Indice dei contenuti per November 2013 in ELLE

Friday, November 1 BEAT IT In Michael Polish's beautifully filmed biopic Big Sur, the director's real-life wife, Kate Bosworth, seduces Jack Kerouac (Jean-Marc Barr) during a period in which the mercurial writer sought refuge from fame on California's craggy coast. Sunday, November 3 HARLEM SHAKE To pull off After Midnight—director Warren Carlyle's musical ode to '20s Harlem hot spot the Cotton Club, opening at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in NYC—Wynton Marsalis, FLOTUS-beloved designer duo Isabel and Ruben Toledo, and Idol alum Fantasia join forces. Is Carlyle the new Taymor? Monday, November 4 PARTNERS IN CRIME FOX's slick new sci-fi drama, Almost Human, stars Karl Urban as a renegade cop with a microchip on his shoulder and Minka Kelly as his rule-abiding colleague. It may be anarchy-ridden 2048, but one maxim…

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The actresses who grace ELLE's Women in Hollywood covers this month are beloved for their inspiring careers—and for their signature looks. So which designers helped them enhance their personal styles at our shoot? Shailene Woodley radiated laid-back cool in Calvin Klein Swimwear, while Naomie Harris showcased her Bond-movie bod in Calvin Klein Collection; Reese Witherspoon set off her Southern sweetness in sexy Versace; Marion Cotillard exuded French sophistication in Dior; sly Melissa McCarthy rocked a sleek Marina Rinaldi trench; and a beautifully bare Penélope Cruz cozied up in knits from The Row. Aspiring A-listers, take note!—CATHERINE STRAUT Reese Witherspoon Penélope Cruz Marion Cotillard Melissa McCarthy Shailene Woodley Naomie Harris BEHIND THE COVER For a full celebration of these fine actresses, flip to page 325 to check out our Women in…

"When I was seven or eight, I had long, blond hair nearly to my knees, with beautiful curls," says 31-year-old French model, actress, and singer Lou Doillon. "People would stop me in the street to touch my hair. One day my father asked me to sit on his knee. He didn't say a word, he just took a pair of scissors and shaved my head. I burst into tears. I mean, it was my hair! He said, 'Now they won't say you have beautiful hair, they'll say'—and the word in French, it's not face, it's funnier than that—it's mug. 'Now they'll say you have a beautiful mug.' He completely broke my femininity before it even arrived." From birth, Lou Doillon has been famous, in France at least, for who her…

"It was just literally to make pieces that I need to go with what is in fashion—things that I couldn't find in the market," says Jeannie Lee, owner of West Hollywood shopping destination Satine, explaining why she created Shibuya Mon Amour, the in-house label she quietly launched when she opened a Venice outpost on Abbot Kinney in June 2012. "Bandeaux, for example." Lest you think the humble tube top is not the most versatile of high-fashion accoutrements, consider what Lee wore to the Chanel couture show in July with the full, high-waisted skirt she'd borrowed: a vintage Chanel sweatband and quilted Union Jack bag, and, yes, a bandeau of her own design. Satine, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this fall, has always been known for fashion risk and experimentation.…

In March of last year, while trolling the Internet for breaking news and, yes, juicy celebrity dish, I stumbled upon a photo of Jennifer Lopez in combat clothing, her hair sideswept and braided. Next to her was a man rocking an identical zip-up and hairdo. The headline exploded off my screen: J.LO'S BODY DOUBLE IS A DUDE! And my mind was blown. Of course Hollywood's leading ladies use body doubles to hold their marks when the cameras aren't rolling, but I was completely dumbstruck by the idea that their subs needn't be the same race or even sex as the celebrity they represent. Curiosity piqued, I began a quest to uncover the identities of my favorite actresses' off-camera fill-ins. But, as it turned out, they weren't so easy to find.…

Silk-embroidered suede handbag, MARCHESA, price on request, visit marchesa.com Printed crêpe de chine dress, ALTUZARRA, price on request, visit altuzarra.com Metal and enamel earrings, OSCAR DE LA RENTA, $225, at Oscar de la Renta boutiques nationwide Calfskin clogs, ROCHAS, $895, collection at lagarconne.com FASHION Trends Up for a big-screen adaptation next year: Stephen Sondheim's fairy-tale fable Into the Woods, starring Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, and Emily Blunt.…

Gold, diamond, and agate ring, PHILLIPS HOUSE, $2,250, collection at nefj.com Wool cropped sweater, VERA WANG COLLECTION, $450, at Vera Wang, NYC Leather and mesh tote, VALENTINO GARAVANI, $3,975, at Valentino boutiques nationwide Leather and satin pump, RALPH LAUREN COLLECTION, $625, visit ralphlauren.com FASHION Trends Coco Chanel designed costumes for the Ballets Russes production of Le Train bleu, performed at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.…

For NBC's Parks and Recreation writer Aisha Muharrar, peacocking is an essential part of the gig. (After all, you don't want to look like one of those 30 Rock schlubs!) The Woman: Aisha Muharrar, 29, L.A. The Job: Writer-producer on NBC's Parks and Recreation. When the Harvard alum (and USC film school dropout) isn't fielding Leslie-and-Ben plot pitches, she can be found at table reads with the actors on the show's Studio City set. The Uniform: Layered necklaces and patterned scarves from local boutiques (and the occasional Theory blazer) dress up Muharrar's "tomboy" style, which includes staples such as MiH boot-cut jeans, Rag & Bone ankle boots, and supersoft Vince tees. "On weekends, I find myself saying, 'Time to relax: Let me put on a nice dress!' " ELLE: What's…

Los Angeles–based design duo Spinelli Kilcollin. With apologies to Frank Ocean, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Albert Hammond, and any other artists who have Southern California's alleged dearth of precipitation to thank for Billboard chart success, Yves Spinelli—one half, along with Dwyer Kilcollin, of new design duo Spinelli Kilcollin—would like to point out that sometimes it does rain in Los Angeles—a lot. "In January and February it was really wet and we were rushing to finish orders," he recalls. "We'd be watching Downton Abbey and, you know, drinking red wine and making jewelry—our friends would stop by to help out." You know you have a good thing going when those orders are destined for places such as Maxfield in West Hollywood and Ikram in Chicago, where the shop's founder, Ikram Goldman, wears…

