Harper’s Spain is just as sensually aggressive as Vogue Spain. In the June 2011 issue, Txema Yeste’s punk-inspired, American rebel Anna de Rijk delivers a commanding editorial, dressed in Balenciaga, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Balmain, all styled by fashion editor Juan Cebrian.

We assumed that it would be Brazil who rivals France in sensually confrontational editorials in the coming years. Not that we ever counted out Spain, but it wasn’t a country on the forefront of our sexy radar.

Forget that nonsense. I wrote a couple weeks back that Spain presently could unseat France as a positive force on fashion statements around sexuality, while Brazil comes up the global influence curve.

It is Spanish fashion media that may carry forward the Carine Roitfeld mantle — in their own interpretation, of course. CR may be known for her porn chic, but her provocative, confrontational message runs much deeper.

As for the cross shoes worn by Anna — priceless. I await the boycotts in America. Anne