Michel Comte Exhibit Opens at Prague's Leica Gallery
Filed under: Art
nude
Ducatis and Nudes Make for High-Octane Art
Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art
Superbikes meet supermodels sans clothes in Ducati's new high-octane art project. The famed Italian motorcycle firm commissioned photographer Elizabeth Raab to create images of eye-popping nude female forms astride their meanest machines. Dubbed "Desmo" the collection presents 16 unique photographs in which "the artist has approached and juxtaposed the abstract qualities of the organic and mechanical forms, highlighting both the complexity in design and the emotion of iconic Ducati motorcycles", including the Desmosedici (above) and the Monster.
The sexy shots "explore the multiple relationships between the designed and the natural – the lines of the mechanical body reflecting the lines of the organic form it was designed after." Just in case you thought it was merely an excuse to ogle the world's finest flesh and metal, that is. Numbered, limited edition fine art prints are available to order exclusively from www.ducatiart.com in various sizes; the largest version of the one above will run you about $550. The project was produced under the auspices of the Ducati Official Art Collection, an artistic venture between Ducati and lifestyle art brand Cultwork.
Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & More Go Nude at Necker Island
Filed under: Books
The world's sexiest new supermodels pose sans clothes at Richard Branson's Necker Island paradise in a massive new monograph from famed photographer Russell James. V2 from uber-luxe publisher teNeues showcases the girls James believes will be the superstars of the new era, including Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Candice Swanepoel and Brooklyn Decker (on the cover, above). The Australian lensman, a connoisseur of the female form, has shot numerous ad campaigns for Victoria's Secret as well as sizzling spreads for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue. In V2 he presents the gifted goddesses in the natural splendor of Necker Island, Vrigin mogul Richard Branson's luxe tropical retreat. We're sure Branson was only too happy to play host to the bevy of naked beauties. See the gallery for an SFW preview (you'll have to buy the book to get the full treatment).
Lagerfeld Launches 2011 Pirelli Calendar with Julianne Moore
Actress Juliane Moore and several naked supermodels, including serial nudist Daria Werbowy, Isabeli Fontana, Lara Stone, Erin Wasson, Natasha Poly and more appear in the just-unveiled 2011 Pirelli calendar photographed by Karl Lagerfeld. For the first time, thanks to Lagerfeld's influence and the Greek and Roman Mythology-theme of the shoot, which took place at Lagerfeld's studio in Paris, male models appear in the famed flesh fantasia as well this year. "It's my favourite religion: a god for everything," Lagerfeld tells Vogue UK regarding the calendar's theme. "I am a polytheist. I prefer mythology without hell, no sin – an obstacle to happiness – without forgiveness. I love goddesses because they were the first liberated women, who were entitled to everything. The goddesses and the muses are feminists!"
Daria Werbowy Poses Nude for French Vogue
Canadian-born supermodel Daria Werbowy famed as the face of Prada and Lancôme, has posed completely nude for French Vogue's fashionable new calendar which will be available as a supplement to its upcoming Christmas issue with a "fantasy and sensuality" theme, guest-edited by Tom Ford. In the racy pic shot by Mikael Jansson – which we can't possibly show you here – the statuesque stunner wears nothing but some gold Louis Vuitton jewelry which seems to be all the adornment she needs. Werbowy was named the eighth highest paid supermodel in the world for 2010, earning $4.5 million. Her other ad campaigns include Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Hermès, Valentino, David Yurman, Missoni, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
Avedon Nude of Stephanie Seymour Expected to Fetch $210,000
A racy nude portrait of supermodel Stephanie Seymour (detail above) taken by the late, great Richard Avedon in 1992 is expected to fetch up to $210,000 at Sotheby's' Photographies sale in Paris on November 19. Part of a private European collection, the image will bolster the strength of the photography market if it achieves its price. Though most of the lots date from the early 1900s, the stunning sale also includes an Albert Watson portrait of Naomi Campbell from 1989 and a David LaChapelle portait of Andy Warhol from 1987 taken shortly before the artist's death, both estimated at up to $21,000; and a Herb Ritts portrait of Madonna from 1986, expected to fetch up to $10,000. Notable works by Irving Penn, Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and more round out the offerings.
Famed Photographer Albert Watson Publishes Epic 40-Year Retrospective
Famed photographer Albert Watson, whose celebrity portraits and nudes of Kate Moss fetch astonishing prices at auction, has come out with a stunning new 40-year retrospective of his work. Titled UFO, which stands for "Unified Fashion Objectives", the massive monograph includes iconic shots of famous faces from 50 Cent, Christy Turlington, Sean Penn, Johnny Depp, Uma Thurman, Beyonce and Jack Nicholson are interspersed with still lifes, fashion images and more, personally selected by Watson from his vast archive. The Scottish-born photographer's first celebrity photograph was a portrait of Alfred Hitchcock for the cover of Harper's Bazaar in 1973.
