Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i ELLE Australia

“Isn’t it funny how some dollars are worth more than others?... This is why I think nothing of spitting out $150 for a pair of sandals, but resent every cent of the $40 a new toaster is going to cost me... No matter that I will use the toaster every day of my life for the next 20 years and will wear the sandals twice, getting hideous blisters and shin splints on both occasions. Toasters are boring. They should be free.” So wrote fashion writer Maggie Alderson of her famous “shoe money” theory. I know how she feels. I’m renovating, and with every electrician’s visit, pane of glass installed and DA application lodged, I just see Céline bags burning before my very eyes. It’s also how I feel about work…

Chloé’s creative director is a game-changing, quietly kick-ass boss who is helping reshape the way the fashion industry champions female leaders. Super-successful and surprisingly down-to earth, Clare Waight Keller is passionate about making it easier for talented women to get to the top by forging a more relaxed way of working that delivers results and nurtures women’s emotional needs. Sounds too good to be true? Trust me, it’s not. I first met Waight Keller four years ago, when she was heavily pregnant with her third child. We were discussing her impending move from Pringle Of Scotland to powerhouse French brand Chloé (and imminent family relocation from London to Paris). As we chatted, I couldn’t help but question how she was going to simultaneously take on a new job, new baby…

“A different shoe would have taken this into prim territory, but model Hanne Gaby Odiele can’t put a Balenciaga-booted foot wrong when it comes to tough femme.” “Good news: the all-white sneaker isn’t going anywhere. The latest update, courtesy of Céline, has ditched the laces and pumped up the padding. Style them with bare legs and literally everything in your wardrobe.” “Industry insiders know simplicity allows one statement piece to shine: in this case, a contrasting knot belt.” “Teaming culottes and boots is tricky to pull off, but this demos how it’s done right – keeping legs wide and footwear fitted around the ankle.” “If there’s one lesson we learnt from the SS16 shows, it’s to bare a little shoulder. I love this undone-sexy Isabel Marant sweater.” “How many ways…

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WHO: DAISY RIDLEY WHAT: Star Wars: The Force Awakens. WHY: The London actress gives the guys a run for their money as Rey in the new Star Wars film (and gives next-gen sci-fi geeks the heroine they deserve). WHO: MIA GOTH WHAT: Gore Verbinski’s supernatural horror, A Cure For Wellness (out late 2016). WHY: Shia LaBeouf’s on-off Brit-Canadian love has the indie-girl vibe in spades – no wonder she’s been tapped to model in campaigns for the likes of Miu Miu. WHO: COURTNEY EATON WHAT: Gods Of Egypt (in cinemas February 25). WHY: The model-turned-actress from WA hit the blockbuster big-time in Mad Max: Fury Road and her next on-screen appearance promises just as much action.…

By night, Valerie Norman (aka her DJ alias Valerie Yum) can be spotted spinning tunes at fashion-industry events. On laid-back Sundays, she’s behind the decks at Bondi’s unabashedly photogenic Icebergs club. But the former model booking agent’s day job is to head up the Sydney network of global agency Dolce – a collective of composers, musicians and DJs who create unexpected experiences for international brands, films and fashion events. “It’s about finding the sweet spot between something that already connects and a place you’ve never been before,” says Norman. She works alongside Jeanette Olivia Little – a talented composer whose work has been performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – and Rohan Bell-Towers, who’s been dubbed an “uber-selector” (read: has kick-ass taste in music) by the infamous music platform Boiler…

“PODCASTS DRIVE WORKPLACE KITCHEN CONVERSATION AS MUCH AS THE LATEST GAME OF THRONES EPISODE. FINDING OUT YOU ENJOY THE SAME PODCAST AS A COLLEAGUE FEELS LIKE HAVING YOUR OWN SECRET HANDSHAKE” If you don’t know the story of 18-year-old student Hae Min Lee – whose body was found in a Baltimore park in 1999 – and her high-school ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed (currently serving life in prison for her murder), you’re in the minority. The case was one of the most talked-about subjects of 2014 when it became the subject matter of the podcast Serial, making headlines and igniting fierce dinner table debate more than a decade after Syed was sentenced. Serial’s host and producer, journalist Sarah Koenig, spent infinite hours rifling through detectives’ notes, listening to interrogations and interviewing anyone…