Day: Enamel and metal necklace, LANVIN, $1,560, at Lanvin, Costa Mesa, CA Cupro dress, THAKOON, $990, visit thakoon.com Mahogany and rosewood sunglasses, SHWOOD, $295, visit shwoodshop.com. Leather handbag, MARK CROSS, $2,695, visit markcross1845.com Steel-case and leather strap watch, HERMèS, $2,700, visit hermes.com. Perforated goatskin and calfskin oxford, BALENCIAGA, $1,135, at Balenciaga, NYC Night: Twill vest, ALEXANDER WANG, $795, at Alexander Wang, NYC Glass pearl necklace, CHANEL, $3,675, at select Chanel boutiques nationwide. Enamel and silver pin, M. DE PHOCAS, $180, visit hangerproject.com Crêpe and silk chiffon dress, ADAM LIPPES, $1,450, collection at net-a-porter.com Metal jacquard and cowhide clutch, KATE SPADE NEW YORK, $398, visit katespade.com. Woven silk and leather flat, TABITHA SIMMONS, $725, collection at net-a-porter.com PASTEL PERFECT As seen at Chanel Escape to: Given the island's sweltering heat and…

Day: Stretch nylon-blend top, BEBE, $59, at Bebe stores nationwide Tweed chiffon shorts, PROENZA SCHOULER, $715, at Proenza Schouler, NYC Stretch-nylon swim top, $128, bottom, $108, both, KORE SWIM, visit korewear.com Rose gold, rock crystal, and turquoise necklace, price on request, cross pendant, $4,350, both, POMELLATO, call 800-254-6020. Leather fringe sandal, LOEFFLER RANDALL, $250, collection at zappos.com Night: Shell, crystal, and gold clip-on earrings, CELESTINA, $897, collection at Carleen Ligozio, Southampton, NY Striped blazer, ESCADA, $1,925, at Escada stores nationwide. Cotton top, COLLETTE BY COLLETTE DINNIGAN, $245, collection at Poole Shop, Charlotte, NC Pleated shorts, 3.1 PHILLIP LIM, $395, visit 31philliplim.com Embellished satin sandal, ALDO, $90, visit aldoshoes.com NOUVEAU NAUTICAL As seen at Balenciaga Escape to: The simplicity of life on the Basque coast was the inspiration for Alexander Wang's…

The Perfect: White Dress Chloé's easy, breezy broderie anglaise dress is a resort must-have: equally at ease topping a swimsuit or sitting seaside for dinner, and simple enough for endless accessorizing. Lace dress, CHLOé, $3,550, collection at neimanmarcus.com The Perfect: Gold Hoop Not too big, not too small, Jennifer Fisher's slim 3.5-inch hoop is simplicity at its best: just large enough to get noticed, but with zero unnecessary details. Gold earrings, JENNIFER FISHER, $1,500, visit jenniferfisherjewelry.com The Perfect: Gladiator Sandal Ancient Greek Sandals are all that the label implies. With a low-key look that's been time-tested for more than a thousand years, it doesn't get more classic than this. Above: Leather sandals, ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS, $195, collection at modaoperandi.com. Left: Leather sandals, all, ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS, $115–$215, collection at saksfifthavenue.com…

Throughout the big-screen adaptation of Tracy Letts' Pulitzer Prize–winning stage drama August: Osage County, the vitriolic confrontations between Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep—as distant, angry Barbara and her matriarchal, pill-addicted mother, Violet, respectively—are often so cruel that the dysfunction is nearly suffocating. It's remarkable to watch—if exhausting—but amid this devolving brood that's gathered home in Oklahoma after a family tragedy, there is a faint light, a gasp of air in the chaos. Ivy, the middle-aged middle sibling among the three Weston daughters and Violet's only local offspring, is "the watcher of the family," says actress Julianne Nicholson of her character. "She's there taking it all in, but still thinking about what she has to do to survive." And it's in her survival, fueled by a latent passion, that our empathy…

Poor Julie Taymor. The visionary director who earned Disney billions with her brilliant theatrical reimagining of The Lion King had a harder time delivering for Marvel with Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. As that show famously plodded and stumbled (and sometimes hurtled dangerously) toward its oft-postponed Broadway opening, Taymor was double-crossed by everyone from her plucked-from-nowhere coauthor, Glen Berger, to the show's internationally famous co-songwriter Bono. The two helped concoct a "Plan X" that would replace Taymor's eccentric vision, based in part on the myth of Arachne, with a simpler (and as it turned out, more banal) story. Fired by the producers, Taymor wasn't even given tickets for opening night, in June 2011—though, somewhat indecorously, she attended anyway. But no, not so poor Julie Taymor! After more than a year…

In planning our annual quest to identify Hollywood's most influential women, we asked: "Who would know Hollywood better than Hollywood herself?" So we tapped 24 all-star powerhouses (all of whom have ranked on ELLE Power Lists past) to nominate and speak—anonymously, of course, because in this town you can't let it all hang out—about their industry's hottest players. Here, a peer-sanctioned survey of the Hollywood power complex—in their own words. THE TALENT Jennifer Lawrence The "undeniable" Lawrence, who won an Oscar this year for Silver Linings Playbook (up next: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and American Hustle), is "a full-fledged movie star" and "the most exciting actress in a long time." "Her appeal is being relatable" (read: funny and self-deprecating). "And look at her work: touchstones for pop culture." Jessica…

There was a moment, circa 1993, when style markers of the early 1970s—filtered through a grunge-era lens—briefly surged back into fashion. My friends and I clamored for flared-leg pants and unflattering crochet caps. Makeupwise, we wore little more than mascara and concealer, and, despite my mother's ominous warnings, I plucked my eyebrows so savagely that for years afterward I resembled a quizzical harlequin. It was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it retro-fashion blip, but I remember thinking, even as I embraced it: If we're going to revive the '70s, why are we celebrating the wrong end of the decade? The '70s I remember as a little girl—admittedly, only the last few years—was an era of glamour and glitz. It was watching my older sister slick on lip gloss before going to the roller-skating rink;…

A-list celebrities are frequently likened to both professional athletes and race cars. Read: They are expensive, delicate machines who require year-round maintenance—and a dedicated pit crew. Those sitting at home with a bowl of popcorn on Oscar night should bear in mind that "people in front of the camera stay up with it all year long, with their skin peels, their Botox, their Juvéderm, their lipo if they need it," says Santa Monica plastic surgeon Steven Teitelbaum, MD, who also uses the athlete metaphor. "The body is always maximized." On top of that, come awards season—which, in reality, starts approximately in August, before the Emmys, and lasts until mid-March—there's the elite training: the cold-pressed juice diets (near ubiquitous at this point), the fiber supplements, the extra trainer sessions, the spray-tan…

When my gynecologist said I needed to go on birth control pills at age 14, my feminist mother rejoiced. I'd been missing several days of school every month since my period had started two years earlier, bringing with it vomiting, mind-numbing cramps, and the kind of heavy bleeding that ruins white jeans and fragile middle-school egos. "Thank God for the Pill," my mom said. "Now you won't have to suffer like I did." She came of age pre-Advil and spent the first three days of her period cradling a hot-water bottle and throwing up everything she ate. My grandmother had even more dire stories about surviving as a teenage girl in World War II England (that would be before Advil or Ultra Thin Maxipads). The menstrual cycles of the Sole…

THIS MONTH IN READER: The secretly sexy Jonah Hill page 312 // Samantha Power: Obama's global conscience page 314 // Bridget Jones grows up page 318 In her dressing room at Conan O'Brien's late-night show, the 6'8" women's-basketball wunderkind Brittney Griner is flipping through a rolling rack of men's shirts with one of her very large hands—they're bigger than LeBron James'—while also keeping her eyes on the iPhone she's palming in the other. What attracted the attention of Conan, and the rest of the country, is Griner's absolute dominance as a college player and her selection as the WNBA's number one draft pick this spring—in her first pro game, for the Phoenix Mercury, she dunked twice, setting a league record—not to mention the suggestion by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban…

It's a Tuesday night in the middle of August, and the restaurant at the Chateau Marmont is packed with a daunting collection of people who look beautiful or important or famous—or, as it may be, merely aspirational. A fetching hostess brings me to the table where the author Helen Fielding awaits, sipping at a white-wine spritzer, her short nails painted a chic shade of taupey gray. She is wearing a simple, off-white silk dress, a few tasteful pieces of gold jewelry (including a pair of Elsa Peretti earrings I've always coveted), and an oversize watch. Within minutes—make that seconds—of my sitting down, the two of us are chatting away like old friends and each ordering the hearty chicken dish instead of one of the more delicate entrées on the menu.…

Embroidered silk dress, ROBERTO CAVALLI, price on request, at Roberto Cavalli boutiques nationwide. Silk bra, DOLCE & GABBANA, $275. Rose gold and yellow gold bracelets (worn throughout), both, CATBIRD, $276 each. Silk ribbed knee-high socks, MARIA LA ROSA, $120. For details, see Shopping Guide. Silk dress, DONNA KARAN NEW YORK, $2,500, at Donna Karan New York stores nationwide. Silk ribbed thigh-high socks, MARIA LA ROSA, $152. Eyelet dress, GIAMBATTISTA VALLI, $4,790, collection at shopbop.com. Silk bra, DOLCE & GABBANA, $275. Silk ribbed knee-high socks, MARIA LA ROSA, $120. For details, see Shopping Guide. Cotton-blend lace tank, BALMAIN, $1,050, collection at Barneys New York. Lace-trimmed silk bra, DOLCE & GABBANA, $275. Metallic cotton-knit briefs, DIOR, $990. Silk ribbed thigh-high socks, MARIA LA ROSA, $152. For details, see Shopping Guide. "A bunch…

It's not all inscrutable for cult-adored California-based label Rodarte. Alison S. Cohn gets up close and personal with Laura and Kate Mulleavy—and devotee Dakota Fanning—about fall's Santa Cruz collection, their most personal to date. "Have you guys seen the episode of My Super Sweet 16 where the girl makes her entrance on an elephant?" asks Dakota Fanning. "Duh!" exclaims Laura Mulleavy, lounging in a suite with her Rodarte codesigner (and big sis) Kate Mulleavy at the Gramercy Park Hotel—the storied New York City lodging where Humphrey Bogart got married and where both Bob Marley and Bob Dylan lived for a time—and where the Mulleavys and Fanning, their muse, are being shot by legendary art photographer Nan Goldin for ELLE. It's endearing that both the young actress and the University of…

After Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" was deemed the Song of the Summer by Billboard and pretty much everyone on the planet, it carried right on ruling airwaves through the fall. The absurdly catchy, baby-making track hit number one in more than 100 countries, fueled by an X-rated video initially banned on YouTube (it has since logged more than 170 million views). Thicke, 36, makes for an unlikely overnight sensation: He's been at this for 10 years, and Blurred Lines (featuring songs with unabashedly campy lyrics like "I want to shop for your underwear") is his sixth studio album. Perhaps even more unlikely for a neo-urban icon, he's the son of Growing Pains star Alan Thicke, a man who got over divorce by bedding a string of beauty pageant contestants (seriously).…

1 Friday, November 1 If you're in the City of Angels this month, stop by the Salvatore Ferragamo pop-up at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, where you'll find an accessories capsule with pieces such as this multicolor Lucite cuff, designed to celebrate the adopted home of the Italian brand's founder and "Shoemaker to the Stars," who opened the Hollywood Boot Shop in 1923. 2 Saturday, November 2 Party arty with Gucci at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's annual Art + Film Gala, this year honoring director Martin Scorsese and artist David Hockney, whose painting Mulholland Drive: The Road to the Studio appears above. THE ELLE MUST-DO Checklist Thursday, November 14 Haute-sneaker lovers, rejoice: Isabel Marant for H&M lands in stores today. _ Wednesday, November 27…

Just a week into fashion month and already the reporters are asking what trends we're seeing. So far? Black for spring, more black and white from fall, transparency, a dash of mod, more pastels than brights, and some rock 'n' roll. What seemed patently "out" was complaining about how hard fashion week is. My assistant once said to me, "I can't wait for the moment in my career when I can say, 'Oh, I wish I didn't have to go to Paris.' " It is work, for sure, but how lucky those of us are who get to go to work at the Paris Opera's Palais Garnier on rue Scribe to see the always fantastic Stella McCartney show. There was a moment in New York when I looked down and…

Aziz Ansari PROVENANCE: Bennettsville, SC NOW: New York City and Los Angeles PROFESSION: Actor; comedian; writer THIS MONTH: "The Lonely Hearts Club" (page 252) BONA FIDES: Stars in Parks and Recreation; appeared in This Is the End, 30 Minutes or Less, Funny People; created comedy specials Buried Alive, Dangerously Delicious, and Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening PHILOSOPHY: "I think it's true that the more personal something is, the more universal it ends up being. The genesis of the show I've been working on is a situation I was in with a girl I really liked. We hooked up one night, I was very excited, and I texted her a couple of days later, and…total silence. I was going nuts, like, 'Really? Nothing?!' and then I was like, 'This is…

Madonna's '40s-inspired Old Hollywood glamour for the "Take a Bow" video; Amber Valletta as a glossed and blonded Valley of the Dolls throwback in Versace ads; Demi Moore wearing little more than a whopping diamond ring with a ripe pregnant belly on the cover of Vanity Fair. They're all indelible fashion moments, and all crafted in the unrestrained style of ELLE fashion editor-at-large Lori Goldstein. This month, the renegade stylist releases Lori Goldstein: Style Is Instinct (Harper Design), a collection of photos by the biggest names in fashion photography (Leibovitz, Testino, Weber) all bearing the distinct Goldstein stamp: the fearless mixing and matching, the riotous prints and colors that reflect a life spent living, eating, and breathing fashion—and still being able to truly go wild for, say, a McQueen armadillo…

Saturday at "the compound": Sophie in an I Love Gorgeous dress and shoes; Marjan in a Costume National tunic top, cropped trousers, and suede Newbark loafers with rose embroidery; Josie in a Marc Jacobs dress with embossed snake Newbark loafers; Ali in a Marc Jacobs tuxedo, shirt, and tie and suede Newbark loafers with Union Jack embroidery; Homa in a vintage gown from Decades and suede Newbark peep-toe mules; Indie in an I Love Gorgeous dress; Rumi in an I Love Gorgeous dress and shoes; Maryam in a Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane cape and blouse, Marc Jacobs trousers, and suede Newbark peep-toes; Rawdon in a Marc Jacobs blazer and shirt and A.P.C. jeans (Clockwise) Marjan in a vintage Ozbek jacket from Decades, a Marc Jacobs blouse, and Costume National…

Viscose-blend skirt, SONIA RYKIEL, $1,030, at Sonia Rykiel, Boston Sapphire and gold ring, H.STERN, $4,400, at H.Stern, NYC VERSACE CHLOÉ DIOR Nylon-blend bandeau top, $240, bottom, $140, both, ARAKS, collection at The Webster, Miami Patent leather and PVC pump, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, $695, at Christian Louboutin, Miami Leather clutch, PROENZA SCHOULER, $765, at Proenza Schouler, NYC Dive into the season's pastel trend with pastille-hued bags and shoes on page 174.…

Diamond, garnet, spinel, sapphire, emerald, tourmaline, amethyst, beryl, tanzanite, and aquamarine cuff, DIOR FINE JEWELRY, price on request, call 800-929-DIOR Tweed handbag, KATE SPADE NEW YORK, $348, visit katespade.com THOM BROWNE NINA RICCI LOUIS VUITTON Sequined tweed jacket with rex-rabbit collar, MARC JACOBS, $2,900, at Marc Jacobs, NYC Sunglasses, DIOR, $335, at select Dior boutiques nationwide Tweed dress, CHLOé, $2,295, collection at net-a-porter.com Originally favored by Scottish farmers for its durability, tweed enjoyed its first fashion moment when Lady Catherine Murray, Countess of Dunmore, introduced it to the British aristocracy in the 1840s.…

Lace ankle boot, GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI, price on request, similar styles at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide ALTUZARRA MICHAEL KORS VALENTINO Nylon-blend lace dress, GUESS, $118, collection at macys.com Chantilly lace and silver-plated palladium cuff, IAM BY ILEANA MAKRI, $950, collection at shopbop.com Cotton lace trousers, ERDEM, $1,750, collection at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide So-called wedding ring shawls, which originated in Russia, are made of lace that is so fine it can be pulled through a wedding ring.…

LOS ANGELES You won't find Marilyn or Jackie in Honor Fraser's latest exhibition, "Andy Warhol: Robots & Space Ships." Instead, the contemporary gallery has drawn from the pop-art icon's playful silk screens depicting futuristic midcentury toys. honorfraser.com NEW YORK Marc Jacobs is collaborating with Boostcase on a line of battery-equipped iPhone 5 cases featuring charming illustrations by Hattie Stewart, who teamed up with the Marc by Marc Jacobs crew to create the brand's resort 2014 accessories. marcjacobs.com LONDON Despite having only three seasons under her belt, Irish designer Danielle Romeril has caught the attention of fashion editors with her simple separates rendered in luxe materials. Case in point: a basic white sweatshirt-and-shorts combo in punched leather. danielleromeril.com LOS ANGELES In her previous life, Joanne Fiske helped Pamela…

BEATRICE VALENZUELA "This recently opened shop carries artisanal pieces from Mexico, a handmade-shoe collection, and Ramsey Conder sculptural pieces." 1547 Echo Park Avenue CLARE VIVIER "I'm obsessed with text on my designs—I appreciate the way it breaks up the line visually. When we first started offering monogramming, I used to paint the initials by hand! I'm excited to bring this service to New York City." 3339 West Sunset Boulevard CORTEZ "After the success of their green-market grocery Cookbook, Marta Teegen and Robert Stelzner opened this Echo Park community farm-to-table restaurant." 1356 Allison Avenue LAKE "Where I go when I need a new outfit fix close to home: Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone, K. Jacques, and more."1618 Silver Lake Boulevard OOGA BOOGA "An eclectic collection of books, music, and clothing from…

Day: Hand-knitted cotton cropped sweater, MAIYET, $495, at Maiyet, NYC Bikini, ZIMMERMANN, $185, collection at net-a-porter.com Embroidered crocodile handbag, NANCY GONZALEZ, $3,450, to special order at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC Hand-knitted cotton shorts, MAIYET, $425, visit maiyet.com. Suede loafers, TORY BURCH, $285, visit toryburch.com Night: Enamel, diamond, gold, and platinum earrings, DAVID WEBB, price on request, at David Webb, Beverly Hills. Embroidered dress, ZIMMERMANN, $430, at Zimmermann, NYC Sunglasses, PAUL SMITH SPECTACLES, $270, at Oliver Peoples, NYC Water hyacinth and straw clutch, KARA ROSS, $740, visit kararossny.com. Leather sandal, STUART WEITZMAN, $398, visit stuartweitzman.com FLOWER CHILD As seen at Valentino Escape to: Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri revisited Ibiza's bohemian past with floral embroidered maxidresses and Roman sandals. You can do the same with breezy caftans, minuscule bikinis, and…

Day: Faux-leather tank, ASOS, $54, visit asos.com. Woven cotton-blend shorts, RACHEL COMEY, $414, visit rachelcomey.com Snakeskin handbag, MARC JACOBS, $1,395, at Marc Jacobs boutiques nationwide Gold necklace with diamonds, sapphires, tsavorite, and tourmalines, DANIELA VILLEGAS, price on request, collection at luisaviaroma.com. Beaded leather sandals, PIKOLINOS, $200, visit pikolinos.com Night: Cotton jacket, DSQUARED2, $1,330, collection at shopbop.com. Brass and black agate cuff, PAMELA LOVE, $510, collection at Barneys New York Cropped denim shirt, ALEXANDER WANG, $495, at Alexander Wang, NYC Leather skirt, DEREK LAM, $2,590, collection at Barneys New York Printed calf-hair sandal, 10 CROSBY DEREK LAM, $295, collection at piperlime.com DESERT ROSE As seen at Derek Lam Escape to: Derek Lam was so taken with the surroundings during his most recent stay in North Africa that he channeled the stunning…

When not playing mannequin for the likes of Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Nina Ricci, Stockholm native Frida Gustavsson can be found turning heads with her ever-changing hair color (red, the last time we checked) and quintessential model-off-duty style. Get the look with weathered, cuffed denim and a tough biker jacket—and balance out any hard edges with feminine pumps and accessories. Gold-plated brass and lapis necklace, KELLY WEARSTLER, $395, visit kellywearstler.com Lamé shirt, MARC JACOBS, $1,200, at Marc Jacobs, NYC Leather jacket, SURFACE TO AIR, $850, at Surface to Air, NYC Printed suede ankle boot, AQUAZZURA, $595, collection at saksfifthavenue.com Cotton-blend jeans, FRAME DENIM, $209, collection at Nordstrom stores nationwide Faux-crocodile handbag, STELLA McCARTNEY, $1,330, collection at Marissa Collections, Naples, FL SHOPS Model Citizen Gustavsson hopes to have a career as…

Apocalyptic dramas are all the rage—the darker the better—as both the big studios and indies address the unsettling era we're living through. Often the silver linings in these movies come in the form of a fierce young female protagonist—and hooray for that! But what separates two new films—Brian Percival's The Book Thief and Kevin Macdonald's How I Live Now—from the dystopian pack is their real ism. The Book Thief looks back at an all too real horror, Germany's Nazi era, while the second film is set in the lush green countryside of a near-future Britain about to be battered by an oncoming World War III. As dark as these films are, fans of Joe Wright's gorgeous Hanna will be glad to see Saoirse Ronan shine again in an equally bold…

Dave Eggers' new page-turner of a novel, The Circle (Knopf/McSweeney's), takes us on a richly speculative—and scarily believable—journey inside the morally ambiguous workings of a secretive, ever-burgeoning Bay Area tech organization deemed to be "the most influential company in the world." On a sprawling, bucolic state-of-the-art campus, the Circle is a firm run by a trio known as the Three Wise Men, one of whom—reclusive, visionary founder Ty—combined everything online, from social media to bill payments to e-mail accounts and beyond, into a unified system called TruYou. Into this ravenously ambitious company arrives go-getter Mae Holland, who's been brought onboard by onetime college roomie Annie, an elite inner-Circler whose title, she jokes, is "Director of Ensuring the Future." After a few stumbles, Mae rises steadily through the ranks to become…

For a metallic cat eye, try M.A.C Fluidline gel liner in Tarnished Temper. THIS MONTH IN BEAUTY: Our behind-the-scenes guide to Hollywood (we've got the secret to Emma Stone's perfect skin!) page 272 // A 48-hour L.A. beauty blitz page 288 // Celebs' off-duty essentials page 292// How to get over a broken heart page 296 NEUTRAL SELECTION Call it a reaction to red-lip overload, but fall's monochromatic new palette, an ultraflattering range of burnished neutrals dreamed up here for ELLE by legendary makeup artist Val Garland, challenges the notion that a pop of color looks prettiest. "By using caramel sepia tones, it's more Hollywood —more glamorous," Garland says. The secret to choosing your best browns? "If you have pink in your skin, look for shades with green or yellow…

What can the most fragrance-obsessed culture in the world teach us about new ways to wear scent? April Long travels to the Middle East and learns how to cast a seductive spell by mixing and matching perfumes Indoor ski slopes aside, the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai could be any shopping center anywhere in the world. There are atria with trickling fountains, a mind-bogglingly illogical escalator system, and ersatz indoor sidewalk cafés where people sip Starbucks lattes (camel milk optional, at nearby Costa) and rummage through new purchases from Topshop, Gap, or Gucci. There's even a Cheesecake Factory. So far, so generic—but then, there's the scent. When I close my eyes, my nose knows: I'm not in Kansas anymore. Simply walking behind groups of locals in the mall—which, because…

CAUDALÍE Beauty Elixir is "like a cup of coffee for the face," says Alexa Chung's makeup artist Tamah Krinsky; WELEDA Skin Food around eyes "gives a little extra glow," makeup artist Pati Dubroff says; SHU UEMURA eyelash curler enables no-mascara days; Miley Cyrus skips foundation and spot-treats with TARTE Maracuja concealer; Seeing red? Chances are it's M.A.C Lady Danger, OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE COSMETICS Stalker, or NARS Cruella, the top three starlet-scarlets; Joan Crawford's face fix, ice, has gotten an upgrade: Stars now freeze green tea or rose water–laced H2O. Diane Kruger starts each day with Chanel Le Jour de Chanel serum. Rita Ora's weekend red is the vibrant Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Stalker. Jessica Alba's Honest Co. Healing Balm can double as a lid and cheek highlighter. Cyrus layers…

In my idealistic and (mostly) innocent twenties, I worked for a guy who got a deep charge out of having me—his "secretary," he would say with a titter, despite my title being assistant, and my quavering pleas that he please refer to me as such—place his calls. While he lingered by my cubicle, I'd punch digits. Often, another assis tant would pick up, and while the call was being transferred to the intended recipient, my boss would start walking—slooowly—back to his desk. The point was to be the last to pick up the line. Once, though, when he had me phone a very famous artist, the man himself answered immediately. And when I told him whose office I was calling from, the artist— approaching 80, with zero patience for such…

Think back to 2007, to Superbad, that smutty ode to teenage awkwardness starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. Hill was the fiercely, corrosively funny one. Even so, you probably thought, Dude, you just won the lottery; enjoy the moment, because you'll be second banana for the rest of your career. And for a minute there, it did look like Cera would be the one remaining at the top of the credits. That was then. I'm sitting with Hill in Swingers, the Los Angeles diner made famous by the film of the same name, a place he used to come to with his skater friends more than a decade ago. They'd sheepishly ogle the waitresses, who were way out of their league and clearly too old for them. "I realize they're…

