For Sagrada Feminidad, Jewelry Is an Act of Resistance Lensed by Alina Gross
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A History of Courtesans Thru the Lens of Louboutin Beauty's 2025 Rouge Stiletto Vinyl Gloss Campaign
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A Global History of Courtesans Thru the Lens of Louboutin Beauty
Today we return to Mesopotamia, asking about the rise of courtesans. Was it a worldwide role for select women, a role crossing many different global cultures but with compatible definitions?
In Mesopotamia Temple priestesses, often referred to as "sacred prostitutes," were involved in religious rites, highlighting a blend of the sacred and the secular that involved sexual service as part of worship. . . These practices are mentioned in the Code of Hammurabi, which provides one of the earliest written references to women who engaged in such roles.
In Greece The concept of the courtesan emerged more distinctly in Greece. . . In India Ancient texts in India also offer early textual evidence of courtesans, with references in ancient texts such as the Arthashastra and the Kamasutra . . . In China The origins of courtesans can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from approximately 1046 to 256 BC . . . In Italy The origins of courtesanship can be traced back to a complex interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors that emerged during the Renaissance.
In America Yes, there is a record of courtesans in America. But AOC needs to catch up with the facts. After reading about white women courtesans in urban cities like New York and Chicago, we queried the story in New Orleans.
The findings were borderline extraordinary, and we will explain in our next deep dive into red lips women.
Read MoreA Brief Art History of Female Sexuality and Flowers Lensed by Alina Gross
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A Brief Art History of Female Sexuality and Flowers Lensed by Alina Gross
German-Ukrainian photographer Alina Gross [IG] knows that for thousands of years, flowers have been used as divine symbols in art and literature. In other eras of significant censorship, flowers thrived as unspoken symbols of erotism and sensuality.
In ancient Egypt, the white lotus was considered the original sacred lotus, existing as a transcendent symbol of creation, fertility and rebirth in the continuous cycle of life.
Similarly, in Greek and Roman mythology, goddesses like Aphrodite and Venus were frequently depicted with roses and other flowers, chosen not only to enhance their beauty but also as symbols of divine allure and sexuality.
Read MoreDeva Cassel Is Sun-Kissed in Future Dior Beauty Riviera Summer 2025 Memories
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Anne of Carversville has long-prized elegant packaging as part of the beauty experience. Dior Beauty Riviera summer 2025 delivers for the first time ever, the iconic Toile de Jouy pattern on limited-edition makeup cases and powders.
Surely this packaging belongs in a scene from Deva Cassel’s new Netflix series ‘The Leopard’. Cassel plays the role of Angelica Sedara, amid the 1860s fall of the Sicilian aristocracy, where she enjoys a high-society romance with Prince Tancredi Falconeri, played by actor Saul Nanni.
The summer 2025 Dioriviera release combines beauty’s latest modern technology against the romantic, heart-grabbing emotions of Riviera summers from Cannes to Portofino. They remain an indescribable part of Anne’s life experiences.
Read MoreJean Campbell's Pain Control Advocacy in ELLE UK | AOC Updates the Breakthroughs
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Jean Campbell's Pain Control Advocacy in ELLE UK | AOC Updates the Breakthroughs
Scottish-born beauty and top model Jean Campbell previews lingerie-inspired lace and leather mixes, accessorized with big gold jewelry in true 1980s spirit, lensed by Ekua King [IG] for the March 2025 issue of British ELLE.
Clementina Jackson chats with Lady Campbell, revisiting the topic of pain in her life and the podcast ‘I’m Fine’ she created to talk about it.
In her podcast, Jean Campbell talks to people about their own experiences with pain management, while sharing information about new research and test results in the field. Following her lead, AOC takes a look at the latest breakthroughs in learning to embrace chronic pain while not letting it define us.
The Patient Assumes New Powers in Non-Opioid Pain Management
In recent years, the focus on non-opioid pain management alternatives has gained significant attention as healthcare providers strive to mitigate the risks associated with opioid use, such as addiction and overdose. This shift has led to the exploration and adoption of various innovative strategies and treatments aimed at effectively managing pain without the reliance on opioid medications. One of the most promising alternatives includes the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], which are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and relieve pain without the addictive properties of opioids.
