Is the "Freja" the new "Rachel"?

Apparently Freja's current hairstyle is all the rage. Dubbed "The Freja" by The Irish Times, it's gaining notoriety in the UK as well:

"The haircut of the season is undoubtedly the Freja, after model du jour Freja Beha Erichsen. The fresh-faced Dane sums up the mood of the season with her choppy, laissez-faire, shoulder-length style, which is given definition and volume with layers and texture, and cut using a sharp-edged razor. It suits pretty much any face shape and doesn't take much upkeep."

I also got a tip recently from one of you lovely readers informing me about a piece in Grazia (not online unfortunately) also touting the "Freja" as the next big thing in hair care. (Thanks Natalie!)

Since when did her hair become a thing? I always just thought it was messy and disheveled because she was growing it out and couldn't be bothered to deal with it. It fits her casual, effortless, just throw on some jeans and a t-shirt look very well. So it's really hilarious to me that it's now apparently become a style that other people strive for. I mean, just go to sleep, wake up and voila! Oh the irony. Maybe "The Freja" is the next "The Rachel." Yes? Yes? Regardless of my condescension, this is just another example of how notable and recognizable Freja is becoming, perhaps even outside fashion circles. Cult personality model indeed.

On a somewhat related note in speaking of things I find hilarious, I'm sure you've all seen the recent pictures of Baptiste in short booty shorts out and about with Karl in St. Tropez. Well, Freja was with them too, but she opted for Balmain jeans. I guess there's only room for one pair of booty shorts in St. Tropez...

Even though there's really nothing notable about these pics, I'm just happy that Freja's still in Karl's good graces. We haven't seen any work from the two of them in a while. Instead Karl's been working a lot with Natasha, and it had me slightly worried. I know not everyone likes Karl, his photography, and the work he does with Chanel, but he's been a constant supporter of Freja and her career, even during 2008 when things weren't going quite as well. It's just nice to be able to rely on certain things and relationships when everything else in the world seems so tenuous and uncertain. (Hello upcoming mid-term elections, high unemployment rates, and the possibility of another recession.) So I hope this means we'll be seeing a new editorial or collaboration soon!

Image Credits: afashiontale.dk, hola.com, zimbio.com

On Success and Street Style

Craig Arend of Altamira has a really interesting interview with Faith Kates up on his site. As far as modeling goes, Faith is a pretty important figure in the industry considering that she started Next Model Management. Next is home to models like Abbey Lee, Karmen, Anja, Anna J, Catherine and Karlie, so it's definitely one of the heavy hitters agency wise.

The interview is a very good read if you're interested in models and how their careers develop. There isn't an outright mention of Freja, but while I was reading some of Faith's comments Freja did come to my mind:

"...I think that in our world...when a girl starts, if you have one of the three or 4 really important photographers behind you, that's the girls that are making it. So if you have Steven Meisel, you have Mario Testino, you have a Craig McDean, you have a David Sims... you have one of those guys behind you, you're in."

"The photographers and the magazines have all the power. Designers are important, don't get me wrong. They are very important. But I think it goes first with if you can get to the photographer. There are some girls that are really photographers girls."

One of the reasons I admire Freja so much is because she's managed to become successful without the huge support of a major photographer. On her level of modeling, she is the only girl I can think of who's the exception to the rules Faith speaks about above. Coco, Daria, Stam, and Elise all had Meisel's blessing. Catherine was a Testino girl through and through. But Freja? I really believe she built her career by staying true to her own individuality, knowing her strong suits, and playing off of her physical strengths. Yes, Karl is a huge supporter of her now, but at the very beginning of her career Freja made a name for herself on the strength of her modeling abilities. I know I'm biased, but I think that even to non-fans, her charm and appeal are undeniable and her face is truly gorgeous. Her androgynous characteristics merely heighten her appeal in that they provide a complimentary (and perhaps contradictory) contrast to her feminine beauty. Most girls are lucky enough to get the backing of top photographers, but only once in a blue moon is a girl lucky and talented enough to get to where Freja is without their help.

"You don't have to care about clothes...I don't think you have to love clothes. I don't think you have to dislike clothes. I just think you have to know how to wear clothes and know what feels good and right on you."

Reading this brought to my mind Freja's street style. To be frank, I'm bored with the way she looks off the runway because she's utterly predictable. Black, leather, black and more black. But even though I feel this way, I still think Freja looks good every time I see a new street style pic. And it's because of what Faith refers to above. Freja absolutely knows what is right for her and she sticks to it with unwavering loyalty. She doesn't experiment like Iekeliene, Irina, Kinga or Hanne because that wouldn't fit with her modeling persona. She wears clothes that look right on her and probably feel good to her. And she's most definitely mastered the art of minimalist chic with an androgynous flair. This might sound cliched and frivolous, but I really believe that when you feel good and comfortable about the clothes you wear those feelings translate to other parts of your life, and people are innately drawn to that.