THE DUBIOUS BOYFRIENDS AWARDS FROM THIS MONTH'S LETTERS, A COMPENDIUM OF CADS, RASCALS, BOUNDERS, AND CREEPS, PLUS ONE BONUS—JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN THE FAMOUS BAD BOYFRIEND DEAR E. JEAN: Every woman has a celebrity crush. Well, I met mine, and he ruined my life. I'm not talking about some random drummer from a no-name band. I'm talking a big, bona fide A-list Hollywood celeb. We met accidentally, clicked, and began to see each other—casually, not in the public eye. We had the craziest, most electric chemistry—and the best sex ever. Ever. For a second I allowed myself to believe that I could achieve the Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso fairy tale: A normal girl falls in love with the prince of Hollywood and lives happily ever after. Unfortunately, the…

Sable stole, BIRGER CHRISTENSEN, price on request, at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide. Silk blouse, EQUIPMENT, $208. Virgin wool trousers, HUGO, $325. For details, see Shopping Guide. Fox and mink coat, price on request, wool gabardine trousers, $1,100, patent leather sandals, $790, all, CéLINE, at Céline, NYC. Sable bolero, MICHAEL KORS, price on request, collection at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide. Wool cashmere sweater, $4,490, jacquard trousers, $1,490, both, THE ROW. Patchwork fox and mink jacket, price on request, silk trousers, $950, both, FENDI, at Fendi, NYC. Cotton tank, JEN KAO, $250. Felted wool fedora, SENSI STUDIO, $225. For details, see Shopping Guide. Mink vest, leather belt, prices on request, pleated leather skirt, $2,800, all, J. MENDEL, call 800-J-MENDEL. Silk blouse, EQUIPMENT, $198. Suede and lizard boots, MANOLO BLAHNIK FOR…

COVERS On Reese Witherspoon: Silk-blend dress by Versace, $1,675, at select Versace boutiques nationwide, call 888-721-7219. Gold bracelet by David Yurman, $3,800, at David Yurman (NYC), visit davidyurman.com. On Melissa McCarthy: Wool cashmere coat, $2,225, triacetate-blend skirt, $420, by Marina Rinaldi, at Marina Rinaldi (NYC). Top by Calvin Klein, $29, collection at lordandtaylor.com. Gold, quartz, and diamond earrings by Plukka, $900, visit plukka.com. On Marion Cotillard: Viscose knit bra top, $1,050, wool shorts, $620, by Dior, at Dior boutiques nationwide, call 800-929-DIOR. Bracelets by David Yurman, $450–$2,400, at David Yurman (NYC). On Shailene Woodley: Swimsuit by Calvin Klein Swimwear, $98, visit calvinklein.com. Silver and diamond bracelet by David Yurman, $4,200, at David Yurman (NYC), call 212-752-4255. Sneakers by Eytys, $135, at Opening Ceremony (NYC, L.A.) or visit eytys.com. On Eva…

Cameron Russell might be the only Victoria's Secret model to catch the world's attention for an appearance so far off the runway. Last October, the 26-year-old gave a stirring speech at TEDxMidAtlantic called "Looks Aren't Everything. Believe me, I'm a Model," in which she discussed how she "won the genetic lottery," attributing her success as a model to luck above all else. This month, she'll sound off on ELLE.com as our blogger-in-residence. SMART GIRLS' MODELING CLUB Russell's following in the footsteps of other members of the runway intelligentsia who have rocked the fashion world: IMAN The groundbreaking Somali model (and wife of David Bowie) studied political science at the University of Nairobi and speaks five languages. BROOKE SHIELDS In the early '80s, Brooke Shields became the face of Calvin Klein…

"UP" WORTHY "A strong, smart, Christian woman. Her values make her sexy." —Gregory Borden, USAToday.com Kate Upton, whose Ruben-esque shape and throwback beauty catapulted the 21-year-old model from catalogs to covers in record time, told Jessica Pressler in "Tempting Kate" [September 2013] about her strong faith and refusing to wear her outsize reputation as a scarlet letter. "I'm not a toy, I'm a human," she said. "I'm not here to be used. I'm a grown woman, and you need to figure your shit out." ELLE readers responded to Upton's call to action: "In an industry where everyone is trying to project 'THE image,' it's refreshing to hear such a personal, honest story. I bought my man a copy of 2012's Sports Illustrated because he thinks she's hot, and I do…

"Berlin is like our medicine," Chelsea Leyland says. "If we don't go there every six months, we get very upset." Leyland is the 25-year-old British art-and-fashion-world DJ who, along with her boyfriend, Ben Pundole (founder of hotel-review and lifestyle website AHotelLife.com and VP of brand experience at Ian Schrager's Edition Hotels), can always be counted on to know what's cool before anyone else does. So it's fitting that Berlin has been the globe-trotting couple's go-to getaway for years. "There aren't many rules in Berlin," Pundole says. "Film, fashion, art, and music all transcend conventional boundaries." When it comes to nightlife, this translates to 24-7 parties that feature the best DJs in the world. "It's amazing that you can go out and dance literally whenever you want: 11 A.M., 2 P.M.,…

Sometime around 2007, long before the triumph of Argo, Ben Affleck was in the midst of a hard-fought and by no means certain comeback. Having been tarred in the tabloids and weathered a series of stunning flops, Affleck had carefully charted his path to redemption: taking smaller roles in less commercial films and reinventing himself as a writer-director who would finally deliver on the promise of Good Will Hunting with a directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, in the wings. But he wanted more than that, too. A savvy Dem who'd campaigned for Gore, then Kerry; who was a vocal early supporter of gay marriage; who told GQ as far back as 2001 that he hoped to be wealthy enough one day to run for Congress without being beholden to any…

With Jay Z on speed dial, boutique Santa Monica jewelers Robert Keith and Kether Parker are making a streetwise play to establish Hoorsenbuhs as the next American fine-jewelry house "Brass knuckles are where it started," recalls Kether Parker, brand ambassador for Hoorsenbuhs, a Santa Monica–based fine-jewelry line that Jay Z selected for his collab-happy Barneys New York holiday capsule collection, which also includes partnerships with European luxury heavyweights Lanvin, Balmain, and Balenciaga. But what Mr. Carter wants, Mr. Carter doesn't always get. "They're a little bit of a liability," says Parker of the four-finger metal instruments in dubious legal standing. "Instead we made a more robust version of our own Double Barrel ring, in 18-karat yellow gold, with his family crest. If you had one on two fingers and another…

