Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2017 i ELLE Australia

Have you ever felt prouder to be a woman? I’m writing this the day after the global Women’s March, when a phenomenal 4.8 million people across a whopping 673 cities around the world united to make ourselves heard in the defence of our fundamental rights (particularly, in the US, their reproductive rights) as well as to highlight immigration reform, religious discrimination, LGBTQ rights, and gender and racial inequities. These causes aren’t only relevant in America because of Trump’s inauguration as President, but sadly also closer to home, where our Prime Minister stands by an Immigration Minister who links Lebanese-Muslim migrants to terrorism, where gay marriage is still not legalised despite massive popular support, where proposed cutbacks to paid parental leave this year promise to leave Australian new parents as the…

MOLLY WARKENTIN CURRENT JOB: Makeup artist – see her work in “Urban Legends” and “On The Edge” from p136 . FIRST JOB: “At M.A.C – I learnt so much about working on all different faces.” WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE FOR YOUR JOB: “Balancing on a surfboard in the middle of the ocean while trying to touch up a model on another surfboard.” NO.1 BEAUTY PRODUCT USED ON A SHOOT: “I like to massage face oils into the complexion – it really gives life to the skin.” CORBIN HARRIS CURRENT JOB: Sports broadcaster and travel expert. But it’s his pro skateboarding skills that we’re putting to use this issue – read all about it on p65 . FIRST JOB: “Selling newspapers with my brother Shannon near the corner…

As the SS17 runways of Christian Dior, Marni and Saint Laurent proved, mismatching your earrings is the easiest way to master effortless elegance. Translation: your knack for losing things has become the coolest new styling trick. To avoid a “dressed in the dark” appearance, keep some symmetry in shape or style, then clash metals, colours or lengths – the possibilities are endless.…

PARIS ASTIER DE VILLATE 173 Rue Saint Honoré; astierdevillatte.com It’s famous for its unique approach to ceramics, which are handmade in the workshop once used to house Napoleon’s silversmith. DIPTYQUE 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain; diptyqueparis.com Its candles are some of the best: delicate and refined smells all inspired by childhood memories, nature or journeys. The Feu De Bois is the one I buy most, in an XXL size. SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY 37 Rue de la Bûcherie; shakespeareandcompany.com An English-language bookshop in the heart of Paris, on the banks of the Seine, opposite Notre-Dame. Since opening in 1951, it’s become a Left Bank literary institution and a meeting place for writers and readers alike. NEW YORK DE VERA 1 Crosby Street; deveraobjects.com Federico de…

Since launching in 2014, Amazon’s Alexa has steadily been revolutionising tech-savvy families’ homes via her voice-controlled device Echo. She’ll sit on your benchtop in her unobtrusive guise, a tall and slim black (or white) Bluetooth speaker that promises to answer your most searching queries with the use of a  “wake” word, which by default is her name. She’ll play you a tune on request from your Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio or TuneIn account (“Alexa, play The Weeknd”). She’ll update you on the headlines or chance of rain, check the status of traffic on your work commute, find you a flight or hotel and let you know what’s coming up on your calendar. She’s also clever enough to connect to certain smart home devices such as lights, garage doors and thermostats.…

We all know these people – they always ask for your advice but never seem to follow through, they find fault in everything about their lives and rarely is anything to their liking. Addressing their impact not only matters to your own sanity but often to that of the people around you, too, says Karen Gately, founder of HR consultancy Ryan Gately. As tempting as it may be to simply ignore those who constantly complain or overreact, the only real way to deal with it is to confront them. Here, Gately gives her four strategies for handling precious people... have expectations First, remember it’s completely reasonable to expect people to take responsibility for how they think, feel and behave – including when times are not to their liking – and…

STEP 1 - BUY ...AN OVERSIZED-SHOULDER BLAZER YOU WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED TO SEE IN AN ’80S SITCOM (ON THE MALE OR FEMALE LEAD). WEAR IT WITH EVERYTHING YOU OWN. STEP 2 - CARRY ...A CRUMPLED-UP OVERNIGHT BAG UNDER YOUR ARM SO YOU’RE ALWAYS READY FOR ANYTHING THE DAY MIGHT THROW AT YOU. STEP 3 - ASK ...YOUR HAIRDRESSER FOR A SHAGGY, TEXTURED HAIRCUT THAT WORKS WITH YOUR NATURAL HAIR. BID ADIEU TO YOUR STYLING TOOLS.…

