Maggie Q At Home in LA by David Urbanke for L'Officiel Italia Fall 2022

Maggie Q At Home in LA by David Urbanke for L'Officiel Italia Fall 2022

NYC and LA-based photographer David Urbanke [IG] photographed actor MaggieQ at her home in Los Angeles for L’Officiel Italia’s Fall 2022 cover.

The actor wears Italian label Loro Piana’s knit top and skirt on the cover, styled by Gaultier Desandre Navarre with fashion direction by Giulio Martinelli. The fashion brands are about 50/50 sustainable and ethical v those with few credentials.

One of MaggieQ’s favorite business projects is Qeep Up, her collection of sustainable and recycled activewear and swimwear. In her own words on the Qeep Up Nation website: “QEEP UP™ is the premier activewear line for the eco-warrior woman. Made entirely of recycled fibers, QEEP UP™ takes a stand for the planet without sacrificing style or performance.”

We aren’t yet qualified with sufficient knowledge to test the promises of brands claiming to be fully-sustainable. Workout clothes made of recycled plastics do still release microplastics, for example.

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Karmen Pedaru at BLESS Hotel Madrid by Vladimir Martí for Harper's Bazaar Spain September

Karmen Pedaru at BLESS Hotel Madrid by Vladimir Martí for Harper's Bazaar Spain September

Top model Karmen Pedaru takes us to the BLESS Hotel Madrid [IG], styled by Beatriz Moreno de la Cova in a late summer fashion story heavy on glamour. Photographer Vladimir Martí [IG] is behind the lens for Harper’s Bazaar Spain’s September 2022 issue

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Dazed Magazine's Reflection on Race, Identity and Culture 'In the Minds Eye' Autumn 2022

Dazed Magazine's Reflection on Race, Identity and Culture 'In the Minds Eye'  Autumn 2022

Models Asha Yusuf, Chi Linh Pham, David Ikuepamitan, Emmanuel Adjaye, Gai, Khadim Thiam, Jacob Adolpho, Talib are styled by Ibrahim Kamara for ‘In the Mind’s Eye’. Jack Davison [IG] is behind the lens for Dazed Magazine’s Autumn 2022 issue./ Hair by Mari Ohashi; makeup by Hiromi Ueda

Based on a comment on his IG, this is the first time that Davison and Kamara collaborated together.

The VERY conceptual story deals with race, culture, identity and the people in our orbit. Study the images carefully to understand the true meaning of this 5-star visualization of a modern age in which we also can change evolve our understandings of race, status and human interaction through technology.

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Ralph Lauren Polo Originals Fall 2022 Classics for Woke Humans by Richard Phibbs

Ralph Lauren Polo Originals Fall 2022 Classics for Woke Humans by Richard Phibbs

A breeze is blowing through fashion collections and marketing as humans adjust to pre-pandemic life. Not that reality is faraway, mind you, or that a decade of streetwear’s dominance is over.

Coincidentally, posting images of the just launched on September 15 Polo Originals collection by Ralph Lauren comes on the heels of sharing incredibly-glamorous images of the spring 2023 glamorous Schiaparelli collection.

I can imagine critics calling the Ralph Lauren Polo Originals campaign a celebration of robber baron wealth. Photographer Richard Phibbs [IG] made harmonious artistry out of these images starring Hamid Onifade, Hugh Laughton-Scott, Kit Butler, Rishi Robin.

To me, I see a modern, honoring nod to traditions and classics — to wellmade clothes that are designed to last.

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Hakima Athuai Covers Mixte September 2022 Lensed by Petros in 'Garden of Eden'

Hakima Athuai Covers Mixte September 2022 Lensed by Petros in 'Garden of Eden'

Rising South Sudan model Hakima Athuai is styled by Brian Conway in ‘Garden of Eden’, lensed by Petros [IG] for Mixte Magazine September 2022./ Hair by Anna Cofone; makeup by Sandra Cooke

