The Czar's Choice: 2012's Best Vogue Covers

Starting off my Best of 2012 posts is my picks for the best Vogue covers of the year. Now, some of these may not be your picks but my taste does vary from time to time. This year for me was all about a new kind of romanticism- a variably more indulgent kind but one with more modernity and edge. Just take a look at Joan Smalls' cover for Vogue Australia and Keira Knightley's for US! Speaking of the latter, Knightley's cover is the only one from Miss Wintour's roster to make my list because quite frankly, the rest of the US Vogue covers were bland. With the exception of Knightley and the sonically divine Lana del Rey, Wintour's use of actresses for her covers- though great for pulling in the dollas, has become tired and boring. This selection celebrates the rise of the model as the coverstar once more, with Moss, Kloss and Smalls leading the pack. This one below with Daphne is probably my favourite from the bunch, with its dark, luscious gothic beauty. Enjoy!

Daphne Groenveld, Vogue Russia, April 2012 (Hedi Slimane)

Lara Stone, Vogue Brasil, October 2012 (Mario Testino)

Adriana Lima, Vogue Brasil, February 2012 (André Passos)

The Czar's Choice: Un Garçon, 100 Beards, 100 Days

You must think it absolutely random that I am writing a post on beards. I mean, I am about as smooth as they come (facially that is), and more often than not, I write blogs about beauty, womenswear and an unhealthy dose of Christina Aguilera. However that isn't to say I am completely indifferent to anything remotely masculine (my last post was about men's bottoms. Just sayin -.- ) The fact is, I like my men with a bit of facial foliage- it's sexy. It's that mix of  unkempt scruffiness and low-maintenance masculinity that has always caught my fancy.  So, when Scottish blogger Jonathan Pryce announced via Twitter that he was working on a concept- a daunting task of producing series of photographs featuring bearded folk, I kept tabs and stayed tuned. The look is very dégagé and its thriving existence within a fashion capital full of glossy, manscaped-Ollie-Locke-clones was simply too fascinating to pass up.

The 100 Beards, 100 Days project was conceived earlier this year. Sponsored by Pall Mall Barbers, the award-winning photographer began his hunt for the most fascinating beards on the 1st of July. The streets of London yielded an eclectic mix of everyday individuals who proudly sported their facial fixtures- from short beards to near-Viking length, polished to slightly grotesque, fashion versus average Joe. Known for the cool, street style photography he features on fashion blog Les Garçons des Glasgow and subsequently, on the men's style blog Another Garçon, the Glaswegian native fused his aesthetic with his bearded subjects resulting to a well-received and positively reviewed project. The theme was contemporary and the tone innovative as it features the beard as a means of self-expression and individuality.

Now his efforts come to fruition. His 100 days was up and with 100 beautiful portraits, Pryce's work was immortalised- hardbound and available for fans to purchase! Bruce Pask of The New York Times hails '100 Beards' as 'a great project, well conceived and beautifully executed', and if that weren't enough, the outpouring of appreciation and support from the fashion industry and media alike has been impressive. To celebrate the release of his new book, I decided to feature Jonathan as this month's guest blogger extraordinaire and he was kind enough to let me bug him with a few questions. Enjoy the interview!

The Czar's Choice: Mademoiselle Poirot

Hello lovelies! I hope you are all having a fantastic summer so far, despite the lack of sunshine, but hey- that's England for you. I for one am joyous at the fact that I have finally secured a job and received my Classics degree all in the same week. I can't say I'm going to miss sleepless nights over Ovid's whiny antics in exile, but I am going to miss being a student up in fabulous Leeds. It's been a great three years my friend, and I am sure the city has not seen the last of me. 

This month I've decided to begin a series of featurettes showcasing some of my favourite blogs to read. Over the past year I have met some fabulous people who happen to share the same love of blogging as I do, and I just thought it would be awesome if I could share the reasons why I love their work. You may have come across them before and if you have, well then, isn't it obvious why they are featured? Some of my personal favourites on the blogsphere offer not only their love of fashion but also art, design, travel, and food amongst other things. It's just inspiring looking at their enthusiasm and genuine passion you know? So here goes. 

