EXCLUSIVE: Riccardo Tisci Has a Print Project in the Works
LONDON — Riccardo Tisci is lending a creative hand to Boy.Brother.Friend, a magazine that explores Africa and African diaspora through contemporary art, fashion and theory.
The Italian designer will be the first guest editor and creative director of the biannual print publication and digital platform founded by KK Obi in 2020.
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Issue eight of the publication will land later this summer, and the theme will be “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.
Tisci has taken charge of the 40-page fashion cover story, which features Michaela Coel, the Ghanaian British actor and filmmaker with whom he’s worked before. She was photographed by Inez and Vinoodh. Tisci also tapped other creatives and “cultural catalysts” to contribute to the issue.
“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 said.
“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.
Obi, a stylist and creative director based between London and Lagos, said he wanted to work with Tisci because the Italian designer has encouraged and supported “our work and mission. So, when the time came to plan our latest issue, it was clear to me that there was no better person than Riccardo to take the helm. For many years, his trailblazing work has impacted the global cultural landscape in incredible ways.”
Tisci signed with United Talent Agency a year ago, and has a long list of collaborations in fashion, footwear and art to his name.
He’s been working with Nike for years and has created costume designs for performers including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Madonna and Jay-Z. He has also created costumes for operas including Boléro at the Opéra Garnier, and The 7 Deaths of Maria Callas by his close friend Marina Abramovic.
In December 2022, he created a custom gown for Coel to wear to the London premiere of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” It marked the first time in 17 years that he had shown a design under the brand.
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