Supermodel Joan Smalls covers Sorbet Magazine #37 ‘The Rebel Issue’ [IG], lensed in lower Manhattan by Greg Swales [IG]. William Buckley styles Smalls rocking Cartier jewelry throughout the vibrant and edgy fashion story. Smalls has a strong rebel streak all her own — the first [and present] Latina face of Estée Lauder cosmetics in 2011; the first person of Puerto Rican descent to front fashion campaigns for Chanel, Balmain, Bottega Veneta and so many more top luxury brands.
Joan Smalls was one of fashion’s most articulate voices in the aftermath of the May 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Her personal reflections on her own experiences and essays she has written about racism in the fashion industry are cited below.
Kukua Williams poses in 'The Fashion Forecast'' for Porter Magazine October 3 issue. Wearing an autumn colors, artisan sweater from Alexander McQueen on the cover, Williams is styled by Julia Bernard in more luxe looks from Alaïa, Bottega Veneta, Joseph, JW Anderson, Khaite, Le 17 Septembre, Loewe, Stella McCartney, Petar Petrov, Proenza Schouler, Tibi.
Photographer Sam Wilson captures Williams in more graphic neutrals for a style walk in the country with art direction by Michael Kelly.
Models Alaato Jazyper, Anyiang Yak, Mila Van Eeten and Saskia de Brauw wear fall couture, styled by Jacob K. Paolo Roversi [IG] is in the studio, shooting Balenciaga, Dior, Maison Valentino, Victor & Rolf for de la Repubblica [IG] October 1, 2022./ Hair by Eugene Souleiman; makeup by Lucy Bridge
Related: Paolo Roversi Portraits are on display at the Galerie Camera Obscura in Paris until Octobert 29, 2002.
Models Jessica Stam, Maty Fall, Rianne van Rompaey and Sherry Shi are center stage in Max Mara’s Fall Winter 2022 campaign. Photographer Ethan James Green [IG] is in the studio, capturing the quartet wearing teddy bear coats, graphic knits and wide-leg pants designed by Ian Griffiths.
NYC and LA-based photographer David Urbanke [IG] photographed actor MaggieQ at her home in Los Angeles for L’Officiel Italia’s Fall 2022 cover.
The actor wears Italian label Loro Piana’s knit top and skirt on the cover, styled by Gaultier Desandre Navarre with fashion direction by Giulio Martinelli. The fashion brands are about 50/50 sustainable and ethical v those with few credentials.
One of MaggieQ’s favorite business projects is Qeep Up, her collection of sustainable and recycled activewear and swimwear. In her own words on the Qeep Up Nation website: “QEEP UP™ is the premier activewear line for the eco-warrior woman. Made entirely of recycled fibers, QEEP UP™ takes a stand for the planet without sacrificing style or performance.”
We aren’t yet qualified with sufficient knowledge to test the promises of brands claiming to be fully-sustainable. Workout clothes made of recycled plastics do still release microplastics, for example.
Model Sarah Hart is styled by Anna Querouil in a fashion story of cool weather sweaters called ‘Au Bois Joli’. Photographer Charlotte Hadden captures the eccentric style woodland beauty for Marie Claire France September 5, 2022.
Top model Karmen Pedaru takes us to the BLESS Hotel Madrid [IG], styled by Beatriz Moreno de la Cova in a late summer fashion story heavy on glamour. Photographer Vladimir Martí [IG] is behind the lens for Harper’s Bazaar Spain’s September 2022 issue
Models Camille Chifflot, Puck Schrover and Tanya Churbanova are styled by James Valeri in sleek, black sophistication. The Saint Laurent by Anthony Vacarello elegance is lensed by Phil Engelhardt [IG] for Exhibition Magazine October 2022.
Models Asha Yusuf, Chi Linh Pham, David Ikuepamitan, Emmanuel Adjaye, Gai, Khadim Thiam, Jacob Adolpho, Talib are styled by Ibrahim Kamara for ‘In the Mind’s Eye’. Jack Davison [IG] is behind the lens for Dazed Magazine’s Autumn 2022 issue./ Hair by Mari Ohashi; makeup by Hiromi Ueda
Based on a comment on his IG, this is the first time that Davison and Kamara collaborated together.
The VERY conceptual story deals with race, culture, identity and the people in our orbit. Study the images carefully to understand the true meaning of this 5-star visualization of a modern age in which we also can change evolve our understandings of race, status and human interaction through technology.
A breeze is blowing through fashion collections and marketing as humans adjust to pre-pandemic life. Not that reality is faraway, mind you, or that a decade of streetwear’s dominance is over.
Coincidentally, posting images of the just launched on September 15 Polo Originals collection by Ralph Lauren comes on the heels of sharing incredibly-glamorous images of the spring 2023 glamorous Schiaparelli collection.
I can imagine critics calling the Ralph Lauren Polo Originals campaign a celebration of robber baron wealth. Photographer Richard Phibbs [IG] made harmonious artistry out of these images starring Hamid Onifade, Hugh Laughton-Scott, Kit Butler, Rishi Robin.
To me, I see a modern, honoring nod to traditions and classics — to wellmade clothes that are designed to last.
