Elordi was equally relaxed as an Aussie man chilling with fellow Aussie Robbie in a Bottega Veneta jacket, tank top and pants. One uses the word ‘jacket’ loosely.On Robbie, it’s a shrug or cardigan.
What’s obvious to AOC is the growing numbers of men being totally relaxed wearing femme fashion.
No intellectual edict is required by the designer. They’re just doing it — like Pharrell was doing in Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld a decade ago. No star designer is creating this look in 2026, even though one will probably claim it.
Top model Alex Consani is styled by Kim Da+Hye in key pieces from Jonathan Anderson’s debut Spring 2026 Dior collection. Photographers Sean + Seng [IG] are behind the lens for Vogue Korea [IG] February 2026./ Hair by Luke Hersheson; makeup by Lisa Eldridge
WWD has confirmed with Maison Alaïa that its Belgian creative director and designer Pieter Mulier has resigned his post at Alaīa Paris. Alaïa said Mulier would conclude his tenure as creative director after Alaïa’s summer-fall 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week in March.
While his next position remains unconfirmed, it’s widely expected that the designer will join Versace, now owned by Prada group. WWD posits a potential announcement from Prada Group next week.
Parent company Compagnie Financière Richemont expressed gratitude to Mulier, adding an important compliment to this breaking news. Their statement praised the designer for his contributions to a corporate culture “that values creative exploration, transcending any one individual, and lives through the hands, eyes, and sensibilities of the maison’s teams.”
Top model Taylor Hill’s charming exuberance is contagious in ‘Pursuit of Happiness’, the cover story for Vogue Czechoslovakia [IG] January 2026.
Taylor is styled by MJ Molina in Dolce & Gabbana [cover], Maison Valentino, Tom Ford and more lensed by Jesus Isnard [IG]. / Makeup by Virginia Vera; hair by MJ Molina
Supermodel Adriana Lima wears Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Cartier and Miu Miu on four covers for the February 2026 ‘Red’ issue of Harper’s Bazaar Spain [IG].
Adriana is styled by Elizabeth Sulcer in the fashion story ‘Eternal Flame’ adding fashion drama from Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Loewe, Maison Alaia, Maison Valentino, Max Mara, Prada, Schiaparelli, YSL and more, lensed by David Roemer [IG] at Pier 59 Studios in New York City. / Hair by Shin Arima; makeup by Frank B
British heritage brand Barbour [IG] is rapidly expanding in China, opening over 40 stores in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, targeting the "quiet luxury" market with its heritage waxed jackets. The brand is localizing by launching exclusive, tailored collections for Asian consumers and collaborating with Chinese designers and cultural figures.
Barbour x Feng Chen Wang
Just as Burberry is seeing positive revenue results in China, so is Barbour, who reported today a 9% increase for the year ended April 30, 2025, with a 14.1% operating profit increase.
Barbour partnered with Chinese designer brand Feng Chen Wang [IG] on this capsule collection, one imbued with cultural storytelling and timed with Chinese New Year 2026 or the broader Lunar New Year in Asia.
Models Diwen Wang and Shao Minghao front the campaign, styled by Anders Sølvsten Thomsen.
Kaia Gerber wears Givenchy on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar US [IG] February 2026. Luis Alberto Rodriguez [IG] captures Kaia, who is interviewed by Durga Chew-Bose.
For Kaia, A Privileged Life Is an Artistic Life
Kaia Gerber has never hesitated to admit her privileged upbringing, anchored in a robust, loving and supportive family life. How many grown young women with Kaia’s level of accomplishment call their mothers their best friend?
Kaia has always described privilege in a more intellectual way — a childhood where ideas, books, and culture were embedded in daily life.
Ariana Grande covers the March 2026 issue of Vogue Japan [IG], one of three Vogues putting the music and now acting star front and center in their new issues. Shared at the end this VJ story, Ariana also covers Vogue Mexico and Vogue Latin America [IG], her first covers for the magazines.
Grande is styled by Law Roach in multiple Balenciaga by Sarah Burton beauties, Dior, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and more lensed by Michael Bailey-Gates [IG]./ Jewelry by Swarovski; Hair by Alyx Liu; makeup by Michael Anthony
New super [Models.com] Mona Tougaard showcases Chanel’s Spring 2026 Matthieu Blazy debut for W Magazine China’s [IG] February 2026 Fashion issue. Austin Feng styles Mona’s four covers and fashion spread, lensed by Zhong Lin [IG]. / Hair by Evanie Frausto; makeup by Fulvia Farolfi
Suzie Q’s use of the word ‘mess’ to describe Jonathan Anderson’s challenges at Dior, created by former creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, ran counter to everything I knew about her tenure at the #2 brand at LVMH.
AOC has been really confused by the persistent statements that it could take 4-5 years for Anderson’s Dior vision to codify — including by the designer himself.
Today, we stay focused on that topic. Also Anne clarifies what might be a misunderstanding of what these writers are actually saying, and what she is hearing.
At a time when even the entertainment industry is bowing to dark political forces, Cynthia Erivo made a culture-conquering hit in ‘Wicked: For Good’, while standing firm for inclusion, kindness and radical acceptance.
