Eye: South African Artist Tony Gum's 'Ode to She' Wins 2017 Miami Beach Pulse Prize

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South African Artist Tony Gum's 'Ode to She' Wins 2017 Miami Beach Pulse Prize

South African artist Tony Gum is the recipient of the 2017 Miami Beach Pulse Prize. Gum's gallery Christopher Moller Gallery mounted a solo show for Gum, who is barely 22 years old. 

Gum's presentation 'Ode to She' is inspired by her own experiences and reflections as a Xhosa woman. Her work is rooted in the tradition of 'intonjane', an Xhosa rite of passage into womanhood practiced in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The ritual in which a girl is secluded at her homestead after her first period, is symbolic of her sexual maturity and ability to bear children.

AOC has previously written about the talented Tony Gum. See end of article. 

Milliana Maalim Is Lensed By Daniyel Lowden In 'Word On The Street' For L'Officiel India

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Model Milliana Maalim is styled by Vanessa Bellugeon in 'Word On The Street', lensed by Daniyel Lowden for L'Officiel India November 2017./ Makeup by Regine Bedor; hair by Andre Cueto Saavedra & Marie-France Thavonekham

Pasha Hanulia Delights In 'A Day at the Beach' Lensed By Elizaveta Porodina For Vogue Germany December 2017

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Ukrainian rising model and Prada new girl Pasha Hanulia is styled by Birgit Schlotterbeck in the visually lovely 'A Day at the Beach'. Photographer Elizaveta Porodina flashes her muse for Vogue GermanyDecember 2017./ Makeup by Arzu Kücük; hair by Sina Velke

Joan Smalls Smolders In 'Wildflower' By Jason Kibbler For DOCUMENTBEAUTY #1

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DOCUMENTBEAUTY is a new digital destination rich in iconic and inspirational beauty imagery. In this first issue top model Joan Smalls fronts 'Wildflower', lensed by Jason Kibbler, with styling (and we use the word loosely) by Nick Nelson. 

New York City based co-founders of DOCUMENTBEAUTY,  Kayla MiChele and Christine Cherbonnierhave secured coveted roles as leading hair and makeup experts for global fashion brands, prestigious publications and celebrities, with clients ranging from Vogue to Valentino.

"With DOCUMENTBEAUTY, we want you as the reader to be inspired; to feel what it's like to have an authentic experience behind the scenes and onset with us; to be empowered to create your own expressions of beauty in your daily life."

Rianne Van Rompaey Wears Resort Looks In 'The Big Blue' By Inez & Vinoodh For Vogue UK January 2018

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Model Rianne Van Rompaey is styled by Venetia Scott in retro mood, resort looks for 'The Big Blue'.Inez & Vinoodh are behind the lens for Vogue UK January 2018./ Hair by Ward Stegerhoek; Sil Bruinsma

Turner Prize Winner Lubaina Himid Explores Black Identities In The Web Of Global Prejudice

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Turner Prize Winner Lubaina Himid Explores Black Identities In The Web Of Global Prejudice

Zanzibar-born Lubaina Himid is the first black woman to ever win the Turner Prize. She’s also the oldest at age 63. Himid's artistic focus is the "forgotten creative legacies of the African diaspora", writes Vogue UK. 

The politically-charged images that comprise her Turner Prize exhibition drill deeply into prejudice. In 'Swallow Hard: The Lancaster Dinner Service' Lubaina takes the traditional British crockery of history’s elite and, by painting over it, reveals the mostly invisible stories of the servers. By leaving the intricate detailing of the original china around the edges, Himid reveals the complex framework of prejudice that Western society stands on cannot be erased. 

Taylor Swift Reflects On Reinvention, Lensed By Mert & Marcus For Vogue UK January 2018

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British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful transforms Taylor Swift in the January 2018 cover editorial. Lensed by Mert & Marcus, Taylor shares a poem that reflects on the lessons learned as she moves forward. 

Jasmine Tookes Turns Up The Heat, Lensed By Bryce Thompson For GQ South Africa Dec/Jan 2017.18

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Jasmine Tookes Turns Up The Heat, Lensed By Bryce Thompson For GQ South Africa Dec/Jan 2017.18

Victoria's Secret Angel Jasmine Tookes sizzles on the December-January 2017.18 issue of GQ South Africa. Stylist Nick Nelson chooses lace, leather and sheer mesh for sultry images by Bryce Thompson. / Makeup by Bryan Zaragoza

Images by See Management for Bryan Zaragoza

Rhiannon McConnell Fronts 'Great Expectations' By Ungano + Agriodimas For End Paper Magazine #2

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Rhiannon McConnell Fronts 'Great Expectations' By Ungano + Agriodimas For End Paper Magazine #2

Gucci muse, Tennessee-bred Southern belle Rhiannon McConnell is styled by Paul Cavaco in 'Great Expectations', lensed by Ungano + Agriodimas for LA-based End Paper Magazine Issue 2./ Hair by Anna Lyes; makeup by Diane Da Silva

Images by See Management for Ungano + Agriodimas

Nigerian Girls Raped By Boko Haram Are Now Raped By Nigerian Security Forces 'Protecting' Them

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Nigerian Girls Raped By Boko Haram Are Now Raped By Nigerian Security Forces 'Protecting' Them

While my self-appointed Grade A feminist friends (note that I have been demoted) obsess with the injustice against the wonderful supporter of women Sen. Al Franken, who resigned yesterday, my own focus today is the dreadful lives of these poor Nigerian girls. (And beating Roy Moore in Alabama) First these innocent young girls were kidnapped from their schools and raped repeatedly for three years by Boko Haram terrorists. Many have babies. And now, having escaped to a Nigerian camp where they are supposed to be safe, these girls are being raped by the men who are supposed to protect them.

