Everything Billy Porter has said about Harry Styles Vogue cover as ‘Pose’ actor re-addresses criticism
Billy Porter has re-addressed the criticism he made about Harry Styles becoming US Vogue’s first-ever solo male cover star in 2019. At the time, the former One Direction singer appeared on the cover of the fashion magazine wearing a Gucci dress. Porter, who is best known for starring in the hit TV series Pose, said in an interview The Sunday Times in 2020 that he had several issues with Vogue’s decision to feature Styles, with the actor claiming that all the singer had to do to break barriers was “be white and straight”. “I was the first one doing it and now everybody is doing it,” he said. “I’m not dragging Harry Styles, but... He doesn’t care, he’s just doing it because it’s the thing to do. This is politics for me. This is my life. “I had to fight my entire life to get to the place where I could wear a dress to the Oscars,” Porter added. “All [Styles] has to do is be white and straight.” Porter is known for championing gender-neutral fashion. He wore an iconic tuxedo dress, custom-made by designer Christian Siriano, at the 2019 Oscars. At the Met Gala that same year, he wore a Cleopatra-inspired golden catsuit with wings, and arrived at the event in a golden litter carried by six shirtless men. “Watermelon Sugar” singer Styles frequently performs in gender-neutral clothing, and told US Vogue in his cover story: “Clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with. What’s really exciting is that all of these lines are just kind of crumbling away. There’s so much joy to be had in playing with clothes.” “I’ve never really thought too much about what it means – it just becomes this extended part of creating something,” he added. After making his initial comments, Porter issued an apology to Styles live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, telling the camera: “Harry Styles, I apologise to you for having your name in my mouth. “It’s not about you. The conversation is not about you.” Porter went on to explain that the conversation is “deeper,” as it is actually about “the systems of oppression and erasure of people of colour, who contribute to the culture”. After acknowledging that there is a lot to “unpack” regarding the topic, Porter noted that he is willing to do so as long as it is without the interference of “the cancel culture of the internet”. “I’m willing to unpack it, sans the dragging and cancel culture of the internet, because I do not now, nor will ever, adjudicate my life or humanity in sound bites on social media,” he said. “So when you’re ready to have the real conversation, call a b****. OK? I’m ready to have it!” In a new interview with The Telegraph, published on Friday (11 August 2023), Porter explained how he would have better approached Anna Wintour back in 2019. Months before the Harry Styles Vogue cover was revealed, Porter had participated in a Q&A with Anna Wintour in front of Condé Nast staff. “That b**** said to me at the end, ‘How can we do better?’ And I was so taken off guard that I didn’t say what I should have said.” Now, looking back, Porter reflected on what he wished he had said: “Use your power as Vogue to uplift the voices of the leaders of this de-gendering of fashion movement.” However, as Porter reflected: “Six months later, Harry Styles is the first man on the cover.” “It’s not Harry Styles’s fault that he happens to be white and cute and straight and fit into the infrastructure that way … I call out the gatekeepers,” he said. Porter now doesn’t claim to be “the first” to push against gender stereotypes in fashion. “I know David Bowie existed, I know Sylvester existed,” he told the publication. Porter added that Styles is “white and he’s straight”, which explains why “he’s on the cover”. “Non-binary blah blah blah blah. No. It doesn’t feel good to me. You’re using my community – or your people are using my community – to elevate you. You haven’t had to sacrifice anything,” he said. Porter is best known for starring in the hit TV series Pose, for which he was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and won the 2019 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He became the first gay Black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category at the Primetime Emmys. Read More What I gained (and lost) by walking 10,000 steps each day for 5 months Pink fan who went into labour during concert names newborn son after pop star Woman behind viral ‘not real’ plane tirade says her life has been ‘blown up’ Billy Porter says he is ‘back on the market’ after filing for divorce Supermodels including Naomi Campbell recreate iconic Vogue cover from 1990 Will the gendered separation in clothing ever cease to exist?
