Lara Love

Spending £18 on a magazine is not something most of us consider doing on a whim these days and suffice to say it really isn't something I do very often at all but I definitely had to 'treat' myself to Self Service's latest Spring Summer Issue upon seeing a sneak peek of it on their blog last week. This mag holds a place in my  heart along side, Fantastic Man, Purple and The Gentle Woman. Its bold, classy and slick, I love the combination of the matt and gloss pages as well as the hard-back covers and the hefty weight of it. I delve into my small collection of past issues time and time again with as much gusto as when I first purchased them.

The current issue is jam packed with spreads from some of my all time favorite photographers (Venetia Scott, Terry Richardson, David Simms) and stylists, although it never is a disappointment to read its been a while since I actually purchased an issue, not being able to quite justify spending so much on a magazine but my frugalism was quashed when I glimpsed the cover of the current issue fronted by the gorgeous, only a centimeter from eternal iconic-ism, Lara Stone. I know many think there's nothing special about this Dutch beauty but I personally find something overwhelmingly refreshing and captivating about Lara. She isn't a classic beauty and hasn't got the symmetrical perfection of most models of her caliber, but has a really real and honest down to earth presence, she says it like it is but still seems. I've been a huge fan of hers ever since seeing images of her opening the Givenchy Haute Couture show in Paris back in 2006. Not the average stick thin size of her catwalk colleagues she captivated the fashion world with her curves and gap-toothed smile. Having then seen her in the flesh less than a foot away from me when sitting front row at Giles Decon's SS9 show (I was working at Browns at the time and was luckily given Mrs Bursteins ticket by her amazing PA!) I was instantly smitten! 

So this issue Self Service enlisted Brit photographer/part-time political figure Alasdair McLellan and stylist Jane How to produce a Bridget Bardot inspired spread which in my opinion is absolutely stunning and captures this seasons love affair with vintage quite subtly. Jane How I'm sure had a fantastic time delving into the treasure trove cupboards of Gray's Antiques Vintage Mode collections as well as the renowned designer vintage purveyors The Dress Up Box when rooting for pieces for quality vintage for the shoot. These include exquisite pieces from Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino.

I had a hard time deciding on my favorites so have posted the majority of the story below. Enjoy, and pick yourself up a copy it they sells out.