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Emmanuelle Alt at Versace show photographs © 2013 Condé Nast and augustolignanoboutique.blogspot.com

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Emmanuelle Alt at Chanel show courtesy of pacificcoastnews.com

Vogue Paris: Christy
By Heather Dunhill 

What an amazing trifecta of talent on these impactful pages of Vogue Paris — stylist Géraldine Saglio, photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin (AKA Inez & Vinoodh) and the stunningly sexy model Christy Turlington, who has been quoted as saying: “I sincerely feel that beauty largely comes from within.” Maybe that’s why as a forty-four year old mother she is still on the pages of one of the hottest fashion magazines out there. Surprising to think, by antiquated industry standards, that she was “too old” to model more than a decade ago. How nice for us that has evolved and the teens and tweens are no longer the primary keepers of what makes a woman beautiful.

Turning the pages, at first glance it’s easy to be drawn in by the tights — Saglio signals that it’s time to embrace hosiery, again. But this time around, the modern twist is to make them a focal point and a layered accessory. Even a chic necessity as with the black leather braided mini-skirt. Then, take a closer look at the makeup by Aaron de Mey and hair by James Pecis; it’s perfection. Goes to show for those of you out there that consider makeup an after thought to your look…

But it’s the incredibly moody and limited palette that catches us off guard, the stark contrast of black on white and the absence of color that makes the strongest statement. Except, of course, for the unexpected crimson in a coffee mug, rose, or contemporary chair. Reminding us with all the color that abounds in fashion now, not to turn our back on ebony, or ivory for that matter, because it can bring the drama with the subtlest inflection. It’s art — the edgy, sexy, modern kind.

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2012 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Today marks the second anniversary of I Want To Be An Alt, two amazing years following Emmanuelle Alt, editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris and style influence to many around the world. It has been an interesting year and I love all of you for reading along. I would like to express my thanks to the contributors to the site — the writers, the photographers, and the artists that lend their talents to make it worth visiting — especially my brilliant editorial team: Kamila Brudzynska, Heather Dunhill, Richard James, Kate Ringo Suzuki, and Bernie Rothschild. Extra special thanks to my beau, Michael, for the constant encouragement and the grounding element, you are my huckleberry. I very much look forward to another fabulous year ahead with all of you!

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Emmanuelle Alt photographs © 1997 20 Ans and © 2003–2013 Condé Nast.  Anniversary collage by Kellina de Boer.

Vogue Paris: Emmanuelle
By Richard James

The French beauty Emmanuelle Seigner is not an unusual face to be gracing the pages of Vogue Paris, over the years we have seen her summarized in the team's usual aesthetic several times and this time is no different. Shot by Terry Richardson and styled by one of the most relevant and exciting stylists of our time, Marie Chaix.

Although the story is short but sweet packing a real punch with Emmanuelle Seigner exuding her extraordinary beauty through minimal makeup contrasted with pieces from Lanvin, Jil Sander, and Balmain which keep the story simple but strong and ultimately sexy.

The editorial breathes an utterly refreshing take on beauty, shot by Terry in a usual Terry manner, focusing on her sheer beauty and razor sharp cheek bones.

Chaix's presence in Vogue Paris recently has been a welcomed addition for me with her sultry take on the trends giving the magazine a breath of fresh air and her latest editorial with Emmanuelle Seigner summarizes her utterly flawless sense of style.

Terry Richardson, Emmanuelle Alt, Emmanuelle Seigner

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2012 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

The limited edition artist's book Alt/Saglio: Quotes + Citations has been revised, remixed, and reissued and thanks to its creator, Wynn Dan, you can now win a copy! Choose your favorite editorial as styled by Emmanuelle Alt and submit an essay about it for your chance to win; feel free to include the strengths and weaknesses of the work as well as your thoughts on the garments, the model(s), the photography, the composition, the light, whatever strikes your fancy. The winner will receive a numbered copy of Alt/Saglio: Quotes + Citations, a treat for any fan of Emmanuelle and Géraldine. The contest is limited to the first 100 respondents and ends 6 March 2013. Please note that the IWTB team is ineligible to play. All submissions become property of IWTB and may be published at my discretion. Good luck to all!

Submit your essay here.

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Alt/Saglio: Quotes + Citations cover and interior images © 2010 Wynn Dan. Emmanuelle Alt and Géraldine Saglio photographs courtesy of lamodellamafia.com. All Rights Reserved.

