Gucci Dionysus watch in 18K yellow gold (with diamonds and tsavorites) Lion Head Secret watch in 18K white gold (with diamonds and opal dial) ($188,000-$279,000, available at Cartier’s Place Vendôme, Paris boutique by appointment) At the mark of its centenary, Gucci’s High Watchmaking collection marks an ethereal pairing of timeless luxury and contemporary craftsmanship. The jeweled Dionysus and Lion Head timepieces are crafted with gleaming precious metals and stones, with finely designed details defined by the House’s elegant codes and Alessandro Michele’s avant-garde vision. Distinctive and delicate, the Dionysus line interlaces 18K yellow gold with diamonds, while the Lion Head recalls Gucci’s powerful leonine motif. TRISHNA RIKHY
WELCOME TO V 131 Photography Ryan Jenq
Stylist Alex Brannian Photo assistant Chase Gunner
VALENTINO.COM
Zendaya by David Sims at the Palace Theater in Los Angeles, 16th April 2021
INSTANT HEIRLOOMS EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director Stephen Gan Managing Editor / Production Director Melissa Scragg Editorial Consultant Owen Myers Photo Director Goran Macura Editor, Entertainment Greg Krelenstein Editor / Sales & Distribution Director Czar Van Gaal Office Manager / Editorial Assistant Aurimas Meilūnas Contributing Editor-at-Large Derek Blasberg Copy & Research Editor Lynda Szpiro
ADVERTISING/FINANCE
Publisher 93HUB Nicola Bernardini de Pace nico@93hub.nyc Creative Partnerships Associate Fatima Juliette Boukattine fatima@93hub.nyc Advertising Office, Italy and Switzerland, Magazine International luciano@bernardini.it Managing Director Todd Kamelhar Distribution David Renard
ART/FASHION
Associate Art Director Shibo Chen Consulting Creative / Design Greg Foley Contributing Fashion Director Gro Curtis Fashion & Market Editor Aryeh Lappin Assistant Market Editor Sam Knoll Contributing Fashion Editors Nicola Formichetti Anna Trevelyan Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele Paul Cavaco Jacob K Amanda Harlech Joe McKenna Melanie Ward Jane How Panos Yiapanis Beauty Editor Stella Pak
DIGITAL
Digital Director Mathias Rosenzweig mathias@vmagazine.com Digital Editor Dania Curvy dania@vmagazine.com Social Media Manager Kevin Ponce kevin@vmagazine.com Weibo Editor Meng Ji
CONTRIBUTORS
Inez & Vinoodh George Cortina Willy Vanderperre Peter Philips Sandra Amador & Tom Eerebout Domen & Van de Velde Deborah Watson Jordan Millington Rowan Papier Ryan Jenq Alex Brannian Erik Lee Snyder Diego Vourakis Brittany Layton ISAC Marie Higuchi Michael Oliver Love Donna Lee de Kock Emre Unal Oguz Erel Levon Baird Sarah Starkey Ricardo Beas Yana Olegovna Sharon Chitrit Kala Herh
SPECIAL THANKS
Nari Creative Services Inc Jennifer Rosenblum VLM Studio Kim Pollock Art + Commerce Billy Albores Amanda Fiala Willy Vanderperre Studio Lieze Rubbrecht Exposure NY Stacy Fischer Domen & Van de Velde Studio Joeri Rouffa CAA Josh Otten FORD Paige Eskenazi Community New York Richie Keo DNA David Bonnouvrier Craig Lock Tony Craig HEROES Jonathon Reis Elite NYC Pedja Govedarica Hakim Model Management Hakim Felidj IMG Ivan Bart Liz Carpenter Maja Chiesi Mina White Luiz Mattos Derek Walker Christopher Lukas Jared Feig Daniel Naval IMG Paris Julien Clisson NEXT Kyle Hagler Gabriel Rubin The Lions Ali Kavoussi Clayd Yila The Society George Speros Known Management Ismael Santana Vasquez New York Model Management Duane Gazi Priscillas Ethan Potter Madeline Greig Artist Group Emma Coffey Bryant Artists Lucy Bon Forward Artists Ashlee Cooper Statement Artists Danielle Williams Management + Artists Lucy Waite The Visionaries Yan Javeri Streeters Rayna Donatelli De Facto Michelle Marana Artlist Paris Carole Truques Atelier Management Tamara Jacobs Tracey Mattingly David Washinsky Home Agency Christine Lavigne Tomlinson Management Kelly Tomlinson The Wall Group Alexia Efstathiou Melissa Pursel A-Frame Samantha Tyler SEE Management Leigh Sikorski Laura Groudine Opus Beauty Natalie Miller Dust Studios Interns: Sam Tracy Arianne Zhang Lilia Jiménez Carlos Chinn Anna Guo Debora Carpanzano Megan Murphy Greta Jelen Jesse Leonard Lilliana Guardia Kaylah Bryan Bailey Bujnosek Margaux Bang Trishna Rikhy Ahad Sanwari
PRESS & EVENTS
Purple PR Andrew Lister andrew.lister@purplepr.com Amy Choi amy.choi@purplepr.com Dylan Hunt dylan.hunt@purplepr.com
Photography Ryan Jenq Cartier Rivières deCartier–Luxuriance (100mL) Rivières de Cartier–Insouciance (100mL) ($113, available at Cartier boutiques nationwide) The exuberance of life is bottled in the two fragrances of Rivières de Cartier, in a free-spirited, luxurious olfactory experience composed in the style of the Maison. While Insouciance recalls the sparkle of a stream and the new bloom of flora with its notes of iris and violet, Luxuriance echoes the complexities of the wild, evoking an untamed, lush oasis with hints of oak and wild herbs. Instinct and adventure play twin roles within these scents—the opulent possibilities of what lie ahead, energetic and fresh the eaux fraiches. Awareness of the natural world doesn’t stop there: Cartier’s packaging for the scents is proudly sustainable, and the bottles themselves are reusable too. TR
Time did a lot in the past year. It stood still, it flew, it called for desperate measures. It determined when we could return to our offices and our loved ones. For some of us, it healed. Yet it seemed like the world collectively decided to only look at two parts of time: the past and the future, like Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia album, or even the sensational show Halston, with a look into fashion’s past. The reason for this is obvious: the present sucked. Looking behind or ahead of us was much easier than facing an undeniably dark time in human history. But times are now changing. Musicians in this issue are preparing for live concerts again. The models are safely flying to photo shoots and international runways. The actors are picking out outfits for premieres that they will be attending in person. Americans are recalling the “Roaring Twenties,” which many Europeans refer to as the “Golden Age Twenties.” The French call the 1920s the “Années Folles” (the Crazy Years) due to the time’s dynamic artistic and cultural breakthroughs. As V enters a new Golden Age, once again set in the twenties, we’re looking forward—of course, this magazine has always been about what’s next—but also enjoying the time we’re in. Those featured in this magazine may be ahead of their time, but they are also living in the present. They are here right now, as are we, as are you. If that’s not reason to celebrate these days, then what is? MR. V
Alexander McQueen Studded Silver and Black Leather Mini Jewelled Satchel Crystal Sun Embroidered Clutch (in black suede with heart Clasp) ($2,390-$3,590, available at Alexandermcqueen.com) Alexander McQueen’s pre-Fall 2021 womenswear juxtaposes the masculine and feminine with a studied sophistication. Hybrid tailoring is at the core of the collection, culminating in bejewelled bags structured upon refined modernist principles. The Crystal Sun Embroidered Clutch and Jewelled Satchel embody the tradition of McQueen, fusing iconic shapes with the timeless inspiration of London. Motifs of heritage are imbued in the bags, hidden in appliquéd London seals and four-ring handles, sealed with decadent stones. TR
V Magazine is a registered trademark of V Magazine LLC. Copyright © 2021 V Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. V Magazine is published bi-monthly by V Magazine LLC.
A NEW BEGINNING
In This Issue: 14. Heroes 18. The Sweet Escape 19. On the Roll 20. Nemacolin 22. Rebel Yell 24. V Trends 26. Golden Age 42. Club Kids Revisited 52. Willow’s Rock Revival 58. Go Global 66. Hello Hollywood 72. Feel the Love 80. What V Want
Stylist Alex Brannian Photo assistant Chase Gunner
EVERLASTING ESSENTIALS
CHANEL Métiers d’art 2021 Clutch, shoes, necklace ($1,025-$4,800, available at CHANEL boutiques nationwide) Inspired by the luxurious refinement of Renaissance women, Chanel’s 2021 Métiers d’art collection embraces the chic sophistication and innate romanticism of femininity, merging bold edginess with the House’s codes of delicate grace. In opulent black and gold, a celebration of the past is rediscovered, tailored for the contemporary woman: a square clutch with rounded edges is imagined anew, punctuated by the contrast between sleek black and shiny gold. Meanwhile, strappy metallic heels are bookended by black detailing, interweaving a graphic power into the graceful shoe; and a long chain necklace with double C’s recalls tradition, building something new from timeless elegance. TR
HE RO ES
Makeup Rebecca Restrepo (Tracey Mattingly) Hair Matthew Monzon (Tomlinson Management Group) using R+Co Bleu Manicure Yukie Miyakawa (SEE Management) Digital technician Jason Riker Lighting technician Butch Hogan Location Liberty Studio
Christine wears all clothing Celine by Hedi Slimane Shoes Giuseppe Zanotti Rings Cartier
FALL WELCOMES THE ROARING RETURN OF CULTURAL CHANGEMAKERS, EACH INFUSING THEIR CRAFT WITH A UNIQUE POINT OF VIEW
CHRISTINE BARANSKI THE VETERAN ACTRESS MORE ENERGIZED THAN EVER Photography Erik Lee Snyder Fashion Aryeh Lappin In the early ‘70s, you could find Christine Baranski outside New York’s Lincoln Center, eagerly waiting for the doors to open and the newest show to start. “I remember those years with excitement,” says Baranski, a screen icon and 15-time Emmy award nominee. “Luckily I didn’t get hit by a car, because my head was in the clouds.” Then a student at Juilliard studying drama, Baranski was completely infatuated with the theater. Her obsession began at the age of six when her father brought her to a show by a troupe of Polish dancers and singers. “I remember him having tears running down his cheeks and shouting ‘Bravo!’” says Baranski. “It was embarrassing that my father was behaving in this way, shouting and crying. And then I realized what a feeling he had for it.” The act of performing and theater runs 14
deep in Baranski’s blood: her grandparents were actors at the local Polish theater and her parents were in a Polish singing group. Growing up in Buffalo, NY, Baranski heavily participated in the arts, bouncing between ballet classes to drumming in the band to acting on stage. After Juilliard, Baranski soon landed roles in playwright Lezley Havard’s Broadway thriller Hide and Seek (1980) and the legendary British screenwriter Tom Stoppard’s infidelityfocused drama The Real Thing (1984). At the age of 42, with two Tonys under her belt, Baranski took the plunge into television, finding a new audience with the satirical CBS sitcom. Her supporting role as the absurdly extravagant, sharptongued Maryann Thorpe got her nominated for an Emmy after just 13 episodes. Baranski’s versatility is on display in virtually every project she takes on, from
heroes
Dress Versace, jewelry Cartier
Dress Louis Vuitton, earrings Louis Vuitton Pure V Collection
All clothing Giorgio Armani, watch Cartier
All clothing Hermès, jewelry Cartier
the romance-filled drama scenes in Cruel Intentions to gamely embracing overthe-top musical numbers in the Mamma Mia! films. In recent years, the actress has won over new generations of fans as she untangles webs of political intrigue with her starring role in The Good Fight, a spinoff of the massively popular drama, The Good Wife. For over a decade, Baranski has been playing Diane Lockhart, a veteran lawyer who is ambitious, smart and incredibly witty, just like the actress who plays her. “It’s great for the world to see a woman like that, who gets up in the morning, puts herself together, and goes out in the world and fights the good fight,” she says in between tapes for the show. Along with The Good Fight, she is also shooting The Gilded Age, an upcoming HBO period drama that documents 1870s New York flushed with new money and on the brink of the modern age.
