Table of contents for September 2014 in ELLE

Tuesday, September 2 GRUNGE AMBITION Maureen Callahan's dishy Champagne Supernovas is a titillating ride through the '90s fashion world, as Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, and Alexander McQueen eclipsed the reigning glamazons with their waifish chic. Friday, September 12 DIRTY MONEY In moody crime drama The Drop, Tom Hardy plays a bartender with a criminal past hit by a robbery gone wrong. Noomi Rapace is his love interest (who harbors dark secrets of her own), and James Gandolfini, in his final film role, plays his gruff boss. Tuesday, September 9 BEYOND SCARLETT Don your hoopskirts—Tara lives yet another day: Austin's Harry Ransom Center salutes Gone With the Wind's seventy-fifth anniversary with an exhibition that traces the movie from its conception in 1936 to the 1940 Oscars, when it won 10 statues.…

Imprinting, according to the Twilight Saga Wiki, begins when one person is "gravitationally pulled" toward another, after which the "connections of everything else become severed, or simply secondary" evermore. As you'll probably remember, it's what Taylor Lautner, as the hunky shape-shifting wolf Jacob, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn–Part 2, did to little Renesmee—the spawn of Kristen Stewart's late-in-life vampire Bella and Robert Pattinson's pallid Edward—entangling them all in a Byzantine love triangle for life, and, well, in their case, the afterlife. It's also, it seems, what happened to Stewart, having imprinted upon millions of young women around the world, who projected all of their pent-up and often still unnamed yearnings onto the beautiful, heroic, suffering Bella. For much of her young life, Stewart has been the object of other…

Lili Anolik PROVENANCE: Wellesley, MA NOW: New York City PROFESSION: Writer THIS MONTH: "Hero Complex" (page 566). "Kristen was laid-back, low-key, and totally appealing. She was kind of like her character in Adventureland, easygoing and open." BONA FIDES: BA, English, Princeton University; work has appeared in Vanity Fair and Harper's READING: On the Road, by Jack Kerouac. "I can't believe how macho this book is. There's no space for girls—you feel totally excluded as a girl. You get pregnant or annoy them, and they leave you by the side of the road, basically." CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: "I was at a 14th Street subway stop, and I saw Taylor Kitsch. He's so handsome! I was wheeling my baby, and I turned the carriage around. Tim…

On the fall runway at Saint Laurent, there were Madeline-perfect peacoats, Courtney Love circa "Doll Parts" velvet dresses with white collars, plaid minis, liberal polka dots, thick black schoolgirl tights, and shiny Maryjanes—every piece worn by a slip of a girl who looked a bit disheveled, as if she'd thrown it all together before heading out to the Paris streets. In his four seasons helming the house, Hedi Slimane has kept returning to the fascination of youth, the magnetic power of girlhood. And whenever that happens on fashion's main stage, a question inevitably arises: What grown woman wants to risk looking childish in an expensive designer dress? That would be me. In Slimane's models I see both my own look and that of the girls of my expatriate childhood—irreverent, oddly…

Christine McVie looks into the camera and asks, "How does it feel being a sex symbol in rock 'n' roll?" Hanging out backstage on Fleetwood Mac's 1977 world tour, McVie, the band's keyboardist, looks as if she's had a few vodka tonics (and if this night was like most on the Rumours tour, probably a fair amount of cocaine, too). She pauses for the perfect comedic beat, then delivers: "I don't know; ask Stevie Nicks." Her blond shag and shiny caftan shake as she emits a husky laugh. "Oh, listen, Stevie's gonna know I'm kidding," she says in her proper English accent. The two women of Fleetwood Mac have always been friends. There's no need for competition when their roles are so clear: Nicks in front, twirling seductively in her…

Three young brands discover the comfort of coming clean. FRAME SHIRT In 2012, Jens Grede, 36, and Erik Torstensson, 35, the two London-based Swedes behind Frame Denim—who also helm über-creative agency Saturday Group and the industry glossy Industrie—set out to create the perfect jeans for fashion types. It took about a year, but they nailed it with Le Skinny de Jeanne, a mid-rise style with minimal branding and a perfect fit. Torstensson, being in the business of image making, quickly recognized a problem with their business model: "You think of the whole girl, and you need to put something on top." So in July they released Grace MMXIII, a dress line, and this month they unveil Frame Shirt, a range of blouses available on Net-a-Porter. Their favorite is Le Classic,…

Canvas and cotton utility jacket, HUNTER, $495, visit hunter-boot.com Cotton dress, 3.1 PHILLIP LIM, $450, at 3.1 Phillip Lim, NYC Leather survival kit, ALEXANDER WANG, $1,295, visit alexanderwang.com Wool and flannel skirt, PORTS 1961, $895, visit ports1961.com Silver Swiss Army knife, TIFFANY & CO., $270, visit tiffany.com Fashion Trends For the person who needs everything to have a place, ELLE.com/utility has even more pieces to fit your type A personality.…

Rubberized-lace tank, MAXSTUDIO.COM , $98, visit maxstudio.com White gold and diamond ring, BOCHIC, price on request, call 212-632-1700 Calfskin and brass ankle boot, DOLCE & GABBANA, $2,245, visit dolcegabbana.com Metal mesh and wool skirt, MARY KATRANTZOU, price on request, visit marykatrantzou.com FASHION Trends "How stylish of you to joust in an antique. You'll start a new fashion if you win. My grandfather will be able to wear his in public again, and a shield, how quaint." —Count Adhemar, A Knight's Tale…

Wool-blend poncho, CLAUDIE PIERLOT, $247, visit claudiepierlot.com Gold vermeil, turquoise, and feather necklace, AURéLIE BIDERMANN, price on request, visit aureliebidermann.com Jacquard and leather handbag, BURBERRY, $3,195, visit burberry.com Mohair skirt, HILFIGER COLLECTION, price on request, at Tommy Hilfiger, NYC FASHION Trends Your most comfortable winter wardrobe ever starts here: Click through ELLE.com/blanketdressing for more all-wrapped-up ideas.…

CAGED White gold, diamond, ruby, and pink and yellow sapphire earrings, WILFREDO ROSADO, price on request, collection at Just One Eye, L.A. Silver and diamond ring, IPPOLITA, $2,995, visit ippolita.com Gold, diamond, and ruby earrings, NADA G, price on request, collection at Carats, McAllen, Texas Blackened-gold and emerald pendant necklace, ROULE & CO, price on request, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC INSECT Black gold, labradorite, and diamond pendant necklace, COLETTE, price on request, visit colettejewelry.com Rose gold, black diamond, tsavorite, yellow and blue sapphire, garnet, black opal, and chrysoberyl ring, DANIELA VILLEGAS, price on request, collection at net-a-porter.com Gold, tsavorite, and diamond earrings, AURéLIE BIDERMANN, price on request, at Aurélie Bidermann, NYC White gold, diamond, black sapphire, amethyst, and black mother-of-pearl brooch, STEPHEN WEBSTER, price on request, at Stephen Webster,…

ROCK STAR The debut fine-jewelry line from design maven Kelly Wearstler boasts the signature elements we've come to love in her luxe interiors, including glittering geodes and bold mixed metals. Exotic sapphire, diamond, blackened silver, and gold pendant necklace, KELLY WEARSTLER, $2,950, at Kelly Wearstler, West Hollywood Leather tote, MARY KATRANTZOU, $2,320, visit marykatrantzou.com IN THE BAG Mary Katrantzou fans, rejoice—her new bag range serves as the perfect canvas for the designer's famed prints and quirky motifs. GET YOUR KICKS Sergio Rossi's fascination with the Italian Arte Povera movement of the late '60s led to this gallery-worthy sneaker, which was influenced by the works of such artists as Alighiero Boetti. Leather sneaker, SERGIO ROSSI, $1,980, to special order, call 305-864-3643 Gold, emerald, amethyst, pink tourmaline, and pink, blue, yellow, and…

