Table of contents for August 2021 in ELLE

1 PERFECT CONDITIONS The weather on South Korea’s Jeju Island, where AmorePacific grows green tea for its Vintage Single Extract Essence, was especially sublime for flora back in 2017. So the skin care brand did something special with that year’s harvest: It fermented the leaves for 1,000 days (versus its usual 100). This extra-potent brew of antioxidants has been bottled in 200 handmade golden vessels for the U.S. market, making the antiaging treatment one of the rarest on the planet. AmorePacific Vintage Single Extract Essence 1000 Days Edition, $360, amorepacific.com. 2 JEAN GENIE In case you haven’t noticed, Irina Shayk has a pretty impressive street-style game, often involving the perfect pair of jeans. So it seems only natural that a denim brand would come calling: This season, the supermodel makes…

Tom Munro, Thiemo Sander (Photographers), Déborah Dutrain, Sasa Thomann (Fashion Editors), Virginie Dolata, Lotte Jeffs, Michèle Fitoussi, Georgina Johnston-Watt, Violette Rostand, Elise Webber (Copywriting and Interviews), Halley Brisker, Mickael Jauneau, Wendy Rowe (Hair & Makeup Artists), Michelle Humphrey, Kamel (Manicurists), Mo Li/Agence Mademoiselle (Model), JR Associés, 2BManagement, Creative Blood (Productions) Editorial and Creative Direction: Virginie Dolata. Art Direction: Katia Simon.…

Dorothy Parker pinch-hit writing lingerie captions, and Joan Didion tried her hand at fashion-magazine display copy, but few literary heavyweights have ever found themselves moved to weigh in on a handbag. Colette might be the exception. In 1942, Hermès’s creations inspired her to write that “the beauty of the material calls for the perfection of the work, even if it can’t be seen. The bottom must be worthy of the top, and the inside the outside.” Now, nearly 80 years later, Catherine Fulconis, the executive vice president of Hermès’s leather goods–saddlery and “Petit h” divisions, is demonstrating that inside-and-out perfection as we speak, showing me the interior of one of the house’s prized carryalls. That attention to even the unseen details is part of Hermès’s pragmatic approach. “We don’t consider…

“The whole collection resembles a caress,” says Pierre Hardy of his latest Hermès high jewelry offering, Lignes Sensibles. Among the free-spirited designs—which the designer envisions being worn as a second skin—the Réseau Lumière necklace (shown here) stands out thanks to its web of 282 white diamonds set in white gold. “The necklaces are as soft as arms around the neck,” Hardy adds. Or a couple of newly ripened pears, as whimsically interpreted here by mixed-media artist Anna Bu Kliewer.…

Stress—whether from a breakup, giving birth, contracting COVID-19, or simply living through the year-and-counting pandemic—can be a common trigger for hair loss. “When we experience abrupt changes, the body helps essential tissues thrive at the expense of nonessential tissues, like hair,” says Palm Beach, Florida–based trichologist Bridgette Hill, the founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis. While losing up to 100 hairs a day is normal, some dermatologists say they are seeing more patients with excessive shedding than ever before. According to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, hair loss increased by more than 400 percent between November 2019 and August 2020 in two racially diverse New York City neighborhoods, most likely due to COVID-related inflammation or stress. FDA-approved minoxidil (found in Rogaine) is the gold…

“I’ve always been fascinated by intense colors,” says makeup artist Tyron Machhausen. “My mom was an art teacher, so I painted all the time.” After coming up in the Berlin fashion scene, Machhausen moved to New York City, where a chance meeting with Margot Robbie on a magazine shoot resulted in her tapping him for the 2015 Oscars. He now works with the likes of Jessica Chastain, Lucy Boynton, and Zazie Beetz (right). Here, some of his best tricks. PREP LIKE A PRO “The most important tip is exfoliation. I like Kiko Milano face wipes, followed by witch hazel toner to help calm and soothe. Then I massage in a skin care product, warming it in my hand first. I make sure to use enough so that my fingers are…

