Lace: The interpretation by photographers and illustrators

In order to celebrate the release of Dolce & Gabbana’s new lace sunglasses collection, today I am going to have a story about this beautiful material.This story will be divided into 4 parts, as I would love to take you into the lace journey in different perspectives. The 4 categories are: Illustration illusions, Emerging Imaginaries, Iconic Memories and Current Season.

Illustration illusions

I am always fascinated by how illustrators can illustrate the details of lace on their works. Here, I have found some very nice examples to show you. The works of Adrian Valencia and Helen Huang both give off a very strong Safari and summer breeze feeling. You can also feel the lightness of the garments because of the settings. On the other hand, Spiros Halaris, Gisela Balestrini and Jennifer Lilya take on a more glamorous approach on illustrating the lace garments. The girls look very modern and chic which you can totally imagine how the garments look like in real life.

Katie Rodgers from PAPERFASHION has taken a more abstract approach to illustrate the lace material, which makes the illustration very dreamy and elegant. If you want to sexy illustration involves lace, then Michael Sanderson’s work will be the one you will not want to miss. 

Of course, who can forget the amazing wedding gown Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wore during the royal wedding in April? The lace on that wedding gown was so beautiful and Gemma Cook has captured the essence of it in this beautiful illustration.

Emerging Imaginaries

Emerging fashion photographers have provided some fresh concept for the lace related editorial shoots and here I have a few of them to show you. Both Alicia Calton and Aneta Kowalczyk have created a very dreamy vibe which you will feel like the lace is part of a fairy’s costume. On the other hand, if you want to feel a more gothic and darker mood of lace, the photos shot by Nadia Cheema and Kirsty Mitchell will be your cup of tea as the images are very gloomy and mysterious. 

Lace can also give the bold or sexy statement in an image and here are some examples. Kasia Bielska is going for a crisp and bold approach, which this soft material has become a battle armor for the model. Opposite from that, lace can also look very sexy on girls and the images taken by Mike Lewis and Angela Y. Martin can prove this point.

Iconic Memories

Over the past few years, I have seen many iconic editorial photos and here are some of my favourites.

The photos of Madonna and Lara Stone shot by photography duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott have demonstrated the edginess of lace while Lady Gaga shows the viewers how lace can blend well with the tribal fusion look.

Kate Moss carries out the sexiness in lace in the photo shot by Hedi Slimane while Gisele Bündchen gives off the mature woman vibe under the lens of Cédric Buchet. On the other hand, the photo looks very gloomy and mysterious as Steven Meisel shoots Karen Elson in Alexander McQueen gown. This vibe also applies to the shot of Codie Young and Rosemary Smith as they are dressed in the black lace ensembles, shot by Nicole Bentley.

Finally, the 6 Fall 2008 POP Magazine covers, shot by Sebastian Faena, have to be one of the most iconic lace covers as Naomi Campbell, Natalia Vodianova, Joourdan Dunn, Agyness Deyn, Amber Valletta, Oluchi Onweagba are all styled by Miuccia Prada in lace pieces. Each cover has presented a different attitude and this shows you how lace can bring out different characters in different people.

Current Season

 Last but not least, how can I not talk about the current season of Dolce & Gabbana collection? The lace pieces for this season are so stunning and out of all the editorials I have seen so far, these 6 images are my top favorites. Amanda Seyfried and Ragnhild Jevne both show the innocent side of wearing lace pieces while Rachel Bilson is giving off the girl next-door vibe. On the other hand, Britney Spears, Olga Sherer and Freja Beha Erichsen are showing off the bold and fierce side of women in lace.

The above illustrations and photos should have demonstrated the power of lace and I am sure one of the photos/illustrations is exactly what you have in mind about this material. Now, are you ready to try on a new pair of Dolce & Gabbana lace sunglasses to give off your unique vibe?

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Credits: 944 Magazine, Adrian Valencia, Alicia Calton, Angela Y. Martin, Aneta Kowalczyk, C California Style, Elle Ukraine, Gemma Cook, Gisela Balestrini, Harper’s Bazaar UK, Hedi Slimane Fashion Dairy, Helen Huang, Interview Magazine, Jennifer Lilya, Kasia Bielska, Kirsty Mitchell, Michael Sanderson, Mike Lewis, Nadia Cheema, PAPERFASHION, POP, Spiros Halaris, V Magazine, Vogue, Vogue Australia, Vogue India, Vogue Paris, Vogue Russia,