I think that if I ever saw Freja wearing a dress off the runway I would laugh. But oddly enough, she looks perfectly normal wearing a dress on the runway. Go figure. It's amazing how much the context can impart the meaning in a situation. Anyway, what do you think about Freja's street style? Why do you think Freja's been able to attain her level of success? Sometimes I think I can be so biased that I lose all ability to even conceive of a different viewpoint, so yours are welcome.

Image Credits: altamira.blogspot

Rick Owens and Zombies

The two kind of seem to go hand in hand, no? But here I'm only putting them together arbitrarily for the sake of this post.

First of all, Freja is in Shanghai for the Chanel show. Can't you just hear the collective screams of girlish glee emanating from China? We only have a couple of backstage shots so far:

Interesting to note that Freja is sporting a real Rick Owens leather jacket now. The one she previously wore was done in the Rick Owens style, but it wasn't actually one. It could have been this Vince jacket, but I'm not sure. The differences are subtle but palpable once you see them side by side. I know a lot of people were getting their jackets confused, but Rick ones are very distinctive...at least to me.

I feel like every time we see Freja she's wearing something new but of course in black. Typical of her to change up her style yet simultaneously keep it the same. :) It's that balance that she seems to strike so well in her modeling, her personality and even in her street wear.

Secondly, if you've ever wanted to see what Zombie Freja would look like, check out the previews from Fashematic's new zine, Fashematical:

They took her Lanvin SS10 appearance as inspiration. According to the site, the zine is "a collection of illustrations reinterpreting the stars of the catwalk as part of either a horde of zombies or an army of robots, hell-bent on taking planet Earth for themselves."

I love when it when people can see the fun in fashion. After all, we can't all be serious all the time (That's something that I know I can be guilty of with my long, musing posts about Freja's place in the industry). I wonder how Freja would feel about her zombie rendering? Personally I find it cool and kind of flattering.

Anyway, after a little drought of news, it seems Freja is back in full force.

Image Credits: net-a-porter, saks, women.sohu.com, fashematics, style.it

Balenciaga and the Case for Change

I realize my posts lately have revolved more around shopping and clothes rather than Freja. I guess this must be a result of fashion month having just ended, the season changing from summer to fall (and thus necessitating a new wardrobe) and fall sales starting in anticipation of the holiday shopping season. Anyway, I thought some of you might want to know that Freja's wearing Balenciaga boots in this picture.

Perhaps another take-away from walking the show? Her style really has evolved since the beginning of her career. Gone are the Kawasakis and Rag & Bone leather jacket. In their place we have Balenciaga nearly from head to toe. Change is good. It's a sign of growth, maturity and acceptance of the evolving world around you. No one wants to be the same forever. I'm just surprised we didn't see this change happen sooner. Most new girls seem to buy into the hype and perks surrounding them almost immediately, not that that's a bad thing at all. For example, new face Keke Lingard is already sporting Acne wedges, the season's hottest shoe. During Freja's first season, she was still wearing her Kawasakis.

It seems like it took a little longer for Freja to accept her place in the fashion industry and her role as a model. She debuted during the FW0506 and we only started to see designer duds creep into her wardrobe last FW0910 season, starting with this Balenciaga leather bag.

I realize it may seem ludicrous to some of you that I'm using Freja's sartorial choices as an indicator of where she is in life and her relationship to fashion. I'm probably projecting, but I think you'd have to be blind not to notice a marked change in Freja over the last two seasons. Her approach to work, the type of work she doing and the quantity of it are different and I'm just curious as to why. I see evidence of this change most obviously in her style so maybe that's another reason why I've been doing so many clothes posts recently. I don't purport to know the real facts or give definite answers...I just want to make observations and provoke some thought.

Image Credits: coolhunt.net, barneys.com, superfantasticpicturetime, pic taken by tFS member devondevore

Model Perks

As if being tall, gorgeous and genetically blessed weren't enough, models get to enjoy some additional perks from the job. Many designers will pay girls in trade for walking in their runway shows. With some shows topping 60+ models, it's a way for designers to keep costs down. Now, whether you think this is a fair exchange is another story...

I guess it just depends on how you look at it. For girls like Freja, it's a definite perk. She's established and with 5 campaigns just this season, you could say that she's already set financially. (And often times established girls will actually get paid and then get free clothes on top of that.) For a girl just starting out, it's a different story. Agency fees take up what little she makes on various shoots, so only getting paid in clothes, shoes and/or accessories for endless hours of work (fittings, go-sees, etc...) is pretty much a rip-off. As you get older you begin to realize that one of life's biggest ironies is that things come free to people who can afford to pay for them. And if you can't afford to pay, things will cost you an arm and leg. Comme ci, comme ça...

