The Daria Files

Daria makes an appearance in the third issue of LOVE magazine in an editorial shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

Fashion Icons: Body Conscience
LOVE Magazine Issue Three
Daria Werbowy by Mert and Marcus

Do you like your body? No.
Do you love it? Yes! It's a love/hate thing.
Your body is a ... ? Tool. A 12-piece Black & Decker set.
Would you change it? Ask me when I'm 50.
How do you feel about being naked in LOVE? One should always be naked when in love!

Just as I thought this month couldn't be more of a surprise, Daria covers the Spring issue of  LOVE magazine. It seems that LOVE, for lack of a better word, loves their multiple covers - Daria, Lara Stone, Kristen McMenamy and newcomer Janeil Williams all have separate covers. With five days left until the release of this issue the possibility of even more cover stars arises.

I'll just address the elephant in the room ... Daria is really giving Lara Stone a run for her money. It seems that she is joining the Dutch model as one of fashions more "revealing" models, in the most literal sense. There is no question that she looks amazing. I can't help but wonder how much of a models awareness is present when shooting nudes. Even the most beautiful girls must have some insecurities and I wonder how each model reacts when shooting something like this. Kristen McMenamy has an interesting take on the whole situation and it provides some insight into what races through a models mind during a shoot such as this.

I like the concept of four different models in an assimilated setting. If anything, it only further illustrates how beauty can transcend many different forms. Lara, Kristen, Janiel and Daria all encompass different beauties, yet they are all alike in the fact that they are strong enough a model to pull this off. Mert and Marcus are the photographers and you can see a definite reference to Helmut Newton in these. Hopefully an editorial will accompany this cover -  I'm curious to see how this cover will continue - but for now enjoy this latest piece of Daria news!

Janiel Williams, Kristen McMenamy, Lara Stone, Amber Valletta, Natalia Vodianova, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Daria

image credits: fashionologie.com & lovemagazineblog.wordpress.com

This post has been accumulating on my dashboard for a while as I've been waiting for a proper image from the Balmain Spring Summer 2010 campaign to give my opinion. Its a far stray from previous Balmain campaigns and sadly not the greatest effort from the brand ...

Balmain's duty to Daria is unfailing and I see her as the perfect face for the brand - both feminine and boyish, an aesthetic that is identifiable to Balmain. Yet none of these characteristics are quite present in this campaign. Yes, the SS10 collection was inspired by both the army and a sense of the outdoors but I think that the art direction in this shoot was a failed interpretation of that theme. It was as if Inez and Vinoodh decided to throw in any emblem synonymous with battle in a foreign country (look a Jeep! Palm trees!) into one photo and call it a day. Of all of the campaigns this season I am least impressed by this one.

Also I didn't want to be the one to say it but seeing as how many people have brought up the topic ... Don't get me wrong - I am never one to bring up a models appearance or weight in a negative connotation but I can't help but feel that this campaign is projecting a rather unhealthy image. To be honest, Daria hasn't looked this thin since her 2005 year of modeling but in this campaign she looks downright emaciated. I am hoping that this is just the studio lighting combined with the rather unfortunate hair and makeup but this is just one of the reasons why I don't really like this ad.

But enough about Balmain - there are great new candids of old events below. Thanks to some intense sleuthing by Megan from the Daria Werbowy gallery more candids from Daria in Morocco have appeared as well as behind the scenes images from Loewe's website. Its nice to see that Daria had some fun during her work in Morocco! The candid of Daria and the long haired fellow and the one of Daria arriving at her Loewe shooting happen to be my favourites. I've said it before but I'll say it again - I love Daria's laidback style :P

Behind the Scenes of Loewe

image credits: Balmain ad via fashionweekdaily.com ; Morocco candids from jamesdkelly.com via mm6789 ; Loewe candids screencapped by me via Loewe.com

It's been a busy start to 2010 and the momentum doesn't seem to be slowing down. I may sound like a broken record but I am still incredulous to the magnified amount of work Daria has been doing especially when compared to the same time last year. Daria's latest efforts are in the February 2010 issue of Vogue Paris in Vogue-à-Porter a grand scale editorial lensed by Inez and Vinoodh.