For the February issue of Vogue Paris, Emmanuelle Alt showcases New York City in several interesting editorials which the IWTBAA team will review over the next few weeks. Kicking things off is our eloquent and prolific contributing editor Richard James with his analysis of "New York Partie 2." Thanks so much, Rich, and keep up your brilliant work! Now I am left to wonder, did Emmanuelle Alt lend her limited edition Playboy box set to Melanie Ward for inspiration?

Vogue Paris: New York Partie 2
By Richard James

Mixing a combination of the fashion world's finest and vintage store finds, Melanie Ward transported us into an exciting and realistic vision of New York City teamed with Mario Sorrenti which made this editorial a true highlight for an issue which shows the many aspects of a city that will always be regarded as a go-to centre for young and emerging talents in the fashion and fine art world.

Anja Rubik pounding the streets of New York in Giambattista Valli on the opening page of "New York Partie 2" pretty much summarized my views of New York, a live exhibition space for up-and-coming New York-based artists living a somewhat makeshift lifestyle in downtown New York, their closets full of thrift store finds molded together in today's age of technology would no doubt equal to one of the blogging world's newest up-and-coming street style icons.

As the editorial progresses you can feel a gradual progression from day to night as Anja's outfits become less casual and more sensual making a bolder sexual statement for evening with a flash of cleavage and a hint of thigh.

More often than not throughout the story I found myself with two reference points in my head: that of the legendary Charlie's Angels actress Farrah Fawcett on the cover of Playboy Magazine in December 1978 but also reference points lead to 1980s pornography which is often a source of inspiration for the photographer Sorrenti.

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2013 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

For the March issue of Vogue Paris, Emmanuelle Alt chose Suvi Koponen as her cover girl, a first for the burgeoning model who hails from Finland. Emmanuelle describes her "avant-garde issue" for us: "A radical is someone who dares to take risks, break down barriers and assume the responsibility of their actions. It means making no compromises. This issue of Vogue Paris flirts outrageously and deliberately with this idea." Outrageous and deliberate flirtation with risk?! Bring it, Emma! Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott photographed Koponen for the cover which calls to mind the portraits painted by the great Dutch masters. Other forward thinkers gracing the pages of the daring issue are David Bowie, Hubert de Givenchy, Jean de Loisy, Loris Gréaud, Ashish Gupta, Laurent Le Bon, Miuccia Prada, Michel Verjux, and Loko Yu. Vogue Paris March 2013 appears on newsstands beginning 22 February.

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Vogue Paris March 2013 cover photograph by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott © 2013 Condé Nast.

Vogue Paris: Les Sept Vies De Carla Bruni
By Kamila Brudzynska

The December 2012/January 2013 issue of Vogue Paris, also known as the Christmas issue, was special because of Carla Bruni as the cover star. We have seen her in many roles: a model, a singer, a mother, a wife, and recently an actress. Carla Bruni has many faces and she is always stunning.

“Les Sept Vies de Carla Bruni” shows her as a happy, sensual woman. Mario Sorrenti and Emmanuelle Alt prepared the photo shoot which is very simple with black and white colors and even the two colorful ones are focused on Carla’s personality and beauty. Emmanuelle picked classic black and white clothes such as a biker jacket from Jean Paul Gaultier or a cashmere sweater from Chanel.

Besides the photos there is an exclusive interview with Carla Bruni. She talks about her family, her pregnancy, and her points of view on various topics. It is worth it to read not only for her fans but also for those that appreciate French women and their style and way of being.

"I first met Carla Bruni in my early 20s when she was just starting out as a model, and it has been a real pleasure to create this special Christmas issue with an old friend," writes Emmanuelle Alt in her editor’s letter that leads off the issue. The fact that Emmanuelle and Carla are friends for so many years certainly helped with work on this issue. Also, as we know, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris likes to work with Mario Sorrenti so this collaboration could not go wrong. We have amazing photos made by a professional team. We can see pure simplicity, pure classic.

More from Vogue Paris December 2012/January 2013

Vogue Paris: Carla en privé
By Kate Ringo Suzuki

Vogue Paris: Christy
By Heather Dunhill

Vogue Paris: Emmanuelle
By Richard James

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2012 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Review: Vogue Paris February 2013 Issue
By Heather Dunhill

Mon dieu ! It’s the merging of my two favorite cities, New York and Paris, for the Vogue Paris numéro de février. This issue is clearly a nod to Americans that our stilettos are in step with Parisian style. But, could we possibly be so hot on their heels that the French want to know where we are going in terms of fashion and beauty? Now that would be a true French Revolution…

Nice to see that Emmanuelle Alt validated the talent within the trend-forward boroughs of NYC like Dior’s makeup designer Yadim, makeup artist Janeen Witherspoon, and hair stylist Mark Hampton. Even street-style maven Garance Doré penned a love note to the Big Apple in her Humeur column.

