Dua Lipa Packs Up On the Go Life Essentials in New CHANEL 25 Bag
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L'Oreal Group Invests in Jacquemus Retail Expansion and Future Beauty Business
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L'Oreal Group Invests in Jacquemus Retail Expansion and Future Beauty Business
In spring 2024, the growing cult brand Jacquemus opened stores in Dubai, Capri, and Saint-Tropez, followed by New York and London last fall.
Jacquemus annual revenue estimates had climbed to $250 million, largely self-funded from the brand’s business operations.
Sharing the Jacquemus Holiday 2024 campaign, AOC reported that the brand had maxed out its growth opportunities until it obtained a minority investor.
On January 28, Jacquemus announced that it has tapped Celine North America president Sarah Benady as its next chief executive officer. There was no doubt that an announcement was coming soon in this perfectly-orchestrated business PR blitz based on business fundamentals and not marketing word salads.
The announcement came today, February 7, that L’Oréal Group has made a minority investment in Jacquemus to fund the house’s ongoing retail growth and expansion into the beauty sector.
Read MoreGucci Is Bleeding to Death & Sabato de Sarno Is Not the Doctor She Needed
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Gucci Is Bleeding to Death & Sabato de Sarno Is Not the Doctor She Needed
Gucci creative director Sabato de Sarno is leaving Gucci after two years. Gucci’s Feb. 25 runway show will be designed by its design studio, the brand said Thursday, Feb.6.
Gucci’s Problems Are Bigger than de Sarno’s Tepid Designs
AOC does not believe that Gucci’s revenue plunge of 26% in the third quarter of 2024, a scary reflection of the brand’s current status, was solely the result of de Sarno’s tepid approach to design.
We note that his ‘marching orders’ came from Kering head and Gucci’s billionaire owner François-Henri Pinault.
You cannot cut the heart out of Alessandro Michele’s Gucci success and expect those same customers to now buy a quiet Gucci, with marketing campaigns that prompted AOC to write that the models look like they’re making a case for lobotomies for women.
Read MoreLouis Vuitton Taps Skateboarder Tyshawn Jones As Friend of the House
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Louis Vuitton Taps Skateboarder Tyshawn Jones As Friend of the House
Luxury house Louis Vuitton doesn’t need to use three banned in America initials i-e-d when reinforcing the 21st century DNA of the world’s largest luxury brand.
There’s no luxury house that AOC watches more closely than Louis Vuitton in understanding their ‘take’ on where we’re heading culturally. I should clarify that it’s Louis Vuitton Men — more than women’s — that clarifies the brand’s vision in the public sphere.
AOC didn’t understand just how tight former Christian Dior Men’s creative director Kim Jones was with Virgil Abloh, when Jones was at the helm of Louis Vuitton Men’s from 2011-2018 and passed the baton to Abloh as his mentor.
With Pharrell Williams succeeding Abloh [RIP] — we’re looking at a continuous cultural vision for LV that’s about 15 years old across three creative directors who formed their own modern-day rat pack.
Read MoreKim Jones and Virgil Abloh: As Jones Exits Dior Men, We Discover Him as Mentor to Abloh
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As Jones Exits Dior Men, We Discover Him as Mentor to Abloh
The clues were few that British designer Kim Jones was about to leave Christian Dior Mens, especially after delivering one of the most ‘stupendous’ shows of his career in his Fall 2025 presentation in Paris last on Friday last week.
Praise for Jones has been lavish from his peers, with widespread consensus that Kim Jones’ seven-years tenure at Dior Mens “accelerated the convergence of men’s fashion, art, and celebrity to warp speed.”
Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh
In writing this post, AOC was not aware of the very close relationship of Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh. We share a major taste of the duo together.
The future for Kim Jones will include his work with Charleston Trust, where the designer became a vice president in fall 2024.
Read MoreDior Beauty 'Visionary' Willow Smith on 21st Century Lip Glow and 'Big Feelings'
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Dior Beauty 'Visionary' Willow Smith on 21st Century Lip Glow and 'Big Feelings'
Dior Beauty [IG] ambassador Willow Smith [IG] joins the January 2025 campaign of cult-favorite Dior Addict Lip Glow. The new campaign is shot by Dan Beleiu [IG] and filmed by Valentin Herfray.
When Dior Beauty named Willow as an ambassador in March 2024, they described her as:
“one of the most visionary and daring young women of her generation”.
Willow describes herself as “the child who sings the ancient song”. Her latest sound is ‘Big Feelings’ from her May 2024 album ‘Empathogen’.