Vogue-à-Porter
Vogue Paris February 2010
Daria by Inez and Vinoodh

It is a beautifully shot series and the colours and setting are resplendent. Though the Daria + Inez and Vinoodh formula has become tired as of late I think that this editorial has redeemed the pair - at least for now. The sheer length alone (62 pages!) of this editorial showcases why Inez and Vinoodh are in such high demand at the moment. Though Vogue-a-Porter is divided in three parts I find that it has a certain flow from page to page, each story relates despite being placed in such different settings. In Daria's case the Moroccan desert provides a beautiful backdrop to springs latest looks.

That's not to say that this editorial is without its faults. Though I'd love to just simply appreciate the beautiful colours and styling the use of the male in this editorial still perplexes me. On one hand it is interesting to see the differing dynamics between the pair and it prompts the viewer to question the relations between the two. Yet I think that the use of the male still accedes to fashions use of people as props. Its happened before and I don't expect this tired idea will retire anytime soon. However, looking at it more closely prompts some more questions ... there is a playful struggle between the two with the man holding Daria back, standing protectively at her side and as an ominous figure in the background. This isn't really congruent with Daria's carefree poses  and appearance which makes the narrative even more interesting. Is the male there to symbolize an overprotective figure or just in there to showcase Prada's latest offerings? I don't know, its just something to dwell upon ... The editorial is divided into three parts and I think that Freja, Lara and Dree's part is the best at showcasing how models can interact within an exotic locale without looking like complete foreigners but Daria's part does its job at providing the mystery.

This is Daria's fifth Vogue Paris cover and the third in the past year! As someone said on tFS, Daria seems to be making up for all ofthe covers she should have had in the past. It's also another effort from the never ending collaborations with Inez and Vinoodh. I wouldn't want to complain of such an impressive editorial as this but we've all seen how one shot with Norman Jean Roy in the February issue of Vogue US produced such a refreshing image. Daria has almost solely worked with Inez van Lamsweeerde and Vinoodh Matadin in the past year with a few appearances by Mario Testino and Mert and Marcus. And although they can be credited with some of her best works they can only produce so much ... I think that Inez and Vinoodh have a singular view of Daria. Even if they place her in different clothes and settings the results are always too similar. I can't help but think back to 2007 when Daria was working with countless different photographers like Paolo Roversi, Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber and they all produced varied impressive takes of one woman. Hopefully 2010 will be a more diverse year ... maybe even Steven Meisel will work with Daria again. He worked with Freja so now it seems that anything is possible!

See the editorial in its entity

image credits: thank you to angelscans at theFashionSpot

Following up on this previous post, the Isabel Marant campaign has been released and with a quick visit to the website you can see the four pictures on-line. But for the sake of a proper post I will upload them here as well.
I've always felt that Daria makes the perfect Isabel Marant girl and its no surprise that the eponymous designer agrees. This is Daria's third campaign and hopefully not the last. Unfortunately it has to be my least favourite thus far. Its nothing to do with Daria or the setting but rather the clothes themselves. If you are aware of Isabel Marant's Spring Summer 2010 collection then you would have been, like me, inundated by an overflow of hot pinks, light denims and ruffles - things I try to stray very far from. Not to get too off topic and post a runway critique, but I have to say that the clothes are the only things hindering me from liking this campaign. The blue sky against a neutral ground makes for a beautiful setting and Daria's relaxed stances are fitting to the campaign - in fact I love how Daria looks in this campaign ... but I just don't like this as much as I would any Marant ad.

Isabel Marant Spring Summer 2010 : Daria Werbowy by Inez and Vinoodh

I also can't help but compare this ad campaign to the Balmain Spring Summer 2008 campaign. It is the same formula: Daria + stylist Emanuelle Alt + photographers Inez and Vinoodh. Alt's styling resume is impeccable and Vinoodh and Matadin have produced some of the most original editorials and campaigns to date, yet this entire set brings a sense of déja-vu. Its a feeling that has been manifesting for the past few months but that will come up in an entirely different post. I wonder if the team could have predicted the possible similarities between the two campaigns ... But I suppose with a raport as lengthy as theirs things are bound to be repeated!

