Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i ELLE Australia

I’m writing this from Paris Fashion Week. (I realise that I  start with that disclaimer in every April and October issue,  I  think partly to apologise in advance for whatever jet-lagged, fash-fatigued drivel I may be about to present to you, and partly in the hope that I get some recognition for the incredible sacrifice I must be making by dragging myself away from yet another delicious French pastry to sit inside a hotel room and do my job.) When most people think of fashion week, they think of the shows – huge runway productions on crazy sets (see Chanel’s enchanted woods built inside the Grand Palais, complete with tree roots and crunchy autumn leaves underfoot) that feature celebrities (see Elle Fanning channelling Amy Winehouse at Miu Miu), supermodels (see Kaia Gerber, everywhere) and the odd…

THE PIECE: THE FOUR-WAY BAG The label: SANS BEAST. The backstory: Cathryn Wills, former managing and creative director of Mimco, conceived her vegan accessories brand after going vegetarian in 2015. Utilising high-quality materials from non-animal sources, the “eco-responsible” bags of her first collection are inspired by women of the French Resistance. Why you need it: “Gender-neutral styling is playing a big part in fashion today, and this bag talks to the rise of utilitarian influences,” she says. How to wear it: “The strap has two adjustable buckles with several eyelets for varying length options, so it can be a  hip bag, shoulder bag or clutch if you add a wrist strap. But my favourite styling option is strapped at the waist.” THE PIECE: THE VICTORIAN BLOUSE The label: NICE MARTIN. The backstory: For…

GURRUMUL A look at the life of the late Indigenous Australian musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who was born blind. In cinemas April 25 EDIE A woman in her eighties sets her mind to climbing a Scottish mountain after the death of her husband. In cinemas April 5 THE PARTY This British comedy, about a celebratory dinner party that takes a  turn for the worse, is witty, sharp and darkly funny in all the best ways. In cinemas April 12…

“Technology so often gets blamed for our loneliness and disconnection, but it can also be the solution. Approach people on Twitter for a coffee, make friends on Instagram or download apps like Hey! VINA, Bumble, Huggle or Badoo for their friend-making functions. The great thing about these apps, particularly for introverts, is that you can use them as a screening process for people, break the ice with digital communication and then use them to set up a face-to-face meeting. It’s far less terrifying than approaching someone in public – in a bar or cafe, at the library or a party. At least if someone is signed up to a friendship app, you know they’re willing to make new friends. That’s half of your fear of social rejection slashed!”…

The most fiercely guarded images on your phone might be holiday snaps and selfies with your nearest and dearest, but if the Screenshots folder were to evaporate into the iCloud, it would feel a little like losing an arm – one with a lot of random, but vital,  notes scribbled on it. Screenshots have become the preferred method of documenting things we find in the corners of the internet – such as photos you must repost, addresses you must remember, emails you must not lose to the depths of your inbox, things you must buy, restaurants you must try and books you must read. The idea is that you’ll know exactly where to look when you need to book a hotel in a  new city (the one with the fab bathtub…

ASYMMETRY BY LISA HALLIDAY Comprised of two stories, the first part of Halliday’s debut novel is a thinly veiled account of her relationship with novelist Philip Roth, told through the eyes of Alice, an aspiring writer embarking on a romance with a much older and more established author (and the power play that ensues). The second part is told from the perspective of Amar, an Iraqi-American being held in immigration at Heathrow. The two stories seem unrelated, but are tied together via a tiny clue – and it has the literary world abuzz. Asymmetry ($27.99, Granta) is out now This is the latest instalment of the ELLE Book Club, where each month we recommend one read we know you’ll love. To win a copy of this one, head to ELLE.com.au/win.…

EVERY SEASON, A THEME APPEARS  in so many collections it becomes known as a Very Clear Trend. For SS18, it was elevated athleticwear. From  New York to Paris, the runways were rife with performance pieces, utilitarian details and a strong outdoorsy spirit – it’s  a whole new genre of athleisure that fuses evening-, sport- and workwear. Tap into the mood in jackets with drawstrings, sandals with rubber soles and pockets on everything. STAY ON TOP Pick an era, any era, and the activewear codes of that decade still work in a 2018 way. Try these... THE JACKET TO REPLACE EVERY OTHER JACKET MEET THE OUTERWEAR PHENOMENON OF SS18 Unlike your denim and leather jackets, the waterproof, wind-resistant anorak is the staple that won’t make you choose between fashion and the weather forecast.…

