Happy birthday, Vogue Nederland is jarig
for five years now Turkish Delight meets high fashion
Of course we understand that you think of high fashion when it comes to Vogue. But Turkish Delight? No, that wasn't my first thought when I cycled this morning with Elke - in the pouring rain - towards the Conservatorium Hotel. Yet this statement came from Karin Swerink, editor-in-chief of Vogue Nederland, who revealed the cover of their anniversary issue together with Mario Testino, Doutzen Kroes, and Lara Stone. Vogue Nederland has been around for five years and that needs to be celebrated. In case you missed it; we’ll catch you up. One thing was clear: that title Fashion Ambassador of the Year has Vogue more than earned.
Initially, Mario Testino was supposed to do one shoot for this issue, but it turned out to be six.
- Mr. Testino a.k.a. Mario (for those close to him, but yes, I’m part of that now too, after all, we’ve breathed the same air) and Karin were still residing in Paris yesterday and only set foot on Dutch soil this morning thanks to the private jet. Well, you are Mario or you are not.
- The first steps for this anniversary issue were taken two years ago. Karin and Mario had a cup of coffee in Paris and fantasized about ‘all the Dutch models’.
- Initially, Mario Testino was supposed to do one shoot for this issue, but it turned out to be six. You read that right: s.i.x. and he also edited half of the magazine.
- Lara Stone and Doutzen Kroes actually need no further introduction and have both graced multiple covers of Vogue. ‘But it still remains a dream come true,’ Doutzen told. ‘Especially when you are on the cover with a good friend and Mario Testino takes the photos.’
- Top model or not, being naked turns out to be not so easy. Doutzen was still slightly nervous before the shoot, but because of her trust in Mario, it actually went very smoothly afterwards. “With Mario, you can always count on a good result,” Lara Stone added.
- Dutch glory is in full swing in the Big Birthday Issue. In total, Mario Testino worked with 33 ‘Dutch talents’ for this anniversary issue and the cover is draped in our national colors. #itaintmuchifitaintDutch, yet, Lara?
- Mario Testino loves Dutch models because they can easily adopt different looks. They are often very open and frequently give Mario a new perspective on his photos. So people from the cover - with a naked Lara and Doutzen - might think it’s quite ‘in your face’, which Testino can certainly imagine, but he now mainly sees the innocence and tenderness, something he initially did not expect.
- The Dutch climate showed its best side today... Not. Quite disappointing for Mr. Testino, as the sun usually shines when he is in the Netherlands. Maybe you could come by more often, Mario? Everyone would benefit from that. I’ll sign up for the towel series right away.
- The anniversary issue weighs 1.1 kilos and contains no less than 380 pages. So besides being an extremely thick issue, you can also do a good home workout with it.
- From tomorrow, the Vogue Nederland Birthday Issue will be available everywhere, with Lara and Doutzen in their birthday suit. Three cheers.
The rainy bike ride this morning was more than worth it. The cover, the models, Mario Testino... Vogue Nederland; here’s to at least five more beautiful years and for now congratulations. Cheers! I’m going to work with that towel for a bit.
Written by: Theo Bakana
