IWTBAA Contest Winner: Sylvia Sanchez

Congratulations to Sylvia Sanchez, the winner of the recent I Want To Be An Alt essay contest! Sylvia will receive a copy of the limited edition artist's book Alt/Saglio: Quotes + Citations by Wynn Dan. Thanks to everyone that took the time to enter our contest and especially to Wynn Dan for sponsoring the contest; I hope you will join me in congratulating Sylvia in the comments below. To read more, please visit her at Sylvia Etc.

Emmanuelle Alt: Reality Show
By Sylvia Sanchez

My favorite editorial ever styled by Emmanuelle Alt dates back from August 2008. The title is "Reality Show" and model Anna Selezneva (the Balmain opening show model at that time) was shot by Terry Richardson for Vogue Paris. I always have it in the back of my mind as it is still so modern and inspiring. I like so many things about it: the almost clinical narrative presenting seven classic pieces in a street-couture construction with the editorial version on one page and the day-to-day version on the other; the codified styling with Emmanuelle Alt’s signature pieces; and Avenue Montaigne as the quintessential Parisian location.

What really fascinates me is how Emmanuelle has managed to capture a pure momentum of style in the middle of a fashion frenzy, where many codes between fashion trends and style were starting to blur. To me, this editorial has become a cult reference that has influenced street-style today. It will never become obsolete as Emmanuelle Alt tackles key questions on personal style as opposed to fast-fashion, offering a very down-to-earth approach on how to dress on an everyday basis and clearly inviting the global reader to adopt this sensibility and project longevity when retail-buying designer pieces.

If we take a closer look at the pieces featured in the editorial, we discover a capsule wardrobe of key essentials: the Chanel bag, the tartan shirt, the leather trousers, the waistcoat, the band jacket, the blue shirt, the floaty white blouse. In addition, I love how we see a repeated focus on Emmanuelle’s signature belt in many of the looks and how she still wears today this very same belt, with the very same style consistency.

The quality of this editorial is really in the thought that Emmanuelle Alt has put into editing the classic pieces to the minimum to present outstanding style propositions to the reader who wants to interact with the magazine forever. This time really marks the beginning of the French Voguettes era. Long life to them!

connect with iwtbaa  bloglovin | facebook | pinterest | tumblr | twitter

Vogue Paris editorial images © 2008 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Emmanuelle Alt's Closet

I am pleased to introduce a new feature on I Want To Be An Alt... Emmanuelle Alt's Closet! I have added "Armoire De Alt" in the sidebar on the right and posted the first items which I will unveil throughout the day. Cataloging the rock chic style of Emmanuelle Alt from Alaïa to Zanotti, each journal entry will display a photo of the item from Emmanuelle's closet along with various shots of her wearing the piece. Obviously we will see lots of Balmain, Isabel Marant, and Balenciaga, among other favorite labels. I hope you will enjoy spending time in Emmanuelle's closet.

A sampling of what you will find in the wardrobe of Emmanuelle Alt…

Maison Michel Fedora

Etoile Isabel Marant Quincy Shirt

Balmain Hommes Leather Belt Fall/Winter 2010

J Brand Lovestory Bell Bottom Jeans

Isabel Marant Poppy Pumps Fall/Winter 2010

connect with iwtbaa  bloglovin  |  facebook  |  pinterest  |  tumblr  |  twitter

Emmanuelle Alt Closet photograph © 1997 Hachette Filipacchi Media, U.S., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

IWTB Interview: Richard James

IWTB Interview: Richard James
By Heather Dunhill

Crisp, fresh, and direct with a point is how I would concisely describe the blogging style of I Want To Be An Alt contributing editor Richard James, here at IWTBAA, Illustrious-Past.tumblr.com, and Monsieur, R. “Outside of blogging, my job is to be fabulous 24/7.” It’s clear that Richard puts this sentiment to task — he’s a modern man who has his finger unerringly on the pulse of not only what the stylish male is up to, but what's hot this second for the fashionable femme.

I’m particularly fond of his ability to nod at the past while embracing what’s present, leaning into the future with thoughts on everything from music to fine art to fashion. “Knowledge is power in my opinion and will get you far…”  With that, here’s more on the England-based acolyte Richard James.

Tell us which designer you’re obsessed with…
I've always been obsessed with Alexander McQueen... not the brand, but the person, Lee. I've found him to be likable, relatable, and I consider him an icon and an idol. I can't really pinpoint a specific thing about him that I like; it's the whole package, he'd be on my list for a fantasy dinner party.

