Beyoncé is the new face of H&M

We speculated back in January as to whether Beyoncé was about to be unveiled as the new face of H&M, and now we can confirm that she is indeed the star of the Swedish chain's global summer campaign.

Rumours began when the singer was spotted posing for a tropical-themed photo shoot in the Bahamas early in the New Year as one of her dancers, Kimberly Gipson, tweeted (then deleted) the following comment about the shoot: "First day of trial in the Bahamas! H&M all set … go."

READ: Is Beyoncé the new face of H&M?

Beyoncé for H&M. Photo: Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

For the campaign, the mother-of-one was shot by photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin in Nassau, the Bahamas's capital city. The television ad, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, was shot at the same time, and features a new song by the singer, Standing on the Sun , as its soundtrack.
"I've always liked H&M's focus on fun and affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements - fire, water, earth and wind. It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island," says Beyoncé. "It felt more like making a video than a commercial."
The 31-year-old also had a hand in the design process of the summery pieces she models, revealed Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of design at H&M: "There's the perfect bodycon dress, as well as a flowing sun dress that makes a real statement. And of course there are the bikinis, especially the fringed bikini. What makes these pieces even more special is that Beyoncé herself had input into the design, and they are full of her own personal style."
The print and outdoor ads will read "Beyoncé as Mrs. Carter in H&M", in reference to the star's next world tour, The Mrs. Carter Show , which kicks off on April 15.
The news comes as the company announced a 11.4 per cent slip in profits in the first quarter of 2013. "The first quarter has been characterized by the continued challenging situation for the fashion retail industry in many of our markets mainly due to a continued tough macro-economic climate, but also due to unfavorable weather during parts of the quarter," the group's ceo Karl-Johan Persson told WWD . However, the brand has set its sights on opening 350 new stores this year, as opposed to the previously planned 325.

BY BIBBY SOWRAY | 21 MARCH 2013

Wearable couture from Christophe Josse

The words 'wearable' and 'haute couture' may seem a bit odd together. But in Christophe Josse's sketchbook, they appear as soul mates that are deeply and passionately in love.

This Frenchman has restated the fragile female form in a whole new light by bringing in a ready-to-wear essence to his fall 2011 haute couture collection. His controlled design techniques speak through the delicate and sensual silhouettes encapsulating the real elegance a woman endures.

You'd argue that almost every designer follows that theory - the theory of making his woman feel sexy. But Josse's real point of difference lies in his choice of fabrics; crocodile and python skin, asphalt lacquered edges, rooster feathers, satin silk and frayed organza. His collection creates magic without being too-obviously haute couture.

Transparent chiffon tops with black opaque trimmings draw attention to the shoulders and chest, giving an ultra-sexy appeal. One-shoulder pleated silk dress with a visible zipper proves the man's attention to detail. Subtle modernity peeps through the use of sheer net over a shimmering sequin evening gown. Although the oxidised gold belts seem a bit too war-like for a collection that's blatantly feminine, the corset bustier and siren red feathered headwear reinstate the original inspiration.

View the original article here

White, gold and Goddess-like: Gisele

It's a combination that absolutely screams summer: gauzy white fabrics and chunky gold jewels. It's also a combination that gives off a Grecian Goddess vibe that can only be heightened by a great bronze tan and glamazonian limbs like those of Gisele Bundchen. But aside from the general beach beauty of this shoot by Jacques Dequeker it's also a perfect reminder that the sold gold jewellery we've been seeing so much of doesn't have to be limited to choker necklaces and wrist cuffs. Gisele's find their way everywhere from ponytail to upper arms and ankles.

For more Grecian Goddess styling inspiration from Vogue Brasil's July 2011 issue, click on the thumbnails.

View the original article here

Keeping it the right kind of cute

While the dusty pink hue and peter pan collar are the '60s at their sweetest, the full skirt paired with a long hemline means this dress could easily cross over to the drab side. So how to keep it planted firmly in romantically vintage territory? With cute platform shoes and matching pink socks, which add not only height but a playful touch.

