Rianne Van Rompaey in Night Opulence by Lachlan Bailey for Vogue Paris June-July 2021

Rianne Van Rompaey in Night Opulence by Lachlan Bailey for Vogue Paris June-July 2021

Rianne Van Rompaey and Andrés Velencoso Segura pose as the dazzling Parisian couple in ‘Joyaux de Nuit’’. Emmanuelle Alt chooses a high-society, luxury brand lineup including Alexandre Vauthier, Chanel, Dior, Falke, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, Society Room, Victoria Beckham and more,

Photographer Lachlan Bailey captures the couple for Vogue Paris June/July 2021 issue./ Hair by Damien Boissinot; makeup by Christelle Coquet

Vita Mir in 'Riviera' by Signe Vilstrup in Vanity Fair Italia July 2021

Vita Mir in 'Riviera' by Signe Vilstrup in Vanity Fair Italia July 2021

Model Vita Mir is styled by Simone Guidarelli in ‘Riviera’, lensed by Signe Vilstrup [IG] for Vanity Fair Italia July 2021.

Pyoenchen's Uber-Modern Luxe Images of Gia Tang for ELLE Taiwan

Pyoenchen's Uber-Modern Luxe Images of Gia Tang for ELLE Taiwan AOC Fashion

AOC puts our fashion post-exploration roadster in reverse, backing into the April 2021 issue of ELLE Taiwan. Model Gia Tang is lensed by Pyoenchen [IG] , with styling and creative direction by Yii Ooi. / Makeup by Wini Chen

The Enduring Popularity of Air Jordans and 'His Airness'

By Anne Enke, Anne of Carversville

Republish via AOC at FeedBurner CC 3.0 License Attribution Required: Daily Fashion Design Culture News

Air Jordan Is Nowhere Near Its Last Dance

NBA star MIchael Jordan has made over $1.3 billion from Nike, an estimated sum Forbes magazine calls "the biggest endorsement bargain in sports".

As the richest athlete endorsement deal ever, the Chicago Bulls superstar NFL player Michael Jordan did as much for Nike, as the Nike Swoosh did for him. Note the the Swoosh disappeared in the second year of the shoe, prompting Air Jordans and Jordan Brand to thereafter draw "inspiration from jets and sports cars, jazz and even wildlife," writes the Chicago Tribune, who offers one of many histories of Air Jordans on the Internet.

The History of Flying Men

Icarus: Perhaps you’ve heard about Icarus. In Greek mythology, Icarus attempted to escape from Crete flying with wings made of feathers and wax. His father Daedalus warned Icarus first of complacency and then of hubris and lack of awareness.

Literally, Icarus was to fly in the middle of the sky. Too close to the water, the wax would harden and clog his wings. If Icarus flew to high and close to the sun, the wax in his wings would melt, After takeoff, Icarus did indeed fly high into the sky.

Unable to resist the hubris of defying gravity and flying on a divine trajectory, Icarus lost his wing power as the sun melted the wax in his wings. He fell into the sea and died.

Read more about how Michael Jordan became America’s heroic Superman

Ka-Ching

After agreeing to a deal that sent heart palpitations through the bodies of high-level Nike executives, Michael Jordan, the Brooklyn boy who grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, walked away with a five-year deal at an annual base pay of $500,000.

Sounds good, right? It was triple any other NBA sneaker deal in 1984. To sweeten the deal, Jordan also got his own shoe line: Air Jordan was born.

“Nike’s expectation when we signed the deal was, at the end of year four, they hoped to sell $3 million worth of Air Jordans,” says Falk. “In year one, we sold $126 million.”

Probably The Biggest, Baddest Licensing Deal in History

Bauhaus-Inspired Nike Air Max 270 Sneakers Inspired Toilet Paper Magazine Posters AOC Fashion July, 2019

Unlike blogs, websites, video-makers and more people, who just copy the work of others, Nike is seeking creatives with an Apple-mentality, involved in the relentless pursuit of perfection. Without being paid a dime — or with only the original creative spark being paid — communication players built-out the story around the new Air Max lifestyle sneaker.

Knowing from Fast Company that the posters honored the Bauhaus, AOC (as always) went intellectual. We don’t assume that especially younger readers necessarily know or care about the Bauhaus. How can we use the campaign to teach them?

