Recent Body Analysis: Wellness, Sexuality, Body Politics, Culture
/ Anne Enke
Featured
Julien Martinez Leclerc's Women Drift in Primordial Waters for D Magazine Beauty
D la Repubblica’s D Magazine [IG] November 23, 2024 has published an outrageously-exquisite, sensual and primordial story for ‘Waves - The Beauty Issue’. The very talented Julien Martinez Leclerc [IG] photographs models Ajus Samuel and Karolina Spakowski in repose but also integrated into the natural landscape as if they are one being — a single creature. Jodie Barnes provides the minimal styling there is in this heart-skipping beauty story./ Hair by Franziska Presche; makeup by Fara Homidi
Guerlain's Violette Serrat Relaunches G Rouge Lipstick for Paris Lovers
Meet Violette Serrat
French-born Violette Serrat, creative director of makeup for Guerlain since summer 2021, was born and raised in Paris. Serrat understands French women and their love of red lipstick.
Fifteen years after Rouge G’s first Guerlain release, it’s reborn in 40 stunning shades in both velvet-matte and satin finishes. Rouge G is formulated with a new 89 per cent skincare-based formula made with lily oleo extract. Created with lily flowers and paired with sweet almond oil, this complex has smoothing, hydrating and plumping properties and improves the quality of lips worldwide with prolonged wear.
Top faces Natalia Vodianova and Malika El Maslouhi are leading the campaign lensed by Charlotte Wales [IG].
Even the iconic mirrored cases notched up their glam quotient without hurting the environment. Using gold instead of silver, the nine new jewel cases are 19 per cent lighter than before, allowing for a 30 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
More or Less Issue 8: What Our Love of Plants and Flowers Tells Us About Our Politics
Photographer Carlijn Jacobs [IG] captures models Sascha Rajasulu and Yasmin Wijnaldumwalks in the natural world of ancestral traditions and conscious consumption for More or Less Magazine’s [IG] Issue 8.
In the Beginning . . . .
The first definitive evidence of flowers traces back to the Cretaceous period, around 130 million years ago, during a time when the Earth's climate and landscapes were undergoing significant change.
Prior to this floral revolution, vegetation was dominated by gymnosperms, ferns, and mosses. The advent of flowers introduced a new mechanism for pollination, often involving intricate interactions with the animal kingdom, particularly insects.
Human-Plant Interaction Studies Using Brain Science
Fast forward to now and human-invented technologies that explore these human-plant interactions. Modern-day researchers strive to understand the psychological and neurological impacts of plants on humans — including our brains.
Vogue Greece Sends Red Kisses | AOC Goes to Babylon for a Primer on Cherry Lips
Models Lucy Rosiek and Naomi Apajok are styled by Glen Mban in ‘Red Kisses’, lensed by Johan Sandberg [IG] for Vogue Greece [IG] October.
Red Lipstick In Ancient Mesopotamia
In the annals of ancient history, the use of red lipstick finds one of its earliest origins in Mesopotamia, a cradle of civilization that flourished in the regions of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The people of ancient Mesopotamia, notably the Sumerians and later the Assyrians and Babylonians, were among the first to transform the act of adorning one's lips into an art form.
Lip Color and the Divine Feminine
Beyond social stratification, lip color also conveyed aspects of femininity and allure, playing a role in rituals and rites associated with love and attraction. The divine feminine was celebrated in Babylonian mythology, where goddesses were revered for their beauty and grace; by adorning themselves with lip color, women could symbolically align themselves with these powerful deities.
Boxing for Women's Health: Madame Figaro Paris Is Ringside with Karlina Caune
AOC turns our attention to ‘Ring Parade’, and we’re not talking diamonds — although model Karlina Caune is sporting some serious watches in this fashion story for the September 2024 issue of Madame Figaro Paris [IG].
