice.

Nikki: Switching gears … tell me where you’re originally from.

Michelle: I'm originally from China. I was a curator working for galleries before. Art and photography exhibitions made me realize my passion for photography. I moved to Paris two years ago and became a fashion photographer, and I am currently based in Paris and travel all over the world taking photos.

Nikki: Tell me a little bit about your portfolio. What other magazines (and/or other media outlets) have published your work?

Michelle: I am mostly doing fashion and beauty photography. My works can be seen on magazines such as TUSH, Cosmopolitan, Harpar's Bazaar, and Twój Styl. And I am going to work with some online fashion magazines too as they express the other perspective of fashion.

Nikki: Which celebrity do you want to shoot one day and why?

Michelle: I would like to shoot Sinéad O'Connor one day. She is so unique—both her look and her music. And her edgy style always inspires me.

Nikki: What is the best thing about working on the set of a photo shoot?

Michelle: The best thing is doing what your heart leads you to. I love the freedom of creating what's in my mind and transfer it into photos.

Nikki: Do you have any exciting projects in the pipeline?

Michelle: I am working on a very exciting exhibition now. It's a lingerie shoot about complicity and intimate moments of a woman. This is something I wanted to do for a long time—and this time we will have a stunning model and team to realize it with exquisite lingerie and jewelries. The whole series of the shoot will be divided into two parts and exhibit both in NYC, Las Vegas and Paris.

Nikki: How can people contact you? 

Michelle: Go to my website (I currently changed my website into a blog): www.michelleduxuan.com or email me at: michelle.duxuan@gmail.com.

Nikki: Thanks for taking the time to chit-chat with me. Please keep in touch, as I would love to continue following your amazing work.

Michelle: Thank you very much, Nikki, for taking the time with me and have a successful New Year! I hope to talk to you very soon about my new works.

Photo Credit: Michelle Du Xuan

A BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE - PHOTOGRAPHY BY AXEL ENGSTROM

 
Haunting. Intrigued. Fantasy. Credits - Photography, Axel Engstrom; Styling, Amanda C Engstrom; Models Oskar & Annika @ Zap, Linnea @MIKAs

'NIP/TUCK' Fashion Photography: Michelle Du Xuan for TUSH MAGAZINE- Winter 2010

Photo Credit: Tush

Style Notes | Words can't describe what I am thinking right now. Maybe genius? Maybe bizarre? Maybe disturbing? Maybe fashion-forward?

Credits - Issue: Tush Winter 2010; Photographer: Michelle Du Xuan; Stylist: Anne-Karin; Make-up: Min K.; Hair: Franck Nemoz

Source: J. Lambiase 

Model Watch: Nokuthula 'Thula' Neka

Style Notes | Watch out for 20-year-old Cape Town, South African native, Nokuthula 'Thula' Neka. Thula stands 5' 10" tall weighing 94 pounds. 

Details: Photography by Isa Jacob; Styling by My Ringsted; Hair & Makeup by Zenia Jaeger. Absolutely stunning. See Thula's portfolio here. 

Photo Credits: models.com

Julia Roberts Covers [US] Elle, Sept 2010

Style Notes | America's Sweetheart, Julia Roberts, graces the cover of Elle's biggest fashion issue of the year. Yes sweet peas, the September issue. Seriously, how could you not fall in love with that face? Julia's look is so fresh and youthful at 43-years-old. But if you think she injects with all sorts of Botox—guess again. Because judging from the Elle excerpt below, she is all natural. 

On Botox/ The Plastic Surgery Trend in Hollywood: "It's unfortunate that we live in such a panicked, dysmorphic society where women don't even give themselves a chance to see what they'll look like as older persons. I want to have some idea of what I'll look like before I start cleaning the slates. I want my kids to know when I'm pissed, when I'm happy, and when I'm confounded. Your face tells a story ... and it shouldn't be a story about your drive to the doctor's office." 

Photo Credit: The Fashion Spot; Elle

Lady Gaga Covers [British] Vanity Fair, September 2010

Style Notes | The girl who dares to take all sorts of fashion risks, Lady Gaga, covers the September cover of British Vanity Fair, the Style Issue!

Wait just one second. I think Gaga's naked. Can't wait to see the full spread inside! In case you're wondering, the cover was shot by Nick Knight. 

Bring on the September issues! 

Photo Credit: The Cut Blog

Fashion Photographer: Miles Aldridge

Style Notes! Have you ever heard the term: a picture speaks a thousand words? Take a moment to browse the portfolio of fashion photographer, Miles Aldridge. 

You'll love! 

Photo Credit: Nasty Girl, courtesy of Vogue Italia

Model Spotlight: Jasmine Sanders

Style Notes | The self-proclaimed 'Golden Barbie' Jasmine Sanders is simply one word: gorgeous. Actually no — two words: absolutely gorgeous. 

While flipping through various photos of Jasmine (I love the name Jasmine, btw) I was blown away by her striking images. Standing at merely 5’9, she’s not as tall as most top models, but definitely has a 1-UP on her rare beauty; she just has IT.

Gossip: A little birdie told me that Jasmine is Chris Brown’s new babe. Rihanna, who?

Photo Credit: models.com; Facebook; 2DayFM

Today’s Runway ‘IT’ Girl: Joan Smalls

Style Notes | Joan Smalls appears in Vogue Italia [April 2010]. This fierce photo (and one of my favorite images within the issue) was shot by fashion photographer, Steven Meisel. This girl's skin complexion is to-die for!

Fast Facts...

1. Nationality: Black and Puerto Rican

2. Known For: Legs and Pout

3. Measurements: Height, 5'10.5; Bust, 33; Waist, 24; Hips, 34

4. Modeling Agency: Left Elite and signed with IMG in 2009

5. Joan's Work -- Campaigns: Ralph Lauren, The Gap, Coach and Ports 1961; Runway: Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Benjamin Cho, L’Wren Scott, Tracy Reese, Heatherette

Photo Credit: models.com

A Match Made In Heaven By Josh Olins

Noteworthy! Lily Donaldson and Liya Kebede nailed the 80s-inspired style in all three photos. The use of bright colors put me into a jaw-dropping trance — I literally could not stop stalking and appreciating the overall concept of the shoot. 

To see more photos visit Fashion Time magazine.

Photo Credit: model.com

Fierce Fashion Editorial

Style Notes! Naty Chabanenko's spread in Marie Claire Italia (March 2010) is undeniably one word: F i e r c e ... with a capital 'F'

Photo Credit: Fashion Time, courtesy of Photographer, David Slijper