Table of contents for Issue 757 in Grazia

IT’S FELT a long time coming, but December is finally here. Which means it’s legitimately OK to whack on your trusty Mariah Carey and co playlist, dust off that velvet frock that hasn’t been seen since this time last year – and steel yourself for party season. This week’s issue is designed to celebrate just that; packed with sequins that are anything but naff (page 33), no-stress tips to entertain at home (page 100) and Polly Vernon on how to navigate canapé-quaffing, selfies and acing your exit at whatever parties are on your radar this year (page 50). It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas……

Put your fashion foot forward and rewear Last week, none other than the queen of fashion herself, Anna Wintour, spoke out against fast fashion. Shoppers, she said, should focus ‘more on craft, on creativity, and less on the idea that clothes are instantly disposable things that you will throw away’. Instead, she told Reuters, it’s about ‘valuing the clothes that you own and wearing them again and again’. Cue The Devil Rewears Prada headlines. But despite the jokes, Anna’s comments signal that a major – and welcome – revolution is underway, as fashion gets to grips with sustainability. And if you do want to dig out an old festive favourite this party season, know that you’ve got Anna’s seal of approval.…

PHOTOS: SPLASH NEWS THE DUKE AND Duchess of Sussex marked their first Thanksgiving as parents to baby Archie last week, quietly spending the day with Doria, Meghan’s mother. It is no wonder that Doria was the sole addition from Meghan’s side of the family: the duchess has notoriously experienced several disputes with other relatives, including father Thomas and half-sister Samantha. Last week, her uncle – Thomas’s brother – added to the onslaught, calling her ‘a prima donna’. But if the Markle family is complicated, it’s nothing compared to the royal family, particularly in the wake of revelations concerning Prince Andrew’s association with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and his catastrophic interview with Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis. Long before the interview aired, Harry and Meghan had already broken protocol to announce they would…

HAVE YOU EVER walked past a woman on the street and thought, ‘How is your outfit physically possible?’ This generally isn’t because of its outrageousness, but because it defies the law that says you will, for example, have unavoidable VPL if you tuck your top half into your bottom half. This is exactly what happened to Buzzfeed’s Sam Reece, who tweeted last week, ‘Hey boss, sorry I’m 3 hours late, I was trying to figure out how influencers tuck giant sweaters into tiny skirts.’ The tweet, which now has more than 24,000 retweets and 239,000 likes, generated an entire thread about safety pins, belts, itchy boobs (yes, really) and got us thinking about all the other style hacks you see on Instagram that would come in seriously handy IRL this…

Yes, it’s been a long, long decade, but it doesn’t feel like it was that long ago that all our conversations were about freeing the nipple, Miley Cyrus defending her right to straddle a giant wrecking ball nude and Kim Kardashian beefing with Barbra Streisand about her naked selfies. ‘I am empowered by my body. I am empowered by my sexuality. I am empowered by feeling comfortable in my own skin,’ Kim – who also broke the internet by popping champagne on her oiled bum – wrote, er, three years ago. At the time, she was leading the movement that said that the way to own our bodies was to display them however and whenever we chose. Last week, though, accompanied by photos showing her covered head-to-toe (previous page), Kim…

DECEMBER HAS ARRIVED, rocking up to interrupt your Netflix binges and cosy nights in like that fun friend who will never take no for an answer and will definitely make you stay out late. Too late. It’s time to dig deep into those stamina reserves. But January is for sleeping, right? And it’s not just your circadian rhythm party season can wreak havoc on, but your sartorial sensibilities as well. Heels you can’t walk in, juvenile jumpers and an inexplicable desire to leave the house without a coat are all symptomatic of four weeks solid of nights out-out. But there is a way to do festive fashion while still doing you: sequins. Yes, you read that right. Typically the naffest and most clichéd of festive fashion fare, sequins have had…

PHOTOGRAPH BEN QUINTON HAIR AND MAKE-UP: NEUSA NEVES AT TERRI MANDUCA I NEVER IMAGINED there would be barriers to me becoming a mother, less still that those barriers would exist within my own community. But when, in 2016, I found myself about to undergo IVF treatment, I suddenly realised I was alone – no one I knew had been through it. That’s because infertility is still such a taboo in African and Caribbean communities. There’s an expectation that as a woman you will have children; that it will just happen. So, when I couldn’t conceive naturally I was so ashamed. I felt like a failure. I had issues with my menstrual cycle, which I continued to experience after getting married in 2014 – and by September 2016 I’d started IVF…

