Raquel Zimmermann - Fashionista

Raquel Zimmermann

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From Moss to Kloss: The Most Buzzed About Models of 2011

2011 was definitely the year of the model. Models gained influence in pop culture, with new TV shows, documentaries, and larger features in magazines. It looks like editors will have to fight for their right to call themselves the "new models." And there were certainly enough big news stories to keep models in the headlines. From Kate Moss' wedding to Jamie Hince, to a crop of new girls who instantly zoomed to the top, to both Karlie Kloss' and Andrej Pejic' topless photos that caused minor scandals, there's been a lot to talk about in modeling. We've collected the models that created the most industry buzz in 2011, from Moss to Muse. Click through to find out which models created the most buzz in 2011!

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Arizona Muse is Vogue's Top Model for 2011: See Who Else Made the Top 10

When Anna Wintour referred to relatively little-known model Arizona Muse in her last February's editor's letter as a "gorgeous, smart, grown-up" and compared her to the likes of modeling giants Linda Evangelista and Natalia Vodianova, we knew the modeling world was in for something big. It's been quite the landmark year for Muse. Top campaigns, extensive runway presence, big covers, and now another feather in her cap -- the number one model in Vogue. Hundreds of models are cast every year in the pages of international editions of Vogue, and when we tallied the results of their work it quickly became obvious who came out on top in 2011. Quantity and quality must be accounted for to make the top 10. Not only must a models' appearances be plentiful, but the quality of those appearances must be stellar as well. This includes factors like only-girl editorials, the caliber of photographers they work with and editions they're in, and their number of overall pages. Arizona's scoresheet was predictably well-rounded. She worked with the best photographers, scored the most solo editorials and graced enough pages to fill an entire August issue all on her own (that's about 220 for those of you keeping track). She started the year with a bang by starring in only-girl editorials for Vogue China, Italia, Paris, UK and US, and that was in just one month! It's an unusual feat for a model to skyrocket to the extent Arizona has since she hit the international scene last year, and while we're thrilled for her success, we wonder if it'll stick. While Muse has the novelty (and sometimes the curse) of it-girl status, it remains to be seen whether she'll be blessed with longevity, the true mark of a great and successful model. We are looking forward to what the new year will bring for her. For now, click through for the rest of the top 10.

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In Honor of Lady Gaga's VMA Drag Show, Here are the Best Gender-Bending Fashion Editorials, Covers and Campaigns

At the VMAs last night, Lady Gaga spent the entire evening as her "male counterpart" Jo Calderone (which she first broke out on the September 2010 Vogue Hommes Japan cover, left) vehemently refusing to break character. Perhaps she felt she'd exhausted all womenswear options? Ran out of Versace? Couldn't get to the costume store because of Irene? (I'm done now). Whatever the reason, it made us think of some other famous gender-bending moments in fashion. Take a peek at who passed the best as the opposite sex (hint: there's one designer who really loves his drag).

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Watch: Karen Elson, Raquel Zimmermann and Alber Elbaz (!) Dance to Pitbull as Lanvin's Fall Campaign Comes to Life

Lanvin's Steven Meisel-shot fall/winter 2011 campaign images of Karen Elson and Raquel Zimmermann dancing left us all wondering if there would be a video associated with it. Thank god, there is. In this making of feature, Karen, Raquel and some male models do choreographed dance moves to Pitbull's "I Know You Want Me," maintaining their serious model faces throughout. Watch til the end, when Alber Elbaz gets in on the action.

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Models Without Makeup? Just as Gorgeous (Obvi)

It would be nice to say that models outshine us mere mortals due to retouching and professionally done makeup and hair, but sometimes they really are just...beautiful. Photographer Scott Trindle shot a handful of supermodels in the raw for an exhibition for the launch of London's new Viva Modeling Agency and it must be said: the black and white images are stunning. "It doesn't scare me that the images aren't retouched, it adds another layer of interest and intrigue," Trindle said in an interview with Vogue UK. "So much can be adapted in post, and so I suppose the main benefit is its purity." Trindle snapped the models--who include Raquel Zimmermann, Imogen Newton, Edie Campbell and Natalia Vodianova--over the course of a year and eschewed big studio lighting for the soft interior of his Dalston flat. The images are quietly revealing, giving the viewer a sense of the real girl underneath the supermodel name. The simple, open-faced beauty is something rarely seen in this industry, and comes as a refreshing dose of what makes a model such an icon in the first place. Click through to see our favorites.

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Image of the Day: Cardboard and Clips Hold Up Anja Rubik's Big Hair

Famed photog duo Inez and Vinoodh have been putting up the portraits they are doing for the CFDA on their Tumblr. The photos are gorgeous--so far they've revealed portraits of Raquel Zimmermann, Isabeli Fontana, and Freja Beha Erichsen but our favorite by far is this front and back shot of Anja Rubik and her amazingly awesome big hair. So that's how that works...

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Fashion Disaster: Love, Chloé Loves YSL By Mistake

Fashion heads are going to roll over this one. According to a juicy little tidbit in this morning's WWD, in the print ads for Chloé’s new fragrance, Love, Chloé, Raquel Zimmermann is wearing a YSL belt. That's YSL, not Chloé, that the face of the fragrance, launched this past September, is wearing. And of course, these are the print ads that have been blown up on billboards. Ruh roh.

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Mid-Day Snack

Agreed, Garance: I feel the pretty much the same way about tattoos. I still want one but just can't decide what to get. Though I'm also forever gratef