Anyway, before I veer way off topic, Freja got some awesome perks this season and I'm totally jealous.

Balenciaga Leather Motorcycle Jacket


Rag & Bone Motorcycle Boots

Notice a theme here? Should we be on the lookout for an actual motorcycle now? :) The appearance of the jacket mid-fashion month tells us she picked it up after walking the Balenciaga show. Or it could have been a present, like some jackets last season. And most likely the same goes for the Rag & Bone boots. You can't deny, girl's got good taste.

Image Credits: shopbop.com, matchesfashion.com, coolhunt.net via tFS member slow_hands

Dressing the Part

We've seen lots of candid shots of Freja in her own street style this season. She has basic yet impeccable taste in her choice of off-duty garb. And one thing's for sure, when Freja finds something that works for her and that she likes, she sticks to it! Case in point:

Notice the monochromatic color palette consisting mostly of black? She rarely strays away from a few basic pieces, and I think this is due to two things. First, she's always had an easy, casual, no-fuss style going back to the beginning of her career. Yes, her appearance has changed somewhat, but if you look at the basic premise of her street style it's essentially the same. She doesn't clamor over the latest in designer wear and trends, but she's not sloppy or unkempt either. Her style approach is similar to her modeling approach in that it's organic and doesn't feel contrived. Second, I would imagine Freja has to pack pretty lightly given that she's traveling in between four cities around the world within the span of 30 days. Circumstances like this don't warrant one packing an outfit for everyday of the week.

I'm such a sucker for street style...especially model street style. Models look good in anything and I can't figure out if it's because of their body proportions, or because they've picked up good styling tips from being on the job. It's probably a combination of both. Anyway, I have to admit that Freja's isn't my absolute favorite model style, but I do like it and I think she dresses well and dresses to match her personality. Her style is very real and you get the sense that she would dress like this even if she weren't a model. However, lest you be fooled, looking so casual and effortless doesn't come without a price. I'll break it down for you from head to toe:

T by Alexander Wang, $80 each at lagarconne.com


Rick Owens Leather Draped Jacket, $2,605 at net-a-porter.com (yes, I know Freja's isn't an actual RO, but it's very Rick Owens-esque)


Acne Kex Smooth Skinny Jeans in Black, $250 at net-a-porter.com


Alexander Wang Black Donna Hobo, $790 but sold out everywhere


Dior Homme Sneakers, $904 at luisaviaroma.com

Total Cost: $4,719

What's great about Freja's style is that it's simple but luxurious at the same time. Speaking from experience, those Alexander Wang tees are some of the softest things you can put against your skin. And Acne jeans do really fit perfectly. However, don't let these prices get you down. Another plus about Freja's style is that you can emulate it at a much lower price point. It's simultaneously unattainable and accessible; fitting for a girl who's both feminine and androgynous, high fashion and mass market, hard-working and aloof. The more I write about Freja the more I begin to see that she's entirely comprised of a bunch of interesting contradictions.

Anyway, just in case anyone wants to do some saturday shopping:

Perfect Tees, $12.50 on sale for $10 at oldnavy.com


Black Leather Draped Jacket, $263 at oasis-store.com


Levi's Skinny Jeans, $35 at tillys.com


Dylan Small Messenger Bag, $348 on sale for $208 at lpcollections.com


Diesel Sneakers, $90 at diesel.com

Total Cost: $606

Much better, right? Although I'd still kill for that A Wang bag and RO jacket... :)

Image Credits: style.com, models.com, facebook/luisaviaroma, zimbio, bwchic.wordpress, altamira,blogspot,

It's In the Bag

Freja sure has come a long way since she started her modeling career. We've seen her grow comfortable on the runway, learn how to use her body in editorials, and settle into her own style off the runway. Through it all she's maintained an unattached outlook....even indifference to the fashion frenzy that envelopes her. That's part of the reason she's my favorite. Freja's managed to become so successful despite her best efforts to stay away from the limelight.

It kind of feels like modeling found her and won't let her go, not the other way around. With her face and body, what else could be at play other than destiny? I don't know, but I'm starting to think that Freja might just be better than others at hiding her ambition and investment in the fashion industry.

Why? It's in the bag.

Trusty brown Burberry carried for at least 4 seasons. Last seen during the FW0809 shows. Has been MIA ever since.

Moving up to a black Balenciaga for the FW0910 shows. This "it" bag has been seen on the arm of virtually every top model in the industry.

