Supermodel Liu Wen Pens an Open Letter About Beauty & Race

Liu Wen is a favorite here at Fashion of Culture, she’s an extraordinary beauty who has consistently broken barriers for Asian women in the fashion industry. Standing as a symbol of beauty in a world that often ignores the looks of women like her, Liu Wen became the first Asian woman to be the face of major cosmetic brand Estée Lauder, as well as the first Asian woman to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel. In this touching essay originally posted on Vogue, Liu writes about her life growing up in China where her looks were considered far from beautiful as she was teased for her dainty eyes and tall frame, as well as her personal struggles as an Asian model. Continue below to read.

Joan Smalls + Karlie Kloss Team Up With Edward Enninful in W Magazine

Oh how I love a good W editorial. Chic, current, edgy, and frankly just stunning to look at. The creative genius that is Ghanaian style director Edward Enninful has done it again in the November issue featuring supermodels Joan Smalls and Karlie Kloss. The ladies are rocking luscious pompadours along with a few pieces from Jason Wu and Dolce & Gabbana. In my opinion, the talent that is Mr. Enninful is seriously underutilized. This man should be doing music videos, movies, and all other forms of visual creation. His aesthetic is always impeccable and has turned W magazine into the premier magazine for all things high-fashion, editorial, and avant-garde (see Rihanna's September issue). I’ve been thinking this for months but I’ll just say it now, W is the new Vogue.

Chiharu Okunugi Stars in Paul Smith Editorial For Numero Tokyo

Fall into fall with these cozy looks from Paul Smith modeled by Japanese model Chiharu Okunugi. The editorial features dynamic layering, mixed prints, fur, and some masculine silhouettes which has been a reoccurring fall trend for some time now. Styled by Shun Watanabe and photographed by fashion photographer Thomas Whiteside, Okunugi shows off her graceful yet boyish style in trousers, blazers, and fedoras. Okunugi’s career has certainly slowed down a bit coming off of a Dior and Chanel campaign last year and a few runway shows last season. Perhaps she just needed some time off or she’s pressuring other ventures outside of the fashion world, either way it’s always a pleasure to see her work.

#PFW Review: Undercover Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear

Jun Takahashi brought darkness, femininity and fairy tales to life on the runway in Undercover’s Spring 2015 collection. A highlight of Paris Fashion Week, both the collection and set design portrayed the story of a sinister yet breathtaking fantasy, which Takahashi divided into a series of vignettes. The models, who emerged wearing pastel crinoline dresses with black, feathered wings sprouting out of their shoulder blades and spiked bloom-shaped rings, quickly progressed out of the more folkloric elements of the collection, which consisted of puff-sleeved blouses and full peasant skirts and tutus, to art nouveau styled prints and dresses featuring scenes from Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights. Of note, the plastic jewelry showcased was also inspired by Bosch’s work of art. Although Takahashi is infamous for the ways in which he uses his designs to tell intricate stories, he noted the spring 2015 collection stemmed largely from ideas of broken innocence turned into craziness, which explains the show’s black swan themed transition, complete with motorcycle jackets, multi-layered tulle skirts and a finale of dark angels.