Ford Models Fashion

This past autumn an exuberant Crystal Renn (Ford) described to me a photo shoot she had recently finished in which she performed the splits whilst suspended between the shoulders of two men. Although Crystal has variously been described as flexible, limber, even bendy, the idea of her sitting atop two male gymnasts with her legs at ninety degree angles to her upright body seemed frankly extraordinary, something that had to be seen in order to believed. The publication of the January issue of Vogue Россия, however has put paid to any doubts with a story that features Crystal and Alana Zimmer (Ford) photographed by Arthur Elgort. Titled “В Стране Чудес,” literally “In Wonderland,” the Anya Ziourova-styled story provides a preview of a forthcoming Cirque du Soleil performance at the Kremlin in early February.

Crystal opens the carnivalesque story wearing a cashmere sweater by Michael Kors, nylon skirt by Miu Miu, tulle underskirt by Abrakadabra, silk heels trimmed with crystals by Baldinini, lace veil with feathers by Leah C. Millinery, leather belt by Gucci, socks by Sock Man, and various jewelry from Erickson Beaman and Kenneth Joy Lane. Turn the page and Alana enters wearing dress made of lace and chiffon by Alberta Ferretti, metallic python skin heels by Tom Ford, and a felt hat trimmed with rhinestones by Lola hats as she stands over a clown grasping her ankles whilst being aped by another to her right. Opposite this comedic scene, however is the story’s coup de grâce, Crystal wearing a brocade suit by Salvatore Ferragamo as she is held aloft by two Cirque du Soleil cast members. The gymnastic feat is in fact genuine and something Crystal has previously done in the pages of AnOther Magazine 21 Autumn / Winter 2011. Taken as a whole, the editorial is just the sort of warm-up that ought to keep Cirque du Soleil on their A game come show time, though Dmitry Medvedev and company will likely be disappointed when Crystal Renn and Alana Zimmer are not also included in the program.

Credits include: Publication, Vogue Россия января 2012; Title, “В Стране Чудес”; Photography, Arthur Elgort; Styling, Anya Ziourova; Hair, Kevin Ryan at Art + Commerce; Makeup, Kristen G at Community NYC; Models, Crystal Renn at Ford, Alana Zimmer at Ford; Performance art, Cirque du Soleil; Photography assistance, Remy Pyrdol, Chris Parsons, Thanis Maretis, William Joines; Styling assistance, David Gomez-Villamediana, Emily Eisen; Production, Елена Серова.