Adriana Lima's Mission to Bring Fashion Delight to Vogue Arabia November 2019

Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief Manuel Arnault argues ‘Why We Need To Inject Fun Back Into Fashion’, in explaining his decision to partner supermodel design collaborator Adriana Lima with Egyptian comedian Samir Ghanem in the November 2019 cover story.

Lima is styled by Katie Trotter in images by Elizaveta Porodina./ Hair by Sadek Larjane; makeup by Min Kim

Arnault argues that “that very basic quality that made us love fashion in the first place is becoming diluted by so many heavy topics.” He cites exceptions like the Gucci campaigns and Moschino shows, as well as the 2019 Met Gala theme of Camp.

Under the weight of discussions around diversity and sustainability — whenever do we get an escape from all this seriousness, Arnault asks. The editor then makes the case for unapologetic and uncomplicated delight.

This made me wonder, what if we completely break the mold of what we have been doing and fully dedicate November to fashion, beauty, and the people who make us have a good laugh?

In fact we do understand the editor’s point, but his approach falls on our deaf ears. Say that you’re doing an issue devoted to fashion and art or fashion and surrealism. That train left the station with the Met show, but fashion doesn’t need any more restrictions right now, so bless Arnault’s heart for trying to create delight.

If I’m not mistaken the Germans turned to a similar sensibility with the rise of the Third Reich. And then, 7 million Jews died. BAD ANNE!!! You are NOT generating the fashion delight sorely needed in Trumplandia.

Our young people find this escapist mentality the very reason they are staring into the gloom of a dying planet corrupted by consumption. Still, the band plays on.

For AOC, real delight came at the start of the day, with the release of H&M’s Holiday 2019 campaign. Yes — it did address diversity — but believe it or not, the effort didn’t feel heavy at all. In fact the execution was charming and heartfelt. It made us smile with the delight that Arnault is talking about generating with this fashion editorial and learning to be playful again in fashion. But the H&M campaign doesn’t require us to put grave concerns about our world on the bookshelf — if only for the month of November. Rather, the campaign is an imaginary vision of the way our world could be, the humanity we could share with each other.

At this point in time, and especially with our young people so determined to turn around the global mess around us and very advanced by life in Trumplandia, walking with them and their fierce determination seems far more important than needing a getaway from the heavy consequences of our actions. I wrote about the H&M campaign:

All these adorable kids remind us that the decisions we make in Trumplandia and all around the world will determine the fate of these precious children. With the majority of retail brands, these images would be hocus pocus. But in the case of H&M, the company really is trying to navigate these troubled, challenging times with a real-deal mega dose of holiday spirit and humanity without losing track of their core message and priorities. Thanks H&M! You can’t buy this kind of admiration from me to you. It’s earned. ~ Anne

Note that I’m well aware that not buying anything is important as well — but it comes with a host of its own problems, which is perhaps the germ of Mr. Arnault’s thinking. Deficits, unemployment, plunging economies comes with their own headaches. We are looking at the downside of consumption in the state of our planet. But turning off the faucet creates its own set of consequences, so a dancing act is required.

AOC now returns you to Vogue Arabia’s fashion getaway from heavy topics like diversity and sustainability. Enjoy! I really mean that. Let it rip! xoxo. Did I every tell you about my cat shoes? They were so fabulous with whiskers and tails, too. They were wonderful, and I felt delight every time I wore them.