Joyce In Ribbons: j'ADoRe!

Now and then, some people come along who just captivate you. Anna Dello Russo is my newest crush. She's in good company: Past obsessions have included the 'original' Duchess of Devonshire Georgiana (yes, before the Kiera Knightley film), Diana Vreeland, Tilda Swinton, Grace Coddington, Andy Warhol, Isabella Blow, Daphne Guinness, Frida Kahlo, Tracey Emin, Nigella Lawson, Anna Piaggi... all fairly high profile, all fabulous, all wonderfully creative and original but none of them particularly beautiful in the conventional sense. Their minds, their talents, their actions and their words go before them - the way they look is key to their personality but their looks are something they have masterminded. They haven't exactly won the gene pool lottery and they compete within a highly body concsious arena but their face is not important.

They possess a supreme confidence that is noticeable when you realise that they don't employ make up artists or excruciate time over getting the best out of their face - they are part of a masquerade of clothes and imagery. Anna Dello Russo (ADR) is a dedicated clothes-horse and will never mix and match different designers, always opting to wear a catwalk look from head to toe out of respect and honour for the designer themselves.

Her first appearance on The Sartorialist was the picture to the left on 20th January 2007 at the Neil Barret show wearing a Balenciaga look. It appeared alongside another photo of a very cheerful albeit boringly dressed lady and received comments criticising how unflattering ADR's outfit and expression was. At this time, ADR was editor in chief l'Uomo Vogue. One comment on the picture was:

"The lady in the first picture is an example of someone who proves that truly original runway looks can translate well into real life. I personally think she makes the Balenciaga work very well, I guess because she's keeping the rest of her outfit - and her hair - understated."

The next few times I saw ADR on The Sartorialist she seemed much calmer and although I liked the Balenciaga look, it's very sombre compared to more recent outfit-outings... this is a woman who really knows how to let rip with fashion!!