Tao Okamoto Editorial for Commons&Sense Magazine #34, Spring/Summer 2008

Tao Okamoto was one of the first models I noticed when I started this blog about 2 years ago. She was a staple on the New York & London Fashion Week until the Chinese and Korean models invaded the runways. She has since disappeared from the spotlight until I found this editorial of her in the Japanese avant garde magazine, Commons&Sense, Issue #34 (Spring/Summer 2008). I'm so glad to see her back on the pages of fashion again.

Her most notable work has been in the ad campaigns for Anne Fontaine (Spring/Summer 2007) and Moschino (Fall 2007/Winter 2008). She has also appeared in Teen Vogue (April 2007) and New York Times' T Magazine (August 2007) in the US.

Model: Tao Okamoto

Editorial: A Maid in a Daze

Magazine: (Japanese) Commons&Sense #34, Spring/Summer 2008

Photographer: Jean-François Carly

Stylist: Shinichi Mikawa

Hair: Koichi Nishimura @ANGLE

Makeup: Rie Sekine @FEMME

Source: Common&Sense & Jean-François Carly

Hye Park Ad Campaign for GAP, Spring/Summer 2008

Models: Hye Park 1, Anya Rubik, Catherine McNeil, Chanel Iman & Hye Park 2

Ad Campaign: GAP The Art of Color, Spring/Summer 2008

Photographer: Unknown

Source: tFs

Gwen Lu Editorial for French Numéro #15, Spring/Summer 2008

Greg Kadel is one of my favorite photographers so I was glad to find out that Gwen Lu had shot with him for this editorial in (French) Numéro #15, Spring/Summer 2008. Numéro may not be as commercially recognized as Vogue, but it is still one of the more interesting and creative magazines, beloved by many fashion insiders. So for Gwen Lu to appear in (French) Numéro is a big step forward for her and her career.

The simplicity of this shoot and its focus on the clothes make it a huge departure from Gwen's previous work. Makeup artists and stylists love to use a lot of makeup on Asian models -- it's a trend that I have noticed lately. I don't know if it's because Asian facial features are softer and less distinct that make them good canvases for makeup OR they need a lot of makeup to bring the features out in photos. Regardless, the natural look here is superb.

Model: Gwen Lu
Editorial: Nomade
Magazine: (French) Numéro #15, Spring/Summer 2008
Photographer: Greg Kadel
Fashion Editor: Bill Mullen

Source: Elite Models

Gwen Lu Editorial for Greek 4essera Magazine #5, Spring/Summer 2008

Model: Gwen Lu

Editorial: Unknown
Magazine: Greek 4essera Magazine #5, Spring/Summer 2008
Photographer: Tassos Vrettos/D-Tales

Source: D-Tales

Lakshmi Menon in Hermès, Spring/Summer 2008 Catalog

Model: Lakshmi Menon
Catalog: Hermès, Spring/Summer 2008
Photographer: Prabuddha Dasgupta

Source: Prabuddha Dasgupta website