In this high-aesthetic fashion story from the November 2023 issue of Vogue Korea, the iconic British supermodel Naomi Campbell is styled by Eunyoung Sohn in a Louis Vuitton exclusive fashion story, photographed by Cho Gi-seok.
The supermodel will be the subject of the next fashion exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. the exhibition called ‘Naomi’ will follow the current exhibition dedicated to Coco Chanel. The show will open on June 22, 2024 and run until April 6, 2025 as a broad survey of Naomi’s most memorable fashion moments and also the designers who helped shape her career.
Taylor Hill connected with C Magazine’s Winter 2023-2024 team for an interview and fashion shoot photographed in Topanga Canyon.
The rugged-outdoors mood of Taylor’s photo shoot with David Roemer [IG] syncs with her lifestyle. The story’s title ‘Taylor Hill’s Got A New Look’ , narrated by Rob Haskell, speaks to Taylor’s recent marriage to private equity investor Daniel Fryer at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Colorado.
The Hair Cut
The other aspect to Taylor Hill’s new look is her daring haircut, an act inspired by watching the Apple TV series ‘The Super Models’. Calling it the boldest act of her life, Taylor was very impacted as Linda Evangelista shared the story of her own 1988 haircut, prompted on a shoot with photographer Peter Lindbergh and executed by Julien d’Ys.
Taylor speaks of her beloved dog Tate,who became grievously ill around the time of her wedding. The story is so deeply personal, you should read the details at C Magazine [link above].
Tate is being reborn in 2024 in an online community and marketplace for pet owners calledTate and Taylor.
“The pet industry is very crowded and confusing,” she says. “There’s just so much out there. I want other people to feel like they’re not alone, that there’s a place they can trust.”
Paris-based, Senegalese-heritage model Mame Wade channels the spirit and physical image of American-born, French heroine Josephine Baker in this Vogue Greece December 2023 holidays story.
Wade is photographed by Koto Bolofo [IG] in the sophisticated, luxury-elegance fashion story styled by Nicholas Georgiou.
Multiple times in 2023, AOC has referenced stories about race relations in Europe vs America, and the 20th century rise of cafe society, as a lifestyle choice between artists and creatives and the monied set.
Josephine Baker had such a relationship with Princess Grace of Monaco, one that was a very genuine friendship between the two women.
Lauren Wasser [IG], the courageous, striking, sexy woman who emerged as a symbol of strength and resilience after surviving toxic shock syndrome, is the “Model of the Year 2023” for Glamour Germany. We know Wasser for her golden legs, captured in these images by Daniella Midenge [IG] in Paris.
As Wasser reaches wide recognition in fashion world, she is to AOC a public representation of the ancient myth of a phoenix rising from the ashes AND Nike, the goddess of victory.
Lauren Wasser’s Luxury Brand Legs
The challenge with beauty standards is not to jam them down people’s throats. And to keep them wide and varied. In her presentations, Wasser is quick to name multiple personal attributes that are far more important than physical beauty.
In her case, Lauren Wasser has shattered societal beauty norms with a pair of luxury legs that could be out of the house of Schiaparelli.
Vogue Netherlands [IG] December 2023 reveals the winning covers for its holiday issue, a trio of top models Amanda Murphy, 36; Karen Elson, 44; and Sasha Pivovarova, 38.
What a fabulous issue, with this trio styled by Sarah Gore Reeves! And one with purpose, whether articulated or not. Smaller print editions can have major influence in a digital world, where global celebs now cover the Vogue motherships.
Within loss, there is always opportunity, and Vogue Netherlands shows us how it’s done with these terrific top model covers shot by Agata Serge, a self-taught photographer who launched her career in Amsterdam in 2012.
The Numero Netherlands November 2023 issue broadens the Jessica Stam story, recalling a group of models called ‘doll faces’. Stam was a member.
Creative director Ryan Luca [IG] did not consult us on his Jessica Stam story. But the entire team nailed the ‘2000 doll face models’ idea. Lea Winkler [IG] is the photographer, with styling by Nata Bocha [IG]./ Hair by Hiro + Mari; makeup by Jezz Hill
First Came the Flappers
Characterized by their iconic bobbed hairstyles, short skirts, and bold attitudes, flappers challenged traditional norms in multiple aspects. They rejected the Victorian ideals that had dominated the previous era, refusing to adhere to the notion that women should be modest, self-effacing, and focused solely on domesticity.
Kim Kardashian returns to Marc Jacobs [IG] for a 2023/4 resort collection launch, bringing her platinum Rapunzel tresses with her. Kim also appeared in the fall 2023 campaign.
