CLAUDIO CINA

GAGA i-D

all photos courtesy marianovivanco.com; photographer: Mariano Vivanco, styling: Nicola Formichetti, hair: Bob Recine, make up: Billy Brasfield

 film: Mariano Vivanco; editing: Luca Finotti

Aesthetic Surgery is the message that Lady Gaga has been sending with her latest move to alter the appearance of her visage with face plastys. By adding sculpted external pieces to mold her cheek bones, she makes fashionable the idea that altering your appearance does not necessarily need to involve a good plastic surgeon, but rather an amazing idea and fabulous make-up artist.

This new Gaga could easily have popped off the pages of a David LaChapelle photograph.  Mr. LaChapelle has frequently used this subject matter in his work.  In the above cover and editorial pages, Mariano Vivanco and Nicola Formichetti have done a brilliant job in creating these gorgeous images.  What do you think about Gaga showing her teeth for I-D Magazine?

Nick Knight & Another Magazine - Amazing Editorial

Nick Knight is an original.  His stunning photography and amazing style can sometimes go unnoticed, but to a fashion person or photographer's trained eye, you know right away who this is.  Although one might think that some of his work recalls Avedon, or Jean Paul Goude, it is not. His photographs have their own voice.  The way he has chosen to depict the movement and compositions in these photographs through the use of clothing, models and dancers is unbelievable.  Thank you to Another Magazine, Nick Knight and Alister Mackie and to all the designers whose dresses have been used for this editorial. It is breath taking. I have only posted some of the pictures as there were too many to choose from. You can purchase the issue on Magazine stands now to see the rest.

all photos from Another Magazine Issue 20; Spring/Summer 2011;photography Nick Knight, styling Alister Mackie

Richard Misrach's "Pyramid Lake"(at night) on an iPad Screen Near You

Pyramid Lake (at night), (2004) Richard Misrach

Richard Misrach work is unbelievable!  I have been an avid admirer and collector of his books (and hopefully one day collector of his work) since I discovered his series of photographs entitled "On the Beach".  Well, I was recently given an iPad for Christmas and of course fell in love with it instantly.  But the thing that kept me looking at the screen was the amazing screensaver, which I knew looked familiar.  Of course it did, because it was one of my favorite photographer's images. Mr. Misrach took this photo in 2004 at the Pyramid Lake in Nevada.

iPad's background picture featuring the talented photographer Richard Misrach's work

I am very happy for Richard Misrach because his work is so beautiful.  This will definitely open up the entire world to his work as up until now, you could say that he is kind of a cult photographer slash insider's secret.  After doing some research I found out that Mr. Misrach is actually a fan of Apple, which was one of the main reasons that he agreed to let them use his photograph.  Another tidbit I read is that he actually used Pyramid Lake (at night) as his own screensaver for years.  I guess smart minds think a like!

School Girls at Versus by Versace

Here are my favorite looks from the Spring 2011 Versus collection shown at Milan Fashion Week.  The thing that I love about these looks is that they display yet bring forward the idea of the school girl that Gianni Versace himself was in love with.  The collection was shown on a green-grassed field, much like the ones you find at college...such a great back drop to the clothes.  The green tones of the runway and the pop colors in the tartan prints played beautifully off one another.   

above photos; Versus Spring 2011 collection courtesy Vogue.com; below photos; Santo D'Orazio bookcover and images from 'Katlick School' share a striking resemblance and inspiration to the Versus collection.

© Katlick School, published by teNeues, www.teneues.com Photo © Sante D`Orazio 2006. All rights reserved

I was looking at a book today by Santo D'Orazio that was published in 2006 and it made me think of the Versus Collection for Spring 2011 designed by Christopher Kane under the direction of Donatella Versace.  The book, entitled "Katlick School" shows erotic and flirtation pictures of the Catholic schoolgirl in uniform.  The iconic image of the blazer, the sweater, the immaculate white shirt, the pleated skirt, the knee socks and athletic shoes are seen on a beautiful Latina schoolgirl named Kat.  Santo is such a talented photographer and his photographs are so iconic that they transcend the paper that they are printed on.  It is definitely on a list of favorites!

Steven Meisel - VENUS IN FURS

above photos; November Issue 2010 Vogue Italia; Venus in Furs shot by Steven Meisel

above; Gianni Versace Fall/Winter 1982/83 ad campaign shot by Richard Avedon

After looking at the Steven Meisel editorial for Vogue Italia, I fell in love with it.  I also realized that it reminded me of the Gianni Versace ad campaign from the early 80's shot by Richard Avedon.  See the resemblance?  The models are dressed a lot less in Meisel's photos, but the sexiness and composition reminded me of Versace.  Either way, they are both amazing photographic masterpieces.

