Julia Fox’s street style is some of the most controversial we’ve seen, including everything from vinyl condom boots to a neck tie corset, so it’s hardly a surprise that her swimwear follows suit. The 33-year-old Italian-American actress and model shared a weekend selfie on Instagram of herself rocking a Dilara Findikoglu strappy bikini with silver chains affixed to the halter top and barely there bottom. Called the Mata Hari after the exotic dancer of the same name, the two-piece retails for $468 and is made from metallic polyamide fabric with ruching at the front and back.
Fox could have chosen the bathing suit to play up her cherry-red hair, which appears to have been tinted a dark purple shade, or her matching berry plum lips. The mom-of-one sported subtle smoky-blue eye shadow and her bleached brows, holding the camera as far away as possible to show off the skin-baring details of her bold and edgy design. You can barely make out a black leather handbag with a ball chain and grommets behind her, which is a far cry from your typical beach bag, but does her punk look plenty of justice.
Last month, Fox was photographed in an entirely sheer swimsuit from PrettyLittleThing at the beach, which featured dramatic side and stomach cutouts and a cheeky thongkini backside. Teamed with a shell necklace and oversize tinted sunglasses, the ensemble fell right in line with her avant-garde aesthetic. Of course, she’s not the only celebrity to try out the see-through swimwear trend, which is also favored by the likes of Pink, Kim Kardashian, and Irina Shayk.
Scroll up to see how Fox pushed boundaries poolside, and prepare yourself for some Fashion Week outfits bound to make headlines this September.
Julia Fox is dabbling in the Canadian film industry.
The “Uncut Gems” star, 33, has taken on the role of executive producer for Luis De Filippis’ debut feature film, “Something You Said Last Night”, according to Variety.
The Canadian-Swiss project gained attention after its premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it won the Shawn Mendes Change Maker Award and later garnered accolades at San Sebastian, Cairo, and Rotterdam film festivals.
The film stars up-and-coming actress Carmen Madonia, alongside Ramona Milano, Paige Evans, and Joey Parro. The story revolves around a trans woman named Ren (Madonia), an aspiring writer in her 20s, and her younger sister Siena (Evans), as they reluctantly join their parents on a family vacation.
Julia Fox will join director De Filippis in Canada to promote the film before its upcoming release on July 7. The production is a collaboration between JA Productions, Cinédokké, and a team of producers, including Jessica Adams, Michael Graf, Harry Cherniak, Rhea Plangg, Michela Pini, and Luis De Filippis. The executive producers also include industry veterans Jennifer Konawal, Francesca Silvestri, and Kevin Chinoy, known for their work on “The Florida Project” directed by Sean Baker.
Distribution for “Something You Said Last Night” is being handled by Elevation Pictures in Canada, First Hand Films in Switzerland, and UTA and Flmkr for U.S. sales.
Fox expressed her excitement in a recent press release: “I am so honored to join Luis De Filippis and the team behind the remarkable film ‘Something You Said Last Night.’ The significance of authentic representation in this industry cannot be stressed enough, and regrettably, is often lacking. On a personal level, this film left an indelible impression on me, and a deep sense of connection. Everyone needs to see this beautiful work of art.”
De Filippis raved in response to Fox: “Having Julia Fox join our ‘Something You Said Last Night’ team is a dream come true like no other. She is an honorary doll who, like all dolls, has the iron tenacity to look those who say no in the face and smile. She is a DIY Italian girlie who knows her power and like Ren, stands her ground in the face of it all.”
“Something You Said Last Night” opens in select theatres on July 7.
Julia Fox is addressing the recent arrests of her brother and her father as part of a weapons and drugs bust in New York City.
Christopher Fox, the brother of the actress, was taken into police custody last week and charged in an apparent ghost gun and drug bust. Their father was also arrested as part of the sting but was subsequently released.
“My dad was released that night. It was determined that he had no involvement and didn’t really know what was going on,” Julia shared in a TikTok video posted Thursday morning. “And also the media did sensationalize it a bit.”
The NYPD’s Major Case Field Intelligence Team executed a search warrant and seized several ghost gun parts and equipment to make drugs from an apartment on East 84th Street near Third Avenue.
Investigators say they also found materials typically used in explosives, including pressure cookers and chemicals, which can also be used for manufacturing narcotics. However, authorities determined the chemicals were not hazardous.
“I know my brother, and I’ve always known him to be the sweetest, most gentle guy, soft-spoken. He loves animals, loves to plant flowers, loves nature,” Julia shared. “But I will say, both my brother and I have a lot of trauma.”
