Top Models Cover “Cult Classics” for Mert & Marcus in W Magazine, August 2016
Photographer: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. Model(s): Amilna EstevAo, Anna Ewers, Ava McAvoy, Bella Hadid, Cameron Kelley, Cameron Kelly, Daan Van Der Deen, Fei Fei Sun, Grace Bol, Greta Varlese, Harleth Kussik, Irina Kravchenko, Irina Shayk, Issa Lish, Jamie Bochert, Jamilla Hoogenboom, Jing Wen, Joan Smalls, Julia Hafstrom, Karen Elson, Katie Moore, Kit Butler, Lara Stone, Leila Goldkuhl, Lexi Boling, Li Xiao Xing, Lineisy Montero, Maartje Verhoef, Marland Backus, Mia Rae, Odetta Pavlova, Ruth Bell, Sarah Brannon, Tamy Glauser, Yuri Pleskun. Source: W Magazine. Stylist: Edward Enninful. Makeup: Isamaya Ffrench. Hair: Shay Ashual.
Posted Jul 07, 2016
Top models of the world unite in “Cult Classics” shot by Mert & Marcus for W Magazine, August 2016. Angelic features invite the spirit to rise as Ruth Bell captures a sublime sense of strength. Fair faces float on aire as bare haired beauties give a stoic stare. Surrounded in the circle of humanity they stand together in creative harmony. Pictures project inner power with soulful shots of sisters uniting. As lights dance off in the distance, proving individuality illuminates our independence. Fighting for our right to practice free expression – art emanates off the page – as a quiet river works into a righteous rage. Edward Enninful’s work plays like a symphony of style, with fashions that capture our collective clarity. Working as one, Lexi Boling, Irina Kravchenko & Jamilla Hoggenboom appear unified, with short skirts worn over long pants. Bella Hadid, Anna Ewers, Lara Stone & Frederikke Sofie stand in a semi-circle, all wearing ethereal pieces that fall lightly to the ground. Dark dresses are divine, as Grace Bol looks straight away as Ava McAvoy’s head is held down with a cigarette in hand.
The art of beauty beckons as Isamaya Ffrench answers the call of the cosmetic wild. The mysteries of the modern face are defined as natural makeup is explored in kind. Unleashing the prophetic beast, the passion of poetic prose permeates the page. Peach tones touch the lids as Summer gives rise to the lilting of the eyes. Ffrench marks the momentum of movement, from a defiant line crossing just above the eyebrows to a white stripe marked vertically down the forehead. Black lips stop us in our tracks with haunting beauty, so complete, we find ourselves lost in time. Seeking solemn ground, soft skin captures a collective glow as Irina Shayk emotes an unearthly calm. Finding her center she gives her body over to a higher source. Solidarity speaks, as a group of women sit in silence as they fill up the sidewalk on a quest for salvation. Like light riding high in the distant sky each feature illuminates forth, leading us toward the promise land.
Darkness is rediscovered, as Jamie Bochert stands in the center staring down as Issa Lish leads her sisters to look ahead. Utterly transformed, Karen Elson dons a long, black wig with sun beating down upon her fair face. In an ode to the art of purity, we see Tamy Glauser standing in the middle of a field, posed in majestic harmony. Bald is beautiful, from Ava McAvoy to Ruth Bell, we feel the scalp bolster the sisterhood of salvation. Shay Ashual captures a cacophony of coiffure, as hair falls is symmetry as blonde wigs make the wearers look like twins. Don’t get lost in what you think each group represents, rather, allow yourself to consider a new reality. Each fearsome female is fighting, for their right, to find truth among the chaos of our times. Screaming in scarlet dripping in red, the group ends this brave experiment by honoring their desire to be heard. The mind is a mysterious thing to waste, we much be vigilant in our fight to be fully free. As I see it – the craft is merely the concept of creative investigation. Poetic intent graces the page as proving – United We Stand Divided We Fall.