We love Valentino’s mini cross-body mirror compact (or “hip necklace” as it’s been endearingly dubbed in the ELLE office). Take your cue from Altuzarra and Balenciaga and add tights to transition your summer heels. Clashing colours and patterns is recommended. Turn your crystals into statement accessories – wear the healing energy as earrings (à la Christopher Kane) or dangling around your neck (Givenchy).…

Volume was a recurring theme for SS17 and sleeves followed suit. For ultimate wearability, look to JW Anderson, where architectural curves were paired with tonal separates and utilitarian details, or Stella McCartney, where the proportion of a puffy sleeve was balanced with a narrow waist. For a  more playful take, the light, airy ’80s balloon sleeves at Kenzo and Rodarte proved just how fun a little more fabric can be.…

I knew I’d lose my engagement ring, and I did. I  took it off at the gym, put it in the front pocket of my backpack where I keep my keys and small change, and forgot about it. I pulled out my keys to unlock my bike at the train station, and I’m guessing it’s there that the symbol of my eternal love for my fiancée found itself a new home – in the gutter, or perhaps on the finger of some lucky passer-by. Or, yes, maybe a dog ate it, or a bird, or perhaps the man who plays the accordion outside the station proposed to his lover with it. Whatever, it’s gone; don’t rub it in. The average person misplaces up to nine items a  day, or roughly 200,000 things…

Before I could make a living as a writer, one of the most consistent jobs I had to earn a wage was working as a dancer in strip clubs. In the club environment, it’d be more suspicious to be cagey about my earnings than to disclose them. Though every shift was different, I’d gauge how well I was doing by comparing notes with my workmates to see if a night was going badly or if I  just needed to up my hustle. While the vulgar fantasy of strippers as greedy drama seekers persists, the reality is we shared details about money casually and in a spirit of generosity that I’ve never seen in any other industry. I retired the sequins and sky-high heels to become a  full-time writer in 2014,…

YOU ARE INVITED... To join ELLE Australia for their edit of the season’s best trends at the 2017 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. Witness the nation’s leading designers – including Morrison, LIFEwithBIRD, alice McCall, Michael Lo Sordo, Bec and Bridge, Kaliver and Acler – on the Festival’s world class runway. For more information, visit VAMFF.COM.AU Tickets* on sale now TICKETEK.COM.AU/ VAMFF *Includes gift bag valued at over $100…

We match each scent – inspired by the free- spirited set of creatives ruling London in the early 1900s – to all the occasions in your diary. GIRLS’ DINNER 1. LEATHER & ARTEMISIA Anise-tinged absinthe, artemisia and leather create an addictive scent – your girlfriends will be ordering their own under the table by the second round of cocktails. WEEKEND AWAY 2. BLUE HYACINTH A woody vetiver base makes this floral fragrance perfect for both daytime excursions and evening affairs. DATE NIGHT 3. WHISKY & CEDARWOOD A smoky, sexy mix of whisky, rose and wood, guaranteed to make him lean in close. (Note: avoid on a first date if on the fence.) LUNCH WITH MUM 4. GARDEN LILIES A gorgeous daytime spritz of lilies and ylang-ylang that smells like that…

SUNDOWNER Simple skin and natural texture your go-to game? Then you’re in luck: this season a beachy vibe was felt at a variety of shows. “I  drew inspiration from those Californian skater-surfer boys with sun-bleached hair that looks tangly from days spent in the sun and salt,” says Guido Palau, Redken’s global creative director, who used the brand’s sea-salt spray to fake a dip in the Pacific Ocean at Alexander Wang’s show. Makeup was minimal (“We wanted to keep the skin really fresh with a slight sun-kissed look,” says Diane Kendal, who created the Wang look for Nars), so focus on evening out tone with concealer, while using bronze hues to create “sun”-enhanced shadows. Seen at: ALEXANDER WANG, MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION, VERA WANG, JASON WU, ETRO, OSCAR DE LA…

THE MODEL: SAMANTHA HARRIS HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR RUNWAY SHOWS AND PHOTOSHOOTS? It’s less about what I put on my face and more about what I put into my body. I make sure I have a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink lots of water. I also love taking a hair, skin and nails supplement – Swisse has a great liquid one that I put in smoothies. WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU TRUST TO KEEP YOUR SKIN IN TOP FORM? My skincare routine is super simple – cleanse and moisturise. I like to use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil to take off my makeup, and then follow up with Palmer’s Multi-Effect Perfecting Facial Oil to moisturise. I also love micellar waters, particularly Bioderma, for those days when I’m working…

