Sunday 31 March 2013

Supermodels prove they are natural beauties in new photo book


No make-up, no clothes (but maybe a little help from the airbrush): Supermodels prove they are natural beauties in new photo book

  • Victoria's Secret Angel Karlie Kloss and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl Irina Shayk were among the models to pose for photographer James Houston

Karlie Kloss, Irina Shayk and Isabella Rossellini's daughter Elettra Wiedemann are just some of the high-profile supermodels who agreed to bare all for a new photography book titled Natural Beauty.
Each willingly stripped off their make-up and clothes for New York-based photographer James Houston, who has had a 'lifetime interest in the human form.'
The photo project, which also featured actors Adrian Grenier and Emma Watson, was launched to raise awareness of environmental issues and many of Mr Houston's subjects preserved their modesty with carefully placed organic props such as seaweed or driftwood.
Fresh from the ocean: Karlie Kloss poses with a neck-piece crafted out of red seaweed
Fresh from the ocean: Karlie Kloss poses with a neck-piece crafted out of red seaweed
Proceeds from the book, which hits stores on April 30, will benefit Global Green USA, a non-profit, supporting sustainability. 
Several of the models chose to pose with family members. 
Arizona Muse, 24, took her three-year-old son Nikko with her on the shoot and Victoria's Secret model, Jessica Hart, posed alongside her sister Ashley.
As well as women, the book also includes men. Adrian Grenier, of Entourage fame, stepped up in front of the camera - although his fans will be disappointed to note that he did not strip off.
Baring all: Russian model Irina Shayk, best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, shows off her stunning figure in this shot
Baring all: Russian model Irina Shayk, best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, shows off her stunning figure in this shot
Ready for my close up: Emma Watson poses with just a flower, wet hair and barely any make-up
Ready for my close up: Emma Watson poses with just a flower, wet hair and barely any make-up
Carefree: Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro, 22, a new acquisition of the Victoria's Secret brand, stares into the lens
Carefree: Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro, 22, a new acquisition of the Victoria's Secret brand, stares into the lens
Instead he was captured submerged in a tank of water wearing denims and a white shirt.
Like Mr Grenier, Coco Rocha another of the models who did not bare all.
As a devout Jehovah's Witness she refuses to pose nude or semi-nude on modelling jobs. Instead she was shot in a thigh-length dress and strappy heels. 
Describing what inspired his project, Mr Houston, 47, who is originally from Australia, said: '[It] merges my longtime interest in the human form and my passion for the natural world.
Mother and son: Arizona Muse and her three-year-old boy, Nikko, hold matching poses
Mother and son: Arizona Muse and her three-year-old boy, Nikko, hold matching poses
Tangled up: Dancers Edgar Anido and Christina Dooling demonstrate their strength in this portrait
Tangled up: Dancers Edgar Anido and Christina Dooling demonstrate their strength in this portrait
Going back to nature: Isabella Rossellini's daughter Elettra Wiedemann works an organic headpiece
Going back to nature: Isabella Rossellini's daughter Elettra Wiedemann works an organic headpiece
'Natural Beauty was created to celebrate the beauty of nature, emphasizing what we still have versus what we have lost.
'I hope to raise environmental awareness among the younger audience through this project.'
He said that he selected 'some of the world’s leading celebrities and top models who are also environmentally conscious.' 
For the cover of his latest book he chose a black-and-white photo of Eighties supermodel Christy Turlington. 
White shirt moment: Entourage star Adrian Grenier didn't strip off, but he did get wet to support the project
White shirt moment: Entourage star Adrian Grenier didn't strip off, but he did get wet to support the project
Riding the tide: Anja Rubik was submerged in a water tank for her photographs
Riding the tide: Anja Rubik was submerged in a water tank for her photographs
Taking the plunge: This dramatic shot captures the Polish model underwater
Taking the plunge: This dramatic shot captures the Polish model underwater
And it seems he isn't the only one excited about the project. Emma Watson enthusiastically tweeted last week: 'My friend is supporting GlobalGreenUSA with his book Natural Beauty. It's out now. : ) X.'
The 22-year-old actress was captured striking a number of different poses while holding a posy of flowers.
The resulting images show her fresh-faced with her hair wet through.
Other leading models and celebrities who are featured in the 120-page-book include Christy Turlington, Brooke Shields, Elle Macpherson and Anja Rubik.
Preserving her modesty: Coco Rocha is one of the models who did not bare all, as a devout Jehovah's Witness she refuses to pose nude or semi-nude on modelling jobs
Preserving her modesty: Coco Rocha is one of the models who did not bare all, as a devout Jehovah's Witness she refuses to pose nude or semi-nude on modelling jobs
Natural wonder: Model Caitriona Balfe makes full use of the space in this underground cave
Natural wonder: Model Caitriona Balfe makes full use of the space in this underground cave
Running theme: Touches of nature appear in each image; here model Kelsey Rogers' make-up and the movement of the camera create a butterfly effect
Running theme: Touches of nature appear in each image; here model Kelsey Rogers' make-up and the movement of the camera create a butterfly effect
Contemporary dancers Edgar Anido and Christina Dooling also scored a place. The duo demonstrate their strength as they hold a tangled pose completely naked. 
Natural Beauty isn't Mr Houston's first venture into benevolence and his Let's Talk About Sex and Move for AIDS projects raised more than $1.5 million.
Natural Beauty will be available for sale on Amazon from April 30 for $50.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2301126/No-make-clothes-maybe-little-help-airbrush--Supermodels-prove-natural-beauties-new-photo-book.html#ixzz2OxoNr7qB
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