Tyrone Lebon is behind the lens, capturing Kim’s shimmering silver corset top and silvery gray embossed stipe jeans, styled by Alastair McKimm.
Kardashian’s self-discipline leaves us incredulous, being an engaged mom to four kids, an entrepreneur and businesswoman in multiple enterprises, a lawyer in training with a focus on prison-reform and wrongly-imprisoned people, and a committed gym-rat who works out two hours a day.
Some of the best people in fashion and retail — Angela Ahrendts, former CEO of Burberry and EVP of Apple Retail, for example — are on KK’s team today.
On the one hand, Kim’s touch is everywhere but her management partnerships now cross two-three other Kardashian-Jenner businesses including Kylie’s new Khy apparel brand.
French singer, model and actor Vanessa Paradis covers the November 2023 issue of Harper’s Bazaar France, presenting herself in a fashion story and accompanying interview with Olivier Lalanne for ‘A taste of Paradise: one-on-one with Vanessa’.
Elodie David-Touboul styles Paradis in almost exclusively Chanel Haute Couture, Chanel Joaillerie, and Chanel ready-to-wear in images by Alasdair McLellan [IG]./ Hair by Anthony Turner; makeup by Khela
Anna Ewers covers the November 2023 issue of Vogue Italia, styled by Malina Joseph Gilchrist in at-ease, fall-fashion sophistication. Photographer Buno Staub [IG] is behind the lens, capturing Ewers who is often called “the sweetheart of the fashion world.”
Anna Ewers has been so discreet about her life, that AOC was shocked when she finally joined Instagram.
When asked by Vigano which word she uses most often, Ewers replies “yes” while explainting that she embraces every aspect of life, journey and adventure.
Rosalía covers Vogue Spain’s November issue, styled and photographed in lush grandiosity by Katie Burnett [IG].
With candles, white birds and Louis Vuitton jewelry in the sink, it’s as if we’re entering an astral plane of being,postulated by classical, medieval, oriental, and esoteric philosophies and mystery religions.
“I hope that what I do makes sense to other women”
These words are a core message of the interview, which got me thinking about Rosalía using feminine energy to try to dilute the male energy that is so destructive right now. Everywhere we look, testosterone is raging and we need our own iron shield to repel it.
What makes a true supermodel? Anja Rubik voting in Poland’s national elections last weekend, October 15, 2023.
AOC doesn’t keep precise track of individual model’s activism but Anja Rubik, one of the world’s most successful models, has led the way for many years. In her own words:
“How political parties address sexual education issues will have a huge impact on what country we will live in.”
To that end, Anja Rubik is deeply connected as its founder to FUNDACJA SexedPL [IG] FEDERA, a NGO committed to sex education on matters of abortion rights and LGBTQ issues — but also endometriosis, for example.
AOC goes deep on the supermodel’s activism, as we celebrate the 75% turnout that resulted in a reset of Poland’s politics last weekend and a prospective stabilizing of of Poland’s relationship with the European Union.
Nineties fashion star Kristen McMenamy has always challenged traditional beauty standards, appearing as a good witch, an ethereal divine goddess or the consummate, goth fashion vampire to her adoring fans.
In 1993 Kristen McMenamy told Harper’s Bazaar"All I ever wanted was for people to not pick on me."
Thirty years later, the similar refrain of young fashion models on Instagram is rebroadcast in Gavanndra Hodge’s new interview with the 58-year-old, Pennsylvania-original in today’s October 15, 2023 Sunday Times Style [IG].
Returning to W Magazine’s Volume #4 2023, Mert Alas turns his lens to very top model Anok Yai.
Anok describes herself as a prolific artist, working mostly in oils but now experimenting with fire. Yes . . . fire. She has also taken up knife fighting lessons as a way of coping with restlessness. I believe she is now at a level of expertise in knife fighting, that she can land movie roles in major scenes.
“When I’m fighting, it feels like a dance that goes so fast, you have to meditate,” she says. “Because the second you lose focus, you’re hit with a knife.”
Model legend Pat Cleveland strikes a pose in V Magazine 144, October, 2023. Oliver Volquardsenstyles the now 73-year-old global daughter of diversity who is part African American, part Cherokee, part Swedish and part Irish.
V’s John Koppwrites that “André Leon Talley once dubbed her “the Josephine Baker of international runways.”’
On the topic of moral courage, in 1971, the elder Cleveland moved to France and refused to live in America again until US Vogue featured a Black model on its cover. After Beverly Johnson landed a cover in 1974, Cleveland returned to New York.