2023-08-13 21:15
What is Billy Porter's problem with Harry Styles? Actor reiterates past criticism two years after apology
Billy Porter shared his sentiments regarding Harry Styles' groundbreaking appearance as the first solo male featured on Vogue's cover
2023-08-13 18:25
Supermodels recreate iconic Vogue cover from 1990
An iconic Vogue cover, featuring Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, Linda Evangelista and Cindy Crawford in 1990, which capture the age of the Nineties supermodel, has been recreated more than 30 years later. The story, which will appear on the UK and US editions with the cover line: “The Greatest of All Time”, will be missing German model Tatjana Patitz, who died earlier this year. The original photograph appeared on the cover of the January 1990 edition of Vogue and has been reimagined for the 2023 September cover. The four models will appear in the forthcoming four-part Apple TV+ docuseries, The Super Models, as they reflect on the beginnings of their modelling careers in the late Eighties and early Nineties. The show will be premiering on 20 September. The four women, now in their fifties, are often considered to be among the first supermodels to become celebrities and known as household names outside of the fashion industry. Speaking to Vogue, Campbell said of her early days of modelling: “There was a sisterhood there, defined by caring and loyalty: when one is down you pick the other one up.” Elsewhere in the interview, Campbell recalled how her life began to change when she became famous, like when photographers captured her outside a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in 2001. “I was made to feel ashamed of my recovery,” she said. “It wasn’t that I was in hiding, but this is something you talk about when you are ready.” Meanwhile, Evangelista opened up about her own experience with Botox, after trying the CoolSculpting procedure that left her face “disfigured”. “I don’t mind and I never did mind ageing. Ageing gets us to where we want to be, and that’s for me a long life,” she said. “[Makeup artist] Kevyn Aucoin was so afraid of wrinkles and he never got them. I want wrinkles – but I Botox my forehead so I am a hypocrite – but I want to grow old.” Much of the feature focuses on what the four models have overcome and survived in their careers, such as “grunge” and the pre-#MeToo era. All four models said they largely avoided sexual exploitation despite working with photographers who have been accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour with models. Crawford explained she would avoid lots of parties, Turlington said it was down to “luck and grace”, while Campbell said she was taught to “speak up” by her family. “You’d get invited to a party on someone’s yacht and I’d think, ‘What do you even wear on a yacht? What fork do you use?’” said Crawford. “So I would just not go and, yes, I probably missed out on some fabulous opportunities but probably avoided some less than fabulous opportunities as well.” Edward Enninful, outgoing editor-in-chief of British Vogue – he will step down from the role in March to become Vogue’s global creative and cultural adviser – styled all four models for the cover shoot. Writing about the decision to put the four models on the September issue cover in his Editor’s Letter, Enninful wrote: “For such a hallowed moment, my esteemed co-conspirator Anna Wintour – editor-in-chief of American Vogue and Condé Nast’s chief content officer – and I decided there was only one thing for it.” “We had to put the legendary quartet simultaneously on the cover of both British and American Vogues.” You can read the full Vogue cover story here. The Super Models will be available to watch on Apple TV+ from 20 September. Read More Fan who went into labour at Pink concert names newborn son after her Husband ‘ruins’ dinner because of his wife’s typo: ‘The worst kind of control freak’ Woman says her life was ‘blown up’ by viral plane rant where she called passenger ‘not real’ Will the gendered separation in clothing ever cease to exist? All the top models and celebs in Victoria Secret’s new Icons campaign Government urged to remove VAT from period pants
2023-08-12 23:19
Madewell’s New Collab Is Celebrity Stylist-Approved & Features Fall’s Top Denim Trends
Dressing with the effortlessness of your favorite celebrities can seem like an impossible task when you don’t have 24/7 access to (or financial means for) a pro stylist. Madewell has the next best thing with its new fall fashion-ready collaboration with celebrity stylist Molly Dickson.