“The difference [between us] is I’m scrappy, I’m a fighter,” she continued. “I was able to release a lot of that rage. Whereas Christopher, he internalized it.”
Julia added that the “silver lining” to the entire situation is that “he’s finally going to get the help that I’ve been trying to get him for so long.”
While she didn’t want to address the charges directly or say too much, in fear of it impacting the case, Fox concluded, “I will say that I’m just, you know, embarrassed.”
Despite the lavish gift-giving, endless public displays of affection, and their many well-documented date nights, Julia Fox said that her ex-boyfriend Kanye West barely even knows her.
Josh Safdie‘s muse appeared on Wednesday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live during which host Andy Cohen asked about her short-lived romance with the disgraced rapper. “We were literally together for like a minute,” Fox told him. “I don’t think he even knows my full name or anything.” She and West only dated for about a month at the beginning of last year after his ex-wife Kim Kardashianfiled for divorce in February 2021. Cohen replied in disbelief, “You don’t think he knows your full name? Julia Fox.” But the actor pointed out that she has a middle name as well. The host then asked her if she was ever “Kanye’s dominatrix,” as that was famously Fox’s profession before becoming a full-time performer. She said that she never was with a smile, but added, “I think he would have liked that, but it just never got there.”
Later on in the episode, Cohen asked if Fox has ever met up with Kardashian to discuss their mutual ex. “I have not talked to Kanye in almost a year and I have been in the same room as Kim, but we’ve never spoken about anything,” she said. “It was a very big room, so I was here and she was here.” Given that her relationship with West turned out to be a dud, the host also asked her to name the best celebrity date she’s ever been on. Fox declined to name names, but said that she and this mystery paramour “flew on a private jet, cuddled on the jet, landed, got some Chanel bags. It was just great.” She later teased that the famous person involved in that story was in fact West’s one-time rap rival, Drake.
While one would think that dating one of the most famous men in the world would be a major professional boon for any young actress, Fox previously told model Emily Ratajkowski on her podcast High Low with EmRata that if anything their relationship actually hurt her career. “After the big relationship, I definitely noticed a shift in the acting way, not in a good way,” she said. “I’m not getting as many offers as I was before, weirdly. There’s been a lot of weird drawbacks with reaching that level of notoriety.” The actor explained that she thinks people in the entertainment industry see her as a “liability” now or a “tabloid type of person.” But Fox isn’t letting this temporary speed bump stop her from pursuing all of her dreams, adding, “I’m so busy. I think things come to you at the right time, so that’s why I’m really not stressing. I really don’t care.”
In fashion, the top headlines of 2022 were brimming with excitement and chaos.
Scandals swept Balenciaga and any brand associated with the artist formerly known as Kanye West. Legislation offered a new pathway for sustainability in fashion. A new guard of creatives took the helm at some of the world’s most stories houses, while a recession loomed over the whole industry.
Ever since the pandemic struck in 2020, the years have felt as though they’ve all bled together. That’s certainly true for fashion news — so, we’re recapping the biggest headlines in the industry from 2022, from the biggest controversies to the most notable moments of progress.
Designers Act Amid Russia’s war on Ukraine
Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff/Getty Images
In a major escalation of a longstanding conflict, Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, kicking off an intensified war that hasn’t stopped. The fashion industry responded with letters, donations and posts on social media. Vogue Ukraine called designers to action, while Granary — the fashion education platform founded by Ukrainian Central Saint Martins graduate Olya Kuryshchuk — shared an open letter urging the community to condemn Russia.
Groups like LVMH and Kering donated to aid groups like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), while some brands suspended business in Russia altogether. Meanwhile, designers like Demna took to the runway for messaging against the war (before the brand was embroiled in scandal).
Balenciaga ended the year not with a celebration, but with a series of apologetic statements.
The Kering-owned luxury brand released its Balenciaga Gift Shop campaign on Nov. 16, showing a range of new giftable items from the brand, “staged around children dressed in the Balenciaga Kids line” — however, it soon started trending, with many criticizing the photos showing children next to wine glasses, holding teddy bears in BDSM-reminiscent harnesses.
#BalenciagaGate only got more heat when people turned attention to its Spring 2023 campaign, released just a few days after on Nov. 21. The Joshua Bright-photographed imagery was set in an office, and among a variety of props strewn across a desk, there was a printed copy of the 2008 United States v. Williams decision on child pornography laws. More controversy ensued.
