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First there was the Rat Pack. Then the eighties birthed a group of eight actors who commonly starred in teen dramas together and were collectively known as “The Brat Pack.” Vogue magazine has just rendered them irrelevant. There is a new generation of young adults taking pop culture by storm and Vogue has taken any doubt out of the public’s mind that these kids are here to stay.
The most recent issue, April 2015, features an editorial shot by renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino consisting of Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Ansel Elgort, and the Penn siblings, dubbing them “The New Brat Pack.” It’s everything you might imagine. They look like they lead the charmed lives that they do, but I’m not impressed. I have the utmost respect for Vogue and Mario Testino, and that’s why I feel a little let down.
The original “Brat Pack” was cohesive. They were all talented actors who worked together and starred together. The new group is a mish-mash of semi-actors, models, and it-girls and boys who don’t have much more of a common ground than partying together. Okay, maybe JB actually can play some instruments (his drum game isn’t too weak), but it’s not like we see it that often—it’s definitely not what made him famous—and any credit that could be given to that gets cancelled out by his insufferable demeanor. Furthermore, he doesn’t even make music any longer. He’s been quite busy being featured in modeling campaigns sporting his signature furrowed-brow-confused expression. Anyone else feel like the kid has a Zoolander blue steel situation going on? Please, Biebs, switch it up a little.
Lest it should sound like I am just hating on the group, I was genuinely bored by the editorial. Yes it’s shiny and they are all beautiful, but I found the whole thing a little cheesy: Kendall chatting on her phone; Gigi sipping on an iced coffee; the crew lounging by the pool basking in the California sun. I get it; that’s what these guys do all day (or at least how it comes off), but where is the innovation and artistic beauty of which we know Testino is capable? The entire spread made me feel as if I was flipping through Forever 21 advertisements, if it wasn’t for the recognizable faces.
Vogue is meant to be at the cutting edge of fashion. It is supposed to be the pinnacle of sartorial sophistication and make the trends. This editorial just felt like they were pandering to the tweens of the world who worship this group because they are some of the most followed celebrities on Instagram. I was more impressed with the Karlie Kloss/Taylor Swift editorial last month. As much as people love to hate Taylor, she knows what she is doing. You don’t get to #6 on Fortune‘s list of World’s Greatest Leaders without some calculated moves, and she is genuinely a lyricist/singer/songwriter. That’s more that you can even say about Beyoncé. Then there is sweet ray of sunshine Karlie Kloss, who just gave up her coveted Angel Wings to pursue her bachelor’s degree at NYU.
There are many who may disagree, but I wholeheartedly believe those two command a little more respect than the group Vogue dubbed “The New Brat Pack.” Here’s hoping next month they step up their game and return to the standards for which I know and love the magazine.
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