Marlijn Joek Shimmers in a 'Calm Sea' by Simon Upton for ELLE Italia June 23, 2023

Marlijn Joek Shimmers in a 'Calm Sea' by Simon Upton for ELLE Italia June 23, 2023

Dutch model Marlijn Hoek shimmers in casual, metallic-colors elegance for a fashion story ‘Mare Calmo’ [‘Calm Sea’]. The model is styled by Micaela Sessa in summer’s relaxed sophistication from Aurelie Bidermann, Dolce & Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Loro Piana, Max Mara, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reinhard Plank, Stefanel

Photographer Simon Upton [IG]captures Hoek at La Sultana Oualidia in Morocco for ELLE Italia June 23, 2023./ Makeup by Topolino; hair by Simone Prusso

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Artycapucines with Ubuntu Spirit in Sotheby's Paris Louis Vuitton Online Auction June 28 - July 5

Artycapucines with Ubuntu Spirit in Sotheby's Paris Louis Vuitton Online Auction June 28 - July 5

Sotheby's and Louis Vuitton will auction 22 "exceptionally remade" Artycapucines handbags, with net proceeds benefiting organizations like UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières, The United Negro College Fund, Teach for China, World Central Kitchen, Opendorf Afrika  and RED, which fights AIDS.

A group of 22 artists will now remake their original Artycapucines using the same materials wherever possible with the artist scrawling his or her name under the flap and on the carrying case, a monogram Louis Vuitton hat box based on a 1924 design.

The participating artists are Alex Israel, Amélie Bertrand, Beatriz Milhazes, Daniel Buren, Donna Huanca, Gregor Hildebrandt, Huang Yuxing, Jean-Michel Othoniel, Jonas Wood, Josh Smith, Kennedy Yanko, Liu Wei, Paola Pivi, Park Seo-Bo, Peter Marino, Sam Falls, Tschabalala Self, Ugo Rondinone, Urs Fischer, Vik Muniz, Zeng Fanzhi and Zhao Zhao.

Opening bids for these one-of-a-kind, recreated Artycapucines start at 16,000 euros.

In the spirit of these public commissions, all 22 bags will be on show from 1-5 July 2023 at a public exhibition at Sotheby’s Paris headquarters on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

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Pharrell Taps Rihanna for LV Mens | LVMH Close to Securing Major 2024 Olympics Deal

Pharrell Taps Rihanna for LV Mens  | LVMH Close to Securing Major 2024 Olympics Deal

The show marking Pharrell Williams' first collection for Louis Vuitton Mens, will take place in the City of Lights on June 20, 2023, at 8:30 p.m. Louis Vuitton execs used their considerable influence to change Pharrell’s debut date

On the subject of those delicious bag colors, read on about LVMH sponsoring the 2024 Olympics in Paris, promoting Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and LVMH spirits.

In fact, it wouldn’t surprise AOC to see LVMH promoting their jointly-owned [50-50] with Jay-Z, Armand de Brignac champagne brand at the Olympics.

That would be one hell of a party! Alas, it won’t be a public event, but Mory Sacko will be in the kitchen. LVMH really wants to step out in the Olympics and they could pull this off in a big way.

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Emily Blunt's Next Role As Kitty Oppenheimer in Harper's Bazaar UK July-August 2023

Emily Blunt's Next Role As Kitty Oppenheimer in Harper's Bazaar UK July-August 2023

Actor Emily Blunt is styled by Celia Azoulay in garden party clothes from Dior, Emilia Wickstead, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Safiyaa and more. Tom Schirmacher [IG] flashes Blunt in ‘A Seat at the Table’ for Harper’s Bazaar UK July-August 2023./Hair by Laini Reeves; makeup by Jenn Streicher

This summer, Blunt plays a very different role in ‘Oppenheimer’, the story behind the creation of the atomic bomb. Playing the role of Kitty Oppenheimer, born Katharine Puening Harrison in New York City on August 4, 1910, Emily Blunt the actor is introducing us to a woman intrinsically tied to the most significant scientific achievement of the 20th century.

“She was fiery, a force very much his equal. She was not a woman who conformed to the 1950s housewife ideal,” Emily Blunt explains, with a tone of voice that denotes reverence.

Of course, as an American I know who J. Robert Oppenheimer was. And I know intimately well the story of the McCarthy hearings, as my first landlord in New York was a playwright imprisoned for 1-2 years during the hearings.

