Model Frida Aasen rules the fashion universe, styled by Anna Castan for this voluminous set of images in Grazia International 14. It seems possible that a single photographer shoots these ‘Exhibition’ issues.
“Private Collector X Frida Aasen” suggests that perhaps Frida’s husband Tommy Chiabra commissioned them.
In the case of Gomez, I’ve always raved about his Instagram [IG] which is a feast for eyes that thrive on sensual beauty. AOC is pleased to see him shooting so many fragrance and beauty campaigns these days. Working with producer/creative director Jean-Marc Mondelet[website] seems to have been a good choice for this talented photographer. / Hair by Jean-Luc Amarin
Le Jardin de Chaumet 2023 high jewellery collection is divided into four chapters— Woods and Undergrowth, Fields, Flowers, and Bouquets of The World— in a collection that embarks on a journey through natural’s kingdom, masterfully transforming plants, flowers and even bark into glamorous rings, necklaces, earrings, and headpieces.
Model Sophie Koella is styled by Schanel Bakkouche in images by David Ferrua [IG].
Harper’s Bazaar Mexico blazes into fall style with ‘A todo color’, a saturated-colors, bodywear and accessories reveal with model Olaide Zainab. Photographer Fernando Gomez [IG] is behind the lens, with Alex Montoya styling the high-volume August 2023 fashion story. / Makeup by Rosa Matilla
Actor and brand ambassador Emma Stone headlines the Louis Vuitton Women’s FW 2023 Collection. American rock band Haim also joins the campaign, lensed by David Sims.
A Collection of Unbelievable Details
The most consistent and prevailing compliment to the Louis Vuitton FW 2023 collection is that one had to see it up close and personal, because the construction and fabrications in the collection are among the most luxurious and intricate techniques Nicolas Ghesquière has ever employed.
Vogue called the details “mindboggling”.
LVMH posted a 20 percent revenue increase in the first six months of 2023, with a profit from recurring operations of 14 percent among its fashion & leather goods division.
We don’t think of St. Barts as a summer destination, but unlike the winter months, the island is a peaceful paradise where visitors can experience a more authentic island life.
This is the mood of Cara Taylor’s dreamy summer escape for Massimo Dutti[IG], a fashion story ‘On the Sunset Strip’ styled by Marina Gallo. Photographer Luis Ridao, who does more interior photography than fashion, captures the buy-now, resort elegance perfect for summer into fall dressing.
British actor Naomi Watts, with 90 films in her portfolio, has a digital cover in the July 27th issue of Elle France. Watts isn’t taking the magazine’s spotlight to speak about her June 2023 marriage to long-time love Billy Crudup. She’s not talking the Hollywood strike.
Naomi Watts, now 54, wants to talk about menopause. In her own words on IG, Watts says “Adding this to the list of things I never thought I’d get to do: Gracing the cover of ELLE France, all while talking about the joys of menopause.”
Since October 2022, Naomi Watts, the entrepreneur, has launched the Stripes brand, a beauty and well-being center focused on women’s health. Stripes has a specific mission of de-stigmatizing “the sometimes thorny subject of menopause.”
Burberry Goddess fragrance grows its green credentials with the release of its new fragrance in a refillable bottle. The running wild with lions campaign starring British-French actor and new ambassador for Burberry Beauty Emma Mackey, released on July 31.
The inspiring, emotional Burberry Goddess video was created with live footage of lionesses in their natural environment and CGI [computer-generated imagery] technology.
Polka dots have appeared regularly in Miuccia Prada’s collections over the years and they are out in full force in Miu Miu’s QiXi 2023 [Valentine’s Day in China] collection and campaign lensed by Lengua [IG].
The campaign stars models Ying Ouyang and Ruiqi Jiang, styled by Lotta Volkova.
Miu Miu is on fire in everywhere in the world, reporting a 42 percent increase in the first quarter and a blistering 57 percent in second quarter.
For Ralph Lauren’s exciting achievements in committing to the Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold Cashmere Sweater, coupled with other significant achievements in sustainable materials and products, Ralph Lauren earned a prime spot on Fast Company’s 2023 Top 10 list of the most 540 most innovative companies in North America, across all sectors.
Ralph Lauren redesigned its signature cashmere sweaters to receive certification from Cradle to Cradle, a nonprofit that helped the company meet C2C’s standards for using safe materials, employing fair labor practices, and enabling the garment to be recycled into a new one.
The full 2023 Ralph Lauren Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report and ESG Supplement are available for download on the Company’s website. AOC is reading the report and feels compelled to cite more calls-to-action for the Ralph Lauren Corporation beyond the press release.
The support by Ralph Lauren brands of HBCUs and especially Morehouse and Spelman Colleges continues at an accelerated level. Equally impressive is an accelerated commitment to indigenous communities in America. Of all the severely-impacted humans who have been part of the glorious American experiment, indigenous peoples have experienced the dark side of American excellence and high standards.
Supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio covers the August 2023 issue of Vogue Mexico and Latin America, dedicated to wellness.
The hot summer fashion shoot takes place at Etereo, an Auberge resort on the Riviera Maya, Mexico [IG]. Ambrosio is styled by Valentina Collado in Ferragamo, Skims, Stella McCartney and more, lensed by Blair Getz Mezibov [IG]./ Hair by Panos Papandrianos; makeup by Virginia Young
In these new images by Brigitte Lacombe [IG], Christy Turlington poses with key bags from the Insignia collection of CH Carolina Herrera bags, with its special focus on the craftsmanship.
