Erika Linder Takes A Coastal Adventure in 'A Sea Change' by Stefan Heinrichs for Porter Edit

Erika Linder Takes A Coastal Adventure in 'A Sea Change' by Stefan Heinrichs for Porter Edit

Erika Linder sets off for a coastal autumn adventure, styled by retro prints, noble origins tweeds and boyish brogues styled by Helen Broadfoot. Her selection of elegant earthy tones from Chloe, James Perse, Marni, Miu Miu, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Vince and more promises a fashion ‘A Sea Change’ ahead. Stefan Heinrichs is behind the lens for the August 30 issue of Porter Edit. . / Hair by Ben Jones; makeup by Giulia Cigarini

Central Park Is Alive With Carolina Herrera's Fall 2019 Vibrant Campaign by Charlotte Wales

Central Park Is Alive With Carolina Herrera's Fall 2019 Vibrant Campaign by Charlotte Wales

Top model Grace Elizabeth lightens weary spirits, joining forces with Eniola Abioro and Sara van der Hoek in Carolina Herrera’s colorful, mood-lifting Fall 2019 campaign. Stylist Jorden Bickham styles the trio in vibrant, effusive images shot in New York’s Central Park by Charlotte Wales.

Birgit Kos in 'La Parisienne' by Peter Lindbergh for Numéro 206 September 2019 Magazine

Birgit Kos in 'La Parisienne' by Peter Lindbergh for Numéro 206 September 2019 Magazine

Top model Birgit Kos wears bourgeois French chic looks styled by Babeth Dijan in “La Parisienne”. Photographer Peter Lindbergh captures the seasons’s tweed and houndstooth patterns for Numéro 206 September 2019 Magazine./ Makeup by Tom Pecheux; hair by Odile Gilbert

Daphne Groeneveld Suits Up New York Style by Walter Chin for Vogue Japan October 2019

Daphne Groeneveld Suits Up New York Style by Walter Chin for Vogue Japan October 2019

Top model Daphne Groeneveld signals cool weather headed to Wall Street, joining Justin Eric Martin and Reilly Patton in ‘Suits and the City’, styled by Aurora Sansone. Photographer Walter Chin captures the sartorial boss lady and colleagues for Vogue Japan October 2019./ Hair by Brent Lawler; makeup by Sam Addington

Tom Schirmacher Eyes Anne Vyalitsyna in 'Gender Neutral' for ELLE Spain September 2019

Tom Shirmacher Eyes Anne Vyalitsyna in 'Gender Neutral' for ELLE Spain September 2019

Model Anne Vyalitsyna is styled by Benedetta Dell’Orto in ‘Gender Neutral’, a collection of bold, modern looks from Fendi, Michael Kors, Valentino and more, Photographer Tom Schirmacher is behind the lens for ELLE Spain September 2019.

Helena Christensen's 'Timeless Style' by Alexi Lubomirski for Harper's Bazaar US September 2019

Helena Christensen's 'Timeless Style' by Alexi Lubomirski for Harper's Bazaar US September 2019

Supermodel Helena Christensen wears ‘Timeless Style’ from David Yurman, Gabriela Hearst, Michael Kors Collection, Staerk & Christensen (yes, Helena’s) and more, styled by Miguel Enamorado. Photographer Alexi Lubomirski makes the capture for Harper’s Bazaar US September 2019./ Hair by Harry Josh; makeup by Morgane Martini

Nico Bustos Captures A Smoldering Irina Shayk for DSECTION Magazine Fall 2019

Nico Bustos Captures A Smoldering Irina Shayk for DSECTION Magazine Fall 2019

Irina Shayk smolders in sensual poses styled by Edem Dossou. Nico Bustos is behind the lens for DSECTION Magazine Fall 2019.

