LONDON — The first cover of Riccardo Tisci’s creative project with Boy.Brother.Friend, a magazine that explores Africa and the African diaspora through contemporary art, fashion and theory, has been unveiled.
Michaela Coel, the Ghanaian British actor and filmmaker, appears on the front and back covers of the biannual print publication and digital platform, which was founded by KK Obi in 2020.
Coel was shot by Dutch duo Inez and Vinoodh, and styled by Obi with creative direction from Tisci.
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The Italian designer is the first guest editor and creative director of the magazine.
Coel’s fashion cover story is more than 30 pages.
On the front cover, she’s facing to the right on a plain background with a pink mesh veil covering her face and on the back cover, she’s holding a bouquet of flowers with her mouth while wearing a light yellow strapless gown with white opera gloves.
“Euphoria” actor Hunter Schafer also makes a cameo in the fashion story.
To celebrate the launch of the issue, the magazine is taking over a billboard in Penn Plaza in New York with an image of Coel from the shoot.
Coel is also using the collaboration to launch her official Instagram account.
The theme of issue eight of the publication is “faith.” Stories will touch on trust, community and future possibility and showcase the work of existing and emerging creatives in Africa and among the diaspora.
“Since their first issue I have followed the important work that Boy.Brother.Friend has been doing to spotlight the voices of those often underrepresented,” Tisci told WWD in June.
“This editorship is very personal and special. It enables me to use my platform to power and propel the enormous wealth of African and African diaspora talent and cultural pioneers working today.
“They represent the future of community and creativity, and it is a privilege to be collaborating with some of the most exciting creatives of the next generation,” he added.
Coel, who is known for works like “I May Destroy You,” “Chewing Gum” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” was the recipient of the Pandora Leader of Change Award at the 2023 Fashion Awards.
The award was presented to her by Pandora ambassador Pamela Anderson.
Coel has established a strong relationship with Tisci.
In November 2022, the designer offered the first clue about his plan after Burberry with a custom-made gown for Coel, made for her to attend the London premiere of Marvel’s superhero blockbuster sequel to “Black Panther.”
It marked the first time in 17 years that he has ever unveiled a design under his namesake label, which he closed before taking over the creative director’s role at Givenchy in 2005.
