EDITOR’S LETTER

— MADONNA

Anne-Marie Curtis talks through the issue and the importance of creative collaboration

There are certain artists and performers whose work touches us beyond their ability to simply entertain. For me, Michelle Williams is one of those people. It’s something about her on-screen quality – that mesmerising mix of vulnerability, rawness and strength. I can honestly say I have never seen her in anything and not loved her (and yes, that includes Dawson’s

Creek). Whether it’s her stirring performance in Brokeback Mountain or her pitch-perfect portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn, she never fails to move and inspire.

Nicolas Ghesquière is another such talent – from his hugely influential tenure at Balenciaga to his visionary work as artistic director at Louis Vuitton, he has the ability to transcend and transform like none other. I was lucky enough to work with him personally in 2O15 on a Jean-Paul Goude/LV project for ELLE, and it was, and remains, a career highlight. I am so thrilled, therefore, that we were able to bring these two extraordinary talents together for our March cover story. In their interviews with Rachel Syme on page 156, they talk about their creative process, the passions that drive them – and how their friendship has spawned a fresh collaboration.

In fact creative collaboration is at the heart of our March fashion issue, a celebration of all the spring/summer season has to offer. So on page 17O, you will find Alex Franco and Gillian Wilkins’ exploration of fashion’s current obsession with all things nomadic, shot in Morocco, while on page 192, Liz Collins’ wonderful shoot showcases the new couture-inspired pieces, for which we travelled to the rather less exotic but no less magical Whitstable in Kent (the Valentino look on page 199 is my dream dress of the season). We’ve also taken a humorous look at the season’s ladylike style on page 2O4 (note: if you only invest in one thing this season, make it a silk printed headscarf) and paid homage to the cartoonish, oversized, late Eighties trend on page 216. As if that weren’t enough, on page 112 we show you how to nail the new utilitarian aesthetic, while our front-of-book shopping section is chock-full of trends and ideas, from the new gathered bags to the pretty punk look. It really is

a season to embrace your inner adventure-seeker and jump in feet first.

Speaking of adventures, here at ELLE we are still buzzing over the success of our first ever ELLE Weekender. For three brilliant days we took over London’s Saatchi Gallery and invited some of the most inspirational women around to give talks and join panel discussions. With speakers including the amazing Diane von Furstenberg (another of my life-long crushes), who I was lucky enough to interview on the main stage, the fantastically talented actress Rosamund Pike, the phenomenal supermodel and entrepreneur Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and so many more, it was a truly inspiring weekend. It was also such a joy to meet so many of you, our ELLE readers, to hear what you love about the magazine – and what you’d like to see more of. If you didn’t make it along, don’t worry: on page 121 you can read interviews with some of the stars of the weekend and get a flavour of what went on behind the scenes. And hopefully, we’ll see you next year!

Of course, it wouldn’t be ELLE without fabulous features, and this month we have some truly eye-opening reads, starting with Alexandra Jones’ fittingly titled piece The New Rules of Attraction. Judging by the candid and constant dialogue amongst the ELLE team, and no doubt similar conversations taking place between you and your peers, dating has never been more of a minefield than now. With the rise of dating apps, as well as ongoing debates around consent and our ever-evolving view of what constitutes a relationship, the landscape is challenging – to say the least. In her piece, which starts on page 144, Alexandra investigates everything from consent classes (yes, these are a thing) to ethical monogamy. It’s both an entertaining and fascinating read.

I also loved ELLE contributing editor Susie Lau’s piece about her secretly messy tendencies. Now that Marie Kondo, the queen of decluttering, has her own Netflix show, the obsession with tidying shows no signs of abating – so Susie’s honest and refreshing piece on page 153 is a joy. She makes a convincing case for keeping so-called ‘clutter’, arguing that her clothes and possessions represent memories made and experiences lived through. It also brilliantly highlights the ‘gap’ between how we outwardly present on Instagram and social media in general, and the less-tidy reality of our private lives. Whether you are a neat freak or a big hot mess (I like to think I’m somewhere between the two, though my extremely tidy husband would disagree), it’s about accepting who you are and embracing it rather than beating yourself up. And on the beauty front, I’m sure I am not the only one who sometimes feels overwhelmed by the sheer volume of ‘expert’ beauty advice and products on offer these days. On page 236, our beauty editor Jennifer George explores how the boom in the skincare industry has created more debates about what we should and shouldn’t be doing than ever before. So, if you’ve ever wondered if you should be swapping your moisturiser for an oil (I’m a fan), or the benefits of jade rolling, this is a must-read.

Finally, I am thrilled to announce that ELLE will be partnering with the Young Women’s Trust for its awards, which take place on 26 February. The YWT is a brilliant charity that supports women in England and Wales aged 16 to 3O who are struggling to live on low or no pay. Celebrating and raising up other women has always been at the heart of ELLE, and the awards, which highlight the achievement of remarkable young women who have overcome barriers, are wonderfully inspiring.

So, on that uplifting note, I’ll leave you to enjoy this smart, stylish and joy-filled March issue. Enjoy!

"WHETHER you ARE a NEAT FREAK OR BIG HOT MESS it's ABOUT ACCEPTING WHO you ARE"