The Tony winner is currently in rehearsals for ‘Dracula’ opening February 4th in the West End. Erivo will play all 23 roles in Bram Stoker’s classic that runs until May 31. Creative camera work is her only partner onstage.
Kip Williams directs ‘Dracula’, telling the press that this version of the play will be a “queer retelling of the story, and we are looking at reclaiming the vampire.”
Models Ajus Samuel, Apolline Rocco-Fohrer, Coco Palmer and Valerie Scherzinger are styled by Abby Adler in French bourgeois style essentials. The fashion story is lensed by Ava Van Osdol [IG] for Vogue France [IG] February 2026./ Hair by Joe Burwin; makeup by Satoko Watanabe
After further sleuthing, we learned that Alo has been in the market for capital with a $10 B valuation since 2023, which sounds way high. The concept is impressive and very sound before the arrival of Petruzzo, who will be a big help in raising capital and instituting sound financial management systems and international marketing rules.
As much as AOC LOVES this concept, there are flags on the field in China.
Jing Daily reports that Alo will probably face challenges in the China market, as it prepares to open stores in Shanghai and Beijing. JD writes that “years of rampant counterfeiting” have already shaped how Chinese customers view the brand. Those perceptions will impact what customers are willing to pay for product.
There are tariff-related risks, as well. With most of its manufacturing done in China, major risks introduced by President Trump’s deeply personal and punishing approach to tariffs adds extra volatility to Alo’s expansion plans.
Models Kris Krystal, Ploy Chobsawang, Rachel Agbonze and more are styled by Lotta Volkova in the Miu Miu [IG] Prelude Collection 2016 campaign. Danish photographer Julie Greve [IG] shoots the campaign, confirming her self-descriptor as an artist whose work explores ideas of coming of age and female identity.
On the topic of Miu Miu’s brainiac young women, AOC spent time today getting out of the minds of America’s young women, with questions about young women worldwide.
Data indicates a ‘great relationship recession’ is underway globally, with singlehood rising in 26 out of 30 surveyed developed nations. Follow link top of page to read the details.
Louis Vuitton [IG] creative director Nicolas Ghesquière releases the first phase of LV’s Spring/Summer 2026 Campaign. Actor Jennifer Connelly’s ambassador role with Louis Vuitton is more than a decade old, making her the longest-serving muse to the designer.
Cass Bird [IG], shot the campaign with refuge in mind. Ghesquière said he channeled that theme for the collection’s runway show last fall. "The atmosphere I was wishing to share was the serenity you feel when you are in the comfort of your home.”
Vogue France [IG] chooses Doutzen Kroes as its February 2026 cover star and this deliberately low-key visual presentation for her showcase. The lack of distraction allows us to focus on her energy and spirituality, writes VF.
I”n an era of constant exposure, her freedom and intentional choice to remain relatively offline feel increasingly rare, and deeply aspirational as we enter a new year.”
Doutzen is photographed by Richard Burbridge [IG], in a pared-down, “distinctly Parisian sensibility”.
Top model Paulina Porizkova [IG], age 60, has led a very public, digital life in recent years — even getting dressed in the morning on Instagram Live. Porizkova is engaged and shares a podcast with writer Jeff Greenstein, showrunner for the once very popular ‘Will and Grace’ weekly TV show.
Porizkova prides herself — just like Pamela Anderson — in being photographed without makeup for unretouched photos. When she does wear makeup — or appear in images with retouching — Porizkova requires a light touch.
Vogue Hong Kong [IG] features actor Yang Zi, styled by Lucia Liu for the fashion story ‘In Bloom Yang Zi’, lensed by Leslie Zhang.
As one of the most prominent young actors of her generation, Vogue Hong Kong’s January 2026 cover star Yang Zi has been a WildAid ambassador since 2019. She lent her voice to WildAid's elephant program by starring in ‘Be Their Role Model’ campaign which asks parents to use their actions to set good examples for the next generation by not consuming ivory and other wildlife products.
China has been successful — as promised to concerned environmentalists and elephant lovers worldwide — in cutting in half the consumption of new ivory in a sequence of trade bans that took effect by the end of 2017.
Birthday-girl Irina Shayk celebrated her 40th birthday on January 6, several months after being the lead-off cover girl for the Winter 2025 issue of The Face [IG]. Irina puts on her best sexy woman face, styled by Danielle Emerson in lingerie-inspired images lensed by Drew Vickers [IG]./ Hair by Olivier Schawalder; makeup by Yadim
We realized today [finally] that these images are a direct volley to Miu Miu. But Miu Miu has Prada.
Jonathan Anderson believes he can successfully do Miu Miu and Prada together in one floor in the store. They are one Dior for the designer. And in many cases, he believes he can do Miu Miu and Prada AND Miu Miu for Men and Prada for Men in one giant statement because everyone is cross-dressing and he believes he is a visionary genius in understanding this reality.
The designer may be right — but it’s an incredible roll of the dice with no pre-testing. Meanwhile, many are citing pricing challenges on the line and steep reductions from the show prices. That jean jacket is an excellent example. It’s $5,000. Yikes.
Today, we stay positive. The only people in their right mind who would give Jonathan Anderson this range of self-expression is LVMH. Let’s hope it’s successful; and he should be humble about the opportunity afforded him by The Family. ~ Anne
