We all know that wonderful feeling when you find the perfect new hair product that meets the needs of your unique texture. Not only is it a major win to come across a shampoo, conditioner or styling product that’s worthy of adding to your haircare lineup, but when it comes to products for natural hair textures, who doesn’t love having more options to choose from? Here’s a look at the latest cleansers, conditioners and styling product launches that have hit shelves in 2021, each designed with curls and coils top of mind.
Pattern Beauty Scalp Serum
All hail two new treatments from Tracee Ellis Ross — a.k.a. the queen of celebrity curls! The latest members of the Pattern Beauty family emphasize the restorative value of intensive care rituals, tending to hair from root to tip with a Scalp Serum and Treatment Mask. The former, for use on any type of curls or protective style, is a mix of peppermint, rosemary and lavender oils, plus hydrating aloe vera juice for what Ross calls “a soothing, cooling and calming salve for your roots.”
Curly hair pros champion sulfate-free formulas. Why? The shape of textured strands makes it challenging for emollient natural oils originating at the scalp to reach all the way to the ends, so hair is typically dry. Adding sulfates to the mix, which strip natural oils, will only leave it more parched. Part of a new collection of shampoos and conditioners made without sulfates, mineral oil or petrolatum, this conditioner uses gentle ingredients as well as shea butter to deeply hydrate curls and coils. It’s a workhorse that can be used to pre-wash or co-wash, for traditional conditioning or a combing cream and as a leave-in treatment.
Shea Moisture Papaya & Neroli All Day Frizz Control Shampoo, Conditioner and Milk Gel
If smoothing waves and curls is your haircare M.O., then this is the collection for you. Blended with fair-trade shea butter, it boasts hydrating papaya, soothing neroli and softening elderflower. The shampoo and conditioner work together to deliver long-lasting moisture, and the humidity-resistant milk gel raises the bar by adding a silky, shiny finish to puff-prone strands.
Attitude Curl Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo
Each curl is unique, but all curl happiness starts in the shower. And a fresh batch of made-in-Canada cleansers and conditioner is up to the task. Loaded with plant-based ingredients, hair types 2 and 3 can choose the frizz-reducing coconut oil and chamomile blend of the Curl Amplifying set, while the Curl Moisturizing duo uses moringa and olive oils to offer light hydration and easy detangling to any dry waves and curls. And those seeking intensive moisture and restoration (i.e. tight curls and coils that tend to be brittle) can pick up the Curl Ultra-Hydrating set made with shea butter and papaya leaf extract.
All About Curls by Zotos Professional
Clocking in with eight products, this collection aims to cater to every curl type. Each of the cleansers, conditioners and styling formulas are created without the use of SLS/SLES sulfates and silicones to leave curls nourished and defined. The variety in formulations here, such as no- and low-lather cleansers plus soft and high definition gels, is a considerate touch that allows you to easily choose what works best for your hair.
Gold Series Anti-Breakage Combing Crème
Brought to us by a team of Black scientists, the latest additions to the Gold Series line are formulated to support the fragile nature of Black hair. Each of the four Hair Repair products contain biotin (a strengthener) and kukui nut oil (for deep moisture). This lightweight cream claims to reduce breakage by a whopping 69% and lends hydrating slip that aids with detangling, but without a heavy residue that can weigh down curls or contribute to build-up.
Hairitage by Mindy Double Down Co-Wash
Inspired by a blended family’s diverse hair needs, this new-to-Canada collection takes an inclusive stance and offers something for every texture. This creamy co-wash is made with grapeseed oil, yarrow extract and oat peptide to gently cleanse and hydrate hair types ranging from 2B to 4C. You won’t find sulfates, silicone or mineral oil in the vegan line, but you will discover an affordable price point that facilitates guilt-free generous use.
Klorane Nourishing and Repairing Mask with Cupuaçu Butter Range
Thanks to a star ingredient and deliciously rich formulas give dry, damaged hair can get the deep nourishment it needs. The three-step line features organic cupuaçu butter, a potent emollient that has a reparative effect on the rough outer layer and breakage points of dry curls. We’re here for the versatility of the mask: choose to rinse it out after five minutes, allow it to absorb overnight or use a dab as a leave-in conditioner.
LUS Brands Fragrance-Free 3-Step System
A scentless version of a best-selling Canadian hair care line is worthy of celebration! This collection of sulfate-free shampoo, silicone-free conditioner and multi-use cream retains the original recipe of shea butter and moringa oil that fans of the brand love, but leaves out fragrance. Sold as a set or individually, this is sweet relief for anyone with a wavy, curly or kinky-coily texture who has to manage allergies, skin sensitivities and asthma related to beauty products, or the demands of a scent-free work environment.