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Leon Dame and Jeanne Cadieu in 'Duel au Soleil' by Josh Olins for M Le Magazine du Monde June 2023

Leon Dame and Jeanne Cadieu in 'Duel au Soleil' by Josh Olins for M Le Magazine du Monde June 2023

German model Leon Dame and French model Jeanne Cadieu spar with each other in an erotic, sensual and intellectual game of life and human attraction in ‘Duel au Soleil’.

James Valeri styles the encounter with creative direction by Jean-Baptiste Talbourdet-Napoleone. The models evoke an abundance of erotic tension and self-expression captured by photographer Josh Olins [IG].

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The Camargue Calls to Mona Tougaard, Lensed by Tyler Mitchell for i-D No.372

The Camargue Calls to Mona Tougaard, Lensed by Tyler Mitchell for i-D No.372

Anne of Carversville lives very close to the ancient symbolism of much of the artistic imagery featured here, and how stereotypes of women have evolved over the last 12,000 years.

Photographed by Tyler Mitchell and styled by Carlos Nazario, top model Mona Tougaard was captured in the surreal landscape of Salin d'Aigues-Mortes, in the Camargue, for the summer 2023 issue of i-D magazine.

My response to Irina’s “wet and wild” fashion story, shot in Joshua Tree, California was connected to 1] her walking nearly naked in a recent Cannes event where everyone else appearing in photos was wearing clothes. As a publicity stunt, I can’t even remember the jewelry brand she was wearing; and 2] specifically in Joshua Tree, Danielle Midenge shot Winnie Harlow recently with a vibe that is more akin to this one with Mona Tougaard and Tyler Mitchell in the south of France. I loved Daniella’s Winnie images and revere the ancient history of Joshua Tree.

i-D acknowledges that Demeulemeester and her former new designer don’t seem to live at all in the same territory on the fashion spectrum. It’s a very convoluted explanation by Ludovic of why he was perfect to interpret Ann’s vision. Note: I also am very impressed by Robert Mapplethorpe. I still don’t get the shared synergy.

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Mary Ukech's Crisp Summer Style in Harper's Bazaar France No. 4 by Unit Savaci

Mary Ukech's Crisp Summer Style in Harper's Bazaar France No. 4 by Unit Savaci

South Sudanese model Mary Ukech wears a sparkling white, perfectly feminine Chanel two-piece swimsuit in a key pieces, summer fashion story for Harper’s Bazaar France No, 4, June-July 2023 issue.

Pauline Charriere styles the story ‘Calme Blanc’ for images lensed by Unit Savaci [IG].

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Bulgari's Eiza González in L'Officiel Paris Wonder Women Issue by Nick Thompson

Bulgari's Eiza González in L'Officiel Paris Wonder Women Issue by Nick Thompson

Bulgari [IG] ambassador and on-fire actor Eiza González celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Serpenti collection, gracing the cover of L’Officiel Paris’s [IG] June-July 2023 issue in a dazzling set of Bulgari High Jewelry diamonds.

In a refreshing voice about hard work, the upcoming The Three Body Problem star attributes her strong work ethic to growing up in Mexico City, while noting that America has benefitted from the attitude of her people.

“ I come from a culture where we work, work, work, work, work. In America, some of the hardest working people you will see — underpaid — are Mexican people or Latin people. We have always been taught to work and work harder, and then after you work harder, work harder than that.”

Nick Thompson [IG] shoots the actor’s ‘Stands Strong’ fashion story for The Wonder Women Issue.

In AOC’s opinion, feminism and women’s rights leaders haven’t given enough voice to the experiences of women from Mexico and Central and South America, where there are matriarchal traditions far stronger than in American history.

Eiza González speaks fiercely to the importance of her values in everything she does.

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Miranda Kerr Is 40 and Fabulous in Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2023 for Harper's Bazaar Australia

Miranda Kerr Is 40 and Fabulous in Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2023 for Harper's Bazaar Australia

Miranda Kerr wears many titles, as she celebrates her 40th birthday: Louis Vuitton face, KORA Organics skin care founder, Mrs. Evan Spiegel and mom to three boys Flynn, Hart and Myles Miranda Kerr.

The supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel covered the May 2023 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Australia, catching up on her life with veteran journalist and self-described “meddler for good” Laura Brown [IG]. Read the interview.

