The Magnificently Macabre Photography of Miss Lakune.

If Heaven and Hell could be combined in an artistic photograph, the beautiful and talented Miss Lakune, has done so with her ethereally disturbing Gothic photographs. The perfect images for the month in which Halloween lies, her work is both simultaneously repelling and compelling.

Artist Will Cotton Styles Elle Fanning Deliciously For New York Magazine

In this collaboration between New York Magazine and artist Will Cotton (which originally ran in the 2013 February issue), actress Elle Fanning is made to look sweeter than she already does.


above left: Will Cotton's sketch of Elle fanning in headpiece, above right: Elle photographed by Will in the headpiece

In addition to being the photographer and stylist, Will Cotton designed many of the sets, accessories and clothes inspired by spring fashions by other designers. In his inimitable style, Cotton bathes actress Elle in whipped cream dresses, candy crowns and petit fours, just like he does in much of his other artwork and photography.


above: Whipped-cream dress sketch, oil on paper, Will Cotton, based on Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, available at 138 Wooster St.; 212-206-0872.

For this project, Cotton, who describes himself as a “three-desserts-a-day kind of person,” used spring looks that had caught the eye of New York’s fashion director Amy Larocca, as well as a few that tickled his own fancy. He then reworked them using real materials whenever possible — cake, frosting, meringue, and homemade rock candy.


above: Elle Fanning in Gown by Marchesa, available to order by calling 212-463-8135.


above: Corset and earrings, Will Cotton, based on Dolce & Gabbana. Bodysuit, Dolce & Gabbana, available at 825 Madison Ave.; 212-249-4100.


above: Headpiece by Will Cotton.


above: Headpiece, Will Cotton, based on Alexander McQueen, available at 417 W. 14th St.; 212-645-1797. Gown, Marchesa.


above: Eyes, Will Cotton, based on Dior, available at Dior.com.


above: Bag, Reed Krakoff, available at 831 Madison Ave.; 212-988-0560.


above: Dress, Erdem and Will Cotton, available at Net-a-porter.com.


above: Shoes, Valentino Garavani, available at 746 Madison Ave.; 212-772-6969. Robe, Agent Provocateur.


above: Dessert skirt, ink on paper, Will Cotton.


close-up:

above: Petits-fours-covered skirt, Thom Browne and Will Cotton, available at 100 Hudson St.; 212-663-1197. Shoes, Louis Vuitton.


above: Dress, Dior, available at 21 E. 57th St.; 212-931-2950.


above: Necklaces, Will Cotton, based on Chanel, original available at 15 E. 57th St.; 800-550-0005. Crown by Will Cotton. Swimsuit by Chanel.


above: Romper, Louis Vuitton, available at 611 Fifth Ave.; 212-940-4635. Ink on paper, Will Cotton.


above: Dress, Will Cotton, based on Derek Lam, original available at 10 Crosby St.; 212-929-1338. Lipstick, Candy Wrapper by Three Custom Color.


above: Dress, Marc Jacobs, available at 163 Mercer St.; 212-343-1490.


close-up:

above: Bag by Will Cotton, based on Fendi, original available at 677 Fifth Ave.; 212-759-4646. Dress by Valentino.


close-up:

above: Dress, Reem Acra, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave.; 212-753-4000.


above: Vivienne Westwood–inspired Will Cotton headpiece, original available at viviennewestwood.com.

A video featuring a Behind-the Scenes look at the photoshoot:


Read more about this project here

See more of Will Cotton's work here


all images courtesy of New York Magazine

A shout-out to my friend and artist Danny Heller for bringing this great work to my attention.

Photographer Wendy Hope Takes First Place in PDN's "The Look" Contest

Brooklyn-based beauty and fashion photographer Wendy Hope has been awarded first place in the beauty category of PDN's "The Look" contest. Her winning image (above), "Onyx Blue Electric Spike" is from the series "The Tao of Wu," a nail art beauty shoot with model Wu Ting Ting of Wilhelmina Models, makeup artist Margina Dennis and manicurist Honey.

Here are more images from Wendy's Tao of Wu series, followed by some of my favorite images of hers:





Credits for above photos:
Publication: Fault magazine
Photography: Wendy Hope @Maxine Tall Management
Model: Wu Ting Ting@Wilhelmina Models
Manicure: Nailz by Honey
Make up: Margina Dennis
Photography Assistant: Colleen Lidz
Concept: Wendy Hope
Retouching: Mdf Retouching

For the last 10 years Wendy Hope has proven herself as a versatile, multi-faceted photographer and visual artist. She exhibits a diverse range of approaches to her subject matter, from clean, crisp and conceptual beauty to vibrant, glossy music and celebrity portraits and advertising. Below are a few of my favorite photographs from her.










