Louise De Chevigny in 'The Big Easy' by Giampaolo Sgura for Sunday Times Style UK

Louise De Chevigny in 'The Big Easy' by Giampaolo Sgura for Sunday Times Style UK AOC Fashion

French model Louise De Chevigny covered the January 2, 2022 issue of Sunday Times Style Magazine UK. Verity Parker styles the model, who is a close friend of the house of Chanel, in ‘The Big Easy’, lensed by Giampaolo Sgura [IG]. / Hair by Franco Gobbi; makeup by Cosetta Giorgietti

Gigi Hadid Is Airborne in V#134, Mario Sorrenti's Fearless Gigi Sequel for V Magazine

Fearless Gigi Is Airborne in V#134, Mario Sorrenti's Part Two of Hadid for V Magazine AOC Fashion

Supermodel Gigi Hadid extends her special Contributing Editor relationship with V Magazine, soaring onto the cover of issue V134 Spring 2022. V brings together the original team behind Fearless Gigi Part One in V 114 [2018], with Hadid herself suggesting that they take a true ‘Leap of Faith’ by shooting the story flying-trapeze style on a rooftop near Manhattan’s West Side Highway.

AOC notes that Serena Williams interviewed Gigi in the first V114 Fearless Gigi story.

Related: First Look: Gigi Hadid By Mario Sorrenti For V Magazine #114 w/Interview By Serena Williams AOC Fashion

Back to the flying trapeze proposal, master photographer Mario Sorrenti [IG] was game, as was stylist George Cortina. Hairstylist Bob Recine was onboard, along with IMG’s Luiz Mattos. Diane Kendal was on makeup and Mathias Rosenweig edits the text, based on Hadid’s interview of the ORIGINAL players: Sorrenti, Cortina, Recine and Mattos.

The result is a high-bar fashion story with Gigi wearing clothes from Balenciaga, Burberry by Riccardo Tisci, Coperni, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello and more.

Let’s not forget the Balenciaga heels Cortina choose to elevate the already impressive badass persona Hadid had embraced in suggesting the aerial fashion flight in the first place.

AOC imagines that multiple creatives working in New York can relate to Gigi’s own breakout desire to go aerial and original in the fashion shoot.

It’s not often that the model in a photo shoot interviews the remaining members of the ensemble. But Gigi Hadid has always been focused on being the center of a larger storytelling narrative. In her own words:

I wanted to interview everyone who was a part of this team so that the people reading it who want to be a part of the photo process, but not necessarily a model, get some perspective. When you do a shoot like this, what kind of expectations do you have, and then how have you learned to let loose and go with the flow? Because on a shoot like this, we’re at a trapeze-training facility on top of a building on the West Side Highway and you have to get the shot in. I went up there less than 10 times and you had, at most, under a minute.

When asked about his initial reaction to Hadid’s flying trapeze idea, Mario Sorrenti responded: “Well, you know me. I was like, “Oh my God, can she do it? It’s so dangerous.” I’m always worried about your safety first. And then I thought, “Well, she’s pretty badass, and she killed it when we did the jet ski, so let’s try it.”

AOC believes that Sorrenti actually quietly checked his insurance policy next, but let’s keep that part under wraps. What’s with that standard “reckless endangerment” clause, Mario?

Read on at V Magazine, clearly in breakout mode to start 2022. Goddess knows we need the adrenalin jumpstart, so thanks for this creative New Years gift.

Ida Heiner In Poetic Images for My Magazine

 Ida Heiner In Poetic Images for My Magazine

On our way to a different post, AOC backed up our roadster to Denmark’s My Magazine’s October 2021 issue. Being a good fashion neighbor, we gave a lift to the lovely Ida Heiner, who radiated pure beauty and grace wearing Acne Studios, Jil Sander, Louis Vuitton and more in My Magazine, shot in Portugal.

Read More

The North Face X Gucci Quietly Drops Big a Second Time to Lead 2022 Collaborations

The North Face X Gucci Quietly Drops Big a Second Time to Lead 2022 Collaborations AOC Fashion

The North Face X Gucci doubles down on a BIG New Year’s launch of chapter two of their collaboration. We say that emphasis has shifted from fashion runway camp patterns and global tribe explorers with good hearts in last year’s January debut to closeup images of practical technical gear that means business for 2022.