A designer I'm obsessed with regarding clothing would be Tom Ford, I find his opinion on women and sexuality to be an endearing quality to the brand because I think sex is a big thing that sells an item. If you don't feel your best and if you don't feel sexy then the point of the piece of clothing is redundant.

Which three runway shows are a must-see on your Fashion Week list?
Three shows? That's a hard one. Prada… because, well, it's Miuccia — you can't not; in fact I rushed home the other day to catch the live stream. Balmain and Gucci are two others, I mainly love to watch the shows for the atmosphere and the music, like at Gucci this season I loved the song "2020" by Suuns.

If you had a blank check in hand, what would you run out and purchase right now?
One thing? Céline luggage in either whole black or the blue with black handles they're doing for A/W 2013. If it were a few items, I would also buy the new Saint Laurent Bomber Jacket with leather sleeves as well as a large portion of this season’s Lanvin. In addition to a selection of the Balmain biker jeans/trousers/leather trousers and some Saint Laurent skinny trousers from womenswear.

Going back in time, if you could pull clothes from your favorite era, which would it be? And, whose closet would you raid?
Not necessarily an era but I loved Sean Connery's outfits in the Bond films, he's the ultimate style icon and sex symbol, non?! I would also raid Kate Moss' closet, in fact I'd live in her closet(s), I always like to interpret her choices for myself as a guy.

Is there a song that always gets you on the dance floor?
“We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off” by Jermaine Stewart. I'm a sucker for that period of time in music particularly, being a 90s kid I also love cheesy music like the Spice Girls, Destiny's Child... the stuff with real rhythm.

What are you currently inspired by?
Nothing particular, I always get inspired by music especially classical music. I'm a huge fan of Michael Nyman, Philip Glass, and Alexandre Desplat which are regular features on my iPhone. I'm always inspired by old Hollywood actresses, you know, the ones that set the bar high in terms of their performances and their matching attitudes. I think that is always an endearing quality in a woman, an attitude, such as Liz Taylor.

What’s your hangover cure?
I always make sure I eat something before I go out partying so I don't feel the brunt of it the next morning and it always works, I've never had a hangover.

What’s your current social media addiction?
Instagram, easy-peasy.

connect with iwtbaa bloglovin | facebook | pinterest | tumblr | twitter

Vogue Paris editorial image © 2012 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

I Want To Be An Alt iPhone 4 Case

Introducing the latest in communication chic — the I Want To Be An Alt iPhone 4 case. If you love the style of Emmanuelle Alt, imagine keeping her close by for inspiration on your phone at all times, c'est fantastique… Featuring an illustration by the talented artist, Isabelle Oziol de Pignol, the official IWTBAA iPhone case is made of white hard shell plastic, produced in China, and printed in the USA. If you are interested, visit the IWTB Shop for more details. As always, your support is most appreciated, merci mille fois.

connect with iwtbaa  bloglovin  |  facebook  |  pinterest  |  tumblr  |  twitter

I Want To Be An Alt iPhone case image © 2013 Kellina de Boer. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris April 2013: Isabeli Fontana

For the April issue of Vogue Paris, Emmanuelle Alt posed Isabeli Fontana atop a Peruvian mountain wearing Dolce & Gabbana as photographed by Mario Testino. What are Emmanuelle's thoughts on the issue? From the Vogue Paris site... "'Peru gives you vertigo. Between the heights of Huascarán and the beaches of Lima, there is a difference of 7000m. For this issue, we made the jump with Mario Testino,' wrote Emmanuelle Alt, editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris in her editorial for the April 2013 issue. The photographer introduced us to the enchanting contrasts of his homeland through a high-color fashion triptyque, featuring three stories and three magnificent panoramas, with three fabulous girls: the mountains of Cuzco with Isabeli Fontana — our April cover girl — and Aymeline Valade, the Peruvian coast with Kate Moss and the Nazca desert with Erin Wasson. It was a chance for Mario Testino to share his memories and show off the contemporary Peru for which he works tirelessly through his MATE organization. From top tables to the shops, bars and cafés you need to know about, the photographer shares his personal favorites as we meet artists like Nobel Prize for literature winner Mario Vargas Llosa and learn about the artisan expertise that goes into locally woven embellished fabrics, beribboned hats and fine embroidery. As the country looks set to become the new Eldorado of South America, its greatest ambassador shows us Peru, in all its blazing glory." And what was Emmanuelle's inspiration for the editorial? One can only guess...

connect with iwtbaa bloglovin | facebook | pinterest | tumblr | twitter

Vogue Paris March 2013 cover photograph by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott © 2013 Condé Nast.