Yes, we know we already covered W Magazine's July Music & Style issue with their double cover feature of powerhouses Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera. But when we saw this "Behind The Muses" story, our small hearts grew three sizes in our chests! (Why yes, that's a Grinch reference on the first day of summer, what of it?) W paired iconic fashion designers with their musical soul mates and took a series of beautiful photos that we may or may not have just commissioned to be made into life-size portraits for our floor's lobby. It's the kind of thing that strikes such a chord with our mission here at MTV Style that it would be a crime not to share it with all of you.
W's duos include the boy-meets-girl-chic Janelle Monáe in a bathtub with a lurking Karl Lagerfeld and the ethereal Florence Welch with Gucci's Frida Giannini (which is almost to be expected since Flo is the new face of the brand and Frida is designing Florence's tour outfits). Kanye West is shot sharing a laugh with the lovely ladies of Rodarte, and there is the most INCREDIBALLZ photo of M.I.A. standing on the back wheel of a bicycle steered by platinum goddess Donatella Versace that you just have to see to believe. (Donatella doing anything to break a sweat is just a phenom thought. Also, dig Maya as a blonde!). Peep a few of the photos with fashion and beauty credits below!
JANELLE MONÁE + CHANEL
Janelle Monáe and Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld.
Photo: Courtesy of 'W Magazine'/Max Vadukul
On Monáe: Chanel’s vintage black wool jacket and white silk blouse. On Lagerfeld: His own clothes. Styled by Kathryn Typaldos; Monáe’s hair by Ted Gibson for Tedgibsonbeauty.Com at Jed Root Inc. and makeup by Oslyn Holder for Dior Beauty/Epiphany Artist Group Inc.; Lagerfeld’s grooming by Daniela Klein at The Wall Group.
FLORENCE WELCH + GUCCI
Florence Welch and Gucci's Friday Giannini.
Photo: Courtesy of 'W Magazine'/Max Vadukul
On Welch: Gucci’s silk chiffon gown, belt, and shoes. On Giannini: Her own Gucci clothes. Welch’s hair by Ben Jones using Bumble and Bumble and makeup by Thomas De Kluyver at D+V Management; Giannini’s hair by Antonio Zinni and makeup by Luciano Squeo.
KANYE WEST + RODARTE
Kanye West and Rodarte.
Photo: Courtesy of 'W Magazine'/Max Vadukul
On West: Rodarte’s gray cotton fleece sweatshirt and cotton t-shirt. On Kate and Laura Mulleavy: Their own clothes. Styled by Kathryn Typaldos; hair by Jennifer Chiminiello; makeup by Asami Matsuda for Chanel.
M.I.A. + VERSACE
M.I.A. and Versace's Donatella Versace.
Photo: Courtesy of 'W Magazine'/Max Vadukul
On M.I.A.: Atelier Versace’s silk satin dress with embroidered sequins and crystals. On Versace: Versace’s sequined dress and shoes. Styled by Hanna Kelifa; M.I.A.’s hair by Alex Brownsell for Bleachlondon.Co.Uk using Tigi and makeup by James O’Riley.
See W Magazine's entire slideshow of designer/muse duos and an article the relationship between fashion and music by Blondie's Deborah Harry!