Aube Jolicoeur in 'Nocturnal Lights' by Lindsay Adler for Numero Russia September 2021

Aube Jolicoeur in 'Nocturnal Lights' by Lindsay Adler for Numero Russia September 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Aube Jolicoeur dazzles like a disco queen in ‘Nocturnal Lights’, styled by Cannon. Lindsay Adler [IG] flashes Jolicoeur for Numero Russia September 2021./ Hair by Gonn Kinoshita; makeup by Joanne Gair

This is the same team sans models that produced the exquisite Valery Kaufman ‘Sanctuary’ fashion story for Harper’s Bazaar Kazakhstan’s October issue. Espresso Productions’ Daniele Carettoni is carving out a strong offering of entrepreneurial, creative fashion and style content.

Francesca Hayward Raises the Barre by Ekua King in Porter Edit October 18, 2021

Francesca Hayward Raises the Barre by Ekua King in Porter Edit October 18, 2021 AOC Fashion

The Royal Ballet’s Francesca Hayward is known for her honest but also diplomatic assessment of life in the notoriously clubby world of ballet. There’s little pretense with Hayward — like her telling Porter Edit interviewer Kadish Morris:

“I don’t come from a dance family, so my whole career has been about just giving it a go and seeing what happens.”

Hayward credits Kevin O’Hare, director of the Royal Ballet, for seeing clearly her potential. “He plucked me out of the water very quickly and said, ‘You can do this.’”

Francesca Hayward is styled by Jenny Kennedy in luxe fashion from Alaïa, A.W.A.K.E, Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Saint Laurent, Simone Rocha and more. Ekua King [IG] captures the rising star in ‘Raise the Barre’ for Porter Edit’s October 18, 2021 cover story.

Bob Dylan Helps Hayward Prepare to Perform

The dancer was born in Nairobi, Kenya, then moved to West Sussex at age two, living with her grandparents. She is presently set to dance as Juliet in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, a part very familiar to her. “It’s in my body,” Hayward explains, adding that her chief concern is not to go on autopilot.

Framing Prejudice as ‘Imbalance’

On the topic of the rise of activism, Francesca Hayward is circumspect and dedicated to raising the convo around the world of ballet. “I think it is ingrained into ballet dancers from our very first class that we should be so grateful to be here, that we are so lucky doing what we’re doing. But we should be able to speak out,” she tells Morris.

When AOC calls Hayward ‘diplomatic’, here’s an example of how she doesn’t mention the words ‘racism’, ‘prejudice,’ ‘white superiority’ but only ‘diversity’. in a word chain that we will consider fully, Francesca Hayward uses the word ‘imbalance’ to describe the reality of racism. What a fascinating, nonjudgmental communication umbrella to frame racial ugliness or even hate with the more innocuous word ‘imbalance.’

Never Let Them See You Sweat

Hayward’s references to managing fear and nervousness in the performing arts or the public space generally also resonate as very good advice — an AOC mantra, in fact:

“Don’t look SCARED. People who can smell fear might exploit it. Look STRONG — even if you’re not feeling strong on the INSIDE.”

Francesca Hayward is performing at London’s Royal Opera House in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ from October 5-23; ‘The Dante Project’ from October 14-30; ‘Giselle’ from November 22-27, and ‘The Nutcracker’ from December 7-16

'The Fall Lands' Lensed by Effy Yu for The New York Times Travel Magazine Fall 2021

'The Fall Lands' Lensed by Effy Yu for The New York Times Travel Magazine Fall 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Yan Wenjing is styled by Jiacheng Wu — who is also fashion editor at WSJ Magazine China — in ‘The Fall Lands’, lensed by Effy Yu [IG] for The New York Times Travel Magazine.

