Fashion Models and the Hottest Designer Trends

The cover shoot for the March 2010 issue of Numéro Tokyo stars 22-year-old Belarusian model Maryna Linchuk of DNA, who recently appeared in an editorial for Allure by Michael Thompson, shot by David Vasiljevic. Full of flowers, ruffles, and lace, stylist Sarah Ellison shows Maryna in a white geometric-patterned Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress with black Christian Louboutin heels, a one-shouldered ruffled cream Electric Feathers dress with pink flowered Viktor&Rolf heels, a black and white Giorgio Armani jumpsuit, a white Dolce & Gabbana lace dress and black M&S Schmalberg bodysuit with black Christian Louboutins, and a one-shouldered cream Lavin dress. My favorite item in this editorial is the pair of Viktor&Rolf heels with pink and purple flowers and pink ruffles.

An editorial entitled “Belle Vue” is featured in the March 2010 issue of Vogue Deutsch shot by photographer Paola Kudacki starring 29-year-old Italian cover girl Mariacarla Boscono of Viva Models, who recently renewed her contract with Givenchy. Utilizing bright contrast, the editorial was shot in Paris, France with none other than the famous Tour Eiffel in the background and Mariacarla in designs by Dolce & Gabbana, Azzedine Alaia, Céline, Akris, and Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. I really enjoy this editorial from the high contrast to the city of Paris in the back, the black long-sleeve Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress is my favorite piece with the sheer plunging v-neckline in the front.

Alexander McQueen’s Lobster Claw shoes live on in spring fashion mags around the world. For March, 2010 Frida Gustavsson made an appearance in Vogue in a set of Lobster Claw stilettos.

16-year-old Swedish model Frida Gustavsson of IMG, who recently appeared in editorials for Vogue Italia and W, stars on the cover and in an editorial entitled “Style Stars” for the March 2010 issue of Vogue Germany shot by photographer Greg Kadel. Presenting trends for this season, Frida looks flawless in designs by Alexander McQueen, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Balmain, Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Chloé, and Dolce & Gabbana from mixed patterns, denims, and structured pieces to afros, purple eyeshadow, and cat faces. My favorite trend for the season comes from Louis Vuitton combining afro chic with a maturing lolita look.

Camping out in turbans, trenches, and safari gear, 18-year-old California-native model Cassandra Smith is featured in an editorial entitled “Night At the Museum” for Tatler March 2010 shot by photographer Luis Monteiro. Styled by Chloe Beeny, Cassandra showcases the modern colonial look dressing printed harem-style or skinny pants with a safari jacket in designers such as Dior, Bally, Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren Black Label, Misa Hirada, and Bottega Veneta. Although I would have liked to see more interaction with the setting being in a museum, I really enjoy all the neutral colors in this editorial with my favorite piece being the tan Burberry suede trench dress looking very chic and mature.

Doing her part to raise money for Haiti relief, 39-year-old British supermodel Naomi Campbell did what she does best by organizing the Fashion For Relief Haiti runway show on Friday, February 12th at Bryant Park’s The Tent in part of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week hosted by 50-year-old Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson.

The show consisted of models and celebrities walking the runway in some fabulous designers threads styled by Rachel Zoe with celebrity models in the likes of Chris Brown, Fergie, and Kelly Osbourne. The show featured designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan with looks from Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, and Carolina Herrera to be auctioned online at at Net-A-Porter.com starting Monday, March 15th. Having held 950 guests and with tickets from $100 to $150 per seat, all the proceeds are going to CARE, an organization dedicated to rebuilding Haiti’s health-care system for women and children.

Although she rarely walks the runway nowadays, Naomi took three trips down the runway with her last look being dedicated to her good friend designer Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide just one day prior, in a thigh-high, multi-colored graphic print dress by McQueen. Along with Naomi, seven other models paid tribute to McQueen by showcasing his creations in a tribute set to Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” to close out the show.

For the finally farewell, Sarah Ferguson told guests, “Thank you, by being here you’ve made a difference.”

In the past, Naomi has also staged Fashion For Relief shows in New York after the Hurricane Katrina disaster as well as the massacre in Mumbai, India. To further benefit Haitian women, Naomi is holding a similar show this Thursday, February 18th during London Fashion Week.

Presenting this spring’s hottest pieces in Harper’s Bazaar US March 2010 is 31-year-old Estonian cover girl Carmen Kass of Silent Models, who recently renewed her contract with Michael Kors, in an editorial entitled “The New Shapes” shot by photographer Camilla Åkrans. Set in a gorgeous European-style mansion, Carmen showcases designs by Michael Kors, Alexis Bittar, Robert Lee Morris, Chanel, Eddie Borgo, Calvin Klein, Kara by Kara Ross, Ongwat, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Anton Heunis, Tom Binns, and Yves Saint Laurent just to name a few. I am in love with the yellow Versace bodysuit and skirt with silver panels having an extremely low cut back with the most spring-felt Versace platforms.

In a Marie Antoinette infused with an Asian influenced winter wonderland-type editorial entitled “China White,” 25-year-old Russian cover girl Sasha Pivovarova of IMG, who recently renewed her contract with Longchamp, is featured in the March 2010 issue of Vogue UK shot by photographer Tim Walker. As the star of this fantasy world, stylist Kate Phelan showcased Sasha in a white Yves Saint Laurent sleeveless double crêpe cotton dress coat with white Cornelia James opera gloves and white Jonathan Aston tights, a cream Chanel taffeta minidress and white Chanel leather shoes with Bebaroque printed tights, a white John Rocha crochet top with peplum waist and John Rocha leather clogs with white Dolce & Gabbana silk shorts and Jonathan Aston tights, a Giambattista Valli linen/silk ruffle-front cape with white Cornelia James opera gloves and Bebaroque printed tights, and a white Fendi shredded voile shift dress with John Rocha leather clogs. Utilizing a setting in shades of blue and whites, the editorial looks very classic and French with my favorite look being the Gianfranco Ferré strapless silk-organza minidress with Natacha Marro printed suede ankle boots surrounded by pearls on the floor as well as dangling from a leafless tree.