“It doesn’t sound as clean as a regular piano,” Smith notes about their use of a 1910 piano for ‘Big Feelings. “The wood sound adds to the snarly nature of the song—it’s like we’re going inside the mind, where everything is textured.”
Read MoreOD BEAUTY PARIS Launches GLOWSTICK in Elizaveta Porodina Campaign
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Today, we meet Ossiel and Diego.Together, they birthed OD, a beauty brand that resonates with the soul of conscious luxury. Clean, refillable, recyclable, and vegan.
In these images, Ossiel and Diego’s project is surrounded by beauty and creative talent in the form of THE Elizaveta Porodina [IG] [their caps, not AOC’s, but we concur] in the company of longtime close friend Maggie Maurer and new friend, rising South Sudan model Awek Gak.
Read MoreGuerlain's Violette Serrat Relaunches G Rouge Lipstick for Paris Lovers Worldwide
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Guerlain's Violette Serrat Relaunches G Rouge Lipstick for Paris Lovers
Meet Violette Serrat
French-born Violette Serrat, creative director of makeup for Guerlain since summer 2021, was born and raised in Paris. Serrat understands French women and their love of red lipstick.
Fifteen years after Rouge G’s first Guerlain release, it’s reborn in 40 stunning shades in both velvet-matte and satin finishes. Rouge G is formulated with a new 89 per cent skincare-based formula made with lily oleo extract. Created with lily flowers and paired with sweet almond oil, this complex has smoothing, hydrating and plumping properties and improves the quality of lips worldwide with prolonged wear.
Top faces Natalia Vodianova and Malika El Maslouhi are leading the campaign lensed by Charlotte Wales [IG].
Even the iconic mirrored cases notched up their glam quotient without hurting the environment. Using gold instead of silver, the nine new jewel cases are 19 per cent lighter than before, allowing for a 30 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Read MoreTyler Mitchell Now a Gagosian Artist, Walking in Footsteps of Basquiat & Avedon
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Imagine the extraordinary pride fashion and art photographer Tyler Mitchell must feel, as he joins the same Gagosian art gallery network that represented the enormously-gifted, thought-provoking artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Gagosian’s first project with Mitchell will open at Paris Photo 2024, November 6-10, 2024 Grand Palais, Paris Booth B22. ‘Avedon & Me’ is curated by the artist, featuring a blend of his own photography alongside fellow Gagosian photographer Richard Avedon.
Mitchell selected Avedon’s 1946 mirror self-portrait with Baldwin for the 2023 Avedon 100 centennial exhibition at Gagosian New York.
Read MoreBrunello Cucinelli Reports Solid YTD 2024 Revenue Increase of 12.4%; Q3 Only 9.2%
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Brunello Cucinelli released a strong 2024 nine-months revenue performance that runs counter to generally sluggish financial performance in the luxury sector.
In the third quarter itself, revenues rose 9.2% to 300 million euros ($325 million), with an increase even in China where the brand has limited exposure compared to brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
"With the substantial orders already placed for the Men's and Women's Spring-Summer 2025 sales campaign, we can reaffirm our plans for healthy, sustainable growth, projecting a revenue increase of around 10% for both 2025 and 2026," Executive Chairman Cucinelli said in a statement.
Read MoreClaudia Schiffer's Tuxedo Style Covers Vogue Arabia September 2024 by Kayt Jones
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Supermodel Claudia Schiffer graces the September 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia [IG] with three ‘class act’ tuxedo-style covers, lensed by Kayt Jones [IG] days after her 54th birthday.
Barbara Baumel chooses Karl Lagerfeld, Nina Ricci and Sportmax in Vogue Arabia’s cover celebration of bold, powerful, fall 2024 fashion. / Makeup by Lisa Eldridge; hair by Stephen Beaver
Read MoreMiu Miu CEO Benedetta Petruzzo Moves to Christian Dior Couture as Managing Director
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Given the stellar performance of Miu Miu in a post-COVID luxury landscape, it has to be a crushing blow to lose Miu Miu CEO Benedetta Petruzzo.
Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture has confirmed Petruzzo’s arrival on Oct. 15.
"I am convinced that Benedetta's talent and leadership will be major assets in the continued development of Dior's activities and its international influence," Arnault said. "Her expertise in the luxury market will persist in enhancing the desirability and success of Dior. Together, with the excellence of the teams in place, we will carry on building the future and strengthening our organization."
