EDITOR’S LETTER
Finding your purpose in life is key to fulfilment and happiness, and it’s something I never take for granted. I knew I wanted to be an editor from the moment I saw my first fashion magazine sitting in the newsagency. It looked so lovely and glossy, and I became entranced by the world I discovered on those shiny pages. I was hooked. The very first job I ever went for was as the beauty writer at marie claire. I didn’t get the job, but I never gave up and here I am, 20 years later, writing my second editor’s letter. We all need to feel like we are having a meaningful impact on the world. At marie claire, the team lives and breathes women’s empowerment. We are committed to creating change, speaking out and breaking the bias. It’s this purpose that drives us every single day.
As I write this, powerful women at home and abroad continue to inspire me with their dedication, strength and courage. Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon has gone on a hunger strike to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Brittany Higgins has testified at Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case. And I’ve finished reading Britney Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me, which gives insight into how she survived 13 years of conservatorship. For a reminder of what an exceptional year women have had, don’t miss our story “The Year that Was” on page 40.
And we are still basking in the glow of our Women of the Year celebrations and the impressive lineup of winners. For all the glamour of the night turn to page 56.
In other news this month, features director Bree Player interviewed our cover star Sydney Sweeney. If you’ve watched Euphoria, you’ll know her as the sweet, insecure, people-pleaser Cassie Howard. You’ll also remember Cassie’s now iconic speech: “You guys can all judge me if you want, but I do not care. I have never, ever been happier!” The truth is, she really has never been happier. She’s Hollywood’s next big rom-com sweetheart, and after a string of successful roles she’s at the very top of her game. What you might not know about Sydney is that she’s a self-confessed nerd who never went to a high-school party. It’s a far cry from her glamorous life on the red carpet and as a Giorgio Armani Beauty ambassador.
Speaking of stardom, last year we saw a number of celebrity couples in their 50s, 60s and beyond call it quits (Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness caused shockwaves announcing they were divorcing after 27 years). Are we entering the age of the grey divorce? Looks like it. Angela Mollard writes about “silver splitters” on page 48, exploring how social media and globalisation has shown people alternative lifestyles that appear more empowered than lonely. For decades, there has been such a stigma around de-coupling. It’s time we reframed the narrative to a more emboldening one.
As we welcome a new year, our fashion team has your holiday wardrobe sorted, while our beauty team has pulled together expert summer hair tips and tricks. When you’re on your summer break, I hope you use the time to connect with friends and family. For me, there’s nothing complicated about slowing down – it’s bushwalks with my dogs, ocean swims, lazy mornings with my girls and unlimited Netflix. I’ll also be making a few new year’s resolutions (quit sugar, go to bed earlier, exercise more – the usual ones) and I’m likely to keep none of them, which is perfectly OK. Happy holidays!