If you’re anything like us, you recently spent a solid eight hours living in Lady Whistledown’s world, enraptured by actor Regé-Jean Page’s spoon-licking and imagining what life would be like as a Bridgerton duchess.
(Photography via Giphy)
Based on a series of young adult books by Julia Quinn, the first season of Bridgerton revolved around the life of dashing duchess to-be, Daphne Bridgerton, and her hard-headed, eventual husband Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. The world of 19th century England bustles around them, with the fanciest of of clothing, the juiciest of gossip, the most dramatic of balls and, of course, the most fiery of romances. The first season dropped in December last year, and the word is we have more jaw-dropping Regency-era fashion, steamy sex scenes and casting diversity to look forward to in the upcoming second season.
Until it’s released on Netflix and we can commiserate with our on-screen loves once more, here’s everything we know — so far! — about season 2 of Bridgerton.
(Photography by Liam Daniel/Netflix)
Will there be a Bridgerton season 2?
Executive producer Shonda Rhimes et al will be blessing Bridgerton lovers with a second season. While there’s no official release date as of yet, the second season will be in production by spring of this year, per a @shondaland Instagram post and an official press release from Netflix.
Season 2 of Bridgerton will focus on Anthony Bridgerton’s love life
In an interview with Today, the show’s creator Chris Van Dusen teased that eligible bachelor Anthony will be getting a lot more screen time in season 2. “Anthony is going to have a love interest and it’s going to be as sweeping and as beautiful as viewers have come to expect from the show,” he told the publication.
Fan of the books know that the next novel in the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me, focused heavily on a certain strong-willed woman, Kate, promenading into Anthony’s heart (and breeches — see image below for said breeches).
(Photography by Nick Briggs/Netflix)
Who will join the cast for Bridgerton season 2?
Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) will have a new young woman to gossip about come season 2. British actress Simone Ashley, known for her roles in Netflix’s Sex Education and Broadchurch, will join the cast as Kate Sharma, Anthony’s love interest.
In the official description of The Viscount Who Loved Me, Kate is described as a “spirited schemer” and the “most meddlesome woman to ever grace a London ballroom.” Um, sign us up.
Can we expect to see more extravagant Bridgerton dresses in season 2?
Aside from the tantalizing love scenes, forbidden romance, and rampant gossip, the costumes are the hit of the show — and we’re going to see way more where they came from.
The lush costumes featured on the show are impressive pieces of craftsmanship. The hands and heart behind the designs is 71-year-old New York native Ellen Mirojnick, also known for her work in Fatal Attraction (1987), Wall Street (1987) and Basic Instinct (1992).
Mirojnick created about 7,500 pieces making up a total of 5,000 on-screen costumes, she told Vogue last year. In 2019, Quinn shared images of Mirojnick’s moodboard for the show, heavily influenced by the Regency period in London.
(Photography by Liam Daniel/Netflix)
Penelope Featherington might get a bit of the spotlight, too
The final scene of season 1 showed Penelope Featherington (Derry Girls‘ Nicola Coughlan) riding away in a horse-drawn carriage, implying that perhaps she knew a thing or two about the identity of the mysterious Lady Whistledown. It seems like the show’s second season will present an opportunity for Penelope to step into the spotlight.
“I’d love to go on that journey with her, to see how she’s changed,” she said in a December 2020 interview with the U.K.’s Radio Times. “I’d really love to come back because I feel like we’ve just scratched the surface.”
Lovers of Quinn’s novels know that Penelope’s time for romance is coming soon, if not in season 2 then the next.
Will we finally find out who Lady Whistledown is?
In season 1, Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) are dead-set on uncovering the true identity of Lady Whistledown. (Warning: minor season 1 spoiler ahead.)
(Photography by Liam Daniel/Netflix)
By the end of the first season, we get a hint that one Penelope Featherington might either be Lady Whistledown, or be helping her. Will the identity of the elusive Lady W ever be confirmed?
You’ll have to watch season 2 along with us to find out.
This article was originally published in October 2020.
Update: The Papaya Box sold out in just 27 minutes (!) last fall, making it the fastest-selling product in Knix history. One of the most coveted pieces in the box, The Papaya Legging, is being restocked on February 20, 2021. The Papaya High Rise Legging, $90, comes in Black and Titanium and is available in sizes XS through XXXL. Run, don’t walk.
Photography courtesy of Knix
Last week, Canadian intimates brand Knix – which recently launched its newest range of Leakproof underwear – announced that it was teaming up with Sarah Landry of The Birds Papaya on a limited edition collection of custom items. The Papaya Box will launch on October 18 and has already garnered a waitlist of more than 30,000 people.
