alice in wonderland

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This is the BEST and most influencial feature spread for me. When I first started this blog I made mention of this feature layout when I did a double blog on Natalia Vodianova. Well, going through my catalouge of magazine features last night brought me back t o this beautiful and perfect photo adaptation of Alice in Wonderland starring Natalia...

"Alice in Wonderland" by Hamish Bowles the complete story appears in the December 2003 issue of Vogue.
Curiouser and Curiouser

Beyond nonsense verse and coming-of-age fables, Lewis Carroll's true passion was photographing moody young beauties. Olivier Theyskens, in the guise of Carroll, captures model Natalia Vodianova as Alice Liddell. Natalia wears a Rochas iridescent blue-flower ruffle dress specially designed by Theyskens.Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Through the Looking Glass

Wrapped in ocean-blue Balenciaga couture, Alice perched on the mantel, longing to escape into the shadow world, as her black kitty purred nearby. Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière crystal pleated chiffon dress and grey ankle boots. Shot on location at the Château de Corbeil-Cerf. In this story: fashion editor, Grace Coddington; hair, Julien d'Ys/Island d'Ys; makeup, Gucci Westman.Set design by Mary Howard. Prop fabrication by Jean Hugues de Chatillon.Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Drink Me

How was Alice to know the innocent little bottle would make her grow to such a size? As Helmut Lang watched from the wall, she curled her legs up and hoped the designer's organza minidress wouldn't be crushed by her startling height. Dress from the Helmut Lang made-to-measure studio.Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Advice from a Caterpillar

Clad in Marc Jacobs's ruffled chiffon minidress, Alice found herself engaged in an infuriatingly roundabout conversation with a mushroom-dweller. Where am I? she wondered...and how have I gotten here?Photo: Annie Leibovitz
Pig & Pepper

It was a queer-shaped little creature, and held out its arms and legs in all directions, “just like a starfish.” Chanel Haute Couture embroidered satin jacket with a draped satin skirt and cream leather boot pants. The Chanel designer wears Chrome Hearts necklaces and belt.Photo: Annie Leibovitz

The Cheshire Cat

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” Alice asked sweetly of the cat with a grin as devilish as anything she had ever seen. “ That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” replied our Cat, Jean Paul Gaultier. Blue silk-jersey draped dress by Gaultier Paris.Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Tweedledum and Tweedledee

“If you think we're alive, you ought to speak,” said the one marked DEE. Alice, in a Viktor & Rolf multilayered silk dress, stared as the Tweedle duo spouted nonsensical tongue twisters. Rolf Snoeren, left, and Viktor Horsting wear matching suits and bow ties of their own design.Photo: Annie Leibovitz
The Mad Tea Party

“No room!” The March Hare and Mad Hatter shouted. “No room!” But Alice plunked down, desperate for some biscuits after a long day of living backward. Christian Lacroix Haute Couture dress with painted and sculpted mink dickey over a lace top and frilled lamé skirt. Stephen Jones (right), wears a custom-made hat of his own design. .Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Who Stole the Tarts?

“My name is Alice, so please Your Majesty,” the young girl, draped in Dior Couture, said softly. “ You make me giddy!” screamed the Queen. Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano hand-painted polka-dot dress. Galliano as the Queen of Hearts, wears a Dior Haute Couture coat and is accompanied by his King, Alexis Roche.Photo: Annie Leibovitz

The Mock Turtle's Story

“What is his sorrow?” Alice, in Atelier Versace, asked the Gryphon. “Once,” sighed the Mock Turtle, “ I was a real turtle.” Atelier Versace layered silk-tulle and chiffon-organza dress lined in lace. Donatella Versace and Rupert Everett are in Versace.Photo: Annie Leibovitz

this feature story was especially inspirational for me since I was in my 1st year of FIDM as a fashion design major. back when my class had no idea who Olivier Theyskens was, but one teacher in particular told us to keep an eye on him. back when I only said Nicolas Ghesquière in my head because I couldn'tpronounce his name. back when Tom Ford was still a fashion designer for Yves Saint Laurent. I thought how cool it was for Helmut Lang not to be in the photograph with Natalia like all the other designers, but to be pictured in an obscure corner of the picture in the form of a portrait.

And falling for the Atelier Versace layered silk-tulle and chiffon-organza dress lined in lace, the best gown of the season.