Every era in fashion has had its big names. Now, the industry is moving forward with a new guard of creatives taking seats at the helms of the world’s biggest, most influential houses.
Meanwhile, we’re seeing some of the most powerful names in fashion step back. Riccardo Tisci showed his final Burberry collection in September, and has been replaced by Daniel Lee. Alessandro Michele, who ushered in a new era of extravagance at Gucci, stepped down in November, after seven years at the helm and two decades at the brand. That month, Raf Simons also announced the closure of his eponymous label after 27 years in business.
Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the industry and larger-than-life presence, Talley was creative director and then editor-at-large at Vogue, responsible for some must-read columns that inspired the next generation and becoming one of the first Black editors to reach the top of the masthead.
Raised in the Jim Crow South, Talley detailed his ascension in fashion and the racism he had to work against in his memoir, “The Chiffon Trenches.” He peeled back the curtain with language as entertaining as it is profound, welcoming wonder in a world often guarded by walls. He ushered in a new guard of dreamers, building his audience and developing close ties with educational institutions like SCAD.
As Fashionista reported, size diversity on the runway regressed in 2022, with the number of New York Fashion Week shows featuring non-sample-sized models dwindling from past seasons, after this issue had become such a talking point pre-pandemic. With runways often being in the market of what’s in and what’s cool, the exclusion of different bodies served as a disappointment.
Sustainability’s next frontier
Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The fashion industry is notoriously under-regulated, but a new chapter is on the horizon in the U.S., with legislation presenting a path forward for the conversation around sustainability.
… All the while, Kardashian was laughing her way to the bank, by way of Skims, which reached a $3.2 billion valuation in 2022, thanks to new funding and ever-loving fans.
“This latest round will allow us to focus on bringing more innovations and solutions to our customers and become even more of a trusted resource for them,” Kardashian told Fortune.
Since launching in 2019, Skims has found rapid success in shapewear and loungewear, with the pandemic catapulting its cozier categories. This year, the brand also took home the inaugural CFDA Innovation Award presented by Amazon at the trade organization’s annual ceremony.
Patagonia literally gave itself away as a company in the name of environmental preservation and sustainability: This year, American rock climber-turned-businessman Yvon Chouinard transferred ownership of the brand he founded to a trust and nonprofit. The company said it was “going purpose” instead of “going public,” making Earth its main shareholder — a first-of-its-kind move.
The year of the ‘nepo baby’
Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
For the (somehow) uninitiated, “nepo babies” are relatives of successful, famous or otherwise well-connected people who then end up successful, famous or otherwise well-connected. In 2022, they got called out on online and on the front pages of magazines, with the connections that may have helped them reach their heights of career success being called into question.
Of course, fashion has always lovednepo babies, from Hadids to Jenners to Gerbers. And every year, there’s a new class to look out for in campaigns or sitting in the front row at a Miu Miu show.
Rihanna’s maternity style
Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Rihanna has changed any and every new space she’s entered, so it’s no surprise she had the same effect on maternity style as she flaunted her pregnancy in the first half of 2022.
Rather than opting for clothes that covered up her growing bump, the Fenty founder refused to tone down sexiness or her own style. That meant: beaded halter tops, vintage Chanel, diamond belly chains and more. She even got “maternity crop tops” to trend.
Even after their split, Fox continued serving looks, becoming a TikTok star and highlighting emerging designers. She opened LaQuan Smith’s Fall 2022 show and was crowned one of Fashionista’s best dressed celebrities in 2022. She took the cake in ambitious dressing, daring any fan to take it up a notch and dream bigger through their clothes.
From big events like the Super Bowl and the Oscars to big stars from Nicole Kidman to Jack Harlow, there were plenty of moments worthy of the meme treatment this year. Here, we look back at some of our faves.
Back on Feb. 13 at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem, 50 Cent treated the crowd to his 2003 hit “In Da Club” and recreated the video’s opening by hanging upside down. Cue the kick-off for many a meme:
Lot of people asking why 50 Cent was upside down during the Super Bowl half-time show. Thought I’d explain: His breakout track was In Da Club it was a great song that made him popular. And since that day he’s been looking for someone to do the upside down Spider-Man kiss with. pic.twitter.com/wz1XqWj6Ve
The hip-hop mogul also got in on the game with a few memes of his own:
In a now-deleted Instagram post from November, Vin Diesel called for WNBA athlete Brittney Griner’s release from Russian prison, writing “I need Brittney Griner home before Christmas,” alongside a photo of himself at a basketball match. Following Griner’s release in a prisoner exchange for arms dealer on Dec. 8, social media users jokingly thanked the actor for his part.