Packed with nourishing ingredients from the purest natural materials, The Body Shop sources the most potent flowers, fruits, nuts and foliage to create skincare with integrity and real skin benefits. The simple formulas feel good – and work. Celebrate finally discovering your skin’s true natural beauty match with our skincare diagnosis at skincare.thebodyshop.com.au SEE THE RANGE AT THEBODYSHOP.COM.AU…

Upgrade your kit with these ultra-soft brushes and you may even start narrating your routine, vlogger-style. From left: Angled Blush Brush, $24.95, Finishing Brush, $29.95, Liquid Foundation Brush, $19.95, all Nude By Nature, nudebynature.com.au You know that scent you inhale when you walk through the door of a florist? This is it, in a bottle. Heaven. Madagascan Jasmine, $185 for 100ml, Grandiflora, grandiflora.net The delicacy of a liquid illuminator meets the ease of a powder in this multi-tasking formula. Swirl on cheekbones or use to highlight your lids and cupid’s bow. Diorskin Nude Air Glowing Gardens in Glowing Pink, $84, Dior, (02) 9295 9022 The promise of “all-day” is usually as dubious as “fat-free” but this is legit life-proof. So far it’s withstood perspiration-inducing events such as running for the…

A few months ago, I decided to host a dinner party. I’d moved out of the city and had just had a baby, so basically I wanted to prove to my friends I was still relevant. But as soon as I had the idea, I changed my mind – because catering to their new and bizarre dietary requirements would have been too painful. One of my friends is low-carbing. Another has given up gluten (but can’t remember why she stopped eating bread). A third friend is on the Paleo diet and only eats red berries and grass-fed buffalo. Another vetoes anything with refined sugar. Those bastards. I was going to make them lasagne and profiteroles. It’s clear I need new mates. I don’t want to be seen with people who…

COACH The timeless design of Coach’s saddle bag saw it become an instant cult classic when it launched in 1972 – and it’s been reinvented countless times since. For SS16, it’s been reimagined in glove-tanned leather with contrast edging, for a style that pays tribute to the original while adding a playful twist. We’ll take one in every colour. $995; coachaustralia.com JIMMY CHOO You know that feeling of confidence only a new pair of Jimmy Choo heels can give you? The fashion house has bottled it with its seductive new scent Illicit. Combining orange, ginger, jasmine and sandalwood, it’s a bold, alluring fragrance for women who like to be the centre of attention. $145 for 100ml; (02) 9695 5678 NU’TRIR If your skin is in desperate need of…

NOCTURNAL PADDLEBOARDING One-up your feed’s #sunset snaps with a night paddleboard tour complete with glow-in-the-dark LED lighting. piratecoastpaddle.com PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY SIGN That’s PCH to the locals – aka the subject of your new profile pic. pacific-coast-highway-travel.com HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER The OC’s Ryan and Marissa didn’t cycle down this exact spot, but who’ll know? It’s just as iconic, anyway. surfcityusa.com/things-to-do/ attractions/huntington-beach-pier YOU’LL NEED WHEELS TO GET AROUND – BUT SAVE YOUR UBER DOLLARS FOR SHOPPING. TRY TURO, THE GENIUS HIRE SERVICE THAT CONNECTS YOU WITH LOCAL CAR OWNERS. TURO.COM…