“I was in my 60s before I was number one on the call sheet,” Baranski says, with no-nonsense candor. “I just continue working and try to be defined by the work that I do. I’m not interested in selling myself or putting myself in quotation marks.” And while Baranski may not consider herself a hero in the industry (she prefers the label of “hard-working actress with a long, versatile career”), she has made an indelible mark on the acting world. Among the accolades above, Baranski also holds three Screen Actor Guild Awards and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and proves that she continues to exude uncatergorizable brilliance in everything she touches. “It’s been one hell of a ride,” she concludes. And luckily for us, it shows no signs of stopping. KALA HERH The Good Fight premieres June 24 on Paramount+ 15
Makeup Andre Sarmiento (A-Frame) Photo assistant Suki Smith Location FD Studio
heroes
JANICZA BRAVO THE DIRECTOR BEHIND THIS SEASON’S SPICIEST FILM ZOLA Photography Yana Yatsuk Fashion Sharon Chitrit If you’ve paid any attention to the indie film scene over the past decade, directorscreenwriter-extraordinaire Janicza Bravo is a name you are probably already familiar with. If you haven’t, then there’s never been a better time to take notice. Serving up the film of the summer after three years in-the-making, Bravo, is set to unveil the long-awaited cinematic masterpiece that is Zola. Chrolicing a viral stranger-than-fiction saga ripped from the twittersphere, the comedic-drama takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride following a spontaneous girl’s trip gone wrong. Left on the edge of your seat from start to finish, one thing remains abundantly clear throughout the film’s glorious one hour and thirty minutes—Bravo was destined to tell this story. Born to two Panamanian immigrants in New York City, Bravo spent the first half of her early years bouncing between the concrete jungle and Panama City. Fascinated with film and television, Bravo took solace in the seemingly impossible thought of a career in the arts. “I didn’t see many [people] that looked like me, so I didn’t think it was a real option’’ she says. “I didn’t think there was space for that in my story.” But she leaned full force into theatre at NYU where she realized directing and her gift for storytelling was her superpower. Fresh out of undergrad and no longer surrounded by her chosen family of theatre buffs, Bravo struggled to find her place in the industry. She worked as a wardrobe stylist during the day and spent nights dreaming up a future in film through screenwriting her own shorts. Before she knew it, Bravo had written eight short films and vowed to herself that she would find a way to manifest the words on the pages into reality. Ten thousand dollars later, with the help of an ensemble of friends the 16
Janicza wears all clothing Gucci Jewelry her own
emerging-director gave birth to the satirical thriller, Eat. Eat set the tone for Bravo’s career and led to the short films Gregory Go Boom, Man Rots from the Head, and subsequently her first feature film. “All of my [short films] prepared me for Lemon.” she says of her feature-length debut that delineates the comedic mid-life-crisis of a hopeless romantic. Through Lemon Bravo perfected her love language of humor, not only proving she could sustain an audience for more than 20 minutes, but also discovering the therapeutic nature of her craft saying “With my films I am processing my trauma, my fears, my anxieties, but through a humor lens.” Joining forces with fellow screenwriter and collaborator Jeremy O. Harris, Bravo brings the salacious black-twitter thread to the big screen. Spotlighting the underbelly of Florida’s pole dancing and sex work scene, Zola vividly depicts the tale of two friends who set out on an adventurous “hoe trip” that takes a turn for the worst. Utilizing the 148 diary-esque tweets as the basis of the story, Bravo filled in the blanks by sensationalizing the characters. Adding an element of hyperrealism through casting, the star studded flick tapped Taylor Paige as protagonist Zola; a witty dancer with an unexpected girl-next-door quality, and Riley Keough as Stefani the rowdy avaricious villain you’ll learn to love, to hate. “They each had some percentage of that character inside of them, they’re imbuing it” Bravo shares. Lacing her specialty of comedic relief with an underlying theme, Bravo tests social boundaries and theories of appropriation with the caricature-like nature of main character Stefani. Knowing a portion of the audience would sympathize with Stefani no matter how poorly she was presented Bravo recalls “I wanted to play with what the attraction and allure of what we decide are black attitudes, black intonations...but the ones that we like on white women and not on black women.” CZAR VAN GAAL
Photography Angela Kohler
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LIZ PHAIR THE ‘90S ALT-ROCK ICON BACK WITH A BITE In 1993, American singer-songwriter Liz Phair changed both the sound and face of alternative rock music. Her debut LP Exile in Guyville—a slightly bolstered evolution of the audio cassettes she’d been releasing under the moniker Girly-Sound— challenged the genre’s male dominance while introducing Phair’s sharp, occasionally sexually explicit lyrics, and strikingly deadpan vocal style. Singles like “Never Said” and “Fuck and Run” turned Phair into the poster woman for outspoken, creative misfits who didn’t want to follow the increasingly mundane status quo. “What I remember about making Guyville is how surprising it was to us, where it went,” Phair says about working on the album with her co-producer Brad Wood. “Every day was a surprise...I had no idea at that point what I would sound like.” Twenty-eight years later, Phair has released Soberish, her seventh studio album and first foray into new music in 11 years. The fresh body of work explores various thematic intersections, such as the past and the present. For example, she partnered up again with Wood and seeked inspiration from the art rock and new wave albums she played nonstop while in art school. On the other hand, she was also fueled by the socioeconomic state of the present day, as well as where it might lead us. “It didn’t feel like the country was the country I recognized,” Phair says of the U.S.A since 2016. “My son’s twenty-four, so I get his perspective as well. It’s like, you were brought up with all of this hope and empowerment, and you had it ripped away. And the rawest reality was shoved in your face.” Phair also explores the contradictory relationship between sobriety and escapism. In “Spanish Doors” she sings: “I don’t want to see anybody I know / I don’t want to be anywhere that you and I used to go.” The track is an elegy for a friend’s divorce, as well as an ode to burying your head in the sand and disconnecting from a previous
life. She uses the example of escaping to a bathroom during a loud party for some solitude. “Some people are workaholics,” she says. “Some people fall in love all the time, or need drama all the time, or they’re constantly caffeinated and drinking alcohol at night. There’s a million ways that you can escape reality these days.” For Phair, a part of this escapism (and a partial inspiration for the album’s title) was the legalization of recreational weed in California. “That was always my favorite drug, but because it was illegal, it was just something I did at parties. Or I would sneak some from a friend. But as a single mom, I didn’t buy it illegally–ever. So then, when it was legalized, I had to go through this second puberty of like, ‘How much do I do?’” Phair has settled on finding the balance between reality and escapism. But one increasingly potent realization was that she was not done releasing music. “I didn’t want to leave my career to just trickle off into nothing,” she says. “One thing that really impacted me was when Bowie and Prince passed. Suddenly we were losing all these icons from my youth that I thought had many years left in them. And my manager actually challenged me. He was like, “Are you making, right now, the art that you would want to leave behind if it were your last?” The answer is increasingly leaning toward yes. With Soberish, Phair builds upon a foundation of her idiosyncratic sound and no-holds-barred lyrics, giving us an idea of what Guyville might sound like had Phair been in her twenties today. That said, she’s very happy she isn’t, and that she hasn’t had her whole life documented by social media like today’s younger artists. “I can’t even imagine [that level of visibility],” she says. “I have enough baggage to drag behind as it is. If you knew what I really did in my 20’s, God help me.” MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG 17
THE SWEET ESCAPE
Annahstasia wears swimsuit, bag, shoes Dior Vespa 946 Christian Dior By Piaggio Group in collaboration with Dior
SAVOR EARLY FALL SUNSHINE WITH WHISMICAL OFFERINGS FROM DIOR AND HERMÈS
Photography Diego Vourakis Fashion Brittany Layton
In the past few years, team-ups between storied brands and fashion houses have become a welcome highlight of the season. Yet the house of Dior embraces collaboration with distinct ingenuity—and more than a little Parisian insouciance. The Dior x Air Jordan was a phenomenon that brought together the worlds of streetwear and high fashion, and, fresh off debuting a cool monogrammed skateboard for spring, the French house teams up with Vespa for a trio of limited-edition creations, designed through a contemporary lens for a new, fearless form of fashion collaboration. The Vespa 946 Christian Dior scooter pays homage to the rich heritage of 18
each brand with a Dior’s Oblique motif emblazoned across Vespa’s infallible construction. Built for a refined odyssey, passion and triumph go hand-in-hand with the savoir-faire design made in Italy, streamlined with the curves and grace built into Vespa’s designs. As well as a chic helmet, a boxy top case is also available in the same Oblique fabric, which hasn’t aged a day since its debut in 1967. (After all, no road trip is complete without somewhere to stash your Saddle Bag.) With Vespa’s hopeful wanderings united with Dior’s everlasting sleekness, the roads that lie ahead await only you. TRISHNA RIKHY
v news Back by popular demand, courtesy of Hermès, roller skates are rolling onto the scene again. And this time, they are chicer than ever. The French luxury house is venturing into a whole new territory—where Hermès chicissime meets ‘70s youth culture. A new spin on a classic, these roller skates—crafted in white calfskin leather atop a maplewood platform—are as practical as they are elegant. The skates are lined with a “Savana Dance’’ print, the first collaboration between Hermès and the Ardmore, a collective of Zulu, Zimbabwean, and Sotho artisan potters in South Africa. Picture yourself gliding across a strip by the sea in the South
of France, breeze through your hair, where Hermès’ vision and distinguished craftsmanship meets the spirit of the roller-disco days. In tune with the brand’s motto: “Exceptional Pieces, Savoir-Faire of Excellence, an Audacious and Elegant Art of Living,” it comes as no surprise that Hermès would reinvent such a staple. In a truly innovative approach, the roller skates have been designed with a one-of-a-kind fixation system. This means that the mountable sole allows for the use of sneakers without the skates. So whether you want to skate, walk or run through the town, the choice is yours. MARGAUX BANG
Makeup Lilly Pollan Hair Ashley Lynn Hall (Atelier Management) Models Jessica Sikosek (The Industry), Annahstasia Enuke (Muse) Executive Producer Jonathan Biebl (Go Atticus) Producer Mike Moretti (Go Atticus) Photo assistant Keith Hedgecock Production assistant Christina Mitchell (Go Atticus)
Jessica wears all clothing and scarf Hermès Roller skates Hermès “Savana Dance”
ON A ROLL 19
NEMACOLIN
GET TO KNOW THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST-TALKED ABOUT RESORTS
