Candice Swanepoel | Daniel Jackson | Vogue China February 2012

Wow! I think I’m in flashback mode with a quintessential 90’s Smart Sensuality supermodel body on the screen! This may be the most overt example of combining an athletic body with sensuality that we’ve seen in years — and in Vogue China, no less.

Candice Swanepoel’s poses, face and muscles reflect a different attitude; and it’s definitely not “let me pretend to be sexy and fierce” for this fashion editorial, so I can please the photographer like some good girl lap dog.

This VS hot body and mind is authentic and purposeful, sending a message to our young women that stresses having a healthy, toned body that is able to withstand the challenges of life. Candice claims her physicality in these excellent Daniel Jackson images. Styled superbly by Alastair McKimm with designs from Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Narciso Rodriguez and more, Candice Swanepoel leads with an intellectual, atheletic powerhouse body that smolders like hell.

This editorial is real supermodels old school — Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista & Company — when American women were gaining rights not losing them, as we are today.  American women couldn’t be bothered to protect our rights against those who think we have too many.

From downsizing our bodies to a BMI of 17 and saying that muscles are forbidden, to having Republicans on the podium wanting to take away contraception for all women, while making miscarriage a felony in Utah (except the governor vetoed the bill), it’s time to revolt.

No offense, but I prefer a woman with a strong body and determined mind in this battle. Bottom line, I love any woman who’s up for a good fight to protect women’s rights and especially to have control of her own physicality, as Candice does in this inspiring editorial. More muscles on women please! /  Anne

Hair by Yannick D’is, Makeup by Yadim

via FGR