Issy Wood, a rising British artist known for her figurative paintings of luxury objects and body parts, created the cover for Vanity Fair's first art-themed issue in nearly two decades. The cover features a portrait of pop star Charli XCX titled *Charli 2* (2025), painted in oil on velvet with gauzy stars and white forms. Wood cited their shared Britishness and the singer's career longevity as inspiration, while the article draws parallels between Wood's subject matter and the 'Brat universe.'
This collaboration highlights the growing intersection between the music and visual art worlds, as Charli XCX has begun engaging with art institutions—stopping at Storm King Art Center on her Brat Tour and appearing in the upcoming film *The Gallerist* about Art Basel Miami Beach. Wood's inclusion on a major magazine cover also underscores her market prominence, with her works having sold for over $500,000 at auction, and signals the continued cultural cachet of figurative painting.