Taking to social media to announce the partnership, the brand revealed that the collab has been two years in the making. As for what you’ll get in The Papaya Box? Most excitingly, the box includes Knix’s first ever pair of leggings. Called the Papaya High-Rise Legging, the leggings “offer a smooth, sleek silhouette that hugs the body” according to a release and are finished in a high shine, leather-look foil print. The box also includes a pair of Knix’s high-rise thong in an exclusive print, and the longevity bra. There’s also a selection of products from other brands, too, hand-picked by Landry for inclusion including earrings from TISH Jewelry and sustainable drink labels from NOMI+SIBS – both of which are women-led Canadian brands.
Photography courtesy of Knix
The collab isn’t the first time Knix and Landry have worked together. In 2017, Knix founder and CEO Joanna Griffiths asked Landry to be shot for a Knix campaign in 2018 after spotting a photo of her on Instagram. From there, the relationship continued to blossom with Landry joining Knix as a consultant as she simultaneously built The Birds Papaya.
The box will be available in sizes S-XXXL and is $150. You can sign up to be added to the waitlist here and be notified when it launches.
With her latest Uniqlo collaboration available today, French fashion icon Inès de la Fressange gives us a glimpse of breezy spring style by way of the seaside resort town of Deauville (where she spent many holidays when she was a child, hanging out with her undoubtedly stylish grandmother). The collection — the 15th between de la Fressange and the Japanese mega-brand — includes separates like slouchy blazers and charming blouses, sailing-inspired knits and UV-blocking hats.
Meant to reflect a sense of effortlessness and calm when getting dressed, the looks all exude the same subtle sophistication the model, designer and perfumer is known for. “Many famous designers went to and were inspired by Deauville for a long time, and many photographers went there too,” de la Fressange said in a press release about the collection. “The city is very much linked with the fashion world. I saw many pictures of elegant ladies walking along the beach. It’s part of my culture.”
Here, De la Fressange shares with FASHION how she’s been spending her days in lockdown and what she’s optimistic about both for the fashion industry and life at large.
Photography courtesy of Uniqlo.
You’ve been considered a style icon for much of your life; what’s one thing people might not know about you?
Ah, thank you! Actually, I’m rather surprised when I hear that people know me, so I rarely think about what they don’t know. One thing that I’m always surprised by is that many people think the beginning of my modelling career was when I worked with brands like Chanel. I consider this to be more like the end of my modelling career!
What are you optimistic about now that we’re out of 2020?
People had time to think about their lives, their priorities and what they were missing. Today, with the vaccine, I hope things will get better and we will all be happy to find a sense of normalcy in life again with restaurants, museums, cinemas, travelling, kissing, et cetera. I think the fact that [because] most of these things disappeared during the pandemic, people will now appreciate how precious they really are. Now, I hope that everyone will be more grateful for what they have.
Photography courtesy of Uniqlo.
What do you think are some of the most important changes in the fashion industry in recent years?
Many things have changed over the last few years, like the fact singers and movie stars have become the biggest influence on fashion. I also think that e-commerce has completely changed the fashion landscape. With online shopping, the demand has changed, and designers have to shift clothing shapes and sizes to make it easier for consumers to find the perfect fit.
Did you pick up any hobbies during the pandemic? How did you keep busy and stay positive?
I have been very lucky to be in lockdown in Provence because I think it’s impossible to get bored in the country. There’s always something to do around the house! I did a lot of decluttering my closets and storage rooms. I also did a lot of gardening: cutting olive branches and planting vegetables. I found out quickly that growing vegetables was quite hard!
I also did a lot of work — drawing jewellery and doing virtual fittings. I always like to keep busy!
Dr. Liza Egbogah, a Toronto-based manual osteopath, fell in love with the flair of Nigerian dressing before she started wearing it herself. “I loved looking through my mom’s old pictures because everyone was wearing traditional wax print dresses,” she remembers. “I’d ask my mother how I could get those kinds of pieces and she’d say, ‘I never thought you’d be interested in Nigerian clothes.’”
This might be due in part to Egbogah’s international upbringing; she was born in Calgary and lived in both Libya and Malaysia while growing up. But she recalls that during visits to her ancestral home — her parents were born in the same Nigerian village — she was mesmerized by what women in the markets were wearing.
Egbogah wears a topper and shorts from Toronto-based brand Precious Threads by Abiola, founded by domestic abuse survivor Abiola Akinsiku.
It was when she was in Malaysia that she developed a love of batik — the centuries-old print work typically made with wax that also appears in the traditional dress of African nations. Attending an international school where uniforms were mandatory, Egbogah nurtured her interest in the creative potential of batik during art class, eventually making a small “collection of T-shirts and scrunchies.”
As a teenager, she moved back to Calgary and found herself “wanting to fit in”; her style throughout that formative time consisted mostly of hoodies and pieces from early adopters of the athleisure aesthetic, such as Triple Five Soul and Baby Phat.
Fleeing the Biafran war meant that Egbogah’s family lost many of their personal belongings. A “desire to be connected to [her] roots” is one reason why she’s drawn to the work of local craftspeople and designers.
Her sartorial appetites changed when she was in the early 20s — when her parents returned to live in their home country and her mother began bringing vibrantly printed Nigerian looks back to her family when she visited Canada. “That was a turning point for me,” says Egbogah. She started travelling to Nigeria more frequently, and a deep interest in the culture and style of the region took root.
Whether they be items given to her by her mom or the custom-made pieces Egbogah acquired for special events, the spectrum of craft techniques —opulent patterns, textures and embellishments abound in Nigerian fashion — is now stored in a specific closet space in her home.
Egbogah fell in love with Nigerian style through old photos that were taken before the family was eventually forced to abandon traditional ways of dressing during British colonial rule.
“I can’t say that I have a favourite — I have favourites,” she says with a laugh while mentally cycling through her collected wares, including purchases
from designers like Emmy Kasbit and JZO. The front-runners include pink-hued floral pieces crafted for her wedding festivities and an ornately detailed top, skirt and matching headpiece she had made for her father’s funeral.
Personalization is the cornerstone of Nigerian style; everyone who attends any social event is expected to arrive in an outfit that has never been worn by the wearer before. “You’re only supposed to wear them out once,” says Egbogah about occasionwear. “Afterwards, you give it to somebody else to wear or it’s given to a tailor to be reworked for more day-to-day wear.” Letting go of such significant couture-level wardrobe items nagged at Egbogah, which is another reason why she cultivates a personal collection. When she travels to Nigeria now, one of her favourite things to source is hand-painted clothing. “They’ll start with plain cotton and then paint each one by hand,” she says of these artisanal items. “I consider that wearable art. Instead of focusing on buying paintings to hang, I’m interested in wearing paintings.”
The luxe beadwork of a custom- made top and headpiece that Egbogah wore to her father’s funeral pays tribute to his refined taste. “He never wore jeans a day in his life,” she recalls.
In fact, Egbogah is so avid about preserving the creativity of Nigerian makers and designers that last year she attended Lagos Fashion Week (for only three days — it was all her busy schedule would allow). It was her first time at the event, and she returned to Toronto ready to start investing in the pieces she had seen. “It opened my eyes to so many contemporary Nigerian designers, and now I make an effort to collect their pieces and support them,” she says. This endeavour hasn’t been easy, though. Before she discovered Western-based African-focused e-commerce sites such as Ditto Africa, she wasn’t able to buy pieces from Nigeria due to monetary restrictions put in place by the Canadian government.
Thankfully, Egbogah has also been able to satiate her passion for Nigerian style from within Canada and has become a close friend of and collaborator with Precious Threads by Abiola designer Abiola Akinsiku. Akinsiku’s dynamic printed collections and the important story behind her brand deeply resonate with Egbogah, who owns over a dozen Precious Threads by Abiola pieces. “She’s a survivor of domestic violence,” she notes of Akinsiku, “and proceeds from sales go to help support other women who are victims of violence.”
Egbogah hopes to one day give her collection to her five-year-old niece, whom she describes as a fledgling fashion designer.
When she reflects on the connection she has with Akinsiku — who created a three-piece capsule collection along with shoe embellishments for Egbogah’s orthopedic footwear brand, Dr. Liza — she highlights an inclination that is pervasive, but rarely spoken about openly, in creative professions. “I don’t know if it’s because of the work I do with fixing people, but for some reason I’m always drawn to pain,” says Egbogah. “I find that so much beauty comes out of other people’s pain.”
She also feels she has a kinship with the talent she crosses paths with on the TIFF circuit, where she has a yearly charity event in addition to a studio set up to give medical attention to the stars. Egbogah says she’s genuinely interested in the “joy and beauty” that come from the trauma and sadness that many creatives grapple with.
Egbogah is so enraptured with eye-catching prints from Nigeria that she even developed iterations to use in her line of shoes, including the Ankara print seen here. “I look at fashion as art,” she says. “I’m investing in things that are beautiful and support creativity.”