Stylist Sylvie Clemente is ringside, preparing Caune to fight, fight, fight — as women did in Sparta. Photographer Thiemo Sander [IG] photographs the fashion action for Madame Figaro; and AOC takes a seriously-informed deep dive into the health benefits of boxing. / Hair by Kazuko Kitaoka; makeup by Maria Olsson
Historical records and artwork from different civilizations reveal women engaging in activities like wrestling, running, and even boxing. Ancient Minoan artifacts, for example, depict women participating alongside men in athletic competitions, while the society of Sparta in ancient Greece famously encouraged women to train in physical exercises to strengthen them as future mothers of warriors — male and female.
All AOC can say is “Thank goddess for cave paintings.” Let’s go.
Numero Switzerland No.2 'Timeless Icons' Explores Humanity's Use of Makeup
The historical journey of makeup is a fascinating tale of human ingenuity and adaptability. Early humans discovered the potential of naturally occurring substances like ochre clays and charcoal to create pigments that could be applied to the skin. These rudimentary forms of makeup were likely used for both practical purposes—such as camouflage during hunting—and expressive ones.
Understanding the roots of makeup helps us appreciate its enduring presence in human society. It reveals how our ancestors viewed beauty, identity, and even power through the lens of their environmental resources and cultural contexts.
The 'Shape of Water' in Vogue Ukraine Prompts a Neuroscience Look at Ocean Waves
In late March 2024, Vogue Ukraine [IG] shared a wellness story ‘Shape of Water’ with model Julia Pacha. Kasia Mioduszke styled the fashion shoot lensed by photographers Tatiana and Karol [IG].
Ocean Sounds in Human History
Throughout history, the sound of ocean waves has held a profound cultural and historical significance for human societies. From ancient civilizations to modern times, the rhythmic ebb and flow of waves have been intertwined with human life, evoking a sense of wonder, reverence, and connection to the natural world.
Water As a Divine Entity
In many ancient cultures, the ocean was seen as a divine entity or the abode of gods and spirits.
Mami Wata is a captivating figure rooted in the cultural and spiritual tapestry of Africa, embodying the complex interplay between water, femininity, and mysticism. Mami Wata’s history and meaning have always been woven into Anne of Carversville’s digital psyche.
Impact of Ocean Waves on Our Brains
In our modern world, the soothing sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore has long been associated with a sense of peace and relaxation. What is it about this natural symphony that captivates the human brain so profoundly? The answer lies in both the physical properties of sound waves and their psychological impact on our minds.
David Roemer's Bazaar NL 2024 Images: Human Health Benefits from the Sun
In late May, AOC introduced friends of Anne of Carversville to the summer 2024 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Netherland’s. In the editorial overview, we led with the sensual, art-gallery photography of Neeltje de Vries [IG], with a preview of other content.
Today model Zoe Barnard takes the spotlight, lensed by David Roemer [IG] in Cabo San Lucas, with styling by Holly Gorst.
Much of AOC Body’s recent writings have focused on ancient civilizations and their beliefs in nature as an agent of good health. Our specific focus has been on swimming and the relationship of ancient societies to water.
Today, we turn to sunlight and its critical relationship to healthy human bodies.
Bazaar Netherlands Says 'Get Naked' with Artists Neeltje de Vries, David Roemer
The summer 2024 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Netherlands [IG] invites us to ‘get naked’, inspired by the sensual vision of water-inspired bliss expressed by model Zoe Bernard photographed by David Roemer [IG] and the sensual, art-gallery photography of Neeltje de Vries [IG].
The word ‘naked’ speaks figuratively to the tip-of-the-tongue marketing word ‘authenticity’, which also has a deeper meaning about personal behavior and expressed values to humans seeking more earnest conversation on the subject.
Authentic woman of the hour Pamela Anderson is featured in the issue ‘getting naked’ as is artist Lenny Kravitz.
Ancient Water Stories Inspired by Chloe Magno in Vogue Thailand by Amie Milne
Rising model Chloe Magno covers Vogue Thailand Beauty [IG] April 2024 issue, devoted to emerging, holistic trends in wellness and beauty.
