8 of Grace Coddington’s Freshest Shoots for Vogue

Following the news yesterday that legendary stylist and industry icon Grace Coddington will be stepping down as creative director at Vogue US, Team SPICE are looking into her archives, and the numerous shoots she’s styled.

Below are just some of the freshest editorials the talent has styled over the near 30 years working at the publication – take a look and tell us which are your favourite Grace x Vogue moments.

1. Short Order

For the May’12 issue of Vogue, Ms Coddington teamed up with top photographer Steven Meisel to shoot the beauty that is Joan Smalls, in the fashion story “Short Order”.

What made the spread, of course, was Joan’s unavoidable ‘fro ‘do – but those printed twinsets made up of the short-shorts we all wish we could wear? Well they’d still look fresh today, four years later in 2016.

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2. Magical Realism

In Vogue‘s January’09 spread, “Magical Realism”, Grace enlisted David Sims to shoot models Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn, who nailed every look they were styled into with their perfect poses and good looks.

What makes the shoot so fresh though, with its vintage nods showing in the ’80s-style makeup, hats and power shoulders, are the details – namely the cool, gold-wrapped braids that came flying from the models’ hair.

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3. Gangs of New York

Spied in the February’11 edition of the mag, this Mario Testino-shot image of Ajak Deng, Anais Mali, Arlenis Sosa, Chanel Iman, Joan Smalls and Jourdan Dunn (alongside shots of Fei Fei Sun, Karlie Kloss and many more) stands out as a fresh take on what we think of when we hear the title “Gangs of New York.”

With the 2002 film of the same name having been set in the mid-19th century, immediately we recall frilled layers and high busts, but for this shoot, Grace plays with the concept, going all New York girl gang and styling across decades and cultures, with Ajak and her clique seen head-wrapped and rocking clothes that remind us of Iro and Buba.

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4. One Piece Wonders

For the February’09 Vogue issue, Grace styled a kick-ass shoot photographed by David Sims, featuring Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn and Liya Kebede, alongside Raquel Zimmermann, Karlie Kloss and Anna Jagodzinska.

We love the poses and all the girl power that the well-sculpted cheekbones and smoky eyeshadow brings – but those chopsticks wound through the hair? So fly. And we’ve special feelings for all the shoes used, too.

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5. A Man for All Seasons

Vogue’s January’12 issue featured another great gathering of models, including Nyasha Matonhodze and Joan Smalls, who showed off various sorts of looks for the “A Man for All Seasons” spread.

Shot by Annie Leibovitz for an article on designer Marc Jacobs, it’s both the cool backdrop created by set designer Mary Howard, and the garments that truly make this editorial – a fresh contrast of the unfinished, and over-the-top fabulous.

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6. Light Brigade (March’15)

Starring models Aya Jones Imaan Hammam, Kai Newman, Leila Nda, Malaika Firth and Tami Williams, this sweet, outdoorsy shoot, lensed by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue’s March’15 issue also makes our list for its bevy of beauties.

We love the lighter approach of Grace’s styling here too, with fresh whites and lace screaming Spring under the sunshine. And let’s not forget all the pearly-white smiles on display from the group of models either.

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7. Kicks Start

Starring Joan Smalls and designer Riccardo Tisci, this Inez and Vinoodh shot from Vogue’s February’14 edition also makes our list of top Grace moments. 

We simply love the way that Joan has been styled – Grace contrasting Tisci’s trainers with a girly, lace dress – and the way that Smalls is actually modelling said kicks; on the shoulders of the man who created them. Fresh to death!

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8. It’s a Mad Cap World

Lastly, this February’09 spread, entitled “It’s a Mad Cap World” is one of our favourite works by Grace.

Lensed by Steven Meisel, models Jourdan Dunn and Liya Kebede star alongside Anna Jagodzinska, Karlie Kloss, Natasha Poly and Viktoriya Sasonkina, giving us all sorts of ’30s ‘It-girls just wanna have fun.’

The best shots from this editorial include the one of Ms Dunn and Ms Jagodzinska pushing a bike, looking like a retro version of Cher Horowitz and Dionne Davenport, with their matching checks and cute hats.

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But what do you think? Tell us about your favourite Grace Coddington-styled shoots for Vogue, in the comments box below or online @SPICETVAFRICA.

Image source: Prologue.blog.naver.com, Visualoptimism, Designscene.net, Models.com, Trendnista.com