Thank you, Vin Diesel. The most important thing in life will always be family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RUZES5MwDT
Spider-Man was hot meme fodder beyond the triple-point pose, too:
The Acade-meme Awards
The Oscars is a perennial feast of memes, and this year was no different. While reliable meme star Nicole Kidman pulled her weight, there was obviously a new source of inspiration for meme-makers at the 2022 ceremony.
This reaction shot was initially thought to be in response to The Slap, but it was later revealed that it was shot before the show got underway. It makes you wonder what her slap reaction looked like.
Cameras caught a catty chat between Caitlyn Jenner and Lady Gaga outside the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 30th annual Academy Awards Viewing Party.
Jenner: “Are you spending time around Malibu anymore?” Gaga: “Yes.” Jenner: “I haven’t seen you at the Starbucks in a while.” Gaga: “I’ve switched baristas.” Gaga abruptly exits stage right.
After the nearly-finished, $90-million “Batgirl” movie was suddenly cancelled, fans used the meme medium and the hashtag #HBOMaxJustCanceled to theorize what else might be on the chopping block:
— Penguin Pete 🐧| writer elite 📰🎙️🎥🎨 (@Penguin_Pete) August 12, 2022
Martha Stewart, 81, maintains that Davidson is like a son to her, but that didn’t stop creators from speculating about her relationship with the BDE originator.
On the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Julia Fox was asked if she was then-boyfriend Kanye “Ye” West’s muse.
She replied, “Yeah. A little. I mean, I was Josh Safdie’s muse when he wrote ‘Uncut Gems’, you know?” But her elaborate pronunciation of “Uncut Gems” was catnip to TikTok users, who garnered millions of views with their imitations of “Unka Jhaaaams.”
Here’s hoping that 2023 brings an equally mind-blowing meme harvest. That’s our one Christmas wish. It’s the toast we’ll be making on New Year’s Eve. It’s our biggest hope for the holidays. Feel free to meme it.
They’re also behind the $600+ Crocs Stiletto – just to provide deeper insight into how Balenciaga will do anything for the bag.
And while sometimes $2,000 bags that look like paper and $300 barrettes warrant eye rolls and ‘that’s showbiz baby,’ this time around Balenciaga’s most recent campaign passed from morally grey to morally nonexistent.
TL;DR: Balenciaga is facing major backlash for two separate ads: one featuring children with BDSM teddy bears, the other displaying a newspaper headline about a court case that asserts that child pornography isn’t protected under the First Amendment. Oh, and Kim Kardashian and Julia Fox are there, too.
Their holiday ‘22 campaign went viral for all the wrong reasons. Children were posed with teddy bears flaunting leather harnesses and bondage-style fishnets. And in front of them were flasks, chain necklaces, and drinking glasses.
Balenciaga has since apologized for the images, stating that children shouldn’t have been in the ad. But not before they dropped a separate ad for their upcoming SS23 collection in collaboration with Adidas. You know Adidas – the brand that ‘would never drop Kanye’? Well . . . they did. And the brand stood to lose them $650 million dollars but lost Kanye $2 billion dollars – just something to keep you warm at night.
While on the surface the images for the SS23 weren’t nearly as horrific as children with BDSM teddy bears, it’s what’s behind it. The photo was recently deleted from the Balenciaga site as well as the entire internet. But in it, a Balenciaga bag rests on several newspapers – one headline refers to United States v. Williams – a 2008 Supreme Court case, which held that it’s not unconstitutional to forbid the promotion of child pornography.
Balenciaga has since also apologized for the ad featuring the court case, noting that they had no idea it was going to be in the ad, while simultaneously saying they believed the newspapers to be fake headlines.
While they’ve acknowledged they allowed several risque and tasteless situations slip through the cracks of their entire fashion house – and marketing and legal and every relevant department – Balenciaga has sued North Six, the production company that created the ad for $25 million. Balenciaga claims that North Six included the documents “without Balenciaga’s knowledge or authorization.” And that the production company associated the brand’s good name with “the repulsive and deeply disturbing subject of the court decision.”