We hate to break the bad news, but neither The OC nor Arrested Development actually filmed in Orange County, due to the studio industry’s “30-mile zone” (the inspiration behind gossip site TMZ’s name), which sets rates and rules for LA film workers. Most of OC falls outside the radius, adding to travel and accommodation costs. However, here are some familiar locations you can spot… LEGALLY BLONDE Rewatch this classic to see the old courthouse in Santa Ana, where Elle Woods had her first legal victory. SAVAGES Blake Lively and Taylor Kitsch’s 2012 dealer-meets-cartel flick was set and filmed in Laguna Beach. LAGUNA BEACH Your noughties crush Stephen Colletti worked at Laguna Surf & Sport (where Kristin asked him to the formal). THE HANGOVER PART III Make it to the third…

SOUTH COAST PLAZA Céline, Chanel, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton… meet the OC’s answer to Rodeo Drive. Any celeb spots on your visit are likely to be here: think Cameron Diaz or Rachel Zoe. southcoastplaza.com THE OUTLETS AT ORANGE Bargain hunt at Banana Republic, Lucky Brand and Victoria’s Secret, then score a makeup-bag haul from The Cosmetics Company Store and Planet Beauty. simon.com/mall/  the-outlets-at-orange FASHION ISLAND Visit for the classic American mall experience, with labels like 7 For All Mankind and Anthropologie. Leave when you consider shipping home an armoire from Restoration Hardware. shopfashionisland.com ORANGE COUNTY MARKET PLACE On par with LA’s blogger nirvana, the Rose Bowl Flea Markets, this weekend swap meet is packed full of vintage treasures and one-of-a-kind finds. ocmarketplace.com…

REALITY CHECK DEAR E JEAN, I’m reeling from an attack on my reputation. A higher-up who’s quite powerful in my company emailed a scathing critique of my performance to senior management. My boss forwarded it to me as an FYI. You can’t imagine the vitriol contained in the indirect swipes. Normally, I let this kind of stuff roll off my back, but I felt compelled to defend myself to my boss. From the looks of things, the way I do my job (that is, my long-standing career here) is not the way they want it done. I’m both terrified of losing my job and angry enough to say screw them for not valuing my work! I’ve also been spending hard the past few months on the assumption I have an…

BORN: Hilversum, the Netherlands LIVES: Amsterdam and Paris KNOWN FOR: Starring in our Parisian “Le Geek, C’est Chic” shoot on p104 and being an ELLE Netherlands cover girl. WARDROBE DENIM: Acne Studios black skinny jeans. SHOES: Sperry boat shoes. BAG: A Burton backpack (to carry my skateboard when I’m not on it). LUGGAGE: Samsonite suitcase. VINTAGE: Kilo Shop in Paris. WISH LIST: A Saint Laurent hat. SUNGLASSES: Wooden Ray-Bans. OUT AND ABOUT DRINK: Whisky or a glass of red wine. BAR: Hanneke’s Boom in Amsterdam. STAY: Nobis Hotel in Stockholm, Hotel De Hallen in Amsterdam and Grand Hyatt in Tokyo. CULTURE HIT: Palais De Tokyo in Paris for the exhibitions and architecture. CULTURE & TECH APPS: Spotify. BINGE WATCH: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I’ve seen all the episodes – twice.…

LOOK FOR METAL EYELET DETAILS TO GIVE AN updated spin TO A CLASSIC. THE new silhouette: A TUNIC LAYERED OVER PANTS THAT FINISH JUST ABOVE the ankle. Pull up YOUR SLEEVES TO RELAX AN OVERSIZED SHIRT OR JACKET.…

Having worked under Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford at Gucci, what does it take to be one of the most successful women in this male-dominated industry? It’s interesting, because a lot of women work at lower levels in fashion but as you move up, numbers dissipate and sometimes you’re the only woman in the room. Your voice is lost because men are more outspoken and to the point, and almost cut things off before you come into the conversation. Now I find the more direct I am with male colleagues, the more chance I have of getting it done. You assume as a woman you have to justify things, but actually, if you say it in the right way, you can be as confident as a man. I…

