Luigi + Iango Lens Countless Vogue Japan September 2021 Covers

Luigi + Iango Lens Countless Vogue Japan September 2021 Covers

Photographers Luigi & Iango capture 12 covers and counting, styled by Anna Dello Russo, for the September 2021 issue of Vogue Japan./ Hair by Luigi Murenu; makeup by Georgi Sandev

See the fashion cover story preview: Luigi + Iango Capture 'Live Your Dreams' with Sora, Ugbad, Vilma in Vogue Japan

Luigi + Iango Capture 'Live Your Dreams' with Sora, Ugbad, Vilma in Vogue Japan

Luigi + Iango Capture 'Live Your Dreams' with Sora, Ugbad, Vilma in Vogue Japan

Models Amane Taniguchi, Britt Oosten, Leon Dame, Malika Louback, Sora Choi, Ugbad Abdi and Vilma Sjöberg hold a fashion court preview of ‘Live Your Dreams, styled by Anna Dello Russo. Photographers Luigi & Iango capture the first the September 2021 fashion presentations for Vogue Japan./ Hair by Luigi Murenu; makeup by Georgi Sandev

See the growing fashion bushel of covers: Luigi + Iango Lens Countless Vogue Japan September 2021 Covers

'Guarding the Art' Security Officers Become Curators at Baltimore Museum of Art

Max Beckmann. Still Life with Large Shell. 1939. The Baltimore Museum of Art: Gift of William A. Dickey, Jr., BMA 1955.77. © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

By Anne Enke, Anne of Carversville

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

'Guarding the Art' Security Officers Become Curators at Baltimore Museum of Art AOC Living

Seventeen museum security officers at the Baltimore Museum of Art are set to curate an exhibition “Guarding the Art”, opening in March 2022. The guards have access to some 95,000 artifacts in a variety of eras, mediums and cultures held by the BMA in a show provocatively poised to challenge the idea that only professional, academically-educated curators are qualified to produce exhibitions.

“The vast majority of people have a relationship to creative production that is intimate,” BMA director Christopher Bedford tells ARTnews. “In a sense it’s an experimental show, but it’s also entirely sensible given the familiarity the guards have with the objects.”

The initial press release about the exhibit is provocative, on its own. How many times have we observed or interacted with security guards at a museum without considering them as chefs, musicians, writers and more — creatives and scholars in their own right? What do we as museum visitors assume about their own scope of knowledge and insights about the experience of art?

Not much — after all, they’re security guards. There are flourishing opportunities for online dialogue and discussions on this concept of museum visitors perceptions of security guards and even vice versa. As close as I am to the social justice movement for decades as a core plank of my life, I never considered museum security guards as being creative talents in their own right. Now, the idea seems so self-evident — as creatives frequently struggle to pay the rent with their chosen talent.

Do we imagine that security guards are reading books or researching online about paintings or artifacts that inspire them? Many museum visitors do know that the security guards are often significant intellectual resources, endowed with a sometimes deep understanding of important paintings — as well as highly relevant but often overlooked paintings — in a museum.

The range of interests and primary vocations of the museum’s security guards drives the eclectic mediums beyond paintings that will be featured in the show.Several of the guest curators seek works that speak to social justice, resilience during times of crisis and also the environment.

“As guest curators, the officers will be collaborating with leadership and staff across the museum to select and reinterpret works from a variety of eras, genres, cultures, and mediums—offering a particularly human-centered lens through which to consider the objects. In addition, the team is working with renowned art historian and curator Dr. Lowery Stokes Sims, who is providing additional mentorship and professional development.” via press release

The 17 officers who elected to participate are Traci Archable-Frederick, Jess Bither, Ben Bjork, Ricardo Castro, Melissa Clasing, Bret Click, Alex Dicken, Kellen Johnson, Michael Jones, Rob Kempton, Chris Koo, Alex Lei, Dominic Mallari, Dereck Mangus, Sara Ruark, Joan Smith, and Elise Tensley.

The idea of the exhibit is so innovative to AOC. Indeed, the participating officers do offer a particularly human-centered lens through which to consider the art objects. In addition to the personal and deep interaction officers have had with the offerings, they have invaluable insights into the observed behavior and interactions of countless museum visitors looking at the same art objects. Their questions of the security team at the Baltimore Museum provide yet another avenue of information about public response to the items that will be featured in “Guarding the Art.” ~ Anne

Sam Gilliam, Blue Edge (1971) Courtesy of Baltimore Museum of Art and David Kordansky Gallery

Related:

Shanina Shaik Wears Earth Goddess Style for Anthropologie Late Summer 2021

Shanina Shaik Wears Earth Goddess Style for Anthropologie Late Summer 2021

Model Shanina Shaik is lensed by Adam Franzino [IG] in Anthropologie’s July 2021 look book.

