Table of contents for Issue 925 in Grazia

As much as it’s a terrible cliché, I do love the sense of fresh starts that a new year always brings. If you’ve set yourself some ambitious exercise goals (mine was optimistically signing up to 12 sessions of Exhale Pilates in 21 days, way back in December), then can I suggest you check out our activewear shopping special (page 60). Because nothing makes that first tricky gym session back feel more bearable than some comfy, stylish gear, right? Meanwhile, if you’re more about the sofa than anything that requires getting sweaty this month, we’ve got something for you, too. On page 30, Minnie Driver talks about her return to TV, with a captivating role in the latest Harlan Coben Netflix adaptation, Run Away. It’s sure to be another talking-point binge…

1. Up WILL SHARPE Long time CoL fave (do watch Giri/Haji, won’t you), now being exceptional in (the exceptional) Amadeus, because of course he is. 2. New in AARON MOTEN Stars in the new season of Fallout, which is just so, so good. Although it’s unfair of us, honestly, to pick a fave because also? Ella Purnell! Walton Goggins! KYLE MACLACHLAN! 3. Down BOOK FISHING V unethical practice in which men post dating app pics of themselves fake-reading novels they have, in fact, never read to earn the swipe of the literary chicks. 4. New in SAM VANDERPUMP & ALICE YAXLEY Recently married. Gilded, pretty, rich and posh – and having a tough time. Because life gets pretty dicey for all of us every once in a while. 5. New…

IF WE’RE TO place any faith in everyone’s go-to space for mood-boarding, Pinterest, then our jewellery boxes are long overdue a personality transplant. Out with minimal stacks and whisper-thin layers; in with eccentric, ostentatious adornments that look as though they could’ve fallen straight from Joan Collins’ neckline circa Dynasty. Dubbed glamoratti, Pinterest predicts a return to decadent drama in wardrobes, and the data suggests this isn’t just a nostalgic fantasy. Searches for gold cuffs are up 50%, ’80s luxury 225%, and chunky belts 65%. The takeaway? Excess is no longer gauche. So what does that mean for jewellery? Expect it to be ‘chunkier, bolder and golder’, according to the platform. Anyone who’s endured a fashion editor’s ramblings over the past 12 months will already be fluent in ‘boom boom’ dressing…

IT ONLY TOOK a few episodes of the Free Birth Society (FBS) podcast for Nicole Garrison, a firstme mother-to-be, to decide to freebirth. I met Nicole at her home in New Jersey. We drank tea and ate cake together as her adorable two-year-old daughter slept next door. But Nicole is very lucky to be alive. After her week-long free-birth, she suffered a massive post-partum haemorrhage due to an infected placenta. Had her thenpartner not called an ambulance, her daughter would most likely be motherless. I tell Garrison’s story in my six-part Guardian podcast, The Birth Keepers, with my reporting partner Lucy Osborne. It was an investigation that took us across the US, meeting women who told us about the curious grip The FBS, an organisation run by ex-doula Emilee Saldaya,…

SHOT AT BETTMERALP WITH ALETSCH ARENA…

THIS YEAR IS set to be a stellar one for Simone Ashley. She’s returning to the cast of Bridgerton alongside Jonathan Bailey, her on-screen beau, for season four, her latest blockbuster movie is due for release in May (just The Devil Wears Prada sequel, no big deal) and she’s polishing her debut album. All this just four years after Ashley found global fame as the Elizabeth Bennet-esque Kate Sharma in Shonda Rhimes’s Netflix hit. ‘It always feels like coming back home to family,’ says Ashley of returning to the set. The series is something of a kingmaker in Hollywood circles, making megastars of its leads. Bailey (and his slutty glasses) got a fast track to national treasure status, while Ashley was jettisoned into a world of front row fashion week…