The Bauhaus was founded by Weimar-based architect Walter Gropius, who combined both arts and crafts and the fine arts worlds in a democratic, populist intellectualism. The Art Story describes the Bauhaus movement in terms that resonate today:

The origins of the Bauhaus lie in the late 19th century, in anxieties about the soullessness of modern manufacturing, and fears about art's loss of social relevance. The Bauhaus aimed to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks.

Performance Basketball Shoes Are in Downward Spiral Since 2015, but Retro Is Rising

AOC didn’t know that the performance basketball shoe market peaked in 2015 and has experienced double-digit declines since then, according to NPD.

Read all the details of Air Jordans’ staggering financial performance in Nike’s fiscal 2021 revenues and profits. Also, we share eye-opening details about the decline of basketball performance shoes and the rise of retro.

The World of Air Jordan Drops

Air Jordan drops are huge events in the sneaker world. Countless communities have grown up around the world of sneakerheads. Social psychologists write about them. There are calendars online with all the drop dates organized with images. Determined fans look for ways to get a pair of targeted Air Jordans months before the releases.

Back in 2018, Nike brand president Trevor Edwards stated, “We want to keep Jordan icons coveted and special, which is why we are proactively managing the exclusivity of specific iconic styles.” This means that these shoes will continue to be hard to get your hands on, making them unique to say the least.

The more AOC digs and explores the Air Jordan brand DNA — including this incredible new place for Air Jordans in the world of activist fundraising — call us speechless.

Image by Mike Von, Downtown Los Angeles, CA via Unsplash

Air Jordan: A Brand People Believe In

Studying the Nike press release on fiscal 2021 sales, Air Jordan has been very much with us in America’s darkest hour in decades. In all honesty, I don’t have an emotional relationship with Nike. But I’ve definitely developed an attachment to Air Jordan and Jordan Brand, especially when we get to the section on values and activism.

Covid Sent a Gut Punch to the Air Jordan Community

Who did ordinary people turn to for comfort and a sense of hope and security — but also a shot in the arm to keep us running in COVID-world 2020? ‘His Airness’ Michael Jordan — that’s who.

There is no debate around this issue. The Nike fiscal report on sales and profitability tells us all we need to know about how “we the people” felt about Air Jordan and Jordan Brand in 2020. Businesses were reeling, and in saunters Air Jordan to take a Wall Street bow.

I daresay, Jordan Brand’s influence was even more critical to our bleeding hearts, because Michael Jordan got seriously in the game on the topic of racial justice post George Floyd’s May 2020 murder in Minnesota. That’s the focus of AOC’s future post on values and activism in Air Jordan and Jordan Brand.

Why Am I doing This Giant Freebie for Nike and Air Jordan?

Read our in-depth series on Air Jordan to find out.

Our kids need Air Jordan as an example of American grit and determination to overcome not only COVID, but the drive to end American democracy and the disenfranchisement of million of voters of color.

Each of us is obligated to use our best skills to stop this march of Trumpism in America, and I EXPECT Nike to be in this game of American politics that has become a scary blood-sport.

I can’t think of a better tactical move to make this minute for Anne of Carversville, than to start bird-dogging Nike and Air Jordan. Regular readers expect us to bird-dog brands on sustainability.

Now we will be tracking brands taking a stand for “we the people politics” in America and worldwide.

Fasten your seat belts, because AOC intends to fly high in this new endeavor. We won’t fly into the sun — Icarus, we are not. But we will fly in the face of business. In the words of the great Muhammad Ali, we will “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

How Successful Is Michael Jordan? He's the GOAT!

16 years after playing his last professional basketball game, Michael Jordan out-earns every current NBA player in the sneaker income category. Earning $130 million from his Nike deal, Jordan made four times the No. 2 ranked LeBron James, who made $32 million in 2019.

AOC shares the summer 2021 research rankings on Michael Jordan tying Muhummad Ali as the greatest athlete ever in history.

We want to “Be Like Mike”

Note the music in the Gatorade commercial. It transcends America. Heck I expect Nelson Mandela to enter stage left any second. The commercial is deeply Black in its powerhouse influence on global culture and yet it transcends race.

That was Nelson Mandela’s approach, too — pure ubuntu. Mandela found that the power of Ubuntu, the inner core of every person's humanity, could move mountains.

Our young people don’t really know and understand the power of Nelson Mandela’s message. But they DO want to be like Mike. So do I. So should you. ~ Anne

Leyna Bloom, Megan Thee Stallion, Naomi Osaka Cover 2021 SI Swimsuit Issue

Leyna Bloom, Naomi Osaka, Megan Thee Stallion Cover 2021 SI Swimsuit Issue AOC Body

Is the Sports Illustrated Swimwear issue the new barometer on American women’s sexuality?