Statues For Equality by Aussie Artists Gillie + Marc Schattner Unveils First 10 Public Statues in New York

Zimbabwean scholar Tererai Trent has been immortalized in a bronze statue in New York

Life-size statues of 10 accomplished women across a wide spectrum of global life were unveiled in New York this week. Standing next to larger-than-life humanist-activist stars like Oprah, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett is Zimbabwean scholar Tererai Trent.

Trent grew up in Zimbabwe where girls were not educated. Determined to learn, Trent taught herself to read and relocated to the US in 1998 through the efforts of an American nonprofit that visited her village. This “dream” come true of getting a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, and a PhD was realized after she wrote down her aspirations, sealing them in a tin can and burying them deep in the ground.

Trent’s life in America was hardly a carefree, upwards climb, but like so many women, she is a survivor. Today Dr Tererai Trent is one of the world’s most internationally recognized voices for quality education and women’s empowerment. Distinguished as Oprah Winfrey’s “All-time favorite guest”, Trent is a prominent activist for equal rights to education. Read more about Dr. Trent’s story.

Where . . . oh where are the women?

The lack of representation of women in public spaces has long been associated with patriarchal attitudes and the general “invisibility” of women globally.

New York is grappling with its own embarrassing dearth of female statues in Manhattan and the five boroughs, with a whopping 3% of public humans honored being female. Consider that one of those memorable female “beings” is Alice in Wonderland in Central Park, and you understand the scope of the problem.

Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park.

There’s a note of irony in two Aussie artists seeking to remedy New York’s “no women statues” problem, but in the era of Trump, we’ll take any help we can get. Sculptors Gillie and Marc Schattner launched Statues For Equality to commemorate Women's Equality Day on August 26 under the "Sculpted for Equal Rights" banner.

Note that Sydney and London are also in the ditch with their own scores of 4% and 3% of historical women statues, suggesting that New York can be a global launchpad for their effort, a hunch confirmed by the Statues For Equality website.

The New York project is just the start of Statues For Equality and the initiative is now worldwide, with projects in many different countries, including Australia the UK and the US. Gillie and Marc are keen that the sculptures are representative of all women and know that the public are the best people to ensure this happens! 

“We hope that as the project expands, it will include a broader diversity of race, class, ability, sexual orientation and gender expression,” says Gillie.

Besides Blanchett, Kidman, Trent and Winfrey, other women honored with New York statues include Cheryl Strayed, Gabby Douglas, Jane Goodall, Janet Mock, Pink, and Tracy Dyson. Read their stories.

Gorka Postigo Eyes Daphne Groeneveld + Friends in Jean Paul Gaultier's La Belle + Le Beau Fragrance Campaign

Gorka Postigo Eyes Daphne Groeneveld + Friends in Jean Paul Gaultier's La Belle + Le Beau Fragrance Campaign

Top model Daphne Groeneveld holds court in Jean Paul Gaultier’s campaign for ‘La Belle’ and ‘Le Beau’ fragrances. ‘La Belle’ by Jean Paul Gaultier was created by Sonia Constant and Quentin Bisch’ with a pear top note, vetiver middle note, with a vanilla base note. Models Alexis Sundman, Augusta Alexander, Chris Bunn and Jhonattan Burjack join Daphne in the campaign lensed by Gorka Postigo.

It’s Time to Break the Deadlock over Africa’s Ivory Trade: Here’s How

It’s Time to Break the Deadlock over Africa’s Ivory Trade: Here’s How

Arthur Elgort Captures Fran Summers in 'Up, Up and Away' for Vogue UK September 2019

Arthur Elgort Captures Fran Summers in 'Up, Up and Away' for Vogue UK September 2019

Top model Fran Summers is styled by Grace Coddington in ‘Up, Up and Away’, lensed by Arthur Elgort for British Vogue’s September 2019 issue.

Is the CNN Democratic Presidential Contenders Climate Town Hall at Hudson Yards or Not?

