In ten days’ time the Fall 2012 women’s ready-to-wear runway season will begin in earnest. Models are already back in the city to attend show castings fresh on the heels of the couture shows last week in Paris. Preparations for the eight-day fashion jamboree in early February otherwise known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week began as early as last fall with the shooting of Ford Vol. IV, the fourth show package of Paul Rowland’s tenure. Last season photographer Sloan Laurits trained his Polaroid camera on a bevy of beauties, 51 of them, in various natural settings throughout New England. For this show season, however Laurits took to the studio under the creative direction of Paul Rowland to photograph 24 models. Styling by Nicholas Grasa combines the splendor of period evening gowns with the contemporary simplicity of the silkscreened sweatshirt, which in the case of the show package boldly carries the four letters of the agency in black against a white field. The package opens with Bulgarian Kremi and closes with American Laura Love and in between features household names whose seasonal runway appearances if combined and totaled would easily approach a thousand. Strong eyes predominate the photographs and directly quote the Eye of Horus, which is vividly illustrated by artist Sissel Kardel on the top of the box housing the show package. As Egyptian hieroglyphics go, this eye is said to signify strength, royal power, and good health, all of which are part and parcel of the jewel that is Paul Rowland’s board.
Please click through the below slide show for an exclusive look at Ford Vol. IV. Also watch the video “The Making of Ford Vol. IV Fall 2012 Show Package” by visiting this page.
Credits include: Title, Ford Vol. IV; Creative direction, Paul Rowland; Photography, Sloan Laurits; Styling, Nicholas Grasa; Artwork, Sissel Kardel; Models, Kremi, Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Andie Arthur, Julia Nobis, Emily Senko, Kate Kosushkina, Ondria Hardin, Ming Xi, Lina Sandberg, Corinna Ingenleuf, Janice Alida, Valerija Kelava, Daiane Conterato, Ranya Mordanova, Kamila Hansen, Karolina Wąż, Tao Okamoto, Kate King, Sigrid Agren, Alana Zimmer, Hanne Gaby, Maryna Linchuk, Anais Mali, Laura Love.