Three Self-Identifying Black Women Launch Sports Illustrated 2021 Swimsuit Issue

The Sports Illustrated Swimwear cover release was a time for celebration, with trans model Leyna Bloom spotted in first place on photographer Yu Tsai’s IG. Bloom publicized her inclusion in the magazine in March, but Monday’s cover news was a fresh delight.

Tennis champion Naomi Osaka also has a SI swimsuit cover, days ahead of the kickoff of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Today’s third Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover goes to hip hop star Megan Thee Stallion.

We note that all three women identify as Black women, and this reality also must be a first ever, even though few are talking about it. Too much to celebrate, I guess.

Leyna Bloom, First Trans Woman SI Cover

As the first trans person to land on the front page of SI’s annual special issue, Leyna Bloom is breaking new ground.

"I have dreamt a million beautiful dreams, but for girls like me, most dreams are just fanciful hopes in a world that often erases and omits our history and even existence," Bloom wrote of the honor in a lengthy statement on Instagram. "This moment is so powerful because it allows me to live forever even after my physical form is gone. Not a lot of people get to live in the future, so at this moment, I'm proudly choosing to live forever."

Some Osaka Fans ’Revoked’ Her ‘Black’ Card

As Naomi Osaka prepares to play tennis for the Japanese team at the Olympics, she has now spoken of the not so compassionate world she has faced as a mixed-race Haitian Japanese woman identifying as Black. I noted in these pages that Osaka’s depression had to encompass the pride — but also the potential suffering — she would experience not representing the US at the Olympics.

Megan Thee Stallion is only the second musician to be on the cover, and she's the first rapper. Beyoncé covered the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2007.

According to Nielsen Music, "WAP" accrued a record-breaking 93 million streams in the US the week after its release in August 2020.

Before debuting her single "Body" at the American Music Awards in November last year, the rapper preached a motivating message of self-love, and she’s not flying solo in the community of Black women.

Madelyn Cline Covers Harper's Bazaar Vietnam by Sarah Krick

Madelyn Cline Covers Harper's Bazaar Vietnam by Sarah Krick

Actor Madelyn Cline wears Fendi on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam’s July issue. Mimi Cuttrell styles the fashion story of sleek tailored day looks lensed by Sarah Krick [IG]./ Makeup by Jenna Kristina; hair by Rena Calhoun

The 23-year-old actor Cline left South Carolina at age 18 and has now traveled back as the lead role in the Netflix-original series ‘Outer Banks’.

Gossip Girl Zion Moreno Covers Vogue Mexico August 2021 by An Le

Gossip Girl Zion Moreno Covers Vogue Mexico August 2021 by An Le AOC Fashion

Republish via AOC at FeedBurner CC 3.0 License Attribution Required: Daily Fashion Design Culture News

Zión Moreno, a trans, Mexican-American actor who plays Luna La in on HBO’s ‘Gossip Girl’ reboot, covers the August issue of Vogue Mexico. Aryeh Lappin styles Moreno in images by An Le [IG]./ Hair by Gonn Kinoshita; makeup by Kuma; art director Victoria Pavon

The 26-year-old Moreno, born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is now trans and living in LA. Before ‘Gossip Girl’, she starred in the Mexican teen Netflix drama ‘Control Z’.

‘Gossip Girl’ boss Joshua Safran dished with Variety on the new show in early July, confirming that Moreno’s character Luna is a trans woman in the show. But the show is not focused on Luna transitioning into her authentic self. “That’s just not our story. Luna is Luna to these people, and that’s that,” said Safran.

The topic of Luna and disclosure is addressed later in the show. Safran, an executive producer of the original ‘Gossip Girl’ and the showrunner of the new production, stresses that “Gossip Girl is not weaponizing anyone’s gender or sexuality in the show, or race or identity.” Simply stated, these are not key themes of the show.

Simone Biles Bends Excellence to Her Will in WSJ Magazine by Rahim Fortune

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Simone Biles Bends Excellence to Her Will in WSJ Magazine by Rahim Fortune AOC Fashion

At 4’8” tall, Simone Arianne Biles is called “the most powerful gymnast in history”, by WSJ Magazine. Biles is headed to the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo — the goddesses willing — where she will continue her head-spinning ascent in a sport where she already holds a combined total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals.

Globally, Biles is widely considered to be among the greatest and most dominant female gymnasts of all time.