ANA’S OUT-OUT CAPSULE WARDROBE ANA BARBOSA looks so at home in gold sequins (Simone Rocha), sugared-almond satin (Prada), thigh-high boots (Isabel Marant) and snow-white tailoring (Chanel) that you’d think her own off-set party wardrobe could vie with Strictly’s dressing room in the glitz department. Not so. She’s more comfortable in black and, when I ask if she’s a heels or flats kind of person, she laughs and replies ‘boots’ – not once but three times. ‘I have one pair of heels that I wear for castings and events but, otherwise, I prefer strong, flat boots.’ The 20-year-old Brazilian started modelling straight out of high school, moving to São Paulo from her hometown of Uberaba in Minas Gerais for seven months of work, before a stint in China. She’s now based…

Breathe yourself happy and calm REBECCA WILL BE HOLDING A RETREAT FROM 29 JANUARY–2 FEBRUARY 2020 AT THE MARBELLA CLUB.FOR DETAILS VISIT MARBELLACLUB.COM. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES ‘BREATHE DEEPER, DEEPER,’ Rebecca Dennis is saying, pointing down into my hip crease. ‘Breathe down into, here .’ I’m breathing what feels like down into the tips of my toes and have been for about 20 minutes without closing my mouth. My hands are buzzing and I’m feeling slightly like I’m about to cry for no reason. ‘It’s safe to let go,’ Rebecca repeats as I surrender to the rhythm of what the pros call ‘Transformational Breath’. Rebecca herself came to the practice of transformational breathing having suffered from depression for 15 years. ‘It was the only thing that worked for me,’ she says.…

TIME TO SPARKLE Reading In praise of dressing up (2 Dec) really made me smile. As I sat in the canteen with a bowl of soup I was wondering what the rest of my team would be wearing to our Christmas meal. Me? My sequinned number has already arrived, but as my colleagues mainly wear jeans and trainers, I suspect a festive jumper will be their idea of getting dressed up. Cara Faye Oladeji THERE’S NO EXCUSE I was horrified to read in No woman consents to being murdered (2 Dec) that women have been made to feel bad or ‘kink-shamed’ when they’ve called out the unacceptable act of non-consensual choking during sex. ‘My last girlfriend liked it’ is an old excuse that’s been used to persuade women that they’re…

DOES FRIENDSHIP CONSTITUTE emotional labour? This question was raised last week on Twitter by writer Melissa A Fabello in relation to a text she’d had from a friend asking if Fabello had ‘the emotional capacity for me to vent about something’, and promptly went viral. So: does it? Or does the purity of female friendship make the love and support it’s assumed to incorporate not a labour at all – but rather, a privilege? What of the brutal ‘I’m at capacity’ friend knock-back meme that did internet rounds in response to Fabello’s thread? Mate, I have struggled with this! At the risk of coming off like I think I’m a nice person – I really don’t – historically, my default friend position has been of lookerafterer. Rescuer. Shoulder on which…

In 2014, an actor and lifestyle blogger called Meghan Markle pitched a list of festive tips to Grazia . A lot can happen in five years. Here is that personal guide to the festive season from the then soon-to-be Duchess of Sussex… Trim the outline of a mirror or beautiful piece of artwork with garlands or magnolia branches. Have each of your friends bring a dish or cook together in the kitchen. Keep it simple with an all-white tablecloth, runner and napkins. Accent with gilded plates and napkin rings and use a stylish set of cutlery. Turn drinking cups and mugs into low vases, filling them with savoury herbs or all-white flowers – the perfect centrepiece for your table. Purchase silver serving trays, platters and nut bowls from flea markets…

