Naomi Osaka Pulls Out of WTA Semi-Final After Body Gets 'Shock' Over Playing Tennis

Australian Open champion, and women’s sports’ highest-paid athlete ever Naomi Osaka pulled out of the Melbourne WTA tournament, considered a run-up to the Open starting January 17 in Melbourne. The Japanese tennis superstar, with a difficult year behind her, entered the semi-finals looking like her mojo was coming back. Osaka left the US Open last September and took four months off from the game of tennis.

“Sad to withdraw due to injury from my match today, my body got a shock from playing back-to-back intense matches after the break I took,” Osaka said on Twitter. “I’ll try to rest up and I’ll see you soon!”

Osaka’s statement continued:

“I had a lot of fun playing here in Melbourne. Unfortunately, I have an abdominal injury which I need to rest and prepare for the Australian Open.”

Related: Naomi Osaka becomes highest-paid female athlete in history after earning $37 million last year CNN

How Naomi Osaka Became Everyone’s Favorite Spokesmodel New York Times

Read all the details about Naomi’s return to tennis.

Karen Elson's Spring Fashion Lamp 'Brighter Future' for Harper's Bazaar UK February 2021

Karen Elson's Spring Fashion Lamp 'Brighter Future' for Harper's Bazaar UK February 2021 AOC Fashion

Very independent supermodel Karen Elson covers the February 2021 issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. Photographer Erik Madigan Heck [IG] packs up his equipment and heads to Oxfordshire with stylist Leith Clark, a long-time friend of Elson’s. Clark chooses a wide range of dramatic fashion from Alberta Ferretti, Dior, Ermanno Scervino, Etro, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo and more/ Hair by Hiroshi Matsushita; makeup by Andrew Gallimore

Lydia Slater conducts the interview of words spun around the spring 2022 fashion fest: Karen Elson on a brighter future.

"It felt like falling headfirst back into British life," the red-headed model activist says. "There was a house with a moat around it, built in the 1700s, there was a graveyard from the 1500s. Even the cold, the rain – give it to me! I’ve had more cups of tea this week than I ever have. And with the hair and the make-up and the beautiful location, there was a sort of wildness about it.”

Gucci [Water] Tiger Collection Welcomes Lunar New Year on February 1, 2022

Gucci [Water] Tiger Collection Welcomes Lunar New Year on February 1, 2022 AOC Fashion

Luxury brands including Gucci, Nike, Prada and more are launching special collections to honor and celebrate the Lunar New Year arriving on February 1, 2022.

Gucci Tiger Collection

The Gucci Collection leaves no doubt that soon we will herald the Year of the Tiger, with an 80-piece collection. Creative director Alessandro Michele is giving new life to a 1960s archival design of a tiger print by Vittorio Accornero, the artist and illustrator behind the House’s signature Flora design.

Christopher Simmonds worked on art direction for the campaign. The Gucci Tiger collection can be viewed at Gucci.com. As with its recent The North Face collab, all packaging in this collection is eco-friendly.

Gucci Supports Lion’s Share Fund

In February 2020, Gucci joined The Lion’s Share Fund, a unique initiative raising much-needed funds to protect endangered species and their natural habitats.

A third-party animal welfare organization, @americanhumane, monitored the set on which animals were present in photographing Gucci’s Year of the Tiger campaign. The organization verified that no animals were harmed in creating this visually-exciting campaign

Chinese Zodiac Tiger Traits

The third animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac and calendar, the Tiger is known as the king of all members of the animal kingdom in China. If you were born in 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, or 2010 — or are a baby in the making — you are a Tiger.

The Tiger represents strength, courage and the power to rid the world of evil. This year’s tiger specifically is called a Water Tiger, which inspires a strong sense of self-esteem and desire to acquire knowledge .

Gucci Tiger Pop-Ups

Retailer Holt Renfrew Yorkdale and Holt Renfrew Vancouver will host dedicated Pop-Up experiences in Canada that feature the Gucci Tiger collection, while stores in New York Wooster, Chicago Michigan Ave, Las Vegas Forum Shops, Santa Clara Valley Fair, and Manhasset boutiques will also feature Pop-In creativity to bring the Gucci Tiger into closets across North America.