As WSJ Magazine’s August 2021 cover star, Biles is styled by Jessica Willis in luxury ready-to-wear looks from Chanel (cover), Del Core, Fendi, Jil Sander, Kwaidan Editions, Y/Project and more.  Austin, Texas born, New York-based photographer Rahim Fortune captures Biles in Houston. / Hair by Tylaria Thomas; makeup by Cinthia Moore

Louise Radnofsky interviews the superstar gymnast and activist about defying all expectations as she becomes even stronger after “surviving abuse, enduring a family ordeal and overcoming her own doubts.”

AOC shares the interview highlights.

Related:

Lorena Rae Wears Modern Luxury Tailoring for ELLE Germany August 2021

Lorena Rae Wears Modern Luxury Tailoring for ELLE Germany August 2021

Model Lorena Rae wears modern luxury looks styled by Pia Léonie Knoll in a fashion story ‘Gut In Schwung’ [in good shape]. Photographer Alex Walti [IG] captures Rae for ELLE Germany August 2021.

Greg Swales Eyes Julia Van Os in 'Exotic Getaway' for Harper's Bazaar Greece

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Greg Swales Eyes Julia Van Os in 'Exotic Getaway' for Harper's Bazaar Greece AOC Fashion

Model Julia van Os is styled by fashion editor Rafael Linare in vibrant modern ‘Exotic Getaway’ style from YSL. Photographer Greg Swales captures the mellow-yellow and more sophisticated fashion story for Harper’s Bazaar Greece August issue./ Makeup by Michael Anthony; hair by Darine Sensgeevong

Lucrezia Vanotti Chills in Utilitarian Style for Nature Lovers in D la Repubblica

Lucrezia Vanotti Chills in Utilitarian Style for Nature Lovers in D la Repubblica AOC Fashion

Model Lucrezia Vanotti is styled by Stefania Lorini in a nature-lovers, getaway fashion story for earth girls. Photographer Gaia Bonanomi captures the serenity style for Valentin D la Repubblica’s July 10, 2021 issue. Makeup by Claudia Malavasi; hair by Davide Marrone

Kate Moss' SKIMS Campaign of Kim Kardashian's Everyday Sexy Body Confidence

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AOC Fashion Kate Moss' SKIMS Campaign of Kim Kardashian's Everyday Sexy Body Confidence

Kate Moss is the new face of SKIMS [IG] Summer 2021 campaign — an utterly brilliant decision by Kim Kardashian..

"I've been a fan of SKIMS since day one," Moss said in a press release. "What Kim is doing with the brand is so fresh and modern, making underwear women actually want and that fits perfectly."

The iconic Moss models a selection of styles from SKIMS’ bestselling Fits Everybody and Cotton collections.

Kardashian’s SKIMS also has backup from Kate’s family. "I wear it, my daughter [Lila Grace Moss, 18] wears it — even my mum [Linda Shepherd] wears it!" she said.

Kardashian, 40, is honored to have iconic supermodel Moss, 47, representing her brand. "I first met Kate in 2014 through [designer] Riccardo Tisci and was instantly struck by her cheeky humor, authentic and classic beauty — we've been friends ever since," Kardashian said.

Artist and photographer DonnaTrope [IG]captures the SKIMS campaign.

The brand — which is rockin’ in its own zone like Rihanna’s Fenty collection is rockin’ — also has key styles for the US Women’s Olympic team featured on the SKIMS [IG].

Kim Kardashian/Instagram

AOC so loves it when two sexy, independent-minded, child-loving, entrepreneurial women meet up at the Vatican. That’s exactly what happened a few weeks ago when Kardashian, Moss, and daughter Lila Grace toured the Vatican.

The SKIMS entrepreneur enjoyed more than one Sophia Loren moment, now that she is released from Yeezy bondage.

Kim no-longer receives God-given instructions on how to dress and was really feelin’ a goddess-vibe in Rome.

Just remember, Kim, women had way more power before monotheism came to the Vatican. You and Kate are well on the way to restoring some femme power in your new SKIMS campaign.