InStyle writes about Christy Turlington that there are models, and then there are ‘supermodels'. They are correct, of course, but the cavalier attitude towards crowning just about any model a “supermodel” is for real.
AOC has always written about Christy’s ‘titanic’ work in the area of maternal health worldwide with her own foundation Every Mother Counts and her other humanitarian work with CARE.
Rising model Nikki McGuire has always respected the land and ocean that helped define her daily existence growing up in Hawaii.
McGuire returns to her Hawaiian paradise in O’ahu, in a travel magazine worthy set of fashion images by Bridget Fleming [IG]. styled by Lilli Milhiser in Alaia, Area, Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Gabriela Hearst, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Loewe, Saint Laurent, Schiaparelli, Tiffany & Co. and more for Vogue Poland’s August 2023 issue./ Makeup by Stoj; hair by Eric Williams
Model Aylah Peterson is styled by Elissa Santisi in ‘Suits You’, a fashion collection of relaxed but sharp-tailoring suits for women who want a career path must show up at the office at least three-days a week in our post-COVID world.
Photographer Geordie Wood [IG] captures the androgynous fashion looks for ELLE US [IG] August 2023./ Hair by Edward Lampley; makeup by Frank B
Loving ‘Lazy Girl Jobs’
Headlines this week were unanimous on a new trend in the workplace called ‘Lazy girl jobs’. As defined by Gabrielle Judge, who popularized the term, a “lazy girl job” is remote and pays your bills without demanding too much of your time, or that you be at work at any particular time.
The fiery and prominent Mexican model Luz Pavón covers the August 2023 issue of Vogue Mexico [IG]and Latin America, styled by Patti Wilson in Courreges on the cover.
With a silhouette focus on ‘Minimalismo’, Wilson chooses fierce, body-con fashion from Bally, Dolce & Gabbana, Maison Valentino, Rick Owens and more for up close and personal images by Jean-Baptiste Mondino./ Hair by Evanie Frausto; makeup by Jamal Scott
Fashion Canada [IG] kicks off September 2023’s style closet with ‘The Ones’, a tribute to “Canadian Icons’ Coco Rocha, Irina Lazareanu, Jessica Stam, Kristen Owen, and Winnie Harlow.
Ashley Galang styles the quintet, who share stories about their fashion lives and the industry over decades. Greg Swales [IG] is a photographer embedded in the lives of many top models and talents./ Hair byDimitris Giannetos & Dhairius Thomas
Kering will acquire a 30 per cent share in Valentino from parent company Qatar’s Mayhoola for an all-cash sum of €1.7 billion, the conglomerate announced on Thursday. The agreement, a significant acquisition for Kering’s fashion business, includes the option for Kering to acquire 100 per cent of the share capital of Valentino within five years. It will immediately acquire Valentino board representation upon necessary approvals of the deal.
The transaction is part of a broader strategic partnership between Kering and Mayhoola, which could lead to Mayhoola becoming a shareholder in Kering. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023, subject to approval.
Australian brand Zimmermann shares its Fall 2023 ‘Luminosity’ campaign, fronted by Vivienne Rohner. Frequent Zimmermann photographer Benny Horne captures the campaign, which is inspired by the artwork of Australian artist Rupert Bunny.
Romy Frydman styled the campaign, with creative direction by Emil Vrisakis. /Hair by James Rowe; makeup by Jodie Boland; Rupert Bunny artworks provided by the National Gallery of Victoria.
There’s an A-team on this new summer 2023 campaign including art directors Kevin Tekinel and Charles Levai, director Tin Seoi and photographer Leslie Zhang [IG], whose photography we love. Taiwanese actor Wen Qi and Chinese singer Daniel Zhou star are the lovebirds.
AOC disagrees with more than one fashion writer who has seen this new Gucci ‘An Ode to Love’ campaign and responded with words of praise that storytelling is back at Gucci. Whew!
This new campaign is pure and innocent — which is not how Alessandro Michele served it up. He took you into the setting to experience the imagery yourself, not as an observer.
In my case, he sometimes admonished me [metaphorically], because I wasn’t in the mood to be part of the joke. Yet I chuckled when he grabbed me by the arm, saying “Would you take a damn break, Anne, and let your imagination run wild. Come and play with us.”
Mattel golden boy Richard Dickson is the new CEO of Gap, ending a year-long search for a visionary leader to take the helm of the struggling mothership brand. Dickson is widely credited with reviving Barbie for the 21st century.
President and COO at Mattel
Mattel announced Dickson’s departure as President and Chief Operating Officer to staff early Wednesday, as many were still celebrating Barbie’s humongous box office success. In his role, Mr. Dickson leads Mattel's portfolio of global brands, overseeing innovation strategy, design and development, and brand marketing.
Dickson joined the retailer’s board in November 2022 and is responsible for a new partnership in which Gap sells merchandise themed around Mattel’s properties. First up is Barbie, where Gap began selling T-shirts, hoodies, jeans and other gear inspired by Barbie and Ken in May.
French icon Laetitia Casta continues her takeover of Harper’s Bazaar France [IG] August 2023 issue with these images by Sean Thomas [IG].
The creative team assembles a ‘family and friends vibe’ cast of young and old for ‘Laetitia Forever’. This chill group of humans includes Laetitia Casta, Abigail Welch, Elvis Candy, Lieve Siemons, Nima Machado, Teo Carrier and Tuuli Tam styled by Virginie Benarroch./ Hair by Diego Da Silva; makeup by Thierry do Nascimento