August 20, 2012

The Heart of Beauty

Fashion Magazine celebrated their 35th anniversary by having a one-page feature called One Fine Photo on the last page of each issue.  This feature looked back at a some of the best photos in Fashion Magazine's 35 year history, and one photo in particular made my breath catch in my throat. 
This stunning photo of Jessica Stam (my second favourite model) taken by Gabor Jurina was part of a cover photoshoot for Fashion's February 2005 issue.  From amongst all the fashion photography I have been exposed to, there are only a handful of fashion images that I love from the bottom of my heart (four images, to be precise - all of which contain the colour blue...there really is no hiding what my favourite colour is).  I look at those images and I can find no fault in them.  They make me sigh at their beauty time and time again, and it is exactly what this photo of Stam does to me.  There is a clarity about the bright lighting that lends an air of innocence and warmth to the photo, and the purity of the surroundings and of Stam herself is alarmingly beautiful.  Her skin flawless, her hair and lips fiery red and seductive...you almost think nothing can be more perfect until you see her penetrating blue eyes, which sharply draw you in and refuse to let you go.  There's not much fashion in this photo besides the blush-toned lace corset, toeing the line between seduction and innocence, but in this case, the fashion is hardly important.  Stam gives off a powerful aura that just cannot be ignored.  While some liken this photo to Marilyn Monroe's last photoshoot, I liken Stam's intensity to another supermodel of times past, Linda Evangelista.
Although they don't share the same features, they share the same ability to hook you in with one look of their enticing eyes.  It's not long until you find yourself drifting through a world of sublime.  If you ask me, that's what a great fashion image has to do.  Beauty is beauty, but it's only skin deep if it doesn't pull at your heart with indescribable emotion.

16 comments:

  1. great post honey, i really lve the phtoos!

    xx

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  2. That is literally my favorite Jessica Stam picture EVER! When I first spotted it a couple of years ago, I printed it off the computer and have had it on my inspiration board since. It is just stunning!! :)

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  3. I just love her red hair. I wish I was born with flowing red locks.

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  4. That picture is amazing! I love how both her eyes and hair are so bright. And by the way, what are your other favorite pictures?

    xo Sootjeelina

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  5. I agree, the power in the image is undeniable!

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  6. I feel like I can never really trust pictures and photos in magazines, but this is enthralling.

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  7. Those are seriously incredible photos. Of course, there's a great deal of photo manipulation that goes into them but it's undeniable how much they speak through regardless of that. Eyes might not be the window to the soul, but they definitely take you somewhere.

    http://anni-dot-elle.blogspot.com

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  8. I love the first picture, it's beautiful !
    http://selenite.weebly.com

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  9. The photo of Jessica Stam is one of my favorites ... those blue eyes coupled with the red hair .. just stunning!! Happy Monday to you, sweet! ~xoSandy

    SANDY M Illustration
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com

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  10. Jessica Stam, seriously, gets me every time. I do wonder how much photoshopping goes into an image like this but with such a flawless final product, I wonder if it really matters that much in the end? It's just so pretty!

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  11. Wow that photo of jessica stam is seriously so amazing. her beauty is captured in that one single shot and it just... shines!

    love from the NANA girls xoxo

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  12. love the first photo!!
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  13. it would be so cool to see this whole magazine i think!

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  14. what a gorgeous redhead!!! and those eyes! just beautiful!
    kiss,mary
    http://www.maryloucinnamon.com/

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