Nestled in the enchanting western woodland area of Farmington, Pennsylvania, is a place that could give Disney World a run for its money. Nemacolin is a mad hatter’s merge of fantasy and reality which sprawls over 2,000 wooded acres in the bucolic Laurel Highlands. Off the grid, you feel like anything could happen—and it just might. Offering woodland adventures, Michelin-level dining, and decadent all-night escapades, the palatial property with ultra-chic residences is one of the most luxurious playgrounds in the country—but, surprisingly, it didn’t start out that way. The now glamorous and over-the-top resort was founded by Joseph Hardy, founder and CEO of the 84 Lumber Company, after seeing the then 400-acre property up for auction in 1987. “We came up three days before the auction, and [my father] made no mention about buying a resort. He told my mom and me, and we both were really upset about the whole thing. He told me he bought me a resort to keep me out of trouble,” says Hardy’s daughter Maggie Hardy Knox, who runs the property with her son PJ Magerko, the VP of Brand Strategy. “I just wanted a little lot that I could fish in!” Under her and PJ’s magic wand, the resort bloomed into an opulent treasure beyond their wildest dreams. Now, the once-humble and quaint abode has blossomed into a showstopping, grandiose kingdom of camp, which also offers exquisite refinement in art, architecture, and food—making this a peerless attraction for culture connoisseurs as well as weekend pleasure-seekers. “It really is unlike any other place,” says PJ Magerko. “You can’t go anywhere else in the world and experience all that we have in one place—a Parisian chateau, a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired boutique hotel, a 1950s ice cream parlor, a world-class art collection. I say this humbly—there really is no competition in that way, especially [it being] so close to New York.” Even beyond the glitz and glam that the resort undoubtedly embodies and exudes, the heart-warming sense of family is ever-present throughout, giving the estate a special quality that evokes a familial sense of belonging. “It’s an extension of our home—it is our home. It’s a wonderful way to have families come here and feel part of the extended family and our associates do such a beautiful job in doing that,” explains Hardy Knox. “I would say at the core, it’s because we’re family-owned and continue to be very proud of that.” Truly, it’s a whole new world. 20
Makeup Alice Lane for Chanel Hair Bob Recine (The Wall Group) Set design Philipp Haemmerle Producer Elizabeth Kine Murphy In-House producer Chandra Sloboda
Photography Jordan Millington Fashion Deborah Watson Text Kevin Ponce
vip Maggie wears coat, skirt Versace, bodysuit ATM Boots Balmain, jewelry her own PJ wears trench (over), umbrella Thom Browne Coat (underneath) Bottega Veneta Pants Moncler x JW Anderson
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REBEL YELL JAPANESE POP-PUNK QUARTET CHAI ARE TEARING UP THE RULES Photography ISAC Fashion Marie Higuchi Text Kala Herh
There is a tradition in Japanese culture where after people bathe in the hot springs, they’ll play a round of ping pong...while drinking a refreshing glass of fruit-flavored milk. This idiosyncratic, centuries-old practice inspired CHAI’s latest single, “Ping Pong!” Featuring the four bandmates as 8-bit animations, the music video visual draws from both old and new Japan: “It’s a weird play on the surrealness of video games versus the actual traditional game of ping pong and what that means to Japanese culture,” says Yuna, the band’s drummer. Yuna makes up one of the four bandmates—completing the girl group are identical sisters, Mana and Kana, and their best friend Yuuki, whom they met in college. With their genre-less music that embraces femininity in all its forms, CHAI is the latest Japanese band to make waves in the music industry, from performing at Coachella to signing onto Sub Pop records. “When people listen to our music, we hope it will help them be confident in themselves,” said Mana, the band’s lead vocalist. Though they’ve only been a band for six years, CHAI has already gotten international recognition, with their 2016 song “Gyaran-boo” reaching number 36 on Spotify’s UK Top 50 Chart. With notes of punk, pop, rock and everything in-between, the band’s music pivots away from the one-size-fits all J-pop aesthetic, a formula they never felt comfortable embodying in the first place, the members say. At the core of CHAI’s ethos is the concept of neo-kawaii, which stems off of the Japanese term kawaii, which directly translates to “cute” in English. In their latest album, WINK, the girl group dismantles and subverts the notions of cuteness that are deeply entrenched in Japanese social norms: norms that the band say facilitate unattainable ideals in young Japanese women. “In Japan, the word kawaii is defined with specific features—pointier nose, longer hair, fair skin tone, and larger eyes—features that are associated with Western features,” Mana elaborates. After being frustrated by the limitations of this definition and realizing not everyone fit into it, the girls coined a new phrase: neo-kawaii to “explain this new cute, for everyone that doesn’t fit into these standards,” said Mana. To the members of CHAI, reassuring women that each one of them is “good the way you are,” (a concept they reiterate in punchy banger, “I’m Me”) is a deeply personal goal, as all four say that they have struggled with their own identity. Brimming with shameless defiance and driven by a heavy drum beat, the album encourages women to find space in neo-kawaii and fully detach themselves from mainstream definitions of beauty. Ambition, excitement and, most of all, sincerity manifest themselves in everything the group does, from their infectious songs to thrilling performances to their graciousness in person. “I hope that we can continue to give love to people through our visuals, through our music, through our fashion,” says Yuuki. Mana then chimed in, “I’m nervous and excited for our future, but I think our future is bright.” And if their latest release is any indication, it definitely is. All clothing and shoes Valentino, socks and jewelry stylist’s own 22
Makeup Yuka Hirac (Vow-Vow) Hair Keiko Tada (Mods)
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V TRENDS
THIS FALL, FASHION HOUSES TAKE THE FULL-SERVICE APPROACH, AS COVETABLE LOOKS ARE PAIRED WITH STATEMENT ACCESSORIES THAT BECOME ENDURING WARDROBE ESSENTIALS Photography Ricardo Beas Fashion Aryeh Lappin
Amilna wears all clothing and accessories Valentino
All clothing and accessories Versace
All clothing and accessories Burberry 24
Makeup Kuma (Streeters) Hair Gonn Kinoshita (The Wall Group) using Amika Models Amilna Estêvão, Kaila Wyatt (The Society) Manicure Nori (SEE Management) Photo assistants David Eristavi, Alex Aptsiauri Location Pier59 Studios
v trends
Kaila wears all clothing and accessories Chanel
All clothing and accessories Dsquared2
All clothing and accessories Celine by Hedi Slimane
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GOLDEN AGE
A MODERN ICON ISN’T BORN—THEY GET THERE WITH A COMBINATION OF TALENT, GUTS, AND HARD HUSTLE. THESE EIGHT TRAILBLAZERS, MANY HELPING US SHOWCASE LOIS JEANS + V DENIM HERE, ARE FORGING UNIQUE PATHS IN FASHION, SPORTS, AND THE ARTS, WITH A FEARLESS DETERMINATION THAT HAS POWERED THEIR RISE Photography Inez and Vinoodh
Fashion George Cortina
EMILY RATAJKOWSKI AUTHOR & MODEL V Magazine: Was there a moment that was a turning point in your career? Emily Ratajkowski: In the last few years I grew up a lot. I stopped paying attention to what people were telling me to do and focused on what felt right to me. I started writing. Publishing one of my essays, entitled “Buying Myself Back” in New York Magazine in 2020 felt like a big turning point for me. V: What’s the secret to looking good in a pair of jeans? ER: A good belt. I own a leather hole puncher so that I can always throw a belt on a pair of jeans and adjust them, even if they’re not fitting perfectly. V: What advice would you give to your teenage self? ER: Trust your instincts and don’t put up with so much bullshit. V: What is a piece of art that has shaped the way you see the world? ER: Recently, I reread Carmen Maria Machado’s In The Dream House, and the way she played with metaphor and structure has made me think a lot about how to reconceptualize traditional storytelling. V: What words do you live by? 26
ER: Joan Didion’s “Do not whine...Do not complain. Work harder. Spend more time alone” was the background of my phone while I was writing. It helped keep me focused. V: As your cover launches on Fourth of July weekend, what would your message to the readers be? What advice can you offer on how to move forward this summer after the past year we’ve had? ER: I hope people are able to feel like themselves again this summer by spending time with people they love and doing the things that make them happy. V: What would you like the legacy of your career to be? ER: I’d like [my lifelong legacy] to be [that I was a] true multi-hyphenate. V: If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? ER: I’d want to know if it’s possible to make real, radical change in the world. My Body by Emily Ratajkowski is out October 19. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
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ABBY CHAMPION MODEL V Magazine: What was the spark that first made you want to do what you do? Abby Champion: I remember I first felt my spark when I did my very first fashion show. That show, for me, made me want to work hard to be able to do many more. There was so much adrenaline and power that I saw the other girls hold that made me love it so much. V: Was there a moment that was a turning point in your career? AC: I feel like the turning point in my career was when I walked Prada Resort in 2019. After that, I really feel like I saw a shift in the types of jobs I was getting. V: What do you remember about your first pair of denim? What made it special? AC: My first pair of denim that I remember was really my first expensive pair I ever bought. I’m a big saver so spending money on denim was a big deal for me. The first pair I got fit like a glove, and there was something about being able to splurge on them that made them feel extra special. V: What’s the memory you hold most dear? AC: I have so many memories that helped sculpt me into the person I am today. There have been so many moments, whether it was from my teenage years in Alabama, to moving away from home, creating a career for myself, or just being a young individual. Throughout so many years, I hold so many memories it would be impossible to name just one. V: What attracts you to a creative collaborator? AC: I think the ability to be able to voice my opinion and contribute creatively, whether that’s hairstyle, clothing, etc.
V: What advice would you give to your teenage self? AC: Advice I would give to my teenage self is...learn how to be confident in my body. I feel like when you’re a teenager you’re trying to fit in so much that you sometimes forget to find yourself. It took me a while to really find the version of myself that felt authentic. V: If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? AC: I would want to know if I’m happy when it’s all said and done. V: As your cover launches on Fourth of July weekend, what would your message to the readers be? What advice can you offer on how to move forward this summer after the past year we’ve had? AC: My advice on how to move forward this summer would be to be mindful of others and try to understand that everyone is moving at their own pace with getting life back to normal. In my own life, I’ve seen so many people on different time frames with adjusting back to things becoming normal, and I think it’s really important to try to be compassionate and aware of that. V: What would you like your the legacy of your career to be? AC: I would like my lifelong legacy in my career to be for girls to say to me when we do a job together, “I’ve followed your work and have always been inspired by your modeling path.” I’d just like to set a path to inspire younger girls to feel like they can achieve their goals and that anything is possible. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
ASHLEY GRAHAM AUTHOR & MODEL V Magazine: Was there a moment that was a turning point in your career? Ashley Graham: There have been a few milestones along the way that have really changed my career and life, including my lingerie line, my TED talk, my Barbie, and my Sports Illustrated cover. Each moment was a stepping stone and helped shape my entrepreneurial journey and the businesses I’ve built. I have always known I wanted to be a performer, and fashion has opened so many doors for me to pursue that dream. Everything from creating and hosting my own podcast, to walking the runways and collaborating with fashion designers and creators on fun projects. V: What do you remember about your first pair of denim? What made it special? AG: To be honest, my first experience with denim was more tragic than it was special. As a curvy girl, it’s difficult to find the perfect fit, but when I do find a pair of jeans that I love, I buy it in multiple colors and washes. For me, I love denim that doesn’t have to be altered or tailored and is super breathable. V: What advice would you give to your teenage self? AG: You’ll hear a lot of “no’s” and face uncertainties along the way, but keep believing in yourself and trust in the process. There are a lot of amazing things in store for you and your career! V: If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? AG: I wouldn’t rely on a crystal ball to tell me what’s ahead, as our words and positive affirmations have so much more power in creating the future we want for ourselves.
