Sunday, January 23, 2011

Inspired by Her

More and more often, I come across fashion editorials in which a male model is paying a tribute to a female iconic figure. Wait, let's clarify: I'm not talking about female impersonators, i.e. males who attempt to "copy" as closely as possible the features and behaviours of a certain diva, often with humoristic intentions.

(I still fail to see what's so funny about a man dressing like a woman... such a comedian still has to work hard to draw a laugh from me: being in drag is not enough. After all, that's what I do all the time, according to some outdated criteria)

I'm talking about honest homages to a female celebrity in which a man, without pretending to look like a woman or to appear "exactly" like the lady he's styled after, shows his esteem by drawing inspiration for his whole outfit, his accessories, even his makeup, from those of the diva of choice.

For instance, Grace Jones, having been a charismatic performer, and herself quite androgynous in her looks, has been a frequent recipient such tributes.  

Jean Paul Paula's haircut, fur coat and lipstick evidence the source of his inspiration. The pic appeared in Candy Magazine.

And the same can be said about French-Nigerian David Agbodji in this edit for Numero Homme

Andrej Pejic's styling here was inspired by the looks of the  almighty Frida Giannini, creative Director for Gucci. (Andrej looks prettier than his role model, one should point out). 

Now the team lead by photographers Matthew Berthemy and and Paul Kemler pay their homage to Donatella Versace, the heiress of the Versace empire, by styling their model after her.

May I add that, once again, the ever-so-cute Charles Guislain looks way more beautiful than the original?


Donatella Tribute
Models Charles Guislain 
Hair styling Rémy Pilot
Make-up Cédric Jolivet


Backstage Pictures

Source

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2 comments:

  1. Pretty pictures! I didn't know there was a trend of genderbending homages, but now that I know, it makes me happy. :)

    On a related note, my bf recently bought Making Faces, a famous book on makeup techniques, and it turns out two of the gorgeous feminine models in the book are actually one of the author's guy friends. It made me squeal a bit when I realized.

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  2. Yes. Nice job by Berthemy and Kemler.
    I wasn't aware of such a trend either, if we can call it so, but I've started to perceive as I look for stuff for my blog.
    By the way, I loved your blog and your artwork! Congrats! Juan

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