ELLE CANADA - SUMMER 2023

THE ULTIMATE SUMMER SHOPPING GUIDE

BARBIE FERREIRA

DARES TO DREAM BIG

TOP HAIR LOOKS THAT ARE TURNING HEADS

NO 251

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2023

COVER STORIES

35 SUMMER SHOPPING Your guide to everything fashionand beauty-related.

68 BEAUTY How to get your favourite celeb’s hairstyle.

BY JOANIE PIETRACUPA

86 CELEBRITY Barbie Ferreira is taking charge of her own destiny.

BY JOANNA FOX

STYLE & FASHION

26 STYLE Stunt dressing. BY

CAITLIN AGNEW

29 STYLE Vancouver-based brand Taikan is bringing local fashion to the masses. BY ERICA

NGAO

30 STYLE Tenniscore is upping the game for sporty fashion.

BY HEATHER TAYLOR-SINGH

32 STYLE The perfect swimsuits for fuller figures. BY GABRIELLE

LISA COLLARD

100 FASHION Street-style looks with the season’s biggest trends.

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

61 BEAUTY How to protect your skin and hair over the warmer months.

BY EMILY MACCULLOCH

65 HEALTH Running season is in full swing—here’s what you need to know. BY VAL

DESJARDINS

PHOTOGRAPHY, SACHA COHEN

75 BEAUTY Actor Skai Jackson on her favourite fragrances, beauty essentials and life after Disney. BY

EMILY MACCULLOCH

77 BEAUTY Chanel nose Olivier Polge shares his world of scents.

BY THÉO DUPUIS-CARBONNEAU

78 BEAUTY The science behind hair care. BY

ALEX GONTHIER

80 BEAUTY Travel-size essentials.

BY THÉO DUPUIS-CARBONNEAU

83 BEAUTY Why cleansing balms should be part of your beauty ritual. BY

LESA HANNAH

FEATURES

46 CULTURE The world of high-stakes women’s poker.

BY MELISSA VINCENT

50 SOCIETY For people struggling with clutter, the de-hoarding community can help.

BY EVE THOMAS

54 PROFILE Actor Anna Konkle’s post- Pen15 chapter.

BY PATRICIA KAROUNOS

56 BOOKS How to get out of a reading slump.

BY PATRICIA KAROUNOS

58 PROFILE Heléne Yorke has found her happy place with her role in the series TheOtherTwo

BY JOANNA FOX

113 TRAVEL Take a scenic train ride through the American Rocky Mountains. BY TRUC

NGUYEN

116 TRAVEL How to spend 48 hours in London’s Covent Garden neighbourhood.

BY EVE THOMAS

BY

ON THE COVER

Barbie Ferreira is wearing a dress by Maison Schiaparelli and jewellery by Pandora. Photographer Sacha Cohen

Creative director Olivia Leblanc Stylist Chris Horan

Makeup artist Kali Kennedy (Forward Artists) Hairstylist

Ken Paves (illume MGMT) Tailor Martin Zepeda

Producer Pénélope Lemay Set producer Noëmie

Lachapelle Photographer’s assistants Giuseppe Rinaldi and Josh Cullen Stylist’s assistant Greer Heavrin

PHOTOGRAPHY, MATHIEU FORTIN; DRESS, SHIRT AND TROUSERS (PROENZA SCHOULER), EARRINGS (BEAUFILLE), BAG (SPORTMAX) AND BOOTS (ALEXANDER MCQUEEN)

PUBLISHER & EDITOR SOPHIE BANFORD

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JOANNA FOX

BEAUTY DIRECTOR THÉO DUPUIS-CARBONNEAU

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER SAMANTHA PUTH

GRAPHIC DESIGNER ALEX BLONDIN

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR CLAUDIA GUY

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CONTRIBUTORS

CAITLIN AGNEW, RANDI BERGMAN, GABRIELLE LISA COLLARD, VAL DESJARDINS, VANESSA DL, JANE FIELDING, ESTELLE GERVAIS, ALEX GONTHIER, LESA HANNAH, ROBB JAMIESON, PATRICIA KAROUNOS, EMILY MACCULLOCH, ELISABETH MASSICOLLI, ERICA NGAO, TRUC NGUYEN, DAVOR NIKOLIC, ANNE-SOPHIE PERREAULT, JOANIE PIETRACUPA, CIARA RICKARD, EVE THOMAS, MELISSA VINCENT

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MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO SAY “Happiness is like fudge: When you want it, you make it yourself.” This is a bit like our editorial mandate for this summer issue: to try to give readers a little joy with these pages.

