Unveiling the Front and Back Covers of Boy.Brother.Friend’s Latest Issue
The first cover of Italian designer Riccardo Tisci’s creative project with the magazine Boy.Brother.Friend has been unveiled. The magazine, which was established by KK Obi in 2020, focuses on Africa and the African diaspora through the lenses of contemporary art, fashion, and theory.
For this project, Michaela Coel, a Ghanaian British actor and filmmaker, graces the front and back covers of the biannual print and digital publication. The innovative shots were taken by Dutch duo Inez and Vinoodh, with Obi handling the styling and Tisci providing the creative direction. Tisci is also the magazine’s first guest editor and creative director.
The fashion cover story features over 30 pages of content. On the front cover, Coel is pictured facing right on a plain backdrop, with a pink mesh veil covering her face. The back cover presents her holding a bouquet of flowers in her mouth, stylishly dressed in a light yellow strapless gown accessorized with white opera gloves. Actor Hunter Schafer, known for his role in “Euphoria,” makes a guest appearance in the fashion story.
Coinciding with the issue’s launch, an image from Coel’s shoot will be displayed on a billboard in Penn Plaza, New York. The actor also used this occasion to inaugurate her official Instagram account.
The eighth issue revolves around the theme of “faith”. It contains stories emphasizing trust, community, and future possibilities and shines a spotlight on the works of existing and emerging creatives in Africa and those of the diaspora.
Speaking about the publication, Tisci said, “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. 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.”
Michaela Coel, celebrated for her roles in productions such as “I May Destroy You,” “Chewing Gum,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” is also the recipient of Pandora’s Leader of Change Award, which she received at the 2023 Fashion Awards from Pandora ambassador Pamela Anderson.
In addition to this, Coel and Tisci have established a strong relationship. The designer gave the first hint about his plans post-Burberry with a custom-made gown for Coel for the London premiere of the Marvel’s sequel to the “Black Panther”. This was the first time he unveiled a design under his own name in 17 years since he took the creative director’s position at Givenchy in 2005.