Aline Weber's Sexy Men Beach Outing by Paola Kudacki for 25 Magazine Spring/Summer 2013

I simply adore how Anja Rubik is turning the tables for 25 Magazine, presenting sensuality and sexy from a woman’s point of view. Originally inspired by the 70s magazine Viva — a Penthouse publication for women — Anja is today surprised by the response to 25’s first issue.

The way that people reacted to it — even journalists — everyone was shocked and found it very provocative, which I really don’t think it was. And a lot of places wouldn’t sell the book because they said it was too extreme. We had to tone down the original layout because people wouldn’t print it. I thought that was really funny, because there’s really no vulgar imagery in there, or anything aggressive or violent. It was about celebrating beauty and women and their sensuality and achievements. Even some people our age didn’t know what to do with it. And meanwhile, my mom was really cool about it, and she loved it and thought it was fabulous.

It’s also interesting to note which male bloggers are picking up editorials like Chloé, lensed by Paola Kudacki with models Aline Weber, Antoni Russo, Greg Remmey and Nicola Wincenc. Michael Philouze styes the scene which focuses on neutral, oversized, sporty silhouettes. 

As for Anja, she delivers a totally fabulous editorial, lensed by Mario Sorrenti for the March issue of Vogue Paris. 

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Did Pope Clement VII Father Alessandro de Medici with a Nigerian Slave Girl

Having another of my 4am, goddess call-ins, my day is off to a grand start. This time it was Oshun dialing in — and also my business head asking me how in heck I intend to pull together two small shops — 350 sq ft of retail space — in Lancaster’s Building Character by next Friday March 1. 

I began making lists; it’s about time, don’t you think? 

My mind wanders easily, fantasizing about new creative connections where none officially exist. How I ended up in Florence last week making jewelry theoretically inspired by a Nigerian (Yoruba) goddess requires an explanation — even to my open-minded self. 

When the goddess knocking woke me up a few hours ago, I took myself to great task for flying off to Florence for inspiration when Oshun in Africa isn’t sorted out. Let’s see now … we need 24 cards with earrings, six large planters … I’d better rent a storage unit downstairs because the entire loft will smell like potpourri … 

This attempt to focus didn’t last. When the goddess knocking begins, it’s futile to try to beat it back. Accepting that there is a reason why I flew off to Florence in my Italian-inspired burst of creativity last week — and it has nothing to do with my glorious, sexy existence in and out of the country for years — I began Googling. 

Ask and you will receive! Within minutes I was on PBS Frontline, reading about Alessandro de Medici, the great 16th century Italian Renaissance figure whose Medici prince remains are buried in the famous tomb of Michaelangelo.

Without even trying to mount my religious hypocrisy soapbox, enter stage right one 17-year-old Cardinal Giulio de Medici, as the father of Alessandro. The later Pope Clement VII, is believed by researchers to be the father of a bastard child conceived with a North African slave girl.

Good goddess! A Catholic pope is unintentionally besmirched by my flower pots in this accidental bout with the creative truth. Note that I’ve only established Alessandro’s mother as from the region of Nigeria and she’s NOT alleged to be Oshun acting in disguise. At least this element of the story has not revealed itself. 

My Italian dreams journal is now firmly cemented logically into the Oshun collection, while remaining true to a design concept. Unintentionally, I’ve reminded us all that the holier than thou history of Cardinals and Popes is suspect at best.

No wonder the need for self-flagellation occupies the minds of so many in Vatican City. On a positive note, the truth of Alessandro’s African ancestry positions him as the “first black head of state in modern western history”. In reality “Alessandro de’ Medici’s race was quite pivotal to the Grand Ducal and the most politically powerful period of Medici history.”

Hmmm. I wonder how Vatican Father Gabriele Amorth, head of the International Association of Exorcists, is doing in chasing the Devil out of the Vatican. If he hears about my Italian Dreams collection, it will surely be condemned as the work of the devil, especially now that I’ve revealed yet another saucy Catholic Church story to AOC readers. 

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Film | Amy Hood in PRETTY.BIG.MOUTH by Jonathan Leder

‘Pretty Big Mouth’ from Jonathan Leder on Vimeo.

A sultry Amy Hood amplifies pop culture’s love of guns in PRETTY. BIG. MOUTH. shot by Jonathan Leder. 

Guns have long been a symbol of masculinity and power in America, fueling our popular culture with sexy associations between guns like the one Amy is sucking and an erect cock waiting to unload his preciousness into or onto the female body. 

Women like to believe we can handle a loaded gun — like we’re the mistress of it. The imagery may be sexy but the statistics of women killed in partner-related gun violence aren’t sexy at all. In real life women aren’t the mistresses of men’s guns, although we may do better with power and influence in bed. 

Still, women who are willing to take responsibility for their own lives and their own actions are often more attractive than those girls who need constant protecting. “I am an independent woman who is your equal as a soverign individual” can be a sexy image to many men - and women, too.

Heck, I adore Angelina Jolie to death, and how many guns has she toted in life? I’m not sure how many barrels Angelina has sucked on in her action heroine films. 

Ajak Deng cuts a mighty sexy figure in her Flaunt magazine editorial with Bruno Mars, lensed by Hunter & Gatti for Flaunt Magazine’s February issue. 

Ajak Deng & Buno Mars Sizzle in Hunter & Gatti’s ‘Rock Star Moment for Flaunt Magazine February 2013

Maryna Linchuk's Popsicle Tricks for 25 MAGAZINE S/S 2013 by Victor Demarchelier

25 Magazine editor top model Anja Rubik is dealing first hand with the degree to which American business will go to stamp out positive expressions of sensuality in grown women while cultivating young girls and any kind of gun violence as sexy. Rubik has had a few run-ins, most recently with Instagram, over a simple post of a nipple showing under a sheer blouse. Welcome to the dog house, Anja; I know the location. 

Rubik took over 25 Magazine last year with the help of Italian backers Gabriele Moratti, Daniele Sirtori, and Giuseppe Modesto and runs it with her husband Sasha Knezevic. 

The second issue opens with a quote from performance artist Marina Abramovic: “Sexual energy is the source of creation”. This factoid has been the premise of Anne of Carversville from day 1. And now it’s the premise of our GlamTribale jewelry and gift collection. 

Anja Rubik writes in her editor’s letter for the second issue titled “A Woman Is Present”:

For me, starting this magazine has helped me channel the kind of sexual energy I find every woman to possess… The media operates on a paradox—it’s no secret—where selling the notion of unobtainable beauty is allowed, while portraits of women just being women are simultaneously shunned. However, I still want to continue pushing the boundaries of what a female fashion magazine can be.

The 25 Magazine team does a fabulous job with Maryna Linchuk in Victor Demarchelier’s celebration of one smoldering-hot, very bad girl — who is every woman. I can promise Anja that there is life after the censors are done with condemning your very fine media event. You have nothing more to lose, and it’s smooth sailing after that because ordinary people — and industry creatives, too — are truly committed to your success. 

The true stories of women’s history are only beginning to be told in the digital age. Everyone should fasten their seat belts because we wil all be travelling to some very interesting territory. Great job, Anja! ~ Anne

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DSquared2 Designers Dean & Dan Caten In 'Behind the Mirror' by Mert & Marcus

DSQUARED2 BEHIND THE MIRROR from POP Magazine on Vimeo.

DSquared2 designers twins Dean and Dan Caten front the official 2013 spring campaign, filmed by Mert & Marcus. With an eerie pace and music, the twins engage in a bit of Alfred Hitchcock black and white magic, while androgyny and gender-bending take center stage as ‘Behind the Mirror’. 

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The '50 Shades of Grey' BDSM Devil Seduces in 'The Eternal Submission Collection'

To say that I’m in love with ‘The Eternal Submission Collection’, designed by Studio 6th Sense and photographed by Troy Wise is an understatement. I’m ecstatic and orgasmic because what we have is a sophisticated, clear-headed examination of the ‘50 Shades of Grey’ BDSM lifestyle that I — as a feminist and strong supporter of women’s rights — can embrace with enthusiasm. 

Yes Shonda Robinson is beautiful, sexy and glamorous. And her master wears the accoutrements of wealth and money. The tradeoff for Robinson is obvious — and as an independent woman, it’s her right to make her own choices.

What I love about this campaign is that as glamorous as these Troy Wise images are — the male master is not Mr. Nice Guy. This is my fundamental resistance to this fantasy-world that women have created around ‘50 Shades of Grey’. This couple makes no attempt at intellectual depth. They may be as smug and self-absorbed as Mr. Grey and Miss Steele. 

The real ‘9 1/2 Weeks’ — rather than the glamourized movie, that I adore — is not pretty or romantic at all. The true story woman very nearly died.

This ‘Eternal Submission Collection’ campaign presents the psychological case of BDSM honestly. Of course, it’s air brushed and romanticized — and blood and bruises aren’t obvious, although there’s lots of grey in the skin tones.

All I ask is that as ‘50 Shades’ sweeps the world at the same time women are losing so many rights here in America, that fashion includes the devil in the details of its portrayal of BDSM. 

Men Obsessed | BDSM Is Not Romantic

There was no BDSM in Alfred Hitchcock’s possession of Tippi Hedren. But he was obsessed with her, obsessed with ‘owning’ her — and he destroyed her career when she refused to submit to him. He stalked her, made countless rules about her life when Hedren worked with Hitchcock. In reality, Tippi Hedren was smothered and her personal flame as a person would have died — had she not refused Hitchcock at the cost of her movie career. 

BDSM is not romantic.

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Josefien, Emil, Loammi & Mitch 'Get Steamy' by Robbie Fimmano for Interview February 2013

I’ve seen some seriously steamy magazine editorials in my life, but this one ranks high — especially for an American publication. Josefien Rodermans, Emil Dostovic, Loammi Goetghebeur and Mitch Baker share a human waterfall of lusty moisture with a focus on the male body for once. It’s a reflection of the hearts, minds and hormones of many — especially our younger people. Jessica Mycock (that’s for real) styles the quartet for ‘Getting Steamy’, lensed by Robbie Firmanno for Interview magazine’s February issue. 

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