Rising South Sudan model Hakima Athuai is styled by Brian Conway in ‘Garden of Eden’, lensed by Petros [IG] for Mixte Magazine September 2022./ Hair by Anna Cofone; makeup by Sandra Cooke
Mixte shares this image about the issue: “Between the revocation of the right to abortion in the United States and the acceleration of climate change, 2022 could seriously discourage us and amplify our feeling of powerlessness. However, true to its predictive abilities, fashion has been driving and motivating us since the year began to remind us of our ability to change things. It is the concept of empowerment that we have chosen to address and develop as a theme throughout this new fall-winter 2022/23 issue. In another way, this theme allows us to deal with self-assertion, independence, accomplishment, free will and creativity; and reminds us, as Montaigne said, that "true freedom is to have power over oneself for everything".
Totally intrigued with fabulousness but also wondering just how Schiaparelli’s creative director Daniel Roseberry could keep the magic moving, there is deep appreciation this evening for the Schiaparelli Spring Summer 2023 ready-to-wear collection. It is drop-dead distinctive, arty sophistication fit for alluring, drama-loving, statement-making women with confidence, super smarts and backbone.
Did we say timeless without being boring? Surreally understated? A celebration of the human form?
“The past three years we’ve been building this reputation, this language through the couture and the red carpet,” the designer said about his time at Schiaparelli. “The next three will be about building the business side of it too.”
Irish twins models Sadhbh and Cadhla O’Reilly are styled by Michela Buratti in the season’s menswear suitings from top luxury brands. Checks, houndstooth, and geometric patterns make a big impression in the often sedate world of men’s suitings.
Most important — yes, the twins did walk the Gucci show in Milan this week, one of 68 sets of twins - turned out by Alessandro Michele. The designer himself is the child of an identical twin. Mum Eralda and Mum Giuliana “shared a genetic solidarity but, above all, they shared an intimacy which was inaccessible to others,” the maverick human, who continues to inspire, wrote in his show notes.
Models Elise Revett, Maike Inga and Suzi de Givenchy suit up in ‘Big Mood’, a wide range of menswer tailoring from utilitarian design to C-Suite power brokers. Stylist Samuel Drira chooses authoritative pieces from Balenciaga, Bolttega Veneta, Calvattera, Celine by Hedi Slimane, Charvet, Giorgia Armani, Hed Mayner, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Peter Do, Ralph Lauren Collection and more.
Pieter Hugo [IG] is behind the lens for Harper’s Bazaar US September 2022./ Hair by Anne Sofie Begtrup; makeup by Asami Kawai
Model Anjali Torvi makes a vivid impression, strolling through the moors for the October 2022 issue of Vogue Poland. Photographer Vicki King [IG] captures Torvi, styled by Alice Lefons in ‘The Sensual World’. / Hair by Tosh; makeup by Rebecca Wordingham
Marie-Pierra Kakoma, known professionally as Lous and the Yakuza, is a Congolese-Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter, model, and artist. The rising talent now adds cover star for Vogue France’s October 2022 issue to her growing list of titles.
The musical talent is styled by Vanessa Reid in glittering, futuristic fashion suitable for a 21st century muse. Fashion photographer Anthony Seklaoui [IG] is on the set.
The artist is a favorite of Louis Vuitton — and wears Vuitton on the cover and inside pages of her Vogue France cover story.
Riccardo Tisci’s departure from Burberry is not unexpected — and none of the rumblings questions around Tisci’s design talent of vision. The question involved much more the continuation of his edgy and goth aesthetic at Burberry — the look that brought him great notoriety and success at Givenchy.
Most creatives and fashion writers don’t engage themselves in a brand’s financial performance. Loving a collection is all that counts. Choosing words that should not be misconstrued by readers, Vogue’s Sarah Mower queried the strategic wisdom of Tisci’s “border-free, non-nationalistic points of view.”
When AOC looked at financial performance under Tisci’s Burberry, clearly the brand basically treaded water. For every new Burberry customer, the luxury brand lost an existing one.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid returns to Self Portrait [IG], in its preview Spring-Summer 2023 campaign. Gigi looks more glamorous than ever, styled by Alex Harrington. British photographer Tyrone Lebon [IG] brought great creative chemistry with Hadid to the streets of New York, urban sensual-vibe images.
It’s only in recent years that the fashion industry from designers to media have moved beyond tokenism into real change on the body shapes and sizes celebrated on fashion show runways, branded ad campaigns, online and print fashion editorials and in the all-important world of social media.
There is a lot of debate on what body positivity stands for, but at its core, it seeks to create an inclusive environment where all kinds of bodies feel accepted, regardless of appearance. Lately, influences online have been vital in keeping the movement trending. With social media, celebrity is no longer confined to glossy magazine pages or TV screens; a star's online presence has made them more accessible and influential.
Rather than focusing on going down a dress size, modern weight loss plans focus on holistic health and wellness. The focus is now on cultivating healthy habits, using advanced nutrition and behavioral science insights so that weight loss is sustainable.
Top model Paloma Elsesser would love to be a poet, but there is the reality that she likes nice things. The next best lifestyle is to enjoy her life as a top model — which seems increasingly secure for the London-born daughter of an African-American mother and Chilean-Swiss father.
Elsesser grew up in Los Angeles, attending private school, before moving to New York and The New School to pursue psychology and literature. For money, Paloma waitressed at Jamaican restaurant Miss Lily’s.
Now a Brooklyn real-estate owner, Paloma, part of the IMG family, explains “. . . I’m not Malala. I’m just a [5.7” tall] model who’s a size 12” .