As more than one blogger has pointed out, no one is seriously mountaineering Tibet’s Everest North Face or Cho Oyu in these clothes. But there is a serious performance attitude in the pieces and accessories that creates a different energy and seriousness from the first drop. AOC loves the closeup shots, and we are always suckers for flowers.

Kudos to French photography duo, twin brothers Jalan and Jibril Durimel, [IG], who shot the campaign in Iceland. Born in Paris to parents from the island of Guadeloupe, at the age of 4 they moved to Miami where they first jumped into the waters of American culture.

Africa Perez by Laurence De Rien for Marie Claire Hong Kong December 2021

Africa Perez by Laurence De Rien for Marie Claire Hong Kong December 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Africa Perez is styled by Raquel Trejo in ‘One Day in Madrid’. Photographer Laurence De Rien [IG] captures Africa for Marie Claire Hong Kong December 2021./ Makeup and hair by Sofia Rubinstein

Mica Argañaraz in Vogue Ukraine by Pierre et Gilles and Fauasto Elizalde

Mica Argañaraz in Vogue Ukraine by Pierre et Gilles and Fauasto Elizalde

Top model Mica Argañaraz covers the December 2021-January 2022 issue of Vogue Ukraine. Above, Mica is shot by Pierre et Gilles [IG] with styling by Helena Tejedor./ Hair by Ramona Eschbach; makeup by Helene Vasnier

Above is an image from the fashion story shot by Fauasto Elizalde [IG] ‘Mermaid Diary’ with the same styling, hair and makeup team.

Read More

Zinnia Kumar Covers Vogue India January 2022 'Reset' Issue by Daniel Jackson

Zinnia Kumar Covers Vogue India January 2022 'Reset' Issue by Daniel Jackson AOC Fashion

In the Vogue India cover story, Akanksha Kamath describes Zinnia Kumar as “the perfect muse for British-Indian designer Supriya Lele's brave clothes that inhabit a delicate view of a new India.” Delicate is an understatement for the “sinuous sheer pieces that wrap across the body, revealing hip, bone, curve and crevice. . . “

In choosing the “slinkiest” pieces from her LFW spring/summer 2022 collection, Lele acknowledges their sensuality and focus on the female gaze, but the designer emphasizes that Zinnia Kumar “embodies the essence of what I am trying to say with my brand.”

The designer returns to India twice a year to work with new creatives each time. “What’s happening in India right now is so exciting. There are creatives and artists breaking rules and doing incredible things that aren’t on the global map just yet,” she says, having wrapped up a collaboration with Delhi- based photographer Sohrab Hura for her spring/summer 2022 campaign.

GUCCI X The North Face Launches with Camp Design Happy Colors, Patterns

GUCCI X The North Face Launches with Camp Design Happy Colors, Patterns AOC Fashion

GUCCI X THE NORTH FACE has landed, with a visual emphasis on Gucci. Experts will look under the hood of this magic backpack ride to understand the less obvious North Face performance -gear qualities of the camp-fashion garments.

The Gucci-color palette is packed with vivid colors and whimsy galore, a design vision that makes the collection distinctly runway-friendly. Does the collab project performance? Not really. It’s Gucci-camp style all the way — which is probably fantastic — or maybe not. Buyers with high-value credit cards will write the sales success element of this story.

The campaign and lookbook images were shot in The Alps by Daniel Shea [IG], with creative direction by Alessandro Michele and art direction by Christopher Simmonds.

Naomi Campbell, Adut Akech Grace Vogue Italia January 2022 by Tyler Mitchell

Naomi Campbell, Adut Akech Grace Vogue Italia January 2022 by Tyler Mitchell AOC Fashion

Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Adut Akech are styled by Carlos Nazario in images by Tyler Mitchell for Vogue Italia January 2022./ Makeup by Daniel Sallstrom; hair by Jawara

Actor Alicia Vikander Dazzles in Louis Vuitton by David Roemer for Madame Figaro

Actor Alicia Vikander Dazzles in Louis Vuitton by David Roemer for Madame Figaro AOC Jewelry News

“She’s very regal but approachable,” said Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton’s chief executive officer, speaking with WWD this summer about the luxury brand’s first high jewelry campaign. Actor Alicia Vikander, who has worked with Louis Vuitton womenswear and accessories for five years and is a brand ambassador, fronted the ‘Bravery High’ campaign,

Burke pointed to Vikander’s training as a classical dancer, stressing that body movement is key for showcasing luxury jewelry. “There’s a return to jewelry that’s sensual,” Burke added, emphasizing the idea that jewelry worn on the skin — rather than in the hair, for example — takes on a “whole new sensuality.”