In much the same way as she strives to turn suffering into something good through her occupation, Egbogah chooses to focus on how she can amplify Nigerian creatives through growing her collection and, of course, wear- ing it. “It’s my pleasure, and I feel a sense of purpose when I get to put Nigeria in a positive light,” she says. “One of the reasons I’m so active in promoting Nigerian fashion is that the country gets so much negative publicity. But when you look at the beautiful fashion and music and art — things that move people… You can’t have a negative impression of Nigeria if you love all the wonderful local arts. And there’s a joy in celebrating heritage. That’s my blood; that’s my people. They’re doing great things, and I want to share that with everyone.”
A dress by Emmy Kasbit featuring an Akwete fabric on the bodice is a favourite of Egbogah’s. the textile is native to the eastern region of the country where her family is from and reminds her of her grandmother’s old aprons.
Photography, Vai Yu Law; Hair and Makeup, Esther Kieselhof.
From jewellery collections to big-name partnerships and product launches, more brands than ever are celebrating Black History Month this year in ways that truly give back. As we enter the back half of the important month, following a year of historic protest movements and calls for change thanks to movements like Black Lives Matter, it’s crucial that we put our money where our mouths are. Thanks to companies like Apple and beloved entertainers like Tynomi Banks, we can. Here, some of the month’s best Black History Month products that benefit worthy causes.
Roots collaborated with The Black Academy
(Photography courtesy of Roots)
Roots is selling made-in-Toronto face masks that offer a snug, contoured fit with improved breathability — and for a good cause. For every mask purchased on roots.com this month, the Canadian company will donate a portion of the proceeds to The Black Academy, an organization founded by Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, dedicated to celebrating Black talent across the country.
Apple released its Black Unity collection
(Photography courtesy of Apple)
Designed to acknowledge and celebrate Black history and culture, this collection features a limited-edition Apple Watch Series 6, the Black Unity Sport Band and a Unity watch face. Available as of February 1, the launch was inspired by the call-to-action of both current and historic movements, and pays homage to the rich tradition of craft quilting in the Black community, celebrating the colours of the Pan-African flag, according to the brand.
The band, made from individual pieces of coloured fluoroelastomer, is laser-engraved with “Truth. Power. Solidarity.” The watch face boasts an ever-transforming pattern, changing as the Apple Watch moves.
Apple is supporting six global organizations — Black Lives Matter Support Fund via the Tides Foundation; European Network Against Racism; International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights; Leadership Conference Education Fund; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; and Souls Grown Deep — with the proceeds from its sale.
Tynomi Banks released a line of apparel with Black Lives Matter Canada
(Photo: Tynomi Banks)
Iconic Toronto-based drag entertainer and Canada’s Drag Race alum Tynomi Banks has officially partnered with Black Lives Matter Canada in honour of Black History Month. Together, they’ve created an exclusive line of merchandise in support of the movement.
The collection features hoodies and T-shirts, with text like “Protect Queer Black Youth,” “Black Lives Matter” and “Anti-Racist” on them. Another options features a photo of Banks, wearing a “Black Lives Matter” outfit, on the front. For the whole month, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the movement.
Boma collaborated with The Cura Co. on a new jewellery collection
Sustainable jewellery brand Boma has ramped up its diversity and inclusion efforts with the release of a new collection in partnership with The Cura Co. Sales from the “This Matter” Collection raise funds for organizations working in the pursuit of racial justice and redistribution. The diversity-focused line features a BLM “Power Pendant,” a “Say Their Names” slogan necklace and a raised fist “Power Signet” ring.
Available in sterling silver and sustainable brass, 100% of the proceeds go to the Black College Matters fund by Save Your VI, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy for Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The brand has also renewed their grant program, founded in 2020, for Black jewellery designers, and is committed to new initiatives that support diversity and inclusion.
Wuxly partnered with three local Black artists
(Photography courtesy of Wuxly)
Sustainable outerwear brand Wuxly has partnered with three local Black artists to create one-of-a-kind art pieces in honour of Black History Month. The brand gave Jabari Elliott, Imani Busby and Tafari Steele each one of their jackets to use as a canvas for their work. The jackets are currently on sale for $999 each, and all of the proceeds will go to a charity of the artist’s choice.
Révolutionnaire collaborated with Roots on a t-shirt
(Photography courtesy of Roots)
Founded with the purpose of “democratizing dance” and “revolutionizing nude apparel,” and now incorporating a wider scope of social empowerment initiatives, Révolutionnaire — a platform managed by sisters Nia Faith and Justice Faith — has partnered with Roots on the creation of a t-shirt to celebrate Black History Month. A donation from the sales of the shirts will go to The Black Academy, a Toronto-based division of the arts-focused not-for-profit B.L.A.C.K. (Building A Legacy in Acting, Cinema and Knowledge) Canada.
