So Gemma Ward is, according to reports, shooting/has shot the first ever cover (by Patrick Demarchelier) for Vogue India as I type. I've let my feelings about the launch of the magazine (high levels of ambivalence) be known earlier, but right now all I'm thinking is- does the girl actually look so oriental that she's the only model you can use for inaugural Vogue covers in this part of the world? I'd have liked it if they used an Indian model on the cover, even though most of them honestly aren't up to scratch, and I still wish they'd picked someone other than Gemma- Piv, Behati Prinsloo, Stam or even Irina (wishful thinking, I know) would've done just great. Huh. But at least they haven't gone the Cosmo way and done something awful like give over the cover to Aishwarya Rai, who is beautiful but has about the same levels of acting talent as Mischa Barton (thinking about it, probably less). More importantly in this context, since we're talking Vogue, she's also utterly lacking in fashion sense of any kind since her stylists are by and large inept and having the most perfect facial features in the country and a decentish figure doesn't automatically give you the ability to dress yourself before you make a public appearance . At least Rachel Zoe had some merit.. check pictures of her- Rai, I mean- at Cannes in 2003 if you want to know what I'm talking about. And as for the model I was actually rooting for to have scored the cover, Ujjwala Raut, it's an honest pity that urchin/waif/little girl is the look models seem to need these days, it's beautiful but if the bloody mag had been launching five years ago when looking like a grown woman was actually a good thing in the modelverse, she'd have scored the cover for sure. She happens to belong to the rather va-va-voom school of beauty that was hot around then, and was also probably the only Indian model ever to score jobs at the major fashion weeks on a somewhat consistent basis (Lanvin, YSL, Dolce & Gabbana- no matter how much I don't really like their stuff, they're still a big name- Emilio Pucci, Zac Posen, Viktor&Rolf, Vivienne Westwood, Givenchy and- oh, wait- Victoria's Secret, should it count?). She semi-retired when she had her kid about two years ago, but she's still fairly amazing. And at least her version of a fish face doesn't get on my nerves like pretty Gemma's.... 
That's her on the far left (Dolce & Gabbana advert, circa 2004)
Before I resume hiatus, I just want to ask: did any of you guys ever like Faithless? I just went through Outrospective all over again just now and it was like, hello Summer of 2002, cause it's funny, I loved them all through my high school years and haven't listened to them since. I guess a bit of watching couldn't hurt?
One Step Too Far
One Step Too Far
21 comments:
gemma's my favourite model, but i think they for sure should have put an indian model on indian vogue- she was on the launch cover of china vogue, but at least she had asianpeple with her.. they should have put parminder nagra on the cover, unlike aishwarya rai (bad actress, but I love mischa!!) parminder (i keep almost writing 'neela', her character) is an amazing aactress and seriously beautiful.
great post! x
I'm surprised they didn't opt for an Indian model either. It's slightly disappointing because it would've been a good opportunity to give focus to/launch the career of someone who actually needs it. You're absolutely right about 'Mrs Bachan' who has about as much depth as a puddle. I'm very curious about what the content will be like, I might ask family to send over a copy.
re: Lily Cole was probably even hotter than in the film. She's so smart too, the girl has it all.
I forgot about Jean Seberg! That's 3 women now!
I'm a sucker for school-themed movies and books, as I grew up on a steady diet of Enid Blyton. I was desperate to go to a school like Malory Towers.
Is Parminder Nagra the chick from Bend it Like Beckham who's on that hospital show now?
I agree. I just heard about all this and I was like, huh? My concerns are more about the quality of writing in India. Then again, my main basis is the "Calcutta Times" supplement in the newspaper, which tries too hard to be flashy and relevant. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong.
I don't think they could have found a less Indian-looking model than Gemma Ward if they'd tried. She's like a little baby Sloane alien. I mean, literally, she looks like she recently switched to being bottle-fed.
I've already expressed concerns over the quality of the editorial talent (one person, at any rate) being hired...it isn't as if Vogue is a hotbed of great writing anyway, but I don't want to see it actually become substandard. I don't want endless input from model-turned-choreographer/ wannabe TV presenter twits who think the height of style is matching a belt to a pair of shoes. And I will SCREAM if I see the word 'snazzy' anywhere in print.
@Emma: "little baby Sloane alien"? It's a good thing I'm not drinking anything as I read that, I'd be in serious danger of choking :)
Hey, I like the word snazzy. Very 1950s. Like "spiffy" or "neat". Gotta love spiffiness.
Yeah, but you can't use it in complete earnest- it belongs in publications for six-year-olds. And I can say the word spiffy out loud and mean it, but snazzy just makes me squirm.
But yeah. Spiffiness=love. Of the outfit, at any rate. Or I'd be falling for a lot of very well-dressed blackguards (see, ridiculous word again).
Woah, just read this post and scrolled down to your last one! Glad you haven't gone... the fashion world still needs your input!
Mrs f x
Woah, just read this post and scrolled down to your last one! Glad you haven't gone... the fashion world still needs your input!
Mrs f x
I remember loving "One Step Too Far" when it came out. I quite like the combination of both Armstrongs. :)
I suppose it's all about context. For instance
"Snazzy duds/threads" is right. Or "Snazzy shoes."
Blackguard is a very odd word, because it's pronouced blaggard, yet I can't help but hear "black-guard" when I read it.
Gemma on the cover of Vogue India...rather odd choice, I mean she bares a striking resemblance to Dakota Fanning.
your pics didn't work ... or is it just my computer ?...
No it's not just your computer... they haven't worked since this was posted...
why wouldn't they put an Indian model on the cover? tsk tsk, I really sislike Gemma Ward. I also can't see any pictures :(
you've been tagged ! more info at my blog.
-marlene
I see you're quite the guru hon:)
You got my new number?
Hey I just listened to the best of Faithless. In school I had only heard God is a DJ. I must say, I liked what I heard. Going into an electronica period right now.
I'll do the tag in a few days...
@Tan: no, I don't have your number since you haven't given it to me. Message across to 09986114960. And your cat looks skinny. Take care of yourselves, please.
I fixed the picture problem.I'm guessing we don't REALLY need another picture of Gemma anywhere.
Haha, well I keep checking your blog to see if you've updated, and I was sort of bored so I was perusing. I'm glad someone gets a kick out of my visits =)
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