ULTIMATE DATE Going to Sean’s Panaroma, Bondi, with my husband Bradley. It’s relaxed and personal with fantastic food. BACKGROUND SOUNDTRACK Tom Petty’s song, “Learning To Fly”, and anything from America. FAILSAFE ITEM A silk shirt-dress. COMEBACK TREND KHAKI BEAUTY ROUTINE La Mer’s Cleansing Lotion, The Moisturizing Lotion and The Illuminating Eye Gel, plus Wella SP Hydrate Emulsion for my hair – it’s great for conditioning. A DREAM HOME HAS… White walls, fresh flowers and vintage French linen, with candles and lamps for mood lighting. SIGNATURE SCENT Route Du Thé from Barneys New York. STYLE MANTRA Confident and effortless. TREASURED ARTISTS Guy Maestri and Brett Whiteley. FILM TO CRY OVER Terms Of Endearment. FUNCTIONAL INVESTMENT My Specsavers prescription sunglasses. FAVOURITE FOOD FAD Activated nuts and a juice cleanse. SATURDAY MORNING HANGOUT…

“Growing up, I was a real bookworm – I went to the library every day after school,” says Courtney Barnett. “My life was reading, sport and homework. I didn’t start playing guitar until I was 10.” Who would have guessed she’d end up, some 18 years later, with four ARIAs on her mantelpiece, an 8.6 album rating from Pitchfork (which is huge, by the way) and the entire music industry watching her every move? On her debut album Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit, Barnett sings about the world she sees through cynical eyes (and beneath an increasingly disobedient fringe), her internal monologue approach to songwriting part of her appeal. She encapsulates the banality of house-hunting in the track “Depreston”, her rambling lyric recitation swinging effortlessly…

THIS IS HAPPENING: REDESIGNING MINDFULNESS FOR OUR VERY MODERN LIVES by Rohan Gunatillake WHAT IT PROMISES: This modern take on meditation accepts the fact that most of us can’t – or don’t want to – sacrifice our connected lives for mindful ones. It won’t push you to take a “digital detox”, instead it offers exercises that blend the best of both worlds. WHY HE’S AN EXPERT: Gunatillake is the creator of bestselling meditation app Buddhify and in 2012 he appeared in Wired’s list of 50 people who will change the world. No small feat. WHO SHOULD READ IT: Anyone who refuses to believe a weekend spent without social media will make them feel better about their life. $29.99, Bluebird; out February 9 HOW TO HAVE A GOOD DAY:…

“AS THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF HARPER’S BAZAAR, I’M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR UNIQUE PIECES TO COMPLEMENT AN EVERYDAY LOOK. THAT’S WHY I LOVE THIS NEW TRANSPARENT COLLECTION FROM SPECSAVERS.”KELLIE HUSH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, HARPER’S BAZAAR Fallen in love with the new-season colour palette of browns, olives and minimal whites and creams? Specsavers’ range of clear frames will prove the perfect accompaniment. Harper’s Bazaar Editor-In-Chief Kellie Hush has selected a stylish edit of glasses that work just as effortlessly with sleeker separates as they do with floaty bohemian looks like folksy prints or flared denim. Try the clear pair with warm tortoiseshell arms, or the frames in subtle shades of bronze and gold. With two pairs of designer glasses for $199, complete with single vision lenses, you’ll always be in style at Specsavers. Prices complete…

There’s one question I can’t tolerate: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Hang on a sec while I speed-dial my psychic. Any crystal ball attempting to predict my twenties would have shattered – I graduated with a law degree, worked in bars and at newspapers, mucked about at radio stations, ran a magazine, blogged and managed social-media campaigns. Recently, I moved to Los Angeles to concentrate on freelance writing full-time. Within six months, I was writing/managing an artist/helping to run a record label/consulting for musicians/birthing a script/ developing a podcast. I often wonder if I’m moonlighting through life. Whenever I’m asked, “What do you do for a living?” I think, “Which part of ‘living’, and how long do you have?” My father – a retired GP who worked…

