song of the week: the ghost who walks

Karen Elson
"The Ghost Who Walks"
directed by Jack White

This is the perfect music to enjoy while sitting next to a fan and cooling off. Trust me, I'm doing it right now.

goop

Gywneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney
at the Stella McCartney Resort 2011 Presentation in New York
Remember the summer of Gwyneth and the mini? I miss those days, but there's something to be said about a woman in a blazer and a pair of pants. Gwyneth, you can cook for me any time.

joan

Joan Smalls
Fall/Winter 2010
I love it when a model with honest looks has a breakthrough in a season. Joan Smalls doesn't look like an alien, baby doll, depraved Eastern European, or Sarah Plain and Tall. She's a total babe, but high fashion babe, and sometimes that's all you need.

the student

Iselin Steiro, model and student at Architecture and Design
I've had to look at this image a lot lately because of work. Every women's fashion magazine has their own specific way of educating their readers on how to achieve the head to toe denim look (How to wear denim at the office! How to wear denim dresses! How to mix light and dark denim!), apparently a big trend for Spring 2010. I could care less about what Norwegian model, Iselin Steiro, is wearing. Her messy mop of blonde hair and angular bone structure are a captivating combination. It was her bread and butter for Spring 2010. Here, here, here, here, and there. In the immortal words of Bobby Caldwell, "Got a thing for you and I can't let go..."

attack of the 50 ft. woman

Doutzen Kroes
photographed by Philip Riches

To my darling little Doutzen,
Happy Holidays and warmest wishes for the new year.
With all my love,
W.

song of the week: "heaven can wait"

"Heaven Can Wait"
Charlotte Gainsbourg feat. Beck
directed by Keith Schofield

More reason to love French women and Beck.

model of the week: r'el dade

R'el Dade
Marilyn Modeling Agency
Tall, Texan, and this editorial in Numero. Do you need to know anything else?

song of the week: "irm"

I've heard nothing but good things about Lars Von Trier's "Antichrist" from the brave who saw at the New York Film Festival. For whatever reason French actresses are especially astute at portraying quiet hysteria and beautiful madness (as evident by Isabelle Huppert's fantastic turn in Claire Denis's "White Material, a festival pick I saw and loved) and from what I hear, Charlotte Gainsbourg really goes for it and then some in Von Trier's brutal satire of liberal bourgeoisie and the horror of grief and loss. Gainsbourg has a new album due out early next year that already had my interest piqued with the news that it would be a largely collaborative effort between her and Beck, another fearless performer willing to explore new territories in his own continually spontaneous art. One of the first singles from the album is "IRM", French for MRI, is a curious source of inspiration. Gainsbourg was involved in a serious water skiing accident that caused her to endure six months of rehabilitation after a brain hemorrhage. The drone of MRI's is conveyed with the bouncy clash of mechanic sounding blips and kinks. It's groovy and yet part of a dark personal history. You can listen to the song here. I can't wait for her performance in "Antichrist" and the follow up to her phenomenal last album, "5:55."

l'enfer

3 things:
1. GOOD. GOD.
2. How was this movie never completed?
3. Why didn't I get tickets to the documentary about this unfinished would be masterpiece at the New York Film Festival?

slow motion for me

There's no point to this post other than to say it looks like Jennifer Connelly is getting back to babe territory after the last time I saw her (pay attention to her side profile and her legs). She hasn't quite returned to her "Career Opportunities" days, but it's a good bikini shot nonetheless.

via Egotastic

naomi, naomi, naomi

The wind was calm, the sky was blue, and the next thing I know, Naomi Watts walks by me on the street this afternoon. All the real babes are in this city.

via NaomiWatts.org

legs, legs, legs

Dear Chloe,
I like yo steez.

W.

the new girl

This past Friday marked the last day for one of the interns at my work and to celebrate we went to La Esquina for cocktails and a light dinner. I had the octopus tostadas served on crisp tortillas and more margarita's than perhaps I should've had. In short, it was delicious. Not only was the food excellent, but mid-meal I spotted model Lakshmi Menon and good God she's a stunning creature. Cheekbones as high as they could be and an inimitable cool that separated her from the rest of the mere models dining and cocktailing, she's obviously very pretty, but she radiated depth and intruige (How many models can you say that about?). I love that this city is filled to the brim with beautiful women.

cover girl

"Models are about high heels and short dresses."--Gisele Bundchen
making a good point in custom Versace
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute
Gala Opening of the "Models as Muses" Exhibit
She couldn't have said it better.

ci-aaaaaaaruhhh!

"Love Sex Magic"
Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake
directed by Diane Martel

Dear Ciara,
After watching this video, you can now call me a believer in love, sex, and magic.

W.

women i love: the english rose in brooklyn

I was walking home last night from Trader Joe's and I passed Rebecca Hall on the street. Tall, caught in mid-laugh at a joke a friend must have told her, and unfussy, she looked stunning in a low key, but refined sort of way. Dressed in black dhoti pants, Doc Martin style boots, and a cropped leather jacket; in a word, she was breathtaking. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", but I decided to revel in the moment of seeing such a fine actress and beautiful woman in my little neighborhood on what was a gray, blah Saturday.

modelphilia

Tayane Leao
FORD
Fashion Week begins next week and you know what the means? MODEL LOVE!

catherine the great

I finally saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" this evening and I have to say it's one of the best films I've seen this year. While I think on it a bit more before I begin any serious discussion, let's take in some vintage Cate Blanchett:

the sartorialists: the three best dressed women of 2008 pt. 3

Michelle Obama, lawyer, HBIC, mother
and soon-to-be First Lady of the United States of America
What other public figure this year drew so much attention for a simple color choice? Did the purple represent the unity between the red states and blue states? Royalty? Supremacy? Whatever it meant, Michelle looked good and it was the iconic moment in which Michelle Obama became the stylish anti-politician's wife (for the better, of course). Michelle Obama's purple Maria Pinto sheath with Azzedine Alaïa belt and gumball size pearl necklace that she wore during the primary's was an idiosyncratic and bold breath of fresh air that is so rarely seen in such a world of dull style and personality free dressing. Michelle understands what works for her and complements her tall, toned figure with sheath dresses and suits with lean, mean lines. Favoring American designers like Narciso Rodriguez, Jason Wu, and Thakoon as well as lower priced lines like J. Crew and H&M, Michelle embodies American modern glamour for those who can appreciate the high/low dichotomy that works for every budget. Change is everywhere this year and Michelle's sartorial choices have changed the game completely.

the sartorialists: the three best dressed women of 2008 pt. 2

Charlize Theron, actress
And then God created Charlize. The remarkable thing about Charlize Theron's style is that you can quite pin it down. One day it's casual Bonnie Clyde chic at the Sundance Film Festival and the next day it's a dramatic Giambattista Valli cocktail dress at a film screening in Moscow. I guess it's like her career in a way. She's one of the few actresses that can perfectly oscillate between the babe and the hobo psycho killer. As one of the most stunning bodies and faces in Hollywood, Theron knows what looks good on her and as you can tell, it's just about anything. WARNING: Staring too long at these images might cause damage to your eyes and your computer. Yes, she's that hot.