Tatler Russia’s Winter Wonderland

Posted on Dec 1, 2011 in Fashion

Darlings, it may come as something of a disappointment to you all to find out that, while T & Lo have many talents, speaking Russian is not among them. Yes, it’s true. We’ve knocked ourselves off the lofty pedestal upon which you all place us daily. The reason we’re telling you this soul-shattering news is because it’s December 1st, and we’re totally in the mood for a winter-themed editorial like this gorgeous one. The problem is, we have absolutely no idea what this editorial is called. One of our vodka-swilling kittens will no doubt be along to translate soon, but until then, enjoy the slightly holiday-themed pretty for the day. And if you’re not feeling holiday enough, crank up Lara’s Theme and enjoy it that way.

And try not to be too upset with us for not being the perfect beings you thought we were. Finding these things out is part of growing up, poodles.

Photographer: Thomas Whiteside
Fashion: Anya Ziourova
Hair: Sonia Duchaussoy
Makeup: Tiina Roivainen
Model: Madeleine de la Motte

Christian Dior Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Armani Prive Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Elie Saab Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Givenchy Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Chanel Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Yulia Yanina Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Valentino Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Elie Saab Fall 2011 Couture Collection

[Photo Credit: MagFan via thefashionspot.com, elle.com, flip-zone.com]

Tags:

Tatler

http://www.facebook.com/people/Micaela-Cannon/1465504041 Micaela Cannon

Gorgeous.
Molly OBM

Looking at that title, I shall translate it as “Picnic Season”. All the best Russian picnics involve sequins and snow
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf UltimaEsperenza

Oh, that first Elie Saab. Love in the winter.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_L6FKGKUXWF6QSWWYAHJZYKKI3E Adrian

It says “Russian Seasons,” which I suppose is some kind of ironic way of saying that Russia has only one season.
- Anonymous
  
  Just saw this post and so glad to have you confirm that my 30 yr old 2 semesters of Russian are not as rusty as I thought!
- Anonymous
  
  I’m pretty excited that I was correct in thinking the first word was “Russian” and the second might well be “season” (singular, so sue me), given that I have taken exactly zero Russian ever. I guess something did rub off from my aunt (who’s a professor of Russian)!
Anonymous

It says Russian Seasons. Close, Molly.
Anne Searcy

Translation: Russian Seasons
The first snow is worth waiting for, if only in order to wrap up delicate couture gowns in comfy muffs, shawls, and mittens.
JAArms

Wow, that model and her styling make all of these dresses look better!
- Anonymous
  
  You can really see the difference that styling can make.
- http://twitter.com/bredalot Bridget Smith
  
  She’s INCREDIBLE. I don’t always notice these things, but she’s making everything look so much better than the runway versions. Like that Armani Prive? Granted, that incredible belt and the hat I only wish I could pull off are adding quite a bit, but it looks like an entirely different (and much better) dress on her.
Anonymous

I think it’s Russian for “Throw on as much crap from your accessory closet as you can”.
Anonymous

I had been led to believe you guys are masters of the Russian language.. the scales fall from my eyes…

On another note, she’s rocking that shapka!
Anonymous

Oh my God, all of the photographs are gorgeous and make the clothes so infinitely more exquisite! This is how fashion photography should be… whimsical and breathtaking and artful and exciting.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=555230214 Jonathan Hindmarsh

Stunning. I’m forsaking this poor attempt at a Sydney summer and booking the first flight to Moscow.
Anonymous

I love those Elie Saabs; the models look like they are wearing waterfalls. They are gorgeous. And the Yulia Yanina seems beautifully evocative of pre-revolution Russia. Love the way they styled it for the editorial. It’s a gorgeous shot.

Now I can’t get Lara’s Theme out of my head.
- Anonymous
  
  I wish it was Lara’s Theme that I’m trying to get out of my head. I head Safety Dance on the radio two days ago and damn if it won’t go AWAY.
  - Anonymous
    
    thanks a lot.
    