The year is 2013. Danny Lee, a project manager at a computer software company, walks into Kilroy’s Sports in downtown Bloomington, Indiana. It’s an oversize bar popular with college kids, filled with flat-screen TVs, Long Island Iced Tea specials, and bad decisions. As he walks in, Park Jae-sang, best known as K-pop rapper Psy, comes on the speakers. “Gangnam Style,” his viral hit, reverberates across the room. Heads turn to focus on the sole Korean American present. “Everyone is looking at me like, ‘It’s Psy’s little brother!’ So I do the dance. Everybody did it,” Lee recalls of parroting the video’s horse-prance choreography. “They were having fun, but 100 percent of the people were laughing at Psy. In Korea, he’s a legend,” Lee says. In America, he’s “a one-trick pony.”…

Modesty might be the universal language of cover stars, but when Adut Akech says, “I never, ever, in my wildest dreams, thought I would have achieved half the things that I have now,” you believe her. On top of a wildly rapid career ascent—from an international runway debut walking for Saint Laurent in 2016 to being named Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council just three years later—her life trajectory has been altogether extraordinary. Akech was born on Christmas Day in 1999, somewhere along the route between her mother’s native South Sudan, where a civil war raged, and the Kenyan refugee camp they called home for nearly eight years. “I was a very switched-on kid,” she says over Zoom, draped in a vibrant orange scarf. “When you grow…

Some of history’s most legendary film stars, artists, geniuses and athletes have fallen for Cartier’s collections. Marking a moment in time and defying the decades, each icon has a story. ANDY WARHOL The king of pop art was a fan of watches. In particular, he never put down his Cartier Tank watch. “I don’t wear the Tank watch because it tells me the time,” he once said. “I wear the Tank because it is the watch to wear.” JEAN COCTEAU The author of Les Enfants Terribles never left the cult favorite, sculptural Trinity ring at home. He wore two on his pinkie finger and described it as a triple Saturnian ring, the three types of gold representing love, fidelity, and friendship. CATHERINE DENEUVE The French actress was just 20 years…

We all have memories that remind us of someone close–be it family, friends, or people with whom we share a connection. In the same way, passing on your Cartier Tank watch or Trinity ring can be a treasured family tradition, but it’s also the gift of a memory–a token left behind as a fond gesture, or a great mark of affection. No matter how valuable it is, an object is nothing without the people who love it–however precious it may be. What matters most is the story it tells as it’s passed through generations. DURING A FRIENDLY DINNER, I caught a glimmering glimpse of the diamond that my friend Sophie was wearing on her ring finger. When asked about it, she replied, “This ring belonged to my grandmother. Every time…

Every year around this time, I start to get giddy about fall fashion: the sweaters, the knee-high boots, and did I mention the coats? And right now, our collective anticipation for the season has arguably never been at more of a fever pitch. I was so drawn to the color, positivity, and creativity we saw on the runways this season, and our pages this month are crammed full of tempting reentry looks perfect for making our way back into the world. We have come so far in the past year and a half, and the thrill of getting to resume our regular lives—and even the promise of in-person fashion shows—is providing much-needed excitement. A celebration of joyous fashion, this month’s covers star two supermodels: Adut Akech and Kendall Jenner. Though…

Even in our modern landscape of constant collaborations, it’s rare that a major brand gives free rein to a young design talent. But that’s just what Tommy Hilfiger granted his mentee of several years, designer Romeo Hunte. “Romeo is one of those truly exceptional newcomers, someone who you know is going to make an impact as soon as you see his work,” says Hilfiger, who opened up the brand’s archives for Hunte to deconstruct and reenvision its most iconic styles. Among them: a biker jacket–meets–trench coat that features both designers’ names on the back, and the backpack-cum-vest at right. The hybrid stylings call to mind Hunte’s penchant for clever repurposing, which has won him fans from Hailey Bieber to NBA star James Harden. Hilfiger, a family friend, and his work…

Have a penchant for Prada? Mad about Moschino? Let it be known with fall’s crop of logo-laden extras.…