Good work, Ladies! AOC doesn’t use the work ‘flawless’, but if we did, you are in the flawless zone. ~ Anne

AOC Archives

Ajok Madel and Ash Foo by Valentin Herfray for Mugler Fragrances June 2021

Ajok Madel and Ash Foo by Valentin Herfray for Mugler Fragrances June 2021 AOC Fashion

Models Ash Foo and Ajok Madel are styled by Laetitia Gimenez in a June 2021 Mugler Fragrances Fragrances campaign lensed by Valentin Herfray. Makeup by Fanny Maurer; hair by Chiao Chenet

Adwoa Aboah Named Global Brand Activist for Rimmel London Beauty Brand

Adwoa Aboah Named Global Brand Activist for Tmmel London Beauty Brand AOC Eye

British cosmetics brand Rimmel, now owned by Coty, Inc., has tapped Adwoa Aboah as the beauty brand’s new global activist.

Adwoa and Rimmel London are “like-minded in advocating self-expression and believe in the freeing power of makeup, not to transform but to empower all wearers,” said the brand in a PR release.

The founder of Gurl Talk joins a long list of unique, trailblazing women who have previously been the face of Rimmel London. They include Kate Moss, Georgia May Jagger, Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora.

AOC thought of Aboah today, remembering her British Vogue September 2020 cover, shared with Britain’s Manchester United football star Marcus Rashford, one of three players of color who received savagely racist abuse after losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy on Sunday.

You may remember Sir Richard Branson talking about watching the game, after his return from the edge of space on Sunday.

AOC will revisit this story Wednesday, as British Vogue has resurrected their cover and shared many helpful links on racism for readers.

Adut Akech Electrifies in Fall 2021 Modern Luxury by Chris Colls ELLE US August

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Adut Akech Electrifies in Fall 2021 Modern Luxury by Chris Colls ELLE US August

Supermodel Adut Akech is breathtaking, posting in vibrant, modern luxury clothes for the August 2021 issue of ELLE US. Photographer Chris Colls [IG] captures Adut, who just became a global ambassador for Estee Lauder, with styling by Alex White.

In her interview Adut Akech Is Electric Roxanne Fequiere refreshes memories about Adut’s journey out of South Sudan. We’ve told that story many times on AOC in the last four years, so head-on over to ELLE to read Adut’s story of roadside birth on on Christmas Day in 1999 — somewhere between South Sudan and the Kenyan refugee camp Kakuma.

The camp Kakuma, that has birthed several successful models, was her home, until Adelaide, Australia welcomed her, her mom and five siblings. Adut’s father died in the fighting in South Sudan, and her aunt was already living in Adelaide.

In Adut’s own words:

“I was born on the way to Kenya, and I haven’t been to Sudan since.

Adut’s fashion industry success is legendary by now. At a time when models of color are rising everywhere in fashion, Adut is a superstar. Her Estee Lauder appointment makes her platinum grade in the world of modeling and will absolutely affect her bank account, Adut is also a member of the new VS Collective, joining other high-credentialed women to do what, none of us knows. They are advisers.

In another of Adut’s famous stories touched in her ELLE interview, in the car ride from the Adelaide airport to her new home, the now supermodel turned to her mother and made a vow: “Now that we’re here, I’m going to get an education. I’m going to buy you a car and a house. I’m going to make something of myself.”

That life checklist is complete for Adut Akech, who tells us something more about her character when she says: “I will always be a refugee.”

To say that there’s whole lotta love for this young woman is an understatement. Hey, Adut, how about a ride in Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two Unity 22? Now THAT would be memorable for a refugee model. You could raise money for your future project in [South] Sudan. ~ Anne

Read the interview and get info on all the incredible clothes at ELLE.

Thomas Cooksey's 'Sea Fever' with Bianca O'Brien for Tatler UK August 2021

Thomas Cooksey's 'Sea Fever' with Bianca O'Brien for Tatler UK August 2021 

Model Bianca O’Brien is styled by Rachel Bakewell in ‘Sea Fever’, luxury fashion elegance at water’s edge lensed by Thomas Cooksey [IG] for Tatler UK August 2021./Hair by Jamie McCormick; makeup by Elias Hove

Mame Wade Torches ELLE France July and ELLE UK June 2021 by Laurie Bartley

Mame Wade Torches ELLE France July and ELLE UK June 2021 by Laurie Bartley AOC Fashion

Mame Wade and Laurie Bartley have delivered some of the most scorching images of the 2021 summer season. Yes, red everything is a visual assist, but Wade might as well be driving a red Ferrari in these images — first in the June 2021 issue of British Elle — now in the July 2021 issue of ELLE France.

AOC shares four new images in the French ELLE July edition, and the original fashion story from British ELLE June 2021. We rarely use phrases like ‘commanding presence’ or ‘scorched earth’ but all the superlatives apply in these Mame Wade images by Laurie Bartley.