Christian Strobble styles Miranda in the all-Vuitton fashion images shot by Nino Munoz [IG]./ Makeup by Niki M’Nray

The very visible ‘California Living’ face of Louis Vuitton recently launched their new Pacific Chill fragrance in Malibu.

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Anna Ewers in Greek Waters by Zoe Ghertner for i-D Magazine No. 372 Summer 2023

Anna Ewers in Greek Waters by Zoe Ghertner for i-D Magazine No. 372 Summer 2023

i-D Magazine’s Summer!Issue, no. 372 is out, with beach babe, top model Anna Ewers on the cover. Camilla Nickerson and Imaan Sayed style Ewers in ERES, SOLID & STRIPED and more onshore and in Greek waters by Zoe Ghertner [IG]. / Makeup by Fara Homidi

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'Yasmin Finney Has Arrived' in ELLE UK June 2023, Lensed by Mariana Maltoni

'Yasmin Finney Has Arrived' in ELLE UK June 2023, Lensed by Mariana Maltoni

The well-loved Netflix series Heartstopper has been praised for its beautifully authentic portrayal of teenage love, with Yasmin's character, Elle Argent adding an important and moving dimension to the storyline. Heartstopper will enter its second season on August 3, with an expanded role for Finney.

Heartstopper is a graphic novel series written and illustrated by Alice Oseman. The story centers around two teenage boys, Charlie and Nick, who attend an all-boys school in the UK. Charlie is openly gay and has had a crush on Nick for quite some time, while Nick is straight and oblivious to Charlie's feelings.

One of Charlie’s best friends, Elle [Finney] is going through her own challenges at school. After years at the all boys’ school, Elle has officially transferred to the all girls’ school, making this her first year without her trusted group of BFFs by her side.

Though at first she’s convinced she’s the only LGBTQIA+ student, she learns quickly that she’s not as alone as she thought.

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Actor Rebecca Ferguson Talks 'Mission Impossible', 'Dune-2' and Silo in Vogue Hong Kong

Actor Rebecca Ferguson Talks 'Mission Impossible', 'Dune-2' and Silo in Vogue Hong Kong

Actress Rebecca Ferguson covers the June 2023 issue of Vogue Hong Kong, styled by Karen Clarkson. Photographer Royal Gilbert [IG] captures Ferguson in a fashion story ‘Rebecca Ferguson: Digging Deep’./ Hair by Jillian Halouska; makeup by Emma Lovell

Ferguson is very busy with a new Mission Impossible film out this summer and Dune: Part Two arriving in late fall — currently November 3. The British-Swedish actor is executive producer on the acclaimed post-apocalyptic series Silo, streaming now on Apple TV+.

She is also in final negotiations to shoot the movie “Best Served Cold” under the direction of Tim Miller. Ferguson will play a legendary mercenary, who is betrayed, rejected and on a quest for revenge. Her personal mission will forever change the nation.

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Kendall Jenner Sizzles in Hot Bod Swimwear for FWRD by Yulia Gorbachenko

Kendall Jenner Sizzles in Hot Bod Swimwear for FWRD by Yulia Gorbachenko

Kendall Jenner has been creative director of online retailer FWRD since September, 2021. In these sizzling Kendall shots by Yulia Gorbachenko [IG], demonstrates that she has a bikini body for the ages, like this red, one-strap two-piece by The Attico.

The new campaign aligns with the opening of FWRD’s first pop-up shop on Melrose in Los Angeles. Open now thru Aug. 13, 2023, the pop-up shop will include all classifications sold online with regular new designs arriving throughout the summer.

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Cartier, Grace Kelly, Elle Fanning and Grain de Café: A Perfectly Rich Brew

Cartier, Grace Kelly, Elle Fanning and Grain de Café: A Perfectly Rich Brew

If there is a future remake of a Grace Kelly film, Elle Fanning is certain to get the part. People who have watched the Cartier campaign film for the relaunched Grain de Café Collection are quite astonished.

To pay tribute to Grace Kelly, the iconic Hollywood star, Cartier turned to American director Alex Prager whose sensitivity resonates with the codes of the collection.

The original story of the collection, born in 1938 is embedded in a difficult time in world history when Cartier’s creative director Jeanne Toussaint had risen quickly to the coveted and rare for a woman design position in Paris.

