Candice Swanepoel's Tropic of C Sustainable Lace Drop Holiday 2023
/
Candice Swanepoel's Tropic of C Sustainable Lace Drop Holiday 2023
/
Supermodel, businesswoman, mom Candice Swanepoel leads us into 2024 with a new Tropic of C Sustainable Lace collection of black and white, made-to-be seen innerwear that renders lace lovers as sensual creatures who are also kind to Mother Earth.
All of Candice’s fabrics are sustainable, with this lace fabric coming out of Portugal and making its way into existing C collection styles. Note the ‘movie poster’ image with the photoshoot credentials and specific information about the fabric. Tropic of C has never veered off course in leading with sustainability.
Read MoreIntimissimi Lingerie Ambassador Jennifer Lopez Says "This is Me . . . Now" at 54
/
Jennifer Lopez has appeared before with Intimissimi lingerie. Now the brand’s global ambassador serves as a co-designer of the new collection, inviting us all to experience ‘la dolce vita’.
Anne of Carversville has always stood for the nurturing benefits of beautiful lingerie and we’re thrilled with the new Jennifer Lopez “This is Me…Now” collection.
Both Italy and France have long celebrated the sex appeal of older women, unlike America where we’ve been washed up at age 35. There’s a good reason why Anne so loves Italy and France and why she’s worked so hard professionally to change America’s perception of aging and sensual women.
Read MoreWill Icon Collection Pay Off for Victoria's Secret? Adriana, Candice, Gisele, Naomi to the Rescue
/
The new VS campaign is excellent and has some real VS icons featured. Bringing back past VS models is a terrific idea for a brand trying to find safe ground to stand on. Shop the new collection at the VS website.
If I read the VS copy carefully, I’m sure we are all icons somewhere in it, so let’s just cut the AOC analysis short here and say “good job, VS.”
The Icon by Victoria’s Secret Collection models includes VS greats Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Adriana Lima, and Candice Swanepoel.
The Icon cast campaigns expands to include Adut Akech, Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Bieber, Paloma Elsesser and Sui He. I’m pleased to say that every woman listed here has archives on AOC.
Oyadeas!
Oh dear goddess Oya. I tried . . . I tried . . . I tried so hard to step carefully, but I just fell down the “we’re all icons” rabbit hole, and I did not see it coming.
Read MoreSKIMS Now Valued at $4 Billion as Kardashian - Grede Lockdown $270M Series C Funding
/
Skims co-founders Kim Kardashian and CEO Jens Grede have confirmed a new $4 billion valuation for the company, after raising $270 million in a new Series C funding round.
Skims was previously valued at $3.2 million.
The new capital investment was led by Wellington Management and also includes funds from Greenoaks Capital Partners and existing partners D1 Capital Partners and Imaginary Ventures.
Mr. Grede has confirmed that Skims anticipates sales of about $750 million in 2023, up from $500 million in 2022. About 15 percent of its online customers come from outside the United States.
Read MoreSkims Talks New [and Last] Round of Funding Before IPO with $4 Billion[ish] Valuation
/![Skims Talks New [and Last] Round of Funding Before IPO with $4 Billion[ish] Valuation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55f45174e4b0fb5d95b07f39/1689553158323-BLC2L2FMMEZ07N9P88FL/Kim-Kardashian-Dials-for-New-Investors.png)
Boston-based investment firm Wellington Management is in talks to lead a new round of funding for SKIMS, led by Kim Kardashian and Jens Grede, Skims CEO and co-founder.
Reports are that the financial math currently on the table would establish a financial valuation for SKIMS of $4 billion. Assumptions are that this would be the final round of fundraising before an initial public offering that could come in about a year.
Read MoreSKIMS Pops Into Selfridges London, Outlines Significant Retail Stores Expansion
/
Apparel brand SKIMS has popped into London, installed at Selfridges until July 8, 2023. Selfridges will open a redesigned and expanded permanent SKIMS shop-in-shop this summer.
“I’m thrilled to open our first international pop-up experience at the iconic Selfridges Corner Shop. We expect demand and buzz to be high as this is the first time SKIMS Swim will be available in retail outside of the U.S,” Jens Grede, Skims co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. “The pop-up experience will set the tone for the future of SKIMS in London, as the cultural and fashion destination is a key market for our global expansion.”
Skims first launched Skims at Selfridges in London in October, 2020. In 2023, Skims is such a hot brand in vestment opportunity that TIME put Kim Kardashian on the cover of its TIME 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023.
