Rag Report: We want to work in this office

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

ELLE reinvents the workplace wardrobe in, "Anything but Ordinary," in the April 2010 issue. Model, Kori Richardson, flaunts everything from an anorak jacket over a metallic dress to knee-highs that accompany a shirtdress. Photographed by Mark Pillai, the issue is ELLE’s homage to Work and Power and this is exactly what the clothes capture. 

The white background allows the clothes to be the focus. Richardson wears a leather, Julie Haus, skirt with a cotton H&M blazer and cotton, DKNY, tunic. We dig the combination of Richardson’s large, curly hair with work wear essentials. It gives a new spin what can be appropriate workplace attire.  

We love stylist Kate Lanphear’s use of mass-market clothing and couture. In one shot Richardson models an Ann Taylor light pink lapel jacket and silk shirt, which are paired with White House Black Market pants, a transparent Prada handbag, and Oscar de la Renta flats. Elle shows us that designer and retail finds can coexist. 

Throughout the spread, Richardson pulls off each look with ease. Whether she is wearing Gap poncho or Balenciaga wool and leather boots—she makes wearing the clothes look both stylish and effortless.  

 

As graduation and summer internship season approach, ELLE creates eight, fresh, workday looks that leave any woman saying: I want to wear that to work tomorrow.

- by Molly Gallaher