Also a snap of the Balmain campaign was posted at tFS and can be seen here. I'll wait until a proper scan to make a post of this but my initial reaction is quite disconcerting ...

image source : isabelmarant.fr

The past week has been an onrush of news. A Vogue Paris editorial and cover, a few ad campaigns here and there and now an appearance in the February 2010 issue has left fans of Daria quite content. Amidst the excitation of more high profile work is a small feauturette in next months issue of Vogue US.

Vogue US February 2010
Steal of the Month
Daria Werbowy by Norman Jean Roy

It is great to see Daria working with a photographer other than Inez and Vinoodh albeit if it is just for one shot. Norman Jean Roy is a regular contributor to Vogue and often photographs smaller features and designer portfolios. The Steal of the Month page is one I look forward to each month, not just because I can afford something in Vogue but rather the fact that some of my favourite models are regularly featured. The image of Daria at the docks is beautiful and quite fitting considering her love of sailing.

On another note, a couple of scans of the Vogue Paris editorial, Vogue à Porter, have been posted under the Editorials page. Hopefully we will have all of the images in a few days worth.

image credits: scan by mchunu at tFS

These past two days have had as much news as the past two years! On the heels of her Vogue Paris cover and editorial, and Stefanel, Loewe, DSquared and Isabel Marant Daria has added another blue-chip campaign to her roster for the Spring Summer 2010 season ... Balmain! It seems that all of the rumors I was perpetuating in the past months have come to fruition. The new advertisement is in the February 2010 issue of W magazine - according to trevofashionisto member at tFS (thank you) it was "shot in a studio .. its meant to look like a jungle ... (Daria) is posing against a jeep". Vague details for now, but the styling seems on par with the rugged influences on the Spring Summer 2010 Balmain runway.

And yet, there is more - it seems that Daria will reprise her role as the face of H&M yet again. She has apparently nabbed the Spring Summer 2010 H&M campaign, as well as the jeans campaign. On a side note, all of the DSquared campaign ads have been released and they are in the SS10 gallery here.

So that is seven campaigns in one season, one Vogue Paris cover, a sixty page editorial and a partridge in a pear tree ... and  the February 2010 issue of Vogue US just came out!

Daria's entire ad campaign for the Spring Summer 2010 season of Stefanl was posted online today, including a video (which I've uploaded to youtube) and behind the scenes candids ... which will make for a lot of news today.

Initially this campaign looked to be one of the most disappointing of the season with the lackluster first photo released but  but looking at the new images its actually quite refreshing. The styling is on par for a spring campaign as is the setting. In fact, I really love the last three images in the cut below. But I've said my share before so I won't bombard you with comments again. For now, just enjoy the pictures!

And FYT the best shot in the campaign:

More images behind the cut ...

Today seems to be the day of Terry Richardson. As news got out of his newly launched blog TerrysDiary.com, websites took notice. And what better way to incarnate a new site than by posting a photo of Daria? If anything make sure to bookmark this site seeing as how there are already shots of Freja, Marloes Horst and Daria and I am sure more images are to come.

Daria Werbowy and Terry Richardson

I find this new candid quite funny considering I just posted an image of Daria and Terry in the Picture of the Moment section (at right)! However, unlike that picture, which we know is from behind the scenes of a Vogue Paris editorial, this picture above is leading to some interesting speculation. Was this candid just a fun meeting between a model and a photographer? Or more likely the documentation of some new work? I'm betting on the latter. Richardson most often works with Daria in Vogue Nippon and Vogue Paris, and he has shot her before for the FW07 Roberto Cavalli campaign. If anything this candid is adding more fuel to the Balmain campaign rumors.