Since then he has amassed more than 200 Vogue covers and 40 Rolling Stone covers to his credit and has shot countless ad campaigns, TV commercials and movie posters. Many of the images in the book have never been published before and are presented here for the very first time. The slipcased volume is also available as a limited edition book for $500 including an archival pigment print of 500 copies only, housed in a black acrylic case. Individually signed and numbered, the limited edition is available exclusively through galleries representing Albert Watson and selected retailers.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Poses Nude for Rankin
Filed under: Apparel, Art, Books
Famed Scottish photographer Rankin is coming out with a new book dedicated to British beauty Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (above), who's said to be a cousin of the Queen of England. The Victoria's Secret stunner, chosen to replace Megan Fox in the next Transformers movie, poses nude in some of the shots for the book titled Ten Times Rosie. The volume also showcases the designs of Paula Thomas, founder and head designer of the luxury label Thomas Wylde. "Shooting Ten Times Rosie was the most incredible experience of my career," Huntington-Whiteley tells Vogue UK. "Paula, Rankin and the team worked so hard, the set had an amazing atmosphere. I think we have created some beautiful and iconic images." Huntington-Whiteley takes on ten different personas for the book representing Thomas Wylde's 10th anniversary. The sexy pix will also be displayed in a new exhibition running through October 29 at London's Annroy Gallery.
Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Mario Testino & More in London Photo Sale
World class works including nudes and celebrity portraits by Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Mario Testino, Albert Watson and more are on offer at Christie's Photographs sale in London on May 21. Among the top-priced lots is Albert Watson's greatly enlarged contact sheet of a nude Kate Moss, taken in 1993, estimated at $29,000 - $44,000; his portrait of Uma Thurman meanwhile, also taken in '93, is estimated at $9,000 - $12,000. Mario Testino's iconic 1997 portrait of Princess Di is also expected to do well with an estimate of $26,000 - $32,000. Richard Avedon's portrait of artist Francis Bacon from 1979 is estimated at $18,000 - $26,000. Among the Helmut Newton offerings is 1976's famous Saddle, I (above) and 1980's Tied-up Torso, Ramatuelle, both estimated at $10,000 - $15,000. And Robert Mapplethorpe's nude Sonia Resika, 1988 is estimated at $4,000 - $7,000.
The Cheekiest Book of the Year
Filed under: Books
Luxist readers last heard of famed Scottish photographer Rankin when his bespoke bottle for The Macallan single malt Scotch debuted. Now the shutterbug has released a new volume of edgy erotica appropriately titled Rankin's Cheeky. The book features a foreword by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and an introduction by Heidi Klum, who has shed her clothes for the photographer's skillful erotic studies on a number of occasions. "I'm never shy with Rankin," Klum says.
Kate Moss has also been snapped by the master in her birthday suit many times; some of the images are featured in the book. "Any time Rankin takes a picture he knows what he wants, and there is really no chance of being anyone but who you are, even if you try," she notes. "You can trust him. I trust him."
The Fashion Statement: What Will You Be Wearing in 2010?
Filed under: The Fashion Statement
You have to be Nostradamus to predict the future. But when it comes to fashion, it's a little easier. Here's my rule of thumb: Consider what's already been popular, push that as far as it can go (ultra low drop crotches, anyone?) and if you can't push it any further, go completely in the other direction.
That, or just ask around, like I did recently! Here are some trends my fashion friends will be watching closely next year.
Tribal prints: From tattoos to prints on dresses, leggings and shoes, tribal prints will be everywhere for spring. The look is warrior-like, intricate and, ahem, fierce.
Sweet Prints: The counterpoint to primitive tribal influences is soft and cuddly prints like blooms, birds, dogs, cats and strawberry. The point is to be cute and nice.
Sheer: Barely there, diaphanous -- whatever you call it, if you can see through it, you'll want to wear it. Many runways didn't bother with undergarments. In the real world, I might.
Military: Michael Jackson died when designers were coming up with their spring 2010 collections and it shows. Epaulets, braids, badges and other accouterments of the uniform marched down runways on both sides of the pond.
The Man Who Makes Supermodels Look Good
What's the sexiest photo ever to appear on Luxist? There are a few contenders for that title, but Michel Comte's nearly-nude shot of Gisele Bundchen featured in a Christie's auction last year is hard to top. That image is just one among many eye-poppers in the Swiss photographer's massive new monograph from teNeues, Thirty Years and Five Minutes. A trained art restorer and self-taught photographer, Comte came to prominence in 1979 with his first advertising commission for Karl Lagerfeld's fashion label Chloé. One of the top names in fashion and magazine photography, his work fetches tens of thousands of dollars at auction and has appeared in Vanity Fair, Vogue and many others. Included in the book are portraits of Sharon Stone, Jeremy Irons, Mike Tyson, Cindy Crawford (above) and a number of nudes including one of Carla Bruni. The volume spans Comte's entire three-decade career and includes his most iconic images.
Nude Supermodels and More in Sotheby's Sale
On October 9th in New York, Sotheby's will stage a stunning sale of photographs including several nude portraits of supermodels, with work from the likes of Chuck Close, Peter Beard, Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton and more. One of the top lots is a series of six full frontal nudes of Kate Moss by Chuck Close taken in 2003, estimated at $100,000 - $150,000. Another high-priced draw is a portfolio of 12 semi-nude images of Marilyn Monroe taken in 1962 by Lawrence Schiller, estimated at $50,000 - $70,000. Two Peter Lindbergh portraits of Mick Jagger taken in 1995 are estimated at $30,000 - $50,000. And a nude of Stephanie Seymour by Richard Avedon taken in 1992 is estimated at $20,000 - $30,000, while this relatively tame image of Nadja Auermann by Irving Penn from 1994 is also a relative bargain at $6,000 - $9,000.
Kate Moss Nude for Every Occasion
On July 1 Christie's in London will auction off a stunning full frontal nude of Kate Moss by Chuck Close in its Photographs sale. Taken in 2003, the artwork is estimated at about $11,500 - $16,000 but could easily go much higher.If that's out of your range or you don't want to risk being outbid, there's another option for getting Kate naked at your place. Via PhotographersLimitedEditions.com you can now purchase signed limited edition works from some of the world's best known photographers.
The investment-quality pieces come in limited editions of 11-25. One of our favorites is this nude of Moss by British photographer Rankin, taken in 2000. Produced in a limited edition of 25, the photo is priced at about $4,500.
The site also offers several of Rankin's other works including some celebrity portraits, as well as photos by the likes of Antoine Verglas, Arthur Elgort and Marc Baptiste, featuring many other gorgeous nudes.
Stefan May: Women Only
The other day we wrote about some of Helmut Newton's work being offered at auction. Sadly, Newton died in 2004, but a few photographers are carrying on in his spirit of fashion-meets-fine art-meets-erotica. Chief among them is German lensman Stefan May, who has a brilliant, lavish new monograph coming out from teNeues on June 15 titled Women Only. The book, available for pre-order from Amazon, cements May's place as the master of the sensual nude. The collection combines duotone and color images in an imaginative assortment, and the "contrast between photographic modes helps the reader fully appreciate form and texture, as well as interplays of light and shadow." It's also damned hot.
Amy Adams' Bikini Body Isn't What You'd Expect ...
St. Louis Sports Bar Gives Man Receipt Criticizing His Child
Helen Lost 82 Pounds: 'Helping Others Is What Life Is All About'
'Undercover Boss': Top 4 Moments From Season 4 [VIDEO]
Las Vegas Court Officials Accused Of Covering Up Sex Assault [VIDEO]
Michael Hastings Dead At 33
Groomers Lose Dog, Claim Not Responsible
Xbox One-80: Microsoft reverses Xbox One DRM features
WATCH: Porn Star Says My Dad's Angry I Ruined Porn For Him
Male Judge Sets Dress Code For Female Lawyers And Sparks Uproar
'Lone Ranger' Star Johnny Depp Opens Up About Split From Vanessa Paradis
Khloe's Workout Photos Are Pretty Alarming
The Story Behind Shapewear: From Girdles to Spanx
'Grease' Cast: Where Are They Now?
LOOK: Teen Was 'Shamed' By TSA Officer For This Outfit
Careless Chinese Baggage Handler Really Throws Himself Into His Work
41 Busted In Child Sex Sting
WATCH: The Amazing Moment A Trapped Fox Approaches Men For Help
Axl Rose Doesn't Look Like This Anymore ...
7 Beautiful Actresses Who Were Told They Weren't Pretty Enough
PHOTO: Brazilian Officer Pepper-Sprays Female Protester In The Face
Outrage Over Class Photo: 'Adults Should Know Better'
Inside Kim Kardashian's Pregnancy Nightmare
Couple Finds Ancient Skeleton In Backyard, May Have To Foot $5,000 Excavation Bill
Investigation Underway After Throat-Grab Photos Surface
EPIC FAIL
PHOTOS: Michelle Obama's Bangs Spark A Major Backlash
14-Year-Old Faces Jail After Wearing Pro-Gun Shirt To School
Helen's Secret Surgery
And Miss USA Is...
PHOTOS: Former Bond Girl Hits The Red Carpet At 70
WATCH: Up To 15 7-Elevens Raided