And not even a season later--showing off the ultimate in model accoutrements--a black Chanel 2.55 carried during the FW0910 haute couture shows. Never thought I'd see the day.

The industry's rebel seems to be coming around to its charms. Guess the job rubs off on you, no matter who you are.

For the record, I don't seriously believe that bags are a true indicator of anything, much less Freja's attitude towards the fashion industry. I just think it's interesting and fun to see this evolution. Now I'm waiting for the Rick Owens leather jacket and Givenchy heels to make their appearance. Perhaps during the SS10 shows. :) Or maybe the Ksubis and keffiyeh will make their resurgence. What do you think?

Image Credits: elle.com, imaxtree, isaaclikes.blogspot.com

Teen Vogue

There is a little feature on Freja's street style in the August issue of Teen Vogue:

The section is appropriately titled "Tough Chic" and also features Karmen Pedaru, another model favorite of mine. I think this is probably the closest I'll ever get to seeing them in a shoot together. I like how they're similarly dressed, but the devil is in the details. Freja wears Chanel boots and carries Balenciaga, while Karmen opts for Frye boots and carries Chanel. Freja tucks and Karmen un-tucks, yet both push up their sleeves. Karmen also adds a very cool lariat around her neck and it's small details like that that absolutely have me enthralled with model street style.

I'm sure some people find model street style boring and predictable. You always get a proliferation of black, leather, skinny jeans, heels, tees and it-bags. I don't care how repetitive it may seem--I love it. And if you look closely enough you can always find the little things that make each outfit special and unique.

The best thing about a feature like this is that they give you suggestions for where to shop if you want to re-create the look at home, because not everyone can afford Balenciaga.

Image Credit: Altamira.blogspot.com

Playing Dress Up

Earlier this week paper dress up dolls of Kate and Agyness were released. Yes, I know, not the most groundbreaking fashion news ever, but I think it's still cute and whimsical nonetheless. Anyway, lots of blogs covered the news because I guess this counts as coverage worthy fashion "news" during the off summer months. But Modelinia took it one step further and created a wish list of other models who they want to see in paper doll form.

Surprisingly, they included Freja on their list:

Freja Beha Erichsen, because she has that effortlessly cool look about her, and with all the outfits you could mix and match on her you get to decide which of her tattoos stay visible. So enviable.

I wasn't expecting them to pick her because for the longest time it seemed that Modelinia didn't even know Freja existed. They only very recently created her model page and it's still severely lacking in any substantial content when compared to the other models on the site. (I should know as I've been checking and hoping in vein that they'll put up some cute videos of Freja shopping or showing off her closet a la Noot and Hanne.) Also, we all know that Freja has a rather minimalistic, casual street style, but maybe that's why she was included this feature? How else are we ever going to get the chance to see dresses and colors on Freja if we we can't just do it ourselves. :)

Image Credit: Modelinia.com

Danish Female Model of the Year

So I'm sure that by now you all know Freja won Best Female Model of the Year at the Dansk awards held on Wednesday. No surprise there. Even in an off year her body of work was more substantial than her competitors Agnete and Charlotte. Granted Freja's been on the modeling circuit longer than the two of them, but she's one of the top ten working models today so the odds were tough to beat. Freja's is also the most well-known model to come out of Denmark since Helena Christensen, and if she keeps on working I have a feeling they'll be giving this award to her next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.

She attended the awards looking beautiful, while staying true to her own style. There were elements of glamor--some makeup, heels, and new bag--but there were elements of Freja's everyday style as well. She wore tight, skinny black pants and layered tees under a black blazer. It's a uniform we've seen many times during fashion week, but the presence of the heels made all the difference.

Choosing to forgo her usual flat boots, Freja opted for Isabel Marant studded, heeled boots straight off the FW0910 runway. (Perhaps a take-away from walking the show?) She also left the Balenciaga bag at home in favor of the very popular black Alexander Wang hobo. Her sartorial choices may be simple, but they exude fashion, quality and quiet, relatable luxury.

That's what the best models do. They make all clothes look good no matter when or where they wear them. Yes, Freja could have gone a little more lux considering it was an awards gala. But I'm kind of glad she didn't because I always love seeing a woman who is completely at ease in her own style and sense of self.

On a last note, of course I have to mention Freja's hair. She's definitely growing it out now. Maybe my musings on commercialism actually have some substance? She already has the Gap campaign on her plate for this season. Maybe next we'll see her reprising her commercial role in an H&M campaign? If this happens, then you read it here first. :)

Image Credits: 7inch.dk, msndk.starlounge.com, uniquemodels.blogspot.com -- all courtesy of Candlebougie at tFS (thank you!) Other images: celebritycity.com, kirnazabete.com