Friday, September 26, 2008

Ling Tan Editorial for Condé Nast Traveler, October 2008

Ling Tan, one of the first Asian models to make it big in the international fashion scene, has a stunning editorial shot in Bhutan for the October 2008 issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. She was undeniably one of two most prolific Asian girls (the other being Russian model, Irina Pantaeva) working in the late 1990s, appearing in numerous ad campaigns including Emporio Armani (perfume ad), Prescriptives (cosmetics ad), Ford Edge (TV commercial), Banana Republic, GAP, Old Navy, Guess and a host of others; there was also a music video for George Michael (Fast Love).

Ling Tan was the Han Jin of her time, walking in more runways shows than most models did during Fashion Week in NYC, Paris and Milan. According to Fashion Model Directory, she clocked in over 30+ shows in Fall 1997/Winter 1998 and Spring/Summer 1998, walking for top designers like Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Dior, YSL and Valentino.

Prior to Ling Tan and Irina Pantaeva, there was Anna Bayle from the Philippines who walked almost exclusively on runways for Europe designers in the early-to-mid-1980s. But back then runway models rarely crossover to magazine editorials or ad campaigns and vice versa. The trend started with Gianni Versace in the late 1980s when he began using editorial darlings like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington on his runway shows, thereby creating a frenzy over the girls and initiated the phenomenon known as, (gasp) supermodels.

Back to this editorial with Ling Tan for Condé Nast Traveler. I know someone will say, "Oh! There we go again -- another editorial with an Asian girl wearing Asian-inspired clothes shot on location in Asia!" Rightfully so, this is a bit cliché-ish, to say the least but would it be any different if they had used Linda Evangelista in this shoot instead of Ling Tan? [I use Linda E. as an example because she was the go-to-girl for many Asian-inspired editorials shot in Bali, Thailand, China, India, etc. for Vogue.]

Also, what happened to her eye brow?

Model: Ling Tan
Editorial: Flying Tiger, Thundering Dragon
Magazine: Condé Nast Traveler, October 2008
Photographer: Sheila Metzner
Stylist: Mark Connolly
Hair & Makeup: Dawn Jacobson @ Ford Artists

Source: Scanned by AsianModelsBlog

Du Juan, Emma Pei & Zhang Xue Editorial for China Harper's Bazaar, September 2008 - Part II

Here is Part II of the Olympic-themed editorial from China Harper's Bazaar, September 2008 issue. The first set of photos has Du Juan and Emma Pei demonstrating the different sport events competed at the Olympic Games recently while the second set has Du Juan, Emma Pei and Zhang Xue looking 'dirty and sexy' in blank sand.

The photographer, Chen Zhun did an amazing job on this editorial. It is obvious that China Harper's Bazaar spared not expenses on these shoots and a fair amount of planning and budget went into the project. Just from the number of clothing and set changes, I suspect these photo shoots took days to complete. So is China Harper's Bazaar trying to steal the thunder from China Vogue, which came out with a s0-so issue for September 2008.

Models: Du Juan, Emma Pei & Zhang Xue
Editorial: Unknown
Magazine: Harper's Bazaar China, September 2008
Photographer: Chen Zhen

Source: Chinese Models

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Du Juan, Emma Pei & Zhang Xue Editorial for China Harper's Bazaar, September 2008 - Part I

This extensive Olympic-themed editorial in the September 2008 issue of China Harper's Bazaar is spectacular in its scope but a bit unfocused, in my opinion. The 30 plus-page editorial juxtaposed haute couture and fantasy with sportwears and athleticism without integrating the two themes together. It would have worked better as two separate editorials with individual themes. [There are various other themes too but I will post those tomorrow.]

That said, the photography and styling are top-notch. The haute couture story set in Chinese wuxia (kungfu) fantasy is just breathtaking. Du Juan, Emma Pei and Zhang Xue looked amazing in these photos and the CGI backgrounds really work here.

The second story on sportswear is just as amazing. The splashes of yellow, red and blue across the dark background really make the clothes pop in the photo. It is one of the most beautiful athletic editorials I've seen in awhile. The girls look convincingly athletic.

Models: Du Juan, Emma Pei & Zhang Xue
Editorial: Unknown
Magazine: Harper's Bazaar China, September 2008
Photographer: Chen Zhun

Source: Chinese Models

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Lakshmi Menon Editorial for Vogue Paris, October 2008

After scoring a spot on the inaugural cover of Vogue India in October 2007, followed closely by the Spring/Summer 2008 ad campaign for Hermes, Lakshmi Menon's career has been fast-tracked to the top of the international scene. Her next one-two punch included a spectacular solo cover on Vogue India, April 2008 and a major ad campaign for Givenchy, Fall 2008/Winter 2009.

Ford Agency signed her up right before the start of the Fall 2008/Winter 2009 Fashion Week in NYC and the next thing we knew, Lakshmi was opening the couture show at Givenchy in Paris. Carine Roitfeld took notice and quickly added Lakshmi to her stable of models in Vogue Paris.

So here is Lakshmi Menon's editorial in the October 2008 issue of Vogue Paris.

Model: Lakshmi Menon
Editorial: Afro Disiaque
Magazine: Vogue Paris, October 2008
Photographer: Mario Testino
Stylist: Carine Roitfeld

Source: tFs and Models.com

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Anne Watanabe in Nordstrom Catalog, February 2008

Anne Watanabe has done reasonably well despite her shorter-than-average stature among international models. Her NY agency (DNA) lists her at 5'9" although I suspect she's more like 5'8" -- Kate Moss is 5'6" and very successful.

Nonetheless, she has been a regular at the New York Fashion Week since her debut in Spring/Summer 2006, booking 9 shows during her first season including Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui and DvF. Her European exposure was, however much less stellar. She appeared in Paris and Milan for a couple of seasons in 2006-07 but haven't been back since. Her most high profile work to date have been an ad campaign for Anna Sui's fragrance, Secret Wish and another for Francois Nar's cosmetic in Fall 2006.

Many models came and went during this period of time but Anne Watanabe is still here. She booked a stunning editorial for Nordstrom's February 2008 catalog earlier this year. I think Photos #5 and #6 are simply spectacular.

Model: Anne Watanabe
Catalog: Nordstrom, February 2008
Photographer: Unknown

Source: Nordstrom

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