Lena Dunham has endometriosis, once bled for almost a month and recently opted to have a hysterectomy. She also has OCD and couldn’t resist checking out her sister’s vagina as a  child. Lady Gaga has battled anorexia and bulimia since her teens and Demi Lovato has bipolar disorder. Shailene Woodley regularly suns her vagina, Khloé Kardashian has a  “puffy pussy” and Adele had bowel issues before going on stage once. But you already knew all that. And not because seedy tabloid journalists hacked phones, stole medical records or paid off exes to acquire the intimate information. All of the women shared these details voluntarily, in magazines and in memoirs, on Instagram and their own reality shows, as jaunty asides while promoting work. We live in a culture of confession. Radical honesty has…

The idea of explaining to people how you can be “cute funny smart sexy beautiful” is obviously an idea born from a complete sense of self-entitlement. I  think everyone has the ability to be completely self-absorbed and entitled and, let’s face it, the culture we surround ourselves in encourages it. So with that in mind, I’ve collated the perfect list of things to do to complete your transition into the attention-seeking nightmare person you’ve always wanted to be: 1. BURST INTO TEARS WHEN THE HAIRDRESSER SHOWS YOU THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD WITH A MIRROR. 2. REFER TO YOURSELF AS A  “SHUTTERBUG” JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE TAKING SELFIES. 3. DRINK WHITE WINE AND DISCLOSE A MAJOR SECRET. 4. BLOCK YOUR BEST FRIEND ON INSTAGRAM JUST AS A JOKE. 5. FAKE A LISP.>…

ON DRESSING FOR WORK My favourite thing to wear onstage is jogging shorts and socks with sandals. It doesn’t mean anything but I love it. Sometimes I  hide my nose ring so people don’t think I’m trendy. My downfall will be if people ever find out that I’m secretly really fucking cool and great at intercourse. ON NIXING A CREATIVE BLOCK I do insane stream-of-consciousness writing that my friends swear is going to be scrawled on the walls in blood once I murder them. I set a  timer and write for five minutes without stopping my hands moving, then read it back and title it. My most recent work was called “Shrieking Barbara”. ON NOT TAKING SHIT Of course, it’s a shitty industry for women, but I’m not in the most at-risk…

At last year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Ghenoa Gela won the National Deadly Funny competition, which champions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander comedians, with her hilarious tales of growing up in Rockhampton. This year, as she returns as host, she shares the secrets to good storytelling GO DEEP ON DETAIL Set the scene and create an atmosphere that your audience can be enticed by. The tricky part is, you want to make sure you recall the events and thoughts you had at the time, not in hindsight, because otherwise you’ll kill your punchlines. FIND A TEST AUDIENCE Kids are the best to try your stories on, because they’re never afraid to give you honest feedback. Adults tend to keep their thoughts to themselves, so you’re left trying to interpret body language. BE A GOOD LISTENER By listening…

Michelle Law honed her comedic voice in difficult circumstances. “Having alopecia in high school really helped people look past my appearance and want to be friends with me, because I cracked jokes and made them feel at ease.” Law’s astute outlook on life informs all her work, and has been a driving force behind two of her biggest personal projects – her play, Single Asian Female, which just closed its second hit season, and her semi-autobiographical series Homecoming Queens, streaming now on SBS On Demand. “My friend Chloë was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early twenties,” she says. “We’d go to parties with other people our age and feel as if we no longer belonged in that world...  We’d sit in Chloë’s car and commiserate with each other, wishing there was a show that depicted…

The reflection on the water ripples beneath the wind, blurring the clouds and the pot plants surrounding the pool. Joan stands on the edge of the pool, toes curling like claws over the lip of the sand-wash coloured tiles. Like the clouds and the pot plants, her reflection in the pool flickers, distorting her naked figure. A figure she no longer recognises. Joan’s traditionally flat stomach now has a little fatty layer under her belly button. Her ass and thighs have grown heavier, too, even though Joan didn’t think it possible as they were already a  reasonable size. Her thighs rub together now when she runs, causing a red rash to break out on her tanned legs. She has her dad to thank for those thighs. And the bum. Both used…