AVANT-BARRE San Francisco; avant-barre.com Boutique-scale barre means you’ll get plenty of hands-on guidance. POP PHYSIQUE Los Angeles and San Francisco; popphysique.com Pop tunes and the promise of a popping booty. FIT BUDDHA Ventura; fitbuddhafitness.com For a masterclass on the Megaformer. PILOXING ACADEMY Burbank; piloxing.com The birthplace of the workout means you’re assured of a serious pro. FITWALL Newport Beach; fitwall.com Try a 40-minute session using the purpose-built “wall”, the floor and resistance bands. This is climbing, but fun. LIFTED San Francisco; becomelifted.com Meditation and resistance training combine in one 90-minute workout for mind and body. SHAPE HOUSE Los Angeles; shapehouse.com Wrap up in a hot blanket, then lie back and watch Netflix during a 55-minute far-infrared…

From the outside, designer Marnie Goding’s Melbourne home looks simple and unassuming. But behind the oversized front door lies a  gloriously renovated family space that’s as chic and classic as her much-loved fashion and accessories label, Elk. Goding shares the home with her partner (in life and business) Adam Koniaras, their children Willow, six, and Ollie, two, plus their “furry child” Grover. With young kids running around, she loves the spacious feel of the home – and the large windows throughout. “The home is calm and warm, and has been designed to take advantage of the mountain views, which give a  sense of airiness and freedom,” says Goding, who moved in almost three years ago. “We lived in a little townhouse for 15 years, tucked neatly beside our neighbours. This…

A hotel should feel like a home away from home; a place to anchor a travel-weary soul, or provide an exotic sense of escape from the every day. Few hotel chains capture that essence as well as QT does. One recent addition to its portfolio is an 11-storey hotel on Melbourne’s Russell Street. It’s got all the quirk you’ve come to expect from QT – hop in an elevator and an exotically accented voice will throw out a cheeky suggestion, hit the “feed me” button on your in-room phone for room service – but with the added charm of feeling distinctly Melbourne. The rooms are industrial (think polished concrete ceilings and exposed lighting fixtures) yet cosy. Going back to your own bed never feels as disappointing as after you’ve spent…

“Bullying is now a 24/7 experience” LUCY THOMAS  co-founder/co-CEO of Project Rockit, projectrockit.com.au Just over a decade ago, my sister Rosie and I were quite fresh out of school and had really seen the way bullying, prejudice and the general social hierarchy of teen life affected the people around us. We saw an opportunity to create real social change by tackling the issue in school communities, so we set up Project Rockit. Today, bullying is no longer confined to the schoolyard or workplace; it now plays out as a  24/7 experience via the devices and platforms through which we live. As our lives spill further and further online,  so do the social issues of ignorance, fear and apathy that our world grapples with. Cyberbullying is a significant problem for the next…

THE LABELS TO LOVE If you add only one thing to your wardrobe this season, make it a piece from one of these four brands. Insider favourite Glenn Martens offers his  gender-blurring, tongue-in-cheek take on everyday dressing in denim, leather and pastels at Paris-based label Y/Project. Searching for something a  little more conventionally feminine? Look no further than RIXO London, founded by British duo Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey, whose vintage-inspired silk dresses and jumpsuits are must-haves. Turn to fellow London label Bruta, founded by Arthur Yates, for next-level shirting with whimsical embroidery. And for some off-the-wall culture clash,  check out Angel Chen, the Shanghai-based former Marchesa and Vera Wang intern turned Forbes “30 Under 30” star who  blends traditional craft with a modern aesthetic in her own sequin-spangled interpretation…

Stick to neutrals, downgrade personality, play it straight: forget everything you know about Monday-to-Friday attire. These days, the old rules need not apply. Modern workwear can be as dynamic as your employer allows, and the London-based Asos team are well ahead of the curve. This is how they do it. NAME: Freya Rabet. ROLE: Junior designer. PERSONAL STYLE: Clothes that make me feel happy and confident. KEY PIECE: Shirting in plains, stripes and ginghams with a ruffle. OFFICE STYLE HACK: Give this menswear staple a feminine feel with oversized detailing and some amazing shoes. ACCESSORIES MVP: Chunky soles. NAME: Jasmine Walker. ROLE: Senior international press officer. PERSONAL STYLE: Minimal, Scandi-inspired. KEY PIECE: Luxe tracksuit pants with a wide leg and a side stripe. OFFICE STYLE HACK: Nail tricky trans-seasonal dressing with a  crisp shirt or a…