    S-s-s-s A-a-a-a-F-f-f-f….
    - Anonymous
      
      My bad.
  - Anonymous
    
    Nooooooooooo! Make it stop!
  - Anonymous
    
    Now you’ve gone and done it! I am also visualizing the video from it too!
Anonymous

Oooh so pretty and now I’m freezing.
http://profiles.google.com/katherinempg Katherine Pisarro-Grant

What a beautiful editorial! And it just means “Russian seasons” = ) not very exciting, eh?
Anonymous

Yes, the name is Russian Seasons and I bet you it refers to the known Diagilev’s Russian Seasons in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century introducing some incredible ballet dancers such as Anna Pavlova and Waclaw Niczynsky.
- http://twitter.com/starrika Ali
  
  And inspired Chanel to create my favorite perfume Cuir de Russie !
  - Anonymous
    
    My husband and I went to the actual Chanel store in Paris specifically to buy Cuir de Russie. They were very mildly impressed, for about 3 seconds, that poor Americans had such good taste in perfume.
    - http://twitter.com/starrika Ali
      
      It’s available online to order as well, now – which is good for me because it’s quite a hike to a Chanel boutique for me. I tried calling around to even the higher end department store Chanel counters in my state, and all the employees were like “Queer de what?”.
  - Anonymous
    
    Am curious–what does it smell like? Leather? I am Picky Perfume Girl. Have to have scents that are clean.
    - http://twitter.com/starrika Ali
      
      It has a hint of leather, but it’s also got a spicy sweetness to it as well. It has some of the aldehydes that Chanel is known for, so it starts out with a bit of powder, but deepens into a lovely, musky, warm and slightly spicy scent after some time.
      
      There’s a bit of a difference between the actual parfum and the eau de toilette. The EDT is much lighter and heavier on the powedery top notes, whereas the parfum is much more musky. I layer both of them, but each are nice to wear individually.
      
      The Perfume Court sells tiny samples of it, which is how I was able to try it on before buying.
- Now I am The Bee
  
  Oh Niczynsky! I have always been in love with him….
Lauren Maier

Beautiful!
I now want a Russian movie about wicked-step-relatives (the kind that talk about you behind your back but are polite but distant to your face) that takes place in a 19th century Russian mansion and all the women have to wear couture.

Also, those clothes would make some interesting snow-angels.
http://michjeff-quiltersparadise.blogspot.com/ Michelle Young

I love the Yulia Yanina!
Anonymous

How flippin’ fabulous are you if you have a FUR BELT?
Amazing pictures, but I am still trying to figure out what part is what in the Valentino shot.
http://twitter.com/starrika Ali

Gooooorgeeeous. I so want that Armani suit and those lovely Dr. Zhivago-esque fur hats – I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect one for years. I almost bought one years ago in a vintage shop and didn’t and I’ve been regretting it ever since!
Jasmine Moten

Reminds me of the Anastasia Disney movie. Gorgeous clothes!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=49702581 Susan Bullard Mayer

Damn.
MilaXX

Pretty and Dr. Zhivago is one of my favorite movies even though the last time I watched it I started thinking Yuri was a bit of a dick.
- Anonymous
  
  Yes! How many years it took for me to realize that! No longer blinded by the romance of it all …
- Anonymous
  
  Too right. I was watching it a couple of nights ago thinking the same thing about Yuri and wondering how I’d never realized it before. Still, I adore the scene where he and Julie Christie go into the frozen house. So beautiful…(even though he’s a lying adulterous git.)
Anonymous

F***ing amazing styling.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZBFH32YG44LIIZYLSQPMBXMYCU Sarah
  
  I know! I never would have thought of those big beaded necklaces for these looks, or for Russia, but I like them! It’s like a nod to the folksy aspect of their culture without taking away from the couture clothes. Brilliant!
Kate Pearce

Beautiful shot. I hope they didn’t freeze to death!
Anonymous

I’m always so amazed at the stylists’ vision for editorials. So often, I’ll be underwhelmed by the runway look, but then a model poses the shit out of the same dress, draped in fabulous jewelry or twirling a skirt the way it was meant to be twirled, and suddenly a dress that I used to think was flat or weird or just plain ugly–POPS! It’s so lovely to see. Thanks for the pretty, TLo!
Anonymous

What beautiful, beautiful clothes and I like the fun way they were styled.
Anonymous

The stylist of this shoot is a f*cking genius.
Anonymous

How gorgeous. The styling in this shoot is incredible.
Anonymous

Wow. This is stunningly gorgeous. The addition of those bejeweled belts are amazing, and totally enhances the Armani. They totally transformed the second Ellie Saab dress in the last shot, giving the skirt the illusion of movement. It was beautiful to begin with, but wow.
- Anonymous
  
  I had to scroll back after looking at the runway version of the Armani to be sure it was the same clothes… the belt really makes it.
Joyce VG