The words we use matter, so I always try to speak with kindness when talking to others and talking about myself, and put positive energy and good intentions out into the universe. V: What’s the most enduring lesson that you’ve learned from being in the public eye? AG: The most enduring lesson I’ve learned is to be confident and embrace what makes you unique. People will try to tell you who you are, or convince you that you’re not capable of accomplishing something, but you know yourself better than anyone else. Believe you can achieve a goal, and it’s yours to take. V: What words do you live by? AG: I use affirmations to help ground myself and remind me to believe in myself: I am bold, I am brilliant, I am beautiful. My mom, Linda, actually inspired them, and while the meaning behind these affirmations has evolved throughout my life, they have been an incredible guiding force. V: What is a piece of art that has shaped the way you see the world? AG: Jenny Saville is one of my all-time favorite artists. Her work shows a woman’s form in its rawest and makes you think about your own perceptions and misconceptions of the bodies we live and breathe in. V: What would you like the legacy of your career to be? AG: In everything I do, I work to give people everywhere the courage to make real, positive changes in their lives by breaking down barriers, building confidence, and most importantly, owning who you are. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
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EILEEN GU OLYMPIC SKIER V Magazine: What was the spark that first made you want to do what you do? Eileen Gu: Being the first [girl] on my all-boys team to slide a rail sideways at age 8! My coach and teammates lined up to cheer me on, and that first rush of euphoria after breaking past my own fears was the spark that got me hooked on freeskiing. [In terms of fashion], Paris Fashion Week 2019 was [a major moment for me.] I remember my fellow front-row attendees and the designers of multiple shows celebrating unconventionality, and feeling inspired by the recognition that divergence from the norm should be applauded. V: Was there a moment that was a turning point in your career? EG: I approach my career with the same passion and love as the day I first discovered it, and I focus on consistency and resilience to help grow continuously. V: What advice would you give to your teenage self? EG: Be bold. You’ll wish you did things you were scared of when you’re 90 years old. V: What’s the most enduring lesson that you’ve learned from being in the public eye? EG: It’s important to keep the people who care about you close. [The ones who accept] you for who you truly are, and not what you do. V: What do you remember about your first pair of denim? What made it special? EG: A pair of overall shorts in grade 5 that I still manage to squeeze into. They made me feel like the main character in one of my beloved adventure novels, and to me represented curiosity, exploration, and the outdoors. V: As your cover launches on Fourth of July weekend, what would your message
to the readers be? What advice can you offer on how to move forward this summer after the past year we’ve had? EG: Time is a precious thing. Sometimes, circumstances outside of our control can create uncomfortable boundaries and divisions, but our time belongs to nobody but ourselves. It is up to us how we spend it, what we create with it, and how we grow over it. I will try my best to create joy in whatever way is possible at the moment, take the time to find happiness in life, and express gratitude. V: If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? EG: To me, life is exciting because of its unpredictability, and I’d like to preserve the fun in making mistakes and learning from them. V: What’s the memory you hold most dear? EG: Being told I was the first person of Chinese descent to win X Games. V: What would you like the legacy of your career to be? EG: I would like my legacy to be one that highlights the possibility of excellence in multiple fields. I’d like to eliminate the concept that in order to “succeed” in one area, all others must be ignored. I’d like to encourage a healthy baseline of joy throughout life, which stems from multiple different sources. One of which is the desire to give back to your community or create some form of unique, positive social change. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
NYJA ABDULLAH MODEL V Magazine: Was there a moment that was a turning point in your career? Nyja Abdullah: The turning point in my career just might be getting the cover of V Magazine! I’ve been signed for about two years, and one [of those years] we were in lockdown. I’m still pretty much a new face, so this is such a big moment for me. V: What was the spark that first made you want to do what you do? NA: I always wanted to be signed to the men’s and women’s [divisions] because I felt like there was no one representing gender fluidity [in the industry]. I am gay, but I’m very gender-fluid, especially when it comes to clothing. V: What’s a passion or interest you have that people might not know about? NA: A passion I have that most people don’t know about is that I love music, and I also love making beats. Although I’m in the process of teaching myself, I want to get pretty good at it and eventually become a beat maker. V: What do you remember about your first pair of denim? What made it special? NA: My first pair of denim was special because the fit was perfection. V: What advice would you give to your teenage self? NA: The advice I would give to my teenage self would be to be yourself, always. V: If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? NA: If a crystal ball could tell me the truth about my life or future, I wouldn’t want to know [anything]. I love a good surprise and letting your blessings come to you
[naturally]. Letting your life just fall into place is actually a beautiful thing. V: What words do you live by? NA: The words I live by are “why not?” I live by those words because we should all do whatever makes us happy and whatever we are most passionate about. Follow your dreams, even the wildest ones, because why not? V: What’s the memory you hold most dear? NA: A memory I hold most dear would have to be experiencing New York for the first time, years ago, with my grandmother. She loves to travel and I always used to tell her how I wanted to live in New York even as a child. V: As your cover launches on Fourth of July weekend, what would your message to the readers be? What advice can you offer on how to move forward this summer after the past year we’ve had? NA: Moving forward this summer you should really get intune with yourself. [Be sure to] love everyone important to you very hard, and just do whatever you want in life. V: What would you like the legacy of your career to be? NA: My legacy career-wise would have to be to help pave the way for people who enjoy all different kinds of clothes whether it’s feminine or masculine-presenting clothing if you feel comfortable and confident in it, then wear it, because clothes don’t define you or your sexuality. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
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TARAS ROMANOV MODEL & ACTOR V Magazine: What was the spark that first made you want to do what you do? Taras Romanov: When I was a boy, I fell in love with movies. I remember the early moments when I moved to this country and owned a television for the first time. A small box with a VHS player along with a big box collection of tapes we acquired. I would go through it watching films every day, obsessed with all of the many unique stories and characters. Traveling through different worlds and time just by hitting the play button. I just knew that’s what I wanted to do someday. V: Was there a moment that was a turning point in your career? TR: When I made the decision to move to New York for the first time, all by myself, it changed everything. The city showed me a different world: a more inspirational one. It showed me that my dreams were possible through hard work and determination. I sometimes feel as if I have lived many different lives, and the experiences I’ve had in NYC have amplified this. The strange situations, interesting personalities, and the big moments have all made me develop as a person and as an artist. V: What’s a passion or interest you have that people might not know about? TR: Many people really don’t know about my deep passion for music. It’s a huge inspiration for me and a big part of my life. Growing up playing different instruments and exploring genres was always special to me. My mother was a very dedicated musician; she always motivated me to keep practicing and never stop learning. These days I continue to find new ways of expressing myself musically. A lot of exciting music projects are on the way! V: What do you remember about your first pair of denim? What made it special? TR: My first pair of denim was very baggy, and also it had quite a lot of rips from what
I remember. This was around the age I was skateboarding a lot and falling all the time. That didn’t stop me from wearing them. I remember feeling like they protected my legs from getting cuts and scrapes. V: What words do you live by? TR: Always be your true self and keep moving forward. To get to where most people can’t, you have to be willing to do the things most people won’t. [Be] dedicated, work hard and believe. Improvise, adapt and overcome in any situation. Above all else, praise God and be grateful every single day. V: What’s the most enduring lesson that you’ve learned from being in the public eye? TR: I’ve learned that everyone will have an opinion and personal point of view on you, whether it’s positive or negative. There will always be criticism in life and people trying to guide you down different paths. As long as you know yourself, your worth, your goals, and your story...none of those opinion’s matters. V: What would you like the legacy of your career to be? TR: [I would like to] leave a mark in the film industry. I always felt I was destined to leave behind a specific and unique body of work. Movies that were exciting, different, powerful, and inspiring to watch. Stories that changed a person’s life or made them feel something they haven’t before. [I want to] connect with them in a special way, and exceed their perceptions of life from all corners of the world. That’s the biggest legacy I would like to leave. I don’t follow records or awards, those things follow when the body of work speaks for itself. With fashion, the potential is limitless. I see myself as someone who can break the rules and change the game. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
VINSON FRALEY DANCER & MUSICIAN V Magazine: What was the spark that first made you want to do what you do? Vinson Fraley: I was ignited when I first witnessed a woman named Tamra sing in the church where I grew up. Watching her filled me with awe and so much joy. It was the first time I really remember seeing something that felt like a performance but totally of the spirit. Another [formative] moment was in elementary school when my art teacher was putting together a dance for our Black History assembly based on Alvin Ailey repertoire. I ended up not doing the piece because I was afraid of being picked on for dancing, but it was her who first encouraged me to attend an arts school. V: Was there a moment that was a turning point in your career? VF: Being accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts undergraduate dance program was a big shift for me. It’s when I really began to carve out the possibility of having a career as an artist. V: What’s a passion or interest you have that people might not know about? VF: My formative years in New York have been focused on building a dance career, but many people don’t know that I initially began my practice as a vocalist. I’m trying to reveal that part of myself as I move into a new phase of sharing my work. V: What’s the most enduring lesson that you’ve learned from being in the public eye? VF: To not give too much of yourself away. So much of today’s culture is about generating content and visibility. I find it gets tiring very quickly. V: If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one ability, what would it be?
VF: The ability to heal or restore things that are broken or damaged. V: What do you remember about your first pair of denim? What made it special? VF: My first pair of denim, that I can remember, were probably from the Gap. I probably thought they were special because my mom bought them. V: What advice would you give to your teenage self? VF: I’d tell myself to take my time and not desire to grow up so quickly. V: If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future, or anything else, what would you want to know? VF: [I’d want to know] who I was in my previous life and who I’ll be in my next life. V: As your cover launches on Fourth of July weekend, what would your message to the readers be? What advice can you offer on how to move forward this summer after the past year we’ve had? VF: My message would be that none of us are free until all of us are. It is society’s obligation to deepen our sense of compassion and action against all oppressions, not just the ones that are convenient for us. So, let’s keep applying the pressure, and within that remembering to leave room for rest. V: What would you like the legacy of your career to be? VF: I’d like to show others there are no bounds, boxes, or containers for your ideas and dreams. That you are free to change your mind at any time, and to be an example of someone in perpetual transformation. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
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Makeup Dick Page (Statement Artists) Hair James Pecis (Bryant Artists) Models Emily Ratajkowski (DNA), Abby Champion (NEXT), Ashley Graham (IMG), Eileen Gu (IMG), Nyja Abdullah (Heroes), Taras Romanov (Next), Vinson Fraley (DNA), Hailey Bieber (IMG) Manicure Deborah Lippmann Producer Tucker Birbilis (VLM Productions) Production and Casting coordinator Eva Harte (VLM Productions) Lighting Director Jodokus Driessen (VLM Studio) Studio Manager Marc Kroop (VLM Studio) Photo assistant Joe Hume (VLM Studio) Production Manager John Nadhazi (VLM Productions) Production assistant Tyler Cavallero Creative Consultant Jennifer Rosenblum Stylist assistants Moses Moreno, Mary Reinehr Gigler, Tyler Austin Tailor Taylor Spong Makeup assistant Lee Will Hair assistants Anton Alexander, Kelli Hoff Manicure assistant Sonya Belakhlef Retouching StereoHorse Location Ideal Pop Up
HAILEY BIEBER MODEL & TELEVISION HOST V Magazine: What was the spark that first made you want to do what you do? Hailey Bieber: I was always inspired by seeing the imagery come to life through the clothes, hair, and makeup. I love being transformed and seeing myself in so many different ways. That has always sparked me to keep doing what I do. V: What advice would you give to your teenage self? HB: [I’d tell my teenage self] to be more forgiving when it comes yourself. I’m so hard on myself, and I’m such a people pleaser. I think I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself since I was young. If I could tell my younger self to just be a little more kind and forgiving, it would have helped me a lot. I’m starting to learn how to not be so hard on myself now as I get older. V: What’s the most enduring lesson that you’ve learned from being in the public eye? HB: There’s been a lot. But one of the biggest is the lesson of not explaining myself to people and not living my life for other peoples’ approval. V: What is a piece of art that has shaped the way you see the world? HB: I used to be a ballet dancer, and I think watching ballet has totally shaped how I see and feel movement. It has inspired me so much. V: What’s the last photo saved to your phone? HB: I just saved a photo of the sketch of my Met Ball dress for September, which I am very, very excited about. V: What’s the memory you hold most dear?
HB: Definitely the day I got married! V: What words do you live by? HB: I really like the quote, “We can’t control other people’s emotions we only control V: How we react to them” I don’t necessarily always live by that, but I love that quote. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? HB: I wouldn’t want to know a thing. I live day to day, and I’m not worried about the future. V: If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one ability, what would it be? HB: Teleportation. V: As your cover launches on Fourth of July weekend, what would your message to the readers be? What advice can you offer on how to move forward this summer after the past year we’ve had? HB: My advice would be to be really present in every moment. Lift our heads from our phones and just really be. Find new appreciation for the little things. V: What would you like the legacy of your career to be? HB: For me, beyond my career, I would love for people to look back and think back on how I made them feel. I hope that I’ve made the people around me and that people I’ve worked with feel good and leave feeling better than they came in. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
CLUB KIDS REVISITED BEAUTY TITAN AND CHRISTIAN DIOR MAKEUP’S IMAGE DIRECTOR PETER PHILIPS LETS HIS IMAGINATION RUN RIOT IN AN EXPRESSIVE TRIBUTE TO THE DIY CREATIVITY OF NIGHTLIFE PEACOCKS Photography Willy Vanderperre Fashion Sandra Amador & Tom Eerebout
Makeup master Peter Philips came to play, reuniting with longtime collaborator, Willy Vanderperre with unrestrained gestures of color and animated lines with shades of Rouge Dior. This story comes alive with a familiar playfulness as seen the “The Fourth Sex” of V’s issue 0 which catapulted their careers in 1999. Nine personalities, nine looks in nine Rouge Dior reds—matte, satin, velvet, and metallic—inspire us to color outside the lines. Especially as we emerge from a COVID coma this summer with the urge to rave. And if you need convincing to let your freak flag fly, Philips is stern to “stay within the lines. When it’s time, you will know it.” After all, makeup should add to your character. You should always recognize yourself in your own reflection. STELLA PAK V Magazine: Hey Peter! How are you? Peter Philips: I’m good. How are you? V: I’m good. So nice to meet you. PP: Nice to meet you too. V: When I saw the story, I was like, “wow!” It kind of brought me back to issue 0. We’ve been in this sort of COVID coma and to see a [beauty] story like this...it was just a breath of fresh air. What was your inspiration for this story? What was the reference? PP: Club Kids Revisited! V: Ah, Club Kids Revisited. I love it! Was there a hero product that you used throughout the story to create the looks? PP: Throughout the whole story I [utilized] Rouge Dior lipstick. For me, the common thread was the Rouge Dior lipstick and [building from] that, I constructed the [looks] using each model’s personality as inspiration. V: So many vibrant colors were used but the red lips in particular stood out for me. I have to ask what’s your favorite tone of Red? PP: Because I’m older, automatically, I’m going to say Rouge 999. (Laughs) V: I had a feeling you were going to say that. (Laughs) PP: But honestly, every color of red that was made by nature is fantastic. Like a red feather of a bird, a red flower or even [red] sand. It’s so much more than just a color, it’s a texture and it’s created like that. There is no human involvement there, which kind of makes it amazing. Those natural reds are the best ones, and we always try to copy them, we always try to approach them to apply to ourselves, you know? [Whether] it’s fabric, lipstick or eye shadow. But in essence, nothing is as beautiful as the truly natural thing, because it comes from nature. 42
V: That’s very true. I love that! What’s your favorite story that you’ve done for us? From issue 0 to “Club Kids Revisited” in this issue? PP: Now you’ve caught me by surprise with this one. I’m always very proud to work for the magazine because I think it’s an amazing platform. You can show your creativity and it’s always been very diverse. It’s a very beautiful platform, not just as a makeup artist but as a photographer, a hairdresser, a stylist, because it’s a playground. V: V truly is a place where creatives from all corners of the industry can come together to make magic. PP: Exactly! I once did an entire issue with Inez & Vinoodh. It was the alphabet [themed] issue, which was cut from three four days of shooting. Models were coming in and out, then we shot a lot of still lifes combined with fashion. There was extreme makeup and also very simple makeup. That experience was so amazing. But the thrill of seeing my picture in issue 0 is probably one of my favorite memories. The thrill, that excitement, it was just at the beginning of my career. It means a lot to have been a part of something that became huge. I didn’t know in those days that V was going to be this big, you know? V: When you were working on issue 0, and painting on that Mickey Mouse, in that moment, did you feel like, okay, this is going to be a big moment? Did you think; this will change everything for me? PP: I don’t think we knew it was going to end up being V. But at some point, while on set, I said “Okay, guys I would like to [try] something.” I think we had an hour and a half of daylight left to shoot that day. So, I didn’t tell them I was going to paint the Mickey Mouse, because they would have said “Oh no, we’re going to lose time [for that].” I worked up [the nerve to do this] in the kitchen, and then I just took the [model] into the kitchen and locked [everyone] out. Once I finished everyone was like, “Oh, we didn’t expect that,” and they were like, “It’s kind of amazing, it’s cool.” Once we started shooting that was when I knew it was going to be a great image. I didn’t know it was going to be published. When I actually saw it for the first time, it was the most exciting thing. V: Wow, such a beautiful story behind such an iconic image. PP: The image took on a life of its own and It kind of became more important over the years. The moment itself, it was just a great experience. But over the years it became more important because the image is so powerful, it really stood for something. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
“It was such an honor to work with Peter Philips. Working with him felt like watching an artist at work, but you are the canvas and the muse at the same time. There were so many different, vibrant colors [used], which is not usually my thing, so that also made the experience special.” —Metta Irebe Metta wears top Dior Earring (worn as brooch) Dior Fine Jewelry Rose des Vents On skin Dior Forever 6N On cheeks Rouge Blush 999 & 459 Charnelle On eyes Diorshow Kabuki Brow Styler 05 Black, Mono Couleur Couture 098 Black Bow Matte 5 Couleurs Couture Birds of a Feather 659 Early Bird On lips Rouge Dior 886 Enigmatic velvet finish, Dior Addict Stellar Gloss 721 Glitz
“I’ve worked with Peter [Philips] a few times and I always know he’s going to pull a major look. When you work with someone like him, who’s the best of the best, it makes my job super exciting because I get to see myself transformed into a character he’s dreamed up. And then I get to channel that on set.” —Lulu Tenney Lulu wears dress Dior On skin Dior Forever 0N, Dior Forever Skin Correct 00 Dior Backstage Powder-No-Powder 0N On eyes Diorshow Kabuki Brow Styler 03 Brown Mono Couleur Couture 884 Rouge Trafalgar Velvet On lips Rouge Dior 720 Icône velvet finish & 910 Ardente velvet finish
“Beauty is the way I am able to cherish myself, but also [it’s something] that can give an added boost of confidence. I definitely see makeup as an art form because it can be transformative and a form of expression.” —Kayako Higuchi
Kayako wears top MM6 Maison Margiela Hat (worn as brooch) Charles Jeffrey Loverboy On skin Dior Forever 2N On eyes Mono Couleur Couture 098 Black Bow Matte & 280 Lucky Clover Satin On lips Rouge Dior 773 Bonheur velvet finish
“I think makeup is an important way of self-expression these days. [Wearing makeup] in my daily life, is sometimes still a boundary for me in this heteronormative society. That’s also why makeup is so important these days, because it sends a message. As I looked in the mirror, I felt liberated and confident.” —Lennert de Lathauwer Lennert wears coat Dior Men, necklace Dior On skin Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation 0N, Dior Backstage Face & Body Powder-No-Powder 0N On eyes Diorshow Kabuki Brow Styler 032 Dark Brown, Mono Couleur Couture 240 Denim Satin Diorshow 24H Stylo 091 Matte Black, Diorshow Maximizer 3D Lash Primer Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof 091 Noir / Black On lips Rouge Dior 840 Rayonnante velvet finish
“Makeup is definitely a form of artistic expression that’s not only very personal but also alive in a sense. There’s something really beautiful to be said about how a makeup look can both embody and influence one’s attitude and energy, yet at the end of the day or night it comes off. I think there’s a certain sense of comfort in the rebirth of that cycle.” —Sophie Koella Sophie wears all clothing Dior Necklaces Dior Fine Jewelry Mimirose, Rose Céleste, Rose des Vents On skin Dior Forever Skin Correct 1W, Rouge Blush Birds of a Feather 468 Nude Glide On eyes Diorshow Kabuki Brow Styler 032 Dark Brown, Diorshow 24H Stylo 091 Matte black On lips Rouge Dior 666 Rouge en Diable matte finish & 975 Opéra matte finish
“At the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect but [once Peter finished], I really liked how the look turned out. It was a great experience to see it all come together. I didn’t recognize myself, but I liked that the look was completely different from my usual look.” —Jesse Spruit
Jesse wears collar The Nightmare Disorder On eyes Diorshow Kabuki Brow Styler 05 Black On lips Rouge Dior Forever Liquid 999 Forever Dior
“This [beauty] look was right up my alley. I love to play around with theatre makeup. Especially over-the-top looks, like putting on white paint with fake blood or lots of glitter. The entire experience was magicial.” —Steinberg
Steinberg wears all clothing Celine by Hedi Slimane, Scarf The Nightmare Disorder, Hat Florentina Leitner On skin Dior Forever 1N On eyes Diorshow Maximizer 3D Lash Primer, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof 091 Noir / Black Mono Couleur Couture 098 Black Bow Matte, Diorshow 24H Stylo 091 Matte Black On lips Rouge Dior Forever Liquid 943 Forever Shock
Makeup Peter Philips (Art + Commerce) Hair Louis Ghewy (Management + Artists) Models Metta Irebe (Elite NYC), Lulu Tenney (The Lions), Kayako Higuchi (New York Model Management), Lennert De Lathauwer (Hakim Model Management), Sophie Koella (DNA) Jesse Spruit (Known Management), Steinberg (Ford), Ashley Radjarame (IMG Paris), Chloe Oh (Elite NYC) Manicure Cam Tran (Artlist Paris)
“My relationship with beauty [right now], is working on loving and appreciating what I have been gifted with first. Then with makeup I like to play [around] and see myself from different perspectives. For me, it’s about accentuating traits that I love or changing them, sometimes [I] even dissimulate things that I don’t appreciate.” —Ashley Radjarame Ashley wears all clothing and jewelry Dior On skin Dior Forever 3W, Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette 001 On cheeks Rouge Blush Birds of a Feather 462 Coral Flight On eyes Diorshow Maximizer 3D Lash Primer, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof 091 Noir / Black Mono Couleur Couture 446 Sienna Satin, 5 Couleurs Couture 279 Denim, Diorshow 24H Stylo 091 Matte Black & 556 Pearly Gold On lips Rouge Dior 634 Rouge Orange matte finish
Production Floriane Desperier (Entrée Libre) Lighting technician Romain Dubus Digital technician Henri Coutant Lighting assistant Corentin Thevenet Stylist assistants Marie Poulmarch, Celia Arnal Makeup assistants Jindian Yang, Elodie Barrat, Estelle Jaillet Hair assistants Edouardo Bravo, Laurie Nlate Production assistant Karmel Bianco Retouching on set Stephane Virlogeux Location Studio Rouchon
“I loved how Peter [painted] my face as if he was painting on a clean canvas. I’ve never had such bold and creative look on my face. The sharp edges of the eyebrows along with well-blended eye shadow went really well with the outfit and hair.” —Chloe Oh Chloe wears all clothing Simone Rocha, Necklace Lorette Colé Duprat Earring Tant d’Avenir On skin Dior Forever Skin Correct 0N On cheeks Rouge Blush Birds of a Feather 462 Coral Flight, Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette 001 On eyes Diorshow Kabuki Brow Styler 03 Brown, Mono Couleur Couture 763 Rosewood Matte & 616 Gold Star Glitter 5 Couleurs Couture 599 New Look On lips Rouge Dior 849 Rouge Cinéma satin finish
WILLOW’S ROCK REVIVAL
Willow wears dress Valentino Roman Palazzo Collection Watches Pasha de Cartier Jewelry Cartier Top (worn underneath) and belts stylist’s own Bag Valentino Garavani Rockstud Alcove ($2,450, available at Valentino boutiques worldwide.) 52
THE SINGER IS FORGING THE PATH FOR BLACK WOMEN IN PUNK ROCK MUSIC Photography Domen & Van de Velde Fashion Nicola Formichetti Interview Alexis White Text Dania Curvy
Ring Cartier
Willow wears dress Valentino Roman Palazzo Collection Watches Pasha de Cartier Jewelry Cartier Top (worn underneath) and belts stylist’s own
lack women rock. They have always had a presence in rock music from ‘70s and ‘80s icons like X-Ray Spex’s Poly Styrene to 2000s punk rock cult-favorite Fefe Dobson. Though there’s still a lazy stereotype that associates Black female singers with R&B and soul, there is a burgeoning shift as mainstream culture starts to welcome the overdue inclusion and diversity in a genre that is led generally by white men. Willow Smith is not one to abide by cultural standards in any regard, but especially concerning her musical repertoire. Smith’s early musical stages explored stomping pop with “Whip My Hair,” and over time she ventured into spiritually charged depths with experimental ballads on her eponymous EP’s Willow and The Anxiety but she always came back to her early taste for punk.