1. PRETREAT Moisturizing and maintaining the pH of your scalp is critical, Hill says. Fifteen minutes before showering, apply an anti-inflammatory mask or oil to scalp and strands. Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil, $34, fableandmane.com. 2. MASSAGE Fill this palm-size brush with serum for a treatment that is both relaxing and rejuvenating to the scalp. Use circular motions to improve circulation and stimulate scalp muscles while removing dead skin cells. WetBrush Head Start Exfoliating Scalp Massager ($15); Bread Beauty Supply Scalp-Serum: Exfoliating Scalp Treatment ($28). 3. WASH GENTLY Choose your shampoo carefully: Swap in a hyaluronic acid or apple cider vinegar formula on occasion to remove product buildup without irritation. Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Hydro Boost Shampoo with Hyaluronic Acid ($12).…

Three years ago, Abigail O’Laughlin sat in the parking lot of a Chick-fil-A in Destin, Florida, her heart racing. She was meeting her eating disorder recovery coach, and they were planning to eat one of the foods she feared most. A chicken sandwich might not seem like a big deal to some, but two of the hallmarks of anorexia are creating rigid eating rules and restricting food groups. O’Laughlin had loved the meal as a kid but hadn’t let herself eat it for years, not since she had been diagnosed with the eating disorder at age 14. Her coach, Sarah Lee, a warm, upbeat woman with a Texas twang, sympathized—she had recovered from bulimia herself more than a decade before. As the pair ordered, O’Laughlin’s anxiety swelled, but Lee talked…

There are three types of pimps. Megan Lundstrom will tell you this. First, there’s the boyfriend pimp. He’s the one who romances you with promises of a family, who coaxes you into turning tricks to finance a blissful future. You think you’re in love with him until the physical abuse becomes too much to bear. Then there’s the CEO pimp. He’s flirty at first, but instead of wooing you, he works you to exhaustion with promises of modeling fame. He charges a “choosing fee” to enter his enterprise and a “leaving fee” to exit. He, too, gives you bruises, but this is business, and you’ve got a quota. Finally, there’s the gorilla pimp. You might meet him at a bar and wake up later having been drugged, kidnapped, and raped.…

Most teenagers nearing adulthood go through the same rites of passage: packing up their childhood bedrooms; starting college or a full-time job. Whitney Peak, who stars in HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot, has had a very different coming-of-age experience. In 2020, she moved to New York from Canada amid a pandemic; lived on her own for the first time during quarantine; and began work on one of the most famous shows in recent history. Daunting? Perhaps. But Peak found it thrilling. The actress, who still thinks of herself as a kid, says she has relied on guidance from family and older friends to help navigate her new, surreal surroundings. “Living in New York as an 18-year-old is definitely crazy, especially at this time,” she says. “I’m meeting people I’ve watched…

COVERS ADUT AKECH Dress by Prada, prada.com. Ring by Harry Winston, harrywinston.com. KENDALL JENNER Dress by Celine by Hedi Slimane, celine.com. Rings by Bulgari, bulgari.com. Sweater, shirt, trousers, belt by Etro, etro.com. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 16: Jacket, earrings by Chanel, select Chanel boutiques nationwide. PAGE 18: Jacket, bustier top by Dior, select Dior boutiques nationwide. Briefs by NakedCashmere, nakedcashmere.com. Fishnets by Wolford, wolford.com. Rings by H&H—Holly Silius & Hannah Warner, @hollysilius. EDITOR’S LETTER PAGE 54: Dress by Prada, prada.com. Ring by Harry Winston, harrywinston.com. Dress by Celine by Hedi Slimane, celine.com. Rings by Bulgari, bulgari.com. NINA’S EDIT PAGE 55: Watch by Rolex, $10,800, rolex.com. NEW ARRIVALS PAGE 57: Watch by Rolex, $46,900, rolex.com. SHOP PAGE 69: Watch by Omega, $21,400, omegawatches.com. Tote bag by Dior, $2,950, Dior boutiques nationwide.…

