Model Androgyn: Andrej Pejic Is Blowing My Mind

Upon stumbling across a preview of Jean Paul Gaultier's new spring ad campaign, I thought to myself, "Oh, maybe 2011 is the year of the girl kiss." Two gorgeous blondes in trenches and fishnets, one of which is supermodel veteran Karolina Korkova and a lovely newcomer a bit reminiscent of Lily Donaldson. Further researched revealed a jaw-dropping revellation about the new model: it's a boy.

If you haven't already noticed, I'm a huge fan of androgyny. Maybe I'm behind on this, but model Andrej Pejic who is of Croatian and Serbain is an absolute stunner for both genders and is leaving me gawking. I could not believe it. With classically feminine facial features like high cheekbones, pouty lips, rounded forehead and wide-set eyes, Pejic could completely pass under the radar on womenwear runways. Full breasts and butts rarely make appearances even on the female models, so very few would be left suspicious. It's only natural that designer Jean-Paul Gaultier champion Pejic, as he was the first to create skirts for men in the 80's. Gaultier put the androgyn in his spring 2010 menswear shows to everyone's confusion: "who is that blonde girl?"

Jean Paul Gaultier menswear spring 2010

More unbelievable photos after the jump:

Rising Model: Aymeline Valade Goes Punk for Interview Magazine

A face hard to forget, Parisian model Aymeline Valade is making a huge splash since suddenly popping up in Balenciaga's spring 2011 runway show. Recently she was selected to star in Alexander Wang's highly coveted "image pieces" i.e. ad campaigns. Craig McDean, who shot Wang's campaign, shot this color popping 90's punk-come-Hackers spread for the latest issue of Interview. Valade might just be the next incarnation of frequently tomboy'd model Freja Beha. Her strong facial features allows her to oscillate unemcumbered between hyper feminine and hyper masculine looks. I don't think Freja could've pulled off this shoot as powerfully as Valade does, though I'm sure a video of the shoot would look just SO laughably awkward. But really, what shoot isn't kind of absurd in it's making?

More images after the jump:

LOVE / LUST: Dark Crystals x Crystal Spikes

LOVE:

Raphael Young "Dark Crystal" Ankleboot - Sale for $843.75, Seven New York
Although a definite allusion to the The Dark Crytal movie (which I didn't see until last year...), these boots would belong better on David Bowie's feet in Labyrinth.


LUST:

(In) Decorous Taste 25 Stud/3 Crystal Spikeed Shoe Harness Pair - $695.00, Seven New York

What did I tell you about this year being about clear spikes? Unfortunately the shoes are not included, but these gorgeous shit kickers (that work on men's shoes as well) would be a deadly addition to the mosh pit.

And a note about Seven New York online, dont you love how the models are shot from so low to the floor you can see their asses from the front?



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Now Available Online: KidViskous Feather Earrings

Feather Earrings available in mirrored silver, mirrored gold and plain black

Earrings come with sterling silver or 14k gold-filled ear wires to accommodate even the most sensitive ears. :)

$48.00, Kidviskous.com

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Return To Me: Pomps & Pouts at Contributing Editor

More photos after the jump:

Thierry Mugler by Nicola Formichetti Short Film feat. Lady Gaga's Exclusive "Born This Way" Remix

Read the blog I wrote for Yahoo! Music for more info.

Yes, those tattoos are real.

Considering how simple stylist Nicola Formichetti dresses, he has a truly dark and innovative mind for his A/W 2011 menswear debut collection at Milan Fashion Week. Can't wait to see what Mugler will come up for womenswear. Lady Gaga runway cameo?

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The Kiss: Trans Model & Givenchy Muse Lea T & Kate Moss for Love Magazine

UK fashion mag Love Magazine has THE cover this month, featuring transsexual top model Lea T and supermodel Kate Moss in a gorgeous intermingling of sexualities. Lea T skyrocketed to high fashion fame after her appearance in Givenchy's fall 2010 ad campaign, which quickly lead to more modeling jobs, cover shoots and posing nude for an interview in French Vogue with boy parts intact. Originally an assistant, fit model and close friend to Givenchy's creative director Ricardo Tisci (they met when Tisci was still in college), her debut to the wider public combined with other crossdressing cover stars lead the New York Times to declare 2010 as "The Year of the Transsexual"

What holds for 2011?

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16 Faces to Watch: Louis Vuitton's New It-Girls

 Like an It-girl pin up calendar, Louis Vuitton Jewelry recruited 16 beautiful ladies of different trades and levels of Google-ability from around the globe to model their spring/summer 2011 collection. I love that LV bypassed the usual Alexa Chungs and Daisy Lowes for girls that are mostly merely local celebrities (with the exception of Oscar nom'd Rinko Kikuchi). Photos of all the girls have been released EXCEPT for Miss Number 16, who is upcoming pop singer Sky Ferreira. Luckily, you can watch video of the shoot and imagine her photograph yourself:

Which is your fave?
See all the photos after the jump:

Kate Moss + Antony & the Johnsons for Balmain

Not part of the burgeoning fashion collection videos trend, this simple continuous shot of Kate Moss modeling with animation layered over it makes for a beautiful albeit awkward voyeur experience. Dutch fashion photographer duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin were shooting for Balmain's fall 2010 ad campaign and created this video with the help of artist Jo Ratcliffe.

Featuring the haunting song "Everglade" by the ghostly Antony & the Johnsons, the photographers covertly set up surveillance cameras to capture a genuine insider's look. They wanted to blur the lines of reality and create a "half horror, half Disney" "Surrealist" experience. Not unlike a day of dropping acid, the supermodel writhes on the couch whilst being molested by color and a number of animated forces--including tentacles. The less Disney, more Burton-esque drawings combined with an orchestral soundtrack made for an eerily charming piece.