“NATURAL BEAUTY LINES HAVE COME A LONG WAY. THEY’VE BECOME MY GO-TO AFTER A BUSY WEEK OF SHOOTING, WHERE MY SKIN IS EXPOSED TO ALL SORTS OF PRODUCTS.” FRIDAY FROM LEFT Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Toothbrush, $4.40, Colgate, coles.com.au; Bare Greens, $29.99, Bare Blends, bareblends.com.au; Active Deodorant, $15.95, Perfect Potion, perfectpotion.com.au; Sweet Almond Oil, $18.99, Oil Garden Aromatherapy, oilgarden.com.au; Precision Brow Pencil in Basic Brown, $38, Kevyn Aucoin, mecca.com.au; Aphrodite Lip Tint, $19.95, Perfect Potion, perfectpotion.com.au; Green Goddess Perfume, $46.95, Perfect Potion, perfectpotion.com.au SATURDAY FROM LEFT Active Deodorant, $15.95, Perfect Potion, perfectpotion.com.au; The Multiple in Copacabana, $56, Nars, mecca.com.au; Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu, $39, Nars, mecca.com.au; Precision Brow Pencil in Basic Brown, $38, Kevyn Aucoin, mecca.com.au; Green Goddess Perfume, $46.95, Perfect Potion, perfectpotion.com.au; Virgin Coconut Oil, $10.95,…

She worked with Gisele Bündchen before she made her billions and shares custody of Miranda Kerr’s Yorkie, Frankie, but makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift’s biggest claim to fame is her successful organic beauty brand RMS, which is sold in 28 countries. With user-friendly formulas, chic designs and counter space at some of the world’s most stylish stores (like Colette in Paris and London’s Harrods), RMS Beauty has been able to achieve the “green” Holy Grail: attracting both the health and style conscious. Just don’t expect Swift to let go of the reins anytime soon. “I’ve had investors come around but I don’t want anybody near me,” she says. “They’ll make me use cheap this and cheap that and I have too much integrity. I want to die knowing I’ve healed the…

DO eat when your body tells you that you’re hungry. Embrace (healthy) grazing if it suits your lifestyle. DON’T overdo portion sizes. Your energy intake should be relative to your energy output. DO include a bit of everything in your diet, including carbohydrates – they’re your fuel. DON’T buy something just because it’s labelled “fat free”. These products are often packed with artificial ingredients and added sugar to make up for the lack of taste. DO treat yourself to a “cheat” meal. If you want a caramel slice, have one. Not satisfying the urge will consume you.…

Splashes of youthful colour like pink and seafoam bring a playful spirit to your living areas. Adding pops of grey and white, plus sophisticated textures like velvet and marble, ensures the lolly-tinted hues are fit for adult quarters.…

DISNEYLAND It’s sacrilege to visit California and not get your name embroidered on a pair of mouse ears. The happiest place on earth is actually made up of two parks; Disneyland and California Adventure, which can be done in one day, but (for sanity’s sake) are best done in two during peak holidays. disneyland.disney.go.com BALBOA ISLAND Hop on the Balboa Island Ferry from Newport Beach, then cruise down Marine Avenue, a must-see for the boutiques and restaurants (Amelia’s is the locals’ choice for fresh seafood). Don’t leave without trying the famous choc-dipped frozen bananas immortalised by Arrested Development. balboaisland.com WAYFARERS CHAPEL Yes, the idyllic wedding location of The OC’s Caleb Nichol and Julie Cooper (also Emily Thorne and Daniel Grayson, for Revenge fans) is open to the public. The lush…

