Francesca Hayward Raises the Barre by Ekua King in Porter Edit October 18, 2021

Francesca Hayward Raises the Barre by Ekua King in Porter Edit October 18, 2021 AOC Fashion

The Royal Ballet’s Francesca Hayward is known for her honest but also diplomatic assessment of life in the notoriously clubby world of ballet. There’s little pretense with Hayward — like her telling Porter Edit interviewer Kadish Morris:

“I don’t come from a dance family, so my whole career has been about just giving it a go and seeing what happens.”

Hayward credits Kevin O’Hare, director of the Royal Ballet, for seeing clearly her potential. “He plucked me out of the water very quickly and said, ‘You can do this.’”

Francesca Hayward is styled by Jenny Kennedy in luxe fashion from Alaïa, A.W.A.K.E, Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Saint Laurent, Simone Rocha and more. Ekua King [IG] captures the rising star in ‘Raise the Barre’ for Porter Edit’s October 18, 2021 cover story.

Bob Dylan Helps Hayward Prepare to Perform

The dancer was born in Nairobi, Kenya, then moved to West Sussex at age two, living with her grandparents. She is presently set to dance as Juliet in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, a part very familiar to her. “It’s in my body,” Hayward explains, adding that her chief concern is not to go on autopilot.

Framing Prejudice as ‘Imbalance’

On the topic of the rise of activism, Francesca Hayward is circumspect and dedicated to raising the convo around the world of ballet. “I think it is ingrained into ballet dancers from our very first class that we should be so grateful to be here, that we are so lucky doing what we’re doing. But we should be able to speak out,” she tells Morris.

When AOC calls Hayward ‘diplomatic’, here’s an example of how she doesn’t mention the words ‘racism’, ‘prejudice,’ ‘white superiority’ but only ‘diversity’. in a word chain that we will consider fully, Francesca Hayward uses the word ‘imbalance’ to describe the reality of racism. What a fascinating, nonjudgmental communication umbrella to frame racial ugliness or even hate with the more innocuous word ‘imbalance.’

Never Let Them See You Sweat

Hayward’s references to managing fear and nervousness in the performing arts or the public space generally also resonate as very good advice — an AOC mantra, in fact:

“Don’t look SCARED. People who can smell fear might exploit it. Look STRONG — even if you’re not feeling strong on the INSIDE.”

Francesca Hayward is performing at London’s Royal Opera House in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ from October 5-23; ‘The Dante Project’ from October 14-30; ‘Giselle’ from November 22-27, and ‘The Nutcracker’ from December 7-16

Royal Ballet's Francesca Hayward Covers Harper's Bazaar UK June 2021 by Jesse Jenkins

Royal Ballet's Francesca Hayward Covers Harper's Bazaar UK June 2021 by Jesse Jenkins

Kenyan-born, England-raised ballet dancer Francesca Hayward covers the June 2021 issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. Hayward is a principal dancer in the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden in London. In 2019, she starred as Victoria the White Cat in the musical film adaptation of the legendary stage musical ‘Cats’. Hayward developed an unrelenting interest in ballet at age three, after watching ‘The Nutcracker’.

Hayward was one of 15 women selected to appear on the cover of British Vogue’s September 2019 issue, guest edited by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Cathy Kasterine styles Hayward in white fluidity, lensed by Jesse Jenkins [IG] in ‘Dancing for Joy’ with Chiffon in the City & Silk by the Sea’. / Hair by Hiroshi Matsushita; makeup by Celia Burton

Tyler Mitchell Shoots Simone Rocha X H&M at Great Dixter House & Gardens

Tyler Mitchell Shoots Simone Rocha X H&M at Great Dixter House & Gardens

Simone Rocha and H&M have released the official campaign film and images for the upcoming Simone Rocha x H&M collection, available at hm.com and in selected stores on March 11. Shot by Tyler Mitchell, in his signature optimistic style, the campaign images and video create a story of joy, friendship and inclusivity.and an ode to moments of openness and congregation in a post-COVID and more racially-interactive world.

