The Cardinal who originally built Villa d’Este in 1568 with architect Pellegrino Tibaldi — home of Chanel’s recent Resort 2025/26 show was Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. The Cardinal was a self-made man by all reports, a thinker deeply influenced by the movement AOC continually calls out, thanks to Brunello Cucinelli. The philosophy is called ‘humanism’ and even ‘Christian humanism’.
As AOC noted in Anne’s recent post examining the religious views of the controversial US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his embrace of Christian Nationalism and the Crusades, Arab world universities were instrumental in translating and preserving ancient Greek and Roman texts, which would later be transmitted to Europe and spur on the Renaissance.
Anne of Carversville works really hard to find new twists and turns in historical stories for which we believe we have the facts. The role of the Arab world in intellectual discussion and debate about Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and more in Europe’s most valued and prominent universities in the early Renaissance is one of those stories.
Amelia Gray covers the May 2025 issue of Vogue Arabia [IG] wearing Saint Laurent on the cover below and Cartier above. Stylist Jessica Willis adds Bottega Veneta, Chloe, Ferragamo, Gucci, Khaite, Maison Alaia, Proenza Schouler and jewelry from Tiffany & Co and Sophie Buhai to the fashion story lensed by Zoey Grossman [IG]./ Hair by Tiago Goya; makeup by Michael Bosch
Daphne Groeneveld once again brings her major modeling talents to Numéro Switzerland’s Surreal Issue, March 2025. With two covers and a fashion story celebrating designer Christian Siriano[IG], Ayumi Perry styles Daphne and models Brandon Good and Hunter Warr. Photographer Petros Kouiouris [IG] captures the ensemble in chill images with a subversive vibe.
Brazilian model Anita Pozzo is styled by Charlie Harrington in Balenciaga, Maison Valentino, Miu Miu and more for a lovely fashion story ‘Sing the Body Electric’.
Photographer Agata Pospieszynska [IG] captures the breeze and Pozzo, as well, for Harper’s Bazaar UK [IG] May 2025 ./ Hair by Declan Sheils; makeup by Liz Pugh
Rising Australian model Stella Hanan takes a digital cover for the May 2025 issue of Harper’s Bazaar France [IG]. Robbie Spencer styles the fashion story ‘Libre Comme L’air, with images by Oliver Hadlee Pearch [IG].
Daniel Roseberry, creative director of Schiaparelli [IG] just delivered one of the most scorching luxury brand campaigns in the last decade. It’s very Versace in spirit and Vogue Paris [France] under Carine Roitfeld. The campaign doesn’t rely on a secondary theme — two guys and one woman, for example, with a strong sensual undercurrent.
British model Bibi Breslin carries this stunning show all by herself, styled by Malina Joseph Gilchrist in images by Drew Vickers [IG]. Bibi is a very versatile model, fresh off a gorgeous Ralph Lauren campaign and Tom Ford Fragrance.
Today we find Kruger covering the April 25, 2025 issue of Madame Figaro [IG], where the actor has just finished filming the six episodes of ‘Merteuil’, by Jessica Palud, freely adapted from ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ [1988], which was adapted from ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ [1959], directed by Roger Vadim.
Kruger is styled by Barbara Baumel in images by Thiemo Sander [IG].
Kruger plays Madame de Rosemonde, in the ‘Merteuil’ series, and here we share synchronicity. Just today I wrote about the ancient, global history of courtesans, inspired by a Louboutin Beauty campaign with Daphne Groeneveld.
Her character excels in the art of seduction, Kruger explains. “But she uses her beauty for the sole purpose of being the equal of men, or even their superior. She is a strategist and a manipulator determined not to be locked up in the shackles of the patriarchal society of the time.”
American actor Jon Gries, presently playing the role of Greg on ‘The White Lotus’, has gone bananas in the new Jacquemus [IG] campaign, inspired by the color yellow.
Cheekily titled ‘GOING BANANAS FOR JON’, Jacquemus is being subversive but in such a delightful way to celbrate its new flagship store in LA.