RAISING THE BAR Step off the busy streets of inner-city Chippendale into the equally buzzy Clare Bar. Owner Loh Lik Peng’s love of eclectic chairs is evident here (alongside some show-stopper Hollywood film lamps). Throw in a backlit ’70s-style bar with mixologist Matt Fairhurst’s epic cocktail list and your night is sorted. IN THE HOOD Chippendale is shaping up to be Sydney’s hippest suburb. Skip down the New York-style herringbone-paved Kensington Street to see heritage terraces and the lantern-strung street-food market Spice Alley. Don’t miss Glider for its smooth coffee served in ceramics by Liquorice Moon Studios. RETRO ROOMS A mix of vintage furniture, one-of-a-kind The Rag And Bone Man lamps and a smattering of smooth free-standing tubs fill the 62 sleek rooms, while the timber panelling and original bars…

WHAT IS IT? We’ll let Leslie Knope*, deputy director of the Pawnee Parks and Recreation Department, explain... “February 14, Valentine’s Day, is about romance. But February 13, Galentine’s Day, is about celebrating lady friends!” Also present: goodie bags, compliments and breakfast foods. *A fictional character from cult sitcom Parks And Recreation BREAKFASTING They don’t call it the most important meal of the day for no reason WAFFLES According to Knope, friends and waffles are the most important things in life (not necessarily in that order). EGGS BENEDICT The perfect balance of egg and hollandaise sauce, made even more delicious with the addition of ham. BIG BREAKFAST A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Warning: bloody marys become slightly less potent in the presence of such absorbent treats.…

PHOTOGRAPHER CARLOTTA MOYE PROVES SHE’LL GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO SECURE THE PERFECT SHOOT LOCATION (SEE HER SNAPS ON P94 ): “ELLE’s fashion director Rachel Wayman and I once wandered into a hardcore biker bar in Lake Tahoe at 9am. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks to schmooze the owner, who allowed us to shoot there later that day. Then Rachel ordered a tea.” Writer Jenny Haward on what she learnt about attraction after ELLE’s rigorous (and highly scientific) dating bootcamp… (Read the whole story – including the bit about saliva tests – on p80 .) “For years now, I’ve been Team Short, Stocky And Tattooed. I’ve forgone heels, forgotten what it’s like to reach upwards for a first kiss and been ridiculed by friends for…

THE INSTINCTIVE DRESSER CLAUDIA CROSBY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, JO MALONE LONDON AND LA MER Every day is different for me because I work across the PR and marketing for two brands. I could be at a breakfast meeting with a journalist, followed by a strategy session with a retail partner, then out doing store visits and an event. I wear strappy heels when I need to feel more dressed-up or be ready to shift between occasions. My daily uniform consists of something classic with an edge; a timeless blazer and leather pants is my go-to. I guess you could say it’s a strong, feminine look. I wear a lot of black, navy and white, and if I’m buying a special piece I tend to stick to neutral tones…

ON A DATE: Nikkie A designer, presenter and stylist, Nikkie Plessen is the Netherlands’ hybrid of Olivia Palermo and Giuliana Rancic. In 2011, Plessen made the move from Dutch It-girl to creator of bona-fide fashion label Nikkie – and the brand has more than 300 global stockists to prove it, a feat which doesn’t go unnoticed. “Our first shop was a wow moment but it’s so special to see my designs in boutiques abroad, hanging between Missoni and Kenzo!” says Plessen. For date night, try the new-season leather pants or a little black dress – chic and cheeky. WHEN IT’S COLD: POM Amsterdam POM is a scarf specialist known for perfecting the silk and wool stole. FOR A DAY OUT: Scotch & Soda It’s no secret that Amsterdam-based label Scotch…

On February 10, 2015, Lineisy Montero left the Dominican Republic on an Air Europa flight to make her debut on the catwalk. She sat in an economy seat, 12B, with only a 10 kilo carry-on bag. It was her first time on a plane but, little did she know, by the end of the year she would be the woman who defined an entire catwalk season. We chat on the phone in her mother tongue, Spanish, in September, the night before she walks in the Chanel show, traditionally the most grand and storied of the catwalk season. It’s her first major interview for a fashion magazine. She’s on the home stretch of the SS16 shows and cannot wait to fly home at the end of the week. “I miss the…

