Haute Couture with Marlena Szoka by Benjamin Kanarek Published with Bonus Images in Harper’s BAZAAR en Español, May 2011

Elisa Sednaoui for Harper’s Bazaar en Espanol Cover – May 2011 issue

After being published in the April issue of Harper’s BAZAAR China, the Spring-Summer 2011 Haute Couture editorial shot in the magnificent decor of Le Bristol Palace Hotel in Paris with model Marlena Szoka lensed by Benjamin Kanarek has also been published in Harper’s BAZAAR en Español, May 2011 Issue.

Luz Resplandeciente

In an absolutely ethereal atmosphere, Marlena wears these amazing Haute Couture looks from the Spring Summer 2011 Collections of established Couture Houses the likes of,  Gaultier Paris by Jean-Paul Gaultier, Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal, Chanel Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld, Elie Saab Haute Couture, Alexandre Vauthier Couture, the last Dior Haute Couture Collection by John Galliano, Armani Privé by Giorgio Armani, Valentino Haute Couture by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.

A New Generation of Couturiers

This new publication reveals 3 bonus images featuring 3 fashion designers of the New Generation. There is an interesting twist in what they have on offer, their use of silver and metal in their outfits, which were  all selected by the young and dynamic Japanese fashion editor, Sohei Yoshida. These designs are in stark contrast to the soft billowy mist surrounding Marlena Szoka.

Maxime Simoëns

The 26 year old French Fashion Designer, considers his Collection Semi-Couture (an intermediate category between Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear) as the prototypes are not tailored made for the client, but are available in different sizes. Nonetheless, his craftsmanship featuring the “à la Française Know-How” gave him the privilege to be invited during the official Schedule of the The Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. For his first “Haute Couture” show, he gave his own interpretation of French Queen Marie-Antoinette’s slice of life (no pun intended).

The chain dress is one the master pieces of his collection that needed more than 300 hours of work and weighs more than 35kg. It represents Maxime Simoëns vision of Marie-Antoinette as a prisoner in La Conciergerie waiting for her judgment and execution.


 

Jantaminiau

Since 2007, Jantaminiau, from Dutch Designer Jan Taminiau, has showed his collection twice a year in Paris during Couture fashion week. Surrounded and inspired by antique dealers, decorators and interior designers, Jan’s Collections are a combination of artisan techniques and a constant experimentation with forms, shapes and fabrics.
Marlena is waving in a silver and gold sequins embroidered jumpsuit and full pearl grey chiffon over-coat perched on extremely high pumps inspired from Japanese Ippon-ba Geta and Chopine platform shoes worn in Venice in the 15th Century.

“Couture has nothing to do with reality or being wearable. It is about free imagination and the extraordinary…
In my quest for the perfect fit I pursue new shapes and unconventional techniques. By weaving and interweaving fabrics, I enable a natural form to emerge which highlights character from the wearer.”
Jan Taminiau

On Aura Tout Vu

Is a duet of two Bulgarian Fashion Designers: Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov, primarily Accessory Designers for Couture Houses like Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Givenchy. They founded “On Aura Tout Vu” that is a French expression meaning “You think you’ve seen it all” with André de Sà Pessoa, from Portugal, who passed away in 2005. Since 2002, On Aura Tout Vu presents its own Haute Couture Collection in Paris as Invited Member of the Fédération Française de la Couture.

Their Spring-Summer 2011 Collection takes us in a “Kingdom of dreams where the bodies of the fairy queens are covered with a thousand sets of jewels that shine with a fiery glow.” Marlena embodies the LadyBird in this spectacular outfit mixing Haute Couture and silversmith craftsmanship with its leggings and body entirely embroidered and topped by feathers carved in a metal cartwheel ruff which has already been purchased by the only other LadyBird: Lady Gaga herself !

The Extended Version of the Behind the Scenes Video

The Complete Editorial

The Team

Photography and Co-Creative Direction by Benjamin Kanarek
Co-Creative Direction & Video Direction by Frédérique Renaut
Model: Marlena Szoka @ Viva, Paris
Fashion Editor: Sohei Yoshida
Make Up by Topolino @ Calliste Agency, Paris
Hair by Tanya Koch @ B Agency, Paris
Manicure by Kamel
B Agency, Paris
Digital Retouching by Freddy Baby, Paris

Assitants
Benjamin Kanarek’s Assistant: Benoît Tremblay
Sohei Yoshida’s Assistants: Moe Meier, Haruka Suzuki, Hisato Tasaka
Tanya Koch’s Assistant: Blandine
Special Thanks to Hotel Le Bristol

Soundtrack Credits

Adele, Chasing Pavements
Ben’s Brother, Let Me Out

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