In Smith’s formative years, her mother Jada Pinkett Smith—herself the lead singer of punk rock band, Wicked Wisdom—introduced Willow to Tennesseebased metal band Straight Line Stitch, led by a Black woman, Alexis Brown, now known as Alexis White. The band made waves amid the underground metal scene, from 2000 to 2015. Unbeknownst to White, she would eventually influence and inspire 20-yearold Smith to pursue her own punk rock dreams leading up to her latest pop-rock single and ‘90s teen angst music video for “Transparent Soul,” featuring Blink182’s iconic drummer, Travis Barker. Diving deep into the evolution of Black women in punk rock and metal and the injustices that come along with them, Smith and White come together for a discussion long in the making, as if paired by the rock gods themselves, as she embarks on a new musical journey.
Alexis White: I’ve read in interviews that you traveled with your mom while she was on tour. Was she the one that inspired you when you were younger to do music? Willow Smith: Wow, that’s a really good question. Both of my parents just constantly had me in the studio with them while they were working, doing so many different things. I was exposed to a lot of different walks of life at a very, very young age. I think that seeing my mom on stage and how she commanded the music and the band just made me realize that’s what I want to be. I want to be that strong woman who is putting it all out there on the stage. I think that it was mostly her with just a mixture of always being around different kinds of entertainment. AW: You were super young when “Whip My Hair” came out. I remember when that video came out, everybody was posting it on my Facebook. So, I guess what I’m wanting to ask is that when you started out—and you started out so young—did you aspire to do anything else besides music? WS: I started dancing at the age of seven. I think that was around the time that I was starting to get into doing music. But I had made a GarageBand song on the set of Karate Kid in China, and I brought it to my parents. I remember being so excited going, “Guys, I really think this is what I wanna do. I really think I want to sing.” And the first thing that they said to me was, “Are you sure?” And I was like, “Yeah. I’m sure.” And they said, “Okay, we just want to make sure because it’s going to be a lot of work. We just want you to know that you’re really young. And most of the people who do this are much older than you, and you have to handle a lot more pressure.” They told me right off the bat. I was so young that I just didn’t really believe them. And lo and behold, I got to a place where it was just too much. I just needed to take a step back and figure out what I wanted to do. AW: I can relate, because I started singing when I was itty-bitty. It’s all I ever wanted to do. I was just dead set on, like, “I’m gonna be a singer and I don’t care.” And my mom supported me and my brother supported me, but my dad was just like, “Is this going to put food on the table? Is this gonna be able to pay for you, have shelter and stuff like that?” And I was so dead set [on being a performer]. For me, it was like, “this is what I want to do and I’m going to do it.” I have to say, he did come around and is now my biggest fan. But I see you with your family and, without a doubt, you have support. Your closeness with your brother definitely reminds me of the relationship I share with my older brother who actually introduced me to the metal genre. I wanted so badly to be an R&B singer, but it did not work out. I used to tape-record myself, and I hated the sound of my voice. Then, as I got older, and when I got to school, I put together a little girl group. Back in the day, R&B was all love songs. I didn’t know what that was about. I was in middle school! So, it was tough. I was just bummed out because all I wanted to do was sing. But then, my brother introduced me to Pantera, and when he introduced me to Korn, I lost my mind. I wanted to be [Korn’s frontman] Jonathan Davis. WS: Honestly, that was how I felt when my mom introduced me to Straight Line Stitch. But it’s different when you’re a teenager, you don’t really want a fangirl for your mom, you know? So when I saw you, it was like, “Whoa, this is a thing!” This isn’t just a phenomenon that I experienced in my life, more Black women are into this. That’s why I wanted us to do this interview because, I feel it was just [such an important] part of my life in seeing that when I did. AW: I’m so humbled by that! WS: So, I just want you to know that inspiration carries far. AW: And, you know what? I really do appreciate it because it’s not about me, it’s about you. You have the torch now, you go, girl! My time is over, it has passed. But it’s so nice that the newer generation can see what we’ve done, your mother, and myself. We did something that carries some weight. WS: But being a Black woman in the metal crowd is very, very different on top of the pressures that the music industry puts on you. Now, it’s like an added pressure of the metal culture, the metal world, and just rock in general. I used to get bullied in school for listening to Paramore and My Chemical Romance. AW: Yeah, there’s a lot of, “Hey, you’re Black. You’re not supposed to listen to that.” WS: Exactly! And it’s not okay. Just through the music that I’m putting out right now and the representation that I can bring to the mix, I just hope that the Black girls who
are listening to my music and listening to this album see that there’s more of us out there. It’s a real thing, you’re not alone. You’re not the only Black girl who wishes she could flip her hair to the side, and wear black eyeliner, you know what I mean? AW: I remember Black girls would come out to the shows, and they would have their hair braided and colored. And they were like, “I just love being out here because I love this music. Back at school or back at home, they don’t accept me.” I want people to know that music doesn’t have to have a color. I always heard “heavy metal belongs to the white people.” I hated that so much because why is it about color? WS: Exactly! AW: I read that when your mother toured with her band, some audiences did not receive her well and were not very nice to her. Is that true? WS: Yes, she actually got lots of death threats. It would be mostly through letters, though. When she was on stage, people would say violent things and throw shit at her. Luckily, Jaden and I never got caught in any physical crossfire. I used to get sneaked into her shows on the security’s shoulders, put my hands up, and just rock out. I never saw anything violent be done to her, it was a lot of verbal harassment. AW: Earlier, you said you were bullied in school. So was I, and I think with the harsh treatment that I received at school, I learned to internalize things. I would just try to use music as an outlet. WS: Metal is perfect for internalized anger! AW: Music was totally an outlet for me. But it wasn’t until we did our first major tour after we got signed, that I didn’t really have my eyes open until we played Detroit. Then you had the Neo-Nazis who came out. When I tell you they heckled me the whole show, calling me the N-word. I was humiliated. I think I ran off the stage and cried. I was so embarrassed because I felt like it wasn’t even about me being a female on stage because, if it was a white girl rocking out, they’d be like, “She’s sexy.” I was devastated because this is for real. To not like me because of the color of my skin? It’s a very real thing. WS: This is why it’s so important to talk about this. Everything that I do, I want it to be a mixture of activism and artistry. I’ve always wanted to do this type of music and always been so afraid to do so because of exactly the reason that you’re saying. And because I saw the hate and verbal abuse that my mom had to go through, that stuck with me. AW: You can cut a record and do shows but it means more when you actually are standing for something. A lot of us Black women, we don’t have a voice sometimes. And especially in the metal genre–forget about it. You have to work 10 times harder. WS: Yes, 100 percent. AW: It’s not just about you and it’s not just about me, but it’s about us as Black women. You can do anything. Rock, rap, country, all of it. It’s exciting because no one should be able to put a limit on what we can do. It’s been a minute since I’ve been in the scene, but do you feel embraced as your music explores the rock genre? WS: I feel embraced. I posted a guitar riff from one of my favorite bands, System of a Down, that I had learned. One of the bassists reposted it on his Instagram, and I was so excited. Then I’m looking at the comments, and it’s just a lot of hate. It’s just a lot of white men, and I’m not going to throw shade because it is what it is. AW: Do you find that you’re paving your own way? WS: It’s crazy that you said that you wanted to be an R&B singer because I was trained to be one. I felt like I couldn’t really do rock because my voice was trained to be a certain way. For a really long time, I was like, “Oh, I don’t think it’ll be authentic; I’ll just sound like an R&B singer trying to be a rock singer.” I tried this over quarantine and wanted to do something different. I wanted to shake something up and feel a different vibe. I feel very stagnant in this pandemic, so I started just messing around. It took a couple of demos to find that right balance because I do have a very alternative voice. My voice is not specifically an R&B voice, and it’s not specifically a rock voice. It kind of does whatever it wants when it feels like it. I was worried about that! “Transparent Soul” was the fourth or fifth demo that I did when I felt that balance. But there were a few songs before that, that just didn’t hit the mark. Head to Vmagazine.com to read the extended interview.