Dreamy!
Anonymous

Words? We don’t need no stinkin’ words! One look at these absolutely stunning photos quickly eased the distress of discovering that T & Lo are mere mortals who don’t speak Russian.
Anonymous

The styling is really wonderful in these pictures. Literally every photo in the collection makes the gown look more romantic, more exciting, and more interesting. Though I can’t actually visualize wearing those huge bead in the third outfit, they look right in the photo. One of the most artistic things I’ve seen in a while.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CQPXLNCBM5CZSHZZXJDHPVFS7E Buffy

*Thud* Falling over from the gorgeous
Anonymous

Ilovethemall 100 times more the way the Russians styled them!! I want snow now.
- Anonymous
  
  Took me a second to change perspective and realize that while you may love the mall, you weren’t really stating that information.
http://twitter.com/Nancer Nancer

Just…wow. I haven’t seen anything this beautiful in a while.
Anonymous

Love the over-the-top accessorizing.
Anonymous

Wow, I am amazed at the level of Russian proficiency among the kittens!

I particularly like the Armani Prive with the jeweled belt. The whole spread is gorgeously styled and the model worked it to perfection. Beautifully photographed. Great job by all involved!
Anonymous

Can I just say that apparently Russians are badass bitches when it comes to styling? The clothes themselves are all gorgeous…but the styling REALLY makes them sing, and gives them a story. Beautiful shoot, thanks for sharing it with us!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=583505025 Kelley Comfort

LOVE LOVE LOVE the way they styled the Yulia Yanina dress! That fur belt with the huge brooch is to die for! I also really dig the Dr. Zhivago hats!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mary-Elizabeth-Poytinger-Baumer/1516981341 Mary Elizabeth Poytinger Baume

loves. j’dore!
Anonymous

deeply satisfying pictures. cant stop looking at the way the clothes are transformed from the runway versions. my favorite transformation is the armani prive. the runway model is so blah, but add a jewelled belt, fur trimmed gloves and a couple other extras and u have something exotic and desirable.
http://twitter.com/applecocola Stacy

BRB, gotta go buy a copy of Russian Tatler!
Anonymous

Oh! The Yulia Yanina and Gaultier are TO DIE. I especially love how the YY was styled. And what a fabulous model.
Sara__B

Oh, the loveliness of it all. Simply stunning.
http://profiles.google.com/jenlindsey Jen L.

Adding the crinolines to the Gaultier took that dress from lovely to STUNNING. It looked a bit like a very fancy fur-trimmed bathrobe before. But the after? LOVE. This whole spread is just drop-dead gorgeous.
- Anonymous
  
  I couldn’t agree more! And I like the contrasting sash/belt on the Yulia Yanina. An improvement on the original, IMO.
- foodycat
  
  I was thinking that I wanted my next dressing gown to look like that. Totally transformed by magnificent styling.
Brad and Anne White

Love it all and thanks for the blog soundtrack!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=27432316 Ally Monge

The styling here is impeccable. Turned gorgeous dresses into pure perfection. Love the styling especially for the armani prive and the two valentinos…. god who knew the russians were so fierce. This is my favorite editorial in a long time.
http://www.facebook.com/samuel.j.donovan Samuel Joesph Donovan

Jesus that was gorgeous.
Anonymous

The styling is perfection. It almost looks like the clothes were custom-made for the shoot.
Anonymous

Some goddess—perhaps Charlize Theron?—should wear that first Elie Saab gown to the Oscars. Just gorgeous! And the whole Imperial Russia theme is shivery good.
http://twitter.com/poptartsjen Pop Tarts Jen

*swoon* Absolutely, positively gorgeous.
http://profiles.google.com/valencia.lucia87 Lucía Valencia

Oh my god, im dying over here with all the gorgeous *-*
Anonymous

I am in love with the Yulia Yanina suit (sans real fur, or course), the Chanel gown, and especially the two Elie Saab gowns, but, wow, that Dior is a work of art.
http://twitter.com/thelilerin erin l.

This whole editorial is breathtaking. Also, great music selection for scrolling through these photos. Anyone else think they should do it for all editorials?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=622570407 Alyssa Ball

Perhaps this is a bit embarrassing to admit, but often times I’ll look at fashion spreads and just think “oh that’s nice,” but not really appreciate it. This is so stunning though that I actually said wow out loud to myself several times. I want this to be my life for a day!
- Anonymous
  
  Me too! I ‘ll take courage from you and admit that I often don’t even open the editorial features that TLo post here, because I usually feel pretty ho-hum about them, even if the clothes are pretty much guaranteed to be be lovely.
  
