A Record Falls

Most of you know that Marc Jacobs showed his F/W 11/12 collection tonight. What most of you may not know is that tonight also marks the first time in Freja's career that she did not walk down Marc's runway. Yes, a record falls tonight.....and another will fall tomorrow night at Narciso Rodriguez.

Marc and Narciso are the only two shows that Freja has walked for every, single season; eleven times in a row. Every September and every February, we could expect to see her grace those designers' catwalks, but her NY absence this season breaks the consecutive appearances. In a small way, it's like the end of an era. Maybe era isn't the right word.....whatever the word is, I find myself swimming in bittersweet nostalgia and lamenting a record broken. But instead of being sad or disappointed, we should reflect on the amazing feat. Eleven. Seasons. In. A. Row. In an industry that likes to change itself every few months, for something to last this long is truly amazing.

How many models do you think have come and gone during that time? How many brands have shuttered? How many new faces have been heralded one season only to be forgotten the next? How much change has happened in these 6 years? I'm not as intimately acquainted with any other model's career, so I don't know what the record is for consecutive seasons walked for a particular designer, but I have to think Freja's 11 for Marc (and Narciso) is pretty high up there. So lets take a walk down memory lane, and appreciate the 11 seasons that we already got, instead of frowning over the one skipped tonight:

SS06


FW0607


SS07


FW0708


SS08


FW0809


SS09


FW0910


SS10


FW1011


SS11 (C)

You were missed tonight Freja, but we'll be looking forward to next season. :)

Image Credits: style.com

A Record Stands Strong

For the 11th consecutive time in her career, Freja walked in the Marc Jacobs show last night. In fact, she closed the show wearing a shimmery, sequined dress while soft curls of hair fell around her face. I don't know how many of you even care, know or care to know, but Marc Jacobs is one of only two shows that Freja has never missed walking for during her long modeling career. Since her debut as a model over 5 years ago, she has diligently taken to that catwalk every single show season. For an industry predicated on change, trends, evolution and "the new" every few months, this is certainly an amazing feat for all those involved. Model, designer, and casting director have all worked in tandem, developing a rapport over the years that's cherished by me and hopefully by some of you as well.

As I was watching the livestream, I kept waiting to see Freja's face or straining to recognize her walk. As more and more looks came out I started to get worried, but then there she was at the very end. And it felt right that she should close the biggest show of NYFW. I have to admit that I haven't been as excited this season, but when I saw Freja at Marc I totally threw my hands up in the air and said "yes!" I said yes for the record, and yes for the lovely young woman that I saw. For fans who grew to love Freja at the beginning of her career, these past few months have been like a homecoming of sorts. She's looking as alluring, feminine and happy as she looked all those seasons ago. And maybe now the newer fans can begin to see her range and capabilities outside the very limiting stereotypes she was hindered by for so long.

Someone is most definitely having a moment, and she's been having it for the past year. And after last night, it seems as if this moment isn't even close to coming to an end.

Image Credits: style.it

Marc Jacobs? Maybe Not...

Casting rumors are rampant about the upcoming Marc Jacobs show. TI started the speculation that Marc was taking it to the streets to cast his show. Now, NY Mag chimes in with some more news:

"We're told he wants all the girls to look like Jamie Bochert, and that casting agents may have had a difficult time finding a whole army of them. The girls in the running to be in the show are models with model proportions and signed with agencies, but the Jacobs team may have looked on the street, as well. So the cast of models is likely to be entirely unknown girls."

I wonder what this means for Freja, who has never missed walking in a Marc Jacobs show since the SS06 season. The Marc cast is always very large though. Usually upwards of 40 girls, so despite the street casting and Jaime Bochert lookalikes, we might still see a few models. It would be a shame to see the streak end. Come on Michelle Lee, don't let us down!

Fashion Week Live

Marc Jacobs isn't the only one in New York who will be streaming his show live. Alexander Wang and Rodarte are the latest designers to join in on the democratization party. Like twitpic-ing blurry runway pics last season, the live streaming show seems to be this season's "it" thing to do. Isn't it amazing how fast things are changing? Before we know it, fashion week might be a thing that exists entirely and solely online. I hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised either.