Thanks to a change in the law, which Grazia campaigned for – and you supported – there has been a ‘soaring rise’ in prosecutions for strangulation and suffocation, which have increased sixfold since 2022. Teaming up with We Can’t Consent To This, we successfully lobbied for these acts to become standalone offences as part of the Domestic Abuse Act. Now more victims are getting justice. Previous legislation meant perpetrators were often convicted only of common assault, which carries a maximum six-month sentence. Strangulation and suffocation now carry a maximum sentence of five years. This is ‘a significant shift in recognising the serious nature of the offence’, Kate Brown, domestic abuse lead at the Crown Prosecution Service, said. The next step? To ensure every victim of domestic and sexual violence can…

THERE ARE PLENTY of pieces we like to call wardrobe workhorses, but few clock in as much overtime as the jumper. And rarely has a knit slunk into the fashion spotlight quite as decisively as it has this season. Enter that cashmere jumper by The Row. Eye-wateringly expensive and deliberately elusive, it’s been trending on social media all season precisely because it looks like nothing and everything at once, prompting high street giants from COS to Arket to rush out accessible near-dupes. But the fashion moment is part of a wider story: British wool, once relegated to insulation or even burned, has seen its average auction price climb over 25% in just two months to around £1.21 per kg – the highest in nearly a decade – thanks partly to…

BRIGITTE BARDOT, WHO died on 28 December, aged 91, wasn’t just a French star; she was an international cultural phenomenon. With her blonde hair, defiant pout and kohl rimmed eyes, she was a pioneer of sexual liberation and a Frenchgirl-archetype rolled into one. The original It girl who coined her own style while being pandered to by every couturier, from Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior to Paco Rabanne and Pierre Cardin, all of whom considered her their muse. To women of her era, Bardot’s style must have felt like a rebellion against the stiff, prim elegance of the ’50s and ’60s. She made the ordinary extraordinary, by transforming humble pieces into global symbols of insouciant sex appeal: the striped Breton top, Capri pants and ballet flats she requested from…

IT’S THE RED-BLACK shade that has adorned countless nails, including, reportedly, Uma Thurman’s in Pulp Fiction and Madonna’s in the music video for Take A Bow. Much imitated, never bettered, Chanel’s Rouge Noir Le Vernis nail polish is a bona fide beauty icon. And now, 30 years since it launched, Chanel has created an entire make-up collection based on the original colour, with formulas for the eyes, cheeks and lips. Cue beauty nerd hysteria. Like any cult product, Rouge Noir has its own apocryphal origin story. Legend has it its inception was little more than a happy accident; days before Chanel’s autumn/winter 1994-’95 show, creative directors Dominique Moncourtois, Heidi Morawetz and Karl Lagerfeld struggled to find a nail polish shade that would complement their ready-to-wear collection. So, they made their…

HOT PICKS FOR YOUR BOOK CLUB HALF HIS AGE BY JENNETTE MCCURDY Following her wildly successful memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, former child star McCurdy has turned to writing fiction, with a raw, unflinching exploration of the predatory relationship between 17-year-old Waldo and her teacher. 20 Jan THE TEN YEAR AFFAIR BY ERIN SOMERS Is it an affair if it only exists in your head? When Cora meets Sam at a baby group there’s chemistry but, as they are both happily married, it goes no further. Instead, their families become friends, leaving Cora to fantasise about what might have been. 15 Jan FAMESICK BY LENA DUNHAM When Girls launched in 2012 Lena Dunham became the voice of a generation. Then came the backlash, along with health and substance abuse…

ARE THERE EIGHT million ways to find happiness? It’s a tantalising prospect, especially with a new year ahead of us. Enter Japanese writer Hiroko Yoda, whose new book, Eight Million Ways To Happiness follows her decadelong personal journey to find the solution. Spoiler alert: there aren’t actually eight million ways to be happy, Yoda tells me from the home in Tokyo. The title of her book is poetic licence, taken from ideas around Japanese spirituality, to convey that there are ‘an infinite number [of ways]. Everybody has different difficulties and so everyone has their own path to find happiness.’ Yoda’s own quest for happiness began in 2008 following the death of her mother, with whom she had a complicated relationship. ‘My mother’s passing was a massive blow for me. It…