IS COLLAGEN THE NEW HEALTH HERO? Come for the glow, stay for the… better digestion? As well as giving us bouncy, radiant skin, a collagen supplement has joined the ranks of pre- and probiotics as a powerful player in gut health, which we now know is ground zero for pretty much anything related to our wellbeing, from acne to anxiety. “Gut issues are on the rise – our modern-day lifestyles are filled with stress, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol and other toxins, causing the gut cells to become damaged, inflamed and irritated,” says medical scientist and Swisse expert Di Mitchelmore. “Collagen contains amino acids critical for the repair of inflamed and damaged gut cells, helping to seal and soothe the gut lining and provide a barrier to protect. By stabilising the…

Cryotherapy – three teeth-chattering minutes of standing in a chamber cooled to around -140°C – is lauded for its anti-ageing benefits, and now two new skincare products have harnessed those perks in a more tolerable, topical application. “Cold shocks the body, constricting blood vessels, tightening and firming the skin, and provides the best possible environment for collagen synthesis – key to the anti-ageing process,” explains Dr Yannis Alexandrides, a London-based plastic surgeon and founder of 111Skin. “We looked at ingredients that would mimic these benefits.” His research resulted in 111Skin’s Cryo collection, a product line that tightens, sculpts and boosts hydration. Our pick? The Cryo Energising Face Serum, which firms and refines the skin’s surface for a smoother look over time. For more instant results, try the latest release from…

MEET OUR EXPERTS REMINGTON SCHULZ, SYDNEY STYLIST AT EDWARDS AND CO AND PANTENE HAIR AMBASSADOR Celeb clients: Erin Holland, Anna Heinrich, Elle Ferguson JUSTINE MARJAN, LOS ANGELES TRESEMMÉ GLOBAL STYLIST Celeb clients: Ashley Graham, Khloé Kardashian, Lily Aldridge ADAM REED, LONDON STYLIST AND CO-OWNER OF PERCY & REED Celeb clients: Sophie Dahl, Ellie Goulding, Diane Kruger WENDY ILES, PARIS EDITORIAL STYLIST AND FOUNDER OF ILES FORMULA Celeb clients: Cheryl Cole, Heidi Klum, Keira Knightley JAMES PECIS, NEW YORK EDITORIAL STYLIST AND ORIBE GLOBAL AMBASSADOR Celeb clients: Cara Delevingne, Daria Werbowy THE WORLDWIDE FAVOURITE: POLISHED BOB POPULAR IN: New York, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Sydney Women globe are embracing a length, with the bob the most coveted style in every city. “It makes clients feel instantly polished and put together,” explains Schulz,…

Hormones make good headlines: “Can’t park the car? Blame your hormones”; “Want to buy sexy clothes? It might be your hormones.” They’re an easy target – we all know their influence on our mood. But hormone health is far more nuanced than hyperbolic headlines would have you think. To get the science bit out of the way, hormones are the body’s chemical messengers produced by glands: they trigger activity in different parts of the body and regulate the function of cells and organs. There are sex hormones, hunger hormones, love hormones and stress hormones (among others). If these are out of whack, it could cause a  number of ailments, from insomnia to burnout to bloating. “Hormones are the foundations to your body,” integrative medical specialist Dr Sohère Roked says. “If…

CHAPSTICK That classic ChapStick lip balm you loved in your teens is all grown up. Introducing ChapStick Total Hydration – a 100 per cent natural collection that utilises ingredients such as argan and rosehip oils, avocado butter and vitamin E. Featuring a scrub and balms, the range will give you soft, beautiful lips – not to mention a  sudden nostalgic urge to rewatch Saved By The Bell. $7.99; chapstick.com.au TOD’S With athleisure still going strong, so too are backpacks – and we’re coveting the Wave Backpack Mini from Tod’s. Crafted in Italy from smooth calf leather, it’s detailed with the brand’s signature “pebbles” for a  cool texture, while the pretty pink hue will add a  flirty touch to this season’s updated tracksuits. $2,475; (02) 8203 0901 CALVIN KLEIN JEANS Dark denim is having a  moment, and this Calvin…