  But I can’t stop looking at this whole post! It’s so incredible!! Exclamation points!!!
Anonymous

YES YES YES
http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

I swore I would never again live where it snowed, having grown up in the north east. But if I can have man clothes this gorgeous, I promise I will!
- Anonymous
  
  Only if you’re not still wearing them in April… and May… and even into June (in particularly blucky years)…
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WKSM57KFWUGRMKPDUW4SPL3GDM Kathryn

gasp! stunning! gorgeous! art! especially with the accessories and head coverings! I hope to see Gaga in one of these soon. I think this spread may have even surpassed her. if that is possible.
Anonymous

The Snow Queen’s Wardrobe.

Breathtaking.
http://twitter.com/delysia_lafosse Delysia LaFosse

The styling on this is just phenomenal! Every piece is really transformed for the better from the runway shots (thanks in large part to some very creative deployments of belts). Not the most original idea for a photo shoot ever, but it still looks fresh and gorgeous!
Anonymous

SO. BEAUTIFUL. Especially the one of the Armani. Ah, I die…
Anonymous

Mayakovski would’ve called it ‘Breathless between Shivers’ and he would’ve managed to weasel a horse in there somewhere.
http://twitter.com/anacedillo Ana Cedillo

breath taking editorial, wow. i love how they kind of transformed those dresses into even more gorgeous pieces. amazing seriously
http://twitter.com/jaythenerdkid Aaminah Khan

Love, love, LOVE this. I’m from Australia so I’ve never had a White Christmas before, but I’m going to the US on holidays in a couple of weeks, so I’m going to have my first one ever this year. This editorial has me even more psyched for that.
http://twitter.com/trishyrishyroo Patricia Woods

OMG. That model/photographer/stylist BROUGHT the movement of the clothing in those pictures. So BEAUTIFUL!!
Anonymous

Stunning choices. This is how to elevate fashion to something ethereal. Wonderful clothes, superb images.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Disha-Ardyse/100000092597673 Disha Ardyse

Well, I live in Siberia and though the clothes are fabulous, I pity the model She must have frozen to death without a fur coat. And the folk theme… done done and done
Anonymous

That’s it. I will accept nothing less than decadence this winter!
Anonymous

absolutely STUNNING!!!…maybe we need to take a lesson over here??? who knew?
Anonymous

Stunning! In almost all of the photos I like the Russian interpretation of the dress better.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

Amazing. Full stop.
Anonymous

Whoever this stylist is, they’re really good. At least two of the outfits are completely transformed by the addition of belts, especially the Armani Prive number, which is a shapeless sac on the runway. Nice work.
Anonymous

I love all of the additional touches like the belts. What a stunning editorial, thank you for a daily dose of beauty.
Anonymous

Oh my God! there is so much pretty here I can’t stand it.
Now I am The Bee

Just stunning. Am totally in love with the Valentino cape. Well–and everything else. Am now praying for snow…
https://profiles.google.com/104791269167429064986 Judy S

Amazing. I wish I had checked the site last night and seen this–I would have had much prettier dreams.
Anonymous

Oh my. I want to live in a world where real women dress like that. And have the $$$ to dress like that. Gorgeous, and the styling elevated nearly every look to stellar levels. Thanks, T Lo!
Stefanos Mantyla

Finnish makeup artist, British/American (?) photographer, and French model? All in one?

Wonderful spread!

I do not speak Russian, but reading the words phonetically, it looks to me like it says “Russian Seasons”, but best to ask someone who knows for certain.
- Anonymous
  
  yup, that’s exactly right. Russian Seasons.
  - Stefanos Mantyla
    
    Thank you for affirming that for me!
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001637020912 Zula Khramov
  
  Russian Seasons is the nod to a famous Russian Ballet troupe in the beginning of 20st century, led by famous Sergei Dyagilev in Paris. They would come with new shows for the whole winter and that happening was called “Russian Seasons” cause the whole cultural life was rotating around this beautiful collaboration of talents – musicians, dancers, choreographers, designers of customs and decorations…like Bukst, and St.Sans..Pavlova…They inspired a whole lot of couture collections of the time and later… it could be taken literally as well, like time for new season, time for furs and coats…
Anonymous