Against this info backdrop, Alicia Vikander is styled by Cecile Martin in Louis Vuitton luxury lensed by David Roemer [IG] for the December 31, 2021 issue of Madame Figaro.

Adut, Hailey & Co Are Young Aristocrats in Victoria's Secret 'Heritage Toile' Campaign

Adut, Hailey & Co Are Young Aristocrats in Victoria's Secret 'Heritage Toile' Campaign

Top models Adut Akech, Hailey Bieber, Paloma Elsesser and Taylor Hill pose in Victoria’s Secret’s Holiday 2021 ‘Heritage Toile’ campaign. “An ode to both our present and past. This classic collection won’t be the last. What will you be wearing if not toile, florals, and lace? Slip into extravagance and prepare to escape,” Victoria’s Secret shares.

Photographer Zoey Grossman [IG] captures the young aristocrats in lingerie elegance that is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift if Santa was running late.

Read More

Emily Ratajowski by Sean Thomas in 'Just One Thing' for Vogue US January 2022

Emily Ratajowski by Sean Thomas in 'Just One Thing' for Vogue US January 2022 AOC Fashion

Actor, model, writer and fashion entrepreneur and self-identified feminist Emily Ratajkowski poses in ‘Just One Thing’, a visually interesting, style-informed, and focused fashion story about a leather jacket.

It’s not easy when you’re a leather jacket to hold your own with Emily Ratajkowski, styled by Tabitha Simmons. Photographer Sean Thomas [IG] brings it all together for the January 2022 issue of American Vogue. /Hair by Christopher Naselli; makeup by Gucci Westman

There’s much to learn from an artistic standpoint in a real-world fashion story that demands product shots. Well done.

Quannah Chasinghorse on PROTECTING Indigenous People for Net-a-Porter December 27, 2021

Quannah Chasinghorse on PROTECTING Indigenous People for Net-a-Porter December 27, 2021

“To have a dimensional being like her open and close a show for the first time at a Gabriela Hearst collection is an honor – a small stepping stone to a magnificent trajectory,” Hearst told Porter Magazine’s Gillian Brett in Monday’s interview ‘New Horizons With Quannah Chasinghorse’. Herin Choi styles Chasinghorse in what we know are sustainable looks from Gabriela Hearst and Chloe, lensed by Camila Falquez [IG].

Brooklyn-based designer Lauren Manoogian’s knitwear is ethically crafted in Peru; Casaola’s knitwear is produced locally in Italy from considered materials with a fully traceable supply chain. Amsterdam-based CAES is very prominent in the slow, sustainable fashion movement. Stella McCartney is absolutely sustainable. Net-a-Porter isn’t promoting the sustainability credentials and links to certain fashion pieces are not in Net Sustain.

Read More

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Blazing Sexy Images in Lui Magazine June 2015

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Blazing Sexy Images in Lui Magazine June 2015 AOC Body

AOC updates Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s June 2015 fashion shoot for Lui Magazine, swapping out larger images from our original post. These stunning images remind us that Luigi & Iango are among an elite group of photographers who truly understand female sexuality. To say that Rosie sizzles while maintaining a human connection in these images is an understatement.

This sexy fashion story broke after Rosie had a totally non-glam role in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ into this smashing set of images styled by Deborah Afshani. Rosie kept all the bases covered, wearing a transparent raincoat, topless swimsuit and red lips from makeup artist Georgi Sandev.