T Magazine's Fluffy, Furry Ancestral Creatures by Toby Coulson with Cherokee Jack and Briana Michelle

T Magazine's Fluffy, Furry Ancestral Creatures by Toby Coulson with Cherokee Jack and Briana Michelle AOC Fashion

Modern-day nomads are slowing down, honoring traditions and the roots of our culture. This T Magazine fall 2021 feature on ‘Winter’s Fluffiest and Furriest Outwear’ highlights not only whimsical textures in which we are one with furry creatures in an animistic, psychological relationship.

Presented by models like Briana Michelle and Cherokee Jack with close, ancestral ties to the land, we are all invited to pay our respects to cultures and a biosystem eons older than the prevailing patriarchal, white-man’s so-called Christian vision of dominance over the the earth and its peoples.

AOC isn’t suggesting that all references to indigenous cultures belong to ‘the good guys’.

Consider the Arizona man Jacob Chansley, known as the QAnon Shaman, who led an insurrection against the US Capitol on January 6. We must not be naive about men wearing big, furry hats with horns. They can kill you.

Andreas Ortner's Luxe Modern Jewelry Story with Mariama Ndure for Harper's Czech

Andreas Ortner's Luxe Modern Jewelry Story with Mariama Ndure for Harper's Czech AOC Jewelry News

Photographer Andreas Ortner’s [IG] jewelry story featuring rising model Mariama Ndure is a visual palette cleanser. Crisp, bold, striking images of Ndure are styled by Jana Kapounova, who marries high-neck sweaters and knitted headcoverings with spare, luxe jewelry designs. The modern, sophisticated glamour appears in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar Czech’s November 2021 issue.

Rasharn Agyemang Flashes 'Up All Night' for British Vogue November 2021

Rasharn Agyemang Flashes 'Up All Night' for British Vogue November 2021 AOC Fashion

Models Ash Foo, Nyarach Abouch Ayuel, Precious Lee, Rebecca Leigh Longendyke, Sacha Quenby, Joan Smalls and Mao Xiaoxing are in a festive mood for British Vogue’s blockbuster, Adele-cover November issue. Kate Phelan styles the cast in passionate shades of red and rose anchored in black and white gala looks for ‘Up All Night’, lensed by Rasharn Agyemang [IG] ./ Hair by Shiori Takahashi; makeup by Loten Holmqvist

Stella McCartney's Spring 2022 Collection Hugs Shroom Power Sustainability

Designer Stella McCartney’s Spring 2022 fashion show happened under the Brutalist concrete cover of the Espace Niemeyer. It turns out, writes the New York Times, that the space resembles a Martian bio-dome. Mushrooms are Stella’s muse for not only her spring 2022 collection, but in her deeply-held commitment to sustainability and living with constant reverence for our biosphere.

The Times’ Vanessa Friedman is not entirely fair — or her memory failed her — when she wrote that sustainability finally made its full-throated entrance in the spring 2022 shows with Stella McCartney’s collection.

Friedman wrote: “Well, hello sustainability. Wondering when you’d show up.” The fashion industry expert must have slept through Gabriela Hearst’ Chloé show: Gabriela Hearst Takes Chloé to Bugatti Speed in Redefining Purpose for Luxury Brands

Within this creative atmosphere, the fashion crowd heard the voice of American mycologist and entrepreneur Paul Stamets, who is considered an intellectual and industry leader in everything associated with fungi. In only a few seconds, Stamets summed up the future of fashion with his admonition: “In fashion, mushrooms are the future.”

Stella McCartney has been deeply committed to Bolt’Threads’ mycelium leather called Mylo, for the last few years and she shared her first Mylo production — a treasure trove of only 100 little black leather crescent handbags.

Sixty-three percent of the materials in the spring 2022 collection are eco-friendly, according to Stella McCartney’s press kit. Gabriela Hearst earlier published the stat of 58 percent of Chloé made from lower-impact materials, compared to 40 percent of the winter collection.

AOC’s point is not to pit the two brands against each other in any way, but to celebrate them for their high goddess perches of working diligently to protect the environment. It would be great for all luxury brands to issue their scorecard on sustainability in the collection as part of their press kits.

