'Vogue' Honors Virgil Abloh, Demna Gvasalia and Gosha Rubchinskiy in September 2018 Issue

Though the Beyoncé-starring cover story may be the biggest draw for Vogue‘s September 2018 issue, the magazine also includes a feature saluting a dozen boundary-breaking designers from around the globe. Virgil Abloh is the sole male American designer, with European stars like Gosha Rubchinskiy, Demna Gvasalia, Riccardo Tisci and Hedi Slimane making up the majority of the list and UNDERCOVER‘s Jun Takahashi representing Japan.

The interviews touch on themes like globalism and international travel, with each designer offering a different take. Some are political: “Everybody today talks about war, refugees, and I am like, yes—I know exactly what that means.” notes Gvasalia, while Nicolas Ghesquière states, “We’re all concerned about diversity—more than just in fashion shows. In terms of actions and associations and organizations around the world, Louis Vuitton can do more.” Others reference their global gallavanting: Karl Lagerfeld, creative director for Chanel, Fendi and his eponymous label affirms, “I have so much to do that I’m not so much for traveling anymore.”

Meanwhile, Slimane notes his diminishing appreciation for Los Angeles: “I’m always attached to the idea of California, but recently less so to the city of Los Angeles. I don’t feel comfortable with the evolution over the last few years … Something untouched, mysterious, and magical has gone. … It has definitely moved my focus toward Paris.” Of all the interviewees, Virgil Abloh offers perhaps the most optimistic viewpoint on global communities: “Young people in every city that I go to are loving life and actively participating in it. I am shocked at how open-minded young people of different cultures are compared to the presiding older generations.

Read the entire feature on Vogue‘s site.

Recently, it was confirmed that Anna Wintour will remain with Condé Nast as Vogue‘s editor-in-chief & artistic director.