…THING YOU DID BEFORE LEAVING HOME TODAY? I said bye to my dog, Molly. That’s the last thing I do pretty much every time I head out. …PARTY YOU WENT TO? The NBA All-Star Weekend party, thrown by [hip-hop group] Migos in the carpark of Capitol Records in LA. …MEAL YOU COOKED? Toast with honey. It’s not really cooking. …THING THAT MADE YOU MAD? A producer did a remix of one of my songs and didn’t tell me about it. I really liked the remix, so I wasn’t really mad, I was just like, “Dude, let me know – I would’ve posted about it.” …HOLIDAY YOU TOOK? To Maui, Hawaii, for a week. About three years ago! …INVESTMENT PIECE YOU BOUGHT? Some Bitcoin, after someone was telling me about it…

The perfect partner to ladylike slingbacks, old-school sneakers and your favourite pair of loafers: socks are back in a big way. Miu Miu, Prada, Gucci and Preen By Thornton Bregazzi reinvented the humble knee-high for SS18 with colourful variations that serve a dual purpose – keeping feet warm and adding a new-season sports edge to your look.…

We only have to cast our minds back to our spirited, animal print-wearing sisters from the ’90s (Scary Spice, Samantha Jones, an unimpressed Shania Twain...) to know there’s an inherent fierceness to leopard. With the addition of just one piece, its wearer can evoke that elusive confident, sexy, cool energy – the same effect perfectly tousled hair or worn-in red lipstick has. This season, street-style favourites went Kate Moss-does-boss lady in polished coats, pencil skirts and trousers. Follow suit in a coordinating, well, cat suit or opt for accessories with bite – a bucket bag and retro sunglasses are all the more empowering in spots. Meow.…

SIGRID Within a year of releasing her first EP, Don’t Kill My Vibe, 21-year-old Norwegian pop ingenue Sigrid took out the BBC’s Sound Of 2018 award (past alumni include Adele, Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding) against other young guns Billie Eilish and Khalid. Now, Sigrid, who hails from the small seaside town of Ålesund, has embarked on a  far-flung (and largely sold-out) world tour that has seen her play around Europe and even visit Brisbane and Melbourne, culminating in her Coachella slots. Catch her now to say you saw her first – if her rollcall of beyond-her-years influences is anything to go by (think Joni Mitchell, Chet Baker and Neil Young), there’s a way to go yet. @thisissigrid KELELA If Washington DC-born Kelela’s “Rewind” and “LMK” aren’t already firmly stuck in your…

With the word “Yes” tattooed on her wrist,  arms as ripped as Sarah Connor’s and glitter sparkling above her eyes, it’s clear that the kind of focused charisma Tessa Thompson radiates would prompt double takes no matter her profession. “Tessa’s engaged,” says Alex Garland, who directed her in Netflix’s Annihilation, about five women (including Thompson’s astrophysicist) who go on a scientific expedition in the wilderness. Even at her audition, after giving what Garland says was “an exceptional reading”, Thompson quizzed him about decisions he’d made in his previous film, the Oscar-winning Ex Machina. “Most people would be wary to do that,” he says. “But Tessa has no guile about that kind of thing.” Her co-star Natalie Portman adds that there’s much more to the 34-year-old than star quality. “She’s someone you can dance or laugh with,…

The second bestselling book on Amazon in 2017 was Milk And Honey, a collection of poetry by 25-year-old Canadian Rupi Kaur. That’s right, poetry. You know, that stuff you probably last read during your Year 12 exams. To put it into context, Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies – a book that dominated conversation due to the award-winning HBO miniseries it spawned – was all the way down at number 53 on the same list. Even more jaw-dropping, in 2016, Milk And Honey outsold the next bestselling book of poetry (The Odyssey by Homer) tenfold. Rupi Kaur, in case you don’t know, is a poet for the Instagram age. And we mean that quite literally – she posts poems so brief, they fit neatly into Insta squares, meaning that not only…

I’m a person given to discretion. The contents of my brain, bed, inbox and medicine cabinet are not up for public consumption. But the contents of my purse soon may be – at least, if designers have anything to say about it. Fashion’s biggest players have fallen head-over-Lucite-heels for all things see-through this season, albeit in their own signature ways. Chanel showed extreme over-the-knee boots and transparent totes (all the better to weather the show’s indoor waterfall), Valentino nestled smaller pouches inside clear Rockstud clutches and Céline presented a “plastic” bag – elevating it to must-have status. The young-designer crowd got in on it, too. Shayne Oliver’s debut show for Helmut Lang featured an oversized acrylic briefcase emblazoned with the brand’s logo – making “transparency” more than a boardroom buzzword.…