We’re not talking how many trees were planted by the brand, but the garments themselves: what styles support our global, ecological biosystem?

Stella McCartney’s spring 2022 silhouettes were roomy as well as skinny and curve hugging. The influence of athleisure infused the collection with swagger and modern confidence. Mushrooms appeared in prints. Of great import to McCartney was the philosophy behind her designs:

“For me, the concept was about transitioning. I wanted to project what the future could be like for the house of Stella — a lightness of touch and a slightly more tender approach, but still mixing sporty and masculine pieces. I was asking myself, ‘What’s the breath of fresh air that I feel, and what are we looking toward in the fashion industry?'” the designer said.

Stella was highly impacted by the Netflix documentary ‘Fantastic Fungi’, and it’s still showing on Netflix. AOC was been following the topic of mushrooms for several years — including Stella’s work with Bolt Thread’s innovative mycelium leather Mylo™️.

Anticipating that you might become confused about more than one documentary about mushrooms on Netflix, we’ve included two for you and we will be watching both. Stella’s source of information is above, and it debuted earlier than the second one below. There may be more Netflix content on mushrooms, because AOC has just discovered at least three TED Talks.

I’ve been looking for a deep dive that touches many intellectual and planet-friendly pulse points. Stella sold me with her spring collection. Mushrooms it will be.

AOC closes out our mushroom world discussion with the video of Stella McCartney’s Summer 2022 show. The impromptu photography of spring designs from the show is worth the visit to Stella’s website.

As for blue mushrooms, they do exist in nature, and for now we don’t have the mental wits to explain blue mushrooms to you. An explanation IS forthcoming. ~ Anne

Valery Kaufman by Lindsay Adler's Exquisite 'Sanctuary' for Harper's Bazaar Kazakhstan October 2021

Valery Kaufman by Lindsay Adler's Exquisite 'Sanctuary' for Harper's Bazaar Kazakhstan October 2021 AOC Fashion

AOC shares one of the most beautiful fashion stories of the season. Top model Valery Kaufman is styled by Cannon in utterly sublime images by Lindsay Adler [IG] There was a period when Harper’s Bazaar Kazakhstan produced the most exquisite fashion stories in circulation. Producer Daniele Carettoni takes us back to that period of visual wonderment for the magazine. / Hair by Isaac Davidson; makeup by Joanne Gair

When challenges dominate our lives, beauty nourishes our souls. This one generates health-nourishing endorphins all around.

AOC always calls out the location stories attached to many of the fashion stories — and we’re obviously influencing other websites, who are following us. It’s a small way of learning about the world around us.

In this case, Espresso Productions has chosen a most wonderful site north of New York City — Tamerlaine Sanctuary. Read on for more info.

Adele Covers Two Continents: Here in American Vogue US November 2021 by Alasdair McLellan

Adele Covers Two Continents: Here in American Vogue US November 2021 by Alasdair McLellan AOC Fashion

On the British side of the Atlantic, Adele signals the return of va va voom dressing. Not only has Adele walked out of the shadows and into the light — but her new-found roar is heard on both sides of the Atlantic in the first-ever cover star collab between American Vogue and British Vogue.

In America, Adele is much more subdued, compared to her Steven Meisel images in British Vogue. She looks fabulous on the cover, wearing a green Valentino Haute Couture gown. Photographer Alasdair McLellan [IG] captures the star, who is styled by Tonne Goodman./ Hair by Frankie Boyd; makeup by Akki Shirakawa

Vogue writer Abby Aguirre catches up with Adele at Heart & Hustle, a private gym in West Hollywood.

We learn that Adele has been doing rigorous weight-lifting and circuit-training sessions every day for three years and counting. Sometimes, Adele works out twice in one day if her anxiety is running high. The world agrees on very little at this point, and women who lose weight are slammed regularly on social media for betraying the sisterhood and our core argument that all bodies are beautiful.