'When No One Is Watching' by Palma Llopis and Lotte Thor for Schön! Magazine Online

'When No One Is Watching' by Palma Llopis and Lotte Thor for Schön! Magazine Online AOC Fashion

Model Amra Novak appears in ‘When No One Is Watching’, an online editorial for Schön! Magazine December 2021, lensed by photographers duo Palma Llopis [IG] and Lotte Thor [IG]. Olive Duran styles Novak in Balenciaga, Kenzo, Tom Ford and more./ Hair and make up by Naomzz

Schön! asks a question that AOC struggles with: What do we do when no one sees us? Do we allow ourselves to satisfy our darkest and most unspeakable desires? What if someone turns on the light and catches us? We all have a strictly private and intimate dark side, so there’s no shame in that..

James Webb Travels A Million Miles Into Deep Space, Fired Up by Jean Baptiste-Mondino for Numero

Models Lydia Kloos and Dija Kallon turned their February 2021 fashion eyes into the FUTUR, anticipating the 10-months away, Christmas Day 2021 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. Praying that she flies through the universe at epic speed as planned, Lydia and Dija were styled by Babeth Dijan in graphic, bold-colors loves from Europe’s biggest fashion houses for ‘Galactic’.

As we review our photographer archives for missing stories that AOC didn’t post in 2021 [Yes, AOC does do that], we couldn’t resist ‘Galactic’, lensed by Jean Baptiste-Mondino.

FLAWLESS PERFORMANCE REQUIRED

The fashion and beauty industries have an obsession with fixing women by making us flawless Buttons can be reattached, a broken-open seam re-stitched; a pimple zapped into inert skin rubble in an hour.

Not so for the James Webb where NOTHING — not the smallest issue that would require a human intervention like fixes on the international space station require all the time — can go wrong.

Having accidentally fallen in love with this year-old Numero editorial, we take this old-news fashion moment to share the great now news that James Webb left Earth on Christmas Day, flying atop an Ariane 5 rocket that lifted off from a spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Led by the Americans, the James Webb is an international collective effort of many nations to understand our origins. AOC is obsessed forever about the origin of our universe and the rise of humanity out of Africa and across our vast and endangered planet Earth.

NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED

NASA’s long-delayed $10 billion flying machine is now on its way, carrying the hopes and dreams of countless astronomers, astrophysicists, planetary scientists and ordinary people like Anne Enke into the final frontier.

Now we have our first fabulous good news about James Webb. On Sunday, while millions of humans were napping away Saturday’s Christmas Dinner, she successfully deployed a critical antenna in her first post-launch must-do.

The space telescope unfolded what scientists call a “gimbaled antenna assembly” that carries the high-rate data dish responsible for beaming Webb's observations of the early universe back to Earth.

"This antenna will be used to send at least 28.6 Gbytes of science data down from the observatory, twice a day," NASA officials wrote in a mission update. "The team has now released and tested the motion of the antenna assembly — the entire process took about one hour."

The James Webb is traveling back in time, set to broadcast information about “the universe's first stars and galaxies, sniff the atmospheres of nearby alien planets and perform a variety of other high-profile, high-impact work over the next five to 10 years, if all goes according to plan. “

FLAWLESS FOR REAL

Webb cannot get a pimple on her gorgeous face. Not a hair can fly out of place — or the entire mission collapses.

Unlike Kim K’s beloved SKIMS or Estee Lauder’s ‘Night Repair’, James Webb cannot be fixed with manual human intervention. She has been created by humans and a whole lot of technology — but now James Webb must fly and function flawlessly on her own, until she dies.

I beg you fashion and beauty people. Could we please stop trying to make women flawless and reserve the word ‘flawless’ for human achievements like the James Web Space Telescope? Not EVERY ultimate human achievement word needs to be on a bottle or buried in Spandex. [No offense intended, Kim. I love your SKIMS and don’t think you use that word ‘Flaws’, but I will check.]

Goddess speed, James Webb. AOC truly hopes that you succeed in telling us unimaginable scientific facts about our universe. Half the American people will say you are fake news, but we will broadcast every divine detail about your discoveries.

Sending love to an incredible flying machine carrying decades of human hopes onboard and total awe over what you might teach us about ourselves. Buckle up everyone. This could be the most amazing ride ever on planet Earth. And SHE needs a lot of help right now. ~ Anne

Related: Learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope