The fashion trends term describing the Spring 2023 Massimo Dutti Limited Edition collection is ‘elevated basics’. Every fashion-aware person self-defines their own vision of ‘elevated basics’, but Massimo Dutti’s 2023 vision is one of sophisticated, chic simplicity and clarity.
The new campaign highlights models Ella Mccutcheon, Imaan Hammam, Tara Halliwell and Yilan Hua in images by Ezra Petronio [IG].
The vision is not a boring one, but more of a timeless, body-aware, polished, sensual approach in black and cream.
Skirts are longer for seekers of elevated basics, silhouettes are fluid. AOC asks if the long column of a dress is a modern woman’s caftan.
Note that caftans are showing up in men’s collections also, but the narrow, sleeveless column dress remains a typically female choice, except in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Louis Vuitton Men releases the Taigarama Summer 2023 Campaign with models Akito Mizutani, Choi Mabior, Limamu Mbaye and Lucas El Bali styled by Pau Avia.
Tom Johnson [IG] photographs the campaign, with art direction by Lucie Matussiere./ Hair by Christian Eberhard; makeup by Christine Corbel
Models Chu Wong and Katie Craven wear relaxed, rough-elegance fashion seeking edgy respectability in ‘Neutral Territory’, styled by Samuel Drira for Harper’s Bazaar US March 2023.
South African photographer Pieter Hugo [IG] captures a wide range of nature-inspired, fabric-driven fashion looks from Armani, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Israeli fashion designer Hed Mayner, JW Anderson, Jil Sander, Brooklyn-based Lauren Manoogian, Loewe, MM6 Maison Margiela, Max Mara and Uma Wang. / Makeup by Asami Kawai; hair by Anne Sofie Begtrup
Almost like a fashion space rocket, China-based Shein [pronounced she-in, not shine] now owns almost a third (28 per cent) of America’s fast fashion market.
Few sustainability warriors saw it coming. And for all the convos about young people being passionate eco-conscious caretakers of our planet, at least in America, they have given a big hug to Shein.
In 2021, the Shein app became the most downloaded with over 17.5 million downloads across the Google Play and Apple stores.
Brazilian model Anna Herrera is styled by Annie Hertikova in Net-a-Porter’s Spring 2023 best-of offering from Saint Laurent CR23. Photographer Darren Gwynn [IG] captures Herera with art direction by Phil Buckingham./ Hair by Eliot McQueen; makeup by Rebecca Wordingham
Dior Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri introduces her latest Dior Or capsule collection, inspired by gold’s history as a symbol of luxury in the maison.
While golden threads remain prominent in the new capsule, other luminous metallic threads and fabrics — especially silver — weave their way in the ready-to-wear and accessories, which were a timed-release with Ramadan.
In the Harper’s Bazaar Spain April 2023 fashion story ‘Romper Barreras’ [‘Breaking Barriers’], Pat Cleveland and Anna Cleveland are styled by Inmaculada Jiménez in images by Vladimir Martí [IG] for ‘The Picasso’ issue.
A Model Icon’s Life Turned Inside Out in March 2019
In Spring 2019, legendary AfricanAmerican model Pat Cleveland was diagnosed with colon cancer. The then 68-year-old model icon rushed to the American Hospital in Paris, after walking the Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya show in very early March.
Resulting from the emergency surgery in Paris on March 23, Cleveland’s colon cancer was detected. Anna Cleveland, Pat’s daughter, who is also a model and performer, was living in Paris and able to care for her mother during the crisis.
4 Years Later, Pat Cleveland Is Thriving
In a miracle of miracles moment, Pat Cleveland is thriving four years out from her life-threatening medical event.
Colorectal cancer disproportionately affects the Black community, where the rates are the highest of any racial/ethnic group in the US. African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.
AOC has studied and promoted Karlie Kloss from her first steps into New York fashion world, because it was clear that she is a woman of principle and also a progressive activist at heart.
The folks at Carolina Herrera, now part of the Barcelona-based Puig Group of brands, were also drawn to Karlie, and not only because of her 6’2” stature and athletic/professional dancer training.
Karlie Kloss is the epitome of the classic Good Girl, updated for the 21st century. In fashion marketing, we toss around the term ‘boss lady’ with ease. Karlie Kloss helps define what a boss lady IS.
Model Yue of City Models Paris makes a vivid impression about modern elegance, styled by Pablo Patane in bold pieces from the fourth [2022] Louis VuittonSpiritHigh Jewellery Collection.
Francesca Amfitheatrof, the Maison’s Artistic Director for Watches and Jewellery, created a five-themes, multi-dimensional journey for the woman who wears luxurious extravagance.
Not only liberty, strength, and the notion of infinity define the design dna, but also ideas of destiny and of soaring to new heights.
AOC loves the merger of art and fashion, and ELLE Denmark delivers a true beauty of a fashion story. Brazilian model Mariana Santana poses in the Miró Fundació in Mallorca.
Photographer Rami Hanna [IG] captures Santana, who is styled by Hanna MW for the ELLE Denmark’s March 2023 issue./ Hair and makeup by Heidi Garcia Andersson
Fundació Miró Mallorca is located in the Cala Major district, where the artist lived and worked from 1956 to 1983. It comprises a main building exhibiting 6000 works donated by the artist, including paintings and sculptures, a library, a sculpture garden, Miró's studio Sert, and the Finca Son Boter.