Naomi Osaka Wins Quarter Final on Friday | Advances to Saturday Semi-Final with Kudermetova

Update 1/7/21: Naomi Osaka beat Germany’s Andrea Petkovic on Friday, advancing to Saturday’s semi-final against Russia’s Veronika Eduardovna Kudermetova.

Naomi Osaka returned to competitive tennis this week, first defeating Alizé Cornet in the 2022 Melbourne Summer Set. Osaka decisively defeated Belgium’s Maryna Zanevska 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday advancing to Friday’s quarter finals, facing Germany’s Andrea Petkovic.

Melbourne 1 is a prelude to the Australian Open, a grand slam event and is currently scheduled for Monday, January 17 to Sunday, January 30.

Playing Cornet, Naomi Osaka had 57 unforced errors, eight of them double faults. Her Thursday 6-1, 6-1 win over Zanevska was decisive.

"I only really have one major goal this year, and it's completely unrelated to results and stuff like that," Osaka said post-match.

"For me, I just want to feel like every time I step on the court I'm having fun. I can walk off the court knowing that even if I lost, I tried as hard as I could."

"I actually really thought I wasn't going to play for most of this year," Osaka told reporters. "I'm really happy with myself that I love the sport that much because I literally said that I was unsure when I was going to play after the US Open and I'm here right now.

"In the break, I was feeling like I didn't know what my future was going to be. I'm pretty sure a lot of people can relate to that. Of course, you never know what the future holds, but it was definitely an indecisive time.

"But I'm really happy to be sitting here right now."

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka further reflected on her own personality and conditioning and her tendency to internalize everything that happens to her.

Over the holidays, AOC watched Osaka’s Netflix documentary series, where this tendency is very obvious. We note that looking at Naomi Osaka’s website just now, we were impacted about how powerful and confident it is. It may be singularly the boldest self-presentation ever — which makes the complexities of Naomi’s psychology of greater interest. She is such an outstanding role model for young women worldwide, and AOC wishes Naomi well in 2022.

Adriana Lima with Designer Abdel El Tayeb by Hassan Hajjaj Covers Vogue Arabia January 2022

Adriana Lima with Designer Abdel El Tayeb by Hassan Hajjaj Covers Vogue Arabia January 2022 AOC Fashion

Adriana Lima headlines the January 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia, a Celebration of Creativity and Fresh Talent. Lima appears in two of the four covers, shot on location in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Abdelgader El Tayeb won the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent award. Photo: Courtesy of Fashion Trust Arabia

The supermodel is photographed alone [above] and then with accomplished Sudanese-French designer Abdel El Tayeb [below] by Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj. The artist lives between London and Morocco and is often called the Andy Warhol of Marrakech.

Designer El Tayeb was photographed with Lima hours after the young designer accepted his debut talent prize — named the France Sozzani Debut Talent award — at the 2021 Fashion Trust Arabia awards. Vogue runs down the story about all the winners.

AOC loves the work of Hassan Hajjaj and we think he should be shooting for Loewe. Check out past features on the vibrant energy, social commentary artist who rocks to vibrating colors and patterns below..

Imaan Hammam by Hassan Hajjaj for Vanity Fair US October 2020

Imaan Hammam by Hassan Hahhah for Vanity Fair US

Imaan Hammam by Hassan Hajjaj for Vanity Fair US | Interview by Safy-Hallan Farah AOC Fashion October 2020

Dutch model Imaan Hammam is styled by Nathan Klein in ‘Pattern Player’, vibrant, bold prints from Celine by Hedi Slimane, Dries Van Noten, Erdem, Fendi, Stella McCartney, Versace and more. Photographer and artist Hassan Hajjaj shoots Hammam against his own renowned artistry for Vanity Fair US October 2020./ Hair by Rio Streedharan; makeup by Florrie White

Billie Eilish by Hassan Hajjaj Vogue US March 2020

Billie Eilish Covers Vogue US March 2020 by Ethan James Green, Harley Weir, Hassan Hajjaj AOC Fashion March 2020

