Glossy Bits - 123 Covers...

To kick start your first Monday in April, I present you 3 latest glossy cover (May 2009 issue).

I might have to warn you that there's only one pleasant-to-look-at cover. And should you decide not to ruin your Monday with a glimpse of Miley Cyrus/Taylor Swift, look away after the first picture.

The good one:

- Britain It Girl who had recently moved to New York, Alexa Chung, stars in Harper Bazaar (UK) May 2009. The cover looks stunning and the photoshoot doesn't disappoint either.

And for the bad ones:
- Glamour with Miley Cyrus.
I've got no opinion on Miley Cyrus in general. But for this particular cover: I just can't stand her 'smiley' faces.

- Seventeen (US) starring weird looking Taylor Swift.
Is that even her? You'll question this even more once you get to see the photoshoot.

I feel so bad for posting this entry; the Taylor Swift might scare you away. And all these looks so bad after the beautiful, beautiful ELLE pages. :'(
*Seriously, let me know if you can't take this anymore and I'll remove the post.

Glossy Bits - All the Pretty Things...

Uni started this week - back to routines and hello again to regular intake of caffeine. I've choked on the amount of work I signed up for this semester, but I hope everything will run smoothly and I have enough creative juices to last for all the works.

Glossy Bits...

Earlier this week, April issue of Vogue AU hit the newsstand - dominated with the orange colour and Louis Vuitton dress spotted in March Teen Vogue's Runway Our Way.

Emma Roberts gracing the cover of Teen Vogue for the second time, since she celebrated her 16th Birthday.

I'm not very excited about this one. Choice of covergirl: What's up with Emma Roberts - a bit boring, hey? Especially because she had been on Teen Vogue before. I was expecting to see Dakota Fanning which would still fit perfectly with the headlines "[Emma Robert] Grows Up". And in the last few weeks, I've been seeing a number of coverage about Dakota, in regards to her latest movie 'The Secret Life of Bees'

Other than that, Teen Vogue usually has a pretty fashion photoshoot for the Prom Issue.

And if you really want to see Dakota Fanning on cover, here's one:

I like her. She looks so naturally beautiful on the black and white photoshoot in J'alouse.

For something even more beautiful to colour your day, pick up Lula issue #8 - featuring Chanel Iman on the cover. Luella Bartley (love her design!), fabulous Spring/Summer 2009 designer pieces and just endless page of stylish and creative fashion spread.

Spent this afternoon flicking through Nylon, where I was amazed that Courtney Love is very popular among the celebs' Myspace (Diablo Cody, Cory Kennedy, Mark Ronson, Benji & Joel Madden, Pete Wentz). Skipped through Kristen Stewart long-winded interview (short attention span, sorry!).

And last night, for some unknown reason, I made a decision to buy ELLE this month. I think I'll get the UK one, but let's see what'll happen... :)

Have a great (long) weekend!

xoxo

Girlfriend- April 2009

Uni hasn’t started ‘til next week, which means I've got plenty of times in my hand. So yesterday I hit the newsagent and picked the April issue of Girlfriend (instead of dark provocative RUSSH).

Reading this issue of GF reminds me how much I love ‘regular’ teenage magazine (No; I don’t think Teen Vogue is regular. They’re different, to say the least). Magazine like GF takes an all-round approach to cater its readers’ needs and giving out what they like.

The affordable pieces featured in its simple yet fashionable spreads do not leave you gushing about the money you ought to spend afterwards.
Plus, the short but sweet tips for healthy mind and body give me an emotional uplift after reading the magazine*. Yay for the Think.Do.Be.Positive campaign.

In her Editor Letter, Sarah tells us about some of her favourite magazines - Nylon,
Teen Vogue, Elle UK, Vanity Fair, The Good Weekend.
Gotta agree with her! Elle magazines has great layout that makes everything looks even more beautiful (realized this a month ago after reading copious number of past Elle issues from different countries). Vanity Fair is cool – I especially love it when they’ve the Young Hollywood issue. Although I don’t really buy VF – I usually read some of its article from the web.

Despite not getting a mention on the cover, GF dedicates three pages to their findings of all things Green – from beauty brands to gadgets.

Cover girl Isabel Lucas is named as #1 Green celebs for her work to save the environment. She said because of her work againts whaling in Japan, she and fellow activist/actress Hayden Panettiere are in risk of getting arrested if they ever come back to Japan. Way to go, girl!

As a new addition to MTV show, The City is the current TV show everyone’s talking about (or curious at), including Girlfriend. Whitney Port and friends steal the attention at GF’s Love2Shop, GF Loves and Front Row’s On the Box.

