Another Black Swan for Dior

Earlier this week, it's been announced that Black Swan actress, Mila Kunis has been tapped as the new face of Christian Dior. Her campaigns, shot by Mikael Jansson, will debut in China next week and in the US later this month, appearing in The New York Times on the 29th of January. She now joins the likes of fellow Aronofsky muse Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron and Marion Cotillard as the faces and ambassadors for the bespoke fashion house. Now, let's be real shall we?

Looking at the images that have surfaced, I must express a disappointment with the final result. On paper, anybody would think that Kunis and Dior would be a great match, but in reality it seems a bit off. Visually at least. In the campaigns, though still remarkably beautiful, the actress looks like she's been stripped of everything she's known for. Sass, edginess, raw sexuality...all of that went out the window and instead, we are presented with what looks like a young ingenue, with a face scrubbed clean of everything worldly, and an attitude that is just a little too ill-fitting for the vibrant nature that Mila is known for. Somehow, Dior has managed to make her normal, run-of-the-mill and almost mannequin like and it is not good. Remember when British Vogue tried to de-chav, and de-WAG Cheryl Cole for their cover? Didn't work did it? The same thing happened here. Likewise with Blake Lively and her Chanel Mademoiselle Bag campaigns (I still don't know what Uncle Karl was thinking. Maybe he got entranced by Blake's boobs too much, like staring at the sun for too long...).

Fortunately, these first few images are just the beginning for Kunis and the brand. The label has stated that the actress will front Dior's 2012 media plan, alongside the Spring campaigns. Here's hoping for better campaigns! Also, lay off the Adobe. They never made Marion or Natalie this badly photoshopped! Seriously. 

These outtakes look way better than the finished ads. Just sayin. 

What did you think?

[images: Mikael Jansson via fashionologie]

Best and Worst Magazine Covers of 2011

WORST: Apparently, Justin Bieber's February cover was the magazine's third worst cover since Graydon Carter
took over the magazine in 1992, according to WWD. Not only that, but as a highly respected journalistic
magazine, can you blame the readers for not wanting the taint of Bieber-fever? It's a joke. 

UNFORTUNATE: It's a shame that Michelle Williams doesn't get the credit she deserves when it comes to magazine covers.
She is an Oscar nominated actress, yet her October Vogue cover was the second worst performer of the year.
It goes to show that today's generation favour the glamour of the celebrity and not the seasoned star. 

I TOLD YOU SO: Speaking of which, Lady Gaga's October Bazaar cover was the third worst performer of the year for the magazine. It's funny that her March cover was the second best magazine cover for Vogue but seven months later she fails to pull in the numbers. Is the world getting tired of her 'act' or do they just prefer her as Gaga and not Stefanie? You know, she wasn't
'Born that way'.

NEXT!: Gwyneth's January issue was one of InStyle's worst covers. Obviously, everybody clocked in on the amateur
editing and bad photoshopping. Also, they probably realised that she's a very overrated actress who is on her
way to sinking into irrelevance. Anybody who thinks otherwise is deluded. She's as bland as her shade of blond. 

BYE, BYE, BYE!: Justin Timberlake (and Amanda Seyfried)'s W cover only sold 15,000 copies. Ouch! He really should just
go back to singing with his top off. Is anybody even buying his bid at 'acting'? As for Amanda, well maybe had
she opted out of that horrid 'Red Riding Hood' film, maybe she could have sold more copies. 

FIERCE: Mila Kunis's March W cover performed extremely well. So did her Cosmo and Elle covers. As it appears, eating out
Natalie Portman in a demented ballerina film has its perk. Not to mention, she can smize like crazy and she can sell sex
to a prostitute, Complete with an impressive editorial, Kunis is proving to be one of fashion's fast becoming favourite. 

GRANNY-CHIC: Carrie Bradshaw's January cover for Elle came out on top. Personally, I don't think it's all that, but then
again, everybody seems to be clinging on to their favourite SATC star and the shadow of her younger, more
unrealistic persona. The Adobe overdose just creeps me out! Plus, she has pulled that pose since the dawn of time.

GOLDEN GIRL: Finally, there's Rachel Greene. She comes out on top with both her Elle and Marie Claire covers being in the top
two of both publications for the year. She can just sell! The magic that is FRIENDS and being an ex-Pitt obviously
still works. Also, let's not forget that she is America's sweetheart. Who can resist a bit of Jen every now and again?

...and here are some of my personal faves for the year...

(judged solely on their aesthetic not financial performance)

DELECTABLE: Nigella Lawson, December for Stylist Magazine. The TV vixen as a human, toffee apple. How can you fault that?

SULTRY: Anne Hathaway's September cover for Interview magazine was dark, sexy and decadent. It's one of the edgiest
editorials I have seen from her. 

INSPIRING: Some of the Orient's finest faces sporting Gucci's A/W 2011 dresses for Vogue China's September Issue. Asians rock!

...FINALLY...

DIVA: Christina Aguilera's July cover for W Magazine. I can't fault it. It's just perfect.