Aussie model born in Kenya, of South Sudan heritage, Akiima Ajak channels the spirit of ‘60s style liberation styled in bold, black and white optical graphics. Benedetta Dell'Orto styles the shoot, lensed by Jason Kibbler [IG] for ELLE Spain [IG] September 2023./ Hair by Leon Gorman; makeup by Virginia Young
The September 2023 issue of Harpers Bazaar Spain delivers two cover women — Monica Bellucci and Kendall Jenner — who personify what it is to be an icon in the 21st century.
In these images, film star legend Monica Bellucci is lensed by Xavi Gordo [IG] with styling by EIC Imma Jimenez Mateos, who is also creative director of HEARST Spain, and Claudia Laukamp. Bellucci wears Nina Ricci by Harris Reed above./ Hair by John Nollet Paris
British Vogue’s September 2023 issue shares a fashion story ‘Pure Imagination’, styled by Amanda and Tallulah Harlech. The story promotes Glyn Cywarch, the Harlech family’s estate in northwestern Wales.
Amanda Harlech invites multitalented guests that include Moon Bedeaux, Miranda Brooks, Francesca Hayward, Alfie Husband, Ella Richards, Tish Weinstock & Lydia West to the 400-year-old estate that is just HOME to an authentic “grand and storied” British experience . Photographer Sean Thomas is behind the lens.
Vogue’sTabitha Simmons [IG] styles top model Grace Elizabeth in her first ‘Just One Thing’.
Simmons writes: “If you had to buy ONE THING a good suit would be my choice !!!! It can be a versatile addition to your wardrobe that you can dress up or down for different events or wear as separates. Additionally, a well-fitted suit can make you feel confident and empowered. I love a suit especially a jazzy one.”
Photographer Cass Bird [IG] photographs Grace Elizabeth with her husband Nicolas Krause, who she married in 2020. The couple welcomed baby boy Noah Krause in early 2021.
In a fashion story and interview for Out magazine, cover stars Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, Jelani Alladin, and Noah J. Ricketts reflect on the familial bonds formed by the actors in the upcoming limited eight-episodes series ‘Fellow Travelers’, with its premier October 27 on ‘Showtime’.
This fashion story and narrative by Mey Rudewas created for Out before the Hollywood actor’s strike. The quartet is styled by Michael Miller in images by Jason Hetherington [IG].
A mindblowing fact about the focus of the Showtime series ‘Fellow Travelers’ is the probable deceptions between the two leading figures in the purge of homosexuals in the US federal goverment in 1953: Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his chief counsel, Roy Cohn.
Even then, Roy Cohn was the subject of hush-hush, anecdotal rumours about his homosexual identity. Cohn was eventually diagnosed with AIDS and died in 1978.
Two more men with interesting biographies are tied to the key figures of ‘Fellow Travelers’. The first is America’s head of the FBI during the 1950s J. Edgar Hoover. The second — years later — is a younger man named Donald J. Trump.
The Hollywood strike disrupted actor Sydney Sweeney’s ability to speak about her past and future projects with the September 2023 issue of S Moda for El Pais [IG].
Readers do get a lesson in just how fervently Sydney Sweeney knew at the young age of three that she had a gift for acting. Once she understood people had actual jobs in acting, her young vision was fully-formed.
It was then that the 10-year-old took control of the situation with her five-year plan — which she presented to her parents. Key steps included “meeting casting directors, auditioning for short films, student films, or commercials.”
Supermodel Mariacarla Boscono is styled by Amarsana Gendunova in an all Prada fashion story with three covers, commissioned by the Italian luxury brand. Photographers Luigi & Iango [IG] capture Mariacarla for Vogue Korea [IG] September 2023.
Erin Wasson [IG] covers ELLE Spain’s September 2023 issue, styled by Bárbara Garralda & Sylvia Montoliú. Photographer Javi López [IG] is behind the lens, capturing Wasson, who seems to be thriving in immeasurable ways. / Hair and makeup by Beatriz Matallana
Model Meghan Collison is styled by Kai Margrander in ‘It Suits Her’, suits-inspired tailoring with a bit of flair lensed by Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello for Harper’s Bazaar Germany September 2022./ Hair by Amber Duarte; makeup Rie Omoto
The Bloomsbury Group, widely known for their boundary-pushing approach to art, literature, and culture, found inspiration in the intricate beauty and meticulous detail of Flemish floral painting.
One of the key artists influenced by Flemish floral painting was Vanessa Bell. As a founding member of the Bloomsbury Group and a prominent painter, she adapted the Flemish technique to create her own unique style.