Read MoreVictoria's Secret's 'Dream Lingerie' 2024 Campaign Stop on Its Reinvention Journey
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A quintet of Victoria’s Secret models past and present come together for the Victoria’s Secret ‘Dream Lingerie’ 2024 Campaign. The beauty lineup includes Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Devyn Garcia, Mayowa Nicholas and Taylor Hill. / Hair by Cyndia Harvey; makeup by Lauren Parsons; set design by Andy Hillman
For a professional who joined the Victoria’s Secret business at a 187 store count and stayed a decade as fashion director, head of product development and originally a merchant developing a home store concept, these gorgeous images by Angelo Pennetta [IG] take me into the past.
Certainly, if one is trying to return Victoria’s Secret to its original glory, this is one way to do it. The business has tried everything else in its reinvention journey.
Read MoreRenewed: Can Kamala Harris Unite Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift For America's Future
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Scanning all of Apple News for Karlie Kloss news just now, 5 percent of the coverage included Karlie Kloss celebrating her baby son Elijah’s first birthday in July [IG] and her major hire of Michiel Steur for Bedford.
Once Besties: Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift
The remaining 95 percent of Apple News coverage of Karlie Kloss is devoted to her recent positive commentary on Taylor Swift. No lie!
Karlie is suddenly acknowledging her Swiftie ties. What does this mean? Call Anne clueless.
But I do have a brainstorm idea for getting this duo together — a call to collective action by 2024 presidential candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris. A call for protecting America’s suddenly fragile democracy.
Read MoreNaomi Watts' Stripes Beauty Snags Platinum-Level Investor L Catterton
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AOC completely missed the June announcement that L Catterton is partnering with actor Naomi Watts to acquire her menopause-care brand Stripes Beauty.
The American multinational private equity firm closely partnered with LVMH and Groupe Arnault is putting some expertise power behind the venture. Debra Perelman, the former Revlon CEO, is executive chair of Stripes Beauty and Cara Kamenev, a former L'Oréal executive, is president.
This nation is very messed up over the expression of a healthy female sexuality and sensual joy as a form of wellness. France and most of Europe are way ahead of America in supporting a positive sexuality at any age.
I just had a rush of my own joy reading that Naomi Watts is now in the hands of a platinum-level, business development team in the L Catterton stable. Talk about a safe harbor for Stripes Beauty. It’s a fabulous piece of news that will age well for all parties!! ~ Anne
Read MoreKamala Harris Is Poised to Become Democratic Presidential Foe to Trump
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Honoring American Vice President Kamala Harris, Preparing to Battle with MAGA in an Epic Fight for America’s Future
This is not a time for the feint-hearted. Find your backbones and FIGHT for our Great Country.
Life is not perfect and neither is America. We can only move forwards, and not undo the dreadful parts of our past history. So organize yourselves; get everyone registered to vote; and go out there and fight for the country your ancestors died for.
MAGA’s Project 2025 seeks to destroy all progress made in the last 50 years in this country. Everything is gone from contraception to gay marriage.
We’ve got one shot to stop it, and Kamala Harris is our leader.
Read MoreHow Bella Hadid and adidas Are Making the SL72 Sneaker Summer's BFD
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Supermodel Bella Hadid’s latest street style moment sought to make the adidas SL72 sneaker summer-games supreme. Originally crafted for road runners, the SL72 was released in conjunction with the 1972 Olympic games back in the day, long before many AOC readers were born.
On Thursday, July 18, the American Jewish Committee spoke out against the campaign and called for Adidas to “address this egregious error.”
It makes far more sense to AOC that in a world of young people globally protesting in support of Palestine, and the SN 72 debut at the Munich Olympics that adidas — with or without Bella’s knowledge and cooperation — decided to turn up the global heat with this campaign.
AOC fears Adidas has bet that young people will rally around the shoe as a symbol of pro-Palestinian resistance, once Bella has been attacked by the Israeli press and numerous anti-semitism groups in America and Germany. How sad.
Read More![Balenciaga 'Le City' Bag Campaign [2024] with Kidman & Moss by Mario Sorrenti](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55f45174e4b0fb5d95b07f39/1720540917549-JIHYI5LZKP4IAPIDKQ2U/Balenciaga-le-city-bag-by-Mario-Sorrenti-July-2024-3.png)
Grace Elizabeth's Growing Family Celebrates Father's Day in Michael Kors Campaign
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American beauty model Grace Elizabeth and her husband Nicolas Krause pose with their son Noah in the 2024 Michael Kors Father’s Day campaign.
Grace Elizabeth’s family was expanding when Cass Bird [IG] shot the Michael Kors Father’s Day campaign and Mother’s Day campaign images below.
The beloved model missed the 2024 Met Gala in May, because Grace Elizabeth was busy giving birth to her second son.
Read MoreKarolina Kurkova News: Ford Models US, Fisher Island Condo Listing, Victoria's Secret Losses Mount
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