Lucky Blue Smith and Pyper America Smith Are Our August 2018 Cover Stars!

As I write my Editor’s Note fresh from seeing the magnificence of the fall/winter 2018 haute couture shows in Paris, I realise that this issue’s theme of duos resonates incredibly well with fashion’s current mood. One show in particular stood out for me: Viktor & Rolf, where Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren are celebrating a quarter of a century as a design duo at their eponymous label.

They presented 25 retrospective looks on the runway, but this time, all awash in white and sparkling with Swarovski crystals. It had crowd favourites such as the bed-on-bed dress, the shirt-on-shirt trouser ensemble and a trench that exclaimed “NO”. Interestingly, reimagined in today’s climate and age, their fashion took on a new contextual reference. Simply called “Immaculate Collection”, the pieces saw two of fashion’s most creative minds coming together in celebration of art and craftsmanship.

For more on the power of partnerships, read our think piece on the art of collaboration. From Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s enduring legacy, to Virgil Abloh and Kim Jones (at the helm of Louis Vuitton and Dior Homme respectively) who are creating a frisson of excitement in menswear that has not been seen for a long time, collaborations have long been at the heart of fashion.

Sometimes, the search for a co-conspirator doesn’t have to go beyond your own gene pool. Our cover stars, Lucky Blue and Pyper America Smith, show how good looks and a clever social media approach have gained this brother-sister duo celebrity status, at just 20 and 21 years of age. See the self-made stars (and a trio of stunning afghan hounds) in their element in the American outdoors.

Finally, as I sign off, I am about to embark on a spectacular journey with Dolce & Gabbana in Lake Como, Italy, for the brand’s fashion spectacular, Alta Moda. It’s a four-day extravaganza highlighting haute jewellery and haute couture, culminating in a sumptuous party of wine, song and a wealthy crowd of fashion fans all decked out in the duo’s finery.

How very lucky I am to witness fashion’s double dialogue first-hand in Paris and Italy, to bring you an issue where two minds are greater than one.

—Kenneth Goh, Editor-in-Chief 

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Photographed by Yu Tsai. Styled by Deborah Afshani. Lucky Blue Smith/IMG Models wears leather jacket; denim jeans; metal ring;leather boots, Coach 1941. Pyper America Smith/IMG Models wears shearling jacket; denim jeans; leather boots, Coach 1941. Makeup by Lancôme Makeup artist: Kathy Jeung/Forward Artists. On the face: (On Lucky) Ultra Wear Foundation in 01 Beige Albatre. (On Pyper) Ultra Wear Cushion in 01 Pur Porcelaine; Teint Miracle Loose Powder in 02 Beige Rose. On the eyes: (On Lucky) Brow Define Pencil in 03 Dark Blonde. (On Pyper) Brow Define Pencil in 03 Dark Blonde; Le Crayon Khol in Noir; Hypnôse Doll Eyes Waterproof mascara. On the cheeks: (On Pyper) Blush Subtil Palette in 003 Peau de Pêche. On the lips: (On Lucky) Matte Shaker in 272 Energy Peach. (On Pyper) L’Absolu Rouge in Rose Nu – Cream. Hair Stylist: John Ruggiero/The Wall Group. Manicurist: Christina Aviles. Production: 88 Phases. Digital Imaging: Luis Jaime. Styling assistants: Kirsten Alvarez, Bre’jon Golden.