Artists partnered with Peloton instructors on an activewear collection
The line of activewear released by Peloton features 18 pieces — everything from leggings to tank tops — designed by four Black artists. The pieces feature names like “Light The Way,” “Bring Your Whole Self” and “United We Move” and help bring to life the strength and zeal of Black history, according to Peloton.
Adonis Bosso was in the priority line to board a recent flight from Paris when the gate agent waved him away. “‘I’m SkyPriority,’ I said as I showed her my pass,” he recalls. “And she looked at me like, ‘Really?’” That’s just one example of the daily micro-aggressions Bosso says he faces as a Black man. But speaking via Zoom from his home in Toronto, where he was quarantining after returning from FASHION’s cover shoot in Los Angeles, he conveys the incident with such nonchalance, and such a lack of anger or bitterness, that it’s clear that racism is as routine to him as brushing his teeth.
He also faced it, though in a more systemic way, when he began modelling in the early 2010s. “I would often be the only Black model in a show or campaign,” says Bosso, who is casually dressed in a grey Zara track suit with a smoky-topaz pendant that matches his skin tone. “There was not much diversity on the runways or in the industry.” That meant there wasn’t much demand for models with his “look” so agencies didn’t have more than a token few people of colour on their rosters. Bosso was lucky to have found a niche in Montreal, where he grew up, earning $700 a day shooting for Ssense.com. But he was rejected by every agency he visited in New York and Europe.
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Jazzelle: Dress, $1,205, and shoes, $1,775, Sacai. Bra, $230, BustedBrand. Underwear, $15, Victoria’s Secret. Earrings, $185, Éliou. Socks, $70, S.R. Studio. LA. CA. On Bosso: Sweater, $5,465, and pants, $1,140, S.R. Studio. LA. CA. Boots, $1,400, Bottega Veneta. Ring, Bosso’s own.
Jazzelle, who is best known by her Instagram handle @uglyworldwide, found similar barriers when she started modelling in her hometown of Detroit. “They kept telling me: ‘You’re a light-skinned, curly-haired girl. You can’t do high fashion. You don’t have the body or the face for it,’” she recalls, also via Zoom, while sipping tea in her Brooklyn apartment, an industrial space with a grid of exposed pipes hanging from the ceiling. After graduating from high school, she moved to Chicago, where her sporadic jobs were for department stores like Sears. At the same time, she became known in the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene for her drag performances. “You don’t need to be a man in a dress,” she responds when asked for her definition of drag. “It’s a hyper-real version of whatever you feel deep inside.” When her agency told her that her lifestyle wasn’t going over well with clients, she walked.
Both models were so demoralized that they took drastic steps. But that’s when their luck changed. Jazzelle shaved her head and eyebrows. A week later, influential British photographer Nick Knight scouted her on Instagram and then flew her to London for a Comme des Garçons shoot for AnOther Magazine.
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Bosso: Jacket, $1,650, and pants, $1,000, Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane. Necklace, price upon request, Misho. On Jazzelle: Jacket, $1,585, Celine by Hedi Slimane. Pants, $125, Levi’s. Necklace, $365, Pamela Love. Bracelet, $145, Éliou.
Bosso, in Paris on a fruitless hunt for an agent, decided on the spur of the moment to get a septum ring. He later returned to New York and got offers from agents left, right and centre. He signed with DNA Model Management, followed by agencies in Milan and London. “I think it made me interesting,” says Bosso, who has since added “musician” to his skill set. “It started the birth of a character.” He chose @septumpapi for his Instagram handle and turned himself into a cartoon for the fall release of his song “No More.” He conceived, wrote and storyboarded the anime-style music video, which also features model Slick Woods, the mother of their two-year-old son, Saphir.
“His mom and I are no longer together, so this way Saphir can see his parents together as superheroes flying around,” explains Bosso. He is planning a full visual album and action figures based on himself and Woods. “It’s given me a new universe of creativity.”
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Bosso: Top, price upon request, Casablanca. Shorts, price upon request, Boss. Necklace, price upon request, Misho. Socks, $20 for three pairs, Vans. On Jazzelle: Top, $445, S.R. Studio. LA. CA. Earrings, $275, Elsie Frieda. Bracelet, $150, Éliou.
“Adonis is so artistically inspired that it has led him to be an outstanding model,” comments Tony Craig, a freelance creative director who now runs DNA Model Management’s men’s division. Before becoming Bosso’s agent, Craig and his partner, photographer Idris Rheubottom, worked with Bosso on commercial and editorial shoots. “He was our muse for many years. We did some of our best work with him. He is not afraid to help create a vision.”
