Screw your CFDAs. The highest tribute in fashion today is being a
subject of a crazy, possibly creepy caricature drawn by the talented,
unsparing illustrator aleXsandro Palombo of Humor Chic. Already, Palombo has honored/victimized our editors Connie Wang, Kristian Laliberte, and Christene Barberich with cheeky, fruit-infused portraits that—honestly, truly—touched our hearts and scared our parents. Again, Palombo has commemorated Christene in art, this time putting her with some pretty good company—Lagerfeld, Wintour, Terry Richardson, Valentino, Peter Davis, Marc, Alber, and Grace Coddington—in a wacky
"wallpaper" group shot. But this drawing is even more special than Palombo's previous, sexxxy
tribute to her. See, aleXsandro isn't producing work right now—he's currently paralyzed after undergoing treatment for cancer. This collage and his skull-and-crossbones caricature of Ms. Wintour
were his last pieces before his health separated him from his work. While his reports on his condition are upbeat, inspiring, and cuttingly funny, we're still very concerned for our friend and hope for a day when he'll be able to create new, blindingly weird art. But even from his wheelchair
Palombo was still able to reach out and everyone at Refinery feels part
of something special. It's an amazing gift from an amazing man.
Thanks, aleXandro. We love you.
Image: Courtesy of Humor Chic