In London, SKIMS is also available at Harrods and Net-a-Porter and will open its own freestanding shop in London in the next 18 months. The shop will be in an area with “high traffic”, such as Bond Street or Regent Street Grede told The Sunday Times UK.
Read MoreJoy Van der Eecken Wears Sheer Effects Lingerie for Madame Figaro February 3, 2023
/
Madame Figaro is known for its female-centric, lingerie and swim fashion stories that emphasis the healing properties of sun and water.
Belgian model Joy Van der Eecken invites us into such a calming beach moment styled by Agnès Poulle. Sheer effects lingerie from Europe’s top brands are lensed by Zeb Daemen [IG] for the February 3, 2023 issue.
Read MoreEsther Lomb's Sensual, Country Beauty by Lise-Anne Marsal for Madame Figaro
/
Model Esther Lomb makes comfy elegant and sexy, wearing lingerie-rich outfits styled by Carole Matray. The mix includes Brunello Cucinelli, Calzedonia, Etam, Intimissimi, Loro Piana, Maison Margiela, Pain de Sucre, Prima Donna, Princess Tam Tam, Stella McCartney, The Frankie Shop and more.
Lise-Anne Marsal [IG] shoots a perfect sensual fashion story for Madame Figaro November 11, 2022.
Read MoreHeidi & Leni Klum for Intimissimi Italian Lingerie Fall 2022 Campaign
/
Supermodel Heidi Klum and daughter Leni launch Intimissimi Lingerie’s Fall 2022 campaign. Photographer Derek Kettela IG] photographs the duo wearing lavish lace balconette bras and panties, with creative direction by Thomas Hayo.
The campaign video sums up the magic relationship between the two women. And I truly hope that right-wing evangelicals — or even Kanye West, legally known as Ye — don’t start trouble around the lovely Intimissimi imagery. Their minds are so perverted at this point that we can’t take anything for granted.
Read MoreVictoria's Secret Shades Fall 2022 With Rich Hues in 'Body by Victoria' and 'Love Cloud'
/
No Damage from Hulu or JAX, Says VS Pink CEO
VS Pink CEO Amy Hauk says that neither the Hulu three-episode docuseries ‘Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons’ nor the summer song by JAX that spent several weeks in the top 100 contributed to the plunge in second-quarter profits. The song was created as a statement about the need for body positivity in the world of Victoria’s Secret’s negative influence on young women’s bodies at the hands of an old man [men].
I refuse to believe that Hauk embraces the “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” adage. That was Epstein’s and Ed Razek’s mantra — and never mine.
Read MoreCan Corsets Help You Reach Peak Physical Performance? AOC Says Buy 2
/
Why Does One Woman's Waist Trainer Make Another Woman Upset?
Waist training advocate Kim Kardashian is a big driver of this trend. But celebrities like Nicki Minaj and Kylie Jenner are also fans. Laverne Cox has made a place in her life for waist training. Lizzo is out front with her new shapewear collection, and I promise you that when Ana de Armas hits Netflix playing Marilyn Monroe in 'Blonde' this fall, waist training corset sales will soar.
Read MoreFor Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret Spring 2022 Festival Collection with Lais Ribeiro
/
Lais Ribeiro Is Woodstock Ready in For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret Spring 2022 AOC Body
Victoria’s Secret lingerie rolls on into Spring 2022 with the launch of a late ‘60s-early ‘70s For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret embroidered flower power collection inspired by music festivals. Literally-speaking, you can buy a Festival Rose bra.
Lais Ribeiro gets us in the groove mood in a lingerie lovers collection of beautifully-embroidered bras and ‘Zoe’ bralettes, thongs, ‘Pastel punch’ dress, teddies, and garter belts styled by Ashley Gloriso. Crochet hats and colorful scrunchies add a precious, witty touch to the collection lensed by Bryan Rodner Carr [IG]. / Makeup by Hadia Kabir; hair by Tiago Goya
Lais Ribeiro, Victoria's Secret AOC Archives
Hailey, Imaan, Paloma Wear Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Spring 2022 Lingerie
/
Victoria’s Secret lingerie assembles a campaign dream-team of Hailey Bieber, Imaan Hammam and Paloma Elsesser, country-loving, carefree girls strolling through spring fields and meadows. Top photographer Lachlan Bailey [IG] brings Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Spring 2022 embroidery and lace lingerie into soft focus.