Pop star Billie Eilish covers the March 2020 issue of American Vogue, lensed by Ethan James Green, Harley Weir, and Hassan Hajjaj for three different Vogue covers and her fashion editorial. Fashion editor Alex Harrington is in charge of styling and Rob Haskell conducts the interview: How Billie Eilish Is Reinventing Pop Stardom

Meet Moroccan-British Artist Hassan Hajjaj

Hassan Hajjaj in his shop and studio on Shoreditch, East London, on Sept. 20. A major retrospective of Mr. Hajjaj’s work is showing at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris.Credit...Ana Cuba for The New York Times

Hassan Hajjaj Turns Moroccan Clichés Into London Cool New York Times 10/9/2019

Moroccan-born British photographer Hassan Hajjaj’s artistry figures heavily in Vogue’s March 2020 Billie Eilish editorial. Siddhartha Mitter sat down with the artist in October, in his joyously messy Shoreditch, East London studio.

“There are two kinds of artist,” Mr. Hajjaj said in the shop’s back area, with its banquettes made of Moroccan Coca-Cola crates topped with flower-print cushions. “There’s the artist that needs space, to be on their own to work, and there’s somebody like myself.” He scanned the scene. “There’s always an ambience.”

Mr. Hajjaj has become Morocco’s most visible artist, “taking over the entire Maison Européenne de la Photographie, the photography museum. The city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, attended the opening, which included Moroccan Gnawa musicians performing with Yasiin Bey, the rapper once known as Mos Def.”

Carolyn Murphy's 'Homegrown' Upcycled Collab with Mother Denim Benefits Sierra Club

Carolyn Murphy's 'Homegrown' Upcycled Collab with Mother Denim Benefits Sierra Club AOC Fashion

When Carolyn Murphy was a little girl, she had a sewing machine. “I used to take logos off of old clothes and transfer them onto other garments,” Murphy explained about crafting her own line of beautiful clothes with Mother’s co-founders Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding. “I was fascinated by creating something new using pieces I already owned and loved.”

AOC completely missed the launch of Murphy’s 14-piece collection at the end of October. You can find it t Net-Sustain, in-stock, because we checked. Murphy’s upcycled collection is called Homegrown, and it debuted at an intimate luncheon with Net-a-Porter.

The 14-piece collection is entirely made from unwanted rags and Mother denim stock that Murphy reimagined with the design duo. It’s an extension of 60% Mother. a collection made from pre- and postconsumer waste, and recognizes vintage Americana through the use of deconstructed and reimagined quilts, bandanas and denim designed and made in L.A.

“One of the coolest things about the collection, since it’s made from recycled and reused deadstock or products that have been damaged, is that every single piece is unique,” Kaeding explained.

Supernova Hoyeon Jung, Star of 'Squid Game' Covers Vogue US February 2022 by Harley Weir

Supernova Hoyeon Jung, Star of 'Squid Game' Covers Vogue US February 2022 by Harley Weir AOC Fashion

South Korean model turned actor Hoyeon Jung covers the February 2022 issue of American Vogue. In her role of north Korean defector in the Netflix hit ‘Squid Game’, the 27-year-old is part of an established cast of South Korean actors who comprise Netflix’s most-viewed series ever.

Louis Vuitton’s newest Global House Ambassador for fashion, watches and jewelry wears a Vuitton cape and dress on her Vogue cover, accented with Alexander McQueen earrings. Alex Harrington styles the fashion story ‘From Squid Game to Supernova: Inside the Whirlwind with Hoyeon Jung’ with gorgeous elegance from Acne Studios, Givenchy, Junya Watanabe, Loewe, Miu Miu, more Louis Vuutton, Prada, Stella McCartney, Vera Wang and more. Harley Weir [IG] is behind the lens / Hair by Holli Smith; makeup by Thomas de Kluyver for Gucci Beauty.

Vogue’s Monica Kim catches up with Hoyeon Jung at New York’s Soho Grand.

Paragraphs are spent talking about the star’s low self-esteem — probably the most common thread of discussion among women talents these days. Five decades later from the second wave of feminism — with a third wave thrown in to fix all the failings of the second wavers — well, women’s struggles with self-esteem remain front and center.