Flemish floral painting provided a departure from the formal academic art conventions of the time, just as the Bloomsbury artists, sought to break free from traditional norms, inspired by the freedom and creativity exhibited in the Flemish works. They recognized that flowers possessed a profound energy and vitality that could be unleashed through artistic expression.
The September 2023 issue of Vogue Czechoslovakia [IG] turns to Vogue Poland’s EIC [IG], photographer Ina Lekiewicz Levy to create a fashion story featuring Amanda Murphy, with a nod to America’s New Orleans roots.
Model Georgia Fowler radiates French Riviera glamour, perched high over the Mediterranean in Cannes for Numéro Netherlands [IG]. Photographer Daniella Midenge [IG] adds Fowler to the lineup of well-known, glamorous women she shot in Cannes.
In my dreams, I think we should unleash Daniella on the US Supreme Court, because if anyone can whip into shape those Federalist Society guys living in the 1660s vision of the patriarchal world order — it’s Daniella Midenge.
She would have them hiding in the justices cloak room, begging her to stand down.
Think about it, dear Daniella — for our country and the future of the free world. ~ Anne
Model Rolf Schrader is styled by Alba Melendo in an everyman fashion story ‘On the Road’ [En La Carretera], lensed by Tofjan [IG], aka Krzysztof Jan, for Vogue Spain August 2023./ Beauty by Cynthia de Leon
Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, known as Mert & Marcus, are top fashion photographers celebrated for their bold and provocative style. The duo remains very busy and relevant in fashion world in 2023, 15 years after their collaboration with W Magazine in 2008 for the editorial ‘Hammam’, featuring Kate MoKate Moss and Mert & Marcus at Charleston for British Vogue 2021
AOC revisited this 2008 Kate Moss by Mert & Marcus editorial Saturday for refreshing with large images, after The Guardian linked into AOC’s 2021 feature on ‘Charleston’ in Sussex, England. Kate was photographed by Mert & Marcus wearing Fendi Couture for British Vogue.
‘Charleston’ was home to the Bloombury set of writers, artists and members of the creatives set in England. While we write our own new article about ‘Charleston’ and the artists associated with this important place in European history — and also in America — you can visit the ‘living museum’ online.
Gathering before their Apple TV+ four-part documentary Vogue US and British Vogue’s September 2023 issues honor ‘The Greatest of All Time’ models, the ‘Supersonic Supers’. The interviews and shoot predated the SAG-AFTRA strike.
British Vogue EIC Edward Enninful styles the fashion story with supers Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Naomi Campbell.
Enninful will be changing his role within Condé Nast, where the March 2024 issue of British Vogue will be his last as EIC, while simultaneously overseeing the editorial content of Condé Nast-owned European issues.
Beloved Chinese supermodel He Cong covers Vogue China’s September 2023 issue, lensed by Shanghai-based fashion photographer Leslie Zhang [IG]. Vivienne Sun styles the photoshoot with creative direction by Matt McDonald.
Anne has written at length about this excellent fashion story and the many topics it touches in Part One of the Vogue China September 2023 fashion story. They include:
Fashion and Sport
Hangzhou and the Silk Roads
Fashion and Sport: Nike, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren
Tom Ford Beauty shares a voluptuous new campaign and reformulation of its Café Rose fragrance. The scent was first introduced in 2012 and is worn today by top Dutch model Rianne van Rompaey.
In the new campaign, styled by Carine Roitfeld, master photographer Steven Klein [IG] follows a dreamy van Rompaey into a spare but sensual room showered with rose petals. The intoxicating atmosphere takes Rianne into a semi-orgasmic state as she is loved up by the petals, her body writhing in a state of sensually-aware semi-consciousness.
Model Jan Baiboon packs her suitcase with Pre-fall 2023 Saint Laurent and heads to Thailand under the fashion eye of Vogue Korea’s fashion editor Kihoh Sohn.
Photographer Songyi Yoon [IG]captures Baiboon out and about in Bangkok for the August 2023 issue.
Vogue Brasil calls Gisele the only übermodel, activist for environmental causes.
In her interview with EIC Maria Laura NevesIG], Gisele expresses her own view of her success: “I believe that it has a lot to do with my personality and the choices I’ve made. I was faithful to my values and my essence, always giving my best. I took the profession seriously and I was always very professional.”
“I am naturally more reserved and ended up choosing projects that I deemed more meaningful for me to showcase myself. Perhaps this has contributed to the longevity in a career that is typically so fleeting.”
AOC adds that like so many young models today, Gisele suffered from extreme anxiety, although she didn’t talk about it endlessly. The mother of Benjamin, 13, and Vivian, 10, has spoken for decades about the importance of mental health and her healthy-food, yoga-filled and martial arts, gratitude-to-the-universe lifestyle for decades now.
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