Veronika Kunz in 'Tuscan Retreat' by Simon Elmalem for Vogue Poland January 2024
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'Amor e Cia' for Vogue Portugal December 2023 Explores Skin Color Beauty
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Photographer Catharina Pavitschitz [IG] adds poetic beauty to the pages of Vogue Portugal’s [IG] December 2023 ‘Love and Hope’ issue with ‘Amor e Cia’ [Love and Company].
Vogue Portugal has an exemplary history in dealing with deeply-challenging issues of skin color, as it impacts racial identity and global culture images.
As European powers began to expand their empires through colonization, the concept of race as a hierarchical system based on physical attributes — particularly skin color — gained traction. This intellectual position was driven by the need to justify the subjugation and exploitation of indigenous populations and the mass enslavement of Africans across the continent.
The Vatican occupies a position of great prominence at the historical heart of the global slave trade, dating back to the 15th century when Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas in 1452, granting the Portuguese the right to enslave non-Christian peoples.
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Dolce & Gabbana Spring-Summer 2024 Campaign by Steven Meisel
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Designers Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana work with art director Fabien Baron and stylist Karl Templer to create a Spring-Summer 2024 campaign rich with high-class swagger, penetrating eye confidence, and an attitude that says “judge me at your own risk — because I will take you down.”
With Steven Meisel [IG] on photography, the images will have these ingredients because Meisel often plays high-low with his human subjects. As a result, there are layers of meaning and interpretation that seep out of the images and into our own minds. They are created to be mildly disruptive, another characteristic that makes them interesting and one that Meisel understands deeply.
What AOC loves about Dolce & Gabbana is that their garden is an Italian garden in the same way Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli are Italian gardens. But they are planting different crops growing in different parts of Italy and Sicily and Sardinia — from Rome to Milan to Florence and Venice.
Read MoreLouis Vuitton Men SS 2024 by Pharrell Williams Hong Kong Pop-Up Joins Upcoming 50 Locations
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Chinese New Year arrives mid-February, resulting in the Louis Vuitton Men Pop-Up in Hong Kong being open only until February 15. Might we see an extension later in spring?
Read MoreGisele Bündchen by Luis Alberto Rodriguez for Harper's Bazaar US February 2024
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The ‘superest’ of supermodels Gisele Bündchen covers the February 2024 issue of Harper’s Bazaar US, writes Alicia Kennedy.
Carlos Nazario [IG], recently named Harper’s Bazaar Style Director, and photographer Luis Alberto Rodriguez [IG] — and Gisele, of course — deliver a high-impact, resort into spring fashion story.
Fresh news for AOC is Bündchen’s forthcoming cookbook end of March, “Nourish: Simple Recipes to Empower Your Body & Feed Your Soul”. And also that photographer Nino Muñoz is a close, forever-friend of hers.
Read MoreIsla Gaskin in 'Laced Up' by Janneke Van der Hagen for Service Magazine Issue 1
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Rising British-Iranian model Isla Gaskin is one to watch. She appears here in ‘Laced Up’, a rather daring fashion story for a new model, styled by Monika Tatalovic. Photographer Janneke Van der Hagen [IG] captures Gaskin for Service Magazine [IG] Issue 1./ Hair by Shunsuke Maguro; makeup by Thomasin Waite
Read MoreAmérica González Covers Vogue Korea December 2023 by Hyea W Kang
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Venezuelan model América González covers the December 2023 issue of Vogue Korea, styled by Eunyoung Sohn in Dior riches lensed by Hyea W. Kang [IG]./ Hair by Lee Hyun Woo
González left a heartfelt message on her IG, about the cover stories and her undeniable current success as a model. The road to success for most models is very difficult, as expressed with América González sharing her thoughts:
Read MoreAmérica González, Sora Choi for British Vogue February 2024 by Scott Trindle
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Top models América González and Sora Choi are styled by Eniola Dare in ‘Up and Away’. The voluminous, breezy fashion looks from Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Junya Watanabe, Michael Kors Collection, Prada, Ralph Lauren Collection are lensed by Scott Trindle [IG]for British Vogue [IG] February 2024./ Hair by Eugene Souleiman; makeup by Janeen Witherspoon
AOC checked in with América González Tuesday, celebrating her first cover story for Vogue Korea.
Read MoreCandice Swanepoel's Business Savvy Takes Tropic of C Henna into Art Basel Miami
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Candice Swanepoel’s Tropic of C swimwear shares a new henna pattern, giving us a light touch different from typical swimwear prints and patterns. The henna pattern also sits well against the weathered surfaces of Villa Parodi Delfino [IG], available for rental on the Amalfi coast, a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, in the Campania region.
Swanepoel also lives in Miami, and she launched the Tropic of C henna collection with curator Kimberly Drew, and Vogue's Elise Taylor.
The trio gathered an intimate group of friends for a luncheon with Vogue100, hosted at Jason Wright’s private residence.