However, North Six and the set designer for the campaign, Nicholas Des Jardins, will not go quietly into the dark night. Following the lawsuit, Des Jardins’ attorney shot back to Balenciaga:
“Moreover, representatives from Balenciaga were present at the shoot, overseeing it and handling papers and props.” Brankov’s statement continued “and Des Jardins as a set designer was not responsible for image selection from the shoot.”
While North Six states that they, “did not have creative input or control over the shoot. North Six was not on set during the final set arrangements.”
And in a non-related quote, and regarding even more non-related people:
“And why is it, when something bad happens, it’s always you three?”
Kim. Julia. Kanye. I’m begging.
People have begun calling on Kim Kardashian and other female faces of Balenciaga like Nicole Kidman and Bella Hadid, to denounce the brand and its most recent outrages. But not on Julia Fox’s watch – or her TikTok.
Julia Fox took to her TikTok to defend Kim Kardashian, saying that asking Kardashian to speak against Balenciaga is internalized misogyny. Confused? Same. See below.
Whether or not it’s internalized misogyny to hold Balenciaga and the entirety of their organization – including ambassadors – culpable is clearly up for debate. What’s not up for debate is allowing major fashion houses – and those who profit from them – to skirt social and moral responsibility in the name of ‘cutting edge, high fashion.’
By: AWNewYork/Shutterstock; Emily Ratajkowski, NYT Best-selling Author, Entrepreneur, and Model
I once wrote about how the world was not yet ready for Revenge Emily Ratajkowski. But that was three months ago. And I – and Emily – have changed. I’m no longer fearful of a woman-scorned Emily Ratajkowski but of Bitch Era Ratajkowski.
During the three months since I initially jested that we should keep our eyes on Pete Davidson during Rata, post-divorce, it appears that no one kept their eyes on Davidson. His undefeated, unmatched, and frankly unbelievable streak of pulling continues even after he literally branded himself for Kim Kardashian. DeuxMoi has spoken, and Pete and Rata are together.
To which I say, of course. Have we forgotten her late-night appearance with Seth Meyers from over a year ago when she gushed about the Davidson effect? Where she defends him against Seth?!
“I think you’re being a little mean! He’s got the height. Obviously, women find him very attractive.” She then continues on to say that it’s only men who simply don’t understand ‘what that guy’s got’:
“He seems super charming. He’s vulnerable. He’s lovely. His fingernail polish is awesome. He looks good. He’s great.”
The devil’s in the details and these details have Davidson all over them.
But the Bitch Era is about far more than just men and ass-less chaps. It’s about the ability to do it all without giving a f*ck.
Ratajkowski graces the November ‘22 covers of both Elle UK Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar where she discusses everything from babies to politics to sexism and racism. These explosive pieces mark the end of Ratajkowski as a one-dimensional poster-girl plastered all over boys’ bedrooms. Here is a multi-faceted businesswoman and writer with something to say.
Her conversations continue in her recently released podcast, High Low, with a lineup – so far – including Alex Cooper from Call Her Daddy and Josh Safdie’s muse, Julia Fox.
I hate to be that person that says I told you so, but I was right to be fearful of Revenge Rata – she just calls it her Bitch Era.
You may have heard about The Met Gala, one of fashion’s most glittering nights…or Vogue World, Anna Wintour’s runway extravaganza… But when the Council of Fashion Designers of America hold their awards ceremony, they introduce the most impactful fashion icons and brands to the world.
Last night, the red carpet was flooded with some of the most influential style idols of our lifetime: Cher, Julia Fox debuting gray hair and “underwear as daywear”, everyone’s favorite, Keke Palmer, and the entirety of the Kardashian-Jenner collective.
All eyes, as per usual, fell on Kim Kardashian, winner of the Amazon Fashion Innovation Award for her shapewear brand, SKIMS. 2022 was a huge year for Kim’s brand, strenghtening through customer engagement, improved technology, and revolutionized how women shop for fashion.
Thanks to SKIMS, our shapewear bodysuits are now our outfit’s statement piece. They are bras designed to fit everybody. Shapewear’s no longer a taboo topic, but a staple in our wardrobe.
Chief investor, John Howard, credits SKIMS accessibility and success to Kim herself:
“We sell out because Kim Kardashian speaks to 333 million people on Instagram, which is like five Super Bowls, and we’re doing it every day with a continuous stream of new and interesting product.”
I’m a huge believer in the SKIMS magic. Seriously, there is no better confidence booster than a slightly-sculpting outfit curated by Kim K.
If you’re looking to see what all the hype is about, here are my SKIMS recs:
All products featured are independently selected by our editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
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