French Elle has launched its latest issue with an unretouched cover photo of model Eva Herzigova, 36, without make-up.
Looking beautiful but pale, she has broken the last taboo by appearing on a magazine cover completely bare faced. Eva appears with the headline 'Stars Sans Fards' which translates to 'without rouge/makeup', and it's also a French saying that suggests a sense of 'openness.'
French Elle editor Valérie Toranian persuaded Eva, 36, Italian actress Monica Bellucci, 44 and former Bond girl Sophie Marceau, 42, to appear sans make-up in front of photographer Peter Lindbergh's lens.
The women also had to forgo the security blanket of retouching for the experiment. For such naturally beautiful ladies - not such a big worry maybe. The issue will go on sale this weekend, setting a new precedent for an industry so obsessed with fake perfection and air brushing.
Perhaps the new times we find ourselves facing, will finally be reflected in the notoriously superficial world of high fashion.
