Campbell Addy's Smile-Worthy 'Over the Rainbow' Men's Fashion for WSJ Magazine

Campbell Addy's Smile-Worthy 'Over the Rainbow' Men's Fashion for WSJ Magazine AOC Fashion

Before seeing this gorgeous WSJ Magazine post online, Anne found herself in a state of exasperation and irritation on a business matter. Checking the credentials on an entirely different post sent by WSJ, It’s Time to Ditch All Your Neutrals and Embrace Rainbow Fashion, stopped her cold.

It’s no secret that AOC jumps through hoops for photographers of color — but for good reason. They have a visceral capacity to feel color in a way we find inspiring. Let’s just say that the world of fashion has been much happier and optimistic with the unleashing of Black creativity, in particular.

Ghanaian-British photographer Campbell Addy’s [IG] image above just erased any and all negative emotions at AOC, even though it’s a grey day on the East Coast. Clare Richardson styles the shoot called ‘Over the Rainbow’, with commentary by Jenny Hartman. Models include: Benyam Mehari, Jefferson Obuseri, Mensah Benjamin.

Stopping by Campbell Addy’s IG as we always do for the photographer — but also to track down the names of the models — we were touched deeply by his vulnerability. Anne was in a similar place in 2014.

Sunday [yesterday October 10] was World Mental Health Day 2021. Campbell Addy wrote:

When asked to create this shoot all I wanted to do was smile. I wanted to create images that would make me smile, because to be frank I had forgotten how to smile deeply and honestly. Those close to me understand my battle with mental health - and it’s a process. Today’s is mental health awareness day, and I would hope someone will look upon these images and feel love, hope and be able to smile. Life is a journey and can be tough at times but simply reaching out and saying hello can make the biggest change in a loved ones life. Thank you to my agents, friends, family and collaborators for putting up with me in my times of need. I’m still trying to smile deeply and honestly, it’s a journey but I’ll get there.

You succeeded in getting Anne to smile also, Campbell Addy — with these glorious images. To say nothing of the joyful jewelry being created in my studio with 80% of the ingredients coming out of Ghana.

Big thanks to you, Campbell Addy, and countless other Black creatives who are turning my own artistry inside out. That’s a big deal for a white lady of a certain age. Better now than never, I guess. Thanks for everything. LOL ~ Anne

Margot Robbie Delights in Lachlan Bailey Flamingo Estate LA Fashion Shoot

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Margot Robbie Delights in Lachlan Bailey Flamingo Estate LA Fashion Shoot AOC Fashion

The real magic of British Vogue’s August 2021 cover story with actor Margot Robbie is that it was a gathering of Australians. Flying to Los Angeles when so many fashion shoots are now virtual, Australian stylist and art director Clare Richardson felt inspired and downright joyous.

Few fashion stories and interviews are a joy to read, especially for a serious person like myself. Yet, Robbie’s feature is a true getaway— perhaps because she talks unapologetically a lot about her work and excitement over her success. It was a quick read with no angst that AOC truly enjoyed.

In today’s world, any interview that leaves one smiling and appreciative of the moment, is a success. That’s probably due to Margot Robbie, who Richardson describes as “down-to-earth, professional and polite (on set, you always notice the person who says hello to everyone). There was no fuss; she is warm, kind and grounded, yet extremely smart and astute.”

Normal fashion chatter like fellow Aussie, photographer Lachlan Bailey, sharing amused delight over Robbie’s new haircut — a French-girl fringe and golden highlights — made me smile.

Shooting in the gardens of the Flamingo Estate immediately got my attention, primarily because we added another Australian Richard Christiansen to the friendly California fashion crew salad. The Flaming Estate brand is another story worth pursuing after one look at the website.

So now you have the entire mood and cast of characters that produced the British Vogue August 2021 cover fashion story. As the Flamingo Estate website says “It’s time to feel good again.”

That message isn’t escapism, anxiety and stress over climate change, women in Afghanistan, Black Lives Matter, the fifth iteration of COVID, American going to war over face masks, and the rise of white nationalism.

It’s about simple delights California style, which means that the bar of Flamingo Estate soap is $25 but it truly is medicine from the garden — beautiful, fragrant, and the work of mother nature — “our doctor, therapist and friend. Take care of her and she’ll take care of you.” That’s food for thought, and yes, you can shop the pantry.

Eva Wiseman shares the Robbie interview, which just rolls on in a survey of the star’s career and successes. In a story I already knew — and adore: “The description of the character she read for in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ was “the hottest blonde ever”; she went off-script and slapped Leonardo DiCaprio hard across the face, launching her into the humid air of movie stardom.” [Every woman needs a story like this one!”]

Robbie’s a friendly feminist to the core, naming her 2014 production company with husband Tom Ackerley and two other creative friends ‘Lucky Chap’. Its aim was to tell women’s stories on-screen, and to support female creators behind the scenes – a plan grounded in business as much as politics. An early production was “I Tonya”, the biopic of skater Tonya Harding that garnered Robbie’s first Oscar nomination.

You must read the entire interview. Robbie returns now to her role of Harley Quinn in an all new film ‘The Suicide Squad’. - Rebellion’.

Anna Ewers Soaks Up Mediterranean Sea Sun in Massimo Dutti Swimwear 2021

Anna Ewers Soaks Up Mediterranean Sea Sun in Massimo Dutti Swimwear 2021

Global Spanish fashionbrand Massimo Dutti, owned by Inditex — also parent company of Zara — continues today’s discussion of online storytelling. Top model Anna Ewers is styled by Clare Richardson for the SS 2021 Massimo Dutti, Swimwear Collection [IG]. The latest story ‘Cahier De Voyage’ takes us to the Mediterranean in images lensed by Dan Martensen [IG]./ Hair by David Harborow; makeup by Sddhartha Simone.

Lachlan Bailey Flashes Amber, Carolyn, Shalom for WSJ Magazine May 2021

Lachlan Bailey Flashes Amber, Carolyn, Shalom for WSJ Magazine May 2021

Supermodels Amber Valletta, Carolyn Murphy and Shalom Harlow bring infectious joy to WSJ Magazine’s May 2021 issue with ‘Three’s Company. Clare Richardson styles the girls-just-wanna-have -fun legends in Balenciaga, Bode, Dodo Bar Or, Louis Vuitton, Re/Done,Stella McCartney,The Elder Statesman and more.

“They are one amazing iconic triplet—they are the late-’90s alt-queen supermodels,” says designer Jeremy Scott, who shaped his recent fall 2021 Moschino show around a vision of Harlow as Rosalind Russell in the 1939 film The Women, and cast all three for his cinematic presentation. “I said on set to the other models, ‘We are on the set with [legends], let’s pay homage and respect…. These are the ladies whose careers you hope to have one day.’ ”

Photographer Lachlan Bailey captures the merriment of ‘Three’s Company’ — with all of us wanting to let loose this summer./ Hair by Shay Ashual; makeup by Mark Carrasquillo; set design by Heath Mattioli