The talents featured in the campaign are dynamic individuals whose skills, outlook and unique beauty are celebrated and admired by Rocha. Actors Daisy Edgar-Jones and Micheal Ward, both rising stars, appear alongside Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Francesca Hayward, the artist Faye Wei Wei, the captivating models Mouchette Bell and Aramish Mangi, and the pioneering musician Kelsey Lu – who also provides the beautiful soundtrack for the campaign film.

Also featured are figures who are often present in Rocha’s world, whether in her shows or images, such as the model Tess McMillan and sisters, Adwoa Aboah and Kesewa Aboah, the former an activist and model, the latter an artist and model.

British Royal Ballet's Francesca Hayward by Liz Collins for Vanity Fair "On Jewellery' Fall 2020

British Royal Ballet's Francesca Hayward by Liz Collins for Vanity Fair "On Jewellery' Fall 2020

Britain’s Royal Ballet star Francesca Hayward is living in the movement, lensed by Liz Collins (IG) for the September cover story of Vanity Fair’s “On Jewellery” supplement. Michelle Dugid styles Hayward in luxe jewels from Boucheron Nuage, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vanleles and more.

Interviewed by Annabel Davidson, both creatives made the point that they were committed to featuring Black jewellers across the images. Some are named here:

Hayward and I both felt strongly that Black jewellers should be included in every image, so across these pages you will see the work of established artists like Jacqueline Rabun and Vania Leles, but also multi-disciplinary artist Simone Brewster (who’s as adept at designing furniture as she is bangles), Awah Laud (who sources conflict-free materials from Ghana), Emefa Cole (whose work you can see in the V&A), Melanie Eddy, and Jariet Oloye-Odutola, whose work with glass and metal is nothing short of mesmerising.

See all the jewelry credits at VanityFair.com.

British Vogue's September 2019 Issue Shares 'Forces for Change' Global Activists

Iconic photographer Peter Lindbergh photographs the cover of British Vogue’s September 2019 issue, guest edited by Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex guest edits British Vogue’s September 2019 issue, considered the most important issue of the year. Editor-in-chief-Edward Enninful invited Meghan to appear on the cover, but she declined, saying it would be considered “boastful”. With minions clamoring to criticize the Duchess at every turn in the road, declining was absolutely the correct decision.

Instead, the September 2019 British Vogue cover features 15 women who are “trailblazing changemakers, united by their fearlessness in breaking barriers”, according to a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.

The female ensemble of “trailblazing changemakers” includes activist actor Jane Fonda, climate change advocate, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and supermodel now maternal health advocate Christy Turlington Burns.

Markle has worked on the project for seven months, connecting with Michelle Obama and persuading her husband Prince Harry to join the dialogue with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall.

Rounding out the list are Adwoa Aboah, mental health campaigner and model; Adut Akech, Model and former refugee (although she says she will always be a refugee); Ramla Ali, boxer; Sinead Burke, diversity advocate and lecturer; Gemma Chan, campaigner and actor; Laverne Cox, LGBTQIA+ advocate and actor; Salma Hayek Pinault, actor, producer and women’s rights advocate; Francesca Hayward, royal ballet principal dancer; Jameela Jamil, body positivity advocate and actor; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author and feminist; and Yara Shahidi, founder of Eighteen x 18 and actor (and adored by Michelle Obama).

Meghan said: “These last seven months have been a rewarding process, curating and collaborating with Edward Enninful, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, to take the year’s most-read fashion issue and steer its focus to the values, causes and people making impact in the world today.

“Through this lens I hope you’ll feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for the cover as well as the team of support I called upon within the issue to help bring this to light.

“I hope readers feel as inspired as I do by the forces for change they’ll find within these pages.”

"To have the country's most influential beacon of change guest edit British Vogue at this time has been an honour, a pleasure and a wonderful surprise," said Enninful. The September 2019 issue hits newsstands on Friday, August 2.

The cover is photographed by Peter Lindbergh — his first British Vogue cover since September 1992. Many of the women were photographed via video links.

The 16th spot on the cover will appear in print as a silver reflective mirror, to show how you, the reader, are part of this extraordinary moment in time – and to encourage you to use your own platform to bring change.

The Duchess will introduce Forces for Change in her own words in her guest editor’s letter, in addition to her interview with America’s former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Meghan turned down the offer to feature on the issue cover, preferring to focus on the women she admires, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, said. Photograph by Peter Lindbergh.