Contributors

FredRITCHIN

"THE FOG OF WAR," P. 36

In light of the Israel-Hamas war, "writing this essay was particularly painful because the credible photograph— the fulcrum of my career—has been so undermined," says the dean emeritus of the International Center of Photography and former professor of photography and imaging at NYU.

MikeTOFANELLI

"LATE BLOOMER," P. 88

With his unique brand of visual humor, the illustrator and party caricaturist wanted to convey "irreverent fun and silliness" in his imagining of Conan O'Brien— "a staple of his late-night show," he says.

AdriermeRAQUEL

"FOREVER SIMONE," P. 40

In a series of images inspired by the simplicity and chicness of the '90s, the bicoastal photographer and creative director wanted to "not only celebrate Simone Biles as a brilliant Olympian but also a trailblazer" with a perspective rooted in nostalgia and fantasy.

Leah FayeCOOPER

"FOREVER SIMONE," P. 40

Before pursuing a journalism career, the VF contributing editor taught high school English in Houston, so being back in the city to interview Simone Biles was a homecoming. "Her story could not be more inspiring," she says.

DaisyPRINCE

"BARBARIANS AT THE GLADES," P. 52

The former VF London staffer and current editor of "The Digital Party," a newsletter about the people and pivots of the 2020s, says, "Palm Beach is attracting an outsize amount of global attention. It's in transition, and we don't know what the next 10 years will bring."

AndrewRUSS

"LATE BLOOMER," P. 88

" I thought about doing this oral history on Conan O'Brien for years. It's an epic underdog story that is truly one in a billion," says the LA-based journalist and Andy Kaufman historian. His new book, Top Five (Applause), about the making of the him High Fidelity, is out now.