If you’re a fledgling film actress, your “pinch-me” moments tend to be a little different to a regular teenager’s. “This is really kind of lame, but I had the biggest starstruck moment when I saw [movie reviewer] David Stratton at Venice Film Festival,” confesses Aussie actress Odessa Young. “He came over and was like, ‘Oh, hey. How are you going? Is this your first time in Venice?’ and I told him it was and he said, ‘I’ve been coming here for 50 years.’ I was like… of course you have.” The 17-year-old has a slew of locally produced short films under her belt, and her second feature-length movie, Looking For Grace, is hitting cinemas, having premiered at Venice last year. In the film, she plays Grace, the runaway teenage daughter…

You like clothes, right? Well, next month the National Gallery of Victoria transforms into your dream wardrobe, thanks to the opening of 200 Years Of Australian Fashion. Showing off 120 pieces from more than 90 designers, it’s the first Australian exhibition of this scale. Centred on some of the most iconic moments in local fashion history, it shines new light on the work of early dressmakers and tailors, who were pivotal in adapting European settlers’ style to our culture and climate, and celebrates the new wave of names flying the flag overseas. “Australian fashion design has been informed by its geography, resources, migration and its response to international trends,” says Tony Ellwood, director at the NGV. “Designers have responded to these conditions with ingenuity, humour and irony in dialogue with…

Just as a small gust of wind kicks up the dead leaves in the gutter, sending them dancing across the cobblestone street, Michael Fassbender breezes into New York’s Crosby Bar, tightly dressed in black jeans, a black V-neck tee and the deepest blue suede jacket, moving panther-like through the preserve of oblivious SoHo hipsters, texting, talking, staring at their iPhones. Smiling widely, he apologises for being late before settling into our back-corner table, easy, understated and so wildly attractive and absurdly appealing you just know he gets away with everything all the time. Late or not, this cat gets the cream. “You’re already up on me – I was the tardy one,” the actor says in a smooth Irish brogue, his blue-grey eyes shimmering across a raised glass of white…

LIFE LESSONS Burke (in Malawi, left) reflects on her experiences in Unlikely Leaders: Lessons In Leadership From The Village Classroom ($24.95, cathyburke.com) EMBRACE GIRL POWER Sometimes on social media, I see accusations like, “Women are such bitches to each other.” In reality, we’re each other’s best support, and strengthening those connections is really important. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF I once foolishly listened to people telling me I wasn’t corporate enough. I became mainstream, wore suits and “normalised”. In doing so, I lost my power. FEEL FREE Emotions get a bad rap. It’s not about walking around crying and carrying on; emotion is passion, being bold, being visionary and calling it like it is. LOOK BEYOND LABELS A leader – purposeful, strong, inspiring – doesn’t need a leadership title. Some of…

THE HAIR STYLER WITH SUBSTANCE Rockaway Salt Spray, $39, R+Co, 1300 725 122 Developed by a collective of top hairstylists, this cult brand gets attention for its design and performance – so it may surprise you to know each product, including this genius texturiser (which creates perfect beach waves), is free of mineral oil, parabens, sulphates and petrolatum. They’re also vegetarian and cruelty-free. Beauty and brains: a formidable combination. THE NO-AEROSOL HAIR VOLUMISER Shampure Dry Shampoo, $30, Aveda, aveda.com.au Think of dry shampoo as the blue jeans of your hair regimen – an essential. This one is made of 99.8 per cent natural ingredients and it comes in non-aerosol packaging, sending it to the top of the class. The fine powder absorbs excess oil between washes, or you can use…