HUDSON YARDS, SITE OF CNN’S CLIMATE CRISIS TOWN HALL. THE EVENT WILL FEATURE 10 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT. AP PHOTO/MARK LENNIHAN

Of all the places in New York that CNN could have chosen to host its Sept. 4 Democratic presidential candidates forum on climate change, activists, political leaders and fashionistas alike are stunned that the network apparently chose 30 Hudson Yards, substantially owned by billionaire and recent $12 million fundraiser for President Donald Trump Stephen Ross.

Pardon us while we pick up our dropped jaws from the floor. News of Ross’ moneybags haul for Trump’s re-election caused boycotts of Ross’ Equinox gym and the decision of several prominent designers to pull out of Hudson Yards venues for the upcoming New York Fashion Week.

Queens Councilmember Costa Constantinides wrote a letter to CNN earlier this month asking the network to move the venue to an outer borough, where Superstorm Sandy revealed the devastating impact of the climate crisis. The letter was signed by more than a dozen Queens and Brooklyn lawmakers, reports The Queens Eagle.

“If 30 Hudson Yards is the venue, it’s a property developed by Stephen Ross: an ardent supporter of Donald Trump, who believes climate change is a hoax, and a leading figure in Big Real Estate, which fought tooth and nail to stop the landmark passage of the Climate Mobilization Act in April,” Constantinides said in a statement to the Eagle. 

“The candidates should see the communities already living with the effects of climate change on a daily basis, which there are plenty of in Queens and Brooklyn,” he continued. “If the town hall is indeed at Hudson Yards, where a three-bedroom condo goes for $9.5 million, it is a slap in the face to every Rockaway resident still waiting to get his or her home back nearly seven years after Sandy.”

Remarkably, as of two days ago, numerous officials at both CNN and Hudson Yards were denying that they knew anything about a town hall on September 4. A Friday Google search gives no location for the event, with CNN publishing the agenda. for the seven-hour series of one-on-one interviews with the candidates.

Employing due diligence, the Eagle did locate individuals at both CNN and Hudson Yards who — off the record — confirmed the Democratic event was good to go. Still, a staff member at the Shed performance space expressed surprise that the climate policy town hall would actually take place in the complex.

“It would be weird because of the Stephen Ross thing,” the person said.

Staff members were informed that the Shed would not be involved in “anything political” after the Ross boycott, the person added.

Rianne Van Rompaey Poses in 'Ca, C'est Paris!' by Alasdair McLellan for Vogue Paris September 2019

Rianne Van Rompaey Poses in 'Ca, C'est Paris!' by Alasdair McLellan for Vogue Paris September 2019

Top model Rianne Van Rompaey covers the September 2019 issue of Vogue Paris, styled in French chic looks by Aleksandra Woroniecka. Alasdair McLellan flashes Rianne out and about at Paris landmarks in a traditional look at French fashion called Ca, C'est Paris!.

New York City Considers Again A Ban on Foie Gras, As Farmers Refute Animal Abuse Claims

New York City’s reputation for fine dining makes it one of the premier destinations for eating foie gras in the country. The renowned but increasingly-controversial delicacy made by force-feeding ducks and geese has been banned in states like California, overturned in a court decision, only to have a federal appeals court reinstate the ban. California bans the force-feeding of animals, a tenet also at the heart of new legislation before the New York City Council.

New York City looks increasingly likely to ban foie gras, and fowl farmers aren’t happy about it. A bill sponsored by Carlina Rivera, a city councilwoman who represents Manhattan neighborhoods, would prohibit the sale of the delicacy, and levy fines of up to $1,000 to businesses that violate the ban.

The bill, which already has the support of half of the Council in the form of co-sponsors is also supported in principle by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“It’s a purely luxury product,” said Ms. Rivera, who conceded to having tasted foie gras before she knew how it was made. (“I wasn’t a fan,” she said.)

Foie gras advocates say claims of torture are exaggerated and politically motivated. Mark Caro, author of ‘The Foie Gras Wars’, an overview of all aspects of the controversy argues that the uproar is overstated. “If you try to get people to give up their cheap chicken, you would have a problem, because it would affect their budgets,” Caro is quoted in the New York Times.