A god-like use of accessories.
Anonymous

Those clothes just might be worth putting up with a Russian winter! Serf, fetch the droshky!
Anonymous

I’m such a faithful minion, I actually did listen to “Lara’s Theme” while viewing. Perfect!
http://twitter.com/VicksieDo Vickie Lord

wow, that is stunning!! makes me wish i was in the 1%, and taller, and sticklike…
http://twitter.com/PhDKnitter marlie

Just stunning. They all look like snow princesses.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LCM5POTSHO74MUOQO6IAV4YUBE Jessica

I love the styling – it seems like it takes clothes that in some cases doesn’t have a very womanly shape, and makes it feminine, as well as impeccable and gorgeous.
Sanja Ramic

This is exactly what I want from a fashion editorial, gorgeous clothing made even more stunning by great styling and beautiful location. This actually inspired me to go look at the Couture collections again and play pretend stylist. Thanks TLo for posting this, I never would have seen it otherwise. Oh and I think that Chanel dress pictured may actually be this one:
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2011CTR-CHANEL?event=show2322&designer=design_house22&trend=&iphoto=60#slide=60
http://profiles.google.com/anplica Anplica Fiore

Love love love the jeweled belts! Very pretty spread.
http://twitter.com/april_anita April

Wow. One of the few editorials that I’ve found the clothing to be far more gorgeous in the editorial due to styling than on the runway.
aimee_parrott

Aaaaaaaaaah. Now THERE’S my pretty for the day.
R. L.

I covet the jeweled belts. I have to echo others that the editorial makes the clothes far more beautiful and interesting. Not that they aren’t but there’s just a lot more fabulousness.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1248212910 Jessie Melcher Brown

I want a fur hat.
http://www.facebook.com/jill.m.woods Jill Woods

Gorgeous editorial. I love the Jean Paul Gaultier and the first Elie Saab dress. Beautiful!
Rebecca Johnson

Stuh-NING! I was trying to pick a favorite, but they are all wonderful in different ways.
In the Givenchy, the model’s legs look as long as I am tall!
Anonymous

That’s a beautiful editorial. The white Valentino and the Elie Saab dresses are stunning.
Anonymous

Beautiful and evocative, and I deplore the use of fur. Have to say it.
Anonymous

It’s called simply “Russian Seasons”. You’re welcome.
Anonymous

Your lack of Russian language skills notwithstanding, you are still, as always, perfect.
Anonymous

Stunning.
Anonymous

Amazing. And kudos to the stylist and model for putting the runway versions of these dresses to shame. Just gorgeous.
Anonymous

Incredible styling!
http://twitter.com/mellafe natalia h

I LOVE the styling. This is how fashion editorials are supposed to look! Not just another model showing off the clothes.
http://twitter.com/angleofrepose Mariah Warnock-Graha

This here is a stylist encyclopedia. If there were Oscars for styling, this ed would be a contender.
Anonymous

One of, if not the prettiest ever. The styling is better than the runway every time and transforms the dress. And I shamelessly love the fur.
Anonymous

Good god. Stunning.
Anonymous

I agree that the styling is a thousand times better than that of the runway. Unbelievably gorgeous!!
Anonymous

And while I do hate fur, it seems almost expected in a Russian-retro piece and evokes earlier times. Not like Michael Kors’ furs on an American runway.
Anonymous

Ngh, fabulous. Love love love. Say what you will, but I think this model’s eyes and eyebrows reflect, somewhat, the parts of Russia that are basically China/Central Asia/Mongolia. I think a lot of people tend to forget that, and think about Russia as basically a very cold France. (There are many reasons for that, but no need to go into it.)

Anyway, that made me happy.
Anonymous

I really don’t understand though, how they do a shoot like this without ruining the clothes. Can you lie down in the snow in a couture dress without getting water stains on it? Because if that’s fake snow, I bow to the genius who made it because I can’t tell the difference, and if it’s real then aren’t those furs and clothes ruined? Considering that every look is like a million dollars worth of dress, it seems like the designers would want it back unscathed.
Anonymous

fab! the Armani Prive looks fantastic all decked out.
Anonymous

I love each and every look. So pretty, so creative, so chic. I want it all. ALL. Luxurious. Rich. And none of those horrid primary colors that are trying to appear everywhere. This is what fashion should be.
Anonymous

In all but two of these, the editorial photos are far more appealing to me than the runway.

Job well done, Russian stylists & art director!

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