WE ALL try to shop more ethically, but these days not everybody has a local street bustling with independent and innovative small brands. Step forward social media, says one of Instagram’s most powerful influencers – Eva Chen, the tech company’s head of fashion partnerships. She works hard to make sure the platform represents brands ‘that the average consumer maybe hasn’t heard of, but will definitely fall in love with’ – a journey coming full circle this week when Eva curates an ‘Instagram Edit’ pop-up at Selfridges London’s store. Eight independent brands that launched on Instagram will be stocked there – including The Frankie Shop (‘great for jumpsuits,’ notes Eva), emerging British skincare brand Tandem, and Mene – an ethical brand that sells jewellery by gram weight. The Instagram Edit is…

PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK, PA BY NOW, you’ll likely know the name Grace Millane. On the eve of her 22nd birthday last year, the British backpacker was strangled to death by a man she met on Tinder. Last month, he was convicted of her murder after failing to persuade a jury in his native New Zealand that her death was the result of a sex game gone wrong. The case has made headlines worldwide, with Grace’s family and friends not only enduring unspeakable loss, but having had to witness claims about her sexual and private life made public – claims she is unable to challenge. But, horrifyingly, the ‘rough sex’ claim attempted by the defence in Grace’s case is becoming increasingly common in courts. Fifty nine UK women have been killed…

PHOTOS: JASON LLOYD-EVANS, SHUTTERSTOCK.MOWALOLA: SILENT MADNESS ON FROM FRIDAY TO 19 JAN, NOW GALLERY, L DON SE10 Go big or go home. Supersized gowns demand the spotlight (if you can’t now, when can you?) Suit up. WARDROBE.NYC’s new evening capsule is the ultimate tuxedo set. Seriously chic. Avoid footwear fatigue. Fancy flats and mini-heels are made for the dance floor. Know this name: Mowalola. And catch an exhibition of the Nigerian designer’s work – as seen on Solange and Naomi – at NOW Gallery. Dream of diamonds. Like Holly Golightly, LVMH is ‘just crazy about Tiffany’s’, paying $16bn for the American jewellery house. Wish Dover Street Market a happy 15th birthday. To celebrate, the game-changing store has invited friends and collaborators to create limited-edition monochrome pieces.…

WORDS: NATALIE HAMMOND. BACKDROP: LIBERTY FABRICS EUSTACIA HOXTON VELVET, £64.95 PER METRE, LIBERTLONDON.COMPHOTOGRAPH GIANANDREA TRAINA SLEEK ’N’ CHIC If you’re looking to downsize but can’t face the full ‘micro’, this compact style is all the incentive you need to go streamlined. RED ALERT Why blend in when you could stand out? In punchy red with a pink lining and base – it’s cool to clash.…

ARMANI PRIVÉ A/W ’19AWARDS WORDS: LAURA ANTONIA JORDAN. PHOTOS: FAMOUS, GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK,JASON LLOYD-EVANS, JASON LLOYD-EVANS, COURTESY OF GIORGIO ARMANI Head of entertainment and VIP relations Roberta Armani on the must-have elements for any iconic evening look A seasonless approach ‘The Armani way, which I have had imprinted on my heart and soul by my uncle, is to look elegantly timeless.’ A light touch ‘Giorgio often quotes his mother, from whom he learned this maxim: if you want to create beauty, do only what is necessary and nothing more. This is the philosophy behind his design, and you see it in his red carpet looks.’ A quiet confidence ‘Glamour is about being stylish, restrained and engaging the observer’s imagination. [A look] should never be memorable for the wrong reason. An outfit…

THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN is officially on and you know what that calls for, right? ‘Glitter,’ says make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon, ‘and lots of it.’ Far from teenager territory, glitter has made waves on and off the catwalk over the past few years as the ultimate in statement-making make-up. ‘Everyone can wear glitter,’ assures Lisa, ‘it’s just about finding how much works for you. Even a small amount on the centre of the lid will instantly brighten.’ The latest formulations make shimmering lids far easier to achieve and as for shades, gold and silver both amp up the festive factor and work with your skin tone. ‘Cooler undertones will suit silver, while warmer tones will look brilliant in gold. If you’re unsure, opt for bronze or copper, which generally work for…