2023-08-11 22:26
Coach Beat Michael Kors in the Handbag Wars. Now It Has to Fix It
Tapestry Inc., with Coach, and Capri Holdings Ltd., with Michael Kors, have been battling for nearly a decade
2023-08-11 17:59
Kim Kardashian stuns in Marc Jacobs' Fall 2023 campaign, Internet says it's 'giving Kourtney Kardashian vibes'
Kim Kardashian has been unveiled as the new face of high fashion house Marc Jacobs
2023-08-11 09:46
Coach owner's Michael Kors deal creates US giant to take on European luxury rivals
By Aishwarya Venugopal (Reuters) -Coach parent Tapestry will buy Michael Kors owner Capri Holdings in a deal valued at $8.5
2023-08-11 00:49
From Naomi Campbell to Hailey Bieber: All the top models and celebs in Victoria Secret’s new Icons campaign
Victoria’s Secret has launched a new campaign, which brings back models from the lingerie brand’s once-iconic “Angels” list alongside some newer faces. Launching its new The Icon by Victoria’s Secret collection on Thursday (10 August), the brand has also been teasing its film-style fashion show, the Victoria’s Secret World Tour, which will stream on Prime Video on 26 September. The campaign is part of the company’s major rebrand, after it was criticised for promoting unrealistic body image with its non-inclusive culture and accused of failing to protect its models against sexual misconduct. In response to the criticism, Victoria’s Secret got rid of its “Angels” team in 2021 and replaced it with the “VS Collective”, a group of seven successful women. The “Angels” were a ever-growing group of some of the most famous and in-demand models of the time, and included the likes of Tyra Banks, Rosie Huntington-Whitley, Chanel Iman, Heidi Klum, Lily Aldridge and more. As the brand strives to improve ethnic and body diversity among its models, it chose seven successful women to be part of the collective, not all of them fashion models. It includes models Adut Akech and Paloma Elsesser – who both feature in the new campaign – as well as journalist Amanda de Cadenet, athlete Eileen Gu, professional footballer Megan Rapinoe, actor Priyanka Chopra Jones, and model Valentina Sampaio. Victoria’s Secret released a black-and-white promotional video for its latest campaign on social media, revealing all the famous faces who are participating. Here are all the models in Victoria’s Secret new Icons campaign: Naomi Campbell While Naomi Campbell was a frequent face on Victoria’s Secret’s legendary fashion shows, she was never an Angel. As reported by People in 2020, the supermodel told The Sun that the brand “could not afford” her. Gisele Bundchen Gisele Bundchen became an Angel in 1999. She walked her last Victoria’s Secret Runway Show in 2005. Candice Swanepoel The South African model became an Angel in 2010. She has also previously been on the cover of the brand’s Swim Catalogue and donned the US$10m “Fantasy Bra” on the runway in 2013. Adriana Lima Adriana Lima was an Angel for nearly two decades before she hung up her wings in 2018. The year before she ended her time as an Angel, the Brazilian model was named “the most valuable Victoria’s Secret Angel”. Adut Akech Victoria’s Secret announced that Adut Akech had joined its family in June 2022. At the time, the South Sudanese and Australian model said on Instagram: “To be working alongside this brand that is continuing to transform to being a brand that advocates for all women, telling our stories and making the real positive changes that it should’ve done a while ago.” Emily Ratajkowski Emily Ratajkowski has previously modelled on Victoria’s Secret runways. Throughout her career, she has appeared on numerous magazine covers, including Vogue Australia and Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issues, and has strutted down the runway for Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and other designers. Hailey Bieber Influencer Hailey Bieber joined the VS Collective in 2021, although she has never walked a Victoria’s Secret show before. She wrote at the time: “I’m humbled to be in the company of these amazing women, many of whom have inspired me in countless ways with their own stories. I look forward to helping to create positive change as part of the VS collective.” Sui He Chinese model Sui He was the first East Asian model to open a Ralph Lauren show and only the second model of Chinese descent to walk Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Paloma Elsesser One of the “founding members” of the VS Collective, Paloma Elsesser describes herself as a “mixed Black fem in a size 14 body”. Speaking to the New York Times after she joined the group, Elsesser said it gave her a platform to “make radical change” and is lobbying for the brand to increase its sizing to XXXXXL. Read More Fake meat is dying, but that shouldn’t mean the end of veganism Lil Tay: Mystery surrounds ‘death’ of 14-year-old Canadian influencer Woman behind ‘not real’ plane tirade identified as marketing executive with $2m home Government urged to remove VAT from period pants How to get the ‘quiet luxury’ look on the high street Rihanna breastfeeds baby RZA as she launches Savage X Fenty maternity wear
2023-08-10 23:26
Factbox-Major deals in global luxury market in the past decade
Coach parent Tapestry said on Thursday it will buy Michael Kors owner Capri Holdings in a deal valued
2023-08-10 21:57
The Street Style At Copenhagen Fashion Week Is Full Of Fall Outfit Ideas
While we currently have the upcoming fall season — and its many emerging trends — on the brain, the runways are already looking ahead to spring/summer 2024. As per usual, Copenhagen Fashion Week kicks off the international showcase of runway collections, with its surplus of minimally chic designers setting the tone and endlessly cool residents leaving us poring over our IG feeds so that we can keep up with their covetable street style looks.
2023-08-10 20:54
Big fashion is getting bigger. Parent of Coach will buy Versace owner Capri in $8.5 billion deal
Tapestry, parent company of luxury handbag and accessories retailer Coach, is buying the owner of fashion brands including Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo, Capri Holdings
2023-08-10 19:56
LVMH Leads $22 Billion Luxury Rally as China Eases Travel Curbs
LVMH led luxury stocks higher in Europe on Thursday as China lifted a ban on group tours, boosting
2023-08-10 16:51