Mixte shares this image about the issue: “Between the revocation of the right to abortion in the United States and the acceleration of climate change, 2022 could seriously discourage us and amplify our feeling of powerlessness. However, true to its predictive abilities, fashion has been driving and motivating us since the year began to remind us of our ability to change things. It is the concept of empowerment that we have chosen to address and develop as a theme throughout this new fall-winter 2022/23 issue. In another way, this theme allows us to deal with self-assertion, independence, accomplishment, free will and creativity; and reminds us, as Montaigne said, that "true freedom is to have power over oneself for everything". ⁠

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Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Women's Collection Is Too Fabulous for Words

Schiaparelli Spring 2023 Women's Collection Is Too Fabulous for Words

Totally intrigued with fabulousness but also wondering just how Schiaparelli’s creative director Daniel Roseberry could keep the magic moving, there is deep appreciation this evening for the Schiaparelli Spring Summer 2023 ready-to-wear collection. It is drop-dead distinctive, arty sophistication fit for alluring, drama-loving, statement-making women with confidence, super smarts and backbone.

Did we say timeless without being boring? Surreally understated? A celebration of the human form?

“The past three years we’ve been building this reputation, this language through the couture and the red carpet,” the designer said about his time at Schiaparelli. “The next three will be about building the business side of it too.”

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Sadhbh and Cadhla O'Reilly in Menswear Suitings by Luca Bellumore in Amica Magazine

Sadhbh and Cadhla O'Reilly in Menswear Suitings by Luca Bellumore in Amica Magazine

Irish twins models Sadhbh and Cadhla O’Reilly are styled by Michela Buratti in the season’s menswear suitings from top luxury brands. Checks, houndstooth, and geometric patterns make a big impression in the often sedate world of men’s suitings.

Most important — yes, the twins did walk the Gucci show in Milan this week, one of 68 sets of twins - turned out by Alessandro Michele. The designer himself is the child of an identical twin. Mum Eralda and Mum Giuliana “shared a genetic solidarity but, above all, they shared an intimacy which was inaccessible to others,” the maverick human, who continues to inspire, wrote in his show notes.

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Pietro Hugo Captures 'Big Mood' Power Suits for Harper's Bazaar US September 2022

Pietro Hugo Captures 'Big Mood' Power Suits for Harper's Bazaar US September 2022

Models Elise Revett, Maike Inga and Suzi de Givenchy suit up in ‘Big Mood’, a wide range of menswer tailoring from utilitarian design to C-Suite power brokers. Stylist Samuel Drira chooses authoritative pieces from Balenciaga, Bolttega Veneta, Calvattera, Celine by Hedi Slimane, Charvet, Giorgia Armani, Hed Mayner, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Peter Do, Ralph Lauren Collection and more.

Pieter Hugo [IG] is behind the lens for Harper’s Bazaar US September 2022./ Hair by Anne Sofie Begtrup; makeup by Asami Kawai

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Lous and The Yakuza Covers Vogue France October 2022 by Anthony Seklaoui

Lous and The Yakuza Covers Vogue France October 2022 by Anthony Seklaoui

Marie-Pierra Kakoma, known professionally as Lous and the Yakuza, is a Congolese-Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter, model, and artist. The rising talent now adds cover star for Vogue France’s October 2022 issue to her growing list of titles.

The musical talent is styled by Vanessa Reid in glittering, futuristic fashion suitable for a 21st century muse. Fashion photographer Anthony Seklaoui [IG] is on the set.

The artist is a favorite of Louis Vuitton — and wears Vuitton on the cover and inside pages of her Vogue France cover story.

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Daniel Lee Becomes Burberry Creative Director As Riccardo Tisci Departs

Daniel Lee Becomes Burberry Creative Director As Riccardo Tisci Departs

Riccardo Tisci’s departure from Burberry is not unexpected — and none of the rumblings questions around Tisci’s design talent of vision. The question involved much more the continuation of his edgy and goth aesthetic at Burberry — the look that brought him great notoriety and success at Givenchy.

Most creatives and fashion writers don’t engage themselves in a brand’s financial performance. Loving a collection is all that counts. Choosing words that should not be misconstrued by readers, Vogue’s Sarah Mower queried the strategic wisdom of Tisci’s border-free, non-nationalistic points of view.”

When AOC looked at financial performance under Tisci’s Burberry, clearly the brand basically treaded water. For every new Burberry customer, the luxury brand lost an existing one.