The attempts to ban foie gras are rooted in the wave of populism that has swept the country. Caro believes that attacking the lifestyles of the 1% is part of today’s political activism. There is no agreement among scientists and credentialed professionals associated with the food industry about whether foie gras is the product of torture and inhumane punishment of animals. The Times goes in-depth to educate us on all the nuances involved in this long-fought battle around foie gras.

AOC first took up the topic in 2009.

Mariana Maltoni Captures 'Fuschia' Mood Fall Elegance for ELLE UK September 2019

Mariana Maltoni Captures 'Fuschia' Mood Fall Elegance for ELLE UK September 2019

Models Najiyah Imani and Zhenya Migovych make a vivid impression, styled by Hiroshi Matsushita in ‘Fuschia’. Photographer Mariana Maltoni captures the duo in ‘Fuschia’ for ELLE UK September 2019./ Hair by Hiroshi Matsushita; makeup by Florrie White

Natalia Vodianova Covers Vogue China September 2019 in Images by Solve Sundsbo

Natalia Vodianova Covers Vogue China September 2019 in Images by Solve Sundsbo

Supermodel — superactivist, philanthropist, supermom of 5 kids, and Mrs. Antoine Arnault — Natalia Vodianova covers the September 2019 issue of Vogue China. Vodianova flies solo in Prada on the first cover, appearing in Gucci red on the second one shared with Sui He and Du Juan. Natalia wears chic modern ensembles styled by Anders Solvsten Thomsen for images by Solve Sundsbo.

Felice Noordhoff Poses in 'Paris Mon Amour' by Billy Kidd for Numéro France September 2019

Felice Noordhoff Poses in 'Paris Mon Amour' by Billy Kidd for Numéro France September 2019

Model Felice Noordhoff is styled by Charles Varenne in an abundance of SAINT LAURENT PAR ANTHONY VACCARELLO with dashes of Prada, Max Mara, Versace and more for ‘Paris Mon Amout’. Billy Kidd is behind the lens for Numéro France September 2019.

Anok Yai Gets Polished Chic in Paris, Lensed by Roe Ethridge for Vogue Italia August 2019

Anok Yai Gets Polished Chic in Paris, Lensed by Roe Ethridge for Vogue Italia August 2019

Model Anok Yai continues her fashion model rise, styled by Carlos Nazario in sophisticated, modern luxury for ‘Anok in Paris’. Roe Ethridge flashes Anok for Vogue Italia August 2019.

Maggie Maurer + Noah Carlos by Emma Summerton for Vogue España September 2019

Maggie Maurer + Noah Carlos by Emma Summerton for Vogue España September 2019

Maggie Maurer and Noah Carlos are styled by Gro Curtis in ‘Meterse En Jardines’, a mix of old-world luxury looks gone boho. Photographer Emma Summerton captures the vintage-looking beauties for Vogue España September 2019./ Hair by Neil Moodie; makeup by Siobhan Furlong

Debunking Myths about the Impact of Elephants on Large Trees

Debunking Myths about the Impact of Elephants on Large Trees

By Ross Harvey, Independent Economist; PhD Candidate, University of Cape Town. First published on The Conversation.

Elephants are often accused of being responsible for the unsustainable loss of large trees in protected areas. This is because they strip bark and break branches. They can also have a heavier impact through uprooting trees or snapping stems. They have forage preferences too. Marula, knobthorn and red bushwillow are among their favourites.

This type of behaviour has raised concerns over the effects of elephants on large trees in protected areas such as South Africa’s Kruger National Park. As a result, elephant populations have been managed to preserve trees and the environment in a static state.

Researchers Dr Michelle Henley and Robin Cook recently set out to establish whether elephants are in fact responsible for large tree mortality.

They did this by reviewing the science and evaluating how effective past strategies have been at mitigating large tree loss, given that such loss was typically attributed to high elephant densities. These strategies usually focused on controlling elephant numbers lethally, through either culling or hunting.