Al Franken is a fine, fine, fine man. But I object to him becoming the face of women's rights injustice against men, when women of every age are suffering around the world -- and here in America -- because we do not have body autonomy of ANY KIND. Life is not 'fair' for billions of people around the world. And it's not "fair" at all for these young women.

Atlanta Mayor's Race Between Bottoms & Norwood Moves To Recount With Bottoms Leading By 800 Votes

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Atlanta Mayor's Race Between Bottoms & Norwood Moves To Recount With Bottoms Leading By 800 Votes

For the second time in eight years, the leadership Atlanta, the South’s most influential city, is settling into a recount, writes The New York Times. 

Fewer than 800 votes separated Atlanta’s two candidates for mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mary Norwood, after officials tallied more than 92,000 ballots that were cast in Tuesday's  runoff election. Ms. Norwood, seeking to become Atlanta’s first white mayor in more than 40 years, said she would ask for a recount once provisional and absentee ballots were counted this week.

Ms. Bottoms and her allies would not cede the moment of jubilation, declaring victory on Wednesday.

Gigi Hadid Goes Full-Frontal Versace In Patrick Demarchelier Images For Vogue Germany January 2017

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Gigi Hadid Goes Full-Frontal Versace In Patrick Demarchelier Images For Vogue Germany January 2017

Supermodel Gigi Hadid honors Versace, posing for the Vogue Germany January 2018 cover story. Sarajane Hoare styles Gigi in iconic looks inspired by the the great Gianni Versace for images by Patrick Demarchelier.

Erez Sabag Captures Blanca Padilla In Pink Parfait Looks For Vogue Arabia December 2017

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Erez Sabag Captures Blanca Padilla In Pink Parfait Looks For Vogue Arabia December 2017

Spanish model Blanca Padilla is styled by Anya Ziourova in dusty pinks, mixed with black and white, in 'Heavy Petal'. Photographer Erez Sabag is in the studio for Vogue Arabia December 2017./ Hair by Fernando Torrent; makeup by Georgina Billington

Jasmine Sanders Goes Holiday Glam, Lensed By Ellen Von Unwerth For Vogue Arabia December 2017

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Jasmine Sanders Goes Holiday Glam, Lensed By Ellen Von Unwerth For Vogue Arabia December 2017

Model Jasmine Sanders, known as Golden Barbie, is styled by Erica Pelosini in glam party looks from Blumarine, Valentino and Elie Saab. Photographer Ellen von Unwerth flashes Jasmine for Vogue Arabia, December 2017.

Juergen Teller Eyes Guest Editor Rihanna For Vogue Paris December/January 2017.18

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Juergen Teller Eyes Guest Editor Rihanna For Vogue Paris December/January 2017.18

Rihanna makes another appearance in Vogue Paris December/January 2017.18, styled by Anastasia Barbieri & Bernhard Willhelm with images by Juergen Teller./ Hair by Yusef Williams; makeup by Yadim

Victor Demarchelier Eyes Sarah Paulson In 'She Who Dares' For The Edit December 2017

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Victor Demarchelier Eyes Sarah Paulson In 'She Who Dares' For The Edit December 2017

Actor Sarah Paulson fronts The Edit's 'Get Into The Red' December 7th issue with 'She Who Dares', a fashion story about scarlet, styled by Charles Varenne. Photographer Victor Demarchelier is in the studio, with an Edit focus not only on Paulson's clothes, but her relationship with Holland Taylor ./ Hair by Earl Simms; makeup by Tyron Machhausen

Eye: Lawsuit Filed Against Photographer Bruce Weber In New York Supreme Court For Sexual Harassment

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Eye: Lawsuit Filed Against Photographer Bruce Weber In New York Supreme Court For Sexual Harassment

Ex-model Jason Boyce, who has appeared in Lexus and Amazon ads, filed suit against Bruce Weber in the New York Supreme Court alleging the iconic fashion photographer sexually harassed the male model in December of 2014. The suit was filed on behalf of Boyce by civil rights attorney Lisa Bloom, well-known for representing accusers in high profile cases involving accusers of Bill O’Reilly, Bill Cosby and John Coyers. Bloom has also been widely criticized for her controversial representation of Harvey Weinstein until dropping him as a client in October. With the publicizing of Boyce’s suit, 31-year-old Mark Ricketson has alleged a similar history with Weber, saying he too was a victim of Weber's sexual harassment in 2005. Prosecution is not possible in Ricketson’s case, as the statue of limitations has expired. 

Kris Grikaite & Sara Grace Wallerstedt Pose In No Man's Land, Lensed By Oliver Hadlee Pearch For Vogue Italia

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Kris Grikaite & Sara Grace Wallerstedt Pose In No Man's Land, Lensed By Oliver Hadlee Pearch For Vogue Italia

Models Kris Grikaite & Sara Grace Wallerstedt front 'Lady of No Man's Land', styled by Emilie Kareh.Photographer Oliver Hadlee Pearch captures the duo for Vogue Italia December 2017./ Hair by Cyndia Harvey; makeup by Fara Homidi

Imaan Hammam Goes High Voltage In 'Colours From the Block' For Vogue Paris December/January 2017.18

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Top model Imaan Hammam is styled by Emmanuelle Alt in vibrant separates for 'Colours From the Block'. Photographers Inez & Vinoodh captures the high-voltage looks for Vogue ParisDecember/January 2017.18./ Hair by Duffy; makeup by Aaron de Mey