What time did you get up this morning? 4:50 a.m. What’s your state of mind today? Motivated. Who or what did you think of first when you woke up? What hurts after yesterday’s stunts. Do you have a pet? Watson, adopted through @loveunderdogs. Your favorite lunch? I’m a big fan of a poke bowl. What can you not resist? Fashion and a really great script. Museum you want to visit? The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Your favorite city? Barcelona. The jewel you’re dreaming about? The 610-diamond Panthère de Cartier necklace I wore to the UK premiere of Charlie’s Angels. What a night! Gold or silver? White gold. Your first watch? Casio Baby-G. Hello, fellow ’90s kids! What watch are you currently wearing? The Panthère de Cartier watch. Always…

Straight or curved lines, extraordinary dimensions, innovative materials, a play of light… modern architectural concepts challenge aesthetic and geometric codes. Audacious in design, these projects redefine the limits of contemporary architecture, just as Louis Cartier revolutionized watchmaking and jewelry in his day. We’ll give you the tour. UNDULATING LINES 1. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Wrapped entirely in titanium armor that looks like liquid gold in the rain, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a breathtaking avant-garde architectural landmark of the 20th century and a must-see for its sheer magnificence. The innovative design was created by the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry in 1997. A SILVER LACE DOME 2. The Louvre, Abu Dhabi Based on the dome, an important symbol in Arab architecture, the Louvre in Abu Dhabi encapsulates a perfect union between…

1 The BAG Not quite ready to dip your toe into full-on logomania? Enter Fendi’s convertible clutch, with its discreet F clasp. Handbag, Fendi, $3,490, fendi.com. 2 The WATCH Time is precious—and so is the halo of white diamonds ringing Rolex’s newly updated Day-Date timepiece, which now comes in ultraflattering Everose gold. Watch, Rolex, rolex.com. 3 The SHOE The only jewelry you’ll need poolside: Manolo Blahnik’s brass-ringed slide. Sandal, Manolo Blahnik, $725, manoloblahnik.com.…

“For the Pure V high jewelry collection, I wanted to express the essence of the V,” says Francesca Amfitheatrof, artistic director for watches and jewelry at Louis Vuitton. She looked to the Art Deco–inspired monogram that graced Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s personal luggage in the 1920s and ’30s, though the resulting eight-piece collection feels thoroughly modern. Using a minimalist palette of white gold, diamonds, onyx, and V-shaped cutouts, Amfitheatrof played with negative space so that “the glimpses of skin revealed become just as important as the jewel itself.” After all, what’s more modern than allowing the wearer’s own style to shine through?…

The French have the perfect term for the shift that the end of summer heralds: la rentrée. Rather than lament that vacations are coming to a close, we’re focusing on all the style opportunities reentry offers—wherever the season finds you.…

Addison Rae Easterling is really famous—and always knew she’d appear onscreen. Growing up in a constellation of small Southern towns, she thought a career in broadcast journalism would be just the ticket. But after three months at Louisiana State University, Easterling found TikTok, a social medium she took to immediately, attracting a mind-boggling follower count (80.4 million thus far) with skillful and undeniably endearing lip-sync and dance videos. It wasn’t long before she was off to L.A. Of course, internet fame doesn’t always add up to traditional stardom, but she’s unlocked that algorithm as well, landing her first major Hollywood role this month as a social media influencer (naturally) in He’s All That, Netflix’s gender-swapped remake of the 1999 teen rom-com She’s All That. Easterling knows you might have doubts…

LEO JULY 23–AUG 22 You’ve never been shy about expressing your desires, and with the proud Sun in your sign until the 22nd, why stop now? You’ll make a positive impression near the Leo new moon on the 8th. Thanks to a partnership-powered Aquarius full moon (the second this summer), a powerful complementary force may step in to accelerate a longstanding goal. Be receptive! VIRGO AUG 23–SEPT 22 Shake the weight of the world off your shoulders. But don’t check yourself out completely! Mars in Virgo lights a fire under a pet project, then links up with Venus on the 14th, when your love life will be ablaze with passion. The Sun beams into your sign on the 22nd: Be ready to show your work or to workshop it with…