2023 Was Spectacular for Khaite and Founder Catherine Holstein. Here's Her New York Story

2023 Was Spectacular for Khaite and Founder Catherine Holstein. Here's Her New York Story

2023 was a banner year for Khaite with the brand opening a store in Soho, New York, and a second one in Seoul. Khaite popped into Water Mill, New York — at Holstein’s summer home — to show the pre-Fall collection. [See image above.]

In an amazing sequence Holstein sold another stake in her company to growth equity firm Stripes, after being launched in 2016 by brand incubator Assembled Brands. In 2023, as part of its Stripes presentation, Khaite announced plans to open 10 additional brick and mortar stores in the next five years.

In a well-written 2006 New York Times headline, ‘To Barneys, and Step on It’, Eric Wilson detailed the life-changing events for the 22-year-old Parson’s student Catherine Holstein, who had designed six sailor dresses.

Distilled to its essence, Holstein and Khaite is a wonderful New York story, filled with true grit determination and also the power of connections. Lots of them. AOC delights in sharing the details.

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Laufey Covers Vogue China + May 2024 with 'Laufey On The Up and Up' by Arseny Jabiev

Laufey Covers Vogue China + May 2024 with 'Laufey On The Up and Up' by Arseny Jabiev

Vogue China +[IG] May 2024 issue features a fashion story ‘Laufey On The Up and Up’, focused on the young talent Laufey, born in Reykjavik to a Chinese mother violinist and a Icelandic economist father, who was a devotee of Chet Baker.

Alvin Yu styles the singer in images by Arseny Jabiev [IG]./ Hair by Gonn Kinoshita; makeup by Mélanie Inglessis

Rolling Stone headlines their recent story ‘Laufey: Cozy, Classic Pop’. Vanity Fair’s says ‘A Celebration of Modern Girlhood, Laufey Brings Jazz to a New Generation’.

On February 4, Laufey won her first Grammy for Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Life is good for Laufey.

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'Higher Ground' Couture Lensed by Sam Rock for Harper's Bazaar US May 2024

'Higher Ground' Couture Lensed by Sam Rock for Harper's Bazaar US May 2024

Models Achol Ayor, Ali Dansky, Amelia Gray, Canlan Wang and Wali Deutsch rise to a haute couture moment in ‘Higher Ground’, styled by Carlos Nazario. Photographer Sam Rock [IG] is in the studio for Harper’s Bazaar US [IG] May 2024./ Hair by Benjamin Muller; makeup by Kanako Takase

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'The Art of Gold' High Jewelry Lensed by Carlijn Jacobs for D magazine d la Repubblica May 4, 2024

'The Art of Gold' High Jewelry Lensed by Carlijn Jacobs for D magazine d la Repubblica May 4, 2024

Photographer Carlijn Jacobs [IG] and stylist Katie Burnett create a splendid accessories fashion story in D magazine for d la Repubblica [IG] May 4, 2024.

Model Mila van Eeten wears high jewelry pieces from the Bulgari Serpenti Collection on the cover. Other models for ‘The Art of Gold’ include Lilli Cummings, Madja John Peter, and Yacine Ferroudj./ Hair by Olivier Schwalder; makeup by Lucy Bridge

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Banana Republic Summer 2024 with Taylor Hill and Marlon Teixeira in Mérida, Mexico

Banana Republic Summer 2024 with Taylor Hill and Marlon Teixeira in Mérida, Mexico

Taylor Hill takes the spotlight in Banana Republic’s Summer 2024 ad campaign. Hill, who married Daniel Fryer in 2023, poses with Ibby Sow, Marlon Teixeira and Melodie Vaxelaire for the fashion shoot in Mérida, Mexico.

Photographer Josh Olins [IG] is behind the lens.

Banana Republic CEO Search

Banana Republic CEO Sandra Stangl was relieved of her position late last week, by Richard Dickson, Gap Inc. president and CEO. Stangl arrived at Banana Republic with a strong background in home retail at both Restoration Hardware, now RH, and Williams Sonoma.

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Vogue Portugal May 2024 Covers Announce an Exploration of Nature & Motherhood

Vogue Portugal May 2024 Covers Announce an Exploration of Nature & Motherhood

Mother-Nature, Gaia, Terra Mater, the “cult of the feminine” is center stage in the May 2024 issue of Vogue Portugal, writes Sofia Lucas.

The editorial issue overview opens with a quote from Aristotle:

“In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous” - Aristotle

As educated women, we do not bow down to Aristotle, for clear and concise reasons.

There’s no record that Aristotle, the great philosopher and foundational contributor to Western civilization, saw significant value in women. He argued quite the opposite, and AOC contends that Aristotle was a creator of the misogyny and not merely reflecting his time in history.

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Noor Chaltin in 'Sunny Afternoon' Lensed by Jem Mitchell for Harper's Bazaar UK May

Noor Chaltin in 'Sunny Afternoon' Lensed by Jem Mitchell for Harper's Bazaar UK May AOC Fashion

Model Noor Chaltin is out and about in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar UK [IG] May 2024, enjoying a structured luxury style, jackets-rich fashion story ‘Sunny Afternoon’.

Miranda Almond styles Chaltin in Celine, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermanno Scervino, Etro, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Prada, Versace, Victoria Beckham and more in images lensed by Jem Mitchell [IG]./ Hair by Neil Moodie; makeup by Joey Choy

'Metal Glam' Style in Vogue Brazil April 2024 Lensed by Pedro Napolinario

'Metal Glam' Style in Vogue Brazil April 2024 Lensed by Pedro Napolinario

The April 2024 issue of Vogue Brazil[IG] shares ‘Metal Glam’, a fashion story highlighting the critical importance of metallic surfaces in style bibles. From surreal accessories to coats and tailoring, even basic pieces shine even brighter in gold or silver-infused surfaces.

Models Ana Patrocinio and Louyse Mateus are styled by Carlos Esser in images by Pedro Napolinario [IG]./ Beauty by Silvio Giorgio

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'Viva Mexico' Style: Anthi Fakidari by Panos Davios for Vogue Greece May 2024

'Viva Mexico' Style: Anthi Fakidari by Panos Davios for Vogue Greece May 2024

Greek model Anthi Fakidari is styled by George Karapetis in ‘Viva Mexico’, a fashion story interpreting Mexico’s artisan traditions in luxury looks from Dries Van Noten, Dsquared2, Ferragamo, Jimmy Choo, Karl Lagerfeld, Max Mara, Missoni, Tod’s and more.

Photographer Panos Davios [IG] is behind the lens for Vogue Greece [IG] May 2024./ Hair by Jose Quijano; makeup by Sophia Kossada

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Sydney Sweeney's Jimmy Choo 'Road to Joy' Campaign by Oliver Hadlee Pearch

Sydney Sweeney's Jimmy Choo 'Road to Joy' Campaign by Oliver Hadlee Pearch

Actor Sydney Sweeney is behind the wheel of Jimmy Choo’s [IG] Summer 2024 campaign, ‘Road to Joy.’

In my life, AOC has never asked “Who did it better?” But after reading ‘Dazed’ describe Sweeney preparing for her Jimmy Choo roadtrip as packing up her stuff starting with a “few pairs of cunty stillettos”, I couldn’t help laughing and then reflecting on one of the sexiest roadtrip campaigns that I remember.

Jimmy Choo creative director Sandra Choi had to see the ‘Euphoria’ star in her scorching ‘old convertible breakdown in the Palm Springs desert’ June 2022 campaign for Tory Burch Miller sandals.

Clearly Choi decided that she could do it better, being a visionary for Jimmy Choo. This is a great decision, if you’re bringing plenty of prove-it ammo to the gunfight.

It’s close, as to which Sweeney campaign wins — because they are sisters.

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Vogue Singapore Launches 'Escape' May Issue with Sara Grace Wallerstedt by Txema Yeste

Vogue Singapore Launches 'Escape' May Issue with Sara Grace Wallerstedt by Txema Yeste

Vogue Singapore [IG] May 2024 launches its inaugural travel issue, visually announced by model Sara Grace Wallerstedt in images by Txema Yeste [IG].

AOC previews the cover story styled by Xander Ang, with Wallerstedt wearing YSL on the cover. / Hair and makeup by Victor Alvarez

Vogue Singapore promises that their travel diary will emphasize “slowness and consideration”. Avoiding Instagram-famous hot spots, the magazine will take us to “the most underrated creative capitals around the world.”

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Amanda Murphy in Numero Netherlands 'Frenzy' April 2024 Issue by Agata Serge

Amanda Murphy in Numero Netherlands 'Frenzy' April 2024 Issue by Agata Serge

Top model Amanda Murphy covers the ‘Frenzy’ issue of Numéro Netherlands April 2024 issue. Sarah Gore Reeves styles the Prada Riches in images by Agata Serge [IG].

It was a bitter cold day in Manhattan’s Wall Street, with wind blowing in off the harbor, when the fashion story was shot. The team placed an earlier fashion story in the December 2023 issue of Numéro Netherlands, one with an entirely different vibe. It appears to be shot along the Hudson River.

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Julia van Os in 'Deep Red Skies' by Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello in Bazaar Germany

Julia van Os in 'Deep Red Skies' by Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello in Bazaar Germany

Model Julia van Os covers the May/June 2024 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Germany. Kai Margrander styles van Os in wine country colors from Bottega Veneta, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Dries van Noten, Gucci, Jil Sander, Loewe, Tom Ford, Versace and more. The Valentino Maison cover and fashion story are lensed by Argentinian photographers Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello [IG]. / Hair by Kelly Peach; makeup by Jo Strettell

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Nicola Coughlan in 'Dear Reader' Lensed by Agata Pospieszynska for Harper's Bazaar UK May 2024

Nicola Coughlan in 'Dear Reader' Lensed by Agata Pospieszynska for Harper's Bazaar UK May 2024

Actor Nicola Coughlan is styled in ‘Dear Reader’, a manor-born fashion story for Harper’s Bazaar UK’s [IG] May 2024 issue. Coughlan is styled by Charlie Harrington in images by Agata Pospieszynska [IG].

The fashion shoot took place at Goodwood [IG], home of The Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon. Goodwood roadway was featured in Ralph Lauren’s Polo Fall 2023 Campaign.

In this third season of ‘Bridgerton’, Nicola’s character Penelope Featherington moves from a supporting character role, stepping into the center-stage limelight. This is not an entirely comfortable space for Coughlan to occupy. The actor writes:

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Louis Vuitton Handbag Lovers Once Again Learn About Women on the High Seas

Louis Vuitton Handbag Lovers Once Again Learn About Women on the High Seas

The Louis Vuitton Leather Goods Campaign Spring-Summer 2024 returns to the high seas with an extension of their Louis Vuitton Nautical Summer Capsule that focuses on Vuitton’s best handbags.

Lensed by Ethan James Green [IG] against the ancient backdrop of Mediterranean world waters, the campaign steps into AOC’s earlier Louis Vuitton Nautical campaign discussion of women in the world of Olympic sailing.

Today models Chu Wong, Ida Heiner and Sacha Quenby inspires a deeper question by AOC.

Did Women Sail in Ancient Waters?

Based on our best AI, Phoenician women were known to be skilled sailors who played a crucial role in the maritime trade network of the ancient world. These women were involved in various aspects of seafaring, including navigation, trading, and ship maintenance. Their expertise in sailing and trading helped establish Phoenicia as a dominant maritime power in the Mediterranean.

The scarcity of direct historical records makes it difficult to paint a complete picture, yet through the analysis of artifacts, writings by ancient historians, and mythological tales, we begin to see indications of women's participation.

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Salma Hayek's 3 Covers for Vogue Arabia May 2024 with Penelope Cruz Interview

Salma Hayek's 3 Covers for Vogue Arabia May 2024 with Penelope Cruz Interview

AOC readers know about actor Penelope Cruz doing Salma Hayek’s major-event makeup in a house with no electricity. Anne knows nothing about the two Hollywood women besties almost experiencing a plane crash together.

This story and more is a new reveal for AOC in the May 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia [IG] where Hayek is the fashion star photographed by Cuneyt Akeroglu [IG].

“We never lie to each other. It allowed us to navigate the hypocrisy and fakeness of Hollywood. I always call you to work on a character because there is no one else in the world that could understand me better,” Hayek Pinault says about Penelope Cruz.

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Deva Cassel, Filming 'The Leopard', Covers Harper's Bazaar Taiwan May 2024 by JUANKR

Deva Cassel, Filming 'The Leopard', Covers Harper's Bazaar Taiwan May 2024 by JUANKR

Rising model Deva Cassel is photographed by JUANKR [IG] in a fashion story for Harper’s Bazaar Taiwan [IG] May 2024. Melina Chen styles the fashion story on location at the Château Voltaire in Paris.

Cassel recently made her acting debut in Laura Luchetti’s upcoming “The Beautiful Summer.” Now she is filming ‘The Leopard’ in Rome, playing the role that originally belonged to Claudia Cardinale.

The ambitious six-part series for Netflix is based on the novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa and is set against the backdrop of social revolution in 1860s Sicily.

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