The only time this would work, for Gwen

When I first saw Daneille Scutt's all over cris-cross bodysuit at her SS08 show, I did think that whilst it said all the things that Scutt wanted to say with her glamazon/gladiator inspired collection, I was also scratching my head thinking of a context where this *ahem* rather difficult garment could work.  Of course, now Andrea Lieberman has put it on Gwen Stefani on the new issue of V magazine, shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, it all suddenly becomes clear to me.  It is the 'One time it would work' situation, similar to Roisin Murphy being hoisted into Viktor & Rolf's AW07 spot light metal contraceptions.   

I never drag up the ol' 'why are celebs taking over fashio magazine covers' debate.  It's a tired and ye olde debate that people fret about far too much.  My simple thoughts are that.... if the effect of the cover is such that you almost forget the identity of the celebrity in question, then we have a bona fide successful cover, and whether it's a model or a celeb, it becomes irrelevant when the styling/photography takes centre stage (afterall, that is what it's all about right... er.... right?).  This Gwen Stefani V magazine cover is a good example.  The bodysuit itself was erring too much on the unapologetically sexy side for me but somehow Gwen desluttifies it a bit, highlighting the structrual strength of the piece.   

Going back to Danielle Scutt, she has eschewed the shows this season to concentrate on the business side of things by presenting her AW08-9 collection via a lookbook.  From her 'ROOOOAAR' SS08 collection comes something quite covered up, streetstyle-influenced and altogether with much more universal covetability.  She might be storing up the 'fierce' tactics for later collections so it would make sense that she has developed her denim pieces further and showed a different, more gentle side to her work.  The whole collection is made up of the sort of things that you wouldn't have to think about wanting to wear because it is that covetable... all layers, prints, scarves and things that can be belted-in... a reflection of the modern way of dressing  .   

Comments

[Rachel]

Gwen can make anything look fantastic, you know, I wouldnt have thought anyone could get away with that look till you posted gwen in it :D

[Ana]

personally I think Gwen looks amazing and the whole look totally works.

[Winnie]

Wow this definitely works on Gwen, she looks fantastic.

[riz]

I like this, it works better here than something similar that Margiela was trying to do this season. - well maybe not all that similar. sometimes i think V needs to tone it down a bit. I love the visuual exiberance of the mag, but sometimes they can be a bit misogynist...

[Guerreira]

desluttifies...hahahaha! that has to be one of the best words i ever hard! loved it susie!

[cate]

i love the cover! i don't normally read v magazine so i don't know how the covers normally look like, but i think it's genius how the big V spreads all over the page!

and "rather difficult garment" haha... understatement of the year - of course, i thought that before i saw gwen. but i also think this wouldn't work on anyone if you saw her in person before you, it only works on (artistic) photographs.

[Drusilla]

It's one of those things that's probably best in photographs like these, though I'd be interested in seeing if anyone could make it work in real life...and celeb covers are usually dull. Hats off to this one, though- it so isn't..

[Liv]

I totally agree. I mean, seeing the look on the runway I'd thought to myself what self-respecting individual in the correct state of mind would wear that and were, when and why? but now that the outfit has been put on Gwen I must say I stand corrected. Everything is made with its purpose in mind. Steffani looks fabolous on that cover! By the way Susie, I absolutely love and worship your blog. x

[enc]

Gwen Stefani has an unparalelled ability to make the most unfeasible looks work. I don't know how she's done it, but she's done it.

She also steps outside herself somehow on that cover. It's a complete success!

I'd never heard of Scutt, but I love what you show here.

[miss woo]

The body suit with the Vuitton face mask is fab fab fab, and I love all the dresses at the bottom..

[Lady Coveted]

it would work only for gwen, but it certainly helps to have the hottest photographers in the industry to make it look wonderful.

i really love m&m they have such a dreamy way of portraying fashion. it's lovely.

[selina]

i love the idea of wrapping ribbons around yourself, may have to try it with a dress

[emily]

MUST. BUY. THIS. ISSUE. I'm practically out the door to the mag shop as I write this. Gwen makes fashion magic happen!

[Kuba]

I agree. I don't care who the person on the cover is - as long as they make it aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Mert & Marcus always do good celeb. covers. Look at the Natalie Portman W cover. And now this Gwen cover!

Genius!

[Hailey]

It looks amazing on her and on the runway! I totally love the bondage!

[poppy]

oi vey. im soooo sorry , Stefani makes me fricking ILL, i was watching Forbes 50 richest women list and im in a pretty succesful band but im female and i play ROCK? even the Buddhist punk ones that were gifts? i found like 3 pairs today, satin Genie pants with cargo pockets! im freaked!

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