Kimberly Drew is best known as the former social media manager for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and her use of the social media handle MuseumMammy [IG].
Read MoreNaomi Osaka Suffers First-Round Loss to Caroline Garcia at Australian Open
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USA tennis pro Naomi Osaka was eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open today. Osaka suffered a straight sets loss to French player Caroline Garcia 6-4, 7-6. Garcia entered the Melbourne tournament as No.16 seed.
Osaka is back on the tennis court for the first time since the US Open 2022.
“I have a lot of respect for Naomi Osaka as a person and as a player,” Garcia said after the victory. “We all know she’s had an amazing career.
“She’s been away for 15 months and been through a lot. I’m just very glad to see her back. I hope she can enjoy the tennis and have fun out there.
Read MoreSascha Rajasalu in 'Wild' Cedeira by Yago Castromil for Vogue Spain January 2024
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Sascha Rajasalu in 'Wild' Cedeira by Yago Castromil for Vogue Spain January 2024 AOC Fashion
Swedish-Estonian model Sascha Rajasalu is styled by Beatriz Machado in ‘Hacia Rutas Salvajes’ [Into the Wild]. Photographer Yago Castromil [IG] captures Rajasalu in Cedeira, Spain wearing Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Falconeri, Loewe, Loro Piana, Maison Alaia, Miu Miu for Vogue Espana January 2024./ Hair and makeup by Jose Carlos Gonzalez
Dior Magazine Delivers Niki de Saint Phalle Capsule, Lensed by Charlotte Hadden
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Models Gonzalez Corona, Majesty Mare and Sophie Dominique invite us to a resort-capsule, art-inspired getaway, deeply grounded in nature and whimsy for Dior [IG]. Artist Niki de Saint Phalle is in the house and also the new issue of Dior Magazine.
Niki de Saint Phalle and the House of Dior
Initially working as a fashion model for the esteemed fashion house during the 1950s, Saint Phalle became acquainted with influential figures in the art world. This exposure provided her with invaluable insights into the realm of aesthetics and design, as she garnered the support of several Dior clients who recognized her potential as a creator.
In 1967, the artist with a rapidly growing international reputation was invited by Marc Bohan, then creative director of Dior, to collaborate on a collection that would challenge conventional notions of beauty and femininity.
At age 37, Saint Phalle's bold and vibrant Nana sculptures became the centerpiece of this collaboration.
Read MoreLila Moss in 'My Roman Empire' Gucci Story by Theo Liu for British Vogue February 2024
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Model Lila Moss is styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson in a Gucci advertorial ‘My Roman Empire’. Photographer Theo Liu [IG] is behind the lens for British Vogue February 2024.
WSJ reflected on Gucci and the brand’s new CEO Jean-Francois Palus, writing that Palus “embodies the severity of the changes: A Frenchman at the head of a company that is as Italian as Chianti, he isn’t yet fluent in the native language, nor does he have a creative background.”
Palus began his career as an auditor and financial adviser with Arthur Andersen. He then ran the books for the timber division of the conglomerate that would go on to become Kering.
Read MoreLiza Ostanina Wears 'Bulgari Serpenti Collection Jewelry in Grazia International January 2024
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Bulgari’s Serpenti Collections
The Bulgari Serpenti collections, now 75 years-old, exist as a bold and unapologetic embrace of one of human history’s most ‘forbidden’ philosophical and mythological symbols.
The Serpent in Ancient Societies
The serpent holds a prominent place in ancient mythology, often representing dualities such as life and death, creation and destruction. In Egyptian mythology, the ouroboros – a snake devouring its own tail – symbolized eternal cycles of life and rebirth. The serpent symbolized royalty, deity, and protection, often depicted on crowns and bracelets worn by pharaohs and queens in ancient Egypt.
In some ancient cultures, snakes were associated with oracles and prophecy, leading to a perception of ambiguity and uncertainty. In early ancient cultures, women were as likely as men to be associated with oracles. The prevailing belief is that originally, women were more likely than men to occupy these positions of influence and power.
Read MorePrada 2024 Chinese New Year Campaign by Leslie Zhang at Prada Rong Zhai
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Prada’s new advertising campaign for the 2024 Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Dragon. Photographer Leslie Zhang [IG] captures the images at the Prada-restored Rong Zhai cultural center in Shanghai.
The 2024 Lunar New Year campaign stars supermodel and actor Du Juan and Zhao Lei, the face of Yang Fudong’s film ‘First Spring’, currently on show at the Pradasphere II exhibition in Shanghai.
Power of the Dragon
According to ancient Chinese mythology the dragon is closely linked to the creation and origin of the Chinese nation.
One prominent myth tells the story of the Dragon Kings, who were powerful and influential deities in Chinese mythology. According to this myth, the Dragon Kings were responsible for controlling the waters, including rivers, seas, and rainfall, and were revered as protectors of the land.
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Vivienne Rohner Polished Modern Tailoring for Zara January 2024
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