The September Issue | VOGUE Call of the Wild
It’s that time of the year when the big magazines are rolling out those door-stopper issues flaunting the surreal number of pages on the covers (Not that “Mass” means “Class”). Vogue seems to be the leader, currently reveling in 856 pages of Fall fashions to coerce us into adopting the latest trends.

856 pages!?! Vogue, September 2014 Issue.
Truth be told, the best photos from these monster issues are really the advertising campaigns that seem to fill most of the pages. But the big magazines do know how to break out of the ordinary to deliver incredibly creative and artistic photo spreads that deeply engage and excite the viewer. These attainable fantasies — don’t forget that the apparel featured will be in the stores –act twofold: they introduce “It” items of the season and offer stylistic twists for the viewer to consider adopting.

Fall 2014-Winter 2015 Campaigns – Lanvin, McQueen, Hermès, Prada

Saskia Debraw, Karen Elson, Carolyn Murphy and Rachel Zimmerman Moschino – Fall 2014-Winter 2015 Campaign photographed by Steven Meisel

Julia Nobis for Fall 2014 Campaign photographed by Willi

Gisele Bündchen in Balenciaga – Fall Winter 2014-2015 Campaign photographed ny Steven Klein
The Vogue Call of the Wild, September 2014 Issue, is one of those great photo-fantasies and — in this particular case — an extraordinary fur story. Modeled by Sasha Pivovarova, styled by Tabitha Simmons and photographed by Mikael Jansson, this Nordic fur saga recalls an iconic Vogue photo editorial conceived in 1966 by Diana Vreeland (then Vogue editor in chief) and photographed by Richard Avedon in Japan. The object of desire in that shoot was the one and only Veruschka (née Vera von Lehndorff-Steinort), one of the models who helped redefine the 1960s. The exotic locales, extensive schedule and high-priced talent of this legendary shoot required one of the most expansive budgets ever allocated for a fashion photo shoot at the time.

“Call of the Wild”, Vogue, September 2014. Photographed by Mikael Jamsson.

“Call of the Wild”, Vogue, September 2014. Photographed by Mikael Jamsson.

“The Girl in the Fabulous Furs”, VOGUE, Vogue October 15th 1966. Photographed by Richard Avedon.

“The Girl in the Fabulous Furs”, VOGUE, Vogue October 15th 1966. Photographed by Richard Avedon.
We are thrilled at the obvious shout-out; but unlike the 1966’s “The Girl in the Fabulous Furs”, “Call of the Wild” doesn’t carry the same pop culture thrill. Still, Sasha’s haunting gaze is ‘traffic-stopping’ as are some of the garment choices. While the 2014 shoot lacks in unexpected creative twists and modernity, Sasha’s high cheekbones and exceptional beauty and the sharp, rugged landscapes lend an ethereal beauty that is sure to leave a lasting imprint.

“Call of the Wild”, Vogue, September 2014. Photographed by Mikael Jamsson.

“The Girl in the Fabulous Furs”, VOGUE, Vogue October 15th 1966. Photographed by Richard Avedon.

“The Girl in the Fabulous Furs”, VOGUE, Vogue October 15th 1966. Photographed by Richard Avedon.

“Call of the Wild”, Vogue, September 2014. Photographed by Mikael Jamsson.
If you’re going to reference a famous photo-shoot, you might just as well do like Vogue and reference one of the great ones. Kudos!

“Call of the Wild”, Vogue, September 2014. Photographed by Mikael Jamsson.

“The Girl in the Fabulous Furs”, VOGUE, Vogue October 15th 1966. Photographed by Richard Avedon.

“The Girl in the Fabulous Furs”, VOGUE, Vogue October 15th 1966. Photographed by Richard Avedon.

“Call of the Wild”, Vogue, September 2014. Photographed by Mikael Jamsson.
PS: If the great Veruschka intrigues you? We’ll head back to her in upcoming blogs.

Veruschka in Yves Saint Laurent. Photographed by by Franco Rubartelli, 1968.