If you have ever – no wait – if you always come home from a party wishing you hadn’t told your friend’s half-sister that you’re $30,000 in debt and allergic to most brands of lube, it’s hard to believe there could be any kind of downside to saying nothing all night. But being an undersharer in a  world that values revelation is not without hazard. “Introverts are easily misunderstood,” writes Michaela Chung in The Irresistible Introvert: Harness The Power Of Quiet Charisma In A Loud World, adding: “Extroverts have laid claim on the definition of normal, leaving introverts to feel guilty for not fitting in... Many introverts come to believe that there’s something wrong with them.” It’s not hard to see why. TMI can be exhausting, but also hilarious. The opposite can be boring, even…

We grew up on a farm an hour out of Sydney, fairly isolated from other children so we only had ourselves for company. We would keep ourselves amused by catching snakes and lighting small fires. It was pretty idyllic. We rarely got proper TV reception, so out of boredom we would put on hour-long improvised plays for our parents, and they seemed to enjoy them and encouraged us to do more. They’re very patient people. While hosting a show on Sydney community radio station FBi, Julian Morrow from The Chaser heard us, gave us a call and asked if we were interested in television, which is when we pitched Growing Up Gracefully. Our inspiration for the show came after collecting a few really strange ’50s etiquette books for women. We wondered what would…

IS THERE A COMMON GOAL? Collaboration isn’t always smooth sailing. It’s not like everyone agrees all the time, and you can end up having very heated debates about very silly things (in the writers’ room, it’s usually whether a  photo of a frozen lasagne is sufficiently disgusting). But at the end of the day, when everyone shares a common goal and there’s plenty of respect and trust, it can be a huge amount of fun. ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH? Having a thick skin is important. It’s always better to thrash it out together rather than realising the work isn’t right when it’s already too late. It’s like when you see your friend has shit in their teeth and they’re about to go on a date – telling them is a kindness. CAN…

Vicky Hanlon and Claire Hagan, founders of Melbourne-based production company Commit To Your Jokes, have made it their mission to promote the voices in comedy that aren’t always heard. These are their takeaways on the future of the craft NEW PUNCHLINES, NEW PLATFORMS It still depends on where in the world you are, but there’s a shift happening – people want to hear better, smarter comedy. Different stories and voices instead of the same old narratives. And they’re more easily able to find and connect with the kinds of comedy they want to see, especially via social media. It’s created a bigger audience base to tap into (whether through live comedy, videos on social media or podcasts) and there’s more content all the time. BE SHARP, NOT “EDGY” In the live scene, you’ll…

1. YOU CAN HAVE A DICK, BUT DON’T BE A DICK One of our first-ever “rules” and it still holds true. Aretha said it best. It’s about respect. We want everyone at our feminist party. 2. RESIST WITH FURY, AND LOVE Loving fiercely, passionately and openly is a radical act, and we aim to bring that same fierce love and openness to all our conversations, whether they be at the bar, on stage or in the bedroom. 3. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GIRL GANG The Fringe Wives was built on a network of celebrating each other. Glamtivists don’t need to tear other women down in order to achieve. We shake up the ways in which women and their bodies are seen and discussed in public spaces. If we can shake up an espresso martini at…

“Overloading the skin with heavy textures clogs pores and slows down the skin’s natural surface renewal” “You have a lovely fat face,” London’s favourite facialist Kate Kerr tells me, pinching my cheeks and analysing my skin under an oh-so unforgiving spotlight. “It’s plump to touch, which indicates it’s full of healthy collagen.” Then she floors me: “But I can tell just by looking at it that your skin is lazy.” This is a fair analysis of my favouring food and box sets over the gym, but my face? I’ve spent years putting in daily groundwork, following strict routines and trying out every miracle moisturiser in the book. So how can my skin be lazy? Kerr explains that when it comes to skincare, too much of a good thing can actually…

ADAPTOGENS These plant supplements, including ashwagandha, maca and ginseng, help balance hormone levels, increase energy and boost general wellbeing. BROCCOLI AND MUSTARD POWDER Boost broccoli’s powers with mustard powder. Kalinik says to add the powder to vinaigrette and drizzle it over broccoli. THE RABBIT POSE Like child’s pose, but with arms stretched back to hold your feet and your chin tucked into your chest. It stimulates the thyroid gland to create a  sense of balance. OHHHHHHM Skip the chanting in your yoga class? You could be missing out. Chanting stimulates the meridian points on the roof of your mouth and helps trigger serotonin and dopamine.…

