2009 in Editorials

As we approach the end of 2009 (and since magazines are already putting out their 2010 issues) I thought it would be nice to do a recap of Freja's editorial work for the year.

(click the titles to see the eds)

JANUARY
1. Vogue Nippon, "The Rise of the Cyber Patrol" by Nathaniel Goldberg
2. Vogue Italia, "Individuallure" by Glen Lucford also featuring Eniko Mihalik

FEBRUARY
3. Harper's Bazaar US, "Hits of the Season" by Greg Kadel also featuring Coco Rocha
4. i-D Magazine, "Clean Living" by Collier Schorr
5. Vogue Nippon, Cover by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

MARCH
6. Numero #101, "Couture" by Karl Lagerfeld also featuring Heidi Mount
7. Vogue Korea, Cover and "Supernatural" by Jason Kibbler
8. V Magazine #58, "Pride and Glory" by Jean-Francois Campos also featuring various other models

APRIL
9. Madame Figaro #385, Unknown Title by Ben Watts

JULY
10. Vogue Nippon, "My Cowgirl Hero" by Solve Sundsbo

AUGUST
11. Vogue UK, "Milan" by Patrick Demarchelier also featuring Sasha Pivovarova

SEPTEMBER
12. Vogue UK, "Enter the Dinner Dress" by Javier Vallhonrat
13. Vogue Russia, "I Remember" by Willy Vanderperre
14. Purple Magazine Fall 2009, Cover and "Best of the Season" by Terry Richardson also featuring Abbey Lee Kershaw, Eniko Mihalik and Magdalena Frackowiak
15. V Magazine #61, "Copenhagen" by Christian Brylle also featuring various other models
16. V Magazine #61, "Live From New York" by Mario Sorrenti also featuring Sasha Pivovarova

OCTOBER
17. Vogue Germany, "Asta Nielsen" by Karl Lagerfeld
18. Vogue Germany, "Monokel Diele" by Karl Lagerfeld also featuring Heidi Mount
19. W Magazine, "Art and Commerce" by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin also featuring Raquel Zimmermann
20. Numero #107, "Too Cool for School" by Josh Olins

NOVEMBER
21. Harper's Bazaar US, "What's Glam Now" by Karl Lagerfeld
22. Twin Magazine #1 "Stand and Deliver" by Boo George

DECEMBER
23. Vogue Italia, "Feeling..." by Steven Meisel (!!!)

What's impressive to me is both the quantity and quality of Freja's work at this stage in her career. She debuted in 2005 and four years later she's still going strong. Perhaps this signals Freja as one of the few models who is able to transcend the trendy and transition into respected longevity? I guess only time will tell us for sure how indelible her mark on fashion will be.

After looking back at all the names and publications Freja worked with this year, my only wish is that we saw her working more with the three big Vogues--US, Paris, and Italia. I know we can completely discount Vogue US ever happening, but her omission from Vogue Paris and near omission from Vogue Italia is disappointing to me, especially when you consider the wonderful work she produced for them early on in her career. And this is why I think she's grossly underrated as a model when you compare her to colleagues of her status and popularity like Natasha, Sasha, Lily, Raquel and Lara.

Freja is well known enough but she hasn't quite reached that threshold where it's a given that she'll only be working with the best month after month. In fact, if it weren't for Karl I don't know how much work we'd be seeing from her. And often times I think her popularity among fans is mainly fueled by rumors, gossip and whatever personal ideals we see embodied in her, rather than by a grounding in her work and career development. Not that that's necessarily bad, but I just think the fandom is too extreme in one direction and not enough in the other. And if I've learned anything in life it's that balance is the key. Having dedicated fans is great, but without serious backing from people like Carine and Anna, how much longer can Freja last? And you'd think that with the fervor over her in China she'd at least have more coverage in Vogue China. Maybe someone should channel all that extraneous energy over there into a letter writing campaign for the Vogue China cover....just a thought.

With the luxury of retrospect at our disposal, it's much easier to see the variety and range of Freja's work. Any favorite eds? Least favorites? Who do you think she works best with? And whether you like it or not, retrospect also makes it easier to discern the androgynous thread that unrelentingly runs through most of Freja's work. Hopefully though, this upcoming year will allow her some opportunities to snip away at this thread.

Anyway, I think I've covered all the editorials, but if I've left something out please let me know. 2009 started off very well for Freja so let's hope 2010 will be the same. And if Freja can replicate the type of fabulous and diverse work she did during the month of September, I think she'll be well on her way towards cementing her status at the top and ensuring her longevity in the industry for as longs she wants...assuming that that's what she wants.