Jessie Li's Ferocious Sensuality by Jack Waterlot for French Magazine Fall 2021

Jessie Li's Ferocious Sensuality by Jack Waterlot for French Magazine Fall 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Jessie Li is styled by Marcell Rocha in modern warrior woman fashion lensed by Jack Waterlot [IG] for French Magazine, aka French Magazine Paris.

Emma Chamberlain in Louis Vuitton X Fornasetti by Domen & Van de Velde in V Magazine

Emma Chamberlain in Louis Vuitton X Fornasetti by Domen & Van de Velde in V Magazine AOC Fashion

Social media sensation Emma Chamberlain drops into the pages of V Magazine as the girl of the 21st century with three covers of V’s October issue. Chamberlain is well-suited for stylist Nicola Formichetti’s current loves from Louis Vuitton’s new collaborative collection with Italian art maison Fornasetti. Photographers Domen & Van de Velde [IG] capture the irrepressible Gen Z content creator for V Magazine’s issue #132. / Hair by Patricia Morales; makeup by Cedric Jolivet

Van Mossevelde + N Captures Ayak Veronica Bior in Valentino Couture for Vogue Arabia

Van Mossevelde + N Captures Ayak Veronica Bior in Valentino Couture for Vogue Arabia AOC Fashion

Model Ayak Veronica Bior poses in her prominent backer Valentino, styled by Claire Carruthers. Photographers Van Mossevelde + N [IG] capture the Valentino Couture fashion story for Vogue Arabia October 2021.

VERSACE JEANS COUTURE ‘Freedom Now’ Fall 2021 Campaign by Naguel Rivero

VERSACE JEANS COUTURE ‘Freedom Now’ Fall 2021 Campaign by Naguel Rivero AOC Fashion

Models Fanta and Nanne front the VERSACE JEANS COUTURE ‘Freedom Now’ Fall 2021 Campaign, styled by Allegra Versace and Berenger Pelic in images by Naguel Rivero [IG].

Brigitte Fleming Eyes Shelby Hayes in Bold Colors Elegance for Vogue Arabia

Brigitte Fleming Eyes Shelby Hayes in Bold Colors Elegance for Vogue Arabia AOC Fashion

Hailing from Orange County California, model Shelby Hayes travels around the world to the pages of Vogue Arabia’s new issue. Lilli Millhiser styles Hayes in bold monochrome color families from Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Tom Ford, and more.

Lensed by Brigitte Fleming [IG], Shelby’s colors bloom boldly at New York’s Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, a historic 43-acre city public park in Yonkers, just north of New York City./ Hair by David Colvin; makeup by Junkokioka

Marcin Tyszka Flashes Magic Powers 'Flora & Fauna' for Harper's Bazaar Germany November 2021

Marcin Tyszka Flashes Magic Powers 'Flora & Fauna' for Harper's Bazaar Germany November 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Silje Lorentzen plunges into what is presented as a surreal world of ‘Flora & Fauna!’, but is it? Kerstin Schneider styles Lorentzen in fantastical patterns and prints from Alaia, Alexander McQueen, Dior, N21 by Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Max Mara, Richard Quinn, Tory Burch, Undercover and more.

Photographer Marcin Tyszka [IG] captures the artistry for Harper’s Bazaar Germany November 2021 issue / Hair by Emil Zed

There’s no arguing that the mushroom props are fantastical. But after further exploration of Stella McCartney’s Spring 2022 collection — also inspired by mushrooms — the facts of fungi may set us free in the real world.

Vicki King Flashes 'Field of Dreams' with Belle Pierson, Connie Saville in Telegraph Luxury

Vicki King Flashes 'Field of Dreams' with Belle Pierson, Connie Saville in Telegraph Luxury AOC Fashion

Models Belle Pierson and Connie Savill are styled by Tona Stell in ‘Field of Dreams’, to the manor born fashion lensed by Vicki King [IG] for Telegraph Luxury September 2021./ Makeup by Victoria Martin