Ford’s Karmen Pedaru features on the cover of Numéro 127 octobre 2011 photographed by Greg Kadel. I recall hearing about the cover from Karmen herself some time between hair and makeup and first looks at Rag & Bone last month. From what I could tell she was quietly (per usual) thrilled about the honor. The previous issue of Numéro of course featured the Estonian along with some other pals of Karl Lagerfeld, but the current issue is a solo endeavor with a title, “Karmen,” to match. The Elizabeth Sulcer-styled cover story puts the Michael Kors campaign model through the paces by wearing fifteen different fall looks beginning with Lanvin and concluding with Céline. Flowers embellish many of the looks and none more so than the cover image, which prominently features the King Protea (Protea cynaroides) held by Karmen who is wearing a silk vest embroidered with sequins and fox collar by Dolce & Gabbana, leather suit by Chloé, leather bra by Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, leather harness belt with golden plates by Giuseppe Zanotti, Cartier bracelets, Alexis Bittar cuffs, and Cesare Paciotti boots. Karmen’s penultimate look, sequin embroidered top and trousers by Roberto Cavalli, vintage bra and earrings, a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, and various jewelry by Philip Treacy, Cartier, and House of Lavande, and topped by an enormous iris, best embodies the story and Karmen’s blooming presence in it. Of the few objects brought back from Paris Fashion Week, Karmen Pedaru’s Numéro 127 cover is perhaps the most cherished and rightly so.

Credits include: Numéro N°127 octobre 2011; Title, “Karmen”; Photography, Greg Kadel; Fashion editing, Elizabeth Sulcer; Hair, Franco Gobbi at Art Department; Makeup, Mariel Barrera at Joe Management; Manicure, Kiyo Okada at Garren New York for Chanel; Fashion assistance, Krisana Sotelo, Laura Watters; Digital, Ryan Due at Capture This!; Retouching, Jasmine at Greg Kadel Studios; Production, Ernesto Qualizza at Produce This!; Merci à Zinna James pour le stylisme floral; Image source, Models.com.