Shot by Craig McDean for Interview Magazine, this is notably one of my favorite ‘only-girl’ editorials to date. I was immediately drawn to this spread by those wicked elongated punk “pointe” shoes which, surprisingly, are by David Samuel Menkes (heyooo!). Piled in Ann Demuelemeester, Roberto Cavalli, and Alexander Wang, Freja Beha Erichsen looks fierce dusted in chalk with slicked down Wang hair and manages to pull a straight face on top of her toes. While one would find the concept simple and overdone (i.e. hard/soft…masculine/feminine…ruffles!/leather!), I find it completely relevant to the athleticism involved in ballet, particularly en pointe. Only a ballerina could tell you after the years of bruises, blisters, bleeding, sprains, and calves-that-will-shatter-your-arm-just-by-touching-them, that IT’S NOT PRETTY. The gorgeous tulle, pinks, ruffles, and silks successfully overshadows the discipline entailed to perform such beauty and grace. I find it refreshing to see some rawness associated with my favorite pastime, while wrapped up in gorgeous design. Freja rocked it, and the styling is perfect. Bra-vo.

Interview Magazine, April 2010