Raf Simons SS07

When fashion photography is at its best, it can show off how silhouette is the most important tenant of style. It goes beyond the pale of the embedded and implied details. Refinery is no doubt an important aspect of actually dressing oneself, but in photography; silhoutte, shape and proportion are king. No one knows this like Raf Simons. In the above Simons' SS07 spread, darkened outlines of vagabonds on a river bank evokes the undeniable power of youthdom. Boys, guys, bros, young men in the making. Shadows at night, near water. These bodies are not about fashion; they're about desire, making trouble, recklessness.

The same effect is achieved (mais, sans vetements içi!) in photos by photographer Alex deBrabant for a new shop/collaborative space in Montréal run in part by my dear friend Andrew Ly. Here, stoic model Keir Knight (formerly a professional ballet dancer), speaks volumes with his silhouette alone, quietly harnessing the energy of a wild horse in wait.