So many fabulous layouts this month, it made this magazine really worth poring over. Difficult to choose a favorite but from the sense of attainable glamour for every girl, I crown Capucine Safyurtlu for her styling of "Upper Chic," pages 150–157. The photographs by Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer are fresh and modern — a primer, if you will, on how to wear one of the season’s hottest colors, optic white.

It is clear the New World has earned a hard-fought place in fashion’s hierarchy if Vogue Paris has turned its eyes to us. Overall, I give the issue a 9 out 10. Yes, people. A NINE. See, I can come up with a positive review, when deserved.

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2013 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris: Rendez-vous à Manhattan (New York Partie 1)
By Heather Dunhill

Ok, look — regarding "Rendez-vous à Manhattan," styling by Emmanuelle Alt, I’m taking the Oreo Cookie constructive criticism approach. Have you ever heard of it? You give positive reinforcement on both ends but it’s the stuff in the middle that needs improvement. So, here goes.

I LOVE that Alt stepped out her comfort zone but kept the best of her signature rock 'n' roll styling. She kept it simple with accessories, sent the crosses back to the Vatican, and updated model Milla Jovovich with a solid hair style a la 1980s Brigitte Nielsen — very, very hot.

Trying to keep an open mind, I didn’t know how I completely felt about the overall styling until I got to "New York Partie 2," styled by Melanie Ward. It makes Alt’s shoot look less than with Jovovich running around the city in Charlie’s Angels mode, one pic with a hotrod Prius as a backdrop. Trust me, I know there are some great photos in this editorial but maybe if it was once or twice with the finger gun — but, oh. no. It’s every shot. I’m starting to think it’s not all Alt’s fault. It’s quite possible that her position has created some sort of insulation from trustworthy feedback. Are those around Emmanuelle Alt telling her that every idea she has is golden?

The clothes are to die, no doubt. I was especially into the Dolce & Gabbana flower appliqué dress and the Alexander McQueen number that could have been on Charlize Theron in Snow White and the Huntsman. I also admire Emmanuelle Alt for showing us that those black pumps of hers have staying power and, don’t hate me non-smokers, I even like that she throws in a rebellious cigarette — just to let us know she sits in one of the highest fashion offices in the land and, she can.

More from Vogue Paris February 2013

Vogue Paris: New York Partie 2
By Richard James

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2013 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris April 2010

The Angle On Alt: Raquel Zimmermann
By Kamila Brudzynska

A few years ago Raquel Zimmermann was interviewed by Brazilian GNT Fashion. She spent a day with the cameras and talked about the fashion industry. She discussed Inez & Vinoodh, David Sims, Karl Lagerfeld, Grace Coddington, Emmanuelle Alt, and her experience with fashion.

Vogue Paris December 2011

When asked, “A fashion editor who is an icon for me?” she named Grace Coddington and Emmanuelle Alt. “I really like Emmanuelle Alt from French Vogue. She understands what women want today. She’s taking fashion in a young way. Her style, that she shows. A lot of shows is a bit rock 'n’ roll, the seventies. She knows how to show something like disco or paillettes, or metallic. But in a cool, young way.”

Vogue Paris June 2010

Raquel has appeared at least 16 times in Vogue Paris editorials and half of that is her work with Emmanuelle. The photo shoots are elegant, mysterious, chic, punk, rock 'n’ roll — always different. Raquel can find herself in every theme and the effects are impressive.

Vogue Paris November 2009

Maybe it is the right time for Emmanuelle Alt to put Raquel Zimmermann on the cover of Vogue Paris for the first time?

Vogue Paris November 2011

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Vogue Paris editorial images courtesy of Condé Nast

I am thrilled to announce the promotion of Heather Dunhill to fashion editor for I Want To Be An Alt! Since joining the team a year ago, Heather has proven a constant force, the sweet voice of reason when it comes to analyzing all things Emmanuelle Alt. I know that I speak for many when I say that I anxiously await her smart and sassy review of each issue of Vogue Paris. I hope you will join me in congratulating Heather!

Throughout my career, my passion for all things stylish, whether it was fashion, art, design, or even modern architecture, has remained constant. The challenge early on was to parlay them, with my penchant for creative writing, into a suitable forum.

Born in the state of New York, part of me believes the inclination was in the water. However, a transplant to Florida shifted my fashionable focus to suit my new bohemian lifestyle of surfing and beach-going and now back again to some version of downtown girl crossed with architectural edgy.