Without brushing off the self-esteem struggles that affect women deeply, AOC refuses to dwell on them in such a fabulous story about the success of this super-talented young woman Hoyeon Jung.

It was during her first Fashion Week in Paris, in 2016, that she caught the eye of Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton artistic director of women’s collections. “I remember the first thing that struck me was her smile,” he tells me over the phone from L.A. “I remember she had flamboyant red hair, of course a gorgeous silhouette, and such an elegant way of moving. Off of the walk, we already knew she was in—as we say.”

Adut Akech in 'Dream Maker' by Charlie Dennington for Vogue Australia January 2022

Adut Akech Feels Fashion Joy in 'Dream Maker' by Charlie Dennington for Vogue Australia January 2022 AOC Fashion

Supermodel Adut Akech Bior covers the January 2022 issue of Vogue Australia, wearing casual modern style in ‘Dream Maker’. Mark Vassallo serves as creative director and stylist on the shoot, injecting an abundance of sunny optimism into images by Charlie Dennington./Hair by Sophie Roberts; makeup by Victoria Baron

On the cover, which is Adut’s fifth Australian Vogue cover, the beloved top model is wearing Louis Vuitton with Tiffany & Co jewelry. The styling of Tiffany jewelry with LVMH brands is major this season.

Louise De Chevigny in 'The Big Easy' by Giampaolo Sgura for Sunday Times Style UK

Louise De Chevigny in 'The Big Easy' by Giampaolo Sgura for Sunday Times Style UK AOC Fashion

French model Louise De Chevigny covered the January 2, 2022 issue of Sunday Times Style Magazine UK. Verity Parker styles the model, who is a close friend of the house of Chanel, in ‘The Big Easy’, lensed by Giampaolo Sgura [IG]. / Hair by Franco Gobbi; makeup by Cosetta Giorgietti

Gigi Hadid Is Airborne in V#134, Mario Sorrenti's Fearless Gigi Sequel for V Magazine

Fearless Gigi Is Airborne in V#134, Mario Sorrenti's Part Two of Hadid for V Magazine AOC Fashion

Supermodel Gigi Hadid extends her special Contributing Editor relationship with V Magazine, soaring onto the cover of issue V134 Spring 2022. V brings together the original team behind Fearless Gigi Part One in V 114 [2018], with Hadid herself suggesting that they take a true ‘Leap of Faith’ by shooting the story flying-trapeze style on a rooftop near Manhattan’s West Side Highway.

AOC notes that Serena Williams interviewed Gigi in the first V114 Fearless Gigi story.

Related: First Look: Gigi Hadid By Mario Sorrenti For V Magazine #114 w/Interview By Serena Williams AOC Fashion

Back to the flying trapeze proposal, master photographer Mario Sorrenti [IG] was game, as was stylist George Cortina. Hairstylist Bob Recine was onboard, along with IMG’s Luiz Mattos. Diane Kendal was on makeup and Mathias Rosenweig edits the text, based on Hadid’s interview of the ORIGINAL players: Sorrenti, Cortina, Recine and Mattos.

The result is a high-bar fashion story with Gigi wearing clothes from Balenciaga, Burberry by Riccardo Tisci, Coperni, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello and more.

Let’s not forget the Balenciaga heels Cortina choose to elevate the already impressive badass persona Hadid had embraced in suggesting the aerial fashion flight in the first place.

AOC imagines that multiple creatives working in New York can relate to Gigi’s own breakout desire to go aerial and original in the fashion shoot.

It’s not often that the model in a photo shoot interviews the remaining members of the ensemble. But Gigi Hadid has always been focused on being the center of a larger storytelling narrative. In her own words:

I wanted to interview everyone who was a part of this team so that the people reading it who want to be a part of the photo process, but not necessarily a model, get some perspective. When you do a shoot like this, what kind of expectations do you have, and then how have you learned to let loose and go with the flow? Because on a shoot like this, we’re at a trapeze-training facility on top of a building on the West Side Highway and you have to get the shot in. I went up there less than 10 times and you had, at most, under a minute.