Bored of basics? Splattered Pollock-esque pieces make an expressive gesture Painted Plexiglas and metal cuff, CHANEL, $1,975, call 800-550-0005 Silicone-strap watch, SWATCH, $100, at Swatch stores nationwide 3.1 PHILLIP LIM Printed jeans, PROENZA SCHOULER, $365, call 212-585-3200 BOTTEGA VENETA CÉDRIC CHARLIER Printed cotton T-shirt, TIBI, $198, visit tibi.com Printed lizard clutch, KARA ROSS, $1,570, collection at neimanmarcus.com Nicknamed Jack the Dripper, Jackson Pollock unwittingly created a new artists' uniform when he chose to work in jeans and a T-shirt.…

Python skirt, REED KRAKOFF, $3,990, visit reedkrakoff.com Python sandal, MICHAEL KORS, $1,595, at select Michael Kors stores nationwide PORTS 1961 STELLA MCCARTNEY BARBARA BUI Python and calfskin handbag, DOLCE & GABBANA, $3,195, call 877-70-DG-USA Printed silk T-shirt, EQUIPMENT, $168, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC In Greek mythology, Python was a serpent-guard at Delphi and son of Gaia, the personification of Earth.…

OFF THE CHAIN Gilded links bring heavy metal shine to basic black Calfskin tote with metal chain straps, BALENCIAGA, $2,650, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC Chain-link brass cuffs, JENNIFER FISHER, $725 each, visit jenniferfisherjewelry.com Leather sandal with metal detail, CASADEI, $1,190, visit casadei.com PAINT BALL Keep a masterpiece on hand with a brightly painted purse or an artsy sketch-ready bag Painted grosgrain handbag, CHANEL, $3,400, at select Chanel boutiques nationwide Painted intrecciato leather bag, BOTTEGA VENETA, $2,250, visit bottegaveneta.com HARD CANDY Soft pastels and an iridescent sheen make for a winning combination on heels and bags Leather and patent leather pump, JIMMY CHOO, $695, at select Jimmy Choo stores nationwide Leather sandal, ALEJANDRO INGELMO, $1,295, visit alejandroingelmo.com Limited-edition plastic and metal-closure clutch, ROGER VIVIER, price on request, to reserve, call…

"The dum-dum camisole" is what Sylvie Millstein laughingly calls it. The description isn't pejorative, however. The 39-year-old designer is talking about the perfect, no-brainer, no-bells-and-whistles top from her line, Hellessey, that she's wearing today while curled up on the couch in her SoHo apartment. With its spaghetti straps and modest cut, the tank is refreshingly unplaceable—it could have been seen on a mid-'90s Kate Moss or on Cara Delevingne yesterday—which is exactly the point. Hellessey, launched this fall, eschews trendy prints and cuts in favor of luxe basics like floor-skimming black trousers or the aforementioned underpinning, of which she says, "It's perfectly cut, it's the right fabric, it's not transparent, you can wear it without a bra, it looks luxe, you're even going to die with it." All of which…

As you might glean from its name, resort season was once inextricably linked to travel. With an eye to the term's origins, we took a look at five of our favorite resort collections and the locations that inspired them, then tracked down the top places to stay and packing list must-haves for each locale. And, because we believe your luggage should be just as fetching as what's inside of it, consider these tropical-theme Prada beauties—the perfect desert-island companions no matter where you land. After all, it's not the destination, it's the journey—and what you wear on it. THIS MONTH IN SHOPS: Around the world with resort page 204 // The perfect, must-pack pieces for your next getaway page 216 // Get model Frida Gustavsson's enviable look page 218 // Chanel's…

Day: Panama straw and grosgrain-band hats, all, SENSI STUDIO, $126–$252, collection at net-a-porter.com Cotton lace dress, BURBERRY PRORSUM, $2,995, visit burberry.com Metallic swimsuit, MARIE FRANCE VAN DAMME, $329, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC Suede and leather sandal with metal detail, EDMUNDO CASTILLO, $1,945, at select Neiman Marcus stores nationwide Night: Safety pin detail top, ASOS, $47, visit asos.com. Metallic silk lamé trousers, ALTUZARRA, $995, collection at mytheresa.com. Suede belt, AMERICAN APPAREL, $34, visit americanapparel.com Patent leather clutch, LONGCHAMP, $355, visit longchamp.com Pavé crystal link bracelet, EDDIE BORGO, $1,200, collection at neimanmarcus.com Suede and leather pump, MARCIANO, $218, at Marciano stores nationwide GILDED GLAMOUR As seen at Gucci Escape to: Glamour rules in Brazil, so take inspiration from the golden sun, as Gucci's Frida Giannini did, with plenty of lamé and…

CAROLINE GROSSO ACCESSORIES EDITOR Enamel Cuff "Cuffs are the easiest pieces of jewelry with which to make a major statement. The matte white is the perfect complement to my usual neutral look, but I'll wear the blue when I need a strong pop of color." Lacquer and metal cuffs, both, DIOR, $1,200, call 800-929-DIOR ALLISON WATTERS CREDITS EDITOR Wedge Sandal "With just enough metallic detail to pack a punch, these chunky wedge heels from Chloé's resort collection have recently made it onto my must-own list. Combining comfort, luxe, and cool so effortlessly? They had me at hello…." Leather, neoprene, and wood wedge sandal, CHLOé, $1,195, collection at chloe.com SAMIRA NASR FASHION DIRECTOR Tuxedo Cape "I love tuxedos and have a wardrobe full of them, and this cape is the perfect,…

Deeply superstitious, Coco Chanel surrounded herself with items believed to promote good luck and prosperity. One of her favorite symbols was the lion, a nod to both the August-born designer's astrological sign and Venice, a city that offered constant inspiration. Chanel's Sous le Signe du Lion high jewelry collection pays homage with a pride of precious stone lion's-head pieces. As talismans go, your pressed four-leaf clover just can't compete. From left: Gold, topaz, beryl, citrine, garnet, yellow sapphire, and diamond ring; gold, lapis lazuli, yellow diamond, and diamond ring; gold, multicolor pearl, and diamond ring, all, CHANEL FINE JEWELRY, prices on request, call 800-550-0005 SHOPS ELLE Exclusive ELLE.com/shop-accessories.…

Leave it to a minor character to nail the glorious trickery of The Goldfinch—both the 1654 oil masterpiece by Carel Fabritius and the book named for it, Donna Tartt's somewhat implausible, wholly entrancing third novel from Little, Brown. "They make jokes. They amuse themselves," says an art smuggler, referring to Fabritius and his Dutch peers. "They build up the illusion, the trick—but, step closer? It falls apart into brushstrokes. Abstract, unearthly. A different and much deeper sort of beauty." The same could be said of Tartt's impasto of lush writing and smudgy plotting. All writers of fiction ask us to suspend our disbelief, but Tartt sends it on extended leave—as long as it takes to submit to nearly 800 pages of picaresque sleight of hand. Tartt's first novel, The Secret…