PE, SÉZANE STYLE With a focus on wellbeing rather than BPM, the first Sézane leisurewear collection, ‘Education Philosophique et Sportif’ has a distinctly retro gym-class vibe. sezane.com HEALTHY (ISH) CIDER Gluten-free, low in calories, 100% natural, delicate and light in flavour, Sassy Cider is set to be my favourite seasonal tipple. £3.75, harveynichols.com THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE Illustrator Charlie Mackesy’s debut book is a treasure trove of life lessons and emotional guidance for young and old. £16.99, waterstones.com…

CHARLI XCX 27, SINGER-SONGWRITER THE ‘BOOM CLAP’ SINGER ON TECHNO NIGHTS AND FACE MASKS I find it really difficult to switch off – I just really enjoy being creative all the time. So if I’m not on stage, then I like being in the studio. I like to at least be thinking about something creative, that’s where my head’s at. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK I don’t really chill much, but when I do, my favourite thing is watching movies. And I love reading David Sedaris books too, he’s my favourite writer. I love books that make me laugh. TV-wise, I’m very into Succession at the moment. I’m also really excited to see the new season of The End Of The F***ing World – the music on that show is so good. I’ve…

I loved your article about holidaying without a phone (25 Nov). Fifteen years ago, when I was 22, I went backpacking in Australia for a month. I had a mobile (an old-school Nokia), but it didn’t cross my mind to take it with me. I’d find a pay phone every few days to call home and internet cafés to send emails. I used a guidebook to find out about hostels, and called in the morning of travelling from a pay phone to (fingers crossed) book a room. It’s quite scary how nowadays most people believe they can’t handle life without a phone in their hand.…

1. Up LIL NAS X In neon-green at the AMAs. Remember when guys used to fade into insignificance at events? Us neither. 2. New in LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA As Lee Scoresby, in the BBC’s entirely watchable adaptation of His Dark Materials, one of our fave ever books. L-M M gives good aeronaut. 3. New in ARISA From Better Than Us (Netflix). The Terminator meets Nanny McPhee meets a sexbot, to surprisingly endearing effect. We want one. 4. New in W I L L I E MURPHY Weight-lifting champion, 82, who made the drunk intruder who broke down her door, then into her home, last week rather regret his actions. 5. Non-mover JASON MOMOA Clearly very ready for his close-up in the bus-side promo for new venture See, for glimpses of which…

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK, INSTAGRAM.COM/MARKO_MONROE IT WAS THE BAG that launched a thousand memes. When Lizzo, one of the year’s greatest cultural success stories, stepped onto the red carpet at the American Music Awards, she did so in a divine froth of a Valentino gown, carrying a minuscule handbag, annoucing it was ‘big enough for my fucks to give’. The response was instant, with memes, parodies and tributes going viral. The bag is a contender for the most discussed accessory of the decade, but it was just the latest iconic look from a singer whose style is all about attitude. Lizzo credits an impressive entourage, including stylist Marko Monroe, with helping her present her self-love mantra. Speaking to Grazia after the AMAs, Marko was buzzing with the thrill of contributing to a…

THINK OF KIM KARDASHIAN, and ‘modest’ isn’t the first word that springs to mind. The reality star has spent years as a poster girl of body confidence, proudly posing for bikini selfies and internet-breaking magazine covers. But in recent months, her direction in life has taken a more serious turn. Speaking to New York magazine last week, Kim revealed what’s behind her approach now. ‘I just don’t care as much any more to want to take tons of photos in a thong bikini,’ she explained. ‘I’m evolving to where I don’t feel the need to want to keep up. I also did think, like, “OK, I’m here in the White House and then the next day I was posting, like, a crazy bikini selfie.” And I was thinking, “I hope…

The Frankie Shop Fashion insiders love these non-basic basics. The place to start? A slouchy suit. One DNA This gender-neutral New York brand is one to watch. The ‘We Should All Be Them’ tee will be a cult hit. Kim Shui Micro silhouettes meet major sass – Bella Hadid is a fan of Kim Shui’s party-girl dresses. Amme London Start dropping hints… These handmade huggies, pinkies and lockets are ideal Christmas presents. Hopscotch London Ready to hibernate? Their candles and room fragrances make you want to stay in. Tandem This organic brand’s mission is simple: to take the fuss and faff out of skincare. What’s not to love? Mene Sunjoo Moon and Diana Widmaier Picasso are behind these chunky gold pieces. Atelier Stella Boutique Brighton brand Atelier Stella’s quirky pots…