Read MoreAlexina Graham Poses in Andres Sarda Lingerie SS 2022, Lensed by Miguel Reveriego
/
Alexina Graham Poses in Andres Sarda Lingerie SS 2022, Lensed by Miguel Reveriego AOC Body
Model Alexina Graham basks in seaside warmth, wearing Spanish brand Andres Sarda’s Spring Summer 2022 lingerie collection. Lensed by Miguel Reveriego [IG], the collection is named for famous, largely American , women of color of color including Katherine Johnson the woman who calculated the trajectory of the Apollo and Mercury missions, making it possible for man to reach the moon; Mary Jackson, who was the first Black American mathematician to become a Nasa aeronautics engineer; Dorothy Vaughn, the first Black woman who held the positon of supervisor in NASA; and more. See the complete explanation of the collection on the Andres Sarda press website.
Frida Aasen In For Love & Lemons for Victoria's Secret Spring 2022 Lingerie
/
Frida Aasen In For Love & Lemons for Victoria's Secret Spring 2022 Lingerie AOC Body
Newly-engaged Norwegian beauty Frida Aasen models the new For Love & Lemons Spring 2022 lingerie collection exclusively for Victoria’s Secret. As always florals, lace and intricate details abound in this collection of ultra feminine lingerie.
Frida’s hat may be the biggest scene stealer of all, but the brightest hues, freshest prints, and dreamy feminine lingerie run a close second, in this first installment of For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret Spring 2022.
Frida Aasen has been dating Italian businessman and entrepreneur Tommy Chiabra, CEO of Royal Yacht International, since 2019 and said ‘yes’ at a romantic proposal in Portofino, Italy in August 2021.
News: Boss Lady Fundraising Haul for Rihanna's Savage X Fenty
/
Before hopping to Rihanna’s latest fundraising haul of $115 million, AOC doesn’t recall ever writing that Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners LLC was key in launching Savage X Fenty’s initial $50 million investment in 2019.
With Las Vegas now open and Culver City, Calif. opening on Feb. 12, Riri is rolling. Other 2021 locations include Houston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. More details at WWD.
Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners Was Original Savage X Fenty Investor
Reading that Jay-Z was on the investor’s list led by Neuberger Berman this week, I checked back on prior participation and note our error in not crediting Marcy Venture Partners previously as a key player on Savage X Fenty’s birthing team.
To be honest, this factoid is just another data bit on the deep roots and exciting synergy that LVMH and the Arnault family personally have into Black culture in America and beyond.
For those who don’t know, Jay-Z sold 50% of his champagne brand Armand de Brignac, aka Ace of Spades to LVMH in 2021.
While Kanye West runs his mouth around town about having final say on everything Ye, Jay-Z not only got a board seat in his LVMH financial transaction but the deal is an unusual 50-50 transaction.
In simple terms, Jay-Z and Bernard Arnault’s LVMH team must find consensus in a common brand marketing and financial strategy for Armand de Brignac. Both parties will create a new business investment paradigm in select cases — a team of equals — if they can pull off this unusual agreement without a massive boardroom fight.
To understand now that Jay-Z also had a hand in Savage X Fenty’s original funding is equally impressive.
Rihanna Unleashes Savage X Fenty Lingerie Valentine's Day 2022 with Lourdes Leon
/
Rihanna Unleashes Savage X Fenty Lingerie Valentine's Day 2022 with Lourdes Leon AOC Fashion
Superstar talent Rihanna amps up the sexual heat with her “Bring the heat this Valentine’s Day and you’ll be the treat.” The lingerie and beauty mogul combines her two business into a single Valentine’s Day 2022 campaign for the first time. lensed by Dennis Leupold.
The megastar is joined by models including Lourdes Leon, Quannah Chasinghorse, Tess McMillan, and more with a clear message to she, he and they, who wear the Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty brand: ‘Slip Into Som’m Sexy To: You From: You.
As Victoria’s Secret continues to revamp its marketing, toning down the male gaze vision that came to dominate the brand, there remains a critical difference between the VS and Savage X Fenty approach. The VS Collective remains a third-party talking about their problems and issues in a way for all women to understand. But the models remain the message and the focus.
Message From Black Women: I’m Talkin’ to YOU
Rihanna takes a different approach from the lady bikers to her ‘Slip Into Som’m Sexy’ message. It’s the same ‘I’m Talkin’ to YOU’ message I referenced in my comments about the new British Vogue nine African women cover and inside fashion story.
The message is 1) I’m talkin’ to YOU, dear reader, SM follower; wannabe like me. 2) Are you listening? Because you can’t become this she, he, they lingerie lover, if you don’t hear me.
Get out of your comfort zone and fly. Goddess knows I had to learn this life lesson as a Black woman. So RISE, girl. Enough with all this self-doubting, crowd-pleasing anxiety.
