Candice Swanepoel by Terry Richardson for US Harpers Bazaar

It seems like it is a Terry Richardson kind of week. A bunch of his shoots are coming out now (like that Gwyneth Paltrow one yesterday for US Harpers) and now here is another one for US Harpers Bazaar - like this whole issue was shot by Mr TR. Except that this one features onse very own South African Angel model, Candice Swanepoel. In a variety of sexy sports poses.

So, no marks for originality of concept on this one then. Nor do we deviate from the Terry Richardson formula of white walls, sketchy lighting and sex implication throughout.

Labels in this shoot include Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. Not unlike Candice's last sports shoot. Except of course this one is cleaner looking, but even more filthy in intent.

Styling has been done by Brana Wolf and does the trick. You know. It's fine. No surprises here.

Are we over these kinds of shoots? I mean Candice is a beautiful girl and we are beyond proud of her and her achievements. I just want a bit more from it all now. Something beyond pretty girl looking sexy. I guess I am just over Terry Richardson. How about you?

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

I remember when I first saw a movie with Monica Bellucci in it. I was at University about 100 years ago and was awfully serious about FILM. Generally I would only watch sub-titled European psycho-sexual masterpieces. And it was in all that, that I met the wonderous Monica. And I truly thought I had never seen such a beautiful woman before. I wanted to be just like her. And I still do. Look at her in the latest campaign from Dolce & Gabbana for Spring 2012.

Monica is of course the older lady in black. Bianca Balti is the other one. The potential daughter-in-law maybe? The one that is going to steal away the son of the Italian matriarch. Ah, the portrayal of Italian family life are deep and rich and fun and beautiful. And there is a part of all of us that wants to be a member of that family!

The campaign was shot by Giampaolo Sgura in southern Italy and are supposed to depict Sunday best. In a time when you still saved your most glorious dresses for church. Magnificent.

Gwyneth Paltrow for US Harpers Bazaar, by Terry Richardson

Gwyneth Paltrow and I have had an on-off relationship. I really couldn't stomach the whole smugness thing for many years. And then she made a gently honed performance in Glee and I had to shift all my preconceptions. I still couldn't do the whole lifestyle preach, but I can admit that she is quite funny, very pretty and knows a thing or two about style - although does try too hard every so often.

So we are good. The only problem is that there is a new irritation. The one where she wants to convince us that she is a beer-swilling, belching, swearing, sex pot. Nooooo. Just be a lovely organic person and we can all be ok.

I don't know. Maybe it is my problem. Maybe I want her to be less complex and 'interesting'. Maybe. I don't think so. I think part of her prettiness comes from her refined elegance. Take that away and it is damaged and off-kilter.

So the combination of Terry Richardson and Gwyneth Paltrow from Harpers Bazaar US is a weird one for me. It just doesn't sit right. She looks great, of course. Hard not to when you are that pretty. But there is something not quite right about a lady of 40 pulling her dress up through her legs. Am I being a prude?

Christina Hendricks for Cosmopolitan UK March 2012

The new issue of the UK Cosmopolitan for March 2012 features the delectable Christina Hendricks on the cover. I have recently been watching back-to-back episodes of Mad Men and I am renewed in my admiration for this woman and her subtle portrayal of a woman of such fullness.

Now there have been some styling problems recently for Christina. And sometimes she is a bit hit and miss on the red carpet. Often this is blamed on her figure. But since her figure is magnificent, I have to assume that they should be blaming it on the designers. I mean, really. Look at her. Stunning.

I think that this firey red-head takes risks and tries things out and is less bothered by what other people may think of these experimentations. I think that this says more about her style that anything a fashion commentator or stylist could. I am increasingly in awe.

Reese Witherspoon for UK Glamour Magazine March 2012

I like Reese Witherspoon well enough. In fact I have thoroughly enjoyed several of her movies including Election, Legally Blonde and Walk the Line. And her style is clear, which I respect. Clean, simple, achievable and nicely on-trend. It works for the suburbs in the nicest possible way.

But I think that I may prefer this styling for her. Here in the latest issue of the UK Glamour Magazine, for March 2012, Reese is softly and subtly styled in the fashion of the late 50s/early 60s. Both in attitude and props. I love it. It says much about a growing tolerance in fashion for simple prettiness, which has for years been undervalued.

I think it is lovely. What do you guys think?

Lana del Rey for Interview Magazine February 2012 - The Inside Story

So you have seen the covers of the February Issue of Interview Magazine, featuring Lana del Rey. Now look inside. I mean, seriously. How freaking stunning?

With a strong 60s influence, and some whacked-out twists, this is a brilliant style interpretation of her music, in my view.

I may be no music reviewer, but I did like her first couple of singles very much (video games and blue jeans) and I think that these images are exceptionally stylish and beautiful. I therefore must declare that I remain a fan. How about you? Do these images do it for you?

Lana Del Rey for Interview Magazine February 2012

It's kinda strange. Brand new it-girl singer Lana del Rey, whose album has just been released, is on the cover of two international editions of Interview magazine this month. That's not the strange bit. The strange bit is that the covers are the same but different.

Differently cropped - tighter in for the German version, more wide angled with hair for the Russian version. I'm not sure which I prefer. Which one do you prefer?

Lana's debut album, Born to Die, has received very mixed reviews. Mostly not great. It is one part backlash, one part too high expectation, and one part personal taste in my view. Not that I have heard it you understand, just I think that the whole hype thing got out of control. And she is so pretty and dresses nicely, so I am totally biased.

I mean look at her in the streets of Paris yesterday, looking all kinds of young-girl-chic, in her classic trench and ballet pumps. Lovely.