NAMES: Levi Palmer and Matthew Harding AGES: 33 and 29, respectively PROVENANCE: Belton, Texas, and Watford, England CURRICULA VITAE: Palmer found his way to fashion working retail in the Lone Star State, while his British counterpart planned to study psychotherapy. "I was fantasizing about the desk I wanted," says Harding. "I realized I was more focused on the aesthetics of my potential psychiatric office than I was on psychiatry." The designers met while at London's Central Saint Martins, where Palmer studied menswear and Harding completed his MA in women's wear. SHIRT BOYS: In 2011, Palmer and Harding took the white cotton shirt as their starting point, and they quickly became known for ultrafeminine button-downs with elaborate flourishes, such as strips of cork sewn into the fabric to create a pleated…

When it comes to cultivating the perfect wardrobe, the search for "chic yet timeless" can feel like a road trip without GPS. To get you to that elusive final destination, we've put together a comprehensive guide of the best that fall has to offer. Whether you fancy yourself a minimalist, a bohemian, or any persona in between, our one-stop shop has all the components for assembling the kind of traffic-halting style that ELLE.com Associate Editor Natalie Matthews exemplifies here. From sporty stripes and plush shearling to our editors' own evergreen wardrobe staples, we map out what lies ahead—and show you how to navigate every turn. Wool turtleneck, $450, cotton shirt, $225, polyurethane-blend skirt, $380, all, APIECE APART, visit apieceapart.com. Brass cuff, $450, rings, $140–$150 each, all, JENNIFER FISHER, visit jenniferfisherjewelry.com.…

THE CAPE As seen at Valentino Wool-blend and leather-trim cape, VINCE, $895, at Vince stores nationwide Wool cape, PUBLIC SCHOOL, $1,430, collection at Barneys New York Pleated skirt, DKNY, $195, visit dkny.com Wool cape, COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS, $495, at Comptoir des Cotonniers, NYC Embossed leather handbag, KATE SPADE NEW YORK, $798, visit katespade.com SHEARLING As seen at Prada Leather and shearling jacket, J. MENDEL, price on request, visit jmendel.com Canvas and shearling jacket, COACH, $995, similar styles at coach.com Shearling jacket, BURBERRY PRORSUM, $4,995, visit burberry.com Sleeveless dress, BCBGENERATION, $98, visit bcbgeneration.com Suede pump, AQUAZZURA, $695, collection at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide ARMY PARKA As seen at Saint Laurent Cotton-blend and faux-fur parka, BANANA REPUBLIC, $198, visit bananarepublic.com Nylon, canvas, and rabbit parka, andrew marc x richard chai, $1,295, visit…

CHIFFON As seen at Givenchy Silk chiffon dress, JILL STUART, $478, at Jill Stuart, NYC Printed dress, BEBE, $129, at Bebe stores nationwide Chiffon dress, TOPSHOP, $96, at Topshop stores nationwide Shearling coat, mulberry, price on request, at Mulberry, NYC Printed leather handbag, REBECCA MINKOFF, $295, visit rebeccaminkoff.com RUGBY STRIPES As seen at Balenciaga Tailored dress, ASOS, $98, visit asos.com Sequin dress, RACHEL ZOE, $295, collection at shopbop.com Stretch-cotton dress, MINNIE ROSE, $154, visit minnierose.com Suede gloves, LONGCHAMP, $205, at Longchamp boutiques nationwide Polyurethane raincoat, TOPSHOP, $120, visit topshop.com '60S MINI As seen at Louis Vuitton Cotton-blend dress, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, $468, visit dvf.com Wool dress, SEE BY CHLOé, $565, collection at Saks Fifth Avenue nationwide Jacquard tweed and leather dress, BELSTAFF, $1,950, at Belstaff, NYC Vinyl trench coat, COURRèGES,…

HOW TO WEAR IT: LEATHER Mink coat, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, $3,200, visit dvf.com Floral-print blouse, GUESS, $80, visit guess.com Leather skirt, BELSTAFF, $1,950, at Belstaff, NYC Suede boot, CLARKS, $125, similar styles at clarksusa.com Polyurethane-blend jacket, TRADEMARK, $398, at Trademark, NYC Rabbit vest, C/FAN, $499, visit cfan-designs.com Lambskin pants, COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS, $640, at Comptoir des Cotonniers, NYC Leather sneaker, TABITHA SIMMONS, $595, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC Wool cape, DKNY, $895, visit dkny.com Hand-knit wool cardigan, MIU MIU, $2,180, visit miumiu.com Leather skirt, CH CAROLINA HERRERA, $1,525, at CH Carolina Herrera, Beverly Hills Patent leather and PVC pump, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, $695, at Christian Louboutin, Miami Lambskin jacket, VINCE, $1,095, visit vince.com Elastane-blend top, H&M, $129, at H&M stores nationwide Organic denim jeans, STELLA MCCARTNEY, $800, at Stella McCartney, NYC…

[ESSAYS] ROLLING ON A BLUE MARBLE One of our best nature writers offers up an eclectic banquet of reportage and reflections on humankind's evolving relation to Earth By Ben Dickinson Diane Ackerman has long occupied a rarefied place in American letters as a best-selling poet, naturalist, and scientific humanist. (How often do we see "best-selling" plus those words strung together?) She's a big twenty-first-century brain who has repeatedly shown herself able to stand astride disparate disciplines and discourses to generate popularly appealing nonfiction (The Zookeeper's Wife, One Hundred Names for Love). In The Human Age: The World Shaped by Us (Norton), her latest synthesis of poetics, science, and you-are-there reportage about researchers, businesspeople, and the projects they foster around the world, she makes bemused reference to her most renowned—at least…

1. COUPLE TO WATCH Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike play mind games and murder in Gone Girl Come October 3, the coolly beautiful Amy (Pike) will wage emotional warfare on handsome Nick (Affleck) in the hotly anticipated David Fincher film version of Gillian Flynn's best-selling psychological thriller. Devoted readers are abuzz about rumored changes to the jaw-dropping third act, but with suspense mastermind Flynn herself as the film's screenwriter, even diehard fans are sure to be shocked—and, if mind-bending creeps are your bag, delighted. Let the sociopathic sparring begin! 2. WORDS: I DO Marilynne Robinson's beloved character John Ames gets hitched Literary lioness Robinson—she's won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction, a Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award, and a National Book Critics Circle Award, among other laurels—continues the soaring run of novels with…

The Instagram feed of hair pro Jenny Cho is peppered with images that are definitely not all business—such as the one where she and Carey Mulligan model multicolor scarves before a camel ride through the Dubai desert. ("Have you seen Sex and the City?" Cho asks. "It was like that.") But she's beloved for more than her camera skills, which is why she's the travel buddy of choice for cool-girl celebs when they've got press junkets spanning cities (and climates) around the globe. Witness one hair miracle: At a Cannes premiere, the 94 percent humidity (and an eventual downpour) led many celebs to play it safe with pinned-down updos. But Cho crafted sleek, straight hair for Mulligan that stood up to the stormy conditions and 26-mile-per-hour gusts of wind. "Carey…

One summer I decided to become celebrity thin. Every spring when the stacks of bikini catalogs began arriving in my mailbox, I'd recycled them with vigor, violently throwing them into the bin to make a cathartic thump. Bikinis have always been a sore spot for me. Like Saturn, my waist is encircled by a ring of flab that in the wrong dress can prompt strangers to inquire about how far along I am. I usually shopped for a bathing suit after pounding a few margaritas, taking care to do a walk-by of several stores and choosing the one with the dimmest lighting. Then finally, as if I were purchasing a lawn canopy, I'd make my selection based on the broadest coverage. My ideal bathing suit resembled a beekeeper's uniform, complete…