Located at 8804 Melrose Avenue, on the corner of Robertson Boulevard, the flagship celebrates the beloved, south-of-France-inspired Jacquemus ethos.
AOC recalls Pharrell Williams trying to park his Tesla cybertruck in front of the Louis Vuitton store in Miami in January 2024 and failed. The moment was only the beginning of Tesla’s problems.
Jacquemus took a much simpler route for a grand-entrance vehicle in LA. Check it out.
Today we return to Mesopotamia, asking about the rise of courtesans. Was it a worldwide role for select women, a role crossing many different global cultures but with compatible definitions?
In Mesopotamia Temple priestesses, often referred to as "sacred prostitutes," were involved in religious rites, highlighting a blend of the sacred and the secular that involved sexual service as part of worship. . . These practices are mentioned in the Code of Hammurabi, which provides one of the earliest written references to women who engaged in such roles.
In Greece The concept of the courtesan emerged more distinctly in Greece. . . In India Ancient texts in India also offer early textual evidence of courtesans, with references in ancient texts such as the Arthashastra and the Kamasutra . . . In China The origins of courtesans can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from approximately 1046 to 256 BC . . . In Italy The origins of courtesanship can be traced back to a complex interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors that emerged during the Renaissance.
In America Yes, there is a record of courtesans in America. But AOC needs to catch up with the facts. After reading about white women courtesans in urban cities like New York and Chicago, we queried the story in New Orleans.
The findings were borderline extraordinary, and we will explain in our next deep dive into red lips women.
The commercial alliance covers women, men, kids and home categories and represents the first time the artist has affiliated herself in a commercial venture.
In these Zara campaign images, models Chu Wong and David Yang are lensed by Chris Rhodes [IG] in Yangshuo, Builin [China], considered among the most beautiful locations in China.
Fanglu Lin is known for her commitment to preserving and reinterpreting traditional textile craftsmanship through the ‘female’ [‘feminist’] eye and goddesses, especially Gaia.
Honoring the Yunnan-based Bai Minority
Lin’s artwork, ‘SHE’ [2016], spotlighting the sewing traditions of women from the Yunnan-based Bai minority ethnic group in China, earned Fanglu Lin first prize and a €50,000 purse in the Loewe Foundation’s Craft Prize 2021.
Zara is firing on all cylinders with this 5-stars collaboration. Learn more about it and Fanglu Lin’s artistry.
The dandies of next week’s Met Gala have reached out to all the fine ladies including Ajok Daing, Dara Gueye, Maty Fall, Nyaduola Gabriel and Sunira Da Silva for this Vogue US May 2025 photoshoot lensed by Malick Bodian [IG] and styled by IB Kamara. Malick also appears as a model./ Hair by Virginie Moreira; makeup by Ammy Drammeh
Eveningwear is on the menu for the fashion story largely styled in hues of blue.
Twenty years into her model and businesswoman career, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is more successful than ever.
In today's April 27th issue of The Sunday Times Style Magazine UK [IG], Rosie is styled by Sophie Ozra Cloarec in a lot of Burberry, Cartier, Dries Van Noten, Loewe, Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Sacai, Tiffany HardWear, Tiffany Knot and more, lensed by Pierre Toussaint [IG].
Rising model with a big future Angelina Kendall is styled by Rae Boxer in ‘A Delicate Balance’ featuring Balenciaga, Cartier, Dior on cover, Miu Miu, Stella McCartney and more. Vito Fernicola [IG] is behind the lens for d la Republicca [IG] April 12th, 2025. / Hair by Kalle Eklund; makeup by Siddhartha Simone
Supermodel Linda Evangelista covers the May 2025 issue of Harper’s Bazaar US May 2025 as she faces her 60th birthday on May 10th. Evangelista is styled by Carlos Nazario wearing Cartier, Givenchy, Jacquemus, Maison Alaia, Tiffany and more, lensed by Anthony Seklaoui [IG]./ Hair by Mustafa Yanaz; makeup by Dick Page
Evangelista’s relationship with her trauma over a CoolSculpting procedure gone rogue continues to dominate her life. One must process this reality knowing that the 90s superstar has experienced a host of health challenges. CoolSculpting aside, Linda has a 2018 double mastectomy behind her.
