Vogue China Taps Rocco Liu as Editorial Director
Rocco Liu, a digital-savvy editor and social media personality who contributed to the success of GQ China, has been named Vogue China‘s latest editorial director, succeeding Margaret Zhang after her three-year tenure. Liu joined GQ China in 2009 and currently serves as editorial director of the men’s fashion and lifestyle title. According to Condé Nast, he will take over the Vogue China role immediately, overseeing the editorial direction of the brand across all platforms and events. Liu’s successor at GQ China will be announced at a later time. Meanwhile, Cui Yanyu, the creative director at GQ China, will serve as interim editorial director. Anna Wintour, Condé Nast chief content officer and Vogue global editorial director, said, “I have long admired everything Rocco has done at GQ. He has great instincts for creating stories that live on new platforms, that find new audiences, and for imagining events that get people talking. In all the work he’s done with us, he’s been super creative, ambitious and has proven that he knows how to make an impact. I’m thrilled and excited that he’s joining the Vogue team.” Liu began his career at GQ China, taking on roles such as senior copyright editor, report editor, and GQ Lab editor, according to LinkedIn. In 2016, he became the editor-in-chief of GQ Lab, incubated by features editor Jon Lian in late 2014 as a digital spinoff on WeChat, the famous Chinese social media platform, transforming it into a digital fashion media platform with millions of followers.At that time, GQ Lab could generate around half a million renminbi (approximately $70,500) for a single social media post. Liu now aims to establish a strong reputation and build solid relationships while introducing a new vision at Vogue China. Zhang reportedly faced challenges at Vogue China’s publishing house, China Pictorial, which allegedly rejected her final cover choice for the most recent issue of Photo Vogue, a supplement to the June issue of Vogue China. While Western social media promoted Kim Kardashian as the cover star, the actual print issue sold in China featured a blank cover with the names of photographers included in the issue. [WWD]
The Gian Paolo Barbieri: Beyond Fashion Exhibit
A retrospective exhibition of fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri is on view in Ostuni, a city in Apulia, Italy, until August 31st. The Gian Paolo Barbieri: Beyond Fashion exhibit is presented at the House of Lucie in collaboration with The Fondazione Gian Paolo Barbieri and the Milan-based gallery 29 Arts In Progress. It features works by the artist along with unpublished photographs from the 1960s to 2000, uncovered through extensive research into his archive. Highlights include intimate shots of icons like Naomi Campbell, Veruschka, Marpessa, Eva Herzigova, Monica Bellucci, Isabella Rossellini, and Audrey Hepburn, as well as legendary campaigns for Giorgio Armani, Versace, Gianfranco Ferre, and others. Barbieri is best known for his rich imagery that references art history and cinematic inspirations, showcasing a sense of movement. House of Lucie is a contemporary photography space presenting rotating exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and events. Established in 2016 by creative director and gallerist Hossein Farmani, it highlights the work of Lucie Awards honorees. In 2018, Barbieri won the Lucie Award for best international fashion photographer.
Audrey Hepburn & Eva Herzigova | All images are Copyright GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI / Courtesy of 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS gallery and FONDAZIONE GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
Simon Porte Jacquemus’ Directorial Debut
Simon Porte Jacquemus is stepping into the director’s chair. Known for his lavish show locations and viral campaigns, the French designer has directed a video for the latest drop of his ongoing collaboration with Nike. The video is an ode to Paris as seen through Jacquemus’ eyes and features Serena Williams, Manu Rios, Central Cee, Carine Roitfeld, Amina Muaddi, and more. Inspired by legendary mid-century French director Jacques Tati, Jacquemus said, “When I start working on a show, I always draw scenes and recreate images from my memories and obsessions. It was the same process here, even if it was a movie.” The collection and film directly correlate with the Paris Olympics. The 10-piece capsule collection features red and white Nike swoosh-shaped shoulder bags, Air Max 1 sneakers, sports bras, skirts, and tracksuits. The Summer 2024 Nike x Jacquemus collection is available on jacquemus.com and at Jacquemus retail stores. It will be available on Nike platforms starting July 23rd. [Vogue]
Vogue: Inventing the Runway Exhibit Is Coming
Vogue: Inventing the Runway, an immersive exhibition delving into the history of the modern runway show, will debut this fall at Lightroom in London. Opening on October 25, visitors can engage with runway presentations from fashion houses including Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Comme des Garçons, Dior, Iris van Herpen, Marc Jacobs, Thom Browne, and Yohji Yamamoto. Spanning from the intimate couture salons of early 20th-century Europe to today’s media spectacles, Inventing the Runway seeks to connect fashion’s past, present, and future. Anna Wintour, Condé Nast chief content officer and Vogue global editorial director, said “This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first-hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.” [Vogue]
Jaime Perlman Poses the Question of More or Less in Fashion
We’ve all been feeling the impact of climate change [even more so in a week-long heat advisory in New York], and fashion’s global impact on the planet can feel like a daunting task of comprehension and consumer habit. Do you buy less fast fashion? More luxury pieces when bombarded with the new? Do you buy anything at all? Editor-in-chief of More or Less Magazine, Jaime Perlman, has helped bridge the gap in understanding sustainable fashion practices. With a background working for the biggest books in fashion, Perlman became aware of the need to foster conversations on how fashion can be more ethical and environmentally conscious. She leads the discussion with three trailblazers, actress & style icon Chloë Sevigny, groundbreaking model Quannah Chasinghorse, National Geographic Explorer and FIT assistant professor Dr. Theanne N. Schiros. Models.com spoke to Perlman about her inspiration for starting the magazine, the need for fashion to embrace new, environmentally savvy textiles, and the need for everyone to consider the broader impact of their sartorial choices. Check out the interview here.
For Beyond Noise, Sarah Richardson is Set to Rewrite the Rules
As a proven leader in the fashion world, Sarah Richardson has stepped into a new realm of influence as editor-in-chief and creative director of Beyond Noise. Now on newsstands, the brand new platform aims to promote the diverse narratives that shape contemporary womanhood while challenging the usual conventions of fashion media. With collaborations from fashion’s biggest names like Mario Sorrenti, Venetia Scott, Tyler Mitchell, Juergen Teller and many more. Models.com sat down with Richardson to talk about the process of creating Beyond Noise, the mentors that helped shape her trajectory, and how sustainable print processes make the media publication stand out in an oversaturated market. Check out the interview here.
Vassilis Theotokis on Creating 70s-inspired Escapism Makeup
Based in London, makeup artist Vassilis Theotokis strives for highly technical and timeless beauty to portray his trademark. Being raised by his mother, an Avon rep, led to his curiosity about beauty and Theotokis spent his time at the library seeking out lesser-known references from art, manga, and cinema. For our next Behind The Image, Theotokis shares with Models.com the biggest challenges he has faced, one thing he wishes viewers would take from his work, and who he thinks is one to watch. Check out the interview here.
MDC Selects: These Rookies Have Been to the North Pole and Alexander McQueen Runway
Models.com brings you six new rookies for this week’s MDC Selects. Find out who has traveled to the North Pole, which new face walked the Alexander McQueen show and much more. Check out the interview here.
