Paolo Roversi photographed Tiiu Kuik for this photo-shoot “The Poetic Spirit” for Vogue Italia, September 2003. More art photography than fashion spread, these decadent sepia images seem to recall romantic vintage postcards.
Pics via Fashion Spreads.
Lately I’ve seen a lot of really cute doll-like Japanese girls in magazine spreads and make-up tutorials. The combination of circle lenses and fake eyelashes, pouting lips and long curling wigs is both surreal and beautiful. While some people are critical that these fashions are an attempt not to look “Japanese”, everyone has the right to dress how they like, and I think these girls look fantastic.
Unfortunately I don’t have links for each individual images, but most of these pics should be from Drop Dead Kawaii and Get Into Fashion.
Oleg Duryagin combines both digital photography and painting to create portraits that are both beautiful and disturbingly doll-like. With large clear eyes and flawless complexions, these strange creatures seem neither living nor dead. Duryagin describes his work as trying to transcribe the feeling of presence that you get while passing the plastic mannequin, and it’s true that despite their radical transformations his figures nevertheless retain their own life and individuality.
Duryagin seems to be studying of the subtle facial differences which makes each is a unique human specimen; and a singular manifestation of beauty in all its myriad permutations .
I’ve featured Anne Leibocitz’s work before in this amazing Alice In Wonderland themed spread. So of course I couldn’t resist 2005 Vogue photo-shoot starring Drew Barrymore as Beauty, in Beauty and the Beast. The photo’s all have the classical compositions of paintings. The image of Beauty in the garden has a wonderful Pre-Raphaelite feel, while the dinner scene has the rich drapery and decadence of a Baroque still-life. It’s all very beautiful and romantic, a perfect fairy-tale with a happy ending.
Pics via Fairy Tale News.
Looking at photo’s of orchids I was distracted by pictures of orchid mantises. While in some ways just as beautiful as the flowers they mimic, it’s still unnerving to see insect when you expect to see flower. The range of colors and patterns is extraordinary, with the coloration of an individual generally matching the environment in which they were raised. Enjoy.
Sakuran was the directorial début of photographer Mika Ninagawa and was based on the manga by the same name. The film has some exceptional cinematography, not to mention gorgeous sets and costumes in rich jewel colors. Although the movie does lag in places, it’s much too pretty to miss if you have any interest in oiran or geisha.
Pics via AsiaBeam.
I love Hatune Miku so I couldn’t resist a little bit more Miku madness after yesterday’s post.
This is some of the best Hatune Miku cosplay I’ve seen, all in glorious HD via Kirinon. Enjoy.
Flickr is a wealth of beautiful and unusual images. These vintage photographs of geisha (most of them postcards) are from Okinawa Soba’s photostream. These images are truly mesmerizing to me; there’s something about the history of these sepia toned images which makes me instantly nostalgic. Enjoy.
This is post continues from the last to feature more work from fashion photographer Bruno Dayan. These works are darker and are more blatantly erotic, but in all of them you can see Dayan’s skill as a photographer.
Click here for the first post, Beautiful Dreams by Bruno Dayan.
Or check out Dayan’s official website here.
Bruno Dayan has an amazing portfolio, filled with professional work. This is some of the best fashion photography I’ve seen in a while, and Dayan plays confidently with light and shadow, adjusting his style to suit each shoot. These particular photo’s have the soft and dreamlike atmosphere which I associate with mori girl fashion.
Part two showcases some Dayan’s darker work.
Or check out Dayan’s official site here.