When Chinti and Parker designer Anna Singh isn't whipping up sweaters beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow and Alexa Chung, she's adding the finishing details to her Notting Hill home. Véronique Hyland takes tea with the girl-about-London Notting Hill is a bastion of commanding, chalk-white edifices hemming exclusive private gardens—the stuff of hit movies and novels about the stiff-upper-lip set, but not exactly welcoming to an outsider. That's why it's a surprise when Anna Singh's cocker spaniel, Vinnie, greets visitors at the door of the five-story townhouse she shares with her photographer husband, Mike Penn, and their sons, Raffi, three, and Isa, five. From the wacky taxidermy to the animal illustrations lining the nursery, her home is so congenial that it's easy to forget it's also impeccably decorated. For the past five…

DUDES WE LOVE… …don't love…and find really annoying THE MARRYING KIND DEAR E. JEAN: I'm a bit confused as to why I attract the insane type. I have been literally proposed to on the second date by seven different men. I know this sounds crazy and like I'm a narcissist, but I am not interested in marriage, so the proposal thing is a bit unnerving. That it's a trend is even more startling. Other men seem to want to help me, and they talk about having babies on the third date. How is it that one girl can have so many nut jobs in her dating history? I have no clue how to attract a man who doesn't want kids or the white picket fence, and I'm a grad student…

Tweed coat, $4,950, cashmere dress, $3,990, both, lanvin, at Lanvin, NYC. Wool socks, wigwam, $16. Tweed sneakers, céline, $820. On him: Wool and mohair blanket, missoni, price on request, at Missoni, NYC. Wool knit pants, kenzo, price on request. Wool socks, Wigwam, $21. Suede sandals, michael kors, $228. For details, see Shopping Guide. Knit top, $1,550, pants, $1,550, tweed sneakers, $820, all, CéLINE, collection at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide. Rose gold chain, $1,250, ring (worn as pendant), $1,250, both, HERMèS. Wool sweater, $965, pants, $930, knit shoulder bag, $610, all, STELLA MCCARTNEY, $965, at Stella McCartney, NYC. Rose gold chain, $1,250, ring (worn as pendant), $1,250, both, HERMèS. On him: Wool sweater, BOTTEGA VENETA, $1,350, at Bottega Veneta stores nationwide. Wool knit pants, KENZO, price on request. Cashmere scarf, MARC…

Beauty Secret: PERRICONE MD No Blush Blush gives a subtle glow to cheeks. Bouclé tweed coat, missoni, $4,900, at Missoni, NYC. Stretch-polyamide and tulle bodysuit, la perla, $468. Beaded chokers, all, alexis bittar, $495 each. Metal necklace, céline, $2,100. Stylist's own hoop earrings (worn throughout). For details, see Shopping Guide. Stretch-wool dress, carolina herrera, $2,690, at Carolina Herrera, NYC. Wool cap, from kaufman's army & navy, $90. Beaded chokers, all, Alexis Bittar, $495 each. Sueded calfskin boots, paul andrew for juan carlos obando, $1,995. Stylist's own necklace. Mohair and wool sweater, max mara, $535, at Max Mara, NYC. Wool and felt hat, from mash army navy, $60. Sunglasses, l'wren scott, price on request. Wooden collar, alexis bittar, $895. Silver-plated pewter choker, orly genger by jaclyn mayer, $275. Gold-plated black Tahitian…

Leather jacket, suede skirt, both, louis vuitton, prices on request, at select Louis Vuitton stores nationwide. Sunglasses, isabel marant for oliver peoples, $365. Silver and turquoise cabochon stone rings, both, workhorse jewelry, $224–$250 each. For details, see Shopping Guide. Velvet jacket, $3,990, trousers, $2,250, both, emilio pucci, collection at neimanmarcus.com. Cashmere sweater, prada, $1,890. Silver and diamond peace-sign necklace, $165, gold-filled glass bead and brass pyramid necklace, $191, both, ariel gordon. White gold and diamond crescent-moon necklace, andrea fohrman, $4,150. Blackened-silver and diamond arrowhead necklace, $600; gold, diamond, and precious stone ring, $1,890; white gold, diamond, and turquoise ring, $2,135, all, elisa solomon jewelry. Silver and turquoise cabochon stone rings, all, workhorse jewelry, $154–$250 each. Metal cuff, second daughter, $125. Ostrich handbag, MARC JACOBS, price on request. Jacquard Appaloosa cardigan,…

THIS MONTH FOR VIRGO: (AUG 23–SEPT 22) Your birthday present from the universe? A wealth of serendipitous happenstance. This month, renewed enthusiasm for life and its penchant for constant change will have you glowing. That might have something to do with your romantic partner, who could accompany you to a fancy out-of-town soiree around the 8th's full harvest moon; with vagabonding Mercury in fine angle to gift-giving Jupiter, it'll be a trip to remember fondly. In fact, you'll sparkle at any party you attend between the 6th and the 29th, thanks to Venus radiating its considerable charms in your direction. Then, the 23rd's new moon in Libra may send happy financial news. This lucky new moon—the only one of the year in your house of earned income—can play fairy godmother…

LOVE Thursday, September 4 Up-and-coming Paris-based accessories brand Les Petit Jours, maker of kitschy-chic Lego-adorned conversation starters, is now available on Matchesfashion.com—just in time to kick off New York Fashion Week with some quirky street-style moments. Saturday, September 6 Don't miss out on the Victoria & Albert Museum's retrospective highlighting the intriguing and inspiring 60-year career of photographer Horst P. Horst, whose fashion portfolio, boasting arresting twentieth-century glamour shots such as the portrait of Muriel Maxwell above, set the standard for photography then and now. Wednesday, September 10 Shoe lovers with an affinity for cubism, take note: Aperlaï, the French brand known for its unique shapes and graphic designs, has teamed with new Melrose Place concept boutique Elodie K., which will exclusively sell its covetable Mondrian Geisha heel (right), made…

Who else could grace the cover of our inaugural Social Issue ("The Socialite," July 2014) but digital-media maven and Oscar contender Anna Kendrick? From her hilarious ELLE Twitter takeover to her diva-spoof cover-shoot video, Kendrick won over critics and readers with her smart, signature humor: "Though she ended her relationship with director Edgar Wright in 2013, Kendrick told ELLE that she 'honest to God' hasn't been hit on since she starred in Up in the Air.… Either Anna's been hanging out with some exceedingly respectful dudes, or every man she knows is an idiot." —Eliza Thompson, Cosmopolitan.com "She may have a tomboyish persona, but Anna Kendrick is a straight-up bombshell on her new ELLE cover! […] In the spread, she looks like the goddess of spring surrounded by lilacs and…

It's hard to imagine a world with more colorful and eye-catching fabrics than the signature Technicolor-esque patterns of Mara Hoffman's ready-to-wear and swim (plus home goods, bridal, and more) collections. But the designer, 37, who founded her line in 2000 (it is now sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and Anthropologie, among others), met her match in Guatemala—one of the most biologically and topographically diverse countries in Central America, with 14 distinct eco-regions, from tropical rainforests to mountain ranges. On the designer's first visit there, she went to the cities of Antigua, Chichicastenango, and natural wonder Lake Atitlán during an eight-day New Year's vacation with her three-year-old son, Joaquin; her collage-artist husband, Javier Piñón; and her mother-in-law. On the agenda? "To get inspired and to shop," she says. As the…