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Gigi Hadid Dazzles New York in Self-Portrait SS-2023 Preview by Tyrone Lebon

Gigi Hadid Dazzles New York in Self-Portrait SS-2023 Preview by Tyrone Lebon

Supermodel Gigi Hadid returns to Self Portrait [IG], in its preview Spring-Summer 2023 campaign. Gigi looks more glamorous than ever, styled by Alex Harrington. British photographer Tyrone Lebon [IG] brought great creative chemistry with Hadid to the streets of New York, urban sensual-vibe images.

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Body Positivity: How Celebrities Are Reshaping The Discussion Around Weight

Body Positivity: How Celebrities Are Reshaping The Discussion Around Weight

It’s only in recent years that the fashion industry from designers to media have moved beyond tokenism into real change on the body shapes and sizes celebrated on fashion show runways, branded ad campaigns, online and print fashion editorials and in the all-important world of social media.

There is a lot of debate on what body positivity stands for, but at its core, it seeks to create an inclusive environment where all kinds of bodies feel accepted, regardless of appearance. Lately, influences online have been vital in keeping the movement trending. With social media, celebrity is no longer confined to glossy magazine pages or TV screens; a star's online presence has made them more accessible and influential.

Rather than focusing on going down a dress size, modern weight loss plans focus on holistic health and wellness. The focus is now on cultivating healthy habits, using advanced nutrition and behavioral science insights so that weight loss is sustainable.

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Paloma Elsesser Covers WSJ Magazine October 2022 by Angelo Pennetta

Paloma Elsesser Covers WSJ Magazine October 2022 by Angelo Pennetta

Top model Paloma Elsesser would love to be a poet, but there is the reality that she likes nice things. The next best lifestyle is to enjoy her life as a top model — which seems increasingly secure for the London-born daughter of an African-American mother and Chilean-Swiss father.

Elsesser grew up in Los Angeles, attending private school, before moving to New York and The New School to pursue psychology and literature. For money, Paloma waitressed at Jamaican restaurant Miss Lily’s.

Now a Brooklyn real-estate owner, Paloma, part of the IMG family, explains “. . . I’m not Malala. I’m just a [5.7” tall] model who’s a size 12” .

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Skims Drops Regal Cobalt Blue Ribbed Cotton Collection September 2022

Skims Drops Regal Cobalt Blue Ribbed Cotton Collection September 2022

Kim Kardashian’s Skims Collection rolls into fall with a superb cobalt blue color in its cotton rib colleciton. Kim nailed the shade, one the photographs stupendously. The hue looks rich and sophisticated, and very smart woman sexy. Donna Trope [IG] photographs the models in the September 2022 Skims campaign.

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Edie Campbell's Off Kilter Fall Style by Drew Vickers for d Magazine September 2022

Edie Campbell's Off Kilter Fall Style by Drew Vickers for d Magazine September 2022

Beloved top model Edie Campbell poses in a second major fall fashion overview called ‘Another Time’, styled by Isabelle Sayer. Photographer Drew Vickers is behind the lens for d’s The Fashion Issue’ edition September 24, 2022, the style magazine for d la Repubblica. / Makeup by Lucy Bridge; hair by Olivier Schwalder

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Hana Jirickova In 'J'aime la Plage' by Arran + Jules for Vogue Netherlands October 2022

Hana Jirickova In 'J'aime la Plage' by Arran + Jules for Vogue Netherlands October 2022

Top model Hana Jirickova wears her healthy sensuality in the October 2022 issue of Vogue Netherlands in a fashion story ‘J’aime la Plage’. Marian Nachmia styles Jirickova in images by Arran & Jules [IG] that remind us of the deceased Vogue Paris, now Vogue France.

With a right-wing battle for women’s bodies gaining steam across the world — not only America — it’s no time for fashion to go Miss Modesty, as Vogue France has done. Didn’t they tell us a few months ago that feminism is so over as an issue?

Given a right-wing win in Italy on Sunday — the first since Mussolini and a couple weeks ago also in Sweden, and with America’s midterms a tossup in our post-Roe world — “controlling women’s bodies” is a high-priority in Europe and America.

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