Exposure NY: Japanese Vogue

That is why the world has George Cortina. Every morning when I get dressed for work I wonder if George Cortina would a) approve of b) accessorize more or c) rip/distress any of my clothes. It is hard to dress yourself and look good.

Stylists have the hardest job in the fashion industry. Most of us don't understand how much or even what stylists do. And watching The Rachel Zoe Report doesn't count. I'm not even going to go into the day-to-day, step-by-step process of what George and his assistants go through.

George Cortina is the Fashion Editor for Vogue Nippon, and he styles the cover story for every issue. November's issue includes an amazing story shot by Mark Segal. The story, as I tweeted a few days ago, is 'androgenius'. Model Tao Okamoto graces the cover and personifies a mysterious entity in the story "The Kiss of Demons".

Also in this issue, there is a behind-the-scenes look at George prepping and perfecting Tao as they get ready to shoot the cover:

When George isn't styling an editiorial story or advertisement (he has done countless ads including H&M, Bulgari, Roberto Cavalli, Iceberg, and Gucci ) he is helping designers style their new collections for fashion week. This seasons Spring 2010, George styled Tommy Hilfiger in the US, Julien Macdonald in London, and Emilio Pucci in Milan. The reviews are in, and we bet George couldn't be more pleased.

Here is the review for Tommy Hilfiger (www.wwd.com):

Wrapping easy, breezy basics in a California Dreamin’ theme, Tommy Hilfiger put forth an impressively complete collection Thursday evening, offering a staple (or three) for nearly every wardrobe.

In addition to wholesome Americana, the men’s wear had a pleasant French-nautical streak, driven home by a striped Breton sweater. Suits were fitted and strong shouldered, especially the double-breasted versions. The choppy sampling of men’s wear didn’t convey any intention other than the selling of fresh, attractive clothes. And who would dare object to that?

The review for Julien Macdonald (www.wwd.com):

A recent trip to the Red Sea – and a first attempt at underwater exploration – inspired Macdonald’s ultra-sexy and polished collection. The idea came through in narrow scuba trousers and dresses with mesh sleeves and chunky zips. Knitted dresses woven from cotton-covered elastic recalled fishermen’s nets and were layered one over the other, while biker jackets were fashioned from embossed suede made to look like stingray skin. For evening, Macdonald turned out shimmery evening dresses in pink, gray and black with details that recalled fish scales and mermaids’ tails.

Pic: George (far left) backstage at the Julien Macdonald show (image from www.wwd.com)

And here's the review for Pucci (www.wwd.com):

It doesn’t get hotter than this. After introducing a new vampy, disco babe chez Pucci at his debut last season, Peter Dundas forged on with that fierce, sexy directive. Show notes pointed to an aquatic and pirate inspiration, but that was just a thematic cover for serving up high-energy party clothes in a Seventies vein.

For starters, Dundas worked a serious bondage motif in strap-happy maillots and loads of lace-up corsetry, the latter on fringed jackets and trailing down the backsides of skinny pants. Also blush-worthy: Dundas’ sky-high hemlines (those itty-bitty snakeskin tap pants) and abundant cutouts on body-con dresses, including some slinky feathered and sequined versions. But there were some modest moments; rounding out the lineup were cover-ups, caftans, scuba-inspired jackets and some pretty Grecian gowns. As for the Pucci prints this season, Dundas tackled them in marine patterns and abstracted, geometric panels and inserts. While the collection didn’t offer anything new, there are plenty heat-seeking ladies who will probably lap it up.