[TV] THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB As a warm-up for Aziz Ansari's November 1 Netflix comedy special, Buried Alive, in which he tackles the late-twenties transition from casual dating to life-partnering, The Parks and Recreation star—and future author of his own investigatory book on contemporary courtship—takes four ELLE editors to task over their digitally diluted quests for love Whether conversing with audience members at my shows or chatting with friends on the topic, I always get the same feedback about modern dating: Technology helps us connect with people, but it also annoys the hell out of us. And while frustration with the nuances of today's rituals of pursuit are nearly universal, when I sat down with four single ELLE editors, I found that each of these twentysomethings employs his or her…

From HD to 3-D to IRL, Chanel makeup artist Rachel Goodwin preps celebs for close encounters of the Hollywood kind. We all know photographers love the magic hour: the time at sunrise and sunset when light hits skin perfectly. For the other 23 hours of the day, they rely on makeup artist Rachel Goodwin. An ELLE regular, L.A.-based Goodwin splits her time between fashion shoots and prepping celebs such as Emma Stone, January Jones, and Diane Kruger for the red carpet. What's the biggest challenge with red-carpet makeup? In the past few years, everything has changed in the L.A. makeup world. You can't be heavy-handed, because many red-carpet events happen in the afternoon, in daylight. Makeup has to look good in person, on HD, and in 3-D, when my clients…

Starry Night Giorgio Armani Beauty Nail Lacquers, in pearlescent Kaleidoscope and midnight-hue Bleu d'Armani, bring a touch of magic to fingertips. Double Header Use one end of the Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen in Deeper to trace a fine cat eye; switch to the thick end for a bolder look. Morning Dew Proving that serious moisture doesn't have to feel heavy, Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Fluid penetrates quickly, leaving skin smooth throughout the day. Rebel Yell Dolce & Gabbana does punk: Classic Cream Lipsticks in pigment-packed Amethyst and Emerald will make lips stand out with a punch of color. Cold Comfort Sisley Eau du Soir Holiday 2013 Limited Edition combines spicy notes of citrus, lily of the valley, musk, and amber to create a surprisingly warm winter fragrance. Take Note Clé…

I am staring at a photo on my phone of a thin, tanned hand. A scar runs along it, and studded across the knuckles is a series of pins. "Franken-hand," the hand's owner has written below it. At the time I received this post-surgery selfie, I remember thinking it seemed like a strange thing to send to another person, equal parts attention-getting gross-out and weird display of vulnerability—though fully in keeping with the behavior of the hand's owner. Now I can't stop staring at it. In the weeks since being dumped—not even properly dumped, just passively dropped—by the guy I was dating—not even properly dating, just "hanging out with" on and off for about a year—I haven't had the most exciting hobbies. When I'm not manically plotting out an add-a-bead…

"Try not to use quirky too many times in this story, okay?" intones Liz Meriwether as she adjusts a framed poster of a unicorn in front of an unfurling rainbow in her dining room on a recent Saturday afternoon. The request would be easy enough to comply with if it came from anyone other than Meriwether, the bespectacled creative genius behind FOX's New Girl, whose own small-screen alter ego, Jess, is played by the reigning queen of quirk, Zooey Deschanel. Perhaps not surprisingly, the adjective also applies rather nicely to the home Meriwether purchased last year, an otherwise sleek three-bedroom midcentury ranch house in West Hollywood, punctuated with touches such as a backyard statue of an alligator; a kitchen chalkboard upon which the ominous REDRUM is scrawled; and an unapologetically…

In her very first speech as the new United States ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power strode onto a stage at UCLA to a crushing, rock concert–like ovation from the audience of young human-rights activists. "O…M…G," she said, with the measured timing and flair of a seasoned performer, as camera phones blinked on throughout the auditorium and shouts of adulation persisted. "Right back atcha! I had a hunch that this would be inspiring, but this is something else!" It's hard to imagine any government official, short of the president or first lady, inciting such a superstar reception. But there's always been an aura of glamour and electricity around Power, a tall, Irish-born human-rights crusader whose passion is as arresting as her long, auburn hair and whose luminous persona defies…

"It's like I always say: You don't have to be like them, you just have to understand them," Penélope Cruz says of the characters she's played over the years, who range from a mercurial artist in Vicky Cristina Barcelona to Michael Fassbender's fiancée (in her next film, The Counselor). In fact, all eight of the ladies in this edition of our annual Women in Hollywood portfolio—from 21-year-old ingenue Shailene Woodley to 89-year-old legend Eva Marie Saint—have made their mark playing (or in the case of director Nancy Meyers, creating) realistic, multidimensional characters. Reese Witherspoon tells her pal Mindy Kaling that she started her production company, Pacific Standard, as a reaction to all those "girlfriend-of" casting calls. Adaptations of Wild and Gone Girl are on the way, and Witherspoon tells Kaling…

In this fall's achingly sexy, ultrabuzzy Palme d'Or winner, Blue Is the Warmest Color—a Spielberg-led jury awarded it top honors at Cannes—fearless French actresses Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos play lovers whose connection feels both immediate and impossible to shake. Here, the duo reunites on the streets of downtown L.A., imbuing resort's best sporty-chic separates with the optimism of young love—and that undeniable Parisian insouciance Left, on Adèle: Lace macramé blazer, $3,800, viscose bra, $1,650, mohair and wool trousers, $2,100, all, DIOR, at Dior boutiques nationwide. Her own jewelry. On Léa: Embroidered macramé dress, VALENTINO, price on request, at Valentino, NYC. Sunglasses, THIERRY LASRY, $425. Leather and metal bracelet, FENDI, $500. Vermeil bracelets, both, ALEXIS BITTAR, $175–$225. Leather sandals, VIONNET, $1,392. Above, on Adèle: Printed jacquard coat, $2,095, shorts, $780,…

An early new-moon solar eclipse jump-starts November for all signs, and Mercury's direct turn midmonth heralds sparkling planetary synergy. Exciting events, career developments, and romantic intrigue are all yours to be had, just in time for the holidays SCORPIO THIS MONTH FOR SCORPIO: (OCT 23–NOV 21) This will be an important month, as the Sun, Saturn, Venus, and the new-moon eclipse on the 3rd all fall in Scorpio. A new moon opens doors, and this one, being a solar eclipse, will have triple the effect. These planets will also encourage thinking—about what, exactly, is unknown, but doing so will be the key to your happiness. Keep in mind that Mercury has been retrograde in Scorpio since October and will continue to cause delays until the 10th. Work will be golden,…