Magno’s fashion story ‘Wellness Wisdom’ is styled by Holly Gorst with images by Amie Milne [IG] and the editorial eye of Vogue Thailand EIC Kullawit Laosuksri.
The Mekong Basin: Ancient Wisdom and Water Reverence
In the heart of Southeast Asia, the Mekong Basin unfurls as a testament to the ancient wisdom and reverence for water held by the peoples living in this region. Their differing histories and customs are united by their respect for the region’s waterways. This region considers its rivers and springs not merely as sources of sustenance but as sacred entities that cradle life and civilization.
Emilly Nunes 'Rainforest' Activist by Fernando Sippel for Numéro Netherlands February 2024
Photographer Fernando Sippel [IG] brings his poetic and sensual photographic vision to Rio De Janeiro for a fashion story ‘Rainforest’, shared in the February 2024 digital issue of Numéro Netherlands [IG]. / Hair and makeup by Claudio Belizario
Jose Camarano styles model and rainforest activist Emilly Nunes in images that express the deep relevance and symbolism of the rainforest in human life on planet Earth.
Imaan Hammam for Zara Swimwear | Even Stone Age Humans Loved Swimming
Top model Imaan Hammam fronts the late February 2024 release of Zara Swimwear. The images remind us that spring is coming in to the northern hemisphere, and swimming is on our minds.
Some of the earliest examples of ancient swimmers include the frescoes in the Cave of Swimmers in Egypt, dating back to around 10,000 years ago.
Water holds immense symbolic significance in various global religions due to its powerful and transformative nature. In many belief systems, water is seen as a source of life and purification.
Read on about the role of water in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and indigenous cultures.
Futurism and AI Meet Ancient Practices in 2024 Spa-Style Self-Care Trends
The latest trends in spa treatments or relaxing getaways bring a host of scientific and technology innovations very different from spa visits past.
Technology and Science Meet Ancient Traditions
In the near future, spas are expected to embrace artificial intelligence [AI] and virtual reality [VR] to create immersive and personalized wellness journeys.
Virtual reality is set to transform the spa landscape. By transporting guests into serene virtual environments, VR experiences can enhance relaxation and provide an escape from everyday stresses. More exciting, VR can transport us back in time, so that we might join our human ancestors in community based rituals, for example.
Vogue Portugal's July 2023 'The Voyage' Issue and Ancient Hot Stones Massage
Model Rebecca Donaldson experiences the wellness benefits of hot rocks [or stones] massages in ‘Crystal Clear’, a fashion story in the July 2023 pages of Vogue Portugal’s [IG] ‘The Voyage’ issue.
Shima Khazel styles Donaldson in images by Christoph Klutsch [IG].
Hot Stones Are Rooted in Ancient Traditions
Hot stone or hot rock massages have gained immense popularity in modern-day spa treatments, offering clients a unique and relaxing experience. However, the roots of this soothing practice go back centuries, carrying a rich historical significance.
The process of a hot stone massage, even in ancient times, involved a precise ritual. The chosen stones would be bathed in sacred waters, whispered with blessings, and warmed near crackling fires that mirrored the sun's radiant warmth.
Our Brains Love Swimming, So Grab a New Zara Swimsuit and Take the Plunge in June
Zara drops another swimwear capsule, this time a June 2023 collection modeled by Steffi Cook, shot by Kate Bellm [IG]./ Hair by Karim Belghiran; makeup by Jose Carlos Gonzalez
Your Body and Brain Love Swimming
Swimming is often considered one of the best exercises for the body, but did you know that it can also have major benefits for the brain? Research has shown that swimming can positively impact various aspects of the brain, including cognitive function, memory, and even mood.
Firstly, swimming is known to stimulate the growth of new brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis. This is especially important as we age, as the creation of new brain cells slows down over time. Swimming can help boost this process, especially in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