This is a story about sadness, writing, the promise of fame, my mother, and, oh yes, Woody Allen. Marilyn Monroe figures in it too—as someone I've thought about enough to try to rescue from her own sadness, after the fact, in the form of writing about her—and somewhere over in the corner is Richard Burton, with his blazing light eyes and thrown-away gifts, whom I've also written about in a redemptive fashion. Elvis never spoke much to me—too Southern, too baroque—but if he had, you can be sure I'd have tried to save him, too. What this really is, then, is a story—its roots go back to adolescent fantasy, but it lingers with me even now—about trying to save myself through saving wounded icons. Famous people, in other words, but…

NAME: Noor Fares AGE: 28 PROVENANCE: London CV: With a nod to her Lebanese roots and a knack for mathematics, Fares combines traditional Middle Eastern hues with sharp geometrics. The result? Modern statement pieces that wink at the past. NAME: Eugenie Niarchos AGE: 28 PROVENANCE: London CV: Since starting Venyx, her line of reptile-evoking rings, last year, the Greek shipping heiress has snake-charmed the jewelry world with clean lines rendered in gold and diamonds. NAME: Sheherazade Goldsmith and Laura Bailey AGES: 40 and 42 PROVENANCE: London CV: Clever details—like their new diamond studs in sweet shapes—have made Loquet London, founded by the oh-so-chic writer-model duo, a favorite among Hollywood's starriest. NAME: Daniela Villegas AGE: 32 PROVENANCE: Mexico City CV: Weaving together rich colors and fine metals (read about her collaboration…

Designer Jade Lai has never been shy about taking the wheel. First the Hong Kong native uprooted herself to attend Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Then in 2005, she launched her West Hollywood store, Creatures of Comfort, filled with new vintage-style clothes and fashion-forward accessories from Rachel Comey, Karen Walker, and Acne—followed five years later by a thriving NoLIta outpost. Along the way, she introduced an in-house line of sophisticated separates for women more keen on intellectual allure than outré street-style affectations. Now Hollywood smart girls Miranda July, Michelle Williams, Kristen Wiig, and Rashida Jones—as well as intelligentsia from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon—are among the merry band that wears Creatures of Comfort. It was a chicer "normcore"—sold in 26 hip ports of call in addition…

Nylon jacket, MONCLER, $1,075, at Moncler, NYC Quilted leather skirt, MILLY, $725, collection at neimanmarcus.com Quilted nylon dress, MIU MIU, $1,350, visit miumiu.com JUNYA WATANABE Quilted leather backpack, MULBERRY, $2,700, at Mulberry, NYC Leather and suede ankle boot, CHLOé, $995, collection at saksfifthavenue.com FASHION TRENDS The classic Chanel quilted bag gets its name from the great-for-everything bag that Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel created for herself, which she debuted for retail in February 1955—that is, 2.55.…

Wool and cashmere sweater, HILFIGER COLLECTION, $390, at Tommy Hilfiger, NYC Quilted nylon track pants, T BY ALEXANDER WANG, $425, visit alexanderwang.com Shearling handbag, COACH, $1,300, visit coach.com Shearling and mesh jacket, ALEXANDER WANG, $3,795, at Alexander Wang, NYC Suede boot, POLO RALPH LAUREN, $1,500, visit polo.ralphlauren.com Fashion Trends Snowboarding made its Winter Olympics debut during the 1998 games in Nagano, Japan.…

Rose gold, onyx, lacquer, and diamond watch on satin strap; rose gold, rubellite, peridot, amethyst, mother-of-pearl, and diamond watch on satin strap, both, BULGARI, prices on request, call 800-BULGARI Beaded calfskin pump, ROCHAS, $2,075, collection at net-a-porter.com Gem-embroidered satin handbag, DIOR, price on request, at Dior boutiques nationwide FASHION Accessories Build your crystal palace: ELLE.com/bejeweled-blitz has even more sparkling options.…

COWBOY BOOT Leather ankle boot, GIANVITO ROSSI, $1,165, collection at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC Leather ankle boot, RUPERT SANDERSON, $1,025, collection at net-a-porter.com Leather cowboy boot, GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI DESIGN, $1,150, at Giuseppe Zanotti Design, Beverly Hills Suede ankle boot, MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS, $495, at select Michael Kors stores nationwide POM-POM Suede and fur pump, SERGIO ROSSI, $785, at Sergio Rossi, Las Vegas Suede and fur sandal, CHARLINE DE LUCA, $900, collection at shoescribe.com Suede and fur pump, BRIAN ATWOOD, $855, visit brianatwood.com Leather and fur sandal, SOPHIA WEBSTER, $875, collection at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide MILITARY Suede boot, SAM EDELMAN, $160, visit samedelman.com Leather boot, BELSTAFF, $950, at Belstaff, NYC Calf-hair boot, CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION, $1,595, at Calvin Klein Collection, NYC Crocodile and rabbit boot, BRUNO MAGLI, price on request, to…

NEW YORK Taking over 12,000 square feet of prime real estate like the modern-day Roman empire it is, Valentino opens a Fifth Avenue flagship that will resemble a palazzo more than a boutique, boasting elegant marble columns and terrazzo walls for an interior worthy of the emperor himself. valentino.com PARIS Lanvin: I Love You is designer Alber Elbaz's billet-doux to the famed French house that he has helmed since 2001. The 260-page tome features plenty of elaborate window displays, fashion-show-set designs, and never-before-seen sketches hand drawn by the designer known for his whimsical mise-en-scènes. rizzoliusa.com RIO DE JANEIRO Channel your inner girl from Ipanema in Sinesia Karol's slinky swimwear. The envelope-pushing designs of Brazilian-born Karol include one-piece suits racy enough to rival the teeniest of bikinis. sinesiakarol.com.br…

If there's one thing you can always count on at London Fashion Week, it's that at least one designer will show a romantic vision of nature and flowers in English woodlands and cottage gardens. As the crowds gathered for the fall/winter 2014 collections in February, Hunter—the heritage wellies company founded in 1856 and now under the creative direction of Alasdhair Willis, Stella McCartney's husband—made its runway debut for its first clothing collection, Hunter Original (9), which was filled with smart anoraks and puffers well suited for rainy walks on country lanes. Outerwear power brand Joseph, celebrating its silver anniversary, also took to the catwalk—and asked new British establishment designers Giles, Jonathan Saunders, and Rupert Sanderson (10) to create accessories exclusively for the occasion. Fashion publicist turned knitwear maven Buffy Reid…

THE LONG HAUL TRUST US: ELLE EDITORS PICK FOUR PIECES GUARANTEED TO LAST SEASON AFTER SEASON MARIA DUEñAS JACOBS ACCESSORIES DIRECTOR Charm Necklace "I love this piece by Loquet London—I customized it with things that mean something to me: a moon for my daughter's name, Luna, as well as a heart, an emerald, and other personal symbols. It has this sweet heirloom sentiment. I hope to pass it on to my daughter someday." Gold, diamond, emerald, and pearl charms; gold and crystal locket; gold chain, all, LOQUET LONDON, price on request, visit loquetlondon.com JOANN PAILEY MARKET DIRECTOR Varsity Stripes "I've yet to meet a stripe I don't like. Prada's new riff on the varsity sweater and the classic V-neck offers a sporty yet sophisticated way to wear the fall trend—plus…

