23

As all good Freja fans know, today is Freja's 23rd birthday! Happy Birthday Freja! I'm going to make this short because there isn't much to say that hasn't already been said in one way or another.

It's been an absolute pleasure to share in the great moments with you all, as we've come together in our small community created out of a shared respect and admiration for Freja and her work. Some of you may or may not know, but today also marks the second year anniversary of this blog. A lot has happened in these two years: I've changed, this blog has changed, Freja has changed and her career has most definitely changed. But through it all it's been an honor and pleasure to have this creative outlet and the freedom of expression that you all grant to me.

So thank you for reading, commenting, e-mailing, sharing your thoughts, and sending me news bits and tips. I appreciate hearing from other fans out there, more than you will ever know. And thank you to Freja for her continued dedication to her work, and for being who she is. I know she inspires many of you out there, so here's to another two wonderful years, and hopefully more! May they be full of success, good friends, love, health and happiness!

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

Tom Ford's Return

Early Sunday night Freja had the tremendous honor and privilege of modeling in arguably the most significant show held in New York this season. Tom Ford made his much anticipated return to womenswear by debuting a small collection to a select group of guests. The list of women enlisted to model in the show is amazing and diverse by usual fashion standards: Caroline Murphy, Daria, Natalia, and Karen to name a few of the established models. Abbey, Liu, and Joan to name a few of the newer faces. Julianne Moore, Beyonce and Rita Wilson to name some celebrities. Notice how these women represent a good range of age, race and body types. Quite a departure from the usual demographics of your typical fashion presentation/show.

Apparently, photographs won't be released until January. And only one photographer, Terry Richardson, was allowed to take pictures during the event (I'll hold my tongue here). Tom Ford himself introduced each model and the piece she was wearing. All who participated were women who "inspired him." To give you an idea of how big this event was, Beyonce decided to forgo the VMA's in order to model for Ford. Can you say, whoa.

What a special event for Freja to be a part of. And maybe not that surprising considering she is the current face of Tom Ford Eyewear. Ford is most definitely known for his glamorous femininity, so it makes me happy to know that Freja isn't considered to be too masculine/edgy/tomboyish/androgynous/insert whatever other adjective that's commonly used to describer her here. I always thought that if Ford had still been designing when Freja first started modeling, she would have been perfect for the image he was projecting and he would have definitely used her. But maybe that's just me.

Anyway, New York is going incredibly well for Freja. She's averaging only one show per day, but she's making that show count. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the week and the rest of the cities bring. If things continue on...I think Freja will be on pace to match or even break her tally of openings and closings from last season.

The VI Cover

I'm still in a daze. A wonderful, dreamy daze.

The word classic comes to mind. There's just something to be said for a beautiful cover with a beautiful model. Yes, beautiful. Even if you're not a Freja fan it would be ludicrous to say that she isn't beautiful. I know it's subjective, but please let's be real. I know it's too early to say, and of course I'm biased, but I hope this cover becomes an iconic one in the history of VI, simply for what it stands for and for what it means to models. After all, Freja is a model who has seemingly defied all norms and odds to reach the pinnacle of success in her field.

No frills (except for the clothes), no thrills; just clean, straightforward, feminine beauty. Thank you Meisel for getting over whatever qualms you had and finally making this happen. Freja fans around the world are rejoicing right now for sure. And thank you fashion industry for showing everyone that hard work, perseverance, dedication to craft, and steady evolution CAN win out in the end sometimes; that luck and fickleness are not always the major determining factors in a model's career. Speaking for all the long time fans out there (and there are many), I can say that we're absolutely elated and that this couldn't have happened to a better more deserving model. I'm sure everyone reading this is a fan, but if you're not you have to at least respect what Freja has been able to accomplish over half a decade in an industry notorious for treating models like they literally are a dime a dozen.

Anyway, the features of Freja's face are unique in that they are both strong and delicate. This explains why she can go from doing androgynous editorials like this one, to feminine ones like this one. It's a very rare face that can handle both types of styling and aptly express such two different sides so well. Some people may not understand this feminine Freja, but it's something I've been hoping to see again for a very long. It's something who's lack of I've complained about countless times on this blog. Perhaps Freja's personality and off-duty street style have created an overshadowing persona, inhibiting some people from seeing anything else but androgyny? Well, it's their utter loss. And no matter, because the people who count can see it too and this cover is proof positive. Bravo Meisel. Brava Freja. Your fans have never been more proud!

Image Credits: vogue.it via tFS member tarsha

Happy Birthday Freja!

Today is Freja's 22nd birthday and the one year anniversary of this blog. Yes, I started this all as a 21st birthday present to Freja one year ago.

Cut to one year later and I never thought I'd still be doing this. I never thought people would actually care enough to read my words and hear my rambling analysis. I never thought Freja would make a resurgence and log one of her best years in terms of campaigns, editorials and runway appearances. I never thought she'd start an official site complete with a blog. It's pretty clear I never thought about a lot of things, but I'm glad they have all happened.

So thank you so much for your time, attention and all your enthusiastic comments. I started this for Freja but now I continue on for you, the Freja fans. And thank you so much, of course, to Freja for being this blog's inspiration and muse. Her uncompromisingly cool attitude, laid-back personality and rebel approach towards fashion keeps us all on the edge of our seats wanting more.

I'm sure Freja doesn't read this blog, much less know of it's existence; but I'm fine with that because it was never my intention. So I hope I can keep this running for as long as she has a career; and let us hope that that's a long time coming. But more than this, I hope that all of you continue to find solace, escape, happiness and whatever it is you are searching for, in our favorite model. Because isn't that what brings all of us back to her work? Isn't that why we just can't get enough?

I hope this upcoming year brings you as much satisfaction, enjoyment and creative release as the past year writing this blog has brought to me. And lastly, I hope that Freja has another year full of professional success, but more importantly, personal health, growth and happiness because she deserves it.

Happy Birthday Freja! Let's commemorate this occasion by taking a look at her very first runway appearance as a FW0506 Prada semi-exclusive at the ripe old age of 17.

@ 0:15

Amazing what four years experience and confidence can do. She really has matured into a beautiful, self assured young woman.