While researching the subject, I came across The Happiness Lab With Dr. Laurie Santos podcast. Santos is a professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University whose “Psychology and the Good Life” course broke the university’s record for enrolment. What struck me most about Santos’ teachings was her assertion that we can train ourselves to be happier. Just as musicians and athletes are constantly training to improve and succeed, we can do the same to be happy. “[Being] happy is not something that’s just going to happen; you have to practise to get better at it,” said Santos in a BBC News interview.

Santos has her students “practise” in five ways. First, every night for a week, they have to write a gratitude list; it’s scientifically proven that this exercise raises one’s happiness level instantly.

LET’S GET HAPPY!

Then she asks them to sleep eight hours a night every night. “It may sound silly, but we know that sleeping more and better reduces the risk of depression and [fosters] a positive attitude,” said Santos. Then she suggests meditating every day for 10 minutes, as studies show that meditation and other activities that engage our full attention can help us become happier.

The last two actions she suggests have been confirmed as being effective by a monumental study on happiness that was conducted by Harvard professors Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz and published in their book, The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. One is to spend more time with family and friends—simple but effective. Finally, and not surprisingly, she suggests replacing social-media scrolling with more personal connections. “The latest research shows that people who use social networks like Instagram the most tend to be less happy than those who don’t use them as much,” says Santos. So, shall we all try to embrace happiness this summer?

PHOTOGRAPHER, ANDRÉANNE GAUTHIER; STYLIST, LAURA MALISAN; MAKEUP ARTIST, VIRGINIE VANDELAC.

BANFORD

THEORY (AT HOLT RENFREW) AND JEANS AND JEWELLERY (HER OWN). Sophie

June/July/August

What’s on the ELLE editors’ radar right now.

ON THE MARC

The FENDI BY MARC JACOBS collection that was shown at New York Fashion Week as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations for the Italian fashion house’s iconic Baguette handbag is now available. “Marc has designed a Fendi collection—it is not a collaboration, rather it is an interpretation,” said Kim Jones, Fendi’s artistic director of womenswear, in a statement. “There is a sense of freedom in excess and joy [because] he was allowed to do whatever he wanted.” Must-have pieces from the bold collection include parachute-silk track suits, oversized bucket hats and classic Fendi bags, like the Baguette and the Peekaboo, reimagined by the American fashion designer.

FENDI.COM

HIGH ART

WAG-Qaumajuq, at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, has recently opened the ambitious exhibition Inuit Sanaugangit: Art Across Time (on until January 7), which features almost 400 pieces of innovative Inuit expression from about 200 BCE until the present day. Whether the work reflects the unique wildlife, harsh conditions or magic of the landscape, it’s abundantly clear that Inuit artists have given the world one of the strongest visual languages ever recorded. While the exhibition includes works from the entire Arctic region—from Siberia to Greenland— standout pieces by contemporary Canadian artists include Annie Pootoogook’s depictions of Inuit life and the more dreamlike work of Shuvinai Ashoona. WAG.CA

True Gem

If you’re planning a visit to New York, here’s an address to add to your list: the TIFFANY & CO. store on 5th Avenue, which has just reopened its doors after four years of renovations. Dating back to 1940, this mythical store—which featured in Breakfast at Tiffany’s—has been completely redesigned by architect Peter Marino. Its 10 floors are now filled with archival pieces, refined homewares, glittering jewellery and spectacular works of art, including pieces by Damien Hirst and Julian Schnabel. Extend your tour and enjoy tea or an aperitif at The Blue Box Café, which is run by famous French chef Daniel Boulud. TIFFANY.COM

TWO WOMEN CARRYING MEAT IN TUB (1892/1901) BY UNKNOWN ARTIST

IN THE BAG

Los Angeles-based sustainability-minded fashion label REFORMATION recently introduced an exciting new product category: handbags. The 20-piece collection features three sleek, versatile designs—available in multiple sizes and colours— that can be worn from day to night. All the bags are made with leather sourced from Italy and Germany, and the company is only working with European tanneries that have been audited by the not-for-profit Leather Working Group. THEREFORMATION.COM

DAMAGE CONTROL

Although holidays are relaxing, swimming , UV rays and heat tools can seriously stress out your hair. But not to worry: Kérastase’s bounceand flexibility-restoring Nutritive range is here to hydrate and nourish strands with its core ingredients of vitamins, lipids and iris-root extract. David D’Amours, owner of Montreal salon Privé by David D’Amours and the Canadian editorial director for Kérastase, is a fan of the Nectar Thermique. “In addition to protecting the hair, it adds a lot of shine and softness to strands without weighing them down,” he says.

