CONTRIBUTORS
ANDREW NUDING
For London-based fashion photographer Andrew Nuding, a dream came true when he got to work with Adut Akech for this issue. “I remember watching her walk for Simone Rocha in 2018 and thinking that I would love to photograph her one day,” he says. Describing the theme of the shoot as “a sort of dark romanticism”, Nuding says: “We shot on the grounds of this beautiful dilapidated castle ruin in the Blue Mountains and photographed Adut in the pockets of light coming in from the windowless frames of the building, as well as on the grounds of this overgrown, tranquil landscape.”
KAILA MATTHEWS
Vogue Australia’s market editor had one of her busiest months yet since joining the team back in February 2018. She worked across every shoot in this issue, including with cover star Margot Robbie on ‘Under her spell’, starting on page 188, and with Adut Akech for ‘She’s magic’, from page 202. For Matthews, who names working with Rihanna as her career highlight, the most memorable moment from this month was “watching Mario Sorrenti on set”. Matthews’s job is to source the incredible clothes you see in this issue, which can often prove tricky. “The most difficult piece to call in for the Adut Akech shoot was sourcing silicone elf ears in different heights.”
ADUT AKECH
By now, Adut Akech needs no introduction. The globally recognised model, who recently appeared on the cover of Vogue Australia twice in four months, stars in ‘She’s magic’, from page 202, and is also the Melbourne Fashion Week ambassador this month. The South Sudanese-Australian model is currently based in New York. “I love it, but I am often on the move. It’s always such a joy working at home in Australia,” she says. “Vogue has been so supportive of me. I love Australian teams – so fun and different from working overseas.” How does she prepare for a Vogue shoot? “I try to rest beforehand. Easier said than done!”
ALICE BIRRELL
This month, Vogue’s fashion features director Alice Birrell penned a story on the trend of getting dressed up. Was she for or against? “For,” she affirms. “I once went into a tech company’s office and people weren’t wearing shoes, which changed my mind on the culture of being overtly casual,” she says. Birrell names watching Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks perform Landslide together at the Gucci resort ’20 after-party as the pinnacle of her career. “Seeing Stevie in full flight … I could almost touch the ribbons on her tambourine.” And her final word on her story ‘Rising to the occasion’, on page 238? “It’s nice to show people around you that you care by dressing up – or maybe just putting shoes on.”