I once got a $40,000 wardrobe bill on a publicity tour,” says Bryce Dallas Howard of discovering the cost of being a US size 6 (Australian size 10) in Hollywood. “If you’re not sample size, there are no clothes for the stylist to loan from the designer, so they have to purchase them and I have to pay for them. I nearly had a heart attack. I guess they thought I had a  trust fund.” The mother of two now buys her own red-carpet outfits and has earned a reputation for being relatable as a  result: she wore a $320 Topshop dress to the Critics’ Choice Awards last December, and a Jenny Packham gown bought off the rack at department store Neiman Marcus earlier in 2016 at the Golden Globes. Discussing…

There should exist, but doesn’t, one of those long and untranslatable Danish words to describe the feeling of your very first glide on a  skateboard. There I was, in my very fresh $210 Eytys sneakers, riding a $15 skateboard I’d bought at Kmart 30 minutes earlier, a “Skateboarding For Beginners” tutorial blaring from my iPhone. I tell you this, fully aware that the sentence amounts to nothing short of skater sacrilege, but bear with me. Skate culture is magnetic. Just ask the fashion set – its key players have been conducting a full-blown, if somewhat unrequited, love affair with skateboarding for years. Ever since Phoebe Philo cast Daria Werbowy in the 2011 Céline campaign brandishing a bold orange skate deck, worlds have been colliding. Soon, pro skaters like Dylan Rieder, Ben…

Tim Tams and Gaytimes might be synonymous with the taste of Australia, but even those gastronomic heroes are now owned by foreign multinationals. So it’s probably time that our culinary identity saw a seismic shift. “Food in Australia has gone through so many changes,” says cook and author Nigella Lawson, appearing recently at Western Australia’s Margaret River Gourmet Escape, presented by Audi. “It used to have a very British influence, which was just so wrong for the climate.” Foraging for ingredients is a practice employed by chefs the world over, but it’s perhaps nowhere better suited to the expansive land and endless diversity in landscape of our fair isle. So it’s no surprise foraging is hitting new heights in Australia. Chef Paul Iskov’s “roaming” restaurant Fervor creates degustation experiences that focus…

all you need IS LOVE (and a really great pair of silk pyjamas) s s or out this season. More than anything, SS17 felt like fashion’s attempt to say just one thing: it’s time for love. Love for yourself (see: the unique beauties at Balenciaga), good times (Stella McCartney’s dancing girls and the return of ’80s excess), pretty things (frills at Valentino) and womankind (that feminism-celebrating T-shirt at Dior). It’s about pieces that remind us of the power of being a  woman, whatever that means to you. This guide is here to help you figure it out. MORE TERMS OF ENDEARMENT Top, $69.90, Tommy Hilfiger: Tommy X Gigi Collection, 1300 348 885; pants, $1,785, Gucci, gucci.com/au; flats, $390, Pretty Ballerinas, prettyballerinas.com.au…

The SS17 runways were rife with the ’80s glamour-girl’s favourite things: ruffles, primary brights, metallics, ruching and more ruffles. One of our favourite throwbacks was at Saint Laurent, where fresh-faced models looked like they’d raided their mothers’ wardrobes, pairing puffball sleeves and sweetheart necklines with classic denim and mini-skirts. Make this your approach. From Gucci’s Princess Diana-inspired silhouettes to Balenciaga’s serious shoulders, there’s an ’80s staple waiting to be done your way.…

“WE’RE TAUGHT THAT WE SHOULD COMPETE WITH ONE ANOTHER, ESPECIALLY IN THIS INDUSTRY. SEEING THE STRUGGLE TO CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED. ONCE WOMEN FIND SISTERHOOD, THERE’S NOTHING STRONGER” In the new (and highly anticipated) TV series Big Little Lies, Reese Witherspoon, 40, disappears into the role of Madeline Mackenzie, the fast-talking, gossip-collecting queen bee of insular Monterey, California, while Zoë Kravitz, 28, plays free-spirited, yoga-obsessed beauty Bonnie Carlson, who also happens to be married to Madeline’s ex. Let the games begin! ELLE: REESE, WHAT MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH BIG LITTLE LIES? REESE WITHERSPOON: I read Liane Moriarty’s book The Husband’s Secret two years ago, and she wrote so accurately about the interior lives of contemporary women. And then I was on a movie set and…

