Patrick Demarchelier Passes At 78
French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier passed away on March 31st at the age of 78. Demarchelier created legendary images for Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar shot campaigns for Chanel, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent, and was the official photographer of Princess Diana of Wales. With the famous “Devil Wears Prada” line, “Did Demarchelier confirm?”, his “Sex and the City” 2008 film cameo, and a few pop-ups in music videos the photographer was able to make his mark on pop culture. He is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons Gustaf, Arthur, Victor, and three grandchildren. [Vogue]
Condé Nast Employees Unionize
Employees of publishing giant Condé Nast have formed a union with over 500 staff members from Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, Bon Appétit, Glamour, Architectural Digest, and Condé other media brands. The NewsGuild of New York will represent the union with editorial, production, and other members asking for “better pay, increased job security, and a stronger commitment to diversity and equity.” In recent years, the publishing group has been under scrutiny for the poor treatment and underpaying of Black and POC employees. Cortni Spearman, a senior social media manager at Glamour, said, “There is no viable ‘future’ of Condé Nast if women and people of color continue to be used to fill a diversity quota.” A Condé spokesperson said conversations with the union are in the works. [NYT]
Model Alliance Introduces the Fashion Workers Act
Sara Ziff founder of the non-profit Model Alliance, announced the Fashion Workers Act this week, with Senator Brad Hoylman and models Karen Elson and Teddy Quinlivan by her side. Co-sponsored by Hoylman and New York State Assembly Member Karines Reyes, the act seeks to “demand financial transparency and accountability” for models, hair and makeup artists, stylists, influencers, and other behind-the-scenes creatives to receive labor protection. Elson and Quinlivan shared their stories of being paid late or not all. Elson said, “It is demoralizing and humiliating to have to beg to be paid.” You can sign up to support the act here. [Vogue]
Karen Elson releases new single, “Broken Shadows”
Supermodel Karen Elson like many others, used the COVID-19 lockdown as a point of introspection and reflection. Elson wrote her latest single, “Broken Shadows,” during that time alongside Nashville artists Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk; the new track is a sneak peek at what’s to come in her new album “GREEN,” dropping on April 29th. When discussing what the single represents, Elson said, “It’s about loving the broken parts of yourself. COVID strangely catapulted me into this frame of deep reflection. I did a lot of work to reconcile places in the past I deemed broken or complicated and showed the shadow back to myself.” [TheDailyFrontRow]
Bella Hadid to Make First Acting Appearance in “Ramy”
Supermodel Bella Hadid is jumping into Hollywood with her new recurring guest role in Hulu’s Emmy-nominated comedy, Ramy. The release date for Season 3 or what part Hadid will take on is yet to be announced but the show centers around the diverse portrayal of modern Muslim Americans. [Variety]
Armando Cabral Set to Open First U.S Brick and Mortar Store
Model and entrepreneur Armando Cabral is set to open his first immersive retail store in the US “Armando Cabral Mercado” on April 7. The store will include Cabral’s footwear and accessories brand alongside his new jewelry collection and “feature nine emerging and advanced African designers who will open a rotating series of pop-ups in the store. The clothing, accessories, and art brands will complement Cabral’s collection.” The brands that will be included are Taibo Bacar, Doreen Mashika, Maison D’Afie, Shekudo, Silk and Sleek, and fine artist Reggie Khumalo. Mercado means marketplace in Portuguese and is set to be an incubator space for African creatives. The store will be at 60 West 50th Street in Rockefeller Center and is part of a pop-up initiative between Cabral and Afreximbank and its Canex project, which helps with the financing and promotion of African businesses, with the space designed by Brooklyn-based designer Stephen Burks of Stephen Burks Man Made. [WWD]
