Lupita Nyong’o Vogue Cover 2014

by Hamish Bowles | photographed by Mikael Jansson

There's no denying that 2014 is Lupita Nyong'o's year. It has been a year of firsts for Lupita. She snagged her first Oscar Award for her role as Pasty in "12 Years A Slave," she was named People Magazine's most beautiful early this year, she became the new face of Lancome Paris. Then the Hollywood new IT girl actress just landed her first Vogue cover!

Lupita will be featured on the July issue. The editorial was done by photographer Mikael Jansson, and the backdrop is Marrakech’s Ksar Char-Bagh resort. Mikael Jansson captured Lupita in so many fabulous designer pieces: Rodarte, Proenza Schouler, Givenchy, Jonathan Saunders, Prada, T by Alexander Wang and J. Crew in a nine-page spread that solidifies her position as a rising fashion icon.

The Oscar winner is very much aware of instant fame. She tells Hamish Bowles, Vogue writer. “It just feels like the entertainment industry exploded into my life. People who seemed so distant all of a sudden were right in front of me and recognizing me—before I recognized them!”

The 31-year-old star, who recently acquired rights to Chimamanda Ngozi’s best-selling novel “Americanah.” Lupita has also been cast in " Star Wars: Episode VII

“Being able to convey emotions with just a few digital sounds—it speaks of good storytelling.” That storytelling is still holding her in thrall. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to be working in these fantastical realms,” she says. “They’re worlds away from ’12 Years a Slave,’ that’s for sure—but that kind of diversity is what dreams are made of.”