• by Tony Silber , November 18, 2021

Vanity Fair is unifying its European editions across Italy, France and Spain in a two-part themed issue to explore the concept of European memory, the brand announced on Wednesday.

The issues seek to take a deep dive into the experiences of legendary figures across the worlds of cinema, art and music — and everyday older generations — to reflect on Europe’s cultural legacy and help set the course for its future.

The Italian version went on sale yesterday, Nov.17. Vanity FairSpain is on sale today, Nov. 19, and Vanity Fair France is on sale Dec. 1.

The multiplatform initiative will be made up of special print, digital and social content. A second part will follow in early 2022 and be dedicated to the pioneers writing the future of Europe.

The “Memory” issue is made up of three print covers featuring musician Ornella Vanoni in Italy and actresses Angela Molina in Spain and Isabelle Adjani in France. According to a Vanity Fair press release, they embody the rich memory of Europe across the 20th century. For each cover, an original portrait of each woman has been created by Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli, with handmade embroidery symbolic of their own memories on the covers.

“We thought of this issue of Vanity Fair, produced together with the editorial teams of France and Spain, as a tribute to memory,” said Simone Marchetti, Vanity Fair’s European editorial director. “The cover features three great icons of European culture. Francesco has embroidered gold, silver and copper tears on their faces, sewing their lives together with their history. Lights and shadows. Lovers and ‘unlovers.’ Successes and mistakes. Greatness and misery. Tales that we would like to be a symbol and a drop in the great sea of European memory.''

Vanity Fair Italia, Vanity Fair France and Vanity Fair Spain will also run a series of short films on social media featuring older generations telling real life stories of their lives, from war to love, failure, success and hope.

The initiative will encourage audiences to post videos of their grandparents' or parents' memories with the hashtag #wearememories #noisiamomemoria #noussommesmemoire #somosmemoria.