AOC is surprised that Anthropologie doesn’t even have a statement on sustainability on their website. We always search a new post for news in the last 30 days. In this case, PETA was staging a major protest at the Kansas City Anthropologie on July 12.

PETA is demanding that Anthropologie and all other Urban Outfitters, Inc brands — including Free People—”leave alpaca fleece, wool, leather, mohair, cashmere, and down to their original owners.”

Read More

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

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

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.

Selena Gomez Launches Rare Beauty in Asia Pacific in Alique Fashion Story for Vogues

Selena Gomez Launches Rare Beauty in Asia Pacific in Alique Fashion Story for Vogues

Top talent Selena Gomez is lensed by Alique in a joint fashion story presentation by Vogue Singapore July 2021 ‘Breath’ issue and Vogue Australia July/August 2021. The fashion story is shared between the two Vogues, but Hannah-Rose Yee interviews the star in Vogue Australia; Alli Sim and Dana Koh ask the questions in Vogue Singapore.

Patti Wilson styles Gomez in Burberry for the Aussie Vogue cover and Noir Kei Ninomiya on the Singapore edition. Selena also wears Balenciaga, Chanel, Halpern, Chloé, Issey Miyake, Saint Laurent and more in the fashion pages./ Hair by Chris McMillian; makeup by Hung Vanngo

Read More

David Luraschi's 'Summer Tale' Fashion Fantasy for M Le Monde July 2021

David Luraschi's 'Summer Tale' Fashion Fantasy for M Le Monde July 2021 AOC Fashion

Photographer David Luraschi [IG] provides Monday morning delight with Conte D’été [Summer Tale], a fashion story for M Le Monde July 2021. Georgia Pendlebury styles a trio of new faces Fanta, Lolita and Zoe. Creative direction by Jean-Baptiste Talbourde-Napoleone/ Hair by Laurent Philippon; makeup by Patrick Glatthaar

Alessandra Ambrosio Covers Numero Russia #60 'Ethics' Shot by Sarah Krick

Alessandra Ambrosio Covers Numero Russia #60 'Ethics' Shot by Sarah Krick

Alessandra Ambrosio covers the new issue of Numero Russia #60 “Ethics”. Rafael Linares styles Alessandra in images by LA photographer Sarah Krick [IG]. / Makeup by Carolina Gonzalez; hair by Dimitris Giannetos

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

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

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:

Christopher John Rogers Resort 2022 Collection Is Color-Saturated Optimism

1-Christopher-John-Rogers-Resort-2022 (12).jpg

Christopher John Rogers Resort 2022 Collection Is Color-Saturated Optimism AOC Fashion

“I wanted it to be visceral and come from my heart. I felt like we’ve developed so many house signatures we didn’t need to reference a specific era or themes. This was more about cutting clothes and providing people with opportunities to enjoy dressing up,” Christopher John Rogers said about his Resort 2022 Collection . “Last year, as I was designing it, I thought if I’m only going to make one more collection, what would it look like? And the answer wasn’t informed by the past or what I thought buyers might want. I love fashion, and I’m a fan of fashion, so that came through in the clothes.”

Related: The Story Behind The Epic Christopher John Rogers Show In ‘Gossip Girl’ British Vogue

60% of Etro Acquired by LVMH-Backed L Catterton | Etro Resort 2022 Collection

60% of Etro Acquired by LVMH-Backed L Catterton | Etro Resort 2022 Collection AOC Fashion

Etro shares its Resort 2022 Lookbook, styled by Geraldine Saglio. Models Adit Priscilla, Ash Foo. Olivia Vinten and Rolf are lensed by Ferry van der Nat [IG] with creative direction by Macs Iotti./ Hair by Marco Braca; Luciano Chiarello

On Sunday, the Italian fashion company Etro made an announcement about its future.

Joshua Woods' 'Semi-Precious' Statement Jewelry for M Le Magazine du Monde June

Joshua Woods' 'Semi-Precious' Statement Jewelry for M Le Magazine du Monde June AOC Jewelry News

AOC shares a second Joshua Woods [IG] fashion story for the June 2021 issue of M Le Magazine du Monde. Arriving in concert with a Pan African fashion story ‘Fières Allures’, shot in Jamaica, the photographer captured ‘Semi-Precious’, a statement jewelry fashion story featuring model Ylang, with styling by Haley Wollens./ Hair by Christian Eberhard; makeup by Aurore Gibrien