Vogue Paris June/July 2014: The Details
Vogue Paris June/July 2014: The Details
By Paul Kolyer
A well-edited magazine has so many great details, with restraint, only the best should make the cut! Mon Dieu, someone should name a fashion magazine Details, oh well, they have! The phrase "the Devil is in the details" came to me and I researched it on Wikipedia. Wouldn't you know, the phrase goes back to an earlier expression attributed to that French genius Gustave Flaubert, "Le bon Dieu est dans le dètail" meaning "God is in the details," and to quote Wikipedia "Expressing the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e.details." So cool that the French recognized this important point, to this day French luxury — Bonjour Couture! — thrives on the best workmanship,design, and attention to detail! So it goes without saying that the best fashion editors are French (CR!) and they have the best fashion magazine, Vogue Paris!
I could look at Vogue Paris all day and always find something interesting. The visual stimulation and inspiration are always a hit with me. The June/July issue is about summer and that brings up so many possibilities, for travel, outdoor activities, and all the fashion and beauty that goes with the season. Of course being a born and bred Yankee, my knowledge of the French language is quite limited, so I am super excited about the photos and layouts in Vogue Paris! I love reading the credits and learning about the details of the shoot, the makeup, the editors, the assistants, the photographers, etc.
Just looking at the images of Gilles Bensimon make me feel fitter and more energetic! Gilles works with Claire Dhelens (have you seen her?), a longtime contributor, and two top models, Andreea and Karlie, producing some fabulous summer pictures! The "Beauté" section photo of Andreea against the rocks brings back sounds and smells of the beach. The slashes in the maillot, her body covered with sand, her tousled beach hair are some great details. Karlie has the "Amazone" physique, paired with bright colors and military greens.
Once again, the "Miss Vogue" section is always full of great ideas. The photo with the layered tees and bright bikini and scarf is wonderful. The Hermès cuff is a great detail too.
What chic summer day doesn't end with a cocktail?! The Vogue team of Claire and Brune really do an amazing job with photographer Thomas Lagrange in "Cocktail d'Été"! So many details, the nails, lips, jewels, chapeau, dresses, coats, cocktails and stemware, mon Dieu! Look at that Harry Winston photo, the Saint Laurent top sizzles along with the cocktail, the only thing missing are the drink recipes!
Another drink I'd love to sip is the tall glass of cucumber and strawberry infused water that Anna Ewers is enjoying. I love this photo so much, I think of a Scandinavian Charlotte Rampling. The hair and makeup are perfect and the Ralph Lauren top and the ring from the jewelry line by Inez and Vinoodh! Oh and that red straw is so perfect, merci Emmanuelle!
Throughout this issue there are so many other details to look at over and over, like the white socks, la Perla maillot as le smoking, Anthony Vaccarello, the red scrunchie (in Vogue Paris, the scandal!), the articles on Homeland! and Girls!, and on Jeff Koons, whose show opens at the Whitney Museum in New York very soon, the largest exhibit they have ever devoted to a single artist! And the detail I love in every issue is (always the last page) "The Excitement of the Month," by Capucine (love her). Nothing says summer like an espadrille, and the milkmaid in Valentino is quite clever, the spilled milk and straw are just great! For Vogue Paris, the Divine is definitely in the details, enjoy!