Having a voice, and using it, marks a major shift in what a model is expected to bring to the table. “It has changed so much,” comments Jazzelle’s agent, Luiza Zyskowska, who’s with The Society Management in New York. “It’s not just about having the right height and size; clients are looking for a lot more depth. A beautiful face will only get you so far. There’s so much more to it these days.”
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Bosso: Top, price upon request, Casablanca. Shorts, price upon request, Boss. Necklace, price upon request, Misho. Socks, $20 for three pairs, Vans. On Jazzelle: Top, $445, S.R. Studio. LA. CA. Earrings, $275, Elsie Frieda. Bracelet, $150, Éliou.
“Models shouldn’t be there just to be your playthings, to be dressed up like dolls,” declares Jazzelle. “We’re real people, with real opinions, and a lot of us have real taste. A lot of us are artists.”
Jazzelle is wearing a giant teddy hat by Ottolinger (“one of my favourite brands right now”) and a pale-blue oversized coat from her friend, stylist Anna Trevelyan. Her voice is gravelly, thanks to a few days spent marking her 25th birthday, and her delivery is as feisty as her look. But she has a lot to celebrate: Over the past year, she has racked up campaigns for Fenty, Fendi, Gucci Beauty and Maybelline New York and her Instagram following has swelled to 600,000+.
Photography by GREG SWALES. Jacket, $2,860, Valentino. Shirt, $250, Levi’s Vintage Clothing. Top, $20 for three, Hanes. Earrings, $370, Pamela Love. Necklace, $320, Éliou.
Jazzelle’s platform is a showcase for her art, for which she largely uses herself as a canvas. “I like to switch it up and do really exciting things with my face and body,” she says. “I like to keep it fresh and new; I need change.” Her transformations can range from surreal alien to sexy skater girl. And her body is a work in progress, too. She had a breast reduction: “Since I’m gender fluid and a bit androgynous, having huge tits didn’t feel like me.” And she’s removing the tattoos from her upper body, replacing them with white stick-and-poke “hieroglyphics” from a language that she and Grace Neutral, a tattoo artist in London, created from Japanese and Russian characters and numerical symbols: “There are important dates, places and times. It’s my short life story in code.” She’s keeping the bandage, stitches and other markings on her legs, though. “I think it’s important to fall down and get back up and have fun while you do it,” she says. “That’s the story my knees tell.”
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Jazzelle: Dress and vest, prices upon request, Louis Vuitton. Shoes, $80, Vans. On Bosso: Jacket, $3,170, shorts, $1,080, shoes, $750, and socks, price upon request, Amiri. Ring, Bosso’s own.
Her name, Jazzelle, is a combo of her parents’ interests: “jazz” for her dad and “elle” for the magazine. Her mother, a retired nurse, is originally from Toronto, and her father sells school books around the United States and is a jazz singer and pianist. Jazzelle’s creative leanings began to emerge when she was a child. “The only things I cared about in school were art class, lunch and recess,” she recalls. “I got made fun of a lot and didn’t fit in. I was an awkward, weird kid so I don’t know if I was made fun of for my personality or my looks. I remember feeling very insecure about myself all the time. But I still carried on dressing how I wanted and being a weirdo.”
Photography by GREG SWALES. Coat, price upon request, Boss. Jacket and skirt, prices upon request, Miu Miu. Shoes, $90, Reebok.
She created the term “Uglyworldwide” after an artist friend remarked that a series of portraits she had done was ugly. “I took that and ran with it and started tagging my paintings and drawings Uglyworldwide,” she says. “I like for everyone to take whatever meaning they want from it because it means something different to everyone. I don’t call myself Uglyworldwide because I think I’m ugly—but sometimes I do. It’s ups and downs with self-confidence.”
“I think it’s genius,” says Bosso of Jazzelle’s “ugly” persona. “The word ‘ugly’ brings out so much emotion.” It also lines up with how society is shifting away from narrow definitions of beauty set by the fashion elites, he adds. “We are no longer seeking to be perfect. We are seeking to be ourselves.”
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Bosso: Jacket, $1,650, and pants, $1,000, Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane. Necklace, price upon request, Misho. On Jazzelle: Jacket, $1,585, Celine by Hedi Slimane. Pants, $125, Levi’s. Necklace, $365, Pamela Love. Bracelet, $145, Éliou.
The meaning behind Bosso’s given name, which is pretty much the opposite of ugly, has even more weight. His parents lost a son, also named Adonis, when he was a month old. The second Adonis became ill when he was young, so the family hightailed it out of the Ivory Coast to seek better treatment for him and wound up in Sweden and then Montreal. “They never told me what the illness was, only that it was life-threatening,” he says.
