EDITOR’S LETTER

— J.K. ROWLING

Anne-Marie Curtis on why we’re dedicating this issue to the best of British talent

The first time I met Stormzy was in February 2O17, at the ELLE Style Awards. What struck me was not his surprising height (6ft 4in), nor (less surprisingly) the fact he is incredibly handsome. No – what I noticed was his obvious and very endearing nervousness on the red carpet. He was asking his long-term girlfriend Maya Jama how to pose for the paparazzi and, though his star was most definitely in the ascendant, he was unfailingly polite and humble in every interaction.

Fast-forward almost two years and he has gone from rising star to global superstar, with a number-one album, several Brit and Mobo Awards, and an upcoming headline slot at Glastonbury. But along with this well-deserved success, he is also determined to use his fame for good: he has launched Merky Books, a Penguin imprint to champion BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) writers, and created a scholarship to fund two black students through Cambridge. So, to me, he seemed like the obvious choice to star on the cover of our February issue celebrating British talent.

But this is no ordinary cover profile: Stormzy suggested bringing together a collective of young black Britons who inspire him – from actor Damson Idris to poet Yrsa Daley-Ward to sprinter Dina Asher-Smith. ‘I want people to see this and realise, if you are young, black and British, you can excel in whatever lane you want,’ he says. Amen to that. Turn to page 79 to see the portfolio.

On the subject of British talent, on page 126 we take a look at the diverse young designers shaping fashion today – from Richard Quinn, who hails from Kent, to Supriya Lele, who blends elegant drapery inspired by her family’s Indian heritage with sport references drawn from her teens in the West Midlands. We asked each designer to take us to the place that most inspires them, and the diversity and individual beauty of those personal spaces is an inspiration in itself.

And talking of inspiration, I am clearly not alone in falling head over heels for last year’s Killing

Eve and its breakout star Jodie Comer, who gave a brilliant performance as international hit-woman Villanelle. From that Molly Goddard dress (swoon) to her utterly individual (and dare I say likeable?) take on being a psychopathic killer (albeit an extremely wellSpeaking dressed one), I can’t wait for season two and am thrilled to have Jodie as part of our British Talent issue. Read our interview with her on page 53.

Ruth Bell is also someone who has thrived very much because of her individuality and point of difference as a model. I have always loved her look, which is part-Mia Farrow, part-boyish pixie, but when I worked with her and the always-brilliant photographer Liz Collins on our Collections shoot that kicks off on page 98, it was her personality that really brought the magic. Her irreverent sense of humour and ironic take on life could not have been more British, and I hope you agree the pictures we took in and around London’s Camden Lock feel very special. I love them all, but if I had to choose a favourite, it would be Ruth propping up the bar in The Edinboro Castle pub in a full-length Erdem gown – the high/ low mix could not feel more British.

of the new season, this time of year can often feel like a period of flux and, frankly, a difficult month to get through. It’s easy to make wellintentioned resolutions on New Year’s Eve, but keeping them is not always so simple. If this is the case, I hope you find our ‘New Year, Same You’ conversation on page 62 refreshing. We’ve asked some brilliant writers, from the hilarious Samantha Irby to the super-smart Elizabeth Day, to reflect on how we can begin 2O19 by celebrating ourselves, rather than sacrificing the things that bring us pleasure. Though if you do want to resolve to do one thing, I hope our sustainability challenge on page 72 will inspire you to make a change this year if you have not already done so.

And on that note, I wish you all a wonderful, fruitful and, most importantly, positive year ahead. Here’s to being more ELLE in 2O19.