#cycle21week11

[antmrankingskd]

1. Matthew & Ivy (Tie)

It was impossible for me to decide between Matthew and Ivy for best photo this week, both shots are among my favorites for the cycle. Normally I would just pick one and go with it, but with the concept this week I figured why not just have the best Elvis and the best Marilyn both receive my FCO?

Let’s start with Matthew. This might be the sexiest he’s ever looked (and that’s saying something). I absolutely love his smoldering gaze up and off into the distance. He really nailed Elvis’ vibe and still put a current spin on it. His pose is so relaxed but full of swagger and confidence. Finally, he probably has the most fashionable shot in the bunch: his entire outfit looks sensational and I could actually see this running as a throwback clothing ad for a major brand. Matthew is perfectly blending modeling with the concept and hit the nail square on the head this week.

Now onto Ivy. This is such a breathtaking shot. Her melancholy expression is hauntingly beautiful and the balance of light and shadow on her face is flawless. The way she’s almost shielding herself from her adoring fans adds so much dimension and shows another side of Marilyn Monroe’s life. Everything about her pose is so delicate and elegant, from the folded arms to the extended neck. She’s still managing to model her outfit very well even with her reserved body language. Ivy has been excelling since coming to Seoul, but this is on a completely different level.

[topmodelranking]

#4 – Denzel

I remember when I first saw this shot I couldn’t work out who it was, as Denzel looks so incredibly different, all for the better, without his beard weave. Denzel is just oozing swagger, and just has such a youthful confidence. It just oozes from his pose, and the way he is slightly reaching the jacket shows the watch. It feels like a fashion ad all by itself, regardless of having any relation to Elvis. That is probably the only negative that can be said, as I wouldn’t instantly get Elvis from this photograph. For that I blame the styling mores, as I think Denzel captured Elvis’ spirit pretty damn well.

[antmrankingskd]

4. Denzel

Denzel kinda knocked my socks off this week! This is pretty much the only shot in his book where I can take him seriously as a model. He looks super attractive here, especially without that abomination on his face. The pose is so casual and full of confidence. He’s showing all of the clothes well and I love how his arm position even models the watch. I had no idea Denzel was capable of producing something this good, and even if it’s a bit late in the game I still appreciate his vast improvement!

[antmrankingskd]

5. Raelia

Raelia is fully owning her sex appeal and it’s wonderful! She’s embodying Marilyn so well. She looks totally at ease on that chair, she’s working her curves, and her legs are fabulous as fuck. Her face is stunning here, and while the open mouth and bedroom eyes make this border on sleazy she’s so fully committed that it works. This is shot is strong enough that if Raelia had survived the MCM Bags fiasco she could’ve been a surprise contender for the finale.

[antmrankingskd]

12. Chantelle

Chantelle has a much better shot than Will but it’s still one of her weakest moments. She looks gorgeous, but I don’t get anything else from this. Her eyes are too squinted and no emotion is coming across, and there’s an underlying stiffness to the entire thing that makes her appear uncomfortable with the setting. If Chantelle had skated by last week this shot probably would’ve sent her home.

[topmodelranking]

#9 – Chantelle

Chantelle has brought some level of softness, and the eyes do have a certain seductive air, but that is about it. There is no finishing detail to cap off the shot. I think her body too feels slightly tense, especially in the shoulders. She doesn’t feel comfortable, and in the end the whole thing feels like a shot with potential, but no resolution.

[antmrankingskd]

3. Lenox

Lenox’s placement in the bottom 2 was dumb as fuck, this is another stellar photo. I absolutely love how she didn’t take the Marilyn Monroe portrayal so literally and put her own creative spin on the iconic photo she was given. The motion in this shot is brilliant and dress looks amazing. She didn’t lose her neck behind her cutely raised shoulder and I love her quirky leg position. While her eyes could’ve punched through more strongly I still really like the expression of innocent surprise/slight shyness on her face. Lenox approached the brief in such a cool way and she should’ve sailed into the finale with flying colors instead of by the skin of her teeth.

[antmrankingskd]

6. Kari

I want to rank Kari’s shot higher, but her overall position isn’t working for me. She shrunk herself quite a bit and she should’ve angled her body more to the side so that it wasn’t so obstructed by the newspaper. However, her face is glorious and she portrayed Marilyn well. Her jawline is impeccable and I love how her expression perfectly conveys a celebrity pretending to be unaware of the paparazzi but still basking in the attention. Even with its flaws, this is probably my favorite picture in Kari’s entire portfolio.