Kendall Jenner's Rosy Cover Story in Vogue China February 2021 by Autumn de Wilde

Kendall Jenner's Rosy Cover Story in Vogue China February 2021 by Autumn de Wilde

Kendall Jenner covers the February 2021 issue of Vogue China. American photographer and film director Autumn de Wilde, (IG) who made her directorial film debut with the 2020 movie ‘Emma’, adapted from Jane Austen’s novel of the same name, captures Jenner in the rose garden in fashion styled by Max Ortega. Enjoy the preview.

Rianne Van Rompaey Covers Vogue Japan February 2021 by Luigi + Iango

Rianne Van Rompaey Covers Vogue Japan February 2021 by Luigi + Iango

Top model Rianne Van Rompaey is styled by Anna Dello Russo in naturally-ravishing images by Luigi & Iango (IG) for Vogue Japan February 2020. Rianne may give the world’s bee populations a new will to survive.

Don’t everybody get crazy now. AOC has a long history of writing about our precious, imperiled bees. To make restitution for my little joke, I promise to write an update this week and post it here. Hold me to it. ~ Anne

Kaia Gerber in 'Power Lines' by Ethan James Green for Vogue US December 2020

Kaia Gerber in 'Power Lines' by Ethan James Green for Vogue US December 2020

Model Kaia Gerber is styled by Tonne Goodman in ‘Power Lines’, lensed by Ethan James Green (IG) for Vogue US December 2020./ Makeup by Dick Page; set designer Julia Wagner

Ethan James Green Captures 'We Are Family' Life-Loving Women in Fendi for Vogue Italia

Ethan James Green Captures 'We Are Family' Life-Loving Women in Fendi for Vogue Italia

Models Alva Claire, Ashley Graham, Jill Kortleve and Paloma Elsesser convened in September in Milan to be part of the Fendi show. The quartet then joined forces at a later date to discuss big and small conquests in the battle for body positivity, interviewed by Michele Fossi (IG) for Vogue Italia’s December 2020 issue.

Patti Wilson styles the four beauties in the ‘We Are Family’ Fendi tribute for images by Ethan James Green.(IG). Hair by Jimmy Paul; makeup by Dick Page

Adut Akech Blooms in Resort 2021 Images by Nadine Ijewere for British Vogue January

Adut Akech Blooms in Resort 2021 Images by Nadine Ijewere for British Vogue

Adut Akech delivers a jolt to our senses, in a sunburst celebration of optimistic summer days. Even the butterflies have survived in Nadine Ijewere’s resort 2021 fashion, styled by Poppy Kain for Vogue UK January 2021.

Pierpaolo Piccioli Was Woke Before Naming Zendaya As New Brand Face

‘Euphoria’ star Zendaya has joined the Valentino stable of celebs and voices representing the brand. The star shared the news, saying that she is “honoured to have been chosen as the face of Valentino,” and “so excited to begin this amazing collaboration with Pierpaolo and the entire Valentino family.”.

WWD delivered the message that Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli wants “to make the brand more in sync with the times and more inclusive, while maintaining its storied codes.”

From his perspective, Piccioli wants “to resignify the brand and how it is generally perceived. It’s like a different take on a familiar landscape.” Zendaya “embodies and represents what Valentino is and stands for today,” Piccioli explained to the press. “She is a powerful and fierce young woman that uses her talent and her work to express herself, her values and her generation as well.”

As an actor, the recent Emmy Awards youngest winner of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Zendaya’s role in ‘Euphoria’, joined Viola Davis as only the second Black female actor to win an Emmy in the high-profile category.

Valentino Isn’t New to Supporting Black Creatives and Culture

Valentino haute couture, spring 2019.Credit...Valerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times

Valentino and Piccioli are walking a needlessly treacherous balance beam in AOC’s opinion.

Perhaps because we follow the fashion industry so closely, we know Valentino and Piccioli himself have existing credentials in their support of Black creatives and models. I would have positioned that existing pedigree as part of their new announcement about Zendaya.

Piccioli’s relationship with Black models is at the top of luxury fashion houses. In his spectacular January 2019 couture show, the creative director and designer featured a dominating majority Black models extravaganza, reflecting a historic commitment to Black model representation. Vanessa Friedman reported that of 65 models, 45 were Black.

“As a designer I have a voice,” Piccioli said in the moment. “Hopefully a loud one. I want to use it.”

Fine — we are accustomed to marketing manipulation — but when Roberta Flack’s ‘The First Time’ hit the runway, tears welled up in more than one set of fashionista eyes. The beauty of the January 2019 moment existed in the reality that Pierpaolo Piccioli’s gesture was not tokenistic.