This was the original Victoria’s Secret direct-to-women message, one that I worked very hard to craft. We were leaders in that self-empowerment drive — and around the trickiest subject of all: sexuality and typically female-identifying sexuality.
As Rih says: “Keep it in the fam.”
Backed by Bernard Arnault via the $115 million series B round of financing led by LVMH-backed private equity firm L Catterton to help the lingerie brand scale up, the Savage X Fenty lingerie brand is ready to rumble.
Savage X Fenty Stores
Rihanna just announced the first five inaugural store locations in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The Vegas store will provide fans with a direct-to-consumer shopping experience that’s billed by the Savage X Fenty team as the “next step” in the brand’s aim of providing a “fuller expression” to its clientele.
OMG! Rihanna Says ‘Keep It in the Fam!’
My mind is now on fire. Rhanna’s “keep it in the fam” comment and the Catterton investment, plus writing about Virgil Abloh last night, the most brilliant idea popped into my mind.
Sorry, Kanye. You’re not going to Louis Vuitton Men, and please don’t have a breakdown.
Among the options to replace the beloved Virgil Abloh is the concept of a curator in charge of Louis Vuitton Men — as no one can follow in Virgil Abloh’s steps. Let Virgil Abloh live on in 3-D. Keep him alive and deeply embedded in the brand’s DNA.
The talent I mentioned in my earlier post ARE three of the perhaps five names on the list. So Anne is already swinging the bat quite well, win or lose.
BUT, if Louis Vuitton wanted to be truly daring, they would put Rihanna as the curator in charge of Louis Vuitton Men. They would ‘Keep It in the Fam!”
Working on the collections a la Moncler with all the creative talent she knows and LVMH knows, she can develop a huge rival to Victoria’s Secret at the same time in the Savage X Fenty business. AND, unlike some of the names mentioned, Rihanna can easily become an ‘ambassador’ for Virgil Abloh’s memory. Her own me-me-me halo doesn’t need burnishing.
Kanye West is too “I, I, I, I, I should have had the Vuitton Men’s job in the first place” to EVER promote Virgil Abloh’s memory and values. Forget Kanye West being up to his eyeballs in Republican scum politics. Kanye thinks he’s God.
Rihanna Is Virgil Abloh’s Ubuntu Goddess
Rihanna — on the other hand — knows she’s a goddess and is perfectly situated to advance Virgil’s thinking and vision. And she’s got her own thing goin’ on — already backed by LVMH — and Bernard Arnault loves her.
If he didn’t think she had tremendous talent and promise as a merchant, he wouldn’t have invested $115 million in Savage X Fenty via L Catterton.
Bernard Arnault is dying to take on Victoria’s Secret with Rihanna. Seriously! This move would give her a reach far beyond these first five stores. CONSTANT engagement with activism and young talent, a halo that can bring new customers to Savage X Fenty.
Yes, Anne is ALWAYS thinking out of the box. I LIKE this new box that just popped into my mind. If such a hair-brained option ever happened, you know who expressed the idea first. Suddenly my other three options sound perfectly reasonable. But this one??
Woah! Even I’m impressed. But it’s so LOGICAL. It’s rational.
Related: EXCLUSIVE: Louis Vuitton CEO Talks Final Virgil Abloh Collection, Succession Plans WWD
Like I keep sayin’ “You better buckle up, VS. These people are coming for you. And I still don’t think you have a plan figured out. Nor do I think the VS Collective is the answer to your problems, but I love all those women. Don’t get me wrong. And, for the record, that new store design looks like Kohl’s. But I do want you to succeed. Make no mistake. I want you to succeed.” ~ Anne
Alana Felisberto Fronts For Love & Lemons x Victoria’s Secret V-Day 2022 Lingerie Collection
/
Alana Felisberto Fronts For Love & Lemons x Victoria’s Secret V-Day 2022 Lingerie Collection AOC Body
Brazilian model Alana Felisberto stars in Valentine’s Day 2022’s For Love & Lemons collaboration with Victoria’s Secret lingerie. For Love & Lemons is known for romantic embroideries and V-Day brings an abundance of pink, scarlet and ivory blooms. Other hyper-feminine touches like tiny pleats, embroidered hearts, ribbon ties, lace-ups and dainty prints render Alana a total coquette. Or with VS and their fragrance — a grade-10 tease.
Carin Backoff [IG] photographs the For Love & Lemons x Victoria’s Secret Valentine’s Day 2022 Collection, styled by Ashley Glorioso. / Hair and makeup by Sacey Tan