She put a hex on me,” my date told me, straight-faced, staring into my eyes gravely. “If I was within a few miles of her, I’d feel like I was having a heart attack.” I pursed my lips and squinted my eyes, trying to decide if he was making an elaborate joke or if I was secretly being filmed. On his Match.com profile, he seemed normal: well-travelled, good taste in films, funny. But the first thing he told me as we sat down for a drink was that he was recovering from a recently ended marriage. To a  witch. When he started talking about visiting rival witches to get the spell removed, I realised he was deadly serious. I gulped down my beer and lied about a meeting I had to…

IF ALL YOU’RE INVESTING IN IS YOUR WARDROBE, YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG Investing – whether it be in shares or property – is the best way to expand your wealth, says Tamia Gallego, founder of personal finance website Women In The Black and former risk management consultant at ANZ, St George and Allianz. Before you start, get your debts under control. Mortgage debt is considered “healthy debt”, so keep plugging away on that, but aim to pay off your credit card and car loan, with cash set aside for emergencies. Smart phones and apps may mean you can trade shares while you’re waiting for your avocado on rye, but without research and a solid education you could be wasting your time and money. “It’s important to define the end goal…

PLANET MONEY Breaks down complex ideas in real-world terms, but less about personal finances and more about how economics works. Fun for explaining what a bailout is to your friends. npr.org THINKING, FAST AND SLOW Nobel Prize-winning behavioural economist Daniel Kahneman delves into the way humans think, particularly when it comes to finances. $24.99, Penguin THE MONEY This ABC Radio show picks apart our economy and puts it into context alongside what’s going on in an international financial sense. abc.net.au/  radionational GIRLBOSS RADIO Businesswoman Sophia Amoruso chats to inspiring women about their careers. Especially interesting because her own career has had its fair share of highs and lows (her fashion e-tailer Nasty Gal went bust last year). girlboss.com THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON Real-world-relevant financial…

VALENTINO Dress, $12,000, Valentino, (03) 9568 7559; hat, $649, Eugenia Kim, eugeniakim.com (worn throughout) CHANEL Jacket, $7,370, dress, $3,050, blouse, $3,050, skirt, $3,280, earrings, $810, all Chanel, 1300 242 635 SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Shirt, $POA, skirt, $POA, belt, $POA, bag, $2,950, all Salvatore Ferragamo, 1300 095 224; shoes, $1,200, Pierre Hardy, pierrehardy.com; earrings, $147, Annie Costello Brown, anniecostellobrown.com CHRISTIAN DIOR Jacket, $4,000, jumper, $1,350, skirt, $5,000, shorts, $1,100, all Christian Dior, (02) 9229 4600 MIU MIU Top, $950, skirt, $2,880, both Miu Miu, (02) 9223 1688 SAINT LAURENT Jacket, $POA, Saint Laurent, ysl.com/au; sunglasses, $370, Rejina Pyo X Projekt Produkt, rejinapyo.com; earrings, $246, Lara Bohinc, larabohinc.com LOUIS VUITTON Jacket, $4,600, Louis Vuitton, au.louisvuitton.com; earrings, $510 each, Sara Robertsson, sararobertsson.com GUCCI Jacket, $3,875, shirt, $1,195, pants, $1,785, shoes, $1,270, headscarf, $1,095, sunglasses,…

working woman ACTION-READY, EARTH-HUED WEAR MADE FOR ANY KIND OF ADVENTURE (OR COMMUTE TO WORK). all tied up Criss-crossed laces are appearing on everything from pants to skirts to knitwear. take a hike If they look worthy of an Everest climb, buy them. children of the tribe TRY A PRETTY-PUNK MIX OF ROMANTIC DRESSES, LEATHER EXTRAS AND SUPER-SIZED VOLUME. all things nice How to update your classics: adorn leather and denim staples with needlework. shift switch If Wednesday Addams wore pink and lace, we think she’d love the drama of these long shifts.…