Richardson is an interesting photographer, to say the least. I adore the colouring of his Yashica lensed images and he can shoot a great editorial from time to time, but sometimes his subjects can be a bit too much. That's why I am suprised that when looking back on Daria's work with Terry, it has been quite tame from Richardson's norm. In fact, the most controversial element in their work together is a cigarette. But judging from these images below the duo can pull off some great work.

| Soul Bohemian VN 02/08 ; Noctambule VP 05/07 |

| Extase d'Asie VP 08/04 ; International VR 12/09 |

On another note, remember the editorial the Daria shot for in Morocco a couple of months ago? It was lensed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin but in a profile in Interview a few weeks back fashion stylist George Cortina mentioned working for an upcoming shoot for Vogue Nippon in Morocco. He's worked a lot with Inez and Vinoodh and most notably styled Daria in her Vogue Nippon editorial "Girl of the Golden Field". If the rumors are true and judging from a fashion timeline then we should see this editorial any time soon!

With today came an abundance of pictures and with that an abundance of opinions. The long awaited DSquared2 campaign has surfaced and we have our first look at Daria's third campaign of the season. There is a new image from Stefanel and the Loewe campaign is all but completely released.

DSquared SS2010 : Daria Werbowy by Mert and Marcus

DSquared decided to stick to their runway for inspiration and went for an all Americana (or is it Canadiana in this case?) camping inspired shoot with a twist. Its camp both figuratively and literally and a fun campaign. I can't wait to see how this set turns out but I love the voyeuristic appeal and the thought of the models roughing it out in the wilderness, no matter that they are donning some pretty expensive wares.

Stefanel turned out to be the surprise of the day. After the rather akward start this latest image below has managed to resuciate any hope left for this campaign. I deemed the first image « try-hard » and wasn't a fan of the obvious pose and setting but I was right to hold off on saying anything more. I like the image below for its unintended tomboyishness. And yes, although that is a word that is used quite frequently when speaking of Daria I think it can be applied to this shot. It has a certain ease about it - it doesn't project the type of sexiness that Gisele Bundchen previously displayed for Stefanel,  but it has a sexiness of its own. I think it evokes a raw sensuality that model Gia Carangi perfected. This is one rare case where I am glad to be proven wrong!

Stefanel SS2010 : Daria Werbowy by Mario Testino

And last and least are new images from Loewe. Maybe I will warm up to this campaign but for now it is at the bottom of these three campaigns. I've added all of the new images to the "ads" pages though, and you can form your opinions on those. Which campaign is your favourite so far?

image credits: Dsquared campaign scanne by steelmachines and fujiko ; Stefanel ad snapped by Radolgc at tFS - thank you!

Just as I was really starting to look at the latest Loewe campaign, a new bundle of pictures surface on the web and this time they are from the making of Daria's latest campaign. Stuart Vevers, creative director of Loewe, has developed a crush on Daria and as such, Vogue.uk has a behind the scenes look at the shooting of the campaign ...

Its always interesting to have a glimpse of the goings ons of the fashion industry and these pictures are no exception. From the warm colours of the clothes to the bright flowers garlanding the set, I think we can expect a very Spanish infused campaign - it seems as if Loewe is truly going back to its roots.

Keep reading ...

It's that time of year again, when the February issues of fashion magazines are just starting to come out and we get our first peaks at the faces of the latest ad campaigns. Rasa has landed the coveted Prada spot, Freja and Claudia have snatched up Chanel yet again and now Daria has ... Loewe? It was a no brainer that she would land Stefanel - we had been hearing news on that since last September - the DSquared campaign is confirmed and there is a strong chance that Daria has landed Balmain. So it was a surprise, if anything,  to see Daria as the face of the Spring Summer 2010 Loewe campaign.

Behind the lens are photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin (you have no idea how oddly facile it is to spell these names now :P). Considering Daria is their muse of sorts then it is quite fitting that they collaborate yet again for this campaign. On first glance, there are obvious bones to pick ... "Why does Daria's Stepford-esque hair seem as if its pasted on her head?" ...but apart from this minor detail, no pun intended, the campaign is a pleasant surprise. It's always great to see a favourite model of mine racking up the campaign numbers amidst the competition of newer colleagues. Like any other campaign though, I'm as yet undecided until I see more pictures.

