Grace Gay and Mila Bergsma as 'The Doves' by Koto Bolofo in Numéro 244 February 2024 AOC Fashion

The opposite of stress is serenity, and the February 2024 issue of Numéro 244 does its very best to deliver a calming hope to a world in serious need of some. It is — in the words of the magazine — an offering of Love, Peace and Serenity to accompany the Hope, as the only possible response to these dark times we live in. Some more than others, but this is a truly dark and catastrophic time for large numbers of the world’s people.

One of the warmer, gentler, human lights on planet Earth is photographer Koto Bolofo [IG] and he creates a moment of collective peace to nourish our collective humanity and the poignant awareness of the suffering of others with his fashion story ‘Les Colombes’ [the doves].

Models Grace Gay and Mila Bergsma are styled by Rebecca Bleynie in modern goddess, fluid and ethereal fashion./ Hair by Anne Sofie Begtrup; makeup by Maria Olsson

Note that photographer Koto Bolofo, originally of South Africa, does share brief commentary on the situation in Gaza on his own IG. Honoring his own lead, I incorporated a more in-depth update on the situation in Gaza into the fashion story. The situation is so grave and Bolofo clearly has a position. Sharing his and Numéro’s images, AOC was not comfortable posting them without commentary on the context in which they were created — which is the Israeli-Gaza conflict. ~ Anne