From left: Ultimate Bio-Repair Moisturiser, $99, Ultra MD, ultramd.com.au – “It’s super healing and hydrating. On the weekend, I love to devote extra time to self-pampering rituals that nourish the skin and keep things simple. On Saturdays, I get a lactic acid peel with one of my therapists, then follow it with Omnilux to plump fine lines and wrinkles. The results are addictive.” Face Serum, $44, Shemana, shemana.com.au – “It’s great at replenishing the skin’s oils. I sometimes add a few drops to moisturiser or foundation for a dewy finish.” Nutritive Lait Vital, $46, Kérastase, 1300 651 991 – “For strong, shiny hair.” SunActive SPF 50+ Face & Body Lotion, $49, Ultraceuticals, ultraceuticals.com – “So lightweight. There’s nothing worse than sand sticking to your sunscreen at the beach.” Les Exclusifs De…

There was a  heightened sense of excitement at the SS17 shows – change was in the air. Gone were cookie-cutter models and in their place were adventurous, rebellious, different-looking girls. “The idea of everyone looking the same is completely out,” says Nicole Thompson, senior artist for M.A.C. “The mood backstage is one that celebrates individual beauty. I can’t remember the last time we were just putting makeup on and not considering the character of the girl.” As the tide turns on traditional notions of beauty, 2017 calls for an unorthodox approach – one that doesn’t simply acknowledge that beauty comes in all colours, shapes and sizes, but celebrates it. Here’s who is leading the charge. SHORT STORY “We’re seeing the rise of ‘street casting’ in shows, picking men and women…

Sometimes, when I was drinking, my skin would look good. The next morning, my complexion would boast a fetching plumpness and my lips would be pertly swollen. And, given how these things so often pan out, I  might have had a post-coital glow. I came to regard this as a pickled prettiness. “Wow,” I’d think. “Things could be a lot worse.” Give it a couple of hours and they invariably were. The plumpness would give way to a bloated greyness, my pout deflated into bleeding cracks, a parched yet acne-threatening stubble rash emerged and jet rings set in around my hollowed eyes. And it happens for a  reason, says Dr Jairo Rodriguez, New York-based nutritionist to the fashion pack. “Alcohol is one of the worst, most aggressive compounds in destroying your…

“There’s a link between shorter, more intense workouts, high kilojoule burn and improved mental strength” Fact: fight-or-flight hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are becoming all too common in our daily interactions. “It’s part of life to have our adrenal glands elevated every so often,” says Vanessa Gospel, a Sydney- personal First. “Thousands of years ago, this rush gave us the ability to attempt to outrun a preying animal. But these days, we often feel the rush of nerves when delivering a presentation or running an important meeting at work.” While constantly elevated levels of these hormones is detrimental to our health, experiencing spikes in a limited, controlled setting, such as a  30-minute fitness class, can actually help the body better cope with that stressful presentation later on. “If we spike our…

REKINDLING THE ROMANCE DEAR E JEAN, I have a  wonderful, intelligent, funny, caring fiancé. He’s the life of every dinner party, and when I’m working late, he makes dinner and greets me with a glass of wine. He takes me on impromptu adventures, writes sweet thankyou notes to my nanna and gives me daily back rubs. Me? I’m intelligent, quite pretty, mostly witty, rather successful (and, according to this description, a tad arrogant, apparently). I’ve done very well with men, but I’ve never really cared for someone until I met this man three years ago. So I have a  wonderful fiancé... and I no longer find him attractive. I’m not sure what happened – the passion just fizzled! Now I  dread going to bed with him. What do I do? I…

THE INKBLOT TEST The most famous personality test of them all, it was created by Hermann Rorschach in the ’20s. Study the inkblot: what do you see? PRESSED FLOWERS OF VARIOUS SORTS, INCLUDING ORCHIDS, IRISES, CYCLAMEN You’re very aware of what it’s like to have been the object of a lot of attention as a child. The jury is out as to whether this is a good thing – sometimes you think you may have overly high expectations of yourself. You’re not seriously worried about being your own worst enemy, but you understand when Edgar Degas said, “There is a kind of success that is indistinguishable from panic.” MOTH OR BUTTERFLY WITH STING IN ITS TAIL Your affable, sociable exterior may not prepare people for how independent you are, the…

IDEAL SUNDAY SESSION?“Lying in bed with my boyfriend and my dog, Luna, re-watching old TV shows.” HOMETOWN HOTSPOT?“I love to picnic at Yarralumla Bay. Luna goes for a swim while I lie under the trees.” BORN: Hong Kong. LIVES: Canberra. TODAY’S BREAKFAST: Leftover lollies from my plane ride! JEANS: My mum’s vintage Versace. BAG: Alexander McQueen. SUNGLASSES: Round frames from Prada. SKIN SAVIOUR: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. HAIR HERO: Coconut oil – anything organic works for me. SIGNATURE SCENT: Princess by Vera Wang. SPA TREATMENT: I give myself a facial by massaging all-natural honey into my face. WORKOUT: Boxing and horseriding. PLAYLIST: Angus & Julia Stone, Sticky Fingers and Ziggy Alberts. ALBUM: Bon Iver’s 22, A Million. BOOK: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. TV SHOW: Gilmore Girls and Skins. MOVIE:…

