November is my favorite month of the year. Suspended between an assembly of ghostly creatures and a morbidly obese man entertaining the idea of trespassing onto your property via chimney, November is undoubtedly an electric time.
Whether it be middle-aged men stuffing their faces with turkey on Thanksgiving or soccer moms waking up at ungodly hours in hopes of competing in a round of American Gladiators at their local mall on Black Friday, people are more driven than ever to consume in one form or another during these 30 days.
Though many publications choose to emphasize the occasionally avaricious desires of the holiday season, November’s issue of W Magazine, intriguingly titled The Art Issue, tastefully trades in the materialistic wish list for a far more lasting concept; subtly evocative beauty. Indeed, you’ll be hard pressed to find a piece on throwing a swank Christmas gala for less than $100 and if you’re seeking advice on how to astonish that dashing Santa’s helper at said soiree, look elsewhere (Cosmo?).
What will unquestionably be found amid an ocean of glossy pages are myriad features on vintage artists and fashion designers accompanied by mini portfolios of their profound endeavors.
Writer Danielle Stein flashbacks on 60’s artist Roy Lichtenstein in “King Of Pop,” explaining that while many artists of the era were known for their ardent antics, the father of pop art was distinguishable by his placid temperament. The epitome of composed, Lichtenstein used his paintings as an instrument to express his fervent opinions on what the American institution had become; a rudimentary machine hypnotized by industry.
Yet while Stein crowns Lichtenstein as the king of pop art, Louis Vuitton is the undisputed king of diamonds. The fashion designer’s highly anticipated new jewelry collection, outlined in Accessories Flash, is creating more buzz than the world’s largest bee colony. With exceptional diamonds cut pristinely in geometric contours, Vuitton’s jewelry will top the Christmas list of anyone who finds believes aesthetics take priority in fashion.
After leafing through endlessness of fine gems and imported fabrics, I was eventually high on fashion. Wound up in chiffon lucidity, I stumbled upon immaculate black and white portraits of cover girl, actress and philanthropist Angelina Jolie, taken by actor, husband and fellow charitable troubadour Brad Pitt. Perusing the 21 intimate portraits, I unraveled, realizing that Pitt’s leisurely photographic pursuits were telling of more than just Brangelina’s personal life; he’s extraordinarily talented with the camera. The grainy images are seductive and deeply revealing, illuminating the glamorous life of two of the world’s most famous actors while simultaneously making them relatable to anyone who’s ever had a family.
Interviewed by Christopher Bagley, Jolie openly discussed her relationship with her husband as well as her relationship with the paparazzi. With her “nothing to hide” attitude, Jolie pithily commented on how she rarely pays attention to media criticism, and notably for an actress of her stature.
Jolie seems genuinely blissful and possesses the same warmth that’s evident throughout the entire issue. Comprised of engaging features and donned in seasonal hues, W brings out the best of November; captivating art, the crispness of autumn, and stylishly excessive ensembles that women all over will readily emulate.