Issy Wood painted the cover of Vanity Fair's new art-themed issue, featuring a portrait of Charli XCX titled "Charli 2 (2025)" in oil on velvet. The British artist, known for her figurative paintings of luxury objects and body parts, created the work inspired by the singer's career longevity and shared Britishness. Wood is currently exhibiting at Schinkel Pavillon in Berlin and has seen her works sell for over $500,000 at auction.
The cover marks Vanity Fair's first art-themed issue in nearly two decades, signaling a renewed focus on visual art in mainstream media. Wood's rising prominence reflects the continued market strength of contemporary figurative painting, while Charli XCX's involvement—including a stop at Storm King Art Center and a role in the film "The Gallerist"—highlights the growing crossover between pop music and the art world.