KÉRASTASE NUTRITIVE NECTAR THERMIQUE ($60, KERASTASE.CA)

PJ Party

British musician and artist PJ HARVEY is back with her 10th studio album, I Inside the Old Year Dying, after a seven-year hiatus. The alt-rock icon, who rose to fame in the ’90s and 2000s with her distinctive powerful vocals, provocative lyrics and gritty style, is considered a godmother of grunge and has influenced countless musicians, including Nick Cave, Kurt Cobain and, more recently, St. Vincent. Fans of the musical polymath, who is constantly pushing boundaries, can expect “a resting space, a solace, a comfort, a balm—which feels timely for the times we’re in,” says Harvey in a press release. “I think the album is about searching, looking—the intensity of first love and seeking meaning. Not that there has to be a message, but the feeling I get from the record is one of love—it’s tinged with sadness and loss, but it’s loving. I think that’s what makes it feel so welcoming, so open.”

STORE.PJHARVEY.NET

PJ HARVEY

HEALTH CARE

Fashion journalist ALDEN WICKER started doing research on the presence of toxic and hazardous chemicals in clothing after hearing about uniforms that were possibly causing health issues in flight attendants. Her new book, To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is MakingUsSick—andHowWe CanFightBack, offers a sobering look at the many chemicals in our wardrobes and how they can impact our health. Wicker makes a compelling case for regulatory and industry changes, but she also shares tips on how we can all make healthier purchasing decisions when it comes to our clothes. PENGUINRANDOMHOUSE.CA

SIMONS SAYS

The latest Édito par Simons collection—a 10-piece capsule—will make you want to celebrate warmer days with standout styles like a maxi-length shirtdress, a knit tank dress and matching summer sweater, and a long silk skirt. The line, which launched last fall, offers elevated takes on timeless silhouettes, and they’re made with high-quality fabrics in Canada and Europe. Consider your capsule wardrobe sorted. SIMONS.CA

INTO THE FIRE

Renowned art- and lifestyle-book publisher ASSOULINE recently launched a collection of scented candles inspired by its travel-book series—those beautiful tomes that adorn the coffee tables of trendy hotels and hyper-stylish homes. Each candle has a unique scent designed to evoke one of the most popular destinations in the series, including Marrakech (orange blossom, bergamot and cedar), Mykonos (almond, green fig and tonka bean), Tulum (sage, eucalyptus and black amber) and Ibiza (lemon, bergamot and green apple). They’re the perfect way to call up the memory of your favourite destination in the comfort of your own home—and they’ll add a stylish touch to boot. $110 EACH, ASSOULINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY, STEVE GULLICK (PJ HARVEY)

FANCY FEET

In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear , a new exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, looks at how nature and flora have inspired shoemakers for centuries. “Symbolizing a bouquet of different meanings, floral motifs can spark an uplifting energy, one that we all need right now,” says Elizabeth Semmelhack, the museum’s director and senior curator. “[The show] celebrates the inspiration that nature has provided to fashion across both time and place by highlighting some of the most enchanting shoes in our collection.” The exhibit, which runs until October 6, 2024, showcases 100-year-old embroidered socks from Korea, ’80s Italian pumps embellished with poppies and a pair of sneakers from a 2021 Atmos x Nike collaboration. BATASHOEMUSEUM.CA

TrueSelf

Elliot Page’s highly anticipated new memoir, Pageboy (out June 6), recounts the highs and lows of the actor’s selfdiscovery within the public sphere. The Oscarnominated star, who catapulted to fame with his performance in Juno, finally shares his truth, detailing how he dealt with newfound fame, difficult Hollywood workplace practices, coming out publicly as a queer person and eventually blossoming into one of the most famous trans public figures in the entertainment world and beyond.

HARPERCOLLINS.CA

RAY OF SUNSHINE

Canadian model and activist Winnie Harlow had a clear vision for Cay Skin, her suncare line: She wanted it to meet the needs of all skin types. She also wanted to offer formulas for people who, like her, hate the feeling of a heavy sunscreen with pore-clogging ingredients and the white cast it leaves. The U.S.-based brand’s bestselling items—such as Isle Glow Face Lotion SPF 45 and Isle Lip Balm SPF 30—are finally making their debut in Canada, at Sephora. The formulas— which are based on island ingredients like sea moss and contain potent skin actives like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid—are all vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologically tested.