RISTORANTE ALBERTO Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow have both raved about the seafood here and we’re inclined to agree. The carpaccio lobster is excellent, but you must try the pasta taccozzette, which combines mussels, chocolate and zucchini to surprisingly good effect. albertoischia.it JANE DISCOTEQUE This boat-shaped beach bar is a landmark on the island and a notorious post-club drinking spot. With quality live music, parties are so good that Mick Jagger has been known to pop in.…

Q. I’m in love ’ with a techierich guy whos into first editions, vinyl and vintage cars. How do I get him to commit? We’ve started getting sexual over text. Am I being too easy? A. Let me ask you a question: why does a rich man read first editions and drive vintage cars? Isn’t it because they are hard to get? LOVE IN THE AGE OF INFLUENCERS My man has become a public figure in the world of social media. He has strangers kissing his ass all day and women from all over the world propositioning him, which has inflated his ego to the point where I feel he doesn’t appreciate what he has (and he’s extremely lucky to have snagged a woman like me). I held out for…

Fringing is everywhere this season. From handbags to hemlines, designers have been trimming the most head-turning pieces in tassels. The key to getting the look right? Balance. Pare back a tiered skirt with a sherbet knit or add a shredded leather or string accessory to your staples. Round out the look with tossable hair that’s just as fun and flirty.…

WHEN I FOUND OUT I’D BEEN CHOSEN FOR STEVEN SPIELBERG’S READY PLAYER ONE, I FELT A BIT SICK. It was a combination of celebrating, especially a job this big – the biggest I’ve had in my career – and the self-doubt of, “They’ve got the wrong girl. I’m going to fuck this up. This is a terrible decision on their part. I don’t want to do this. I  do want to do this.” There’s a breadth of emotion that comes with getting that call. I HAD HUGE ACTING ASPIRATIONS AS A KID. But when you get the call to say it’s going to become a reality, it’s mind-blowing. I think when you actually achieve whatever it is you wanted to do, it’s a  pinch-me moment, especially for an ultimate pessimist like myself.…

Some of the biggest names in books right now are gracing our shores this month for the Sydney Writers’ Festival. We asked them to let us in on their latest literary obsessions YRSA DALEY-WARD (THE POET BEHIND THE WILDLY POPULAR BONE) FORGET IT By Anastacia Reneé A new collection of poems I’m completely in love with. Visceral, raw, gorgeous language and words. ($22, Black Radish Books) SEXING THE CHERRY By Jeanette Winterson One of the dreamiest historical-fantasy stories I’ve ever read... and read and read.  I float away with this book. ($22.99, Penguin) EMMA GLASS (THE WRITER OF THE BREAKOUT HIT, PEACH) SUCH SMALL HANDS By Andrés Barba I loved this ghost story. The language is crisp, with the narrative [using] direct expressions of concepts too difficult for the young characters to comprehend.…

I went to my first Olympics when I was 16. I didn’t have the normal teenage, high-school life, but in saying that, I got to do things and see things that my classmates couldn’t even dream of. I looked “sacrifice” up in the dictionary and it says, “The surrendering of something of value in the hopes of obtaining something better.” If you’re not giving up something you value, then how can you possibly hope to achieve something great? For a long time, I was giving up things I cared about, but the things that I wanted, I valued more. However, it was very clear that when I started resenting the things I was having to sacrifice, that was the moment I needed to reassess my goals. I took last year…

Is there anything more mood-altering than a beautifully timed compliment, delivered with style, wit and grace from someone you admire? Or quite like? Or even a  stranger? Is there anything more likely to guarantee a good night out? Some people can’t relax at a  party until they’ve had two-and-a-half units of fizzy alcohol; for me, it’s praise that helps me come into my own. One “Look at your lovely dress!” and my conversation flows. My jokes get funnier. My cheeks grow rosy. Sometimes, when I feel anxious, I think of the time I was standing in front of [actor] Bill Nighy in a queue at the theatre and he murmured “Beautiful skirt” as he passed. (It was my best one.) Of course, the more original the compliment, the deeper in it goes. “I…