It is also interesting to note that this is the second campaign this season in which Daria has replaced Gisele Bundchen - first Stefanel and now Loewe ... I had hoped for Versace as well but rather unfortunately that went to newcomer Georgia May Jagger. Either way this campaign season is much more exciting than last, where Daria had only one, rather superior, campaign with Longchamp. I can't wait to see if there is anything more in store ....

But enough of campaign talk! I want to say a quick Happy New Year to all of the readers! Hopefully 2010 will be a great year for Daria, this blog and you the reader :)

image credit: thelovemagazineblog

The Stefanel ads that we have long been awaiting have just been released. Daria replaces Gisele Bundchen as the face of the Italian brand but it seems as if with Gisele's departure a sense of the brand has been lost. Stefanel campaigns are known for Gisele and her obvious sexiness - after all she has been the face of the brand for the past six seasons. And try as Mario Testino might I don't think he will ever be able to capture Daria's unusual beauty with such obvious poses and settings.

It is interesting to note that Daria replaces Gisele in the Stefanel campaign, just as she did for Vogue eye wear back in 2008. They seem like such different models to me so I find it random that the fashion industry considers them of the same caliber (and I say this with no offense to Gisele or Daria. I love them both but they are quite different).  However there will be more images in the campaign to look forward to so I'm not going to base my opinion on just one shot.

On another note, it seems that the Go West editorial isn't Daria's only appearance in Vogue this month. If you head over to Vogue.com, there is a Best Dressed of the Decade poll and Daria makes an appearance along with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Sofia Coppola. Her Balmain LBD she wore to the Costume Institute Gala is one of the choices for 2009. Needless to say, I think you know who I voted for!

image credits: scanned by fujiko at tFS

Go West , Daria's editorial in the January issue of Vogue US, heralds the start of a new decade in fashion and a new decade in Daria's career. I had high hopes for this editorial and it didn't leave me disappointed. Go West is a refreshing new take on the typical Vogue travel fare and Demarchelier lends his beautiful take on a visionary American locale.

Go West
Vogue US January 2010
Daria Werbowy by Patrick Demarchelier

Go West was shot in Lake Powell, a stunning reservoir in Utah and the location lends its unique serenity to the pictures. Maybe it is the National Geographic subscriber in me (I am quite biased when it comes to picturesque views of a beautiful place) because I love this editorial. The opening shot is particularly great as is the portrait of Daria in a head piece. As is the shot with the horse ... and the Balmain on the bike ... and ... I could go on and on but you get the idea :) There is actually nothing bad I can say about this other than that I wish it was a few pages longer ;) It is also a great thing to see Daria still appearing in issues of Vogue - it is one of the few magazines that is loyal to their favourite models (Karlie Kloss ... Caroline Trentini anyone?). I hope this loyalty continues throughout 2010 ... Tigerrouge at the Fashion Spot said it best - this is one issue of Vogue US that I will not miss out on!

image credits: scanned by Luxx at the Fashion Spot

It seems that I was wrong on Balmain's seeming exclusivity. I had lamented on the fact that it was so hard to find any pictures from behind the scenes, but I've recently stumbled upon quite a few. You may have seen the same set ups from previous posts but albeit these are at different angles. There are some new shots as well including Daria and Balmain designer Christophe Decarnin ... I'll find it quite hard to believe if Daria doesn't end up with the Balmain campaign!

There is also something else to add. Daria has her first editorial of the new decade (funny how the fashion world is already a month ahead of the real world!) in the January 2010 issue of Vogue US. It is entitled "Go West" and the man behind the lens is photographer Patrick Demarchelier. If you can recall, earlier this year Daria appeared in Indian Summer in Vogue UK . Judging from the title of the Vogue US editorial and Patrick Demarchelier's penchance for travel editorials it might be another location piece. But Demarchelier is also known for his studio work at Vogue so it could go either way.

Balmain pictures under the cut ...

