“New Fashion Photography” Book From Prestel Launches With Exhibit.

The latest fashion tome from publisher Prestel, “New Fashion Photography,” had a living launch on the walls of Berlin’s CONTRIBUTED Gallery on April 12th. The gallery is displaying the best images as limited edition art works until May 18.


above: An image from Yasunara Kikuma featured in "New Fashion Photography"

The 21st century has brought about seismic changes in photography, technology, fashion, and art. At the nexus of these exciting movements is a group of fashion photographers who are breaking ground in a variety of ways, including cultural referencing, digital imaging, photo manipulation, and the use of new media. The stunningly illustrated book "New Fashion Photography" profiles 28 artists from around the world. New fashion portraiture is challenging conventional ideas of beauty by confronting us with the unexpected. The photographers explore new avenues previously off-limits, opening the art of fashion photography to thrilling possibilities.



The book, which was edited by Paul Sloman and Tim Blanks, includes images from the following photographers:
Nick Knight, Miles Aldridge, Rankin, Markus + Indrani, René Habermacher, Ruven Afanador, Chadwick Tyler, Yelena Yemchuk, Paola Kudacki, Aram Bedrossian, Daniel Sannwald, Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello, Sean + Seng, LaRoache Brothers, Alice Hawkins, Kourtney Roy, Eugenio Recuenco, Wing Shya, Bruno Dayan, Paco Peregrín, Takahiro Ogawa, Pierre Debusschere, Catherine Servel, Serge Leblon, Daniel Jackson, Sean Ellis, Daniele & Iango, Yasunari Kikuma.

All in all, more than 30 photographers are featured in a selection Sloman calls “hierarchy-free.”


above: Wing Shya is known for his work with filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai.

“The book is an exciting combination of big-name heavy-hitters that many people will recognize and a younger wave of experimental photographers who have been either inspired or nurtured by them,” said Sloman, who wasn’t in Berlin for the event.


above: An image from Takahiro Ogawa that appears in Prestel's "New Fashion Photography" book.

Famous faces include Daphne Guinness, Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey, and a host of models like Iris Strubegger, Liya Kebede and Carolyn Murphy.


above: A photo from Sanchez and Mongielle that appears in Prestel's "New Fashion Photography" book.

“High-end fashion photography in the 21st century is creating amazing escapist worlds, but at the same time these images go very much to the heart of the way we think about ourselves,” Sloman commented.


above: Lily Cole photographed by the LaRoache Brothers.


above: An image from Kourtney Roy that appears in Prestel's "New Fashion Photography" book.


above: A photo from Spanish photographer Eugenio Recueno that appears in Prestel's "New Fashion Photography" book.


above: Newcomer Aram Bedrossian has only been shooting for a couple of years but has earned inclusion in Prestel's "New Fashion Photography" book.

The 224-page hardcover book sells for 34.95 euros in Germany and will sell for $49.99 in the U.S. But, Amazon has it available to pre-order for only $29.81

UPDATED PICS: Lady Gaga Mans Up As Jo Calderone For Japan Vogue Hommes

Lady Gaga poses as male alter ego "Jo Calderone" for Japan's Vogue Hommes cover and editorial "Too Cool To Care." Here's a peek at 13 images from the smoke-filled shoot by photographer Nick Knight.






New Images added 8.28:







The latest collaboration between master stylist Nicola Formichetti and Nick Knight to shoot their latest men’s fashion editorial for Vogue Hommes Japan under the working title 'Elegant Mechanics'. Showcased above is an exclusive selection of images captured during the live shoot, showcasing grease, grit and gentlemanly attire from the likes of Armani, Prada and Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. (thanks to Nick Knight and Show Studio for the info and images)

The issue hits newsstands on September 10, 2010.

Hello Kitty & MAC Collaborate To Bring Us The Kouture & Colour Collections

MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with Sanrio Global Consumer Products to create a Hello Kitty color cosmetics collection. The line will arrive on MAC's website February 10, in North American stores on Feb. 12 and into overseas stores in March.

Mac has had some success with collaborations of this sort before. Consider the Barbie Mac Collection and the FAFI collection.

“MAC has been mining pop culture since the brand was founded,” said John Demsey, group president of the Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. “This is a sexy and innocent fashion line, and a true MAC moment. In these times, everyone can use a little fun — and a little Kitty.”