Think back to the last time a joke hit the sweet spot – did you lose all sense of decorum? Perhaps it was a cackle in line for coffee, a fit of giggles mid-Pilates or an eruption of laughter so loud it startled an entire carriage of commuters. That’s the power of good comedy. But a comedian’s role is so much more than making people laugh. They also ask hard questions, opening the floor to topics that make us feel uncomfortable in order to hold up a mirror to society. Take John Oliver’s view on the same-sex marriage postal survey (“It’s the weirdest waste of Australian money since every Baz Luhrmann movie ever made”), or an SNL sketch on the recent allegations made against Aziz Ansari (a dinner party chat turns awkward after someone tries…

IN 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS Taking inspiration from MTV’s cult show Daria and Darlene from Roseanne, Bec Shaw, the brains behind our favourite Twitter account @notofeminism, has a sixth sense for sarcasm. Case in point: “I don’t need [feminism]. Men and women are EQUALLY terrible! For example, yes men murder women, but women FRIENDZONE men! Friends??? Horrifying.” On Twitter, you need to be quick for a joke to work. If there’s some sort of breaking news event and you have a joke about it, I would urge you to search Twitter to see if it has already been done 3,000 times by the time you got to take your lunchbreak. There are some days where the only news around is extremely depressing, and there is just not that much humour to be…

ANNE EDMONDS HAS MADE A NAME FOR HERSELF PLAYING A HOST OF COLOURFUL CHARACTERS. SHE SHEDS LIGHT ON THE JOY OF ESCAPING INTO THE MIND – AND SARONG – OF SOMEONE ELSE I love playing characters because I can go to the extremes of every emotion. Most of my characters have something fundamentally wrong with them, some deep hurt or sense of exclusion. And most of them fall to the floor and cry out in agony at some point. Who doesn’t? I  do. Who cares? So far you’re probably wondering, what’s so funny about all this? But it is to me. My whole life is a  series of meltdowns and recoveries and when you think about it from the outside,  it’s hilarious. Helen Bidou, a character I  did on ABC’s Get Krack!n who dropped her sarong…

woMen iN cOmedy I STARTED PERFORMING STAND-UP FIVE YEARS AGO AS A WAY OF RECLAIMING MY IDENTITY. I TALK ABOUT BEING A MUSLIM AS PART OF MY ACT, AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON’T LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT IT. AT FIRST, I WAS SCARED TO SWEAR OR SAY THINGS THAT MIGHT BE TOO CONTROVERSIAL, BUT NOW I’VE REALISED THAT I NEED TO GET MY POINT ACROSS SOMEHOW. THE POLITICALLY CORRECT CROWD HAVE A HARD TIME ACCEPTING MY JOKES, BUT THE WAY I SEE IT, I’M A MUSLIM SO I CAN MAKE MUSLIM JOKES. NOT EVERY COMEDIAN HAS THAT AUTHORITY. OF COURSE, IF NO-ONE IS LAUGHING DURING MY SET, I MAKE SURE TO HAVE A FEW LINES UP MY SLEEVE. RIGHT NOW IT’S “IF I KEEP GOING LIKE THIS, I’LL BE THE FIRST…

ROSE CALLAGHAN Her show Will You Accept This Rose? was a hilarious take on The Bachelor, and now Callaghan is showcasing No Way Rosé at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. @operation_rosie CLARE CAVANAGH An improv and sketch comedian (she’s a  member of Improv Theatre Sydney’s ensemble and a founding member of improv troupe Confetti Gun), Cavanagh’s new show Thrilled You’re Here! is based on her “trying to throw a banger party like I never had in high school”. Catch it at the Sydney Comedy Festival. @clarecavanagh LAURA DAVIS The Melbourne-based comedian is touring her sell-out show Ghost Machine at MICF. It’s earned her a bunch of awards, including a Best Comedy nod at Melbourne Fringe Festival. @lauradaviscomic MADDIE HW After performing to sell-out crowds at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and touring the US, Maddie…