In Love2Shop Bargain Hunter issue, find your guide to 40 things under $70 and selection of gifts under $30. You decide where your money goes!

Also, for us who have trouble with saving money and not getting any income (like me…), read up page 48 and 54. The Cashed Up section is a must-read; might be a start to save some money this year.

Other things I love:

- The Misadventure of Josh Thomas: It’s funny – well, he’s a comedian.
- Once upon a Beauty Tale.

- My Girl fashion spread. Can’t decide whether I like the style, or the fact that the shoot was set at Max Brenner...

*This does not happen every time with every issue. I’m very aware that magazines sometimes (seems to) reinforce unhealthy obsession over skinny bodies, etc. But you know, there are some good reads too.

Hope you enjoy the glossy fix!

C.

Seventeen Singapore

Back in secondary school, my friends and I had always enjoyed reading Seventeen under the thick Chemistry textbook. With its great contents, ranging from fashion to the newest hang out spots, Seventeen Singapore has almost everything we want from a magazine. Other local magazines, like Teens and LIME (is it folded now?) give less tips on "How to Look Fab on Your Prom Night"(not that this really matters, but girls love this stuff) and focus more on music and celebrities' scoop.

So while I was back in Singapore, I grabbed the magazines and took sometimes to flip these pages again...

Fresh-looking and beautiful Emma Roberts graced the November cover. This issue gives a handful of beauty and fashion tips for your Prom Night - coming in handy if you're heading for a big-night out or parties.

January issue features R&B Queen, Beyonce as Seventeen's pick of Style Star of the Year. She shares her opinion on her fashion style and also the concept behind her latest album I Am...Sasha Fierce. Other glossy articles inside include a fashion spread inspired by Gossip Girl, newest fashion trends to try in 2009 (Be a chameleon!) and lots more.

February issue of Seventeen Singapore starrring Anne Hathaway is already available in the newsstand. Valentine's is a hot topic in this month of love!

Found Pages: Elle Singapore Dec'08

Hello, people!

To kick start things this February, here's some gorgeous fashion spread I found in Singapore's Elle December'08!

Keep coming back! I have more things to share.

xoxo,

C.

RUSSH - Double Fantasy

Dear Russh,
Why do you have such a pretty cover when I'm far far away from the land of Oz.
I know Barnes & Nobles stocks you, but B&N is in USA... and I'm not.
So, how to get you?

Much love,

C.

Dolly February 2009

Gorgeous newest Dolly cover!

Bought this because...
- I miss having an Ozzie mag (taste of home)
- The cover... (the Gossip Girl duo; hmm...it's hard to miss this one)

But otherwise... I think GF (Au) would be a better buy (based on 30-second judging while flipping the pages)

What's inside:
- 42 Next Big Actors, featuring RobPatt, Sprous Brother (Zac & Cody), Corbin Bleu, David Henrie, Metro Station, Lucas Gabreel & more.

- A Gossip Girl intro for those who have no clue who Chuck Bass and friends are.

- Fashion spreads: shot in Manhattan & a Valentine-themed.

- Feature article about getting famous and all that (This left me wondering whether we should go for audition or not).

- Dolly Doctor: a thorough explanation about Sex Contraception.

Complete review would be up soon*.

*Soon - once I get in touch with good I'net connection. Promise.
I'll be away from comp for a while.

Internship at Girlfriend Indonesia

Unfamiliar with these Girlfriend mag covers? Surprise! Yes, Girlfriend AU actually has a one-year-old sister who totally speaks in different language and all that. Ha!

For the past three weeks or so, I’ve been interning at Girlfriend Indonesia. It has been fun (and I hope the fun continues). I initially applied for a work experience at Girlfriend AU, but the placement for 2008 is full. When I mentioned I’d be going overseas this summer, Girlfriend AU Editor Sarah Cornish actually helped me to get in contact with the editor of GF Indonesia.

Overall, GF Indo has similar concept to GF Au – Self Respect, Glamouriser, GF Gets Real, GF Top 5, etc. But it also has different contents and slightly different style to GF AU. The first edition of GF Indo was launched in November 2007, so yeah, it was only 12 issues ago. But I have to applaud the team, not because I’ve been working with them, but because they deserve it! I could see the tough the competition is in the teen magazine in Indonesia. There are, literally, millions of teen fashion magazines over here, and to keep one going takes a lot of effort.

My days here have been filled with fun and creative activities. It really opens up my eyes to the magazine industry I’m hoping to work in near future.
Who said working in a magazine is all about glam? We actually work long hours and deadlines are unpleasant (yet motivating). At the moment, the office is busy preparing the January issue – running around preparing fashion shoots, articles and all that. Needless to mention, I’ve enjoyed some of the incredible highlights in the past two weeks – like, pre-screening to Twilight (yay!), JakJazz music festival and probably celeb-spotting (I get more of surprised rather than star-struck because I actually have almost-zero knowledge about the local celebs *grins*).

As my internship goes on, I’m hoping to contribute to the magazines in many different ways and enjoy it while I can. I’ll be keeping you update (fingers crossed) and perhaps, apologies for not giving you scoops to the other latest glossies because as I’ve mentioned before, international glossies are rather scarce.

xoxo,

Celia.

The latest issue of GF Indo (December) is also bitten with vampire love featuring Kristen Stewart on the cover. This cover actually looks better than the one in Teen Vogue, don’t you think?

Vogue UK - December 2008

With my obsession over magazines, having two magazines packed in the luggage and one in my handbag didn’t stop me from buying Vogue’s Fantastic Fashion Fantasy while waiting to board on plane.


Vogue's Fantastic Fashion Fantasy is all about exploring the unimaginable, the extraordinaire.

Editor Alexandra Shulman acknowledges the repeated cycle of having Kate Moss as their cover star, but she explains why Kate Moss has to grace their cover yet again.
“…The image of her lying there in clouds of Dior silk tulle seemed so appropriate for an issue dedicated to the fantastic that we used it alone on our gatefold cover.” (Instead of just a featured in “Unbelievable Fashion”).

The ‘Tale of the Unexpected’ fashion spread, that I earlier claimed to remind me of Wicked, is actually inspired by Road Dahl’s classic tales such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factories and James and the Giant Peach.
The photo shoots stars Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter photographed by Tim Walker, accompanied by Sophie Dahl’s writing about the power of imagination.

Jordan Dunn and Lily Donaldson models for “Unbelievable Fashion” showcasing best fashion pieces from various designer and time, each one uniquely created beyond the imagination’s boundary.

Four writers also contributed fashion fairytales to the Fashion Fantasy issue. I wished they have more; especially with Klaus Haapaniemi’s illustration. surrounding the text, the magazine suddenly looks like a book of fairy-tale collection.

All the ‘Fantasy in Vogue’ articles, like ‘Karl Lagerfeld’s Secret Ball’ and designers’ doodles in ‘In My Dreams’ are worth checking out. I’m amazed by Helen Storey’s idea about creating a dress using molecules and particles. The dress only last in a mere 9 seconds or less; the preparation took at least 3 years.

Aside from the Fantasy and imagination elements, Vogue’s Eye Spy section let us take a peek on world’s most fashionable events and parties during the fashion week. Editor Alexandra Shulman interviewed Miss V (Vogue’s regular Vogue Spy columnist) and found out how she scored a job that literally pays her to party all day all night.
Sarah Harris tried to work wearing haute-couture pieces, from Armani Prive, Atalier Versace, in every-day life. The result: she couldn’t enjoy lunch as much and received a lot of attention from women, envied.

I think this issue is worth buying and worth keeping – ignoring the all-skinny models and the unaffordable items featured. After all, this issue is celebrating the unusual, the unimaginable. The pretty cover and various ‘Fantasy in Vogue’ articles is really something to look at. The magazine also makes a good in-flight reading material, especially if your flight happened to show an extremely boring movie and offered no other entertainment.


[P.S, My limited internet connection doesn't allow me to upload pictures in instant. I'll try to upload some scanned pages from the magazines whenever possible.]

First Flick: Teen Vogue Dec/Jan 2009

Teen Vogue's December/January 2009 issue is out, starring Kristen Stewart (Twilight) on the cover. So far, it looks quite good - photo shoot includes Gabe Nevins from Paranoid Park.

Update (What's inside):
-The fashion photo shoot starring Gabe Nevins and model Sigita Nedvecka in Venice, Italy is my favourite by far
-Nylon's It Girl and New York DJ Harley Viera-Newton got a mention in Style Blogger. I guess I'm about to find out who she is.
-Photos from the TV Young Hollywood Party
-Alexa Chung is the Girl of the Moment
-Teen vogue top 10 in 2009
-Articles on Taylor Swift and Kristen Stewart
-A few articles about Hair styling.
-Nikon cool pix ads featuring Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester (Chair! Chuck & Blair!)

Laters.

Girlfriend December: Celeb-Made.

I didn't eventually buy GF December issue, but I managed to 'absorb' some of its contents while sitting comfortably at the bookstore... Read on...

Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy, Gabriella Cilmi, Ryan Shelton and Jordin Sparks are some of the celebs who contributed to this Celeb-made GF. Delta Goodrem, as the guest editor, has a number of articles in the magazines, including fashion features "So you want to be Ashley Tisdale".

The Beauty Book is not actually a book (I was thinking insert mini-mag), but rather a few extra pages (15 -it says on the cover) of the magazines featuring beauty tips & products, including Best Fake-Tanning products as voted by readers, some make-up and skin care tips that might be useful over the summer (E.g, oily skins doesn't need moisturizer - wrong).

There's a page from Matt Lee (SYTYCD) on "How Not to Dance", which I think it's kind of useless and waste of space.

The usual blog readers by Tiarna, who in this issue, imagines world without her friends and friends are like bra. Fashion spread is still inspired by tribal stuff and few others. Books and movies reviews are from the celebs too - Jordin Sparks says she's hooked on Twilight's Breaking Dawn.

And JoBros vs Zac Efron, as mentioned on the cover, doesn't actually score a significant space in the mag. *Spoiler alert: From my memory, I think JoBros wins the Hairstyle competition. Michael Cera is in it too!

In relation to the launch of Influence by MKA Olsen, GF Book Club is giving away 20% discount voucher if you buy the book from Borders. I'm tempted. I didn't actually expect the book to be released on the same date as USA, but hey, apparently Borders would have it. :)

On the whole, I think the Celeb-Made issue was put quite sloppily. Maybe as Editor Sarah Cornish described in the letter of editor, "Making this issue is kinda like throwing everything up in the air and crossing our fingers that it will all land perfectly...". Personally I don't believe that all the celebs came up with the materials for the articles. I mean, does Delta Goodrem actually care about Ashley Tisdale's wardrobe? Kudos to GF crew for the hardwork and hopefully, January issue will be loaded with great fresh articles as New Year comes along.

Laters...

x

December Issues: Russh, Girlfriend, Frankie.

I'm taking these home....

Russh November/December is out today with the Summer Lovin theme...

[Erin Wasson. Preen. SS09 Runway trend. Christopher Kane]

Girlfriend December issue featuring Amanda Bynes on the cover, comes with a Beauty Book prepared by GF Beauty Editor Sarah.

xx

Farewell CosmoGirl...

Hearst announced on Friday that it was shutting the teenagers’ magazine CosmoGirl. The December issue will be its last.
After that, subscribers will receive Seventeen, another Hearst magazine.
The company will continue to run the profitable Web site CosmoGirl.com.
The magazine industry in general is struggling, and ad pages were down 7.4 percent in the first half of this year, according to the Publishers Information Bureau. CosmoGirl fared worse: its ad pages fell 14.5 percent,to about 298 pages. Seventeen’s ad pages were down 5.7 percent, to 377 pages.

via NY Times.

Peeking at Vogue UK and Teen Vogue November Cover

It's all about group photo shoot in UK Vogue November issue! I was drawn by its cover featuring Jourdan Dunn, Eden Clark and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Inside, there is a fashion photo shoot inspired the UK fashion-savvy teens. I only recognised Nicholas Hoult from the whole group. He is the actor from the movie About a Boy (when he was little, of course) and also TV series Skins. Mick Jagger's daughter, Georgia Jagger is another one of the featured teens.

It almost feel like I was looking at Teen Vogue instead of Vogue when I browse through this issue. It smells like teen-spirit, like they've mentioned in the introduction to "New England" photoshoot. Model Karlie Kloss also scored a fashion spread titled "All Night Long".

Vogue's Editor-at-Large Fiona Golfar comments that the idea of the "New England" shoot came out when she saw that our generation (yes, we...the Gen-Y) are stylish and very fashion-savvy. She also thinks that our generation is very confident. Go us! :)

Teen Vogue November'08

Meanwhile, in Teen Vogue land, Rachel Bilson is the star of the November's Fashion at Work issue. To buy or not to buy; that's what I have been thinking. Teen Vogue has gone incredibly bland in choosing their cover girl (or boy in the case of October's issue).

Teen Vogue used to impress me by coming up with fresh faces and be able to 'dictate' other teen glossy, "Here! This is the rising and upcoming stars". But where has that capability gone now?

Anywho, Rachel Bilson is definetely a much better choice compared to Zanessa. She recently launched her own line Edie Rose for DKNY and will star in the upcoming movie NY, I Love You.

