Dior Cruise 2025 Campaign by Brigitte Niedermair at Drummond Castle in Scotland

Dior Cruise 2025 Campaign by Brigitte Niedermair at Drummond Castle in Scotland

Dior’s 2025 cruise collection now comes to life in a new ad campaign lensed by Brigitte Niedermair [IG]. Models include Ali Dansky, Jiali Zhao, Sanija Dalecka and Tanya Churbanova, styled by Elin Svahn. Ryan Chappell provides choreography with Alice Schillaci as director./ Hair by Eugene Souleiman; makeup by Peter Philips

Anne has written extensive political commentary about Dior’s thriving brand relationship with women worldwide under Maria Grazia Chiuri and the criticism of her by our industry’s fashion mafia sideliners. The original article link in this post takes you to Anne’s analysis.

A separate post in AOC Daily will focus on Dior, Chiuri and a blockbuster poll that dropped Saturday night Nov. 3, 2024 with our presidential election on Tues. the 5th.

Our focus is Chiuri at age 60 and US VP Kamala Harris riding into the US presidency at age 60, carried by a blindingly-large gender gap between Harris and Trump.

The result from the J Ann Selzer Des Moines Register poll is blockbuster. We will not know its full implications until some time after polls close in America Tuesday night. Whatever happens, AOC. is convinced that Chiuri and Harris are soul sisters, riding the same moonbeam of feminism and women’s rights into a watershed moment in American politics with international implications.

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Vogue Greece Sends Red Kisses | AOC Goes to Babylon for a Primer on Cherry Lips

Vogue Greece Sends Red Kisses | AOC Goes to Babylon for a Primer on Cherry Lips

It’s a truism about Anne of Carversville that it’s typically written ‘stream of consciousness’.

Whenever we’re in Vogue Greece [IG] — like now with the October 2024 beauty feature ‘Red Kisses’ — we just get Anne on speed dial.

Models Lucy Rosiek and Naomi Apajok are styled by Glen Mban in ‘Red Kisses’, lensed by Johan Sandberg [IG].

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.

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Dior Fall 2024 Campaign Channels Miss Dior's Second Wave Women's Rights Spirit

Dior Fall 2024 Campaign Channels Miss Dior's Second Wave Women's Rights Spirit

Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri was recently called the most modern couturier working today by Vogue’s Nicole Phelps.

In trying to explain her ‘design ethos’, while unintentionally drawing a line in the sand between herself and Christian Dior, Chiuri explained further. “Couture has historically been about ‘building the body’ with its corset foundations and highly-structured silhouettes. But I don’t want to build the body, I want to release it.”

For her Fall 2024 collection, Chiuri turned to the Miss Dior boutique, opened in 1967 to showcase a separate ready-to-wear collection during the tenure of Marc Bohan.

The designer explained: “I think he was really visionary for the time because the couture house was in difficulty. They had this relationship only with these couture clients—and women were changing. Not all the couture-house creative directors were so visionary to understand the new era, and new women.”

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If Chanel Had to Hug Deauville For Fall 2024, Why Not Celebrate the French Resistance?

If Chanel Had to Hug Deauville For Fall 2024, Why Not Celebrate the French Resistance?

Deauville, a charming seaside town in Normandy, France, holds a special place in the history of fashion as the birthplace of modern Chanel fashion. It was here in 1913 that Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel opened her first boutique outside Paris. Deauville's affluent visitors and relaxed atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for Chanel to revolutionize women's fashion.

Coco Chanel introduced a new aesthetic that embraced simplicity, comfort, and elegance — with menswear and the lives of men being a key psychological component in Chanel’s approach to fashion design for ‘liberated’, wealthy women.

Leisure as a signature of wealth surrounded Coco in her observations of Deauville's elite vacationers.

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V 149 Delivers 'Bombshells in the Wild' with Candice, Isabeli, Kate, Daiane, Maria

V 149 Delivers 'Bombshells in the Wild' with Candice, Isabeli, Kate, Daiane, Maria

V149 [IG] delivers ‘Bombshells in the Wild’ featuring Candice Swanepoel, Daiane Sodre, Isabeli Fontana, Kate Upton and Maria Klaumann.

These A-team women are sexy with major attitude when you watch the Video.

Photographer Alvaro Beamud Cortés [IG] captures the quintet in all their glory./ Makeup by Raisa Flowers; hair by Akki Shirakawa

From now until the November 2024 presidential election, all roads at AOC lead to Project 2025. Buckle up. This terrific fashion post gets us started.

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Formula 1 Racer Bianca Bustamante Covers Vogue Philippines July 2024

Formula 1 Racer Bianca Bustamante Covers Vogue Philippines July 2024

Vogue Philippines July 2024 covergirl Bianca Bustamante has been burning rubber since age three, when she did laps in a go-kart under the watchful eye of her motorsport-obsessed father.

