So everyone here knows that I didn't get the Miu Miu collar, the one single thing I could own from Spring and I blew it. It was actually sold out, but yeah... Well, the only consolation for the day was that I kinda needed some other retail therapy for the failed one and so me being impulsive and seeing how magazines are often (actually always) so so good, I had decided to get a few magazines. And I have a confession to make, I blew the money for the collar on magazines, and you know how even collars from Miu Miu do not come cheap, so you get it...
One of them was the first issue of The Gentlewoman. The female counterpart publication to FantasticMan (arguably the best man magazine ever, at least to me), is not exactly the high-fashion, glamourous, glossy (well, the material used for the cover is kinda matte-rough, which is ten times much better than gloss), nor is it a fash-fash magazine but like FantasticMan, it presents individuals as they are, not heavily styled but strong characters who speak volumes. Not surprisingly, for the first issue of The Gentlewoman, Phoebe Philo who presented a minimalist collection for Celine, was the cover girl (now I sound like Tyra Banks and ANTM) for the simple, beige little book. See the link? Beige-Nude, Phoebe's colour of choice for Spring, Minimalist-Simple, Celine Spring 2010 and The Gentlewoman.
The different women in the book, Louise Gray, Alice Rawsthorn, Daisy Lowe, 'Princess' Julia. The Gentlewoman focuses less on fashion, but more on the mundane lifestyle of fashion and art figures, and interviews them about making lists, food, transport, ice cream. It's definitely a nice break from all the fashion-related articles.
And there's this really nice editorial that photographs two friends, one tall and one short, in shorts.
If you haven't notice this by now, the concept of simplicity extends throughout the whole magazine from the layout of the articles, to the editorials and to the styling. Power Sessions, modeled by Eniko Mihalik, photographed by Alasdair McLellan, and styled by Jonathan Kaye. Gyming in a bra and knickers, you know that's gonna be the new it-thang.
And the star article of the whole magazine is most definitely on Phoebe Philo, the cover feature. Written by editor in-chief of The Gentlewoman and portraits photographed by David Sims, the article delves into Phoebe's return to fashion and her work in Celine.
Other than being styled in Celine and Phoebe's own wardrobe (Duh!), The Gentlewoman does the unthinkable in this photo. You see on the right, that's not a naked Phoebe Philo. That's a nude leather shirt Phoebe's wearing from the Celine Spring Collection. Ingenious, no?
What I really appreciate in the magazine is the lesser use of models in the editorials but the focus on artists both in fashion and in art. The one seen above features Catherina van Eetvelde, photographed by Willy Vanderperre, styled by Olivier Rizzo. And I would like to make the statement that the Prada coat never looked this good.
The Wardrobe Section focuses on the details of the clothes, something that you would hardly get to see unless you go to the store and something that you would hardly even see in the details column at style.com. But the thing is that because I forgot to turn on macro mode (and i'm too lazy to retake it) so you are not able to see them clearly on these photos and that defeats the purpose so....sorry. The tiny details, the materials of each piece is a beauty on its own and because I own this editorial and I have seen what Miu Miu and Celine and Prada looks up close, and that my life is officially complete.
So good....obviously not this photo because it's blurry and stuff, but in magazine-life, it's so good.
The thing about FantasticMan is that they have these amazing articles on the smallest, sometimes insignificant details to some such as the bowtie, and likewise for The Gentlewoman, knots have become the main focus for this issue. It's funny how The Gentlewoman (and The Fantastic Man) are able to explore these tiny details that no one ever seems to notice.
P.S. I believe that many seem to have the misconception that fashion magazines are for women, especially this magazine is called "The Gentlewoman" but I believe that there comes a point in life where I do not read magazines to gain information about fashion, I get it from everyday life, my interest and twitter and blogs, and magazines just make fashion fun and insightful. From a new perspective. If you do think magazines are for women, then I'm thinking that you are only exposed to ones that tell you what to buy for this season, what are the latest trends, blah blah blah. Those are obviously catered to woman whose dressing is dictated by a mag.