1. ROAD RUNNER Prepare to pound the pavements clad in practical pieces that’ll keep the energy up. Investing in the right trainers is well worth it; ON’s new Cloudswift 4 ensure every mile feels properly supported. FEET FIRST 2. STRETCH IT OUT Whether you’re plucking up the courage to try out that new reformer class or simply getting back to your usual routine, look to buttery soft lycra as your new workout uniform. It’ll ease you in – quite literally. 3. SUPPLE STYLE Consider a fresh pastel palette for your workout gear upgrade. For an added ballet-core touch embrace the return of the leg warmer to compliment soft blush pinks and lemon yellow for easy breezy ’fits.…

IT’S NEW + WE WANT IT!…

I’M NOT BIG ON New Year’s resolutions. I used to be – I remember being huddled with the girls, listing everything we wanted to achieve in the next 365 days. We went all-out: 1. Get a boyfriend. 2. Land the dream job. 3. Run a marathon. 4. Get a boyfriend. We’d revisit our lists in December and perform the post-mortem. Two years later, still maxing out at 10ks and single, we realised it was a wholly depressing activity and quit. This year, though, I’m in the mood to ring the changes and the brief is beauty. First, skincare. I’ve always championed a simple moisturiser – I leave the hard work to serums. But I want my moisturiser to multitask: to hydrate and bolster my skin barrier for fewer breakouts and…

WITH DARK JANUARY nights stretching out ahead, it’s easy for winter lethargy to set in. Instead, get a jump start on the spring reset and refresh your space, restoring some order after a season of overindulgence. We’re not talking a full renovation, simply making slight changes to help get your 2026 off to a cool, calm and collected start. Consider decluttering chaotic cupboards with chic storage solutions or bring tranquility to bedtimes with Rise & Fall’s natural linens. Even investing in a new favourite mug will do the trick, bringing a little extra joy to your cherished morning cuppa. Let’s start as we mean to go on!…

JANUARY DAWNS AND a woman’s thoughts turn toward wellness, because no one’s talking about anything else; nor will they till Valentine’s Day (minimum). What are my GWPs (great wellness projects) for ’26? Good of you to ask! I’ll be carrying on with the creatine on which I started last autumn, because apparently it’s v good for the brain, as well as supporting muscles by delivering energy to them in a more efficient manner. Good muscle mass is, of course, a gal’s most reliable predictor of longevity, of a healthy, independent older age – also, on looking ripped. I shan’t tell you which of these I care for most (don’t need to, they come as a pair) but – strength training will be my focus this year. I’m hoping to work…

THE 2026 RED carpet season is here. The world’s most scrutinised step-and-repeats are about to light up once more, and for two very good reasons. First: a compelling crop of actors who know exactly how to command attention with their clothes rather than be eclipsed by them, whether via full-throttle drama or pared-back precision. Second: a fresh fashion landscape. New creative directors – including Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez at Loewe, Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, Jonathan Anderson at Dior – have settled into the upper echelons of the industry, ready to showcase their vision on these red carpet stars. Expect an awards season rich in fashion moments. These are the stars we’ll be watching closely. Teyana Taylor Brace yourself for the reign of Teyana (here wearing Nicholas Oakwell Couture). The…

YOU COULD SAY that Minnie Driver is having a moment right now, but if you grew up a fan of Circle Of Friends, Grosse Point Blank and Good Will Hunting, you’ll know her ‘moment’ has really lasted 30 years. Still, the past 12 months have been something of a Minn-aissance. As well as rave reviews for her sold-out run of West End play Every Brilliant Thing, she recently starred in the new season of Emily In Paris, with a comedic turn as Princess Jane. And now, she’s starting 2026 on a different, deadly serious foot as Ingrid, the mother of a missing child in Run Away, the latest hit Harlan Coben thriller on Netflix. Surprisingly, for an actor who’s been working since 1991, it’s the first time Driver, 55, has…

CAFÉ COOL When the V&A East Museum (@vam_ east) opens in April, go not just for the exhibitions but also the fabulous food. The café menu has been created in collaboration with Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany, cofounders of Jikoni, the hot restaurant known for its No Borders Kitchen. RETURN OF AN ICON The new look Simpson’s In-The-Strand (@simpsons1828; The Savoy hotel’s iconic restaurant, which closed in 2020) is reopening any day under the stewardship of Jeremy King, the restaurateur who counts The Wolseley among his stylish portfolio. The rebooted Simpson’s will offer two bars and two restaurants – Romano’s, with a modern menu, and The Grand Divan, which promises to feature Simpson’s famous silver trolleys on wheels. OUT OF HOURS RESERVATIONS Early or late evenings are now the…

As Grazia’s resident cultural soothsayer, it falls to me to divine the pop culture tea leaves for the year ahead. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, etc. That said, I love making lists – and what better time for list-making than the start of a new year? Without further ado, here’s where I think the zeitgeist is heading in 2026. IN Romcoms. More specifically, yearning. If the success of horny hockey romance Heated Rivalry and teen melodrama The Summer I Turned Pretty are anything to go by, we’re all after a bit of angsty love. Going to the opera. Thanks to Rosalía’s transcendent Lux, front row at La Bohème will be the new place to be seen. Celebrity Substackers. With Charli XCX, Lizzo and Doechii all turning to…

YOU MIGHT HAVE believed you’d retired the last of your LA wardrobe when you folded away your Juicy Couture velour. And you’d be forgiven – the aughts called, etc. But California has found a route back into our closets. This time, though, the invasion has nothing to do with tabloid glamour or reality-TV theatrics. It’s the coastal-minded devotion to wellbeing that Californians have long perfected, from the smoothie queue outside Erewhon to the sun-bleached boardwalks of Encinitas. Wellbeing may have a US zip code but it has become the global wardrobe default. This is not a leftover from lockdown, when track pants, Birkenstocks and anything with an elasticated waistline felt like emotional support items. It’s a shift in the collective consciousness towards balance, ritual and the kind of self-investment that…

1. THE NEW NAME TO KNOW Make-up artist Farah Homidi’s eponymous line may only have just landed in Selfridges, but it’s already shaping up to be a favourite among beauty editors. Its philosophy is simple: fewer, better products that mesh craftsmanship with thoughtful design. Start with the cult Soft Glass Lip Plumping Oil, £43, for a plush sheen. 2. GUT FEELING With Google searches for ‘good gut health’ increasing rapidly, we’re a nation set on diversifying our diet. Model Catherine Hurley Arbibe has developed a fast track with her supplement Newroad30, a freeze-dried blend with 30 different organic fruits, vegetables and pulses. Sprinkle atop porridge, smoothies and soups. From £35 3. BEAUTY ASSISTANT Meet Noli, the AI beauty companion designed to find the products that will work for you. Partnering with brands…

DIP IN Hit the reset button and kick back in a bath of these seriously luxe suds. Fenty Skin Rich Dip Bubble Bath In Vanilla Flowers, £23 GOOD MORNING Featuring high-end broad-spectrum LEDs that mimic natural daylight, this SAD lamp beats winter blues and enhances energy. Lumie Dash, £179 MELLOW OUT An essential oil blend of neroli, mimosa and lemon designed to lift your mood. Neom Wellbeing Happiness Reed Diffuser, £55 FANCY FLAME Escape to Corfu via this scented candle with top notes of soft jasmine, a heart of energising rosemary and base of warm sweet musk. Discothèque La Grotta, £54 FORTIFYING FRAGRANCE Delicate notes of almond milk, tonka bean and pink pepper evoke a sense of nostalgia that will warm your soul. The Nue Co First Milk, £125 PEP…

The last book I read… The Molecule Of More – it’s all about dopamine and the impact it has on our behaviour. I found it so eye-opening. The best book I’ve read in ages. The last song I listened to… I’m an Oasis super-fan. I just listened to Masterplan and it transported me right back to being at their show with my sisters last summer. The last box set I binged… Paradise on Apple TV+. I can’t wait for the second season. If you haven’t watched it, you need to. It’s 10/10. The last meal I cooked… Crêpes. I make them two or three times a week and I would say they are the one dish I’ve perfected. I have mine with the M&S protein chocolate spread, which is basically ‘healthy’ Nutella.…