LODGE SWEATER As seen at Alexander Wang Hand-knit wool sweater, BURBERRY BRIT, $495, visit burberry.com Wool and cashmere sweater, TOMMY HILFIGER, $129, at Tommy Hilfiger, NYC Wool sweater, J BRAND, $410, at select Nordstrom stores nationwide Wool and shearling clutch, LOEFFLER RANDALL, $325, collection at shopbop.com. Leather boot, MAJE, $880, at Maje stores nationwide FUR-LINED HOODIE As seen at Topshop Unique Cotton and rabbit hoodie, C/FAN, $199, collection at shopatmilk.com Cotton hoodie, y-3, $245, at Y-3 stores nationwide Cotton-blend hoodie, JOE FRESH, $79, at Joe Fresh stores nationwide Wool skirt, ICB, $285, visit icbnyc.com Leather ankle boot, NINE WEST, $159, visit ninewest.com PETER PAN COLLAR As seen at Louis Vuitton Wool sweater, $55, cotton shirt, $45, both, GAP, at Gap stores nationwide Cotton-blend sweater, comptoir des cotonniers, $160, at Comptoir…

STATEMENT COVER-UP: THE LEOPARD-PRINT COAT Alpaca and mohair coat, SMYTHE, $795, collection at Nordstrom stores nationwide Wool coat, CARVEN, $1,550, at Carven, NYC Wool-blend coat, TALBOTS, $229, visit talbots.com Acrylic-blend coat, MAISON SCOTCH, $349, visit scotch-soda.com Printed pony-hair coat, HAUTE HIPPIE, $2,775, collection at Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC Faux-fur coat with vegan-leather trim, UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON, $200, visit benetton.com/us Cotton-blend raincoat, SANDRO, $775, visit sandro-paris.com Acrylic coat, KATE SPADE NEW YORK, $898, visit katespade.com Rabbit coat, RTA, $3,995, collection at elysewalker.com SPOTIFY As seen at Givenchy…

TRY IT: THE SOLO DANGLE A little swing is music to our ears Gold and diamond earring, SYLVA & CIE., price on request, collection at Stanley Korshak, Dallas Silver fringe earring, SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE, $795 (for pair), at Saint Laurent, NYC Gold and silver earring, LOUIS VUITTON, $895, call 866-VUITTON As seen at Céline STYLE IT: WESTERN SCARF Tie a classic in a new way to add that extra something to tailored shirting Cotton top, ADAM LIPPES, $590, at adamlippes.com Scoop-neck top, BAND OF OUTSIDERS, $475, at Band of Outsiders, NYC As seen at Adam Lippes REVIVE IT: LOGO MANIA Dig your early '00s statement pieces out of deep storage: Megabranding is back Monogram canvas handbag, GUCCI, $1,070, at net-a-porter.com Monogram canvas and leather backpack, saint laurent by…

[FICTION] EDGE OF THE WORLD A striking new voice conjures complex social and moral realities on the Carolina coast in the Revolutionary War era By Elyse Moody Katy Simpson Smith's hypnotic debut novel, The Story of Land and Sea (Harper), contains a galleon's worth of adventure. Ghosts! Pirates! Elopement on a tall ship! But don't expect a rollicking sea shanty of a tale. Instead, Smith gives us a decidedly unromanticized portrait of life on the untamed postcolonial North Carolina coast. John, an ex-pirate who's fond of Milton and Marlowe, lost his wife, the aptly named Helen, in childbirth, and has raised their daughter, Tabitha, alone. His father-in-law, Asa, a puritanical turpentine magnate whose wife perished the same way, has little empathy for John; Asa believes John seduced Helen, who "abandoned…

To get the ultrafull lash look created by makeup artist Pat McGrath at Gucci, try layering falsies. "I stack two sets to build intensity," McGrath says. THIS MONTH IN BEAUTY: A flower-powered skin-care breakthrough page 490 // Hollywood's greatest hair hits page 502 // Rihanna upgrades your beauty regimen page 506 // Being a virgin in the twenty-first century page 526 LASH CLASH FRINGE BENEFITS VS. THE WASH "The lashes were really pushed, so they became almost graphic," says P&G global creative design director Pat McGrath, who gave girls at several shows '60s-inspired baby-doll eyes. DIY: Once faux strips are on, "remember to hide the lash band by tracing over it with a liquid liner for a seamless finish," she says. When it comes to "cool girl" beauty, according to…

Before meeting Rihanna, I procure the following: a rare tube of RiRi Woo—the megastar's 2013 fire-engine red lipstick for M.A.C—and a pair of six-inch python pumps from ELLE's fashion closet. My effort pays off: "Those shoes are killing it," she says, eyeing my borrowed gear. "They're sick. I keep looking at them." From the fall runways to Twitter feeds worldwide, Rihanna's influence is impossible to ignore, and her fans now have access to that magnetism via her frosty new M.A.C Viva Glam collection. "It's for rock stars," she says. "People who like to have fun." You've topped every "world's sexiest woman" list. Who do you think should get the title? Penélope Cruz is the shit. If I could wake up and look like her tomorrow, that would be great. Mia…

24 Karat Layer Givenchy Ombre Couture Cream Eyeshadow in No. 12, Or Insolite, over any shadow (or even bare lids) to help daytime eyes shimmer into the evening. Red Card Christian Louboutin bottles his iconic sex appeal in his very first beauty product: The new Nail Colour launches with 31 shades, including the signature red, Rouge Louboutin. Sirius Statement Like a meteor shower, hyperpigmented Anna Sui Lipstick V in 600, Aragon Orange, will light up your Saturday night. Cruise Liner To brighten eyes on the spot, swap everyday black liner for royal blue Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting EyeLiner in Marine Chic. Second Coming By popular demand, Oribe distilled the bergamot-jasmine-sandalwood scent of his best-selling hair products into Côte d'Azur, a luxe eau de parfum suitable for use from…

The medium was the message: Skylar Neese (center), Rachel Shoaf (redhead), and Shelia Eddy (blond) lived for social media. July 4, 2012, was a scorcher in Star City, West Virginia—a prelude to what would become the hottest month that year. While some escaped the heat by watching The Amazing Spider-Man or Magic Mike in the cool dark at the nearby Morgantown Mall or swimming in the Monongahela River, 16-year-old Skylar Neese was moping around her family's apartment, beyond bored. Feeling ditched by her friends who'd gone away together, she tweeted her frustration: sick of being at fucking home. thanks "friends", love hanging out with you all too. "I said, 'Skylar, why don't you read a book?' " recalls her mother, Mary, sitting in the family room, gesturing toward the full…

Embellished cashmere and mohair pullover, price on request, viscose-blend pants, $2,350, resin and strass bracelets, $2,000 each, all, CHANEL, at select Chanel boutiques nationwide. Diamond and white gold necklace, CHANEL FINE JEWELRY, price on request. For details, see Shopping Guide. "Never at any point have I sat down and plotted how I should proceed from here on," this month's cover star, Kristen Stewart, tells writer Lili Anolik. "As soon as you start thinking about your career as a trajectory—like, as if you're going to miss out on some wave or momentum—then you're never doing anything for yourself anyway. Then you're truly, actually, specifically working for the public. You're turning yourself into a bag of chips." Maybe that's why Hollywood's most outsider-ish insider was totally game for a little high-fashion grocery…

Printed jacket, price on request, pants, $2,440, belt, $570, pumps, $1,390, all, LOUIS VUITTON, at select Louis Vuitton stores nationwide. For details, see Shopping Guide. Embroidered crepe dress, VALENTINO, price on request, at Valentino, NYC. Silk scarves, both, PRADA, $285 each. Calfskin handbag, VALENTINO GARAVANI, $2,795. Beauty Secret: To smooth skin for an even complexion, try a foundation such as MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Dream Liquid Mousse. Wool-blend dress, price on request, cashmere knit tank, $1,340, silk scarves, $285 each, all, PRADA, at select Prada boutiques nationwide. Fox coat, sequin-embellished gabardine dress, both, SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE, prices on request, at Saint Laurent, NYC. Calfskin sandals, MARNI, $770. For details, see Shopping Guide. Fox coat, price on request, silk-blend top, $1,390, skirt, $1,970, calfskin sandals, $850, all, MARNI, at Marni…

Hand-painted python handbag, marc jacobs, price on request, at Marc Jacobs boutiques nationwide. Python boots, gucci, $3,500, at select Gucci stores nationwide. Ayers snakeskin handbag, bottega veneta, price on request, call 800-845-6790. For details, see Shopping Guide. Python clutch, michael kors, $2,695, at select Michael Kors stores nationwide. Suede and python ankle boot, alexandre birman, $875, collection at Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide. Python and calfskin handbag, chloé, $3,900, at Chloé boutiques nationwide. For details, see Shopping Guide. Python and calfskin handbag, balenciaga, $1,895, similar styles at Balenciaga, NYC. Python handbag, reed krakoff, price on request, visit reedkrakoff.com. Snakeskin pump, aquazzura, $1,040, collection at Barneys New York. For details, see Shopping Guide. Prop styling by Ariana Salvato…

It came down the fall 2014 runway on the chest of a sporty black lamé sheathdress, on the thigh of some baggy blue jeans embroidered with a samurai emblem, and on the back of a kimono-shape fatigue jacket: revolution. The word was scrawled on a rectangular band of heat-transfer decals, and it served as a punchy slogan—along with uprising, twisted, and bunny hop—for the new order at Marc by Marc Jacobs. Leading that charge are the brand's longtime accessories consultant, Katie Hillier, now creative director of the women's collections, and her old friend and collaborator Luella Bartley, of the fondly remembered former label Luella, as ready-to-wear design director. Although Jacobs is still the boss, he appears to have given his two appointees—both British, blond, and punk in spirit—near-total carte blanche.…

Having quickly established himself as one of Young Hollywood's most versatile players, it's fitting that 27-year-old Miles Teller is starring as Mr. Fantastic in the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. After his devastating portrayal of the teenage driver who accidentally kills Nicole Kidman's son in Rabbit Hole, Teller transformed into a neo–John Cusack—his broken heart bleeding for Shailene Woodley—in 2013's The Spectacular Now. In Whiplash, which won the top two prizes at Sundance and opens wide next month, he's a wunderkind jazz drummer with social issues. There seems to be nothing this kid can't do. That includes maintaining a long-distance relationship with model Keleigh Sperry. Teller, who grew up in backwoods Florida (where kids "walked around in cowboy hats and Wranglers and cleaned up cow shit for agriculture class"), caught up…

THE GIRL One of pop music's most promising acts proves good things come in small packages With the release of her major-label debut, Souled Out, Jhené Aiko—whose soul-infused pop has been compared to that of everyone from Beyoncé to Sade—may want to consider the one-name-wonder route. And yet the 26-year-old former waitress (and backup singer for the now-defunct boy band B2K) is still processing the kind of fame that lands you onstage at Coachella opposite Drake and Childish Gambino. To hear more from her on the perils of being an introvert in an industry of extroverts—and for exclusive images of the singer rocking fall's sexiest menswear-inspired looks, visit ELLE.com/Jhene. THE LOCATION The pied piper of fashion-rule objectors reveals a cool new work space In 2010, Leandra Medine was a one-woman…

For our September fashion extravaganza, ELLE and photographer Michael Thompson took over Fields Market in West Hills, California, turning aisles of organic produce, tuna cans, and soda into an everyday-glam backdrop for our effortlessly cool cover star, actress Kristen Stewart. Tales from our set, which stayed open to the public throughout the shoot: Former ELLE Creative Director Joe Zee: "The Chanel fall '14 runway show was presented at a mock supermarket, so we used that as inspiration." Hairstylist Ken O'Rourke: "We wanted Kristen to look like herself—cool, edgy, modern. Her hair was middle parted, tousled, and gently ironed with a large curling iron." Manicurist Ashlie Johnson: "Her personality is very punk and rock 'n' roll—so I layered the dark Chanel Le Vernis in Orage under the light, iridescent Le Vernis…

As soon as the elevators open on the third floor of a lower Manhattan Marriott, attendees of the Authors in the City conference are greeted by an intense, operatic hum: hundreds of female voices. All around, clutches of women have plunked themselves down on the loudly patterned carpet to count autographs and swap stories with the amped-up afterglow of tweens after a Taylor Swift concert. The few males on the premises—clearly brought along strictly for child-care purposes—jostle fussy infants, attempting not to look as out of place as they must feel, knowing that their wives and girlfriends have come here to meet the people—the women—who turn them on. Four hundred worshippers have gathered here today at the altar of "erotic romance." Fueled by the advent of the e-reader, the dawn…

"Genius is of small use to a woman who does not know how to do her hair," wrote Edith Wharton in 1900. The social expectations for fin-de-siècle women were neither imaginative nor generous, and luckily, a century later, Wharton's gleefully cynical bon mot no longer holds true. But in its place is another pernicious truth: Twenty-first-century women who are especially "successful" in the self-presentation department—fit figures, stylish clothing, deceptively natural-looking makeup, hair that behaves—are liable to be underestimated. In certain circles, knowing how to do your hair is, if anything, a peril—the result of a noxious myth that says working hard to look your best is somehow irreconcilable with having intellectual ambition. To be taken seriously as a woman can require an almost impossibly well-calibrated sensitivity to nuances in dress…

As a teenage Francophile growing up in the Midwest, I was lucky enough to have a French teacher so in love with France that she endeavored to teach us not only the language, but something about the culture as well. Madame Kordell was a pert, energetic young American woman who had studied abroad during her not-very-distant high school years and now seemed comprehensively versed in all things Gallic, including how to wear a scarf with flair. Armed with VHS tapes and audio recordings—this was the early '90s—she taught us that French people played a game called pétanque, stuck a slab of chocolate in bread and called it pain au chocolat, and were fond of labeling people "BCBG." "Elle est très BCBG!" trilled a female voice on the recordings that accompanied…

"I want to be less," says Olivia Kim from her new nest in Treat House, a landmarked 64-room Arts and Crafts mansion-cum-apartment-building in Seattle's historic Queen Anne neighborhood with a view of the Space Needle and Puget Sound. That concise—and somewhat elliptical—statement sums up the former Opening Ceremony star buyer's fashion philosophy since decamping from New York City last year to take a job as director of creative projects at the Pacific Northwest headquarters of Nordstrom. The tattooed poster child for cool wants to be less…what? Overtly hip? As the first employee of Opening Ceremony founders Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, Kim proved her avant-garde mettle by constantly bringing fashion-obsessed New Yorkers the new, the now, and the next. She spent a decade helping define the influential downtown emporium's signature…

Cotton shirt, DIESEL BLACK GOLD, $225, similar styles at Diesel Black Gold, NYC Patent leather clutch, EMPORIO ARMANI, $925, at Emporio Armani boutiques nationwide Patent leather sandal, GIANVITO ROSSI, $865, collection at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide Vinyl leggings, TOPSHOP, $76, visit topshop.com Fashion Trends Found in parts of Canada and the U.S., Odontotaenius disjunctus—also known as the patent leather beetle—has a black, shiny shell resembling the hot-to-trot material.…

Wool, leather, and raccoon handbag, MARNI, $3,260, at Marni boutiques nationwide Feather-embroidered dress, ALBERTA FERRETTI, price on request, at Alberta Ferretti, L.A. Rooster feather, rose gold, and diamond earrings, DANIELA VILLEGAS, price on request, collection at roseark.com Feather-detail blazer, TIBI, $595, visit tibi.com FASHION Trends "She comes on drenched in a perfume called Self-Satisfaction/ From feather boa to silver pumps."—From "Mae West," a poem by Edward Field…

