Vogue Italia's Domestic Violence Editorial: For its April 2014 issue, Vogue Italia has stirred up some controversy by featuring a fashion editorial highlighting domestic violence. The cover shoot, aptly named "Horror Story," features an array of models—clad in the likes of Balenciaga, Miu Miu, and Marc Jacobs—running from blood-covered men holding weapons. “The horror of life is bigger than the one that you can see in the movies,” the magazine's editor-in-chief, Franca Sozzani, said of the terrifying images shot by Steven Meisel. “This is really a horror show, what we are looking at and what we see every day in every newspaper around the world is how fragile the woman still is today, and how she can be attacked, can be abused, can be killed.” [The Independent]
Kate Middleton Commissions Ralph & Russo Gown for Australia Tour: The Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly commissioned Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo, the Australian design duo behind British label Ralph & Russo, to create a gown for her upcoming royal tour of Australia and New Zealand. "Kate visited Ralph & Russo’s boutique last month and said she was looking for inspiration for the tour," a source told Grazia Daily. "She liked that they had Australian connections and has apparently given them specific instructions for a gown." "Kate is taking this tour very seriously," the source added. "She’s putting a lot of thought into what she wears and she’s opting for some quite expensive choices as a result." [Grazia Daily]
Transgender Model Talks Coming Out: In the first TED Talk on transgender rights, model Geena Rocero opened up about coming out publicly. "Because of my success, I never had the courage to share what I went through, because of how the world treats those of us who wish to break free," she said. "Every day I am so grateful because I am a woman." Rocero, who hid her secret for nine years from friends, as well as her agent at NEXT Models, has recently launched Gender Proud, a campaign that fights for awareness of transgender rights. [Dazed]