This look was snapped by The Sartorilalist in Milan.

Added: 20th July 2011 at 21.50

View the original article here

Tom Ford on losing himself & becoming Tom Ford

There is Tom Ford's rule for success and there are his 5 ways to be a gentleman. In short, there are now plenty of interviews with one of the most influential menswear designers from which we can glean nuggets of opinions and truths. Today we can add another interview to the growing list, but this is one in which Tom Ford approaches something that A Single Man's George approaches each morning: the art of becoming oneself.

In what is a rather introspective interview, designer Tom Ford approaches the topic of fashion as we at Fashionising.com perceive it: that it's equally about self-projection as it is about anything else;

Q: How long does it take every morning for you to become that Tom Ford you were talking about before?

A: It takes me a long time in the morning to become the person that other people expect me to be. When I feel depressed and I have a bad day or something terrible has happened or I have to face something, I go through a very precise ritual getting dressed in the morning. In a sense it is armor; I'm building up a layer.

Ford also touches on a topic that is infrequently discussed in the world of fashion: spirituality;

Q: Are you a spiritual person?

A: I am a spiritual person in an eastern religion kind of way. I learned that happiness for all of us is a switch that you flick in your brain. It doesn't have anything to do with getting a new house, a new car, a new girlfriend, or a new pair of shoes. Our culture is very much about that; we are never happy with what we have today. We always think that we need something else to be happy.

And in between such topics Ford discusses everything from a midlife crisis to getting hit on. You can read and hear the Tom Ford interview in full at The Talks.

Written: 22nd July 2011 at 06.50

View the original article here

Tom Ford's earth angel: Candice Swanepoel

Victoria's Secret Angels are not the kind of Angels that are plucked from heaven. Occasionally they're plucked from the desolate lands of obscurity, but most often they're plucked off the international runway scene, handed a coveted contract to sign, and enlisted into a legion that will clutch to them for a career-long life of beach shoots and glittering runway spectacles. Most of these Angels will make some cross-overs back to high fashion from time to time, as if on temporary assignments back to earth, but rarely do they try and permanently leave the career heaven Victoria's Secret has created for them (unless of course they move onto even bigger things, like acting careers).
Candice Swanepoel is an exception. She hit the big time first as a Victoria's Secret model but has ever since seemed intent on making that backwards transition from Angel heaven back to high fashion earth. She cast her way onto many a Paris runway last season from Dior to Givenchy. And now, in a move that truly cements her transition, she's fronting the latest Tom Ford ad campaign.

Photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, Candice's campaign is something of a thematic flow-on from Lara Stone's Tom Ford beauty campaign, awash with the same bold tones and high contrast photography (Lara was also shot by Mert & Marcus) - not really surprising given Ford's ability to apply cohesion across all areas of his brand. And it's a campaign that boldly embodies the absolute glamour of Tom Ford's fall 2011 women's collection, though we'll be interested to see how future editorials interpret the collection in softer light.
Tom Ford staple Jon Kortajarena rounds out the men's part of the campaign, which you can see more of by clicking on the thumbnails and browsing the full gallery.


View the original article here

Cintia Dicker dances. Victoria's Secret should watch.

As much as I may want to hate Cintia Dicker for her perfect figure and covetable sprinkling of freckles, it's simply not possible. No amount of envy is a match for the utter cuteness she exudes, and this adorable video campaign for American Eagle Outfitters lingerie line uses her likability with full force. A lesson for Victoria's Secret if ever there was one: having some genuine warmth, some feeling, in your campaigns is the first step in connecting with your audience.

Love is funny from Fashionising.com on Vimeo.
Watch the video above to be charmed by the cuteness of Cintia Dicker; and for a closer look at the 'Aerie' By American Eagle range you can also click on the accompanying thumbnails.


View the original article here
Written by Tania Braukämper.