Which is how I happened upon the effortlessly chic and perfectly Parisian style of Emmanuelle Alt. As a 5’11” femme, I often spy the styling of those like me and Alt has the ideal tall girl style. I love that it seems as if she walked up to her closet, grabbed three to five pieces, and assembled as she took a bite of her madeleine and a sip of her French Press café. I truly admire her look and following her style is how I happened upon Kellina de Boer’s fabulous site I Want To Be An Alt. A twist of fashionable fate put me in the position to grow with the dynamic team I now find myself a part of.

Today, I’m a style blogger and fashion spectator. In addition to IWTBAA, many of my musings can be found at heatherDUNHILL.com — thanks for following!

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Heather Dunhill photograph courtesy of Rebecca Baxter.

New York n'est pas une ville comme les autres, c'est un mythe. Inoxydable. Le rêve américain dévale le bitume de ses avenues XXL. Artistes, jeunes créateurs, chefs d'entreprise, photographes, top models sont à New York comme des poissons dans l'eau. Question d'énergie, de démesure... Et le sentiment grisant que tout y est possible, que tout va très vite. Là, sur les toits des buildings, au coin d'un block, sur une bicyclette à Manhattan ou dans un loft de Soho, la mode de ce printemps-été 2013 exulte. En guest : Milla Jovovich, mannequin star et égérie de films d'action dont le punch éclatant vibre au diapason de la ville.

New York, c'est aussi une faune fascinante. Au sommaire de ce numéro, un escadron de talents, l'adrénaline créative à l'instant T. Alexander Wang, créateur adulé outre-Atlantique qui prend les rênes de Balenciaga à Paris, les Proenza Schouler, Claire Danes, la bluffante héroïne de Homeland, l'artiste Elizabeth Peyton, sans oublier l'écrivain anglais Zadie Smith aujourd'hui basée à New York, charmée, à chaque fois qu'elle y remet les pieds, par la délirante ligne d'horizon qui s'offre à ses yeux. C'est tellement vrai. Le panorama y est comme nulle part ailleurs.

New York is not a city like the others, this is a myth. Steel. The American dream rushes down the asphalt of the avenues XXL. Artists, young designers, CEOs, photographers, top models take to New York like fish to water. The issues of energy, excess... And the heady feeling that everything is possible, that everything goes very fast. There, on the roofs of buildings at the corner of a block, on a bicycle, or in a Manhattan loft in Soho, the fashion of this spring-summer 2013 exults. Our guest: Milla Jovovich, star model and the face of action movies with a brilliant punch, vibrates in tune with the city.

New York is also a fascinating animal. In the contents of this issue, a troop of talents, the creative adrenaline of this instant in time. Alexander Wang, the designer worshiped overseas who takes the reins of Balenciaga in Paris, Proenza Schouler, Claire Danes, the baffling heroine of Homeland, the artist Elizabeth Peyton, not to mention the British writer Zadie Smith now based in New York, charmed, every time she puts her feet on the ground, the frenzied skyline awaits her eyes. This is so true. The panorama is like nowhere else.

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2013 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Special thanks to Hajin Bae for permitting me to share with all of you her fabulous illustration inspired by the cover of Vogue Paris Collections. Hajin works as an illustrator, graphic designer, and art director in Seoul, Korea. I love her style and I hope you will also, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. To enjoy more of her amazing art, please visit her at Open Your Mind. 감사합니다 Hajin!

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Vogue Paris Collections fashion illustration © 2013 Hajin Bae. All Rights Reserved.

Attention Emmanuelle Alt fans: we are now offering a fabulous new option in the IWTB Shop — black IWTBAA tees! The tee is manufactured by American Apparel, 100% cotton, and printed in the United States. Note that the fit is snug and the shirt may shrink one size after cycling through the dryer, consider this when selecting your size. Available in girly style S, M, L, XL (US sizes, complete measurements are listed in inches) in black only. If you are interested, visit the IWTB Shop for further details. As always, your support is very much appreciated, merci beaucoup.

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I Want To Be An Alt Tee image © 2013 Kellina de Boer. All Rights Reserved.

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Emmanuelle Alt photographs courtesy of Condé Nast, Getty Images, streetpeeper.com, lexpress.fr, stockholm-streetstyle.com

Vogue Paris: New York Partie 3
By Kamila Brudzynska

When I saw the February issue of Vogue Paris for the first time, I had Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" song in my head. My favorite band made a cover of it a few years ago so I know it very well. New York as the theme of the February issue was a wonderful idea. It's probably the strongest issue since Emmanuelle Alt became editor-in-chief of the magazine.