French model Charlotte Touya is styled by Rebecca Bleynie in Akris, Calzedonia, Dsquared2, Fendi, Paco Rabanne, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello and more — all with Swarovski jewelry exclusively.
Photographer Julien Vallon [IG] captures the long-days summer night story ‘Songe d'une Nuit d'été’ for Numéro France 237 March 2023. / Makeup by Ismael Blanco; hair by Ismael Blanco
Not every model has ‘Fuerza Natural’, making her a ‘natural force’ or a ‘force of nature’, which AOC prefers. Top-tier model Irina Shayk possesses this innate charisma and sensual power, which would have rendered her ‘supernatural’ in the ancient world.
Irina is styled by Valentina Collado in images by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin [IG] in this fashion story set in Mexico. The location is a Chablé Hotel, with two boutique hotels in the Yucatán and the Riviera Maya.
Photographer Nadine Ijewere [IG] captures cultural creatives, art-inspired fashion at its hot-weather best for the April 2023 issue of American Vogue.
Models Akon Changkou, América González & Kai Newman step into the sunlight, styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson in island-bliss beauty. ‘Eternal Sunshine’ is a fashion feast for hungry eyes./ Hairby Joey George; makeup by Yumi Lee
Models Paloma Elsesser, Jill Kortleve and Precious Lee are British Vogue’s April 2023 cover stars. EIC Edward Enninful makes the point in his editor’s letter that it’s very rare when three models come together in a special kind of energy.
Gabriella Karefa-Johnson styles the sensual fashion bonfire lensed by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin [IG].
Thirty years ago Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista were a trinity. Edward’s argument is that now Paloma, Jill and Precious share their stature.
With a shared mission born from friendship, and squarely plugged into the more revolutionary energy of the current zeitgeist, this month’s cover crowns the rise of three extraordinary models.
AOC is not prepared to comment on the observations of Edward, and other writers as well, about the recent autumn/winter 2023 fashion shows:
After returning from the recent autumn/winter 2023 fashion shows, and seeing countless catwalks where diversity of beauty, and of bodies, had taken several steps back, I couldn’t be happier to take this moment to celebrate this trio.
Zara delivers another WOW collection, this time turning their increasingly sophisticated eye to Spring 2023 Swimwear and Beachwear.
We argue that Zara’s tremendous success raising their pricepoints, accompanied by stellar marketing campaigns and a discerning design eye is bringing new customers to the brand, while pulling a segment of existing customers into the new pricing tier.
American model and actor Devon Aoki, born in New York City of Japanese and German heritage, fronts Acne Studios S/S Campaign. Aoki also appeared in the Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama January 2023 launch.
Photographer Carlijn Jacobs [IG] shoots the campaign, styled by Léopold Duchemin.
Italian brand Etro announces the debut of new creative director Marco de Vincenzo’s first bag for the brand. Called the ‘Vela’, the handbag is inspired by the “nautical world.”
Top model Bianca Balti stars in the campaign lensed by Davit Giorgadze [IG]./ Hair by Jawara; makeup by Georgi Sandev
The ‘Vela,’ has been developed with a sharp, defined silhouette and contours to "cut through the wind like a sail.” Boasting a V-shaped closure and flexible zipper, the bag features an engraved Etro logo on one side of its chain, and Pegasus adorning the other. The pull was designed using the same technique utilized to mint coins.
Celine drops its new Summer 2023 tennis capsule featuring Quinn Mora, shot by Celine creative director Hedi Slimane in Saint-Tropez.
The collection style is classic tennis whites including tennis skirts, polo tops, vests and jackets. The collection includes a range of seasonal sneakers in five core silhouettes, including low and high-top styles and the introduction of a new wedge sneaker.
British Vogue pulls together a 5-star model ensemble with Anok Yai, Karen Elson, Lara Stone, Malgosia Bela and Mona Tougaard enjoying a moment of high-style ‘Quiet Reflection’.
Carlos Nazario styles the quintet in sleek, polished, tailored modernity for ladies who like a bit of aristocratic style, lensed by Alasdair McLellan [IG]in the April issue./ Hair by Syd Hayes; makeup by Lynsey Alexander
Supermodel Kendall Jenner mannequins [yes, AOC is making it a verb] the April 2023 cover story of Vogue Italia. Kate Phelan styles Jenner in Burberry, Chloe,Dior, Fendi, Hermes, JW Anderson, Loewe, Max Mara, Prada and more for images by Robin Galiegue [IG].
In her own words, Jenner’s main focus is her mental health and not posing in a fashion magazine. "The beginning of the year was emotionally difficult." Kendall Jenner, 27 years old in November, tells Vogue Italia. It’s not clear whether she means 2022 or 2023. I’m assuming 2022.
“To come out and feel optimistic is reassuring. Everything is temporary, I feel intensely grateful and happy, ready for what's to come,” Kendall says, explaining that she is practicing "hope for something until it comes true, using the law of attraction.”
In this episode — posted a year ago and not part of the Vogue italia interview but Kendall’s mental health is all about the interview —Kendall sits down with Dr. Jorge Partida, Chief of Psychology at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, to discuss social media addiction, our human need to feel connected, and how both of those things can contribute to feelings of anxiety.
