Glossy Dreams: my favorite magazine spreads by my favorite stylists

     Glossies is a term referring to the glossy pages of a fashion magazine [file this away with words like 'skinnies' for skinny jeans and 'sunnies' for sunglasses] These pages are the ultimate gateway to my fashion fantasies. I feel like I'm always dreaming, fantasizing, and obsessing over fashion during every possible minute of the day. One minute I'm obsessing over Blair Waldorf's wardrobe ensemble in a recent Gossip Girl episode and the next, I can't stop thinking about Erin Fetherston's new line of tea cup volume dresses. It's like an ongoing slide show of images constantly going through in my head. So for the very first edition of this new segment which I appropriately call 'Glossy Dreams,' I'd like to share with you all some of my most favorite fashion spreads of all time. 

Vogue - December 2003 

Styled by Grace Coddington

Natalia Vodianova in "Alice in Wonderland: A Fashion Fairytale"

     The first is a spread that appeared in the December 2003 issue of Vogue titled, "Alice in Wonderland: A Fashion Fairytale." This spread was styled by none other than Grace Coddington, American Vogue's most famous creative director. The shoot itself was very ahead of its time because it actually appeared seven years prior to the hype of Tim Burton's remake of the famous Disney tale. The whole idea of the concept, which featured the Russian supermodel, Natalia Vodianova as Alice, comes straight from the pages of Lewis Caroll's classic tale of her journey through Wonderland, except with a wicked brilliant twist. Each memorable character in the book is represented by a famous designer like John Galliano as the queen of hearts, Marc Jacobs as the blue caterpillar, Jean Paul Gaultier as the cheshire cat, and Karl Lagerfeld as... well, Karl Lagerfeld! The blend of couture gowns and Grace Coddington's fantastic imagination, plus the mix of fashion's most prominent designers, was pure brilliance. 

 Model: Natalia Vodianova 

 Tom Ford

falling down the rabbit hole 

Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga

 John Galliano 

as the Queen of Hearts 

Oliver Theyskens of Nina Ricci

Marc Jacobs

as the Blue Caterpillar 

 Karl Lagerfeld 

Jean Paul Gaultier 

as the Cheshire Cat

 Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren of Viktor & Rolf

as Tweedledum and Tweedledee

 Christian Lacroix 

with the Mad Hatter for tea

Donatella Versace

Teen Vogue - November 2009

Styled by Havana Laffitte 

Emma Watson in "Emma Enchanted"

     My other favorite fashion spread appeared in the November 2009 issue of Teen Vogue which featured Emma Watson as the cover girl [look familiar?!]  I've read all seven of the Harry Potter books and I'm such a closet geek about it [but I guess the secret's out?] But as much as I'm obsessed over the franchise, I'm even more obsessed over the British beauty, Emma Watson. There's a reason why Burberry chose her to become the face of the famous British brand. Not only is she unbelievably stunning she is pretty much just as in love with the fashion world as I am. I distinctly remember reading an interview of her during the early years of her movie career in which she said that upon turning 21 and becoming in charge of her finances, that she will probably spend a whole chunk of it on couture dresses and shoes. What a great idea and an even better investment! This particular shoot was shot in a manor outside London when she was filming the sixth installment of the Harry Potter movies, The Half-Blood Prince. And the entire fashion spread is my kind of heaven. Styled by one of my favorite fashion director and stylist for Teen Vogue, Havana Laffitte, the entire shoot was a mixture of a colorful, playful, and whimsical fantasy with a great flair of a British royalty feel to it. Burberry [no surprise there] and Dolce & Gabbana dominated the entire wardrobe ensemble, along with this gorgeous plum colored, Monique Lhuillier tulle gown. *Sigh -- lovely. 

top, skirt, and brooches by Dolce and Gabbana 

 dress by Toga

boots by Burberry

feathered headband by Teeny House Bunny

blouse and brooches by Dolce & Gabbana 

skirt by Erin Fetherston 

boots by 7 for All Mankind 

tights by Fogal

dress by Burberry 

blazer by Moschino Cheap and Chic

faux fur stole by Adrienne Landau 

dress by Monique Lhuillier 

jacket by Gryphon New York

shoes by Burberry 

 t-shirt by 2K by Gingham 

skirt by Dolce & Gabbana 

shoes by Pleaser 

Harper's Bazaar - April 2010 

Styled by Rachel Zoe 

Demi Moore in "Demi Moore's Dream Life"

     I'm not a big fan of Demi Moore at all, but I am a huge supporter of team Zoe. In the third season of the Rachel Zoe Project, Rachel Zoe was booked for a job to style Demi Moore for her cover shoot for in the April 2010 issue of Harper's Bazaar. And aside from the magnificent idea of the shoot -- either very small or very big props, the wardrobe was so beautiful, I could cry. From a navy blue Oscar de la Renta halter dress complete with a there's no place like home, Wizard of Oz inspired red glittery Christian Louboutin pumps to an ethereal white Chanel dress with a matching bolero jacket, the entire spread was embellished with so many famous names [the late and great Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, and Carolina Herrera.] This is just a stylist's ultimate fantasy. In keeping with the Rachel Zoe dictionary of fashion expressions -- I DIE. 

dress and shoes by Alexander McQueen

 dress by Oscar de la Renta 

shoes by Christian Louboutin 

 dress and bolero jacket by Chanel 

sandals by Fendi 

 dress by Dior 

dress by Carolina Herrera 

Love, KB