When asked about his initial reaction to Hadid’s flying trapeze idea, Mario Sorrenti responded: “Well, you know me. I was like, “Oh my God, can she do it? It’s so dangerous.” I’m always worried about your safety first. And then I thought, “Well, she’s pretty badass, and she killed it when we did the jet ski, so let’s try it.”

AOC believes that Sorrenti actually quietly checked his insurance policy next, but let’s keep that part under wraps. What’s with that standard “reckless endangerment” clause, Mario?

Read on at V Magazine, clearly in breakout mode to start 2022. Goddess knows we need the adrenalin jumpstart, so thanks for this creative New Years gift.

Amrit Poses in 'Extra Love' by Cruz Valdez for Vogue India December 2021

Amrit Poses in 'Extra Love' by Cruz Valdez for Vogue India December 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Amrit is styled by Max Ortega in luxury blues and dazzling jewelry from Alexandre Vauthier, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Sportmax, Victoria Beckham and more. Photographer Cruz Valdez [IG] captures Amrit in ‘Extra Love’ for Vogue India December 2021./ Jonathan De Francesco; makeup by Kuma

Lily Nova by Rui Faria in Vogue Thailand January 2022 Beauty Dazzle

Lily Nova by Rui Faria in Vogue Thailand January 2022 Beauty Dazzle AOC Fashion

Plenty of shimmer continues into January 2022, with appropriately-named model Lily Nova covering the January 2022 beauty issue of Vogue Thailand. Bobette Cohn styled Lily in images by Rui Faria [IG].

The North Face X Gucci Quietly Drops Big a Second Time to Lead 2022 Collaborations

The North Face X Gucci Quietly Drops Big a Second Time to Lead 2022 Collaborations AOC Fashion

The North Face X Gucci doubles down on a BIG New Year’s launch of chapter two of their collaboration. We say that emphasis has shifted from fashion runway camp patterns and global tribe explorers with good hearts in last year’s January debut to closeup images of practical technical gear that means business for 2022.

As more than one blogger has pointed out, no one is seriously mountaineering Tibet’s Everest North Face or Cho Oyu in these clothes. But there is a serious performance attitude in the pieces and accessories that creates a different energy and seriousness from the first drop. AOC loves the closeup shots, and we are always suckers for flowers.

Kudos to French photography duo, twin brothers Jalan and Jibril Durimel, [IG], who shot the campaign in Iceland. Born in Paris to parents from the island of Guadeloupe, at the age of 4 they moved to Miami where they first jumped into the waters of American culture.

One of Candice Swanepoel's Earliest AOC Posts by Mariano Vivanco in Vogue Spain April 2013

One of Candice Swanepoel's Earliest AOC Posts by Mariano Vivanco in Vogue Spain April 2013 AOC Body

One of Candice Swanepeol’s earliest AOC posts was this Vogue Spain April 2013 fashion story ‘Sexy Tan’. Belén Antolín styled Candice in sexy, hot summer fashion bits lensed by Mariano Vivanco. / Hair by Fernando Torrent; makeup by Maud Laceppe

Giving Candice Swanepoel a Worthy Home

This is the first of many Candice Swanepoel posts coming to AOC Body, as we conduct a major content renovation in its digital pages. This incredibly talented, beautiful, sustainability-conscious swimwear designer and businesswoman; mom of two boys, global citizen, daughter of South Africa, sensual woman blessed with a huge heart is the favorite of so many from Anne herself to AOC’s Candice fan readers.

Much of Candice’s modeling work is sensual from Victoria’s Secret to her own Tropic of C sustainable swimwear. Her non-sensual fashion posts will remain in the fashion pages. But all of her swim and lingerie work will be updated with larger images and installed here in AOC Body. And we will search far and wide for glorious images we have missed.

Africa Perez by Laurence De Rien for Marie Claire Hong Kong December 2021

Africa Perez by Laurence De Rien for Marie Claire Hong Kong December 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Africa Perez is styled by Raquel Trejo in ‘One Day in Madrid’. Photographer Laurence De Rien [IG] captures Africa for Marie Claire Hong Kong December 2021./ Makeup and hair by Sofia Rubinstein