Uomini - by Mariano Vivanco for Dolce & Gabanna @ Rizzoli Book Store

Book Cover of Uomini featuring model André Ziehe

I was at Rizzoli in NYC yesterday afternoon and one of the "new" releases by Dolce & Gabbana, at the moment only available at Rizzoli in-store and online is Uomini (which is the Italian word for "Men") by Mariano Vivanco.  The beautiful black and white images of male models David Gandy, Noak Mills, Doug Porter, Tony Ward and Andre Ziehé, some of which are fashion celebrities in their own right, are very beautifully shot.

What has been so successful for the designer duo is that they have a very specific image of the Dolce & Gabbana Man.  Their collaboration with talented photographers like Mariano keeps the repertoire of images growing and fresh.

Congratulations to Mariano & Team Vivanco on this new book!  Past book collaborations with Dolce & Gabbana include;  Italia Campioni del Mondo 2006, Calcio, Dolce & Gabbana Milan Calendar 2008, and Dolce & Gabbana David Calendar.

Model David Gandy photographed by Mariano Vivanco for Uomini Dolce & Gabbana

The 252 page hardcover will be available for purchase in the new year from Amazon.com starting from February 8.  Check it out!!!!  Bravissimo

Givenchy's Latest Ad Campaign

Daphne Groeneveld is one of the three girls chosen to be made over as "Albinos" for the latest Givenchy Spring 2011 ad campaign.  Mariacarla Boscono, of course, and Iris Strubegger are the other two models photographed by duo Mert & Marcus.  The images, starkly white are very romantic, have a very ghostly and vintage quality to them.  The photography reminds me of the famous black and white photograph's of Richard Avedon.

Portrait by Richard Avedon that reminds me of the style in which the latest Givenchy Ad Campaign was shot

Look featured in the Ad Campaign as seen at the Givenchy show Paris Fashion Week

Albino model Stephen Thompson also models in the Spring 2011 Ad campaign along with Mariacarla,  Iris Strubegger, & Daphne Groeneveld

 Mens look featured in the Ad Campaign as seen at the Givenchy show Paris fashion week

Eleganza di Vita - January Jones in Versace Spring 2011 Ad Campaign

January Jones shot by Mario Testino for Versace Spring 2011

The first shots by Mario Testino for Versace's Spring 2011 ad campaign show this new Versace vixen in very 60's Hollywood hair and make-up.  Mad Men gone Versace?  Yes,  and add a little sex, a.k.a January Jones in accessories......and nothing else and you have a very iconic woman, the one that Donatella Versace feels very comfortable designing for.  

Some of the shots made me think of Gisele Bündchen, the brazilian supermodel who has been shots many times in Versace ads.  I like how clean, sleek, modern and timeless the photographs look.  They definitely capture a moment which is now, but can also be 10 years from now. Great job Testino!

To end on another Versace note, Donatella has designed another fragrance, and I like the name of this one because it goes back to the DNA of the company with the name VANITAS.  Here is the video advertisement featuring model of the moment Lindsey Wixson.

Vanitas, the latest fragrance by Versace featuring model of the moment Lindsey Wixson

Prada Spring 2011 Ad Campaign

Prada Spring 2011 Ad Campaign, shot by Steven Meisel; models Mariacarla Boscono, Arizona Muse, Kinga Razjak, Zuzanna Bijoch, Tati Cotliar

Today is my 100th post! And what better way to celebrate than with the new ad campaign for Prada Spring 2011, which to me looks very festive.  I love the way that Steven Meisel captured the Spanish influence in a very chic way.  The colors of the clothes and the models are great and Miuccia does tend to keep her Spring campaigns very clean and simple when it comes to background and setting.  It looks great!  Enjoy.  

Leaving Us SPEECHLESS - Lady Gaga First Artist to Reach 1 Billion You Tube Views

Out Magazine photos shot by Ellen von Unwerth courtesy Lady Gaga.com

Today marks another milestone in the pop star's singer's career.  She is the first artist to hit the one-billion mark on You Tube alone.  Acknowledging this fact with her many fans and followers on Twitter, she writes, "We reached 1 Billion views on youtube little monsters!  If we stick together we can do anything. I dub u kings and queens of youtube! Unite!"

Lady Gaga is by far the most talked about and popular singer on every major internet websites.  We want to congratulate her on this and continuing the use of her success to break down boundaries and bring attention to things that many in the past have swept under the carpet.

I am still waiting for your American Vogue Cover.  I feel it coming soon!!!!!!  Ciao GAGA