Joining Naomi Campbell were Aaliyah Hydes, Adut Akech, Ajak Deng, Akiima, Alek Wek, Alyssa Traore, Annibelis Baez, Anyelina Rosa, Assa Baradji, Ayak Veronica Bior, Blesnya Minher, Duckie Thot, Eftagine Fevilien, Grace Bol, Hannah Shakespeare, Hiandra Martinez, Janaye Furman, Judy Kinuthia, Karly Loyce, Litza Velloz, Lineisy Fatou Liya Kebede, Jobe, Lisette Moriello, Mayowa Nicholas, Miqueal-Simone Williams, Montero, Naomi Chin Wing, Nichole Atiero, Rouguy Faye, Niko Riam, Nyara Aboja, Saba Koj, Sana Diouf, Selena Forrest, Shanelle Nyasiase, Sompra Antonio, Tami Williams, Ugbad Abai, and Veronica Cabral.

Valentino’s Moncler Collab with Liya Kebede

Image courtesy Moncler.

Pierpaolo Piccioli’s collaboration with Lemlem’s founder Liya Kebede on puffer gowns for Moncler also comes to mind. Kebede’s Ethiopian artisans created colorful borders on the gowns, like those found on the ‘habesha kemis’ traditional Ethiopian dress.

AOC’s only point is that there’s no need for Valentino to communicate a message that’s it’s a luxury brand jumping on the Black representation bandwagon.

Valentino was ‘woke’ on this issue before most other luxury brands. They don’t deserve an award for being among the first to take a leadership position around Black beauty and creativity. But Valentino could have celebrated their ongoing commitment to racial justice and Black representation by announcing Zendaya as a next step in this long-overdue journey.

It would be like Anne of Carversville announcing our commitment to Black models, when we’ve been fighting for them for a decade. Nobody deserves a bow on this issue, but Valentino is not new to this long-overdue party. It didn’t take a summer of widespread protest and discontent to prompt Valentino to action. Nor did it take embarrassing condemnation from Black leaders and racial justice activists pointing out the obvious racism in their product offerings — as experienced by Gucci and Prada. ~ Anne

Maty Fall in Dior's 'Impressions of Puglia' Cruise 2021 lensed by Arianna Lago

Maty Fall in Dior's 'Impressions of Puglia' Cruise 2021 lensed by Arianna Lago

Rising star Maty Fall Diba is styled by Jessica Diehl in ‘Impressions of Puglia’, a dreamy and reverenced look at Dior’s Cruise 2021 Campaign. Photographer Arianna Lago (IG) captures the head-to-toe beauty of the rising IMG star both closed out Dior’s Cruise 2021 show in Puglia — and sparked a racial identity debate in Italy just by being Maty.

Rianne Van Rompaey by Hedi Slimane for Celine Spring 2021 Campaign

Rianne Van Rompaey by Hedi Slimane for Celine Spring 2021 Campaign

Rianne Van Rompaey fronts Celine’s Spring 2021 Campaign, lensed in St. Tropez by Creative Director Hedi Slimane. (IG)

Nadine Ijewere Captures Vogue US December's Ode to Glorious Aunties

Nadine Ijewere Captures Vogue US December's Ode to Glorious Aunties

The December 2020 issue of American Vogue brings a delicious visual and historical narrative fashion story to its pages. Titled ‘Family Values: An Ode to Aunties and Their Inimitable Sense of Style’, the new fashion images including models Adut Akech, Akon Changkou, Ariish Wol, Kesewa Aboah and Maty Fall are styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.

London-born photographer Nadine Ijewere, of Nigerian-Jamaican parentage, is behind the lens. Her Nigerian ancestry is relevant because writer Alexis Okewo sets the stage for a discussion on aunties based on her own experience growing up in Alabama’s Nigerian community.

Mona Tougaard Beauty by Oliver Hadlee Pearch for Vogue Italia November 2020

Mona Tougaard Beauty by Oliver Hadlee Pearch for Vogue Italia November 2020

Rising beauty Mona Tougaard is styled by Emilie Kareh in beauty looks lensed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch for Vogue Italia November 2020./ Hair by Cyndia Harvey; makeup by Thomas De Kluyver

Adut Akech's Ruffle Romance by Charles Dennington for Zimmermann Resort 2021

Adut Akech's Ruffle Romance by Charles Dennington for Zimmermann Resort 2021

Top model Adut Akech fronts Zimmermann’s Resort 2021 ready-to-wear campaign, posing in vaca looks styled by Romy Frydman. Photographer Charles Dennington is behind the lens, capturing the ruffles-abundant, ‘Lovestruck’ collection of romantic getaway dresses./ Hair by Renya Xydis; makeup by Linda Jeffreyes

Kaia Gerber by Craig McDean in Madcap Utilitarian Style for Vogue China

Kaia Gerber by Craig McDean in Madcap Utilitarian Style for Vogue China

Top model Kaia Gerber covers the December 2020 issue of Vogue China. Daniela Paudice styles Kaia in colorful, sporty, voluminous, utilitarian looks lensed by Craig McDean.

With LVMH-Tiffany Marriage Solid, Will "Diamonds and Gold" Really Be "Our Favorite Things?"

With LVMH-Tiffany Marriage Solid, Will "Diamonds and Gold" Really Be "Our Favorite Things"

Tiffany & Co releases its Holiday 2020 campaign days after reaching a final agreement with LVMH and chairman Bernard Arnault to join the luxury market kingpin’s family. Patti Wilson styles a model quintet including Binx Walton, Cameron Russell, Freja Beha Erichsen, Julia Nobis, and Mayowa Nicholas.

Craig McDean is behind the lens making festive images in support of Tiffany’s pronouncement: “Diamonds and gold, bracelets and rings, these are our favorite things.”

Rianne Van Rompaey by Mikael Jansson in ‘La Bohéme’ for Vogue Paris November 2020

Rianne Van Rompaey by Mikael Jansson in ‘La Bohéme’ for Vogue Paris November 2020

Top model and Emmanuelle Alt favorite Rianne van Rompaey is styled by the EIC in vintage-looking, hippie fashion straight out of Age of Acquarius. Photographer Mikael Jansson captures ‘La Bohéme’ for Vogue Paris November 2020. Let the sun shine in.

Prada Resort 2020: Steven Meisel Adapts Candice Carty-Williams 'A Stranger Calls'

Prada Resort 2020: Steven Meisel Adapts Candice Carty-Williams 'A Stranger Calls'

Fashion die-hard Prada and Steven Meisel fans are orgasmic with the return of the photographer — who photographed Prada from 2001 to 2016 — to the iconic brand’s Holiday 2020 campaign. The images, captured remotely by Meisel, who lives in New York City, embrace the stunning Deco Villa Gnutti in Italy’s Brescia, Lombardi region.

Meisel shares the limelight with another creator, British writer Candice Carty-Williams, best known for her 2019 best-selling debut novel, “Queenie.” Titled ‘A Stranger Calls’, the story features Freja Beha Erichsen, Mao Xiaoxing, Maty Fall Diba, Merlijne Schorren, and Rudolfs Valberg.

Bella Hadid in 'All The Feeling' by Christian MacDonald for Vogue US November 2020

Bella Hadid in 'All The Feeling' by Christian MacDonald for Vogue US November 2020

Bella Hadid fashion story is short, but definitely one showing an acquired range of poses and attitude. Tonne Goodman styles Bella in ‘All The Feeling’, lensed by Christian MacDonald (IG) for Vogue US November 2020. Hair by Shay Ashual; makeup by Dick Page

Brynn Heminway Launches 'Display Copy' Style Only for Upcycled + Vintage Designs

Brynn Heminway Launches 'Display Copy' Style Only for Upcycled + Vintage Designs

A new limited-edition print magazine and fashion platform ‘Display Copy’ is not fooling around on the global imperative of sustainability. “Display Copy is a new fashion magazine that doesn’t feature a single new fashion item,” says founder and Editor-in-Chief Brynn Heminway. “Display Copy isn’t about promoting new products, it’s about loving what we already have and seeking out novelty and style in what already exists. We promote reuse by showcasing the thrifted, the found, the recycled, and the upcycled.”

In 2015, the fashion industry churned out 100 billion articles of clothing, doubling production from 2000, far outpacing global population growth. In that same period, we’ve stopped treating our clothes as durable, long-term purchases. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has found that clothing utilization, or how often we wear our clothes, has dropped by 36% over the past decade and a half, and many of us wear clothes only 7 to 10 times before it ends up in a landfill. Studies show that we only really wear 20% of our overflowing closets.

Consume less is probably the best message for the planet, but it presents a gut punch to global business markets already really in COVID-world. Clearly, any flip-the-switch strategy can accelerate an already precarious global business market.

AOC shares the ‘About’ page on Display Copy’s’ website. Their declarations are one of the clearest mission statements around.

Rising model/media voice Paloma Elsesser gets the fashion scene started, styled by Beth Fenton in ‘Body Electric.’ Daniel Jackson is behind the lens with Brynn Heminway as creative director. See all the product credits at Display Copy and SHOP with a clear conscience. Hair by Recine; makeup by Frank B.