Her impressive list of clients includes the following:
• Neiman Marcus
• Carson-Softsheen Dark & Lovely
• Scratch Magazine UK
• Wella Hair
• Pastry Footwear by Vanessa and Angela Simmons
• MTV
• Phat Farm
• Head Footwear
• Rolling Stone Magazine
• Essence Magazine
• Latina Magazine
• Sebastian Hair
• Vida Shoes Int'l
• Run Athletics
• Babyphat
• Epson and Fox Films
• Seventeen Magazine

Wendy Hope is a born and raised New Yorker currently residing in Brooklyn with 2 cats and a 4 foot Iguana named Godzilla.

Take a look at her fab portfolio on pdn here or go to her website here

Wendy Hope is represented in new York by Maxine Tall Management

Thanks to PDN for info and Wendy for the fabulous photos.

Zachary Quinto and Alanis Morissette Design For Kiehl's To Benefit Recycle Across America.

For its fifth Limited Edition Label Art Series for Earth Day, Kiehl’s Since 1851 has partnered with actor Zachary Quinto and musician/actor Alanis Morissette to benefit Recycle Across America.



Each has designed a Limited Edition label, depicting their vision of social responsibility for Kiehl's 4.2 oz. Ultra Facial Cream, which will be available April 20 (that's tomorrow!) in Kiehl’s stores and at Kiehls.com in time for Earth Day.

Alanis Morisette's Design:


Zachary Quinto's Design:


100% of the net proceeds of this series will benefit Recycle Across America™ (RAA), and through this program, Kiehl’s will be donating $50,000 to the organization.

Below are a few videos from Zachary and Alanis, discussing the inspiration for their designs and from RAA's executive Director Mitch Hedlund, sharing their commitment to the environment in their own words.

Zachary Quinto:

Alanis Morissette:

Zachary and Alanis:

Mitch Hedlund:


Make your own:
Show your support by drawing up some Earth Day art of your own for Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream label for a chance to win a year's supply of Kiehl's.

RAA is not-for-profit organization dedicated to delivering society-wide solutions that eliminate public confusion, stimulate the environmental economy and expedite progress, and the funds raised from these labels will be used to create 65,000 standardized recycling labels, which will be donated to K-12 schools nationwide.

Earth Month is also the time to reinforce Kiehl's Recycle and Be Rewarded! in-store recycling program. This ongoing program is available only in Kiehl’s free-standing stores nationwide, and allows their customers to return their empty Kiehl’s bottles, tubes and jars for recycling, in exchange for product. Since 2009, Kiehl’s has recycled over 900,000 bottles! Not only can their customers support recycling with our Limited Edition collection, but they can also recycle at Kiehl’s themselves, and earn complimentary product while doing so!



They'd love for you to share their message of social responsibility — it means the world to them (and you). Join Kiehl’s in their commitment to the environment.



Kiehl's

Sophie Harris-Greenslade Nails it For Dior At Harrods And Offers Manicures To Match The Fashions.

DIOR's month-long takeover of Harrods has as much to offer beauty fans as it does fashion, with the department store's hallowed beauty hall playing host to exciting events, treatments and limited-edition products.




A series of nail art designs inspired by the fashions created by Raf Simons for the Christian Dior spring/summer 2013 collection is now available as part of Dior's Harrods takeover.







Until April 16, nail artist Sophie Harris-Greenslade, also known as The Illustrated Nail, will be treating customers to exclusive nail designs based on Raf Simons' spring/summer 2013 creations for Dior.


above: Nail artist Sophie Harris-Greenslade of The Illustrated Nail (photo courtesy of Look At Me)

Two limited-edition Dior Vernis nail colours have also been created especially for the event - the pale pink Diorling and the metallic grey Windsor.



The designs take their cue from Simons' dreamy florals, clashing hues and clean lines. Impressively, appointment fees are redeemable against the purchase of two Dior products - so you can save your funds for something decadent from the pop-up Dior at Harrods café (or indeed from the fashion section) instead.

Appointments with Sophie herself are available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Dior at Harrods until April 14. Call 0207 754 0444 to book.



You can shop for Dior beauty exclusives online at Harrods here

A look at the Dior takeover of Harrod's: