US Elle September 2023 : Zendaya by Steven Klein

[honeycombchild]

Same old from Steven. I like Zendaya though, she can really serve.
I don’t like how the exact same shot was used for two looks though? Her leaning back with the pool behind her. It is very much giving budget limitations.

 

[vogue28]

All the components are here for a grand September cover, such as big star like Zendaya and a fantastic photographer like Steven Klein but the cover itself does nothing for me. There's far too much going on with the busy and textured backdrop of the hotel and the red masthead is disappearing.

However, I do love the whole sultry and glamorous cover shoot concept. The shot with the fur and red lingerie is indeed rather spectacular, as is the one of Zendaya with the open-back dress and the one of her by the pool with the black mini-dress. All just perfectly done, and it's no surprise to see Zendaya photographing so well.

Very exited to see the contents of the issue, now it has been described like Alt's Vogue Paris by @[B]Rigida[/B]!

 

[WAVES]

the editorial is good enough but the cover is too busy.

 

[Xone]

I love the idea of the photos but she cannot pull it of, she is too self-conscious and it lacks power on her and her body language. She is pretty but limited.

 

[GivenchyAddict]

^ For me her body and face scream perfect baby doll. She is too weak for Klein’s aesthetic.

and Law did a poor job. They did wonders for W though.

 

[tigerrouge]

I don't think the setting is responsible for the cheap feel - the post-processing lets it down.

The rooftop/pool is from the Helmut Newton playbook, so I don't dislike the location - if the images were more compelling, I'd be wanting more, even if the shots looked very similar. Klein's sensuality is cold, almost metallic in nature, but in order to successfully convey that, the lines have to be sharp, the textures have to be visible. But give us fuzzy, flat images, and things seem cold for the wrong reasons.

 

[Xone]

^ For me her body and face scream perfect baby doll. She is too weak for Klein’s aesthetic.

and Law did a poor job. They did wonders for W though.

Exactly!

 

[Deleted member 1957]

Its a striking editorial because a fashion photographer shot it, would have looked even better with a model and the cover shot wasnt the strongest either but it still is a win considering todays standards. Imagine if he had shot the supers for Vogue. The styling is a little weak too, looks like a 2010s Kleins story.

 

[caioherrero]

218 pages. Flicked it in bookstore, the eds inside are actually good. It kinda gives Alt Vogue Paris’ vibe. 2 eds styled by Anastasia Barbieri, my fave one is by Ezra Petronio featuring Felice N.

Not Alex?

 

[Rigida]

Not Alex?

Alex has an ed with Anna Ewers and Cass Bird

Patti Wilson & Elissa Santisi has an ed too

 

[caioherrero]

Alex has an ed with Anna Ewers and Cass Bird

Patti Wilson & Elissa Santisi has an ed too

Can u post the complete review for us?

 

[Rigida]

Can u post the complete review for us?

I only flicked the mag at the bookstore, didnt end up buying it. So i can’t give a full review,

what i remember is:

Anna Ewers by Cass Bird styled by Alex White

Multi model ed styled by Santissi but i forgot who the photographer is

Lucie de la Falaise & Ella Richards by Brigitte Niedemair styled by Barbieri

Felice N by Ezra Petronio styled by Barbieri

multi model ed by Scandenberg (I forgot the name of the photographer, something Berg.. ?) styled by Patti Wilson

 

[Gonzalo]

She lacks presence for the Klein universe . To much Lolita .

 

[Gonzalo]

Lara Stone , Claudia for Dolce ads ...

 

[PowerDroid]

I used to love SK's photography.... 20 years ago. But this feels so dated and just out of time...

 

[Fiercification]

I don't mind some of Law's work actually - at least when he's working with Zendaya. Considering that he didn't come up as a fashion editor but rather a red carpet/celebrity stylist he hasn't done a bad job on some of her editorials. Especially compared to some of the newbie stylists of this era. Their best work together is definitely the W edit from last year with Jack Davison which is one of the few stories from this decade which feels burnt into my brain, genuinely.

I don't mind this cover and editorial but it's all a bit forgettable and Zendaya isn't fully committing to it. I just want Steven to go back to the studio and shoot something stripped back like his Delfine Balfort W editorial from 2002. No fuss. This dominatrix vibe is totally done and out of sync with the current mood in fashion.

 

[Benn98]

I only flicked the mag at the bookstore, didnt end up buying it. So i can’t give a full review,

what i remember is:

Anna Ewers by Cass Bird styled by Alex White

Multi model ed styled by Santissi but i forgot who the photographer is

Lucie de la Falaise & Ella Richards by Brigitte Niedemair styled by Barbieri

Felice N by Ezra Petronio styled by Barbieri

multi model ed by Scandenberg (I forgot the name of the photographer, something Berg.. ?) styled by Patti Wilson

Reading this lineup, it's clear there's a fashion person who must be consulting for Hearst. I don't for a second believe it's a coincidence that both Samira and Nina are all of a sudden booking these 'edgy' photographers which is all fair and well, but if the rest of the content doesn't align this will only be an all fur coat no knickers situation. Will be looking at the actual magazine as a whole.

At this rate it won't be long before we see Koller and Wolfgang Tillmans in this magazine, which I'm sure would give @lewak sleepless nights wherever she is.

Btw, Scandebergs is a photographer duo. They do great dynamic work. And I'm keen to see that Niedermair edit.

 

[aracic]

The cover is daring, but I don't like it. Editorial, on the other hand, seems like a hit to me! Zendaya may not be the epitome of a Klein girl and this might feel like a bit of a time capsule, but it's much more visually interesting than most of the bland imagery we'd see somewhere like Harper's Bazaar or Vogue. I always like it when magazines turn to more established photographers and it's great to see Klein shooting magazine covers again. This is perhaps the best thing he's done in recent years. The opening shot with the backless dress is fantastic! The whole thing reminds me of a better time in fashion and for that, I am thankful. Looking forward to seeing more of this issue.

 

[Zorka]

GALLERY GIRL
Photography: Cameron McCool
Styling: Elissa Santisi
Hair: Dennis Lanni
Make-up: Dick Page
Models: Kristine Lindseth & Julien Saunier



US Elle Digital Edition

 

[Zorka]

EASY RIDER
Photography: Cass Bird
Styling: Alex White
Hair: Edward Lampley
Make-up: Frank B
Model: Anna Ewers



US Elle Digital Edition