there some pertty, pertty pitchers in this month's vogue.

nicole kidman by irving penn is stupendo. the cover photo is stunning, some of those inside, even more so.

on the cover and on page 263 kidman is wearing this christian lecroix oyster satin gown that is called a "sheath." whatever it's called it's sensational fashion.

the lighting in both photographs is a dramatic background that fades from light-brown/gray to black from right to left.

each of the photos discretely focus on one fashion segment--hair, front of sheath, back of sheath--and the lighting really enhances what's being focused on. in the cover photo it is the incredible huge, jewel-brooched black bow that is the coup de grace of the back of the gown.

the photo on page 262 focuses on the upper back and kidman's hair-do. her back is so strong in that soft, feminine way and her stawberry hair is in a bun that is itself a fashion segment. it looks like a strawberry colored bird's nest. maybe that doesn't sound so beautiful but it really is. great job by the stylist

that same photo also has this cool little hidden gem in it. kidman's face is in barely 1/4 profile from the rear. you see her fine chin but most strikingly, you see on close inspection that her right eyelashes show that she is looking down in demure femininity. wonder if penn told her to look down or it just turned out that way?

you can best see how special the lecroix gown is in the photo on page 263. it is cut so perfectly that it drapes like the fabric is made to look in those ancient greek statues. it seems more substantial than mere fabric, like it was sculpted.

satin also does such wonderful things with light. the folds look buttery or like a waterfall. a sculpted buttery waterfall. or something like that.

on page 260 is a black and white photo with lighting similar to that in the colors and kidman is in a karl lagerfeld outfit consisting of a mannish coat and a flapper-style skirt.

the focus in this photo though is this incredible hat she's wearing. it's by leah c. couture millinery and is bowler-like with feathers drooping over the face. it has a little of the effect of a veil. kidman's eyes look to her right, adding mystery-by-indirection to the mini-veiled effect.

i bet also this is kidman's favorite photo because the black and white and the lighting softly but clearly define the planes and angles of her face so that that face could not look more beautiful.


finally the photograph on p. 259, with the same background lighting in the others, shows the face direct and head-on. you see her stunning blue eyes for the first time and her hair is all teased out so that it looks like flames. what amazing hair. and then her whole head, the eyes, the hair, the face is dramatically framed by a massive, velvety black collar that is part of a valentino cape. jeezus crimminy.

best pitchers in vogue in a long, long time. i bet this issue is gonna be saved by fashion-photog types.


-benjamin harris