“Through the music that I’m putting out right now and the representation that I can bring to the mix, I just hope that the Black girls who are listening to my music and listening to this album see that, there’s more of us out there. It’s a real thing, you’re not alone. You’re not the only Black girl who wishes she could flip her hair to the side, and wear black eyeliner, you know what I mean?” —Willow Smith
Jacket Valentino Roman Palazzo Collection Jewelry Cartier Top stylist’s own
Makeup Raoul Alejandre (Opus Beauty) Hair Vernon Francois (The Visionaries) Production Joeri Rouffa (Domen & Van de Velde) On-set producer Paul Turner Stylist assistant Marta del Rio Makeup assistant Alisa Yasuda Location Dust Studios
Dress Valentino Roman Palazzo Collection Shoes Valentino Garavani Watch Pasha de Cartier Jewelry Cartier Gloves stylist’s own Bag Valentino Garavani Rockstud Alcove ($2,450, available at Valentino boutiques worldwide.)
Lorem Ipsum wears Lorem Ipsum
GO GLOBAL
All clothing and bags (throughout) Maison Margiela Sneakers (throughout) Maison Margiela x Reebok Classic Leather Tabi High
ACROSS FOUR CONTINENTS, MAISON MARGIELA X REEBOK’S LATEST COLLABORATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR EXPLORING ROADS LESS TRAVELED
Maison Margiela joins forces with American sportswear brand Reebok for a sneaker collaboration you never thought you needed. Using the concept of decortiqué that is so integral to the luxury haute couture’s brand identity, Maison Margiela reinterprets Reebok’s 1985 Classic Leather runner into the Classic Leather Tabi High, a new high-top leather trainer. Decortiqué is a technical process pioneered by the French fashion house, whereby a garment is deconstructed to its core structural elements. 58
By employing this technique, Creative Director John Galliano exposes the shoe’s innermost architecture to dig at the brand’s true authenticity. Available in four different color schemes, each iteration of the Classic Leather Tabi High embodies a different personality, yet simultaneously exhibits the innate, adventurous nature of both brands. Photographed in four separate cities by—Sydney, Tokyo, Cape Town and Turkey—the shoe morphs into the attitude of each city. KALA HERH
ATLANTIS DUNES CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA APRIL 14, 9 AM SA’s ultimate sandboarding destination has a unique landscape— Maison Margiela x Reebok’s Tabi’s embrace the sci-fi surrealism of the dunes Photography Michael Oliver Love Fashion Donna-Lee de Kock Hair and Makeup Michelle-Lee Collins (Hero Creative) Models Sikhokhele T, Newton I (Twenty Model Management) Production Neil Roberts & Cate Rochat (Hero Creative) Photo assistant John Marks
ERPE, TURKEY APRIL 7, 2 PM In the rocky terrain of Erpe, the Classic Leather Tabi High’s technical grip isn’t just preferable, it’s a non-negotiable essential Photography Emre Unal Fashion Oguz Erel Makeup Yagiz Yoldas Hair Huseyin Altun Model Kat (Tanks Management Istanbul) Production PPR Istanbul Digital technician Ahmet Derindere Photo assistant Idil Haciraifoglu Stylist assistant Dilara Vural, Furkan Celik, Zeynep Enderer Retouching Sezer Arici
REGATTA PARK SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA MAY 17, 10 AM In New South Wales’ Emu Plains, ingenious footwear is in order for both off-trail hiking and unexpected romance Photography Levon Baird Fashion Sarah Starkey Makeup Gillian Campbell (Artist Group) Hair Pete Lennon Models Abeny Nhial, Lewis Reid (Priscillas) Producer Emma Coffey (Artist Group) Digital technician Michael Comnius Photo assistant Conrad Wainwright Stylist assistant Joseph Leone
KISARAZU, CHIBA, JAPAN MAY 19, 1 PM In Japan’s Chiba prefecture, located on the shore of Tokyo Bay, let your footwear be as unpredictable as the weather Photography ISAC Fashion Marie Higuchi Makeup Yuka Hirac (Vow-Vow) Hair Hirozu Endo Model Beni (Tokyo Rebels)
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MADDIE ZIEGLER After dazzling music fans with gleefully idiosyncratic routines in Sia videos like “Chandelier” and “Elastic Heart,” Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler traded in her ballet shoes for scripts. In 2017’s The Book of Henry, she played a pre-teen grappling with ongoing abuse at home, flash-forward to 2020 where she starred in the sequel to Netflix’s hit rom-com To All the Boys I’ve Loved as a high-spirited high-kicking cheerleader. Now, at 18 years old, Ziegler is on a mission to prove she’s blossomed into a full-fledged actress. “I want people to know that I’m capable of acting,” she says, candidly. “It’s one of those things where I’m going to have to keep proving people wrong and [continue] working at my craft.” In late 2018, the stars aligned for the ingénue as iconic director Steven Spielberg set out to cast his remake of West Side Story, set to be released this December. Auditioning for Spielberg twice,
on two different coasts, Ziegler was tasked with bringing the vivacious “jet girl’’ Velma to life and the budding actress rose to the challenge. Immediately diving into research, she studied the 1961 original film to prepare for her forthcoming role. Harnessing her own youthful energy, Ziegler teased out a playful vibrance to Velma that hadn’t been explored previously. In that process, she unearthed an ability to transform into her character—a skill for shape-shifting that takes even the most seasoned actresses years to develop. “Once I got into hair, makeup, and wardrobe... something would come over me,” she says. “Maddie was gone, I became Velma, I was Velma.” Emerging from the experience more in tune with her craft than ever, the rising actress admits she still has plenty to learn. But don’t let her modesty fool you... Maddie Ziegler is a force to be reckoned with. CZAR VAN GAAL
JONATHAN DAVISS Jonathan Daviss is infectiously charming, unsurprisingly witty, and a little nerdy—just like the character he plays in Outer Banks. The 22-year-old stars as the studious, yet compassionate Pope Heyward in Netflix’s hit drama-mystery-thriller. The first season followed Pope and his friends, aka the Pogues, as they went on a hunt for treasure; it returns later this year. “The new season starts full-tilt from the last episode of the first season and only ramps up from there,” says Daviss, zooming in from his home in Los Angeles. “I don’t think anybody’s going to expect anything that’s happening.” The Houston, Texas native first fell in love with acting at the age of 12 when he was cast in Deliverance Creek, a 2014 Jon Amiel-directed film about a woman trying
to defend her family’s land. “I remember telling my folks at the time that even if I wasn’t getting paid, this is what I would want to do for the rest of my life,” he says. Despite the pandemic putting a pause on shooting for season two, Daviss used his time in isolation to take up new skills. Along with teaching himself to play the guitar and working out, he also learned how to deal with newfound stardom as the show’s popularity took off on social media. As the entertainment industry is often synonymous with being closed off, Daviss’ breakout is a beacon of hope for young actors and actresses. And with his success, he reveals an industry secret: if you work hard enough, anything (and everything) is within reach. KALA HERH
DILONE With a disposition sunnier than Los Angeles skies and features bright enough to match, Dilone is the face of the future. The Dominican-American model-turnedactress is a beam of untempered energy and charisma seeping into the seams of Hollywood at the crux of the inauguration of a youthful generation. In Ryan Murphy’s Halston, Dilone portrays supermodel Pat Cleveland, muse to the iconic designer. Beyond her effortlessly captivating magnetism and striking, fluid presence on the runway, Dilone’s similarities to Cleveland transcend appearance, delving into a deeper connection. “I think I’m known for my personality, and Pat has such a big personality,” she says. “She’s really such a believer in love, and that, for me, is so
inspiring.” The call of the camera and ease of expression are natural to Dilone, who immerses herself in every project she touches. Be it a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, a playful dance routine to an ABBA song posted to Instagram that alludes to her dance background, a role in the upcoming film The Novice in which she sings an original song, or the iconic supermodel she plays in Halston— authenticity and good nature flows freely from her very presence. The name Dilone is synonymous with passion connoting visions of a whimsical model and a powerful actress in the same breath—a dynamic player on the field, constantly bringing surprises. “If you think you think you have me figured out, you’re probably wrong,” she says. TRISHNA RIKHY
COLIN FORD Colin Ford beat up zombies in post-apocalyptic Glendale, moved to a zoo with Matt Damon, and even lived inside a mysterious transparent dome. And now, he’s going to school with Jeffrey Dahmer—with the help of Ryan Murphy. These chameleonic transformations, from one otherworldly character to the next, have become something of a specialty for Ford. “That’s the best part about acting,” he says, “getting to shed any preconceived notions of what you think my character might be, just walking on set, playing, and having fun.” Ford’s dreams are expansive, and have been since he started acting at the age of five, and they’re currently shaping up with his role in Murphy’s Dahmer deep dive, Monster “I think the audience is going to
see me in a new way,” he says, not wanting to reveal too much about his character, Chazz. “And I certainly think they’re going to be excited with what they see happen.” But that’s just another Colin Ford for you. Doing Marvel and Jason Bourne, working with Chloe Zhao and Quentin Tarantino, as well as writing scripts and short stories are just some of the items on Ford’s genre-leaping wish list. This mystical blend of youth with experience gives the 24-year-old an unbridled excitement and drive to live his best on-screen life. “Getting to just drop Colin for a few months or weeks and getting to be somebody new, that’s just what attracts me to being an actor so much,” he says. AHAD SANWARI
Makeup Cedric Jolivet (The Wall Group) Hair Peter Grey (Home Agency) Production Joeri Rouffa (Domen & Van de Velde) On-set producer Paul Turner Stylist assistants Marta Del Rio, Hunter Clem Makeup assistant Jessica Ahn Location Dust Studios
ALEX WOLFF “I think that I have imposter syndrome at all times. But I also think anybody who says they don’t is lying,” laughs Alex Wolff in an unexpected statement for a star of his caliber. At 23, Wolff has spent almost his entire life in the spotlight. His progression from pre-tween to leading man on the big screen kicked off in the early aughts, when Wolff portrayed the hyper younger brother on Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band. The pipeline from child star to adult roles can often come with pitfalls, but Wolff’s natural acting chops sealed the deal as he seamlessly transitioned with critically acclaimed performances in action-filled thriller, Patriots Day and the horror hit Hereditary. This summer, the New York-native actor, musician,
director, and screenwriter (seriously, what doesn’t he do?) takes on his younger self, playing a rapidly aging child in M. Night Shyamalan’s summer blockbuster, Old, out July 23. Wolff describes the undertaking as “intense,” leading to his reconnection with a childhood tendency to favor the extremes. “I would feel extreme happiness, extreme sadness. It was like watching old videos of myself as a kid or in my body, feeling like I was a little kid again and running around full of life.” Next on the cards for the multi-hyphenate talent is acting (alongside John Malkovich), directing (a “fantastic, amazing actress”), and releasing a brand-new album with his brother, Nat. For this next-gen Hollywood star, the sky’s the limit. SAM TRACY
V MAGAZINE & CALVIN KLEIN PARTNER TO SPOTLIGHT EIGHT FORCES FOR CHANGE IN THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
Photography Rowan Papier Fashion Aryeh Lappin
ISAAC COLE POWELL The Broadway performer and rising actor on loving small-town Pride. “As a symbol, Pride month stands to remind us of the legacy of the Stonewall riots. It’s important for our community to have a sense of history and unity in that way. And from a political perspective, our celebration is an important reminder to the rest of the nation that we are a massive and united community. “I am still very much on my journey to self-acceptance but if I could offer one piece of advice to someone struggling, it would be to seek community. I was probably 14 or 15 years old [the first time I celebrated Pride]. It was a very humble and sparse gathering in the streets of my southern hometown. I was awestruck 72