After almost 40 years at the top of her game, Miuccia Prada has become adept at referencing the past in order to look to the future. While the Italian-born designer’s SS17 show for Prada turned out an expertly curated mishmash of ’70s retro florals trimmed with ’20s Deco feathers, and pin-up shorty shorts straight out of the ’40s peeking out from under retro-looking colour-blocked leather that smacked of the ’60s, she would argue that this collection was all about the present. And she’s right, of course. Never have we needed permission to shake off restrictive labels more than now. This is upbeat, energetic fashion for women who refuse to be pinned down.…

At home in Paris, we’re freezing. I’ve caught a  cold. There are holes in the wall!” laughs Sofía Sanchez de Betak as she explains that her New York and Paris apartments are currently being renovated. She’s one of those women with incredible charm and undeniable style, blessed with a certain je ne sais quoi and the natural ability to transform an average T-shirt into an immediate must-have. Her good friend and fellow Parisian, Inès de la Fressange, describes her as a paradox: “Beautiful yet witty, hyperactive yet calm, sophisticated yet cool.” Sanchez de Betak – frequently seen front row at A-list fashion shows in Paris,  Milan and New York, as well as in countless street-style galleries – is currently on the cover of Condé Nast Traveler’s Patagonia special. It’s been one of her favourite destinations since holidaying…

TRAINERS Teamed with relaxed tailoring, trainers can read efficient and on the ball. Asos Australia’s Vanessa Carver flags them as one of the season’s top workwear trends. “They work well with our indoors/outdoors lifestyle and can cross over from the weekend if they’re kept box-fresh.” (So leave the ones you wore on Saturday’s hike at home.) MASHED-UP FLORALS That’s layered florals for the uninitiated. Avoid looking like you dressed yourself in Aunt May’s curtains by keeping pieces streamlined and mixing big and small scales. A blouse and a midi skirt: winning for the office. A maxi-dress and a headscarf: save it for Sunday. BARE SHOULDERS Carver says off-the-shoulder tops are an ongoing bestseller – but there are guidelines when giving colleagues some cold shoulder. Keeping part of the arms covered…

If you’ve heard the term vedic meditation before, it was probably because one celebrity or another was vouching for its life-changing efficacy (see: Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah, Lo Bosworth). Sometimes called Transcendental Meditation – which could more accurately be described as the organisation that “owns” a version of this meditation style, much like Zumba is both the brand and the style of workout – it involves being given a mantra, an ancient Sanskrit word you keep to yourself, and mentally repeating it as you meditate. Not just for hemp-wearing, retreat-taking hipsters, the practice has been well and truly embraced on Wall Street. Meditation seems, on paper at least, like the perfect antidote to such a  fast-paced and high-pressure working environment, and its popularity in the field is down to one man in particular,…

Nix your hoodie’s athletic tendencies and wear it like your favourite cashmere sweater or leather jacket –  this season, the coolest labels and street-style stars treated the cosy cover-up as anything but a piece you’d want to sweat in. For new-season prowess, juxtapose the homebody vibes with a  playful pencil skirt, flared trousers or a mini-skirt. THE LATEST IN HANDS-FREE TECHNOLOGY? Ridiculously big pockets to fit everything but the kitchen sink. Find them on coats, pants, belts, dresses (you get the idea) Add the season’s new tool-belt bag to a dress without pockets. Ground a roomy all-in-one with waist- cinching optional extras. Give extra definition to a structured coat with large pockets topped off by contrasting tabs. Tap into the urban streetwear craze with drawstrings and fastenings.…