Anyway, Freja will probably walk Alex's show so you'll get the chance to see her live on Saturday the 13th at 5pm. Rodarte is happening at noon on Tuesday the 16th, but I'm not sure if she'll be there. She walked the show last season, but that was her first time working for the Mulleavy sisters. At this point, who knows what type of runway season Freja will have? She's been working a ton lately so she could ride on her momentum into the shows and convert a good runway season into some nice campaigns (besides Chanel). Or she could decide to lay low, take a break and recover from her busy year (the busiest in a while).Whatever this season brings, I'm sure we'll be on the edge of our seats.

Alexander Wang Backstage

The full Alexander Wang backstage video is up, but there isn't that much more Freja to be seen. Regardless, it's a very well done video (Sorry for the bad upload quality. You can see a better version on the site itself under Collections < Spring 2010 < Backstage Video). The mood and music-can't go wrong with the Chromatics-are pitch perfect in conveying that air of coolness that pervades anything Alexander Wang. And I love seeing the juxtaposition of the calm, orderly runway walk next to the mad, dash backstage run. Not to mention that this was my favorite collection from last season so I'll take any excuse to see it in motion once more.

Alex's clothes are usually a hit or miss with me, but there was something so attractive about the way he did American sportswear that I just fell in love (despite the outrageous prices). The color palette, drape of the fabrics and overall feeling of levity made the clothes easy to relate to and wearable. And watching this video you get the sense that the models really felt comfortable, and that they were the ones wearing the clothes and not vice versa. After this SS10 collection I'm anxious to see what Alex has in store for FW1011. Hopefully it lives up to his hype. What about you? Any collections that you're particularly looking forward to?

Oh, btw, speaking of collections, Marc Jacobs is going to be live streaming his new one on his website, Monday February 15th at 8pm EST. Freja hasn't missed a Marc show in.....ever, so keep your eyes peeled. Don't you just love how the industry embrace of technology has the added reward of instant gratification for us?

Video courtesy of alexanderwang.com

The Namesake Part II

Thanks to an anonymous commenter, I found out that Freja also has a Marc by Marc Jacobs Ruffle Dress named after her.

It's from an older season, and not very Freja-ish if you ask me. But I guess that's not necessarily the point of naming something after someone. The object doesn't literally have to be inspired by the person. The act of naming can just be a sign of admiration and acknowledgment. And sometimes it's just for fun. There are a variety of possible reasons behind namesakes. Regardless, it's just nice to know that Freja is well-known and well-liked enough to have so many things named after her.

Am I missing anything else? Does Freja also have a small country named after her or something? I actually wouldn't be surprised if there was a small province in China named after her...they do love her a lot over there. :)

Image Credits: net-a-porter.com

Shake it Like a.....

I love the playful side that Freja has been showing us backstage this season. I know that you can't really tell much from pictures, but she seems to be relaxed and enjoying herself this time around. Perhaps the onset of maturity brings with it an acceptance and appreciation for one's circumstances. Or maybe she just reserves it for the polaroid camera. She's always doing something humorous in polaroids. I guess you have to be aware when someone is taking a picture of you with a polaroid, versus all the other backstage pictures that are taken of you without your knowledge.

Too bad the cameras and film have been discontinued. There is a campaign to save them though, so hopefully we'll still have great polaroids for many seasons to come.

Image Credits: wireimage

Where's Freja?

Can you find her in the picture below?


Backstage runway rehearsal pictures are some of my favorites! I love seeing the models in their regular clothes walking down the runway because you have two disparate elements coming together. On the one hand you have the glitz and grandeur of the catwalk; and on the other, you have the models in their casual, pared-down street looks. Rarely do you get to see the two elements come together. We get plenty of model street style pictures but those are situated on the street...natch. And we see plenty of runway pictures but those feature full designer looks. To me, it's just refreshing to see both elements in a new light.

Image Credits: celebritycity