Satin pump with metal heel, NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD, $895, at Nicholas Kirkwood, NYC Leather and metal sandal, PRADA, price on request, visit prada.com Satin sandal with metal heel, MIU MIU, $860, at select Miu Miu boutiques nationwide. Gold link bracelets (strung together), all, DAVID WEBB, prices on request, at David Webb, Beverly Hills FASHION Accessories Find an ultrafeminine twist on the heavy-metal trend at ELLE.com/the-new-handcuff.…

SHEARLING Shearling and leather satchel, OPENING CEREMONY, $645, at Opening Ceremony stores nationwide Shearling and leather handbag, REED KRAKOFF, $1,890, visit reedkrakoff.com Shearling handbag, MARC JACOBS, $4,750, at Marc Jacobs boutiques nationwide Goatskin and sheep handbag, DELPHINE DELAFON, $1,680, collection at walkinmycloset.com GRAPHIC Lambskin handbag, VICTORIA BECKHAM, $1,625, collection at Blake, Chicago Leather tote, BALLY, $1,195, at Bally, NYC Leather tote, TOD'S, $2,600, at Tod's boutiques nationwide Jacquard handbag, BURBERRY PRORSUM, $3,195, visit burberry.com FUR Coyote handbag, TORY BURCH, $895, visit toryburch.com Fox, python, ostrich, and suede handbag, DEE OCLEPPO, price on request, collection at Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide Leather and shearling handbag, FURLA, $348, at select Furla boutiques nationwide Mink and leather handbag, JASON WU, $2,995, visit jasonwustudio.com FASHION Accessories There's truly a textured bag for everyone at…

1. THE BIBA YEARS: 1963–1975 (Abrams) A tribute to the late, lamented "most beautiful store in the world," Biba, the Kensington shopping-emporium-cum-cultural-mecca, where the players of Swinging London stylishly collided. 2. VIVIENNE WESTWOOD (Picador) The inimitable designer, activist, and godmother of punk collaborates on a memoir with friends including Pamela Anderson and Prince Charles. 3. FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY NEXT (Thames & Hudson) Works by 30 up-and-comers—from Daniel Jackson's color-saturated, hyperreal images to Ruvan Wijesooriya documentary-like black and whites—you need to know. 4. MARIANNE FAITHFULL: A LIFE ON RECORD (Rizzoli) The Youthquake poster child who went from Mick Jagger's muse to musical icon in her own right brings us along for the wild journey. 5. THE FAT RADISH KITCHEN DIARIES (Rizzoli) The favored NYC eatery of industry types offers a cookbook full…

RICH BLUES This classic cream Gucci fur looks dressed down and "very Parisian '70s" combined with a Gap shirt and Frame jeans in similar washes and low, gray Valentino Garavani booties, says Accessories Director Maria Dueñas Jacobs. "I like that my coat, bag, and shoes feel like neutrals against the denim." Mix or match color gradations—what matters is creating a slim contrast to the boxy coat. Coat, GUCCI, price on request. Shirt, GAP, $60. Jeans, FRAME, $229. Earrings, ANDREA FOHRMAN, $2,900. Earring, MELISSA JOY MANNING, $890. Ring, JACK VARTANIAN, price on request. Clutch, CHLOé, $3,790. Ankle boots, VALENTINO GARAVANI, $1,375 BASIC INSTINCT You won't find Senior Market Editor Jade Frampton roaming ELLE's halls or out at appointments in, say, a multicolor Marni number. "I don't wear print or color usually,…

TONAL PLAY As seen at Dior Day: Wool-blend coat, OLD NAVY, $60, at Old Navy stores nationwide Front-tie romper, GUESS, $98, visit guess.com Leather cross-body bag, COLE HAAN, $138, visit colehaan.com Gold, topaz, peridot, and pearl earring, DELFINA DELETTREZ, $688, collection at openingceremony.us Rabbit scarf, BRYAN BOY FOR ADRIENNE LANDAU, $198, visit adriennelandau.com Leather pump, MARNI, $820, at Marni boutiques nationwide Night: Wool coat, MCQ ALEXANDER McQUEEN, $1,285, visit alexandermcqueen.com Cotton T-shirt, SANDRO, $145, visit sandro-paris.com Silk-blend skirt, CH CAROLINA HERRERA, $1,155, at CH Carolina Herrera, Beverly Hills Embellished satin clutch, STUART WEITZMAN, $695, at Stuart Weitzman, NYC Leather gloves, MISSONI, $1,295 per pair, at Missoni, NYC Suede pump, MANOLO BLAHNIK, $595, collection at Barneys New York Weekend: Silk top, A.L.C., $245, collection at boutique1.com Left: Cotton and nylon parka…

LEATHER SHORTS As seen at Chanel Leatherette shorts, MARCIANO, $138, visit marciano.com Leather shorts, KENNETH COLE NEW YORK, price on request, call 800-KEN-COLE Elastane-blend shorts, H&M, $35, visit hm.com Wool-blend jacket, IRO, $858, at Iro, NYC Cotton and PVC sneaker, MM6 MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA, $430, at MM6 Maison Martin Margiela, NYC A-LINE SKIRT As seen at Proenza Schouler Nylon skirt, MONCLER, $580, at Moncler, NYC Wool skirt, PETER SOM, $595, visit petersom.com Printed-viscose and crepe skirt, PROENZA SCHOULER, $1,350, at Proenza Schouler, NYC Laser-cut neoprene jacket, NICOLE MILLER ARTELIER, $565, visit nicolemiller.com Cotton sweater, NIC+ZOE, $158, visit nicandzoe.com FRINGED MAXI As seen at Michael Kors Fringe skirt, TAMARA MELLON, $1,195, visit tamaramellon.com Fringe skirt, MILLY, $275, collection at revolveclothing.com Fringe skirt, JAY AHR, $3,485, visit jayahr.com Wool and mohair coat,…

HOW TO WEAR: SLEEVELESS COAT Shop The Look This multitasker, paired with feminine, easy staples, makes up the look of the moment The Top: A flowy blouse softens the coat's menswear-inspired tailoring. Silk and canvas shirt, COACH, $395, at select Coach stores nationwide. Gold and diamond necklace, ARIEL GORDON, $495, visit arielgordonjewelry.com The Bag: The roomy top-handle tote keeps the silhouette buttoned-up without reading stuffy. Suede and crocodile handbag, PRADA, $3,990, visit prada.com. The Pants: The cropped hem and slim fit balance the otherwise elongated proportions. Wool trousers, RAG & BONE, $395, collection at Nordstrom stores nationwide The Shoes: A classic pointy stiletto adds polish to cut against the softer trouser. Patent leather pumps, MANOLO BLAHNIK, $595, collection at Nordstrom stores nationwide The Coat: The ultimate transitional piece flatters in…

Early in a packed Sundance screening of The Skeleton Twins, Saturday Night Live devotees hooted and guffawed at Kristen Wiig's and Bill Hader's every line. But as tension rose in the room, it began to dawn on them just how clueless it was to think their idols were one-trick ponies. SNL has been going strong for 39 seasons, and Wiig and Hader are among its best alumni. These comic stars weren't doing skits writ large on the Sundance screen, but the work they've generally done in the past has resembled them—the biggest hit by far being Wiig's boundary-pushing wedding-gown comedy, Bridesmaids. With The Skeleton Twins, however, Hader and Wiig have left the SNL nest and soared. They're not just the leads in a good flick, they're the best actors imaginable…

