Arizona, the "Muse"

Once in a while, a name comes along that screams “I was born to be a star”. Arizona Muse is such a name. The 22-year-old progeny of a British mother and American father began modeling at 18, while still in high school. Growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the fashion industry was a far cry away from her surroundings as she tells Dazed and Confused, “I didn’t have any contact with fashion or media. I’m only just learning now how it works”. It was by chance that she met her agent, a former model, who offered to help her into the industry.

She began slowly, not gaining much notoriety. After a year, she became pregnant with her son Nikko, and left modeling. This short hiatus created a change in Muse, who decided to return to modeling when Nikko was 1, and to give it a real try “If I’m going to work again then I’m going to do it properly this time”. And properly she did. Her long natural blonde hair was morphed into a short brown cut. Ever since her reemergence, she has been whole-heartedly welcomed by the in-crowd.

Each season, there is a model, either a newcomer or an established model, who overtakes all the runways: she walks in every show, is an exclusive for certain designers, will open or close major shows and put herself above and beyond the rest. Spring Ready-To-Wear 2011, her first runway season, Muse managed to do just that. She opened BCBG Max Azria, walked for Marc Jacobs, Narciso Rodriguez and Proenza Schouler, all within the same week. She then proceeded to open and close the Prada show, the Miu Miu show, and opens for Rochas as well as Kenzo. No newcomer can even imagine or hope for this type of success within their first catwalk moments.

But then again, not every newcomer is Arizona Muse. After her runway triumph, she became the face of Prada. It certainly did not hurt that the affectionately called “Monkey Business” Prada show she opened and closed was considered one of the most influential and directional shows of the season. Appearing in their short promotional fashion film followed.

What is most interesting about Muse is her luck and talent. She has been fortunate enough to see everything she touches turn into pure gold. Her success seems predetermined; being the face of Prada and Yves Saint Laurent, walking the Valentino, Elie Saab and Chanel couture shows all the while appearing in editorial after editorial in the most prominent of fashion press does not just happen. Or does it?

Facebook?

Facebook is actually like a jail, no?

You sit around and waste time,

write on walls,

get poked by people you don't know.

I seriously need a restriction order from my PC!

7th September

September 7 is the 250th day of the year in the calendar.
There are 115 days remaining until the end of the year.

Something beautiful, please pop up anytime soon...

Bonjour!

I'm in a long distance relationship:

I live here and how,

You live somewhere in my future.

Every night I'm talking to the moon, trying to get to you,

in hopes you're on the other side talking to me.

And maybe someday we will meet.

This story will resume.

We will turn back time, we will find each other, fall in love, get married and live happily ever after.

Happy Autumn!

From the 26th of August to the end of 2nd of September, throughout this anxious but memorable week, there is a spell of the extraordinarily beautiful autumn weather that always takes us by surprise, when the low sunshine is warmer than in spring; when the air is pure and thin, everything sparkles enough to sting the eyes; when you breathe deep and feel refreshed, drinking in the fragrant autumn air; when even the nights are warm, and on dark, warm nights like these golden stars startle or delight us by scattering themselves endlessly down the sky.

The weather was like this at ten o'clock on the 2nd of September. The morning light was magical. A strange and magnificent moment...

Anorexic Obsession.

I wanna be so thin that people talk behind my back of how skinny I've become.

Céline, Fall Winter 2011

UPDATED: new images photographed by Juergen Teller.

Monika Sawicka and Kirsi Pyrhonen are the new faces of Céline for their Fall Winter 2011 campaign replacing Stella Tennant and Daria Werbowy lensed once again by Juergen Teller.

White Fairy Tale Love Ball 2011

Every year since 2005, Natalia Vodianova brings together renowned designers and celebrities for a large charity event in favor of the Naked Heart Foundation (NHF), an association that helps underprivileged children in Russia.

It was the Besian school siege in 2004 that spurred the top model and philanthropist to set up the NHF. Their mission is to provide safe outdoor Play Parks in Russian cities where more than 25% of all families raise children below the poverty line. The Love Ball is the main fundraiser for the Naked Heart Foundation.

On Wednesday night July 6th 2011, Valentino Garavani and Natalia Vodianova invite you to experience one of the most magical nights of summer ever imagined in your wildest dream -this year's Love Ball.

In the atmosphere of the XVII century Chateau de Wideville, residence of Valentino Garavani near Paris, a fairy tale will unfold.

For this event, 45 unique dresses have been created especially for the NHF, by some international designers such as Riccardo Tisci, Calvin Klein, Olivier Theyskens, Ulyana Sergeenko and more... The highlight of the evening will be a chance to bid for one of these gorgeous pieces through auction over an exquisite dinner. Profits from the sale will be donated entirely to benefit the Naked Heart Foundation.

Must-Have: LV Speedy

Your bag collection shouldn’t be missing a Louis Vuitton Speedy, but if it is, we’ve got a few things you might want to consider.

1. In the world of designer handbags, they’re relatively affordable

Despite the fact that the price of a Speedy has gone up by over $100 over the year, they’re still something of a steal in the great scheme of designer bags. Speedies start at $665 for the 25 cm monogram version, and for an iconic bag from one of the biggest luxury companies on the planet, you’re not going to find a better deal. Bags with similar storied histories and famous followings will set you back thousands of dollars.

2. Don’t like monogram? There are dozens of other options

Monogram canvas may be the most popular material, but that’s certainly the only one. Damier and Epi leather options always available, as well as whatever graced the runways that season. Fall/Winter 2010 will be of particular interest to Speedy lovers – Vuitton showed nothing but dozens of different Speedies in a variety of leathers and exotics. If you want logos, Vuitton comes up with a new version practically every season – watercolor, roses, cherries, pop-art pandas, graffiti. You get the idea.

3. Louis Vuitton bags are practically indestructible

This one requires little explanation for a true bag lover – even people that aren’t Vuitton fans know that their bags are historically very well-made, particularly the traditional styles. Also, if your Speedy were to require repair, Vuitton has great service for those kinds of things.

4. The shape can fit in any woman’s wardrobe

Speedies range in size from petite to quite large, and if you’d rather not wear a bag on your arm, Vuitton offers a crossbody strap to keep you hands-free. The brand’s purists will caution against using it, but crossbodies have become so very modern in the past year that wearing a Speedy as a messenger might actually be a good way to update it. Once you’ve decided how to carry it, even the 25cm version has plenty of room for all of your daily essentials.

5. If it was good for Audrey Hepburn, it should be good enough for us

Grace Kelly may have been a fan of Hermés, but Audrey Hepburn was continually photographed wearing her favorite Louis Vuitton Speedy.

Some people may say that the bag is played out, but don’t let people who chase labels dissuade you from enjoying a bag that has an important historical place in the lineage of the luxury handbag. With all of the different size and design permutations, there’s a Speedy out there to suit every style.

a Grand Affair

Natalia Vodianova met Justin Portman, a British property heir, former artist and chess organizer at a Paris dinner in 2001. They married in November 2001 when she was eight months pregnant. In September 2002, over nine months after registering the marriage in the UK, they had a wedding ceremony in St. Petersburg, where Vodianova wore a dress designed by Tom Ford.

The couple have three children: sons Lucas Alexander (born 22 November 2001) and Viktor (born 13 September 2007), and daughter Neva (born 24 March 2006). Viktor is named after Vodianova's grandfather, who had helped raise her after her father's departure. Neva is named after the Russian river Neva.

They separated from February 2010, Vodianova and Portman announced their final separation in June 2011.

What a shame...