“AN URGE TO STREAMLINE IS IN THE ZEITGEIST. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SKINCARE, IS LESS REALLY ALWAYS MORE?” Leave it to Chanel to build the world’s chicest skincare lab. Everything about the company’s research and technology facility, located in a nondescript suburb of Paris, telegraphs simplicity and efficiency, from its glass-walled rooms to the coats (crisp, white, cut just so) worn by its scientists. And though Kaiser Karl’s runways proffer parades of embellishment, and the brand’s star skincare offerings contain luxuriant high-tech anti-agers, there is a certain degree of elegance-is-refusal at the heart of the house that Coco built. This airy space then, couldn’t be a more appropriate setting for the unveiling of Chanel’s newest breakthrough: a cream created under a strict minimalistic directive and containing only 10 ingredients.…

Turns out much of our beloved activewear is a bummer for the environment: making stretchy synthetics like nylon and spandex uses tonnes of energy, plus the petrochemical composition means they’re non-biodegradable. We’ve tracked down some eco-friendly alternatives… Nike THE BRAND The swoosh that started it all: juggernaut Nike has dominated fashionable fitness gear since the ’60s. THE KUDOS The Flyknit trainers’ cool colours are dyed with a waterless process and have a seamless design for minimal waste. Plus, Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program has recycled 28 million pairs into renewable materials in the past 20 years. THE BENEFIT The legendary Air Force 1 now comes in a Flyknit finish and has an ultra-light sole. Mukha THE BRAND The Perth brand was dreamt up by a yoga teacher who hates the chemical smell…

WANT TO BE THE HOST WITH THE MOST? “IT’S ALL IN THE PLANNING,” SAYS GRANT. “IF YOU’RE ORGANISED, AND DON’T COMPLICATE THINGS, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO RELAX ON THE DAY.” To celebrate the launch of Jason Grant’s first-ever decor collection, MJG By Mr Jason Grant, the star stylist put together the perfect endless-summer backyard soiree. Featuring hints of his favourite colour (yellow) and inspired by his most-loved destinations (Bondi, Byron Bay and Palm Springs via Hollywood), the chic servingware helped Grant create a laid-back, al fresco lunch. steal this dish FANCY-LOOKING-BUT-EASY OCTOPUS AND COBIA CEVICHE SERVES 2 RECIPE BY ALEJANDRO FRANCO LANCINI, HEAD CHEF AT THE HOUSE OF LUIS TAN, BONDI 100g COBIA (BLACK KINGFISH) 5 LIMES, JUICED 480g OCTOPUS 80g PALM HEARTS 20g JALAPEÑOS 80g BABY RED RADISHES 100g…

THE FISH TACO Thanks to the year-round summer vibe, this seafood dish is a staple. OC institution Wahoo’s serves up a fusion of Mexican, Chinese seriously fresh tacos. Don’t forget to ask for Mr Lee’s chilli sauce if you want to turn up the fire. wahoos.com THE MACROBIOTIC BOWL With #cleaneating heading south from LA, celeb-spotting destination Cafe Gratitude (loved by Beyoncé and Orlando Bloom) has hit Newport Beach. It serves up organic vegan fare, with each dish named after an affirmation. cafegratitude.com THE FENNEL SAUSAGE AND PANNA PIZZA Thanks to super-chef Mario Batali, Pizzeria Mozza offers slices you’d struggle to rival in New York, Chicago or even Italy. You’ll overindulge on their perfectly crunchy bases and offbeat topping combinations. newportbeach.pizzeriamozza.com THE WHOLE-FRIED JIDORI CHICKEN Fried chicken is as US…

MINDFULNESS HOW TO SHUT OUT DISTRACTIONS WITH DR PAULA WATKINS, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND MEDITATION EXPERT Researchers have calculated that thanks to the internet, mobile phones and 24-hour television, we now receive five times as much information every day as we did in 1986. And yet we’re still working with the same brains. The brain is hardwired to pay attention to everything – it’s how our ancestors survived – but these days it’s working extra hard to filter out what we don’t need to focus on. Here are a few things to, ahem, keep in mind. TRAIN YOUR BRAIN Meditation is one of the most efficient and effective tools for training your brain to be less easily distracted. Research findings have consistently found people who meditate exhibit greater blood flow and…