GARDEN STATE PAIR WALLPAPER-FLORAL DRESSES WITH EVEN MORE FLORALS, IN THE FORM OF PANTS AND BLOUSES, FOR A  LOOK AS WILD AND VIBRANT AS YOUR GARDEN GROWS. DOWN TO EARTH Opt for a suitably autumnal palette – start with a mustard dress and add warm brown accessories. TEA PARTY With longer sleeves, hems and added ruffles, the floral tea-dress you lived in this summer evolves for the cooler months. MAKING TRACKS UTILITY SHIRTING AND BUSH-INSPIRED COLOURS LOOK BEST WORN LAYERED AND TONAL – LET THE OUTBACK BE YOUR MUSE. NATURAL BEAUTY Extend the life of button-down staples by wearing them over tops, shorts and knits. Stick to shades of sandstone accented with gold and tortoiseshell fastenings. GREAT OUTDOORS In reliable leather and canvas, these are the accessories that will have you covered come rain, hike or…

WHAT IT IS: This face and body massage combines a variety of techniques (shiatsu, reflexology, remedial, Hawaiian and hot and cold rocks), all set to the dulcet tones of chanting Tibetan monks, plus a little singing bowl and Buddhist cymbals. “People can have trouble surrendering to relaxation – sometimes it won’t happen for them until the treatment is almost over,” says Jeannie Bourke, owner of Sydney’s Venustus. “By listening, we’re symbolically and physically acknowledging our connection to all other living beings, nature and the universe. It’s a type of energy medicine and it promotes healing.” WHAT IT FEELS LIKE: The mixed forms of massage stimulate the mind enough to keep busy thoughts at bay, while the hypnotic sounds play away in the background. The therapist also burns a stick of…

NEW TWIST Free-flowing curls give youthful energy to every face. Shake out wet natural waves or hot-rolled hair with the Dyson diffuser nozzle to stimulate natural drying around each curl and defy frizz. AHEAD OF THE CURVE The bigger the barrel of your round brush, the looser your wave. The Dyson styling concentrator focuses a strong blade of air that styles each section fast. “MUM’S GOT THE INSPO, YOU BRING THE INNOVATION” LAID-BACK LUXE Clip on the Dyson smoothing nozzle for relaxed slink. The gentle, wide airflow helps smooth texture without flattening your hair’s natural movement and character. Let’s start with Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber. Next? Bella and Gigi Hadid’s style sync with their model mother Yolanda. We’re not saying “mum hair” has quite the same ring to it…

RETURN OF THE SHAG “I’m still a big fan of wavy layers, but for a fresh riff, trim shorter layers connecting from a grown-out fringe, giving it more of a shaggy look. It creates messy, undone textures that are a modern take on the shag haircut. Styling-wise for a  wavy layer, I love a bend in a  stretched-out wave – it’s a lot cooler than waves from top to bottom. Think effortless, think cool.” SHORT GOES SHORTER “Shorter hair is the next big thing. A  beautiful cropped, round bob can be chic and very sexy on a  lot of women – no matter what, women want to look sexy.” STATEMENT COLOUR “We’ll see creamier blondes, with natural, lived-in roots. Lots of honeys and golden tones can look really great, but it has to be on the right skin tone. Reds, coppers…

LIZA Imagine Wes Anderson took a jaunt across the Mediterranean Sea and you’ve got this super-Instagrammable restaurant, serving up traditional mezzes (small plates) and signature dishes such as lamb shank confit, meatballs and citrus-spiced chicken. lizabeirut.com AL FALAMANKI Locals play backgammon and smoke argileh (the Lebanese version of shisha or hookah) over traditional meals at this nostalgic cafe.  When in Beirut… alfalamanki.com BARON A modern Mediterranean restaurant that’s earned comparisons to London’s Nopi for its inventive but unfussy approach. baronbeirut.com…

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ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 THE START OF THE MONTH OFFERS INSIGHT INTO THE WAY YOU COMMUNICATE. WHAT YOU SAY WILL HOLD MORE WEIGHT THAN USUAL, BUT THE ADAGE “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS” STILL RINGS TRUE. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON OTHERS, THIS WILL BE THE TIME. THE NEW MOON ON APRIL 16 WELCOMES YOU TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE WHEN IT COMES TO SLAYING BOTH PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS. AN UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS COULD CALL FOR A CHANGE IN DIRECTION, BUT YOU’LL ALSO FIND YOURSELF MAKING LARGE LEAPS TOWARDS SUCCESS. TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 This month, long-term planning will make distant goals tenable, and the best days to set aside for organising are April 7, 11 and 29. There will also…