WATER AND OIL

Unless you have been holidaying on the Moon for the past three months, you won't have failed to have heard about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has caused untold damage to the environment, animals and the local communities. You also may have heard that recently Vogue Italia has published an editorial featuring model Kristen McMenamy draped over rocks and sand representing the fallen birds and dead fish, cleverly using a variety of feathered garments and dark accessories in a palette of grey and black.
The photographer is none other than Steven Meisel, who frequently champions political and/or social causes through his photography work (most notably in 2006, were he did an editorial exploring terrorism following the 9/11 attacks).
Here are some images of the editorial and of the tarred animals off the Gulf of Mexico....






The editorial has been savaged by most critics and Vogue has been unfairly blamed for using such an economical disaster as a way to sell issues and create a buzz. That may be your opinion but it is not mine. Yes, the fashion world is often accused of exploiting issues such as this, but the film industry and the literary world are no better. I believe that by transforming a human (albeit a model) into the position of vulnerability and sympathy, it enables other people to visualise the oil spill as a true disaster of enormous scale, and perhaps understand properly the effect such a thing can have on the environment. I think the issue has been handled carefully and sincerely, because, in all fairness the clothes are not showcased to the best of their ability, which brings me to consider the fact that that was not the ultimate goal of the editorial. Plus Meisel's input offers me some reassurance.

What do you think?

For updates on how BP are handling the oil spill, please visit www.bp.com and click the 'Gulf of Mexico response' tab at the top of the page.

ADVERT MADNESS

As I flicked through this months Vogue, I realised that two particular advertising campaigns made me stop and stare. This doesn't happen very often let me tell you (see Loewe, Burberry and Michael Kors for reasons why...) And so I decided they needed to be featured on here. In this economic climate, advertising is vital for those sales, and it needs to pack a punch.

The series of Dolce & Gabbana adverts featuring Madonna are both exciting, intriguing and individual. The concept is new and daring - begs the question of why Mr. D and Mr. G have never done it before! Ok, so I'm really not Madonna's biggest fan, but even I have to admit that she really works in this series of adverts, posing as the Italian bombshell in a traditional family. I enjoy the gritty realism of the images and the use of a variety of people which culminates in an effective family portrayal. In a way, Madonna does not automatically stand out as the star of the adverts. I am also a great fan of black and white images, as I'm sure you will grow to learn, so this aspect has a double thumbs up from me!

The Louis Vuitton adverts for the new season are just exquisite. Featuring Karen Elson, Natalia Vodianova and Christy Turlington, they cannot fail to impress. I just adore the composition, the subtle lighting and of course the beautiful garments. I think the models look somewhat like dolls; they just look perfect - perhaps too perfect? Well, it is Louis Vuitton so only the best will do. A classic, I feel.

THE JOY OF GRACE

Upon the arrival of my July issue of British Vogue, I was pleased to discover several pages dedicated to the genius of Grace Coddington.

Before the documentary 'The September Issue', creative director of Vogue, Grace Coddington, was a relative unknown to those outside the fashion bubble. Since the film's release in 2007 she has become an instant celebrity.

I have always been an admirer of Grace, warming to her British humour and wit, and she is one of my career idols. Coddington is the yin to Wintour's yang and gives us fashion students/interns/dreamers a sense of hope that 'being bitch' is not always necessary. Saying that, Coddington is a hard worker and a perfectionist and knows her stuff - she most certainly hasn't achieved her position and notoriety by chance.

I read the article with a sense of pride in this lady. Alongside Anna Wintour, she holds one of the most powerful positions in the fashion industry. She is one of those rather eccentric heroes of British fashion who I would class alongside Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes. Those women who have a sense of originality and purpose beyond any realm of constraint and contemplation.

Here are some of my favourite quotes from the article, given by some of Coddington's contemporaries and Coddington herself;

"Grace's vision is unique. Both her passion and dedication to fashion seem to grow every year, and her interpretation of it is always witty and fresh." MUCCIA PRADA

"I wish I was slim like Anna. But I'm not. I mean, I try. I recently started going to the gym, you know - I wake up in the morning, I ache all over. And black makes me look thinner. So, much to Anna's dismay, I wear black." GRACE CODDINGTON

"Grace is the most fearless and creative woman in fashion" KAREN ELSON

"She did all the firsts. She was the first person to use a model with no make-up....with freckles, or bird's nest hair. She was the first person to do a shoot like a documentary. The first person to shoot in China. And the USSR. Nobody else had done it." LUCINDA CHAMBERS

"Every girl loves her. She's the nice mom on set. And she's the only editor I've ever met who gets down on the floor and ties your shoes." COCO ROCHA

"Grace's judgement on fashion is unparalleled. And one thing I have learnt after many years of working with her is to trust her instincts implicitly. She's always right." ANNA WINTOUR