On February 4, 2025, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke about the U.S Food and Drug Administration [FDA] approval of Journavx, or suzetrigine, oral tablets. “These pain medications, suzetrigine, Journavx as it’s called, work . . . more at the location of the pain, . . . trying to block the signals coming from the source of pain, going to the brain. As a result, you shouldn’t get euphoria,” Dr. Gupta explained. And, what is so critical about this breakthrough, is its lack of addictive ingredients.
Read MoreThe Health Benefits of Dorit Revelis' Getaway by Dudi Hasson for Puss Puss Issue 50
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The Health Benefits of Dorit Revelis' Getaway by Dudi Hasson for Puss Puss Issue 50
Israeli model Dorit Revelis takes a cover of Puss Puss Magazine [IG] Issue 20 Fall/Winter 2024/25. Revelis is lensed by fellow Israeli Dudi Hasson [IG] with styling by Heathermary Jackson.
The fortunate among us are taking some time off in January/February heading to both warm and cold climates depending on our vacation objectives, budgets and state of mind. We all say that vacations are much-needed respites from demanding lives.
So what considerations come to mind about maximizing the benefits of our getaways?
The Positive Health Benefits of Travel
Ultimately, the choice of vacation highlights the diversity of pathways through which travel can enhance mental health, tailored to individual preferences and needs.
Beach vacations, for example, provide a unique opportunity for individuals to decompress and soak in the soothing effects of sun, sand, and sea. The natural environment fosters relaxation and contributes to mental well-being by reducing stress levels and promoting tranquility.
Adventure Awaits the Willing Travelers
Conversely, an adventure trip or cultural immersion may stimulate the mind, offering new perspectives and enhancing cognitive flexibility by pushing individuals out of their comfort zones. Mountain retreats facilitate physical activity, such as hiking or skiing, which contributes to cardiovascular health and enhances mood through the release of endorphins.
Engaging in physical activities during your trip can significantly boost your health. Whether it's hiking, swimming, or simply taking long walks, regular movement will enhance your energy levels and mood.
Immersing yourself in nature whenever possible is a top priority, especially if you live in a major urban area like New York, London, Hong Kong or Mumbai.
Read MoreJulien Martinez Leclerc's Women Drift in Primordial Waters for D Magazine Beauty
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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
Read MoreGuerlain's Violette Serrat Relaunches G Rouge Lipstick for Paris Lovers Worldwide
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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.
Read MoreMore or Less Issue 8: What Our Love of Plants and Flowers Tells Us About Our Politics
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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.
Read MoreVogue Greece Sends Red Kisses | AOC Goes to Babylon for a Primer on Cherry Lips
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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.
Read MoreBoxing for Women's Health: Madame Figaro Paris Is Ringside with Karlina Caune
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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.
Read MoreNumero Switzerland No.2 'Timeless Icons' Explores Humanity's Use of Makeup
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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.
Read MoreThe 'Shape of Water' in Vogue Ukraine Prompts a Neuroscience Look at Ocean Wave
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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.
Read MoreBody-Paint Artist Mia Einat Dan for Vogue Portugal June 2024 by Alina Gross
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Vogue Portugal’s [IG] June 2024 issue theme ‘From Portugal with Love’ has delivered deep thinking in its fashion and beauty editorials.
The bar is raised higher with models Kisha Hahn and Tatjana Isabel posing in a beauty editorial ‘De Bandeira Ao Peito’.
Photographer and art director Alina Gross [IG] captures the sublime images created through the creative expression of award-winning makeup and body-painting artist and creative director Mia Einat Dan, that the words take on a visual identity with human skin as the canvas.
Read MoreHuman Health Benefits from the Sun: David Roemer's Bazaar NL July 2024 Images
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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.
Read MoreBazaar Netherlands Says 'Get Naked' with Artists Neeltje de Vries, David Roemer
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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.
Read MoreAncient Water Stories Inspired by Chloe Magno in Vogue Thailand by Amie Milne
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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.
Read MoreEmilly Nunes 'Rainforest' Activist by Fernando Sippel for Numéro Netherlands February 2024
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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.
Read MoreImaan Hammam for Zara Swimwear | Even Stone Age Humans Loved Swimming
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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.
Read MoreFuturism and AI Meet Ancient Practices in 2024 Spa-Style Self-Care Trends
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