Today, Bustamante is on Louis Vuitton’s radar, sponsor of the Vogue Phillipines cover story styled by Caterina Ospina, working with fashion director Pam Quiñones.

In the cover image, Bianca stands in front of the legendary McLaren MP4/8, the car Brazilian champion Ayrton Senna drove during his 41st and final Formula One career victory.

Photographer Sharif Hamza [IG] was thrilled to take his camera to the Bustamante fashion shoot, writing on IG: “As a long-time F1 fan, this was one of the most exhilarating shoot days I’ve ever experienced.”

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Vogue Portugal May 2024 Covers Announce an Exploration of Nature & Motherhood

Vogue Portugal May 2024 Covers Announce an Exploration of Nature & Motherhood

Mother-Nature, Gaia, Terra Mater, the “cult of the feminine” is center stage in the May 2024 issue of Vogue Portugal, writes Sofia Lucas.

The editorial issue overview opens with a quote from Aristotle:

“In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous” - Aristotle

As educated women, we do not bow down to Aristotle, for clear and concise reasons.

There’s no record that Aristotle, the great philosopher and foundational contributor to Western civilization, saw significant value in women. He argued quite the opposite, and AOC contends that Aristotle was a creator of the misogyny and not merely reflecting his time in history.

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Louis Vuitton Handbag Lovers Once Again Learn About Women on the High Seas

Louis Vuitton Handbag Lovers Once Again Learn About Women on the High Seas

The Louis Vuitton Leather Goods Campaign Spring-Summer 2024 returns to the high seas with an extension of their Louis Vuitton Nautical Summer Capsule that focuses on Vuitton’s best handbags.

Lensed by Ethan James Green [IG] against the ancient backdrop of Mediterranean world waters, the campaign steps into AOC’s earlier Louis Vuitton Nautical campaign discussion of women in the world of Olympic sailing.

Today models Chu Wong, Ida Heiner and Sacha Quenby inspires a deeper question by AOC.

Did Women Sail in Ancient Waters?

Based on our best AI, Phoenician women were known to be skilled sailors who played a crucial role in the maritime trade network of the ancient world. These women were involved in various aspects of seafaring, including navigation, trading, and ship maintenance. Their expertise in sailing and trading helped establish Phoenicia as a dominant maritime power in the Mediterranean.

The scarcity of direct historical records makes it difficult to paint a complete picture, yet through the analysis of artifacts, writings by ancient historians, and mythological tales, we begin to see indications of women's participation.

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Sailing to Paris 2024 Olympics with Louis Vuitton Nautical Summer Capsule, Crewed by Women

Sailing to Paris 2024 Olympics with Louis Vuitton Nautical Summer Capsule, Crewed by Women

Louis Vuitton is in Olympic Games Paris 2024 countdown, as a lead brand in LVMH’s role as a top sponsor of this summer’s games.

Dropping the new Louis Vuitton Nautical Capsule 2024 this weekend reminds us that some fashion trends truly possess heritage status — in the way that the Olympics are heritage.

Women, Sailing and the Olympics

The world has changed almost beyond recognition since the summer of 1924 — the last time Paris hosted the summer Olympics. One simple statistic grabs our attention immediately: 2954 men competed in the 1924 games and 135 women. AOC digs deep into women in competitive sailing a century ago.

Louis Vuitton's foray into the prestigious realm of sailing and its premier position in the LVMH sponsor umbrella of the Paris 2024 Summer Games spills next into Barcelona, where Louis Vuitton hosts in late August 2024 the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series. Hosting the event since 1983 and subsequently renamed the Louis Vuitton Cup, it culminates in the race for a new America’s Cup Winner.

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'Commune' [2015] from Interview Magazine Prompts a Look at Women Farmers Worldwide

'Commune' [2015] from Interview Magazine Prompts a Look at Women Farmers Worldwide

In this 2015 fashion story ‘Commune’ lensed by Mikael Jansson for Interview and renewed March 25, AOC’s sassy side wrote:

In developing countries the women are often in charge of agriculture until the tractors arrive. Then men hop on board.

Models Caroline Trentini, Constance Jablonski, Daria Strokous, Julia Nobis and Lina Berg toil the soil and tend the artichokes in ‘Commune’, lensed by Mikael Jansson for Interview Magazine February 2015./ Makeup by Mark Carasquillo; hair by Tom Jidai

Fast forward nine years, and we wonder if anything has changed. AOC sets new goals for our readers.

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Cameron Russell on Being an 'Agreeable' Model for Sunday Times Style March 10, 2024

Cameron Russell on Being an 'Agreeable' Model for Sunday Times Style March 10, 2024

Top model Cameron Russell, now 36, has a new memoir ‘How to Make Herself Agreeable to Everyone’, and it sounds hot. On the book’s cover, original supermodel Christy Turlington calls it “A unique and honest perspective on the fashion industry.”

Verity Parker styles the outspoken fashion industry and environmental activist in the usual luxury brands lineup, with cover looks by Miu Miu shot by photographer Clément Pasca [IG].

Reading her Sunday Times UK [IG] interview with Megan Agnew in the March 10th issue, we learn that on her second fashion shoot, the young-model Russell was told she had “cocksucker lips”.

The Goal Was Model Submission

Russell comes at the topic of this hopefully-waning, fashion-industry reality from a fresh perspective, not an exclusively sexual one.

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8 of Fashion's Biggest Names Honor Donna Karan Relaunch Lensed by Annie Leibovitz

8 of Fashion's Biggest Names Honor Donna Karan Relaunch Lensed by Annie Leibovitz

In 1992 American designer Donna Karan launched her campaign “In Women We Trust” shot by Peter Lindbergh. That fashion maverick statement about female leadership and competence was celebrated again today — not with America’s first woman president which we’ve all hoped for — but with photographer legend Annie Leibovitz gathering eight models so famous that they can go by their first names without confusion.

Featured in the Donna Karan revival campaign are Amber Valletta, Carolyn Murphy, Cindy Crawford, Imaan Hammam, Karlie Kloss, Linda Evangelista, Liya Kebede and Shalom Harlow.

Photographer Leibovitz shot the campaign in a Brooklyn warehouse, with video by Barbara Leibovitz Hellman and styling by Jessica Diehl.

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Liza Ostanina Wears 'Bulgari Serpenti Collection Jewelry in Grazia International January 2024

Liza Ostanina Wears 'Bulgari Serpenti Collection Jewelry in Grazia International January 2024

Bulgari’s Serpenti Collections

The Bulgari Serpenti collections, now 75 years-old, exist as a bold and unapologetic embrace of one of human history’s most ‘forbidden’ philosophical and mythological symbols.

The Serpent in Ancient Societies

The serpent holds a prominent place in ancient mythology, often representing dualities such as life and death, creation and destruction. In Egyptian mythology, the ouroboros – a snake devouring its own tail – symbolized eternal cycles of life and rebirth. The serpent symbolized royalty, deity, and protection, often depicted on crowns and bracelets worn by pharaohs and queens in ancient Egypt.

In some ancient cultures, snakes were associated with oracles and prophecy, leading to a perception of ambiguity and uncertainty. In early ancient cultures, women were as likely as men to be associated with oracles. The prevailing belief is that originally, women were more likely than men to occupy these positions of influence and power.

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EmRata Wears Victor & Rolf Couture in Numero #243, Talks Being "A Body, Not a Mind”

EmRata Wears Victor & Rolf Couture in Numero #243, Talks Being "A Body, Not a Mind”

Victor & Rolf muse Emily Ratajkowski, aka EmRata, is interviewed by newly-named head of the culture Violaine Schütz [IG], for Numero #243 out now.

Not all French women are so positive about a declared feminist like EmRata. Remember when French Vogue March 2022 ran a cover message that we’re living in a post feminist world now and there’s no need for women to be divisive any longer . . .

Schütz zeroes in on a key EmRata theme: " You thought you were a mind, but you're a body "

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Mario Testino’s ‘Master Class’ Resonates for Women’s Rights in 2024 Election

Mario Testino’s ‘Master Class’ Resonates for Women’s Rights in 2024 Election

Always commenting on fashion stories beyond any style trend, AOC wrote in 2011:

Fall’s strict attitude borders on religious fervor but also brings to mind the fact that the new Dutch republic was the most prosperous nation in Europe, leading the continent in trade, science and art. This came about at the end of the European religious wars that spawned the Protestant Reformation and revolt against the Catholic Church.

Anne’s Reflections

As I reposted this ‘Master Class’ 2011 fashion story by Mario Testino for British Vogue, I found myself thinking about American history back to the founding of our country and also the changes in the last 50 years of America.

It was a Protestant-dominant, moderate US Supreme Court who gave women the right to abortion and contraception in 1973, based on constitutional arguments.

Five decades later, a disproportionately-conservative, Catholic-dominant Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

This Roberts court is not finished giving state governments absolute control over women’s bodies. AOC will educate readers and fight for the return of our hard-won rights in the 2024 elections. ~ Anne

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Anja Rubik Sheds Tears of Joy Over Poland's Political Reset as the EU Exhales

Anja Rubik Sheds Tears of Joy Over Poland's Political Reset as the EU Exhales

What makes a true supermodel? Anja Rubik voting in Poland’s national elections last weekend, October 15, 2023.