In creating Cartier’s Grain de Café Collection, Toussaint tapped into her extensive knowledge of global power and conflicts, economic suffering and rising authoritarianism. Hitler had been chancellor in Germany since 1933. Quiet luxury was on her creative mind.

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Tiny Bird Bone Flutes from Prehistoric Natufian People Found in Israel

Tiny Bird Bone Flutes from Prehistoric Natufian People Found in Israel

Levant-region archaeologists have discovered prehistoric flutes believed to be 12,000 years old. The flutes were scattered among a stockpile of 1,100 bird bones and had gone unnoticed since the site’s discovery in 1950.

The flute instruments were discovered at a site called Eynan-Mallaha [also known as Ain Mallaha], located on the shores of Lake Hula in the Huleh Valley of today’s northern Israel. The site is believed to be home to the last hunter-gatherers in the region, says Dr. Laurent Davin, an archaeologist and a post-doctoral fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The Natufian people were a prehistoric group that lived in what is now modern-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and northern Syria around 12,500 to 9,500 BCE. They were known for their advanced hunting and gathering techniques, as well as their unique cultural practices.

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Eva Hardwick & Allana Brito Find Joy with Animals in Vogue Portugal May 2023

Eva Hardwick & Allana Brito Find Joy with Animals in Vogue Portugal May 2023

Models Eva Hardwick and Allana Brito are styled by Emmanuelle Ramos in ‘Maria dos Prazeres’, a fashion story with deep ties to nature.

Photographer Alexandra Sophie [IG] is behind the lens for Vogue Portugal’s May 2023 Pleasure Issue.

Human Brains and Nonthreatening Animals

According to recent studies, the human brain has a positive response to nonthreatening animals. When individuals come across animals that are perceived to be cute or friendly, such as puppies or kittens, their brain releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with social bonding and trust.

Much exciting new research focuses on the brains of the animals — and dogs in particular. A new study, published in the journal Evolution, investigated brain size in both modern and ancient dog breeds.

The research team found that dog brains are getting larger the further genetically that they have evolved away from a wolf. Researchers expected the exact opposite result, arguing that the larger, ancient brain was required for self-defense and hunting among ancient dogs and wolves alike.

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Vogue Italia June 2023 'At the School of Restoration' lensed by Brett Lloyd

Vogue Italia June 2023  'At the School of Restoration'  lensed by Brett Lloyd

Brett Lloyd is not new to the world of fashion photography. But his artistic vision may be particularly relevant in this moment. ‘A Scuola Di Restauro’ [At the School of Restoration] shows me his capacity as a voice in our [his] struggle.

These Brett Lloyd images are perfect for a creative team that includes styling by Riccardo Maria Chiacchio and models Paola Manes, Sun Mizrahi, Valerio Maccario, and Ylang Messenguital. Checking IG, there no listing of a creative director or symbolism-interpreter behind the shoot. / Hair by Louis Ghewy; makeup by Karin Westerlund; body painting by Carolyn Roper

It appears to be a tight group led by “Head of Editorial Content’ Francesca Ragazzi [IG].

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Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin Is A Hit With Gen Z on Ethics, Sustainability, Transparency

Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin Is A Hit With Gen Z on Ethics, Sustainability, Transparency

Vogue Business estimated in March 2023 that Rhode Skin had a waitlist of over one-million SKUs across its products. Its core customer is Gen Z, probably driven by price points and Hailey’s own age. But every survey on sustainability and saving our earth indicates that Gen Z cares about ethical products more than anyone.

With the launch of Rhode’s Glazing Milk - an ultra-lightweight serum that promises to deeply hydrate and brighten the skin while protecting it from environmental stressors, London cabs are rolling and Rhode Skincare arrives at Selfridges. Most images in the campaign are by Zhong Lin [IG].

The product goes on sale in America on June 15th, at noon East Coast time.

Hailey Beiber: A Very Talented Entrepreneur

AOC will never call Hailey Bieber a nepo-baby. We’ve seen other celeb kids go nowhere and blow millions. Clearly her background helped her gain access and also the confidence that she could succeed in a super competitive beauty business.

I argue that Hailey Bieber has strong entrepreneurial and business skills. She seems to execute to perfection and is very hands-on. She’s impressively NO-BS on the topic of sustainability.

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