The BALMAIN Paris Fall 2023 Campaign Is Sublime Black Beauty on Steroids

The BALMAIN Paris Fall 2023 Campaign Is Sublime Black Beauty on Steroids

Balmain’s [IG] Fall/Winter 2023 campaign borders on momentous. All five models are women of color — for a global luxury brand selling to all women. The five models Akuol Deng Atem, Anyier Anei, Naomi Apajok, Nyaduola Gabriel and Nyakong Chan are all women from war-torn South Sudan.

The creative fusion of Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing [IG] and star photographer Rafael Pavarotti [IG] is sublime. Apparently this is their first outing together.

Multiple people have commented on the visual, intellectual and downright spiritual synergy between Rousteing and Pavarotti, and Anne agrees. ‘Spiritual’ synchronocity is me alone, but several people I respect are wowed here by the collaboration of the two mega talents.

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Akuol Deng Atem in ‘Metamorphoses’ by Amit Israeli for Revue Magazine FW 2021

Akuol Deng Atem in ‘Metamorphoses’ by Amit Israeli for Revue Magazine FW 2021 AOC Fashion

Model Akuol Deng Atem is styled by Jack Borkett in ‘Metamorphoses’. Amit Israeli [IG] photographs Atem in spectacular hair art sculptures by Olivier Schawalder for the Fall Winter 2021 issue of Revue Magazine France.

Rafael Pavarotti Captures Exquisite Black Beauty Fendi Heroines for Vogue Paris September

Rafael Pavarotti Captures Exquisite Black Beauty Fendi Heroines for Vogue Paris September

Models Adhel Bol, Akuol Deng Atem and Sienna King are styled by Ib Kamara in Fall 2021 Fendi. This team of photographer Rafael Pavarotti [IG] and stylist/fashion editor Ib Kamara deserves a fashion Oscar for unrelenting originality and/or excellence in their fashion editorials.

AOC would have to look hard to find a bad-day shoot from this duo. And ‘ordinary’ isn’t in their vocab either. Vogue Paris September 2021 is the beneficiary of this abundance of riches called ‘Le Héroines De Kim Jones’. Simply fabulous!/ Makeup by Mata Marielle; hair by Virginie Pinto Moreira

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Akuol Deng Atem Showcases Liberty London A/W 2021 'Print With Purpose' Bags

Akuol-Deng-Atem-by-Umit-Savaci-Liberty AW-32-Bags (12).jpg

Akuol Deng Atem Showcases Liberty London A/W 2021 'Print With Purpose' Bags AOC Fashion

Model Akuol Deng Atem showcases Liberty London A/W 2021 Conscious Collection Bags, styled by Thea Lewis-Yates. Umit Savaci [IG] photographs the sustainable collection called ‘Print With Purpose’. Before explaining the sustainability credentials, the bags are fully reversible into a different colorway — some print, some solid.

Akuol Deng Atem Poses in Luxe Indy Designers Looks Lensed by Jesse Laitinen for Vogue Italia

Akuol Deng Atem Poses in Luxe Indy Designers Looks Lensed by Jesse Laitinen for Vogue Italia

Rising model Akuol Deng Atem poses in a special online Vogue Italia editorial ‘How long is forever’. Thea Lewis-Yates styled Atem in a wide range of spring summer 2021 collections of independent designers (and more). Photographer Jesse Laitinen [IG] captures Atem in he large fashion story for VI online.

Markhn Flashes 'Cruise Control' Spring 2021 Accessories Essentials for WSJ Magazine

Markhn Flashes 'Cruise Control' Spring 2021 Accessories Essentials for WSJ Magazine

WSJ Magazine shares spring 2021 style essentials: a straw bag, statement shades, chain-link necklace and — the shoe of 2021 — a pair of clogs all shot by Markn [IG]. Chloe Grace Press styles the shoot ‘Cruise Control’ with models Akuol Deng Atem, Mensah Benjamin, and Nyaueth Riam. / Hair by Soichi Inagaki; makeup by Celia Burton

Related from WSJ Magazine On Trend: Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Opting for Comfy Shoes Made for Grandparents

'Brand New Ancients' by Rafael Pavarotti for British Vogue February 2021

'Brand New Ancients' by Rafael Pavarotti for British Vogue February 2021

Rafael Pavarotti [IG] photographs ‘Brand New Ancients’, starring Adut Akech, Akuol Deng Atem, Aliet Sarah, Nyarach Abouch Ayuel, Nyaueth Riam, and Shanelle Nyasiase. Kate Phelan styles the spring 2021, bold-looks fashion story against a backdrop of modern hieroglyphs for British Vogue’s February 2021 issue. / Set designer Gary Card; hair by Eugene Souleiman; makeup by Lauren Parsons

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'Brand New Ancients' by Rafael Pavarotti for British Vogue February 2021

'Brand New Ancients' by Rafael Pavarotti for British Vogue February 2021

Rafael Pavarotti [IG] photographs ‘Brand New Ancients’, starring Adut Akech, Akuol Deng Atem, Aliet Sarah, Nyarach Abouch Ayuel, Nyaueth Riam, and Shanelle Nyasiase. Kate Phelan styles the spring 2021, bold-looks fashion story against a backdrop of modern hieroglyphs for British Vogue’s February 2021 issue. / Set designer Gary Card; hair by Eugene Souleiman; makeup by Lauren Parsons

For those of us obsessed with references to the prominent place of goddesses in the pre-monotheistic world and the emergence of humanity out of Africa — the intellectual foundation of AOC — the editorial comes in a week when archaeologists in Turkey unearthed a 2,500 year-old temple of Aphrodite. An inscription at the site states “This is the sacred area.”