Madonna and Family Celebrate Her 63 Birthday in Puglia Imaged by Ricardo Gomes

Madonna and Family Celebrate Her 63 Birthday in Puglia Imaged by Ricardo Gomes AOC Fashion

Madonna celebrated her 63rd birthday last week, hosting a birthday party in a deconsecrated, 6th-century Puglia church. Madonna’s frequent photographer and videographer Ricardo Gomes [IG] documented the event exclusively for Vogue Italia.

Madonna’s entire family was on hand to celebrate one of the world’s mystical goddesses, a woman who has a relationship with religion and spirituality that AOC relates to. Madonna has been photographed wearing religious iconography including cross pendants. Masks and headdresses are another favorite of the singer superstar, as she always probes the intersection of religion and sexuality.

Madonna’s children Lourdes Leon, Mercy James, Stelle and Estere Cicione, Roco Ritchie and David Banda joined the birthday party. Rita Melssen styles the shoot, which also includes actor Debi Mazar and Madonna’s boyfriend since late 2019, dancer Ahlamalik Williams. / Hair by Andy Lecompte; makeup by Aaron Henrikson

Nyaueth Riam in 'Neofantasia by Zee Nunes for Vogue Brazil August 2021

Nyaueth Riam in 'Neofantasia by Zee Nunes for Vogue Brazil August 2021

Rising model Nyaueth Riam is styled by Pedro Sales in ‘Neofantasia’, lensed by Zee Nunes [IG] for Vogue Brazil August 2021./ Hair by Tsuki; makeup by Frankie Boyd

Selena Gomez on Helping Others, in Glam Images by Inez and Vinoodh for ELLE US

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Shalom Harlow in Manhattan by David Roemer for Harper's Bazaar Spain September 2021 AOC Fashion

Mega talent Selena Gomez covers the September 2021 issue of ELLE US September 2021./ Photographers Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin [IG] capture ‘The Return of Selena with styling by Alex White./ Hair by Orlando White; hair by Orlando Pita

I wonder how Gomez feels about the intro to her cover story ‘The Return of Selena’ by Carina Chocano. The star may have a whole new vibe in these Inez and Vinoodh photographs but ELLE grounds her mostly in the past.

ELLE’s sub-headline: “After years battling health issues and heartbreak, Selena Gomez opens up about mental illness, her new Hulu series and not knowing her own Instagram password.”

Actually, Selena Gomez states the obvious about herself, with a far more timely and not narcissistic narrative. We’ve read about Gomez’s mental illness for years.. Given the times in which we are living, why not promote Selena’s message about herself, rather than rehashed, old-news editorial, click-bait.

Just because Google prioritizes Selena’s challenges with mental illness doesn’t mean we can’t give her a major update with our words. It’s not easy for people like Selena to move past prior challenges that would have brought down most of us — including ELLE’s headline writer.

“My lupus, my kidney transplant, chemotherapy, having a mental illness, going through very public heartbreaks—these were all things that honestly should have taken me down,” she says. Gomez speaks slowly and calmly, in a surprisingly low and uninflected register. “Every time I went through something, I was like, ‘What else? What else am I going to have to deal with?’ ” “ ‘You’re going to help people,’ ” she told herself. “That’s really what kept me going. There could have been a time when I wasn’t strong enough, and would have done something to hurt myself.”

We can all use some positivity, and Selena Gomez delivers it.

Shalom Harlow in Manhattan by David Roemer for Harper's Bazaar Spain September 2021

Shalom Harlow in Manhattan by David Roemer for Harper's Bazaar Spain September 2021 AOC Fashion

90s supermodel Canadian Shalom Harlow, who appeared on six Vogue US covers between 1993 and 1997, graces the September 2021 pages of Harper’s Bazaar Spain and [in a separate feature] Harper’s Bazaar US. Elizabeth Sulcer styles Harlow in ‘Shalom En Manhattan’, lensed by David Roemer./ Hair by Shin Arima; makeup by Lisa Houghton

Lili Johnson's Classic Luxury Style by Tobias Delcroix for ELLE Mexico August 2021

Lili Johnson's Classic Luxury Style by Tobias Delcroix for ELLE Mexico August 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Lili Johnson’s family fled deep conflicts in Sierra Leone in a path their took them north to Glasgow, Scotland. Amanda Blackwood, also from Glasgow, styles Johnson in Burberry, Chanel, Gucci, Simone Rocha, YSL and more in ‘Can’t Get Blue Monday’. Tobias Delcroix [IG] captures Lili Johnson for ELLE Mexico August 2021./ Hair & makeup by Sara Hill

Gucci Off the Grid' X A Vibe Called Tech Collab Lensed by Amber Pinkerton

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Gucci Off the Grid' X A Vibe Called Tech Collab Lensed by Amber Pinkerton AOC Fashion

Gucci took a step forward this summer with its evolving Gucci Off the Grid Collection, shot here by rising photographer, ‘jamaican gyal in london town’ Amber Pinkerton [IG]. Danish stylist Anders Solvsten Thomsen styles models Fabio Silva and Kieza Kanda.

This ‘Gucci Off the Grid’ sustainability campaign is a collab between Gucci and A Vibe Called Tech, a new creative agency founded by Charlene Prempeh, to explore the intersection of Black creativity, culture and innovation. Prempeh is an FT How to Spend it columnist and contributing editor who writes about Black innovators, design, travel, and culture. She is a graduate of Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics [PPE].

Lewis Gilbert is the creative director of A Vibe Called Tech [IG]. AOC will flush out the agency in a separate post.

Returning to photographer Amber Pinkerton in this abundance of Black creativity moment, she was profiled in an August 2020, T: New York Times Style profile: The Rising Photographer Inspired by Her Home Country.

When Gucci announced its first Off the Grid collection in June 2020, Jane Fonda was holding a new bag made of sustainable material.

We now know the material is Econyl, and it’s heavily featured in these Gucci Off the Grid campaign images.

The upcoming Louis Vuitton Charlie unisex, 94% sustainable sneaker has pieces made of Econyl. The fabric made by Aquafil, using large amounts of recycled nylon, is also in heavy use by Prada — who led the Econyl drive — and Burberry, also a founding driver of the material. Track Econyl here.

See entire campaign: Gucci Off the Grid' X A Vibe Called Tech Collab Lensed by Amber Pinkerton AOC Fashion

Karen Elson, Natalia Vodianova, Aldis Hodge in 'Earthly Delights by Annie Leibovitz

Karen Elson, Natalia Vodianova, Aldis Hodge in 'Earthly Delights by Annie Leibovitz AOC Fashion

Models Karen Elson, Natalia Vodianova and Aldis Hodge come together in ‘Earthly Delights’, pure fashion poetry styled by Grace Coddington & Michael Philouze. Master photographer Annie Leibovitz [IG] captures the trio in an impossibly-beautiful, visual oasis for Vogue US September 2021./ Hair by Julien d’Ys; makeup by Francelle Daly

Neus Bermejo's Body Love by Javier Biosca for InStyle Spain July/August 2021

Neus Bermejo's Body Love by Javier Biosca for InStyle Spain July/August 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Neus Bermejo delivers her sensual best, styled by Francesca Rinciari. in ‘El cueerpo es nuestro TEMPLO’. Photographer Javier Biosca [IG] captures ‘The Body Is Our Temple’ for InStyle Spain July/August 2021./ Hair & makeup by Paco Garrigues

Alice Vink Goes Camping in Sober Style for ELLE Thailand September by Per Florian Appelgren

Alice Vink Goes Camping in Sober Style for ELLE Thailand September by Per Florian Appelgren AOC Fashion

Per Florian Appelgren [IG] captures model Alice Vink in ‘Go Camping! Kai Atinan Nitisunthonkul styles the sober, plain-Jane dress-up looks for ELLE Thailand September 2021./ Makeup by Tanja Kern

Margot Robbie Delights in Lachlan Bailey Flamingo Estate LA Fashion Shoot

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Margot Robbie Delights in Lachlan Bailey Flamingo Estate LA Fashion Shoot AOC Fashion

The real magic of British Vogue’s August 2021 cover story with actor Margot Robbie is that it was a gathering of Australians. Flying to Los Angeles when so many fashion shoots are now virtual, Australian stylist and art director Clare Richardson felt inspired and downright joyous.

Few fashion stories and interviews are a joy to read, especially for a serious person like myself. Yet, Robbie’s feature is a true getaway— perhaps because she talks unapologetically a lot about her work and excitement over her success. It was a quick read with no angst that AOC truly enjoyed.

In today’s world, any interview that leaves one smiling and appreciative of the moment, is a success. That’s probably due to Margot Robbie, who Richardson describes as “down-to-earth, professional and polite (on set, you always notice the person who says hello to everyone). There was no fuss; she is warm, kind and grounded, yet extremely smart and astute.”

Normal fashion chatter like fellow Aussie, photographer Lachlan Bailey, sharing amused delight over Robbie’s new haircut — a French-girl fringe and golden highlights — made me smile.

Shooting in the gardens of the Flamingo Estate immediately got my attention, primarily because we added another Australian Richard Christiansen to the friendly California fashion crew salad. The Flaming Estate brand is another story worth pursuing after one look at the website.

So now you have the entire mood and cast of characters that produced the British Vogue August 2021 cover fashion story. As the Flamingo Estate website says “It’s time to feel good again.”

That message isn’t escapism, anxiety and stress over climate change, women in Afghanistan, Black Lives Matter, the fifth iteration of COVID, American going to war over face masks, and the rise of white nationalism.

It’s about simple delights California style, which means that the bar of Flamingo Estate soap is $25 but it truly is medicine from the garden — beautiful, fragrant, and the work of mother nature — “our doctor, therapist and friend. Take care of her and she’ll take care of you.” That’s food for thought, and yes, you can shop the pantry.

Eva Wiseman shares the Robbie interview, which just rolls on in a survey of the star’s career and successes. In a story I already knew — and adore: “The description of the character she read for in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ was “the hottest blonde ever”; she went off-script and slapped Leonardo DiCaprio hard across the face, launching her into the humid air of movie stardom.” [Every woman needs a story like this one!”]

Robbie’s a friendly feminist to the core, naming her 2014 production company with husband Tom Ackerley and two other creative friends ‘Lucky Chap’. Its aim was to tell women’s stories on-screen, and to support female creators behind the scenes – a plan grounded in business as much as politics. An early production was “I Tonya”, the biopic of skater Tonya Harding that garnered Robbie’s first Oscar nomination.

You must read the entire interview. Robbie returns now to her role of Harley Quinn in an all new film ‘The Suicide Squad’. - Rebellion’.

Louis Vuitton Eyes Sustainable Future With Sneakers Breaking New Ground

Louis Vuitton artistic director Virgil Abloh is a leader in LVMH’s drive towards sustainability.

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Meet Charlie, Louis Vuitton’s new unisex sneaker that symbolizes Vuitton’s commitment to sustainability that has put it out front in implementing environmental changes within LVMH. Virgil Abloh gets much credit for being the leader of the pack at Vuitton, when the focus is climate change policy adaptations.

WWD writes: “Abloh, who defines himself not as a designer, but rather as an “artistic director for a new and different era,” has long subscribed to the theory that modifying an existing object by three percent turns it into “something special.” While that approach has exposed him to accusations of copying, it naturally lends itself to recycling.

“Design doesn’t stop,” he said. “Just because it’s been seen, and it’s been out there, doesn’t mean that you have to crumple that piece of paper up and start from zero. Just because it’s older, doesn’t mean that it’s devalued. That’s me just trying to come up with a new system, especially with the work at Vuitton.”

As part of LVMH’s ambitious plan to achieve maximum sustainability in their start to finish business practices, the company launched earlier in 2021 Nona Source, an online resale platform for the group’s deadstock fabrics and leathers.

The concept was introduced by Romain Brabo and Marie Falguerra, who presented the project as part of LVMH’s intrapreneurship program, DARE, and were invited to pilot it full-time. The internal LVMH DARE acronym means Disrupt, Act, Risk to be an Entrepreneur . . . DARE.

Charlie Hits the Streets in November 2021

Louis Vuitton’s unisex Charlie sneaker. Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Eyes Sustainable Future With Sneakers Breaking New Ground AOC Sustainability

Charlie has some mighty enticing green measurements, as Louis Vuitton’s first unisex sneaker, produced using 90 percent recycled and bio-sourced materials. Scheduled to launch on November 12, the Charlie features a sole that’s minimally 94 percent recycled rubber.

Charlie’s upper is composed of smooth and grained synthetic material, produced from recycled polyester with a layer of Biopolioli, a corn-based plastic. The tongue patch, back of the shoe and LV logo are made with Econyl regenerated nylon created from nylon waste such as fishing nets, fabric scraps and industrial plastic.

Continue on in AOC Sustainability, where we pick up the story.: Louis Vuitton Eyes Sustainable Future With Sneakers Breaking New Ground AOC Sustainability

Olivia Vinten Soaks Up Baltic Sea Sun for Vogue Scandinavia August 2021

Olivia Vinten Soaks Up Baltic Sea Sun for Vogue Scandinavia August 2021 AOC Fashion

Rising Danish model Olivia Vinten is lensed by Hasse Nielsen [IG] in ‘By the Baltic Sea’, published in Vogue Scandinavia’s first issue.

Emma Summerton Captures Kerolyn Soares for Vogue Mexico September 2021

Emma Summerton Captures Kerolyn Soares for Vogue Mexico September 2021 AOC Fashion

Models Kerolyn Soares and Cynthia Arrebola cover the September 2021 issue of Vogue Mexico, styled by Valentina Collado in a fashion story ‘Pasado y Futuro’ by Emma Summerton [IG] / Hair by Luke Chamberlain; makeup by Benjamin Puckey

Tanja Tremel Captures Nina Ratsep in Fluid, Flower Power Style for Grazia Netherlands

Tanja Tremel Captures Nina Ratsep in Fluid, Flower Power Style for Grazia Netherlands AOC Fashion

Photographer Tanja Tremel [IG] is turns her focus to model Nina Ratsep, styled by Joana Claro in floral prints, romantic layers for Grazia Netherlands./ Hair & makeup by Carsten Richert

Kerwin Frost's Terrifying Horse Head Sneakers Cause Nightmares | Let's Use Them

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Looking at Harlem-born designer and talk show host Kerwin Frost’s new collab sneaker with Adidas, one wonders if it’s capable to triggering nightmares. AOC chooses to take a more benign read on his Forum Hi designed to resemble a horse face.

If wearing the sneakers causes some gang member dude to threaten you with a pistol-whipping unless you get those terrifying sneakers off the street — well, you’ve still invested in a piece of modern art. Note the nose turds — or even a terrified penis trying to escape the screams of horror induced by this sneaker.

Could the ‘Horse’ face sneaker just be a sick joke? Stay tuned on Frost’s Insta.

On a more positive note, perhaps the sneaker drop is timed to coincide with Beyoncé’s Ivy Park X Adidas Rodeo collab?

Beyoncé Celebrates 40 Years of Excellence for Harper's Bazaar, Lensed by Campbell Addy AOC Fashion

I’ll bet you don’t know that an estimated 25 percent of America’s cowboys were Black. With Republicans trying to deny critical race theory, perhaps those of us who support BLM and teaching Black history to kids in school can start wearing Kerwin Frost’s horse sneakers in Republican neighborhoods.

We could make it like a voodoo curse, which Kerwin Frost loves. Then again, Republicans are locked and loaded with assault weapons, so we would all probably die in our desire to be disruptive seekers of democracy in America. Bad idea, Anne.