FROM $18, SEPHORA.CA

CHERRY BLOSSOM MANCHU PLATFORMS, SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

MUST-SEE SUMMER MOVIES

SKY’S THE LIMIT

Wes Anderson’s new film, AsteroidCity (June 16), is set in a fictional 1950s American desert town during a junior stargazer and space-cadet convention. The impressive ensemble cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks and the always amazing Jeffrey Wright as well as many of Anderson’s regular players. The director’s characteristic nostalgic approach is front and centre, with his sun-bleached ’50s-inspired palette, mid-century fashion and beautifully curated vintage production design.

ALL DOLLED UP

Hello, Barbie! Director Greta Gerwig brings the iconic and fashionable doll to life with a dream cast that includes Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Issa Rae and Dua Lipa. If Barbieis anything like its viral Day-Glo social-media campaign, we will all be rollerblading straight to our local cinema on July 21.

INDIE ADVENTURE

Harrison Ford will be almost 81 (!) when IndianaJones andtheDialofDestinycomes out on June 30, but the award-winning actor is not your typical octogenarian— he has even been known to crash-land planes as a hobby. Although Ford says this is his last time playing the risk-taking archaeology professor, the film is sure to be an action-packed adventure with a cast rounded out by Fleabagcreator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas and John Rhys-Davies.

BARBIE

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY

SHOCK VALUE

Stunt dressing is nothing new, but the recent rise of celebrities clamouring for the spotlight makes one wonder if it has gone too far.

By CAITLIN AGNEW

IN THE 1960S, ANDY WARHOL MADE A PRESCIENT STATEMENT: “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” He might as well have been talking about going viral. In an age when every influencer’s wet dream is to “break the internet”—like Kim Kardashian did in 2014 when she exposed her infamous derrière on the cover of Paper Magazine —what better way to capture attention in today’s visual culture than with extreme clothing? Enter stunt dressing, the art of styling an outlandish ensemble with the intention of getting tongues wagging and fingers tagging.

The original meaning of the word “stunt” involved elements of danger and entertainment. The 20th century saw the rise of the publicity stunt—a spectacular event held specifically to draw media attention. In today’s crowded social playing field, it often takes doing something radical to get noticed. Stunt dressing is one of many ways to insert yourself into the conversation.

AREA

HARRIS REED RICHARD QUINN

It’s nothing new in Hollywood, where celebrities have long accentuated their outsize personalities with equally outré ensembles. Take Cher, who wore a towering black Bob Mackie headdress and belly-baring dress—which the designer referred to as a “crazy getup for attention”—to the Oscars in 1986, or Lil’ Kim’s 1999 legendary purple pastie jumpsuit by stylist Misa Hylton. Madonna’s Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra defined her Blond Ambition era, while Lady Gaga has made a personal brand of stunt dressing, from donning a dress made of meat for the MTV Video Music Awards to arriving at the Grammys in a Hussein Chalayan-designed egg.

On runways, designers have been creating bigger and bolder shows in an effort to capture our eyeballs via our screens since the year 2000, when Condé Nast introduced Style.com, a website that gave fashion lovers around the world instant access to the latest collections. They continued to up the ante on the spring/ summer 2023 runways: Simon Porte Jacquemus, who has a history of playing with proportion to Instagram-worthy effect, included some preposterously large raffia hats, while Jonathan Anderson’s hyperreal pigeon bag bordered on Dadaism. Gucci doubled down on impact by sending twins in matching looks down the runway, while Richard Quinn created a dramatic fantasy complete with bubble-shaped feathered polka-dot catsuits. Not to be outdone by the catwalk, street-style-savvy attendees at the Schiaparelli haute couture show—including a red bejewelled Doja Cat and models and celebs sporting dresses with lifelike animal heads—took full advantage of the house’s link to the surrealist movement. But no one trumped the Coperni show, where designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant painted a dress on a nearly nude Bella Hadid for their finale. A live-action event that delighted the show’s in-person audience, it became a viral moment that reportedly generated some $26 million in media-impact value. Made of a spray-on fabric consisting of natural and synthetic fibres, the dress was undeniably ethereal, but in later reviews, critics referred to it as nothing more than a gimmick.

