Anthony Bourdain: The World Has Lost A Bridge Uniting Us & Women Have Lost A Standup #MeToo Guy

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This is the last article I read about Bourdain, published April 20 in The Daily Beast, and it was about #MeToo. Bourdain sounded stunned to learn first hand what women go though in life -- most women in every country in the world. His words grabbed my heart, because was such a stud muffin and I could see that this man of the world was very impacted to study the female perspective and his own role in advancing what he called "toxic masculinity". I'm not linking this evolution in thinking in any way to Bourdain's suicide. But I want to call out his most recent thinking and how supportive he was of #MeToo, telling Alec Baldwin specifically and men like him who attack #MeToo to just shut up.

As the tributes flood media, Vox details key quotes from a recent interview about #MeToo that Bourdain shared with Isaac Chotiner of Slate. A key quote"

I am a guy on TV who sexualizes food. Who uses bad language. Who thinks our discomfort, our squeamishness, fear and discomfort around matters sexual is funny. I have done stupid offensive shit. And because I was a guy in a guy’s world who had celebrated a system—I was very proud of the fact that I had endured that, that I found myself in this very old, very, frankly, phallocentric, very oppressive system and I was proud of myself for surviving it. And I celebrated that rather enthusiastically.

Kate Upton Leads Maxim's Hot 100, Lensed By Gilles Bensimon For Maxim Magazine July-August 2018

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Kate Upton Leads Maxim's Hot 100, Lensed By Gilles Bensimon For Maxim Magazine July-August 2018

American model and actor Kate Upton covers the July-August 2018 cover of Maxim Magazine, scoring the top spot on Maxim's annual Hot 100 list. Kate is styled by Caroline Christiansson in sensual textures and sandy colors. Photographer Gilles Bensimon is on location in Israel's Negev Desert, celebrating Upton, who heads the list for the first time. 

"Our annual Hot 100 issue is about so much more than physical beauty, although this year's nominees have that in spades," said Robert Price, Chief Operating Officer at Maxim. "Now more than ever, we need to celebrate smart, powerful women who are breaking boundaries, shattering glass ceilings and showing us what is possible – none more so than our incredibly talented cover star, Kate Upton."    

This year's Hot 100 list features a diverse array of honorees that span 13 categories – "The Powerhouses," "The Divas," "The Bombshells," "Funny Girls," "Inner Circle," "Naughty By Nature," "Wonder Women," "TV Temptresses," "The Cool Ones," "Power Players," "The Untouchables," "Good Sports," and "Drama Queens."

Binx Walton Poses In 'Point of Departure' By Dan Martensen For Vogue UK July 2018

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Binx Walton Poses In 'Point of Departure' By Dan Martensen For Vogue UK July 2018

Model Binx Walton is styled by Clare Richardson in graphic blocks in 'Point of Departure', lensed by Dan Martensen for Vogue UK July 2018./ Hair by Cim Mahony; makeup by Chiho Omae

Saadi Schimmel Honors Ancient Traditions, Lensed By Simon Lekias For Grazia Australia June 2018

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Model Saadi Schimmel is styled by Charlotte Stokes in indigenous-culture looks lensed by Simon Lekias for Grazia Australia June 2018./ Hair by Anthony Nader; makeup by Peter Beard

Luigi & Iango Flash 'Body Language' With Riley, Mayowa, Fran + For Vogue Germany July 2018

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Models Oumie Jammeh, Riley Montana, Aube Jolicoeur, Mayowa Nicholas, and Fran Summers are joined by actor Loic Mabanza in 'Body Language', styled by Patrick Mackie. Photographer team Luigi & Iango capture the fashion moment for Vogue Germany July 2018./ Hair by Luigi Murenu; makeup by Yumi Lee

Christopher Ferguson Captures Zoe Barnard In Getaway Essentials For ELLE Australia June 2018

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Photographer Christopher Ferguson flashes Zoe Barnard at ease in getaway essentials for 'Beautiful Sgtranger'. Rachel Wayman styles Zoe for ELLE AustraliaJune 2018./ Makeup by Victoria Baron; hair by Michele McQuillan

Images via See Management for Christopher Ferguson.

Marie-Agnes Gillot & Michaela De Prince Share 'Magic Moves' By Luigi & Iango For Vogue Germany July 2018

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Marie-Agnes Gillot & Michaela De Prince Share 'Magic Moves' By Luigi & Iango For Vogue Germany July 2018

Ballet dancers Marie-Agnes Gillot & Michaela DePrince collaborate in 'Magic Moves', styled by Patrick Mackie. Photographers Luigi & Iango captures the fluid beauty for Vogue Germany July 2018./ Hair by Luigi Murenu; makeup by Anne Caroline

Marie-Agnes Gillot is a French ballet dancer and choreographer with the Paris Opera Ballet. The story of Michaela DePrince, American refugee from Sierra Leone, now a soloist with the Dutch National Opera & Ballet is uniquely inspiring. AOC told Michaela's story in 2015, with the publication of her book 'Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina'. 

Ruby Aldridge Flaunts Her Fashion Sense In 'Power Play' By Shxpir For Vogue Taiwan May 2018

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Model Ruby Aldridge is pure lady boss, styled by Amarsana Gendunova in Versace, Chanel and more made-to-be seen designer labels for 'Power Play'. Photographer Shxpir captures Ruby in the company of Aurelien Muller for Vogue Taiwan May 2018./ Hair by Clay Nielsen; makeup by Liset Garza

Doutzen Kroes Covers Elle France June 8, Lensed By Duy Vo

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Superwoman model Doutzen Kroes covers the June 8th issue of Elle France, styled by Jeanne Le Bault in summer casual bits for 'Doutzen Show'. Photographer Duy Vo is behind the lens; hair by Illham Mestour; makeup by Mo Karadag

Alena Blohm Is Rays-Radiant, Flashed By Dean Isidro For Grazia Italy June 2018

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Alena Blohm Is Rays-Radiant, Flashed By Dean Isidro For Grazia Italy June 2018

Model Alena Blohm soaks up the rays, styled by Michele Bagnara in sporty beach looks from swimsuits to casual little pieces.  Photographer Dean Isidro flashes Alena for Grazia Italy June 2018./ Hair & makeup by Barbara Bertuzzi

Vittoria Ceretti Is Sensual Showgirl Lensed By Luigi & Iango For Vogue Germany July 2018

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Vittoria Ceretti Is Sensual Showgirl Lensed By Luigi & Iango For Vogue Germany July 2018

Top model Vittoria Ceretti is styled by Tom Van Dorpe in 'On With The Show!', a hyper-feminine fashion statement lensed by Luigi & Iango for Vogue Germany July 2018./Makeup by Lloyd Simmonds; hair by Luigi Murenu

Valentina Sampaio Covers Vanity Fair Italy June 2018, Lensed By Giovanni Gastel

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Rising model Valentina Sampaio drips in luxe in 'Perfect Dream', the June 2018 cover story in Vanity Fair Italy. Against the backdrop of sensual dress cuts of black, silver and ivory, Valentina wears glittering luxe jewelry from Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston and Cartier, lensed by Giovanni Gastel./ Hair by Stefano Gatti; makeup by Silvia Dell'orto

Gucci Launches Equilibrium, Furthering Commitment to Sustainability and Transparency

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Gucci has again affirmed its commitment to sustainability and transparency with the launch of Gucci Equilibrium, an online platform "designed to connect people, planet and purpose". 

“We have been working on sustainability for so long and we realised at one point that our actions needed to be better understood within and outside the company,” president and CEO Marco Bizzarri told WWD.

The Equilibrium.gucci.com website will launch a company-wide program for the 13,000 Gucci employees, allowing every member of the staff to dedicate one percent of their working time to volunteering in their local communities.

“These are critical times when we can all play our part in helping to deliver on the UN Global Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement,” Bizzarri added. “The only way to do that is by bringing people together, sharing ideas, innovation and experiences. This is the objective we have set for Gucci Equilibrium.”

Gucci’s 10-year sustainability plan centers around three pillars: the environment, people and innovation. Within the first pillar, it has set a target to guarantee the traceability of 95 percent of raw materials. Its “scrap-less” program in association with its tanneries, which reduces the quantity of leather that is treated during the manufacturing process, follows Gucci's late fall announcement that the house will no longer use fur in its collections.

Following in the footsteps of Salma Hayek and Beyoncé's Chime for Change dedicated to girls' and women's empowerment long embraced by Gucci, Gucci Equilibrium will launch a series of social enterprises, such as "I was a Sari", in which Gucci craftspeople teach women from Mumbai's marginalized communities in Mumbai how to upcycle saris. 

Vogue Arabia Remains Silent In Women Driving Issue June 2018, On Imprisoned Women Leading Driving Campaign

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Vogue Arabia Remains Silent In Women Driving Issue June 2018, On Imprisoned Women Leading Driving Campaign

Model Sophie Rask is lensed by Mannbutte in traditional plaids and classic looks for Vogue Arabia's June 2018 issue./ Hair by Annesofie Begtrup; makeup by Toni Malt

Sophie Rask Honors 'Rebellion' In Vogue Arabia June 2018, With No Word About Imprisonment Of Women Leading Driving Campaign

Featuring Sophie's editorial on the Vogue Arabia website, the copy reads: "In our latest issue, Vogue Arabia’s fashion desk explores how to style a cool mix of heritage fabrics – houndstooth, picnic blanket gingham and traditional tartan. The prints exude a youthful energy that feels right again, but how to wear them? Flip the script on styling codes and pair your checks with a rebel spirit. See the full shoot in our June issue, on newsstands now."

On the topic of classic traditions, there is no resolution to the heated controversy led by websites  and Twitter users like AOC around Vogue Arabia's decision to feature Princess Hayfa bint Abdullah Al Saud, daughter of the deceased King Abdullah, behind the wheel of a  vintage red 1980s Mercedes 450 SL, making it clear that she will join the new movement of Saudi women drivers.

The cover is gorgeous and a milestone for Saudi women, but it comes at a time when the Saudi government is literally imprisoning the women activists who led the drive to put women behind the wheel in the kingdom. It's also relevant that a woman cannot drive without the approval of a male guardian, although we're not clear if a signed affidavit must be on record with the government or what the policy is giving a woman male permission to drive. 

Looking for any updates just now, the Sydney Morning Herald introduced yesterday the backdrop of British colonial history into the convo, saying: 

Danilo Hess Captures Tess Hellfeuer In Scarlet For Schön! Magazine June 2018

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Model Tess Hellfeuer is passionate about red, styled by Stacey Cunningham in images by Danilo Hess for Schön! Magazine June 2018. / Makeup by Colby Smith; hair by Netty Jordan

Images via See Management for Stacey Cunningham

Sedona Legge Is Lensed By Rankin In 'Hot/Holy, Crown Majesty' For The Fashionable Lampoon Vol #13

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Model Sedona Legge is styled by Kim Howells in 'Hot/Holy, Crown Majesty', lensed by Rankin for The Fashionable Lampoon Vol #13 2018./ Hair by Nick Irwin; makeup by James O'Riley