“The partnership was a no-brainer,” said James Gager, senior vice president and creative director of MAC Worldwide. “We cater to people who love to play with makeup.”

“We are thrilled to partner with a brand that shares the vision of offering an innovative, authentic and transforming experience to our loyal fan base,” said Janet Hsu, president of Sanrio. Sanrio’s worldwide retail sales of licensed products for 2007 is estimated at $5 billion.

While the 34-year-old Hello Kitty character is usually assumed to be a cat, she is actually a girl, according to Sanrio. And a girl without a mouth, so she “speaks from the heart,” the company said. “She may not have a mouth, but she’s going to sell a lot of lipstick,” cracked Demsey, noting that a waiting list for the items will go live on Jan. 7 at maccosmetics.com.

“To me, MAC Hello Kitty embodies the ultimate beauty icon,” said Jennifer Balbier, senior vice president of product development for MAC Worldwide. “She’s sweet and sexy, slightly edgy, and appeals to a wide range of customers. We wanted to reflect that through a sweet side, but also something slightly mischievous when it came to the colors. I started out by creating a palette of pinks, since they fit and always trend well in the spring. And this look is so much about the eyes that we did two eye shadow quads.” The Lucky Tom quad has violet blue, brown, gold and pink-coral shades, while the Too Dolly palette has mint, blue-silver, pale pink and magenta shades.

“We incorporated glitter eyeliners because she loves anything that twinkles, and we took the coral and hot pink theme and did pretty, poppy [colored] blush,” added Balbier.

While this collection is intended to have a sophisticated presentation, MAC hopes to appeal to younger fans with two shades of lip conditioners.


above photo: John Aquino | Hello Kitty items from MAC Cosmetics.

The Hello Kitty offerings fall into two collections: the Hello Kitty Colour Collection and the more high-end Hello Kitty Kouture.

The bulk of the items are in the former category: six shades of lipstick with names like Fashion Mews and Strayin’, each $14; six Lipglass shades, each $14; and two tinted lip conditioners, $14.50 each; two eye shadow palettes, which each contain four shades and retail for $38; two shades of pigment are $19.50 each, and two Reflects Glitter stock keeping units — one blue, one pink — are $17.50 each. Four Glitter Eye Liners, each $16.50, two shades of Beauty Powder, each $22; three shades of nail polish, each $11; a black mascara, $12, and false lashes, $12, round out the color offerings. Shades range from pinks and turquoises to lavenders and greens.

Hello Kitty Kouture is intended to be the high end of the collection. Two shades of Dazzleglass, each $28, each feature a reusable silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black with a pink crystal bow. Sheer Mystery Powder, $90 and available in three shades, is packaged in a silver powder compact with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow on a black background.

“We wanted to have affordable luxury and a high-low aspect, so it made sense to do the Hello Kitty Colour Collection and Hello Kitty Kouture,” said Demsey.

The Hello Kitty Colour items, a Petite Makeup Bag, $22, and a medium Makeup Bag, $35, will be in about 581 department and specialty stores in North America including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, as well as MAC’s 138 freestanding stores in North America and at maccosmetics.com. Internationally, the items will be in 1,307 stores in 69 countries, including 296 MAC freestanding stores outside North America. Hello Kitty Kouture will be available at MAC stores and maccosmetics.com only. At the maximum, the collection will be available for eight weeks.

A plush doll, $42; purse mirror, $22, and three-brush collection, $49.50, will be available at MAC stores, Nordstrom and maccosmetics.com only. A mirrored key clip, $16; beaded bracelet, $34, will be sold in MAC retail stores and at maccosmetics.com only, and a tote, $45 and soft vanity kit, $55, will be exclusive to mac cosmetics.com

While none of the executives would discuss sales projections, industry sources estimated that the limited edition MAC Hello Kitty collection could do upwards of $12 million in North American retail sales. That projection is slightly larger than that of the hit Barbie collection.

In-store visuals, shot by Nick Knight, show the polar opposite aspects of the collection. One is an image of a blonde model holding a black vinyl Hello Kitty doll, which will be part of the accessory line. The other visual is what Gager terms “more of a dominatrix creature.” The point, said Gager, is to show that makeup can be transformative. Makeup was done by Val Garland, with hair by Sam McKnight.

And Demsey promises the surprises aren't over yet. “There will be more products to come in the next three months with this partnership,” he said.

Via WWD