"When I wrote the book, I didn't have an audience in mind, really. I tried a number of the essays out loud, and in some ways I think of them as to be read out loud," says Sarah Ruhl, revered playwright and the mother of three young children, about her probing, bracing, and captivating 100 Essays I Don't Have Time to Write: On Umbrellas and Sword Fights, Parades and Dogs, Fire Alarms, Children, and Theater (Faber and Faber), a cornucopia of compact, playfully profound observations on life in and out of theater. Ruhl, who is 40, is considered one of contemporary theater's most precocious and audacious innovators. Her visually stunning, gorgeously compressed plays tease out hidden emotional depths from her characters and have been produced around the world. They include…

I never expected to rest on a literal bed of roses, but here I am, sprawled inelegantly atop piles of pink blooms that stretch boundlessly around me in all directions. The petals are so soft and the smell so intoxicating that for a few seconds I slip into a dizzy-brained reverie: Am I in the throes of some American Beauty–esque dream? Have I died and gone to a special heaven for rose fanatics? In fact, I'm lying on the floor of a distillation facility near Isparta, Turkey—a town, nicknamed Rose City, about an hour's flight from Istanbul—and the bounteous blossoms around me, a whopping 15 tons of them in total, are merely one morning's harvest from the surrounding fields. A few hours ago, I was out there myself, picking the…

WORKING CLASS A day in the life of an ELLE editor can include everything from a fashion show in the morning to a film premiere at night. Here, the 25 products that keep us prepped around the clock "There's a reason Cate Blanchett wears SK-II eye masks on flights," Beauty Editor Julie Schott says. "Like a double espresso for my face, they brighten my undereyes after a long day." "I use DIOR Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint almost every day," Accessories Director Maria Dueñas Jacobs says. "It's lightweight and evens out my skin." CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ concealer "makes me look like I slept 12 hours," Nasr says. "It's perfectly blendable, so it's also an easy fix for blemishes and red spots." For on-the-go gloss, Market Director Joann Pailey is…

Slut just can't seem to get truly reclaimed as a term of pride. "Don't sleep with too many men" remains, stubbornly, the number one "don't" of sex rules for girls and women. So, is the corollary that it's good to be a virgin? If too many partners can turn a fresh girl into a skank—"use her up"—is none the right amount? In her smart 2013 documentary, How To Lose Your Virginity, Therese Shechter asks college sophomores in Queens, New York, how many sex partners one should have. The co-eds, female and male alike, grimace and shudder when they contemplate a woman with more than 25, 20, or even five lovers. "If a girl has more than she can count on one hand, then she's a slut," declares one girl with…

Our founders designed the House of Representatives to be the populist half of Congress, so why have men had the run of it for the past 200-odd years? But if these eight candidates win—and no female incumbents lose—20 percent of its members will be women for the first time ever,* a mark the Senate hit in 2012. That leaves 130 seats before we fill our proper half, but it's a righteous start MARTHA MCSALLY REPUBLICAN Arizona, 2nd District Vying for Gabrielle Giffords' former seat, McSally is the first woman in U.S. history to command a combat aviation unit. She successfully sued the Department of Defense to end its policy requiring female soldiers to wear abayas in parts of the Middle East. BRENDA LAWRENCE DEMOCRAT Michigan, 14th District Southfield's first female…

Washed-organza dress, price on request; metal, tweed, and Plexiglas necklace, $2,600; metal, resin, glass pearl, Plexiglas, and sequin necklaces, $850–$900 each, all, CHANEL, at select Chanel boutiques nationwide. For details, see Shopping Guide. Kristen Stewart is famous for—no, scratch that. Famous is too dinky a word to describe what Kristen Stewart is at this moment in America's cultural history. Kristen Stewart is a phenomenon for playing the girl in the Twilight movies, only, of course, she was really playing the boy. That's the secret of the franchise's appeal: It's a rehash of that tired old mothball-reeking, done-to-death, oh-Jesus-not-again Romeo and Juliet star-crossed-lovers redux, except—and here's what makes the material so fresh, gives it its kinky kick—he's Juliet and she's Romeo. Robert Pattinson's Edward Cullen—gorgeous, moody, high-strung, faintly anemic because he's…

Beauty Secret: To get Murphy's tonal look, try Double Wear Stay-in-Place Brow Lift Duo in Soft Brown, Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer in Medium Deep, and Pure Color LipShine in Luscious Plum. All, ESTÉE LAUDER. Silk chiffon dress, givenchy by riccardo tisci, price on request, collection at Kirna Zabête, NYC. Her own earrings, worn throughout. For details, see Shopping Guide. HOT SPOT Curated by Olayami Dabls, MBAD's African Bead Museum sprawls over 17,500 square feet. Georgette dress, price on request, brass ring, $205, both, chloé, collection at neimanmarcus.com. Gold ring, ariel gordon, $1,740. Brass ring, jennifer fisher, $315. Wool socks, falke, $34. Leather ankle boots, tod's, $775. All bicycles (throughout), shinola, $1,950–$2,950 each. For details, see Shopping Guide.patinated palace The 101-year-old Michigan Central Station, once the tallest train station in the…

Beauty Secret: A bold, hot-hued blush at the tops of cheekbones is our newest crush. Try Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush in Candy Coral. Hand-woven goat-hair coat, price on request, leather shirt, $2,800, stretch-crepe and wool pants, $650, leather handbag, $3,490, all, gucci, at select Gucci stores nationwide. Wool hat, emporio armani, $625. Silver and pearl earring, pearl collective, $475 (for pair). Wool gloves, zadig & voltaire, $75. Stylist's own umbrella. For details, see Shopping Guide. Double-face wool and angora coat, $4,100, wool jacket, $4,200, pants, $1,250, all, dior, at Dior boutiques nationwide. Cotton shirt, black fleece by brooks brothers, $195. Alpaca hat, acne STUDIOS, price on request. Gold, metal, and glass pearl necklace, chanel, price on request. Cotton-blend socks, happy socks, $12. Sequined oxfords, agl, $385. Wool coat,…

COVER Glitter tweed blouse, $9,700, metal, tweed, and Plexiglas necklace, $2,600, metal and tweed necklace, $2,300, transparent metal, resin, glass pearl, sequin, and Plexiglas necklaces, $850–$900 each, by Chanel, at Chanel boutiques nationwide, call 800-550-0005. Nylon and elastane bra by Wolford, $165, visit wolford.com. BEHIND THE COVER PAGE 218: Earring by Aurélie Bidermann, $7,545, visit aureliebidermann.com. Cuff by Chanel, at select Chanel boutiques nationwide. CHANGE AGENT PAGE 320: Kim, in lower right corner, wears: Earring by Ileana Makri, $5,725 per pair, visit ileanamakri.com. Bracelet by Delfina Delettrez, $713, collection at openingceremony.us. PAGE 324: Kim, in left corner, wears: Ring by Ileana Makri, $11,315, visit ileanamakri.com. Kim, on bed, wears: Sweater, $1,045, skirt, $1,485, by Dries Van Noten, collection at Nordstrom stores nationwide, barneys.com. Ring by Delfina Delettrez, $900, collection at…

SCARLET FEVER From bright cherry to dark-and-stormy burgundy, the full spectrum of red set fire to fall runways. At Max Mara, candy apple brightened the tweedy, tailored outerwear, while deep maroon looked both serious and sexy with Julien Macdonald's golden gowns. TIP: "Choose a red for nails just as you choose it for lips," says Eleanor Langston of NYC's Paintbox. If you have cool tones, go for a shade from poppy pink to wine; those with warm undertones can try anything from tangerine to deep brick. COSTELLO TAGLIAPIETRA JULIEN MACDONALD MAX MARA GENNY CHALK IT UP Beige—uptown's favorite shade (beloved because it goes with anything and doesn't show chips)—got a downtown spin at the fall shows: Givenchy's printed dresses were offset by buff tips, and at Tanya Taylor stark ivory…