The prestigious title of being the first featured blog goes to....Mademoiselle Poirot! Woop! :)

Carole Poirot is the author of her blog Mademoiselle Poirot, a space that allows her creative genius manifest and a great site for those of you who like interior design, crafts and great photography. A true arbiter of all things chic, this Parisienne's personal style and great taste has received significant recognition from the media, not only for her blog but as Heart Home Magazine recently discovered, her fabulously decorated abode. Just absolutely beautiful! You can see the photos here. Her style is whimsical, yet classically romantic and it is this combination that truly makes Mademoiselle Poirot exceptional. 

Leroy Dawkins, The Clotheshorse

Thanks to the wonderful media that is Twitter, I met the lovely Leroy Dawkins, award-winning author of his blog, The Diary of a Clotheshorse. From rubbing shoulders with the Dolce and Gabbana boys to sitting at the front rows during London Fashion Week, the man has done it all. Not to mention, his impeccable taste in shoes which I simply adore, how can you not love this guy? In any case, with LFW proving to be a very hectic time he was kind enough to let me pick his brains about how he got started in the industry as a fashion blogger so please, enjoy this mini-interview feature. A first in Czar history so indulge yourself and take a peek into the mind of this fabulous Clotheshorse!

Leroy with Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce

with designer Roland Mouret

with model David Gandy

In your aptly titled blog, Diary of a Clotheshorse, you often write about the newest trends and the biggest names! Would you describe yourself as a Clotheshorse a la Anna Dello Russo maybe?

I am a bit of a Clotheshorse, according to my mother who gave [the name] to me. I have clothes for every occasion whether it's a hog roast or a royal wedding [but] I wouldn't say as much as Anna dello Russo, but I do love a label. It's more than just the label when I buy clothes however. It's all about practicality - ready to wear you can wear. I'm a hoarder so being like that helps in having an overstocked dressing room   

How would you describe your personal style?

For the bulk of the time it's clean cut and classic but sometimes I change it up and go all Italian wearing such labels as Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. Other times I go a bit preppy with cravats, foulards, knitwear and chinos.

As a blogger, and so many are nowadays, do you feel as if your voice is being heard not just by the readers but by the industry also?

Yes totally. Not all bloggers get heard but that's down to blogging style and content.  I'm lucky I have a good readership not only from followers but industry folks as well, but it took a lot of hard work to get that.  

Do you think anybody can be a blogger? Are there any key tips or tricks on becoming a successful one like yourself?

Yes anyone can be a blogger - but we have to go back to content and what you write about.  A lot of bloggers think all they have to do is put on some Primark that don't match and that's all that's needed. Blogs these days cannot just be about yourself anymore. You have to talk fashion, the latest trends, what celebs are wearing, fashion news, the list is endless! It's also about social media, so engage with fans, followers,  and subscribers. Let them know everything is possible so they too can wear what Beyoncé is wearing. I realise when I should be sleeping Australia is awake and someone may want to ask a question so I'm available to my followers 24 hours a day - blogging has changed!

I see you always socialising with the likes of Dolce and Gabbana and the beautiful David Gandy! What is it like being a staple in fashion parties and launches?

I'm lucky I get invited to the most amazing events and parties around the world. Sometimes front row seats at shows as well but this didn't just happen. When I started I wanted my fashion voice to be heard and fortunately it is, so this enables me entry to such events. It still surprises me everyday and I’m so grateful that my opinion is valued in fashion.

Are they always as glitzy or do these parties go a bit crazy too?

When I first started, I was just happy to be there so I used to stay at parties for a long time (free bar!). Now its a way of life, and I choose carefully as to where I attend.  If you have ever seen the film Devil Wears Prada - Miranda Priestly arranges to go to a fashion party to arrive at 9:30 and have her driver pick her up at 94:5 - I'm a bit like that these days! I show my face, see what the party or launch has to say or what it's about so I can write about it and then I go home. My rule is home before family guy starts. 

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to make a career out of fashion blogging?

Think long and hard!! If you’re going to do it, do it properly and with commitment. Fashion and news is a daily thing so blogging once a week is not going to cut it.  A good blog can enable you to make a career in fashion- maybe PR, or working for magazines. At present I contribute, have advertisers and have a little something in the pipeline. You can earn money from a blog if you want to! How is up to you! 

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.