by the attendees’ courage to celebrate so openly and immediately felt a sense of belonging. It’s very meaningful to see a parade with only a few dozen participants who, despite their small number, are still willing to take up space and celebrate. “As we progress, I hope to see an industry that amplifies and supports LGBTQIA+ voices and organizations during the other 11 months of the year, too. [Allies can] patronize businesses and events run by our community members, support us with their vote, and call their representatives when harmful legislation is proposed against us. Celebrate the art we make! Donate to organizations that seek to support us and advance our causes. And come party with us!” MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG
On brows Kosas Air Brow
FEEL THE LOVE
All clothing (throughout) Calvin Klein
On hair IGK No Limit Dry Volume and Thickening Spray On eyes Maybelline Colossal 36H Mascara
STELLA MAXWELL The outspoken model speaks about why love is what the world needs the most. “Pride is the word the LGBTQIA+ community and the world rallies around to recognize [that] we are all beautiful in our own unique way. To remind everyone that love is love. My first Pride was in Paris, and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is wild!’ and ‘Wow, this is beautiful.’ I think anyone who has been to a Pride parade can’t help but be overwhelmed with smiles and love. “We need to continue to recognize that so many people around this world have to live their lives in secret or with the fear of being persecuted for simply being themselves, for simply loving. I can’t think of a more intrinsic human right than the
right to love. I can’t think of anything the world needs more at this moment than love in all its forms. “If you know someone struggling, let them know that you support and love them. We need to be there for one another. There are many amazing organizations to work with but it starts on the individual level. There is so much work to do to make this world a place where everyone can love freely and live the life they choose to live. “I can only say to those who are struggling to stay strong and know that you are beautiful. Always know that your choice for love and your decision on how you identify is yours, and it belongs to you—it is you.” KEVIN PONCE
Jewelry Yves’ own On skin Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer
YVES MATHIEU The male model redefining the industry’s beauty standards discusses navigating the world as a queer Black man. “Pride means remembering those who were here before me and securing a space for those who will come after me. It’s important to boldly stand in your identity because when you’re faced with the constant weight of erasure from people who don’t know what’s it’s like to walk in your shoes, or live in your body, that’s all the more reason for you to say; ‘Hey, I’m here, I’m queer, oh yeah and [I’m] human.’ “[During] Washington, D.C. [Pride], I was on a patio at this place called Trade. The music wasn’t working outside, so I started making a beat with one of the stools. And
all of the girls were outside, walking face, walking body, walking hand performance, it made me [realize] what community is supposed to feel like, it should feel like home. “I am constantly learning more, and more about myself, and also navigating multiple intersections in my queerness as a Black person. It is an everyday journey; it’s hard but also so beautiful. The toughness of it is what makes it so beautiful. My advice for anyone struggling with that is, if you put your hand over your heart and feel that heart of yours beating...it means that you’re alive and you’re alive for a reason. Even if you don’t know what that reason is yet, stick around and find out.” CZAR VAN GAAL
Earrings vintage from The Shiny Squirrel On hair Oribe Curl Gloss
LEYNA BLOOM The actress and model speaks about the importance of trans visibility. “My first time going to Pride was when I was 16 and I was really nervous. It was in my neighborhood and I couldn’t avoid it—I had to just walk into it. Once I did that, it set me free. My favorite moment about pride is when people understand the value of love. I think that’s what pride represents—you choosing love. You are choosing to not just love whoever you want, but you’re choosing to love yourself and to do that, it takes a lot of courage. “I think trans women are always the first ones to stand up for everyone, but we need more people standing up for us, without us expecting it. Once you do that, you
understand that those missing links in society really add to the bigger picture [and] the whole ecosystem. If you eliminate us, then we all fall apart. “We need trans visibility in every walk of life. I would love to see a principal of a school that is trans or an instuctor who teaches anatomy that is non-binary. In order to normalize any type of experience, you have to allow the children of our generation to simply see people in all walks of life. Once we get to that point, then I think that’s when we normalize human existence on different layers and dimensions in our society. Just one conversation can have people thinking differently.” KEVIN PONCE
Earrings Raisa’s own On lips Le Riot Lip Gloss Haus Laboratories
RAISA FLOWERS The beauty pioneer Raisa discusses standing in your truth and what the LGBTQIA+ community needs most. “Pride, for me, means standing your ground and standing in your truth. But first you have to identify what that truth is. I have a lot of pride in myself and who I am, so I exude that into the world. For a long time, I felt ashamed or just judged but the work honestly starts from the inside. You have to be brave and be ready to accept yourself but also understand that not everybody has the space to do that. Social toxicity is a real thing. Don’t be hard on yourself, take it slow and do it on your own time. “[This] month is important because it brings visibility and awareness to our
community. As I have gotten older, I have seen so many people come out and really be themselves. Social media also allows people to feel confident about expressing who they are without shame. That visibility creates community, and that community creates comfort for people to just exist. “[I hope to continue using my platform to promote] acceptance and respect for the community as a whole. It is frustrating when closed-minded people just make it hard for people to live. It makes me sad, especially sad for our trans sisters [who] are [being] killed. It is important for me to be there for them in any way that I can. [We need to] protect and support, that is what matters.” CZAR VAN GAAL
Earring and necklace vintage from The Shiny Squirrel On hair Byredo x Ouai Mojave Ghost Super Dry Shampoo
NATHAN WESTLING The dynamic model emphasizes the importance of allyship, awareness, and education among the LGBTQIA+ community. “Pride, to me, means a way in which people of the LGBTQIA+ community have the freedom and acceptance to explore and be whoever they choose to be. I believe Pride month brings forth education and love to the community. It’s important to show our strength in numbers. “Everyone’s journey is different. Some might be easy, some hard. However, at the end of the day, the best advice I could give is to surround yourself with people
who love and support you for who you are, and the ones who don’t support you are meaningless. I’m truly blessed to be in an industry that has been so accepting. I’m excited to move into the future as my true self and no longer live a lie. “With my platform, I would like to keep educating and spreading awareness about the [LGBTQIA+] community, because what we experience every day is real, and no one deserves to be discredited or told that what they’re doing is wrong. The most important [thing allies can do] is to stay educated, followed by loving and supporting everyone in the community.” DANIA CURVY
Necklace Aaron’s own, belly chain vintage from The Shiny Squirrel Makeup Tatyana Makarova (Statement Artists) Makeup (Raisa) her own Hair Gonn Kinoshita (The Wall Group) using Amika Manicure (Yves, Leyna, Stella, Charlie) Jini Lim Manicure (Raisa, Nathan, Aaron Rose, Issac) Nori (SEE Management)
AARON ROSE PHILIP The boundary-breaking model shares her journey to self-acceptance and the importance of Pride month. “Pride is having the pleasure of being able to live soundly within yourself. I believe Pride month is so important because the community deserves to celebrate itself and its legacy deserves to be celebrated. The impact it has is immeasurable being that the unity and freedom in Pride month is so significant to the community. “My first Pride experience was when I was 13. I came out as transgender very suddenly to everyone that I knew via social media and in person. Now that I’m older, I understand the gravity and power in that decision that I made back then. Especially
with the timing as well, being that [it] was 2013. My favorite Pride moment, so far, has definitely been attending the Love Ball by Susanne Bartsch and having so much fun with everyone there. “The journey to self-acceptance as a [member] of the LGBTQIA+ community has been one of gradual triumph and lots of growth. Advice I’d [offer] to someone that’s struggling with self-acceptance is to be kinder to yourself, because you deserve it. “I will continue to address and bring to light the inequities within Black trans presence in the fashion industry. There should be more of us in every facet [of the industry] whether it’s behind or in front of the camera, or on set.” CZAR VAN GAAL
Earrings vintage from The Shiny Squirrel Production Mei-Mei Butcher, Hannah LePage (Bad Gal Productions) Set design Sarah Favreau Digital technician Jamie O’Brien Photo assistant Xavier Muniz Hair assistant Julianne Laney Location Pier59 Studios
CHARLIE KNEPPER The model on how coming out set him free. “Pride, to me, is a celebration of our differences. It is a celebration that tells us that our differences are not shortcomings but rather something to be celebrated. Pride, to me, is also the community and all [the] people who fall into the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. It’s a collective of all different groups of queer people coming together to celebrate their differences as a community. “My entire life has been a road to self-acceptance. I grew up hating a part of myself and thinking that something was wrong with me. I tried convincing myself that I was straight, until I didn’t have the energy to do it anymore. Coming out was pivotal
because it was the point in my life when I stopped hating myself and started loving myself. Self-acceptance doesn’t happen overnight, but every day I become more comfortable with who I am. “[While I do feel optimistic about the future], trans people all around our country are being attacked by lawmakers, and I believe that it is important for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community to support pro-trans legislation. Trans people paved the way for gay people to have the rights that we do now. We need to return the favor and make sure that trans people all around America are protected by our government.” MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG
Makeup Kuma (Streeters) Hair Gonn Kinoshita (The Wall Group) using Amika Models Amilna Estevao (The Society) Manicure Nori (SEE Management) Photo assistants David Eristavi, Alex Aptsiauri Location Pier 59 Studios
WHAT V WANT THIS FALL SEASON, THE STARS ALIGN AS SWISS LUXURY TIMEPIECE-MAKER OMEGA UNVEILS A COSMIC COLLECTION OF TIMELESS WATCHES Photography Ricardo Beas Fashion Aryeh Lappin For centuries, men and women have gazed at the cosmos, enchanted by its beauty and mystery. With a new timepiece from prestigious watchmaker OMEGA, you can carry that sense of enchantment with you every day. The latest additions to the Swiss brand’s classic Constellation and De Ville Trésor collections keep all of the fashionable, functional features OMEGA is known for, while increasing the luxury and detail of each watch. The updated Constellation Small Seconds models—available in shimmering 18K Sedna™ gold and stainless steel—allow you to mark time with full-cut diamonds or engraved Roman numerals. Single-cut diamonds ring the Small Seconds subdial for extra star-like sparkle. The cosmos is also reflected in the De Ville Trésor Moonshine gold watch, which boasts an eye-catching pale yellow hue inspired by moonlight. Whether you opt for a leather strap or the signature mono-rang bracelet, an OMEGA watch is guaranteed to become your new favorite arm candy. After all, their sleek style and solid craftsmanship make these watches as timeless as the night sky. BAILEY BUJNOSEK On lips CHANEL Rouge Allure Independante 80
Amilna wears watches OMEGA Constellation Small Seconds (steel on steel) Constellation Small Seconds (Sedna™ gold on leather strap) De Ville Trésor (Moonshine™ gold on Moonshine™ gold) De Ville Trésor (steel on fabric strap) ($5,000-$24,300, available at OMEGA boutiques nationwide)
omegawatches.com
A L E S S A N D R A’ S C H O I C E As one of the world’s top models, Alessandra Ambrosio has become an icon and an inspiration. Choosing to live each day with a vibrant Brazilian spirit, she has made a striking impression on the fashion industry, while also stepping into diverse roles across film and television. Always captivating and forever positive, she is a true role model for the next generation of talent.
SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA