The 'Unstoppable' Precious Lee Covers ELLE US April 2022 by Adrienne Raquel

The 'Unstoppable' Precious Lee Covers ELLE US April 2022 by Adrienne Raquel AOC Fashion

Rising model star Precious Lee covers the April 2022 issue of ELLE US, styled by the legendary Patti Wilson in AZ Factory, Bad Binch, Balaclava, Bottega Veneta, Christian Cowan, Eric Javits, Maison Atia, Michael Kors Collection, Mônot, Moschino [cover], Sinéad O’Dwyer and more. Photographer Adrienne Raquel [IG] is behind the lens for ‘The Unstoppable Precious Lee’./ Hair by Evanie Frausto; makeup by Raoúl Alejandre

Growing Up Like an Atlanta Peach Queen

AOC has told the Precious Lee story several times now. We are well aware that the Atlanta beauty has continually resisted external expectations of what she can and cannot do. Her glorious family was not only behind her efforts but cultivated a home life centered around the good life.

Most likely a few Atlanta bluebloods would raise an eyebrow over her cosmetologist, hair-salons-owning father wearing Versace and “silk shirts unbuttoned with gold chains.” But in this interview with Alexis Okeowo and others, it’s clear that Lee’s family nurtured her enormous self-confidence and comfort level with being in the spotlight.

Lee admits that she hasn’t spoken to the fact that her sister Charisma died in a car accident when she was young. Checking a couple earlier articles, we haven’t talked about this tragic event in Lee’s young life.

“It was so much pain at that age from losing the brightest light,” Lee says. “I actually never talk about this in interviews, but it’s just really important to because I’m starting to realize and understand how transformative that age was for me in being able to tap into things that were creative as an outlet for healing for me.”

Confronting Stereotypes: A Move to the Front of the Bus

Precious Lee needs to develop this story in a TED Talk. It should inspire us all. Lee was no different than many young women about pursuing competitive cheerleading. I have to believe it’s even more competitive in the South. Precious Lee believes that mastering ‘healthy competition’ is key to success in the modern world.

Early in practice, the coach began organizing the physical structure of the cheerleading squad. She assigned Precious a base position, at the bottom of the pyramid, because of her height and size, leaving Lee hurt and confused. Today popular culture calls it a “micro-aggression” and people carry these perceived insults for years.

Precious Lee wasn’t having it. Read on to learn how Precious Lee carried the day. The 'Unstoppable' Precious Lee Covers ELLE US April 2022 by Adrienne Raquel AOC Fashion

Prior Precious Lee Interviews: Precious Lee by Tyler Mitchell Is Committed to Uplifting Us in i-D No. 363 Summer 2021 AOC Fashion

Georgia's Queen Precious Lee Delivers Self-Love Power Punch in Harper's Bazaar May Beauty Issue AOC Fashion

Cindy Bruna's Inner 'Joséphine' and Chaumet's Latest Jewelry Glamour

Cindy Bruna's Inner 'Joséphine' and Chaumet's Latest Jewelry Glamour AOC Fashion

The House of Chaumet, based in Paris, releases its latest Joséphine collection, channeling the French empress and wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. The explosive — and very modern, even by French standards — love affair between Napoleon and Josephine is often cited as the most documented love story in history.

Empress Joséphine was the first eminent client of Marie-Etienne Nitot, Chaumet's founder. Learning his art as an apprentice to Aubert, court jeweler to Queen Marie-Antoinette, Nitot moved to Paris in 1780. After surviving the French Revolution, he was appointed jeweler to Emperor Napoleon, tasked with making jewelry symbolizing the power that Napoleon wished to convey.

An 18th century aristocrat, Empress Joséphine cherished memories of life on tropical islands like Martinique, where she was born. As Empress, she reinvented the codes of fashion and taste, popularizing her own vision of elegance on Parisian society.

Tatiana Djau in 'Popstar' by Per Florian Appelgren for L'Officiel Belgium April 2022

Tatiana Djau in 'Popstar' by Per Florian Appelgren for L'Officiel Belgium April AOC Fashion

For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret Spring 2022 Festival Collection with Lais Ribeiro

Lais Ribeiro Is Woodstock Ready in For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret Spring 2022 AOC Body

Victoria’s Secret lingerie rolls on into Spring 2022 with the launch of a late ‘60s-early ‘70s For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret embroidered flower power collection inspired by music festivals. Literally-speaking, you can buy a Festival Rose bra.

Lais Ribeiro gets us in the groove mood in a lingerie lovers collection of beautifully-embroidered bras and ‘Zoe’ bralettes, thongs, ‘Pastel punch’ dress, teddies, and garter belts styled by Ashley Gloriso. Crochet hats and colorful scrunchies add a precious, witty touch to the collection lensed by Bryan Rodner Carr [IG]. / Makeup by Hadia Kabir; hair by Tiago Goya

Ana Abril Captures Birgit Veegen in 'Por Amor Al Arte' for Mujer Hoy

Ana Abril Captures Birgit Veegen in 'Por Amor Al Arte' for Mujer Hoy AOC Fashion

Model Birgit Veegen is styled by Caterina Ospina in ‘Por Amor Al Arte’, art lovers modern style lensed by Ana Abril [IG] for Mujer Hoy March 5, 2022.

Alessandra Ambrosio Poses in Dundas Designs for Vogue Scandinavia by Amar Daved

Alessandra Ambrosio Poses in Dundas Designs for Vogue Scandinavia by Amar Daved AOC Fashion

Brazilian beauty Alessandra Ambrosio poses in Dundas designs for the new issue of Vogue Scandinavia. Photographer Amar Daved [IG] captures the sultry, bodycon fashion styled by Christopher Campbell.

Vogue Scandinavia profiles the Norwegian designer Peter Dundas and his partner longtime partner Evangelo Bousis, who became parents via surrogacy in June 2021. Besides a feature on the couple’s new family life [subscribers only], Vogue Scandinavia shares [open to public] Dressed in Dundas: The greatest sartorial hits from Norway’s most famous designer. Dundas has a huge glam squad wearing his clothes — from Michelle Obama to Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian.

Regarding his life in California and facilitated ability to become a family due to laws in the state, Dundas said at the time his son Alexios Peter Bousis-Dundaswas born:

"We are beyond grateful to our wonderful surrogate and her family who made this journey with us; to our wonderful baby doctors, the lovely midwife who delivered him healthy on his surprise arrival, our supportive friends and to California who let guys like us become Dads so smoothly," the 52-year-old commented. "Unfortunately, it's not the same everywhere and if you are hoping to have children in a place that doesn't support this journey PLEASE don't lose faith. God is good and the world is changing and it will for you too."

On his Instagram, Peter Dundas shares gorgeous images of his new family, but also a special image supporting Ukraine. The picture defines AOC’s target Smart Sensuality Woman: she is smart, sexy and has a tremendous heart. Simply stated, we are the warrior goddesses. And we are rising.

Lakshmi Menon Covers Vogue India March 2022 in 'The Sari Holds Our Secrets'

Lakshmi Menon Covers Vogue India March 2022 in 'The Sari Holds Our Secrets' AOC Fashion

Lakshmi Menon covers the March 2022 issue of Vogue India, ‘A Homecoming’, marking a return to part-time modeling after the birth of her daughter Gayatri with Suhel Seth, who she married in 2018. Megha Kapoor styles Menon in ‘Shapes And Drapes’, lensed by Ashish Shah [IG]./ Hair & makeup by Mitesh Rajani

Rather than an interview with Lakshmi Menon, Vogue India chooses to focus on the traditional sari that covers her body and those of Indian women across the continent. It’s impossible not to quote liberally from the exquisite writing of Bandana Tewari in ‘The sari holds our secrets’. Her words are among the most poetic and deeply probing ones I’ve read about women lives and women’s bodies in a long time.

For Indian Women Historically: Body and Sari Are Inseparable

Sari, or ‘strip of cloth’ in Sanskrit, is much more than a piece of clothing, explains Tewari.

It is the subcontinent’s collective dream of womanhood, of femininity, and a lifelong ritual of love and pleasure immersed in the shapes and drapes of our inner worlds. Mothers, whilst draping saris on their coming-of-age daughters, are known to gently whisper, “We are dressing not just our bodies but also our emotions.”

Body and sari are inseparable — “the sex-yard dance of our natural curves, the meandering metaphors of our lives, the contours of our thrills and the creases of our discomfort.”

We learn the story of the disrobing of Draupadi, a “powerful story of the sacred alchemy of weave and wearer. There is a much more in-depth probing of the story of Draupadi in The Hindu.

Personally I believe in the creative use of fantasy and allegory in the treatment of sexual trauma. In my own case I developed a metaphorical relationship with a tree representing Gaia and through meditation I gave her all my “crud” for composting and rebirth — the terrible residue of my own sexual assault. I visualized an umbilical cord relationship with my beloved tree.

Reading this story about Draupadi, it is so powerful and also there are healing purposes to it that could be employed in visualization techniques for survivors of deep sexual assault. I’m not speaking of an unwanted kiss or your butt being squeezed by a stranger in an elevator. I speak of deadly, vicious assault which often leaves women {or men] consumed with guilt and stain — and a sense of being the sinner herself, the wearer of the scarlet letter.

Read on: Lakshmi Menon Covers Vogue India March 2022 in 'The Sari Holds Our Secrets' AOC Fashion