44 WSJ. MAGAZINE
november 2019CONTRIBUTORS
The writers, photographers and stylists behind each of this year’s eight Innovator profi les.
LACHLAN BAILEY, JASON GAY & ALEX WHITE
JULIANNE MOORE P. 112
“I think of Julianne as a ’70s ingénue,” says stylist Alex White of Acting & Activism Innovator Julianne
Moore. “I drew inspiration from the style of Charlotte Rampling, Jacqueline Bisset and all the great
cinematic fashion from that time.” Photographer Lachlan Bailey capitalized on that theme, capturing
Moore’s “sensual side” and fi nding her “a dream to have as a subject.” Despite her Hollywood star power,
“she comes across as someone without any pretensions,” says writer Jason Gay. “It’s an admirable feat.”Moore wears a Tom Ford jacket and Solange Azagury-Partridge ring.DEREK BLASBERG & ETHAN JAMES GREEN
CINDY SHERMAN P. 102
Photographing and writing about Art Innovator Cindy Sherman, who plays with notions of self-
portraiture, might seem a tricky task. But writer Derek Blasberg and photographer Ethan James Green
found her a breeze to work with. “Cindy is quite sweet,” says Blasberg. “It reminded me of a quote
from Gustave Flaubert: ‘Be regular and orderly in your life like a bourgeois, so that you may be violent
and original in your work.’”ROXANE GAY, NADINE IJEWERE & GABRIELLA KAREFA-JOHNSON
MELINA MATSOUK AS P. 132Profi ling music-video director and Film Innovator Melina Matsoukas posed a professional challenge
for writer Roxane Gay. “My fi rst thought was that I was going to have to employ all my self-control to not
ask her about Beyoncé,” says Gay, referencing Matsoukas’s music-video collaborations with the star.
“In all seriousness, I was incredibly excited to speak with her, because she is so creative and interesting.”
Working with stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, photographer Nadine Ijewere found Matsoukas to be a
collaborative partner, “open and down-to-earth.”
Matsoukas wears a Marni coat, shirt and skirt, Mounser earring (right) and her own earring (left ).NELSON GEORGE & JOSH OLINS
EDDIE MURPHY P. 108
Photographer Josh Olins and writer Nelson George had the rare chance to work with legendary comedian
and actor Eddie Murphy—our Entertainment Innovator—who has been press-shy for years. For George,
it was a chance to engage directly with the man behind the celebrity. “I have encountered Eddie many
times over the years but never had a serious one-on-one with him,” says George. “He seemed relaxed, in
good spirits and very ready to move into a new phase of his life regarding stand-up.”