It's been confirmed - Daria will be the latest face of DSquared in the Spring Summer 2010 campaign. And since news is lacking I might as well post a few of my predictions on the campaign ... we had heard that Daria was shooting the campaign in Morocco a few weeks ago, and now there is more news. Mert and Marcus are reprising their roles as campaign photographers after the Fall Winter 2009 campaign with Lara Stone. And if that campaign is any indication of what is to come, and the fact that the shoot took place in the colorful city of Morocco then I believe we can expect a few elements of hedonism ...

Daria isn't the only model to star in the campaign. Brazilian Arthur Sales and American model Kyle Ledeboer, both of whom can be seen above. It was honestly impossible to find a picture of these two with a shirt! It will be interesting to see how this dynamic turns out, with these two relative newcomers and Daria, the veteran. I have to say that I am a bit apprehensive to hear that Mert and Marcus shot the campaign. I feel as though if you see one of their editorials, then you've seen them all. Although I can appreciate their stylized take on women I always feel that their shoots are a bit lifeless ... it is odd that when they want to depict a strong women they often come off looking like cyborgs. However, if the Longchamp campaign of FW09 is any indication of what the DSquared campaign will look like, then I do have high hopes!

Trust Daria to walk in the most elusive show of Paris fashion week. In fact, I think Balmain is the most guarded presentation of all fashion weeks, save maybe for Maison Martin Margiela. What I mean to say is that pictures from Daria's appearance have been very hard to find. It seems that every backstage photography site that I come across has every show's images uploaded except for Balmain. In fact, the backstage images in the post below took a few weeks to surface! That is why, when visiting a favourite site of mine today it was quite the treat to come upon a beautiful image like this:

Daria was captured through the lens of Delphine Achard, a talented French beauty photographer who manages to capture great portraits amidst the backstage chaos. If you have time visit her site at www.delphineachard.com . I've written about backstage photography before but I will say it again - I love how photographers like Delphine manage to capture the little secluded moments in the busiest of times ...  Hopefully there are more images like this but for now I think we can be pleased! And if that image isn't enough to intrigue you take a look at more of Achard's images below :)

P.S. Daria's appearance in a SS10 DSquared campaign is all but confirmed ... but more on that later!

As you may well know, Daria was at the reopening of the La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech, Morocco this past week. And though I thought that the excitement over that sighting had died down, there are now new pictures from this event (and then some!). Vogue columnist and party fixture Derek Blasberg posted a few candids on his twitter as well as the style.com blog. His reports make this sound like an interesting time ... "Every night ended at the leopard-heavy downstairs lounge, the Churchill Bar, where Daria Werbowy, Matthew Williamson, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, and Carine Roitfeld belted out everything from Grease show tunes to Sarah McLaughlin. “Leopard carpet, cognac, and a piano? I think I found my new favorite bar ever,” Werbowy said." My thoughts are going wild imagining Carine and Daria singing a duet together! I've always heard that the fashion world is brutal, but this is quite hard to believe when you can find a Vogue editor, photographers, a designer and a model belting out music from seventies movies ... something makes me think that Anna Wintour would not be as up for it ...

Daria and Matthew Williamson ... look familiar?Jacquetta Wheeler, Daria Werbowy and Derek Blasberg. I love Daria's laidback style!

If you've been reading this blog for a while (maybe even the past few days) you will probably know that I always gravitate towards candid shots rather than a finished project. This is one of the many reasons why I love Vogue Nippon - a covergirl always gets a "making of" feature in which one can see the goings on in making a cover. And it's always interesting to see a before and after!

I've also made this post as an update to readers ... you may have come across new pages and some differences in the site - I'm trying to build up the archives in what little free time I have. Hopefully with the holidays I can post some more images and extras, but for now I've updated the cover section, added a Lancome page as well as a Photographers page (I love this idea as a means of showcasing Daria's work with singular visions), and an Interviews and Features section. For now I've decided that the editorials I do add to the site will be either my top favourite works of Daria's career or images in very high quality, so you will see images interspersed with links. As always, enjoy and keep checking back!

Image credits: Before and After compiled by The Daria Files, Vogue Nippon scan by a.t. at tFS, cover collage images via fashion-iconography.net