Rising Star: Lisanne De Jong

This Dutch beauty has shot from being a newcomer with Ulla Models in Holland and is now being featured in campaigns for Balenciaga, Celine, and Burberry Eye Wear. Not bad considering that she started in 2008 after submitting her pictures to a local agency. She debuted this past fall for the SS 2010 collections and walked for BCBG, Balenciaga, opened Max Azria and Miu Miu, and was an exclusive at Prada. She was also featured on British Vogue's blog not to long ago as well...

She also was featured in an editorial for Dazed and Confused and just recently shot the Pre-Fall 2010 look books for Proenza Schouler, Burberry, Missoni, and Celine. Though she started modeling at 18, where as most girls now start at 14 or younger, this newbie has a strong book that any model would be jealous of. I can't wait to see what shows she does in February...

Photo Credit- The Fashion Spot

Artist Lisa Solberg

An ex-professional skier, Lisa Solberg has now become a vibrant and honest painter. Her paintings are moody yet with optimistic colours and forms. Born in Chicago, this young artist attended the University of Colorado where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts. With over 23 exhibits in the past four years and an article in NYLON, this twenty six year old wonder is certainly on her way to success. You can see more of her work by clicking here.

[ photo credit - lisa solberg and NYLON magazine]

Eline from A Fluffy Blog

Eline, a second year illustration student, is a stylized version of colour block. With pinky blonde hair and vibrant outfits she seems like a character right out of ones imagination. Yet her fashion manifesto remains quite down to earth. When asked about her style she states "I would describe my style as myself; irregular with lots of ups and downs but always hunkering times that never were in vintage clothes and child-like prints, fluffiness and glitter." Her favourite item of clothing is a leopard jacket which goes well with her quirky-cool sense of style. But where does this style vision see herself in the future? "I've no idea, I'm one of those people for whom it's absolutely impossible to envision anything further than an hour in the future. But I'd like to do something with books as in illustrate and possibly write them. Time will tell if I'm capable to do so." With a creative mind such as this one there is no doubt she will. To see more of Eline's style and life simply click here.  

do it yourself - the jimi hendrix jacket

step 1: you'll need a black tux jacket, gold rope, gold buttons, gold ribbon and fur trim

step 2: pop the collar of the tux jacket so that it's a strait edge down the front, cut as necessary

step 3: gold collar - sew lines of ribbon to the collar of the jacket

step 4: arm bands - sew lines of ribbon on the arms of the jacket

step 5: the band tassels - sew lines of gold rope onto the jacket in lines with two hoops on the sides. do this step by hand.

step 6: sew the buttons onto the tassels where the hoops meet

step 7: sew in fur trim by hand and voila!

note: this took about 2 full days so do it over time or during a long weekend

The Supermodel: Kate Moss

Who doesn't know who Kate Moss is? She is an icon. Standing at just 5 feet 7 and a half inches tall she was, and still is; the 90's Supermodel. After being discovered at an airport at the tender age of 14 by a Storm Models agent she immediately was loved by casting directors, designers, you name it, they wanted her. Her first big booking was a cover of The Face in 1990. Then two years later she became the face of Yves Saint Laurent. I could go on about her career highs forever because if you look at New York Magazine's Model Manual profile on Ms. Moss, it is at least double the length of every other model's on there.

Though her personal life has been in the spotlight for quite some time. She has put that off to the side and focused on other projects, including cutting a deal with Top Shop to create her own line. As a mother, designer, and model she handles her self quite well considering the circumstances. Now I am not saying that Kate has led the straight and narrow path her entire life, but look where her career is now? Not many people can say that they made 8.5 million dollars this past year. Whether her face is on the cover of French Vogue or US Weekly, she is one of the most well-known and highest paid models ever.

Photo Credit- Models.com, New York Magazine, and Fashionising.com

Book Review - Natural Fashion

Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa by Hans Silvester is going to be the fashion photography book of 2010. His photos are of the Surma and Mursi tribes in East Africa. These nomadic tribes travel vast distances and bring minimal materials with them on their journeys. For this reason, most of their fashions are taken on the go, directly from nature. Primarily, Silvester's photography book begins with a short description of the tribes. This introduction describes this nomadic nature among other reasons for their natural dress and how it is developed. Silvester demonstrates their face and body painting techniques and states that, without mirrors, their painting takes on natural lines and purposefully lacks precision. No two lines are the same and none of the faces painted are created to be alike. 

What makes this book worthwhile is that it demonstrates great individuality and inspiration. As stated earlier, none of the faces look a like. Materials and body paints are completely different though they are all taken from the same natural forest. The way these people adorn their bodies demonstrates a vast imagination and the materials are used to both imitate and stray from the natural world. This books presents this region of Africa as the complete opposite of the heart of darkness. The uniqueness and originality of these portrayals make the Surma and Mursi tribes one of the most interesting photography subjects of this coming year. A fantastic book, you can see more of Silvester's work by clicking here. 

*****Five Stars

All-American Beauty: Karlie Kloss

Booked as a Calvin Klein exclusive at the age of 15 was a pretty big start for the now 17 year old American born model Karlie Kloss. She was scouted by Jeff and Mary Clarke at Mother Management at a charity fashion show in her hometown of Saint Loius Missouri, the home of fellow model Katie Fogarty at Next. Her first real break was when she was featured in the August 2008 issue of Teen Vogue photographed by Arthur Elgort. I don't think that any one, including herself would have imagined where her career is now.

She was just awarded the title of, as I like to call it; "The Vogue Girl." Being featured in the most international Vogue spreads for 2009. She beat out other top models such as Lara Stone and Raquel Zimmermann. Shooting with some of the most coveted fashion photographers like David Sims and Raymond Meier. Not to mention being featured on the cover of Vogue Italia for the October 2009 issue. Karlie has plenty of campaigns up her belt as well. From Chloe to Pringle of Scotland, to Marc Jacobs Lola Perfume, she has done it all. Not to mention being called a "fresh face" by Vogue Magazine in September of 2009 with quotes from Steven Meisel and Arthur Elgort. With too many editorials to type or count, this American stunner is one face that wont be fading for quite some time.

Photo Credit-Modelinia and New York Magazine