Rising model Tarlisa Gaykamangu covers the September 2023 issue of Vogue Australia [IG], as she embarks on her career as a fashion model.
The bilingual model, who speaks English and Djambarrpuyngu — one of the many languages of East Arnhem Land, had a helping hand from her Aunty Liandra, interviewed previously by Vogue Australia.
Tarlisa Gaykamangu at Bottega Veneta
In their cover story about Tarlisa Gayamangu, Vogue Australia notes that slowly, “the idea that models need to fit a predetermined mould and work in with the existing system, and not the other way around, is being rewired in the fashion industry at large.”
AOC agrees but also believes deeply that the fashion industry is much too reliant on South Sudanese models.
Reading about Sofia Coppola’s young-girl life, we learn just how much time the entire Francis Ford Coppola family spent away from their home in California’s Napa Valley.
Coppola is styled by Karl Templer in an abundance of Chanel Haute Couture in images by Steven Meisel [IG]. Additional luxury names include Dries Van Noten, Hermes, Prada, Schiaparelli and more. Spectacular jewelry is from Cartier.
Priscilla Presley is the focus of the younger Coppola’s new film Priscilla, in theaters November 3.
Millions of women can relate to the director’s reflection about her own young woman’s life. Pining for a young man who wasn’t interested in her, Coppola says she can relate to Priscilla’s short-term lack of need to develop her own self-identity because it was so much easier to be the girlfriend of some guy and assume his identity.
If 21st century culture and spirituality had goddesses, Kim Kardashian could easily be she who presided over social media, reality television, fashion and entrepreneurship. These thoughts open her interview with Carine Roitfeld in a CR Fashion Book Issue 23, with 10 more muses besides Kardashian to follow.
With this new CR Fashion Book 23, Kardashian takes her fourth cover — and what an amazing fashion story this is. Ben Perreira works with Carine on styling, choosing DSQUARED, Jacquemus, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Prada, Nensi Dojaka, and more. Photographer Nadia Lee Cohen [IG] is in the studio, capturing Kim Kardashian in a total transformation of the woman we know.
Kardashian refers to her own soul multiple times in the interview, which fascinates Anne. After the two mega voices in fashion talk about much needed needed reforms in America’s criminal justice system, Roitfeld asks Kardashian: “When do you feel most free?”
KK answers:
When I make business choices that are from the soul and not a quick, easy decision. I’d rather take the longer route and go with the journey than an easy choice that seems expected.
As part of Anne of Carversville’s ongoing years-long renewal of our deep, pre 2020 archives, this ‘Catching Up With . . . ‘ series will take people we love and issues we care about into the ‘now’ world.
August 28: A Key Day in Lupita’s Life
Take note of the two lovebirds sitting in the salon of Coco Chanel’s apartment, in a series of images from the actor’s IG. Dear Lupita is in a deep-love relationship with Selema Masekela, born on my birthday August 28.
If the name sounds familiar, Selema is the American-born son of Hugh Masekela, often described as "the father of South African jazz".
It’s also the day of Lupita’s ‘Black Panther’ co-star Chadwick Boseman’s passing: August 28, 2020.
The story of how Lupita and Selema first met is priceless. That alone is worth the read.
Esteemed actor Helen Mirren is not accustomed to being the center of controversy. But she knew that criticism of her decision to play the plum role of world leader Golda Meir, the founding first and only woman leader of Israel’s history, was certain to invite controversy. Mirren is not Jewish and she has called the criticism of her being tapped by Oscar winner Guy Nattiv to play the lead in ‘Golda’ as “utterly legitimate”.
‘Golda’s focus is the 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in October 1973.
The film is in theaters and online now, released on August 25 and with a modest box office of $4.4 worldwide.
In the words of Laura Craik, writing for The Sunday Times Style magazine September 3, 2023, Debra Shaw “thrums with good energy”. A key reason for Shaw’s longevity as a couture model lies in her humanist spirit.
Fabien Montique [IG] captures Shaw in the fashion story ‘Red Hot’, wearing Celine by Hedi Slimane on the cover. Note an outtake from Montique that is very VROOM VROOM. “I like wearing red — it’s a powerful colour,” says Shaw.
For AOC, Shaw’s self-analysis of her secret to her longevity is a life lesson for all of us. It involves:
“. . . being open, being flexible and not having the ego involved in areas that it doesn’t need to be involved in. You can have the ego on stage because that helps the performance, but coming in and demanding things? That doesn’t work with this [younger] generation. It should never have worked, because the reality is we’re all pulling together. So be a team player.”
