Dutch fashion photo shoot

Starchy, high white collars and long black skirts are often translated, editorially, into sexy nun outfits. Pair them with nudity and cigarettes and you’ve got a perfect contrast on your hands – hence why, for a while, the mix of sensuality and religion gave us everything from Miranda Kerr to Jess Hart and Lydia Hearst all breaking out of the religion stereotypes. It was like Sister Act, only sexier.

Now, those starchy high collars and midi-length skirts are being taken back to a more demure purpose. Back to the golden age of Dutch art, in a homage to the Masters.

Click the thumbnails for full pictures:

From the headwear resembling Dutch bonnets to the stiff, deliberate poses taken by models Freja Beha Erichsen and Arizona Muse, everything about the editorial has a painted, portrait-like vibe. That doesn’t at all mean the outfits are too harsh – though wearing some would give you the air of a stern, Victorian schoolmistress. It’s simply a matter of applying the right accessories and the right hair and makeup. In these outfits, pale skin and ruddy cheeks are not your closest friends.

For the full shoot featuring Freja Beha Erichsen and Arizona Muse, photographed by Mario Testino for the September 2011 issue of UK Vogue, click on the thumbnails above.