PHOTOS: THE MEGA AGENCY, BACKGRID FINGERS INTERLOCKED , sharing a drink on the terrace of a busy New Orleans bar, Justin Timberlake and Alisha Wainwright might easily have been filming an intimate scene for their new film, Palmer. Only the pair weren’t on-set, but instead enjoying what was supposed to be a quiet night out together – until photos of the moment went viral last week, leaving people speculating about the state of Justin’s seven-year marriage to actor Jessica Biel. The pictures showed Justin, who wasn’t wearing his wedding ring, and Alisha holding hands at the Absinthe Bar. At one point, Alisha, 30, star of Netflix’s Raising Dion, had her hand on his knee and appeared to stroke it, an onlooker told The Sun, adding Justin looked ‘unsteady’ on his…

PHOTO: STOCKSY “I never regret throwing every sequin at a situation. No party ever wished its guests looked less glamorous” PARTY SEASON COMMENCES, and I open the diary app on my phone with a trepidation more usually reserved for bank statements. And: oh God! It’s worse than I thought! It’s like social obligations have been sick all over it! Night after night after lunch after mulled wine with this lot and a quick festive catch-up in the pub with that lot and a champagne brunch with so-and-so whose diary is worse than mine so they only had mid-morning boozing options left! A multitude of dos with people I love (who I see all the time anyway, so really don’t need to get another night in with them on the insanely…

Model Ana Barbosaat Titanium ModelManagement Hair AsahiSano at Caren Make-upClare Read at CarenManicurist ChisatoYamamoto at DavidArtists using KureBazaar Casting &bookings JessicaHarrison Fashionassistant CharlottePavitt Photographer’sassistants Liam Bundy,Hope Miller Digitalassistant EmmaGibney With thanksto Loft Studios…

PHOTO: AITKEN JOLLY. HAIR: ASAHI SANO AT CAREN. MAKE-UP: CLARE READ AT CAREN DECEMBER BUILD-UP Even a pub lunch can be a dress-up occasion in December. Try an out-out top with jeans or pimp your polo neck with pearl earrings. DAY-TONIGHT WORK DO Partify your 9-5 outfit in two seconds flat by popping a sequinned slip over your sheer-sleeved blouse or adding some feathery arm candy. CHRISTMAS DAY Opt for elevated PJs with a heel, or wear sumptuous velvets and metallics. NEW YEAR ’ ’S EVE It’s the night of the year when you can dress like a human disco ball, so don’t hold back. Shine k. h, stilettos and satin are all in. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: JASON LLOYD-EVANS…

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR, BRITISH DESIGNER OF THE YEAR WOMENSWEAR, ACCESSORIES DESIGNER OF THE YEAR DANIEL LEE FOR BOTTEGA VENETA BRAND OF THE YEAR BOTTEGA VENETA The poufy clutches and woven mules are everywhere, and now it’s official: on planet fashion, 2019 belongs to one brand – Bottega Veneta. That’s thanks to Daniel Lee, the British creative director who has transformed the Italian house – previously known for its stealth take on luxury – into the white-hot label to know. He cements his stellar year with four of the biggest nods on the night. BRITISH DESIGNER OF THE YEAR MENSWEAR KIM JONES FOR DIOR MEN A mix master of references, Kim Jones’s Dior Men’s collections are so beautiful that even women can’t get enough (see: Mossy, Naomi and Bella). BRITISH…

Best for subtle GLOSSIER PLAY GLITTER GELÉE IN BIJOUX BIJOUX, £12, GLOSSIER.COM ‘A clear gel suspending chunky glitter in multiple sizes. Simply swipe and go.’ Best for statement HOURGLASS SCATTERED LIGHT GLITTER EYESHADOW IN BURNISH, £26, SPACENK.COM ‘A sophisticated shot of shimmer, this bouncy shadow works well over any neutral base.’ Best for full throttle NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP METALLIC GLITTER IN GOLDSTONE, £6, NYXCOSMETICS.CO.UK ‘This is where loose glitters come into their own. Apply on top of NYX Glitter Primer, £8.’…