I often lament the dearth of creative thinking in the fashion industry, especially in American fashion magazines. I understand that there really aren't very many, if any, truly original ideas any more, but I always have my fingers crossed for a special twist on that same-old same-old that feels relevant to fashion.
However, after embarking today on my annual pilgrimage through September Vogue I came across something so blatantly, bald-facedly reeking of eau de rip-off that I couldn't believe my eyes.
It's an editorial called "Into The Woods." It stars Natalia Vodianova as Little Red Riding Hood. Guess what? W had an editorial called "Into The Woods" two years ago, starring Doutzen Kroes as Goldilocks. Both edits were shot by heavyweight photog duo Mert & Marcus and both were published in Condé Nast glossies. So basically this is the exact same editorial pushed as something new and inexplicably "now," two years later. Barf.
I can understand encountering the banal in Vogue - Grace Coddington has a penchant for trite plotlines (Romeo & Juliet was another recent editorial conceit she employed), but this is a new low. This is downright pathetic and legitimately insulting. To think that they couldn't at least have dubbed it "Into The Woods 2," although I suppose I'm grateful they didn't, since that probably would've opened the door for "Into The Woods 3: Hansel & Gretel," or something.
However, after embarking today on my annual pilgrimage through September Vogue I came across something so blatantly, bald-facedly reeking of eau de rip-off that I couldn't believe my eyes.
It's an editorial called "Into The Woods." It stars Natalia Vodianova as Little Red Riding Hood. Guess what? W had an editorial called "Into The Woods" two years ago, starring Doutzen Kroes as Goldilocks. Both edits were shot by heavyweight photog duo Mert & Marcus and both were published in Condé Nast glossies. So basically this is the exact same editorial pushed as something new and inexplicably "now," two years later. Barf.
I can understand encountering the banal in Vogue - Grace Coddington has a penchant for trite plotlines (Romeo & Juliet was another recent editorial conceit she employed), but this is a new low. This is downright pathetic and legitimately insulting. To think that they couldn't at least have dubbed it "Into The Woods 2," although I suppose I'm grateful they didn't, since that probably would've opened the door for "Into The Woods 3: Hansel & Gretel," or something.
Huh, it looks like they've both fallen down in a bed of leaves. I guess that happens.
And I guess sometimes people fall down in very similarly awkward positions... 
...and find themselves sitting up amidst a sea of fuschia?
Everyone gets pensive in the woods, right? And what better place to look pensive than in front of a tree?
Actually, no, this is just bullshit.Have fun digging yourself out of the shithole of mediocrity you've dug yourself into, Vogue. I think this has ended our unstable four-year relationship, because you know what? I deserve better.
P.S. If someone could explain to me Mert & Marcus's "thing" for supermodels getting molested in the woods by children's story creatures I would appreciate it. Cheers.
P.S. If someone could explain to me Mert & Marcus's "thing" for supermodels getting molested in the woods by children's story creatures I would appreciate it. Cheers.
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11 comments:
Bravo! Thanks for critique, it was much needed!
unreal, thanks for bringing this to light!
that is insane and sad-I wonder if Vogue was aware of the first. I mean even that hair and the bow! It's crazy!!!
My love affair with Mert & Marcus' work is long over. But this is the icing on the cake. I can't believe photographers would agree to knock off their own work!
awesome research on these photographs.
it seems vogue's losing itself.. and thank you for making it really clear with this ;)
Low blow on grace.
Let's see you produce editorials like these for decades.
And FYI there is nothing really new under the sun. Everything's been done.
Even your whole cynical bitchy writing style.
Sean - great post, you're certainly getting your name out there thanks to your keen eye. Love your wit and humor. Keep up the refreshing sense of originality.
that W story was taken from an old katie grand POP story.
I also love how the Vogue March 2009 spread "Power Hair" was eerily similar to the Prada Spring 2009 Ad Campaign. Vogue sucks.
Wow, this is great. Who knew??
I get these two models confused all the time, so it humurous that they end up in a similar shoot. In my view, you can pluck one out and substitute the other without really noticing.
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