His parents went on to have five more children, including brother Steve, who is autistic, so special needs is the path that Bosso thought his career would take. In 2014, the family created the Centre d’Intégration TSA, a centre that provides support, information and respite for people with autism, in Montreal and aims to open a second one in Toronto.
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Jazzelle: Top, $1,005, and skirt, $1,780, Gucci. Earrings, $260, Misho. On Bosso: Vest, $1,780, and pants, $1,400, Gucci. Necklaces, from $120, Margaux Studios.
Bosso, meanwhile, is working on his music career while adding to a lengthy client list that includes Adidas x Ivy Park, Topshop, Levi’s and H&M. His latest campaign is with Saphir for Zara.
Jazzelle is spreading her wings by contributing more on shoots. “Now I’m not just hired to be a model; they ask me for creative input,” she says. She did a collab with Gucci Beauty last summer and recently did her own makeup for a print editorial. “Being more involved as a model and an artist at the same time is a big turning point in my career. I want to be a part of the creative process, and that’s something that is happening. My art is being respected.”
Photography by GREG SWALES. On Bosso: Jacket, $3,170, top, price upon request, shorts, $1,080, shoes, $750, and socks, price upon request, Amiri. Necklace, price upon request, Misho. Nose ring and bracelet, Bosso’s own. On Jazzelle: Dress and vest, prices upon request, Louis Vuitton. Shoes, $80, Vans. Earring, Jazzelle’s own.
Photography byGREG SWALES.Styling byCHRIS HORAN.Creative direction byGEORGE ANTONOPOULOS.Hair byANDREW FITZSIMONS FOR ANDREW FITZSIMONS HAIRCARE AT PRIMARK.Makeup byMICHAEL ANTHONY FOR FORWARD ARTISTS/ARMANI BEAUTY.Fashion assistant:LAUREN JEWORSKI AND SADE RADFAR.
Happy Valentine’s Day, indeed! Goop, your go-to source for super-powered skincare, wellness tips and, of course normalizing topics like mental health and female pleasure, has released its first vibrator, just in time for the day of love. Because what’s more important than self-love?
Meet the new Goop Double-Sided Wand Vibrator, a toy so cute you might not be so quick to hide in it your bottom drawer. (But who’s surprised? Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand is known for its aesthetically pleasing wares. As Kiki Koroshetz, Wellness Director of Content at Goop, tells me: “Because it’s Goop, beyond designing a vibrator that was effective and ergonomic and functional, we spent serious time on the aesthetic. The final design, as you can see, is sculptural and there’s a fun pop of colour. If you’re inclined to leave the vibrator on your nightstand, it might even bring a little joy just to see it there.”
It’s also thoughtfully engineered, with one round end for external massage and the other slim end for targeted stimulation; each side features eight different pulsating patterns with varying intensities. But creating the Goop vibe didn’t just happen overnight. “This vibrator was about eighteen months in the making,” says Koroshetz. “Our team has tested many vibrators over the years — tough job but someone has to do it, right? We had some favourite features that we wanted to include and some upgrades we wanted to incorporate.”
Photography courtesy of Goop
Koroshetz goes on to explain the features that were non-negotiable in the Goop vibrator. “Wand massagers have that rumbly external vibration that works for people who get off quick and for people who need extra stimulation. We wanted one end of the vibrator to be the ultimate wonder-ball wand. And it is — it packs a lot of power,” she says. “But we wanted more. So the other end is slim for targeted stimulation and can be used externally or internally. It’s all made of body-safe silicone and is very soft to the touch, but this slim end is bendy, which is pretty unique.”
She adds that beyond technical prowess and an artful design, the toy has all the “unsexy practical details that felt like no-brainers to us but that are missing from other vibrators.” She explains: “It’s waterproof. It’s got a travel lock (we’ll be able to travel again someday, right?). And it has a rechargeable battery with an LED display, so you can see how much time you have left until you need to plug the vibrator in, which means it won’t die on you when you really don’t want it to.”
Slightly intimidated by the eight different intensity settings (or vibrational patterns, as Koroshetz calls them)? She says don’t be. “Using the vibrator is simple and intuitive — first-timers welcome — and there are two easy-to-reach buttons.”
And as Koroshetz stresses, self-pleasure is worth investing your time in. “What turns you on? How do you meet your desires? When do you feel most connected to yourself? I think carving out the time and space to explore those questions and to explore pleasure is a worthy way of taking care of yourself.”
The Goop Double-Sided Wand Vibrator is available as of February 14 exclusively on goop.com.
