On the cover of Marie Claire magazine’s November 2023 Power Issue, you will find the quintessential Jo-Issa Rae Diop. In the issue, Issa Rae (as she’s fondly called) speaks with Cori Murray about finding success and making a name for herself. Through her many projects, Issa Rae has paved the way—and opened doors—for the people she believes in.

While I haven’t won every battle, I try to fight as much as possible to get people those opportunities that I know I would want, says Rae

Issa Rae is seen rocking a vibrant red Balenciaga coat with a black bodysuit, fancy black heels and leggings; slaying a monochrome Hermés jacket and shorts with custom boots and jewellery from Tiffany & Co. 

Issa also donned a sultry LaQuan Smith dress with earrings and a ring from Shay; a Bottega Veneta blazer and skirt with Shay earrings, Anne Sisteron ring and Jimmy Choo shoes; JW Anderson dress with Audrey Nicole Diamonds & Jewellery rings and earrings, Jimmy Choo shoes; Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello swimsuit and skirt.

Issa paired her outfits with simple makeup looks and hairstyles that pulled the strands away from her face into a braided ponytail, curly ponytail and top bun. Keep scrolling for a peak at the fashion spread and visit Marie Claire to read the full cover story.

 

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A post shared by Issa Rae (@issarae)

According to Marie Claire, Issa Rae will answer to many titles: actor, writer, founder, CEO—the list goes on and on. And with a budding media and business empire, she’s going to make sure you remember her by name… Check out the Instagram caption below:

Just a day before our cover story interview with @issarae takes place, a *thing* happens. While attending CultureCon in New York, Rae, a keynote speaker, has her name mispronounced by a moderator. The packed crowd immediately corrects the mistake, breaking out into a cheer: “Issa! Issa! Issa!”

While that specific moment made its rounds on the internet, the fumbling of her name has happened before, as it has for many other Black women (think: Zendaya, Rihanna, Kamala). But Rae has launched an entire empire centered around her moniker: Hoorae (@hooraemedia), Raedio (@theraedio), and, most recently, Viarae Wines (@viaraewines).

With her new company and a long list of projects in the works, Issa Rae is ensuring you will put respect on her name. In fact, you’ll spend money on it.

Check out fun BTS clips below:

See how Issa Rae described her multi-hyphenate status on a personal level below:

I’m a storyteller at the end of the day and if there is a story bursting out of me, somebody’s going to hear it

I’m fortunate enough to be able to have a platform where they mostly can. And I like the challenge of getting an audience invested in a story.

—Issa Rae

At the moment, Rae’s production company has seven projects in various stages of development, and she’s taking stock of what a future career on-screen—and off—will look like. Visit Marie Claire to read the full cover story.

Credits

Photographer: @chriseanrose
Writer: @corimurray
Stylist: @jaredellner
Hair Stylist: @felicialeatherwood
Makeup Artist: @joannasimkin @thewallgroup
Manicurist: @eriishizu @opusbeauty