PINK + PURPLE Rosy, pastel, hot or dusty, pink continues its runway reign. Expand the colour wheel and add in tones of lavender, violet and plum. Boots, $2,195, Christian Louboutin, (02) 8355 5282 PRINT + PRINT + PRINT Once you think you’ve mixed enough print, add another tonal layer. Jacket, $1,610, Max Mara, maxmara.com; bag, $1,310,  Jérôme Dreyfuss, jerome-dreyfuss.com/int_en; skirt, $119, Country Road, countryroad.com.au LEATHER + EMBROIDERY Embroidered leather is a sweet but strong new staple. Bag, $69.95, Topshop, (02) 8072 9300 PLAYFUL + SNAKESKIN Tone down seductive snakeskin with pops of red-cherry motifs. Bag, $2,695, Christian Louboutin, (02) 8355 5282; necklace, $2,350, Gucci, gucci.com/au VELVET + DENIM We’ve mixed sequins and denim for seasons. Now try lush velvet with your favourite blue jeans. Dress, $447, Eugénie, eugeniestore.com; jeans, $289,…

While the look-at-me brocade, metallic, embroidery, velvet or shiny leather might suggest otherwise, textured boots are the fail-safe footwear to try now. Designers paired ankle-high styles with everything from mannish suiting to flowing gowns. The best bit? They’ll march right through this season and into the next.…

Big Little Lies is the story of a school trivia night that goes terribly wrong, when one parent ends up dead, possibly murdered. It’s a funny, heartbreaking, challenging story of ex-husbands and second wives, new friendships, old betrayals and schoolyard politics (I stole that from the back cover). I came up with the premise when I was on a book tour with friend and fellow author Ber Carroll, who was spending every spare moment searching for the perfect necklace to wear to a school trivia night. She and her friends were all planning to dress up as Audrey Hepburn. For some reason the image of all those “Audreys” at a  school trivia night stayed with me. That was my spark. I can never remember the exact decision-making process for how…

LAUREN SHERRITT, 27 EARNS $30,000 A YEAR WHAT DO YOU DO? I’m a content producer at a writers’ centre and I do some freelance writing on the side; I work four days a week so I can write on my day off. Last year, I averaged $300 per month in freelance earnings, but some months I make nothing and some I make much more. That income splits over non-essentials and savings, the amount depending on what I need or am saving for. If there are months when I want to make a larger purchase, or times like the end of last year when I was saving to go to Europe, I’ll work more to make sure I’m bringing in enough money. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON $30K? For about…

BANISH DARK CIRCLES IN 20 SECONDS STEP 1 Treat sun spots around the eye with a brightening, hydrating cream. Eyes Illuminating Eye  Cream, $48.99, Olay,  1800 028 280 STEP 2 Conceal with this universal colour-correcting formula (seriously, it works on dark skin tones, too), which is also packed with skin-strengthening peptides. Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream, $48.99, Olay, 1800 028 280 STEP 3 Toss on a pair of oversized sunnies: chic coverage, plus prevention. Voila. BECAUSE MARGARINE STICKS WOULD BE LAME… If you’re going to name a product after something that brings as much joy as butter, it better be good. Thankfully, these hydrating tinted balms live up to their creamy name, depositing the ideal amount of colour without being sticky. Butterstick Lip Treatment in (from top) Simply Rose, Pure Petal…

WHEN I’M ON SET, I ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO PICK UP TIPS. I’ve been lucky enough to work with makeup artist Pat McGrath, who’s incredible, and I  now apply foundation the way she does. I  put it in my hands to warm it, then press in into my face like I’m putting on lotion – I don’t use a  brush or tool or anything like that. It gives a really nice, sheer finish. And with mascara, I  wiggle the brush through my lashes so it gets closer to the lash line. I DON’T DO FACIALS. I don’t really enjoy people picking at my skin. I would rather a  dermatologist do that! I’m  also not as big on having a  face regimen in the morning as I am at night, because I  feel when…

The first signs of ageing can pop up in your early twenties as skin begins to dull and fine lines start to appear. In fact, there are seven signs of ageing including enlarged pores, dark spots, sagging, uneven skin texture and tones – but you don’t need that many products to have an effective skincare routine. The Olay Total Effects range is packed with ingredients that are hardworking and multi-tasking (just like you), targeting the seven signs with these simple steps. FRESH START One product with seven cleansing benefits, this foaming wash removes impurities, leaving skin feeling balanced and refreshed. COMPLEXION PERFECTION Cover imperfections with this lightly tinted BB crème that’s packed with anti-ageing ingredients and skin-saving SPF. MORNING ESSENTIAL Layer on each AM to protect against future damage while…

PREP WORK TREND ALERT Prices are Priceline’s normal national selling prices and are subject to change. Prices and stock may vary from store to store and online. While stocks last. *Products available in selected stores. Call Customer Service on 1300 88 44 11 for your nearest stockist.…