As this is the Fashion at Work issue, Teen Vogue promises to bring out the best tips from the fashion insider. On the cover: Our interns share their on-the-job style secrets.
Let's just hope it does not only feature the rich & famous people, but some inspiring role models or fellow hard working girls we could look up to.

Nylon Oct'08: It Girl Issue

If you are a sucker for pretty mag cover, swirly fonts and find yourself easily tricked by headlines like, "The It Girl Issue!", Nylon is giving you the fix you need...

Girls who made it to 2nd Nylon It Girls list are Zooey Deschanel, Daisy Lowe, Peaches & Pixie Geldof, Alexa Chung, Coco Rocha, Abigail Lorrick, Cory & Cody Kennedy, Portia Freeman, Tennesse Thomas, Isabelle McNally, Teyana Taylor and Harley Viera-Newton.

Cover girl Zooey Deschanel is simply inspiring and gorgeous. I salute Nylon's choice for picking her to grace the cover of It Girl issue. I'm loving her style - although not really a fan of her music. Nylon describes her as "a living proof that dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."

Repeat offender Cory Kennedy and Peaches Geldof are definitely Nylon's favourite It Girls. After launching off with Nylon TV, Nylon Editor Marvin Scott Jarett dropped us a hint to expect column by Peaches in upcoming issues. Cory Kennedy had already scored one.

What is an It Girl, according to the It Girls...

Alexa Chung: "Aren't It Girls from rich families who don't really do anything? I actually do something. I present on TV, and in a really deadpan style. Sir, you offend me."

Harley Viera-Newton: "A lot of them have become famous for doing nothing..."

Abigail Lorick: "An It Girls would be a girl that is hardworking and inspires other young women to pursue whatever they want... It Girls are the ones who are doing things, who are taking any situation and making the best of it... making it fabulous."




Coco Rocha decides to stick on a low-profile; staying humble and ground to earth despite her supermodel status. "If it wasn't for him [photographer Steven Miesel], I'd probably be back home now... They could have chosen anyone - a supermodel at the top, but they gave me a chance."

And to complete my obsession with Michael Cera, Nylon presents "Music Sounds Better with You" - interviews with Michael Cera, Kat Dennings and other stars of the upcoming movie Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist.
Co-star Alexis Dziena on Michael Cera: "Don't you just want to put him in your pocket?"
I'm nodding my head.

There's also Nick & Nora's Infinite Bar List - comes handy if you are in New York's Lower East Side.

Other interesting articles include: Backstage at Chanel's 2009 Cruise Collection, faces of Calvin Klein Fall'08 Campaign, Lou Douillon's Lee Cooper Jeans collection.

Pages of this issue is beautifully decorated with pencil illustration and doodles. I told you this issue is a joy for all things cute.

I'm contented with this issue. Nylon's It Girl issue gives me a full recovery from the under-performed Teen Vogue's Young Hollywood issue. Hmm, it proves the point that I kinda judge the magazine by its cover...

[will scan more picture if I had the time - xoxo]

Harper Bazaar UK & US - Oct 2008

A quick visit to the magazine shelves this afternoon left my mind undecided between these two.

UK Harper Bazaar cover looks really glamorous with the close-up shot of Liv Tyler. It makes me want to bring it home and probably adore the cover itself for a long, long time. As seen on the cover, the colour of black dominates the magazine fashion spread. Photoshoot includes Liv Tyler, Dita Von Teese and a few others whom I have forgotten by now. The issue also seems to have an obsession with winged eyeliner and fake eyelashes from Viktor & Rolf (Shu Eumura) which suits perfectly with the theme 'Black'.

Moving to the brighter colour, US Harper Bazaar has more variety in its content. Ranging from Beauty at Every Age starring Blake Lively, Rihanna and SJP, shopping tips from the experts, article on Kristen Dunts, Laura Bush (looking extremely weird and creepy) talking about 'the afterlife' (that is life after presidency) and the fabulous fashion spread starring Emma Watson and UK designers (see it here).

For almost the same price, which one would you buy?

Cover: Vogue Australia November

First look to Vogue Australia November cover featuring Catherine McNeil.

Fashion for Wizards

Harper Bazaar together with Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and UK designers have cast a spell to blow your mind away... These are absolutely stunning!

Harper Bazaar US October issue (Kristen Dunst on cover)

I haven't quite decide which one is my favourite...They're all good. Maybe the Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy and Vivienne Westwood? I don't know.

Snippets: Girlfriend AU is turning 20 today and the latest issue is out. Off to uni for now...agh.