AOC doesn’t keep precise track of individual model’s activism but Anja Rubik, one of the world’s most successful models, has led the way for many years. In her own words:

“How political parties address sexual education issues will have a huge impact on what country we will live in.”

To that end, Anja Rubik is deeply connected as its founder to FUNDACJA SexedPL [IG] FEDERA, a NGO committed to sex education on matters of abortion rights and LGBTQ issues — but also endometriosis, for example.

AOC goes deep on the supermodel’s activism, as we celebrate the 75% turnout that resulted in a reset of Poland’s politics last weekend and a prospective stabilizing of of Poland’s relationship with the European Union.

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Margot Robbie Covers Vogue Australia As 'Barbie' Blockbuster Results Roll In!

Margot Robbie Covers Vogue Australia As 'Barbie' Blockbuster Results Roll In!

Margot Robbie delivers her fourth cover story for Vogue Australia [IG] with a special format that pairs writer Hannah-Rose Yee with Barbie star Robbie and the film’s director and screenwriter Greta Gerwig.

Master photographer Mario Sorrenti [IG] is behind the lens as Vogue Australia — like M Le Magazine du Monde — takes Robbie off pink style patrol./ Hair by Shay Ashual; makeup by Pati Dubroff

Read on at Vogue Australia: “Margot Robbie in conversation with Greta Gerwig on the Seismic success of Barbie”.

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Angelina Jolie Pens Major Essay on Domestic Violence and Racial Inequity in Treatments

Angelina Jolie Pens Major Essay on Domestic Violence and Racial Inequity in Treatments

4% of Women and 6% of Men in America Murdered by an Intimate Partner

In America, of the 4,970 female victims of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter in 2021, law enforcement agencies reported that 34% were killed by an intimate partner. By comparison, about 6% of the 17,970 males murdered that year were victims of intimate partner homicide. About 16% of female murder victims were killed by a nonintimate family member—parent, grandparent, sibling, in-law, and other family member—compared to 10% of male murder victims.

We are familiar with the absurd but widespread belief that women of color can handle greater pain. But this device deals with the very real problem of not even seeing or detecting bruising, when a doctor has the best of intentions to offer quality healthcare in communities of color.

Angelina received a demonstration of how a handheld device can highlight bruising on darker skin tones that had been previously invisible to the naked eye.

The simple, portable device directed “alternate light”—in this case violet light with a yellow lens—toward the skin. The technique is up to five times more effective at detecting bruising than white light, as much as four weeks after injury.

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Gal Gadot's 'Heart of Stone' Thriller Puts Her on Vogue Hong Kong July by Greg Swales

Gal Gadot's 'Heart of Stone' Thriller Puts Her on Vogue Hong Kong July by Greg Swales

Gal Gadot, Hollywood's reigning action heroine, is set to command the attention of action-film movie audiences with her upcoming movie 'Heart of Stone', opening on Netflix USA Aug. 11.

Gadot, who is also a Tiffany & Co ambassador, wears stunning jewels on the second, blue-ground cover and throughout the fashion story lensed by Hollywood fav Greg Swales [IG]. Tiffany and YSL are the main style features. / Makeup by Jo Baker; hair by Jenny Cho

Directed by renowned filmmaker Reed Morano, the mastermind behind acclaimed series like 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'Heart of Stone' promises to deliver a gripping and adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience.

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The Camargue Calls to Mona Tougaard, Lensed by Tyler Mitchell for i-D No.372

The Camargue Calls to Mona Tougaard, Lensed by Tyler Mitchell for i-D No.372

Anne of Carversville lives very close to the ancient symbolism of much of the artistic imagery featured here, and how stereotypes of women have evolved over the last 12,000 years.

Photographed by Tyler Mitchell and styled by Carlos Nazario, top model Mona Tougaard was captured in the surreal landscape of Salin d'Aigues-Mortes, in the Camargue, for the summer 2023 issue of i-D magazine.

My response to Irina’s “wet and wild” fashion story, shot in Joshua Tree, California was connected to 1] her walking nearly naked in a recent Cannes event where everyone else appearing in photos was wearing clothes. As a publicity stunt, I can’t even remember the jewelry brand she was wearing; and 2] specifically in Joshua Tree, Danielle Midenge shot Winnie Harlow recently with a vibe that is more akin to this one with Mona Tougaard and Tyler Mitchell in the south of France. I loved Daniella’s Winnie images and revere the ancient history of Joshua Tree.

i-D acknowledges that Demeulemeester and her former new designer don’t seem to live at all in the same territory on the fashion spectrum. It’s a very convoluted explanation by Ludovic of why he was perfect to interpret Ann’s vision. Note: I also am very impressed by Robert Mapplethorpe. I still don’t get the shared synergy.

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