Here's is the resulting ad:



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Thierry Mugler RTW FW 2012 Teaser by Nicola Formichetti

Here's a men's ready-to-wear teaser image from the freshly appointed Creative Director of Thierry Mugler, Nicola Formichetti. He is best known for styling Lady Gaga's outrageous wardrobe, helping her skyrocket to immortal stardom. This is Formichetti's first collection for Mugler, which is debuting January 19th for the fall/winter 2012 Paris Fashion Week. I'm sure glad I saved that pot of black liquid latex...

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Love / Lust: XX Tortoise Sunglasses x Lady Gaga Blackmail Shades

LOVE:

Beached Tortoise Shades - $80.00, Alexandra Cassaniti

Don't these scream "leave me the fuck alone?" Love the vintage shape and print with the thick modern stems and lenses. And at $80, it's actually a pretty decent price.

LUST:

GL20 Camera Sunglasses - N/A, Polaroid Grey Label by Lady Gaga

After being named Creative Director of Polarois last year, Lady Gaga unveiled her "Grey Label" line of electronics for Polaroid this past week at the Cosumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Although still in the prototype stage, Gaga's camera sunglasses can not only take pictures and video, but display them as well and send images via Bluetooth technology to her less fashionable Grey Label wireless printer. These are a streamlined version of her onstage digital screen glasses, but with the capabilities to discreetly spy, make sex tapes and render anyone around you instantly blackmailable.

Watch Gaga talk tech at CES 2011:

To make your own video sunglasses à la Gaga, visit this DIY tutorial.

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Color Story: In The Nude, by Christophe Kutner

Beautiful in its simplicty, fashion photographer Christophe Kutner captures a stripped down essence of languid, lethargic nude colors awaiting spring.

More after the jump:

KidViskous Obsession: KV Justice Crosses Necklace

The lovely ladies at Stanton James debuted KidViskous last month and made some beautiful images for the site. Definitely check out their beautifully curated site of indie and hard-to-find designers, and an insider's tip: they're opening a brick and mortar retail space in Los Angeles soon!

Here's some of our favorite shots featuring the KidViskous Justice Cross Necklace, a design we just can't get over ourselves about!

Seen here with Natalia Romano's Cape Hoodie, Matiko's Nicola Bootie and Mila Panel Leggings.

Justice Necklace in silver mirrored with Chelsea Sutrisno Dean Dress.

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An Impossibly Epic NYE with Ryan Tecartin, Ikea & Pole Dancers

Couldn't tell you about any other New Year's Eve parties because as far as I'm concerned, none else existed. With the arcane Twitter hashtag #hi11, celebrated multimedia artist Ryan Trecartin--who showed at MOCA in Los Angeles over the summer--threw one huge art happening disguised as a NYE event at a civilian mansion in Los Feliz. The party invite called out the info like a drag bar challenge and hundreds of LA's finest artists, musicians, hipsters, creatives, party kids and socialites took them up on it--including a number who flew out from across the nation just to attend.

Some of The Crew

Lady Gaga stylists Franc Fernandez and Nicola Formichetti (who is most recently appointed Creative Director of Thierry Mugler RTW)

Here is a rendering of the party house with it's different sectors. This is the most dedicated process to a party I've ever seen. Along with beds and bunks everywhere, a live Twitter feed was projected in the walk-in room, a live webcast from all the sectors (which unfortunately/fortunately didn't end up casting), laser light show in the dance room, huge tented backyard areas with open bar, a Brita pitcher chandelier and even an electrical fire in the wall that was promptly squelched by Trecartin's crack team.

I'm still on an absolute high from this party, thank you Ryan and everyone involved!

Party images after the jump:

LOVE / LUST: Clear Spikes x McQueen Silhouettes

LOVE:

Sass and Bide Clear Spike Harness Top - $424, Pixie Market

Spring 2011 trend alert: delicate pastel fabrics and clear spikes. We're dying over this combination and the first conception of clear spikes we've seen. That bag of Lite Brite pegs should be put to good use, they're pointy on one side, right? Utter bliss for the femmextremist in all of us, just put the chicken fighting on hold while wearing this.

LUST:

Iris Van Herpen X United Nude Platform Boot - $1,295.95, Solestruck

Everyone's first thought about these beauties is of Alexander McQueen's Armadillo heels of 'Bad Romance' fame, and makes sense as Van Herpen was a McQueen collaborator. But with these, the domed shape is softened by the slatted leather for a springy, more wearable design. Only 100 have been made, so if for some awful reason your bulging wallet passes on the McQueen shoes, your next choice should be these. Buys us a pair too while you're at it babe, size 7.



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The Death Queen for Post'age Denim by Zak Krevitt

Fabulous fashion photographer Zak Krevitt (who shot our Collection 4 Lookbook feat. Kelli McKee) shot the javelin-nosed Death Queen of unknown origin for the latest collection from Post'age Denim. I've seen her once before whilst exiting a Nylon Magazine party last fall. The elevator opened and out stepped this creature in the most incredible red military band jacket, silver hair, long legs and of course her extreme nose accessory. I'm loving the unusual choice of model for a denim shoot mixed with a very feminine 50s pin-up girl updo--a pin-up girl for 2011.

 More after the jump:

KV New Year's Resolution -- Get Awesome

2010 has been a crazy run, with new retailers, new press and new lovers throughout the year. In 2011 we're looking forward to a total style change to fit the direction we want to move in. Here are our New Year's resolutions:

1. Be true to ourselves, whatever that means.
2. Find inspiration not from peers or trends but from life's outliers and details.
3. Focus on bigger ideas, not bigger productions.
4. Go completely insane. It's good for creativity.
5. Party, take pills, make money, make art, get laid and don't be afraid to be beautiful.


xo KV