I’ll disclaim from the outset that the title of this post is inaccurate: “best”, when it comes to any form of art, is subjective. There’s no right or wrong on what can be called the best when it comes to fashion shoots, but there’s only so much you can explain in a title so I’ll say it here instead. There are certain editorials that stand…

We won’t use the word naked, since the glittering Maison Martin Margiela couture mask on the cover negates it. But it does feel like there’s an increasing number of magazines willing to put bare breasts on their covers of late – beyond the likes of Purple etc – from Flair to Numero. Tush does it beautifully between the bejewelled anonymity of the model and the…

Wearing nothing but a towering crown of monarch butterflies, Mariacarla Boscono features on the subscribers cover of Flaire Italy for October 2012. You might remember the headpiece as being one by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen. View the full cover after the break.

Mariacarla Boscono looks perfectly at home as the 50s Italianate bombshell brunette in the spring 2012 campaign for Alberta Ferretti’s capsule collection for Macy’s. To fit with the colourful holiday mood of the pieces, Ellen Von Unwerth ploughed unabashedly into the book of headscarves-and-vespa-riding cliches: but does it matter? Some things are timeless, and wanting to look glamorous while living la dolce vita is one…

Your focus may be drawn to model Mariacarla Boscono’s changing hairstyle as it shifts from peroxide bob to very short bangs, and with good cause: it’s the true gem in this Vogue Italia pictorial. To be certain the black and gold hues of Gucci’s spring 2012 collection stand out, but so complete are the art deco looks that the collection offers up that it’s not…

Karmen Pedaru, the sexiest I think I’ve ever seen her look, in a vibrant red wig and nothing but a pair of Prada’s hot rod heels. Mariacarla Boscono Bettie Page-like with black fringed hair and a leopard-print belted bodysuit. Just when we felt like we might nod off, Mert & Marcus brought us this bedtime reading that’s worthy of the cover of some vintage pulp…

Mariacarla Boscono might be the star with main billing in this shoot for Vogue Italia – in fact the shoot is even titled after her: The Outstanding M.C.B. But the best supporting cast members are surely Gucci’s Art Deco dresses, making their way into almost every shot. The great thing about Patrick Demarchelier’s editorial is that it shows just how versatile these shining deco dresses…

Dizzying angles, creeping shadows, and entangled poses. Exstasis is the kind of artwork that not only draws your eye but forces you to study each image closely to orient yourself and take in the full scene. If you couldn’t tell from the dark intricacy of the clothing, these are all pieces from Richardo Tisci’s reign at Givenchy. Brilliantly shot by Matthew Stone and styled by…

“The candle-buds opened their wide white flowers… Their scent spilled out into the air and took possession of the island.” Occasionally a fashion editorial that has precious little to do with fashion slips its way into the pages of a magazine. Often their title pages will spout quotes from famed literary works, or they’ll come tackling serious social issues, or perhaps they’ll use nudity instead…

In its ‘making of’ video, Karen Elson describes this campaign as “haunting and bewitching”, possibly the most fitting adjectives one could come up with. The three models – Natasha Poly, Mariacarla Boscono, and Elson – are like the mythological Fates, fiery goddesses with the power of deciding man’s destiny. Roberto Cavalli’s rich velvets and billowing animal print gowns are perfect for pulling off that vibe…