"New York Partie 3" is a beautiful photo shoot, the city in the backgound looks just amazing. I love the idea of using the good old Walkman as one of the accessories! It's so 90s!

It's simple, casual street style mixed with elegant coats and pullovers. The differences between the loud, lively streets and the suburbs near the bridge are really great. Especially the black-and-white photos have some kind of magic.

On the other hand, I don't think there's any breakthrough. There's nothing suprising, no special energy. These are just very beautiful, well done photos but I'm missing something breathtaking, something more there.

In my opinion, in comparision to the photo shoots with Milla Jovovich or Anja Rubik in the issue, this one is not as good. There's nothing exciting here, I don't have this feeling to come back to these photos over and over for new, fresh inspirations.

More from Vogue Paris February 2013

Vogue Paris: Rendez-vous A Manhattan (New York Partie 1)
By Heather Dunhill

Vogue Paris: New York Partie 2
By Richard James

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2013 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Emmanuelle Alt describes her March Vogue Paris as the "avant-garde issue," promising that it will flirt outrageously and deliberately with the radical. The IWTBAA team will analyze the avant-garde issue in the weeks to come beginning with a fun look at Anja Rubik in "Do Not Disturb" thanks to our lovely contributing editor Kamila Brudzynska. 

Vogue Paris: Do Not Disturb
By Kamila Brudzynska

Ok, so first you should know that this will not be an objective review. Anja Rubik is my favorite top model, I think she is amazing. Her private style is so stunning and she has attained so much in her career, everything actually. So many campaigns and catwalks for such big names, her name is now big, too. And she’s making her own magazine which is controversial and provocative and so creative. Yes, for me she’s the best.

But ok, back to the photo shoot "Do Not Disturb" in the March issue of Vogue Paris… Brushing her teeth, smoking on the toilet bowl, taking a shower, shaving, sitting in the bath, singing into the showerhead… All in luxurious clothes, full makeup, perfect hair, such things we can see only in Vogue Paris.

Marie Chaix has done great work with the clothes. I mean, green tiles are not the best background and I think it was quite hard to pick clothes which will not be less attention-grabbing than them. Don’t you think the pink suit is definitely best against the green background? I have to admit that I especially love the photo with the golden dress. I don’t know why but when I look at these photos the first word I think of is “luxury.”

Great move also to use so much jewelry. It’s big, it’s shiny, it’s see-through. It fits the clothes in a good way, the outfits are nicer for the eye. And, yes, Anja is stunning in this photo shoot, her beauty suits the theme perfectly.

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2013 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris: Helena
By Bernie Rothschild

The December/January issue of Vogue Paris showed the supers of the modeling world and the cover itself featured one of the most powerful women in the worlds of show business and politics — Carla Bruni. The spread "Helena" was photographed by Glen Luchford and styled by Marie Chaix. The shoot, though very bland and flat, doesn't fail to catch my attention. The photos were somehow inspired by the music video "Wicked Game" which features the sensuality of the wet look beauty of Helena Christensen and happens to be one of the sexiest videos of all time. The photos show the process of lovemaking from beginning to end.

The Dolce & Gabbana lace dress screams eroticism. It kind of reminds me of the Prada Fall 2008 collection that was all about lace. It manages to capture the sexuality of Ms. Christensen without showing too much skin. The messy hair makes her look like she just had sex and then put on some clothes to chat with her lover.

I love the black dress that she's wearing in this photo. It looks like she and her lover have just gone to the party and he is seducing her while he's watching her taking off his clothes one by one. I especially love the look of this Sonia Rykiel black dress and it is somehow inspired by Madame Grès. Madame Grès was originally the one who put sex in her clothes because of her sensual drape which was considered erotic at that time.

The white Burberry jacket makes Helena looks like she belongs to the swinging London scene with her makeup and she looks like one of those groupies that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards would fuck all night long. This made her look a cross between Anita Pallenberg and Jean Shrimpton.

The last photo was somehow confusing and I wonder why did they dress her like that? It's like, what's the point? It shows Helena's feminine-masculine side and she manages to look seductive. This photo has the message that women can still look sexy even though they are wearing their boyfriend's clothes.

More from Vogue Paris December 2012/January 2013

Vogue Paris: Carla en privé
By Kate Ringo Suzuki

Vogue Paris: Christy
By Heather Dunhill

Vogue Paris: Emmanuelle
By Richard James

Vogue Paris: Les Sept Vies De Carla Bruni
By Kamila Brudzynska

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Vogue Paris editorial image © 2012 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.