"I’ve had all those lung surgeries, oh my God, and my keloids and all the chest-tube scars and my C-section scar. There were a lot of surgeries. I’m cool. I’m fine with those. I won. I’m here. I won.”
This is an usually candid interview with the supermodel, who says she still can’t look at herself in the mirror but — even more important — she is grateful to be alive. Evangelista is in therapy to confront that issue of the mirror, and she also wants to be a grandmother. Just not right now.
Dutch model Britt Oosten is styled by Celia Azoulay in ‘Arizona Dream’, lensed in America by Laurie Bartley [IG] for ELLE France [IG] April 24, 2025./ Makeup by Diane Aiello; hair by Rolando Beauchamp
Top model Lulu Tenney is on a roll this week, today covering the May 2025 issue of Vogue Korea [IG]. Charlotte Rubenstein styles Tenney in the all Miu Miu fashion story lensed by Louise & Maria Thornfeldt [IG]./ Hair by Kim Rance; makeup by Vassilis Theotokis
Prada [IG] releases its ‘Prada Days of Summer 2025 Campaign’ lensed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch [IG] with creative direction by Ferdinando Verderi and designers Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons.
Prada is known for being one of fashion world’s most intellectual brands.
Pearch’s calm waters are distinctive in the summer campaign images. Of course, AOC turns to the lessons of history to consider not only the waters, but also the faces of the campaign traveling in small boats.
The symbolism and mythology of calm waters have been the source of contemplation and meaning across all continents and religions in the history of humankind.
A Lesson from Icarus for Elon Musk
In the Greek myth Icarus likely saw his reflection in the calm waters of the sea — as he plunged to his death. Ignoring the advice of Daedalus that he not fly too close to the sun — or his wings would become dysfunctional as the wax holding them together melted — Icarus could not resist separating himself from the rest of humanity as a sun god.
Model Dorit Revelis covers the May 2025 issue of Vogue Netherlands [IG], dedicated to the global sisterhood.
I trust that Trump and Musk won’t ban this issue of Vogue Netherlands dedicated to sisterhood — but anything is possible in our current mess of a country.
Update on Trump, Musk and Kennedy Cancelling America’s largest and longest-running women’s healthcare research project on Wed. night: The American Women coalition beat back this billionaire boys club cancellation of our women’s health research in less than 24 hrs.
This is not a game for nice little women.
We Ballbreaker ladies are not to be messed with in trench warfare with Billionaires. And ESPECIALLY with Elon Musk, who can’t seem to run his own businesses effectively, let-alone buy the US federal government for a pittance.
Presumably, Musk expects American taxpayers to finance his alleged genius, as we already financed $38 billion of his pet projects.
Top model Lulu Tenney manifests over-the-top exuberance for her Chanel shoot in New York City. Maybe Lulu is feeling universal gratitude for the human experience.
Whatever the source of Tenney’s infectious joy, AOC is here for it. Surely some wise woman somewhere in the world said that smiles are good for our souls.
Helga Burrill styles Tenney in the all-Chanel story lensed by Laura Jane Coulson [IG] for POP Magazine [IG] S/S 2025./ Hair by Dylan Chavles; makeup by Emi Kaneko
Victoria’s Secret SummerEscape 2025 Campaign gathers Imaan Hammam and Jill Kortleve on a St. Barts beach for the start of summer’s swim season. Emmanuelle Alt styled the campaign lensed by Lachlan Bailey [IG]. / Hair by Damien Boissinot; makeup by Fulvia Farolfi
The Victoria’s Secret Swimwear [IG] is sold in select high-volume stores and online. There’s another campaign TROPIC OF C X VICTORIA’S SECRET, with Candice Swanepoel, who founded Tropic of C’s sustainable swimwear, and Joan Smalls coming shortly.
Last week, AOC shared the lingerie pieces of the Victoria’s Secret Summer Escape 2025 Campaign.