Gwen Lu in Nordstrom Catalog, September 2008

Gwen Lu from Malaysia signed with Elite Agency last December and has since been struggling to gain traction on the fashion scene. Her first season at New York Fashion Week last Spring was unspectacular, to say the least. Then she managed to land a few minor ad campaigns with Target's Go International and Uniqlo, the Japanese clothing chain. This was followed by a few Macy's ads, which I don't think did her any favors (although that work probably helped pay a few months of rent.)

This month, she appears in Nordstrom's catalog in the beauty section and I have to say, this is her best photo yet. Her earlier work in Asia were much more spectacular than the ones she's done in the US. I hope this Nordstrom photo will translate to better quality photographers and editorials in the future.

Model: Gwen Lu
Catalog: Nordstrom, September 2008
Photographer: Unknown

Source: Nordstrom

Philip Huang in Macy's Catalog, September 2008

I am soooooo in love with this photo. [Click on the photo to see the large format.] I think it's something to do with the dark suits with pastel colored backgrounds that makes this photo pop. Or maybe it's the styling where everyone looked like they were having a great time in Chinatown.

Models: Philip Huang and others
Catalog: Macy's Men's Fashion, September 2008
Photographer: Unknown

Source: Macy's

Daul Kim in Nordstrom Catalog, February 2008

Daul Kim's look and personality (from what I read on her blog, i like to i fork myself) reminded me a lot of Yoko Ono in the early 70s -- a bit weird, a little anti-social and a whole lot rebellious. She is definitely NOT your typical Korean girl like Hye Park (who is Korean American) or Han Jin; nor can I imagine them socializing together outside of work. That makes Daul Kim an interesting girl.

Her personality comes through quite vividly in some of the editorials she's done. I bet a lot of photographers like that rebel chick in her. She would be great in an Anna Sui or Betsy Johnson ad campaign.

Here are some catalog photos from Nordstrom, February 2008. Photo #1 and #3 defines Daul Kim so perfectly. She's not the type of girl who would sits on a chair quietly.

Model: Daul Kim
Catalog: Nordstrom, February 2008
Photographer: Unknown

Source: Nordstrom

Xiaoyi Dai Editorial for Singapore Style Magazine, September 2008

Chinese model, Xiaoyi Dai had languished at her first US agency for years without much notice or support. Then something miraculous happened -- Elite Models took her in and placed her under their capable Development Division (for new models). Within weeks, Xiaoyi Dai was walking the runways at New York Fashion Week (10 shows). Hopefully, she will gain further exposure and work under the guidance of Elite Models.

The success of a new model in this industry depends equally on the agency's support, her work ethics and a good deal of luck. Some models don't get the representation they deserved while others get homesick very quickly and leave New York after only a few months of casting calls. The few lucky ones get snapped up by big name photographers immediately and become the next big thing overnight.

The editorial below is from Singapore's top fashion magazine, Style Magazine (Sept 2008 issue). The photos are simply spectacular. The styling is totally avant-garde, and the hair and makeup are superb. You know they spent a lot of time and money on this shoot when you count the number of different hair and makeup changes in this editorial alone.

Model: Xiaoyi Dai

Editorial: Mega Structures

Magazine: Singapore Style Magazine, September 2008

Photographer: Wee Khim

Stylist: Johnny Khoo

Makeup: Elaine Lim

Hair: Junie Tan

Source: voguite.blogspot.com via tFs

Du Juan & Emma Pei Cover for China Harper's Bazaar, September 2008

Here is Zhang Xue, Du Juan and Emma Pei fronting the Olympic (inside) cover for China Harper's Bazaar, September 2008 issue.

Emma Pei was surprisingly missing at this season's New York Fashion Week even though she did fairly well last season. Does anyone know why? I hope she appears in the Milan and Paris shows.

Models: Zhang Xue, Du Juan & Emma Pei
Magazine: Harper's Bazaar China, September 2008

Photographer: Chen Zhun

Source: Sethii @ tFs

New York Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2009: Final Tally

This list is based on information collected from various sources including my own blog (AMB) and tFs.

Anne Watanabe: 3
United Bamboo
Vivienne Tam
Y-3

Daul Kim: 8
Anna Sui
Brian Reyes
Malo
Patrik Rzepski
Rad Hournai
Rodarte
Sari Gueron
Yigal Azrouël

Du Juan: 15
Alexander Wang
Anna Sui
Carolina Herrera
Derek Lam
Diane von Furstenburg
Jason Wu
Marc Jacobs
Miss Sixty
Ohne Titel
Oscar de la Renta
Peter Som
Reem Acra
Rock & Republic
Tommy Hilfiger
Zac Posen

Eugenia Mandzhieva: 14 (open: 1)
Abaeté
Baby Phat
Doo.Ri
Jeremy Laing
Macqua
Malandrino
Naeem Khan
Ports 1961 (open)
Sabyasachi
ThreeAsFour
Terexov
Tibi
VPL
Y-3

Han Jin: 22
3.1 Phillip Lim
Anna Sui
Badgley Mischka
Carmen Marc Valvo
Dennis Basso
Diane von Furstenberg
DKNY
Jill Stuart
Karen Walker
Lacoste
Marc Jacobs
Michael Kors
Ohne Titel
Peter Som
Richard Chai
Rock & Republic
Sari Gueron
Terexov
Tibi
United Bamboo
Yigal Azrouel
Zac Posen

Hye Park: 18 (open: 1)
Akiko Ogawa
Behnaz Sarafpour
Brian Reyes
Diane von Furstenberg
Diesel
Erin Fetherston
GAP
Herve Leger
Luca Luca
Max Azria
Milly
Naeem Khan (open)
Narciso Rodriguez
Oscar de la Renta
Rock&Republic
Tadashi Shoji
Thakoon
VPL

Hyoni Kang: 17 (open: 2, close: 1)
3.1 Phillip Lim
Chris Benz
Chris Han (open)
DKNY
Halston
Jeremy Laing
Kai Kuhne
Karen Walker
Michael Kors
Nanette Lepore (close)
Rock & Republic
Sari Gueron
Tracy Reese
Travolta (open)
United Bamboo
Willow
Yeohlee

Hyun Yi Lee: 14 (open: 1)
Andy & Debb
Anna Sui
Catherine Holstein
Chris Han
Joanna Mastroianni
Kai Kühne
Koi Suwannagate (open)
Naeem Khan
Rad Hourani
Rachel Roy
Rachel Comey
Tony Cohen
TSE
Yeohlee

Joshua Ku: 1
Trovata

Lakshmi Menon: 18 (close: 1)
Alexander Wang
Behnaz Sarafpour
Caroline Herrera
Charlotte Ronson
Derek Lam
Diane von Furstenburg
Halston
Jason Wu
Lacoste
Malo
Michael Kors
Ohne Titel (close)
Peter Som
Ralph Lauren
Richard ChaiTibi
Vera Wang
Zac Posen

Liu Wen: 24
3.1 Phillip Lim
Academy of Art University
Anna Sui
BCBG Max Azria
Carlos Miele
Carolina Herrera
Gap
Isaac Mizrahi
Jason Wu
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Matthew Williamson
Narciso Rodriguez
Nicole Miller
Obedient Sons and Daughters
Ohne Titel
Peter Som
Phi
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Rad Hourani
Rag and Bone
Reem Acra
Richard Chai
Sari Gueron
Vera Wang

Philip Huang: 2
Lacoste
Y-3

Selina Khan: 8
Lacoste
Nanette Lepore
Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti
Rad Hourani
Ralph Lauren
Tuleh
Twinkle by Wenlan
Yeohlee

Shu Pei: 21
Adam
Araks
Custo Barcelona
Cynthia Steffe
Elie Tahari
Elise Overland
Juan Carlos Obando
Kai Kühne
Lacoste
Naeem Khan
Ohne Titel
Ports 1961
Rachel Comey
Rebecca Taylor
Rubin Singer
Staerk
Tory Burch
Tracy Reese
Twinkle By Wenlan
Venexiana
Yigal Azrouël

Shunei Hoshimi: 1
Y-3

Sung Yang: 2
3.1 Philip Lim
DKNY

Xiaoyi Dai: 10
Benjamin Cho
Brian Reyes
Charles Nolan
Erin Wasson RVCA
Julie Haus
Organic by John Patrick
Pamella Roland
Rachel Comey
Rachel Roy
Verrier

Xiya Xu: 2
Rubin Singer
Sabyasachi

Hye Park Editorial for UK Harper's Bazaar, October 2008

Here is an interesting but not necessarily exciting editorial with Hye Park in UK's Harper's Bazaar, October 2008 issue. It is definitely a big coup for her because UK Harper's Bazaar rarely feature Asian models, much less an entire editorial with only the Asian model alone. Most European and American magazines will feature an Asian model if she was paired with other non-Asian models.

The close-up photos are amazing but I wish the photographer had used a more diverse background or scenery. The first couple of photos were beautiful but then, after the same thing repeated over and over again, it just got boring.

My favorite is Photo #5. Hye Park has one of the most interesting faces in fashion today. And the cat-eyes makeup is awesome.

Model: Hye Park
Editorial: Wicked Ways
Magazine:'Harper's Bazaar UK, October 2008
Photographer: Kerry Hallihan
Stylist:Vanessa Coyle

Source: Northern Star @ tFs