“We live in a stunt reality,” says Ryan Emberley, a photographer who has been capturing the glitterati on red carpets and at events around the world for more than a decade. Emberley points to the 1990s dis of being a try-hard—a trait that today might be called “cheugy”—as having largely vanished from the collective consciousness. “Whatever happened, we’ve completely eradicated any barriers to being a try-hard. Things have gotten so performative, and no one’s embarrassed about anything anymore. We’re so post-punk now.”

Part of this cultural evolution is the fact that anyone with a phone can command attention from an audience. “You don’t need a journalist to announce you or affirm you or say how cool something is,” says Emberley. “You can be more absurd. It seems riskier, but it’s really not as risky.” Take viral sensation Julia Fox, who regularly communes with her virtual audience with advice on recreating her beauty and fashion looks, like her famous Fox eye and her DIY denim bra top. Recently, she shocked onlookers when she trotted out a realistic body bag by Canadian designer Mikhael Kale. Christine Quinn has used stunt dressing to take her fame level from reality star to style icon, replacing real-estate deals and drama on Selling Sunset with a globe-trotting life in statement looks by Versace, GCDS and Chet Lo and even landing a Marc Jacobs campaign.

Liberia-born, Toronto-based content creator Mirian Njoh says it’s important to first establish a definition of stunt dressing to decide where an outfit should land. “I think there is an element of theatre that is beyond personal style and an element of production,” she says, adding that true stunt dressing typically involves creative collaboration between the wearer and a team of trusted professionals, like a stylist and makeup artist. “It is something that is beyond what they could do on their own and is like performance art at that point.”

As a form of creative expression, one that requires a high level of skill, talent, dedication and teamwork, an over-the-top getup can spark joy. Take Bianca Jagger, who famously perched atop a white horse at Studio 54 during a birthday party thrown for her by Halston, or Céline Dion, whose cultural renaissance courtesy of stylist Law Roach radiated happiness. Its impact can be wide-reaching: NBA player Dennis Rodman’s iconic animal prints and dresses paved the way for Kyle Kuzma’s high-fashion Raf Simons and Rick Owens getups, and Jennifer Lopez’s famous Versace dress inspired Google to create its image-search function back in 2000. And it’s something anyone can try, even without access to a top-tier styling team, perhaps starting with something like dopamine dressing—brightly coloured outfits that trigger the release of this happy neurotransmitter.

Where stunt dressing goes wrong, however, is when it comes across as inauthentic. “Obviously, we don’t want to cross over the point when it starts to get cringey,” says Njoh. “That’s when I [consider] the authenticity of it. Do I think this person would authentically do this? If I don’t believe it and it’s just giving clickbait, then, no, it seems like a blatant grab for attention.” In short: Try hard, but make sure to keep it real.

“WHATEVER HAPPENED, WE’VE COMPLETELY ERADICATED ANY BARRIERS TO BEING A TRYHARD. THINGS HAVE GOTTEN SO PERFORMATIVE, AND NO ONE’S EMBARRASSED ABOUT ANYTHING ANYMORE. WE’RE SO POST-PUNK NOW.”

TAIKAN

Meet the Vancouver-born streetwear brand that’s going global with its local style.

By ERICA NGAO

FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES , Garret Louie regularly introduced the most-sought-after streetwear brands to Canada through his distribution company. But when he came up empty after looking for another new label to add to the roster, he decided it was time to start something of his own—and he was in the perfect place to do it. “Arc’teryx, Lululemon, Herschel and Reigning Champ all began in Vancouver,” says Louie. “It’s a great place [in which] to design, and [it helps us] have a global perspective.”

Taikan was launched in 2016 with a focus on versatile bags crafted with technical materials for function-meets-style designs that are genderless, clean and minimal. They’re made to move with you, all the way from a hike in the mountains to a night out on the town. When the pandemic slowed bag sales, the brand switched its attention to apparel, and Louie brought on designer Mada Phiri to help pave the way on this new path. The gamble paid off: Clothing now accounts for three-quarters of the brand’s sales.

When it came to developing its upcoming fall/winter 2023/2024 collection, Taikan stayed true to its roots by marrying utilitarian elements with elevated details for new spins on the classics and also explored different patterns and fabrics, including colour gradation, a custom desert camo and knitwear. Yet the essence of Taikan isn’t actually the fashion it creates; rather, it’s the people whom the brand partners with. Its series Taikan By has featured work from a variety of creatives, including the band BadBadNotGood, editorial photographer Conor Cunningham and many other emerging artists, and collaborators—from an animator creating a stop-motion campaign to a tattoo artist producing a limited-edition capsule— are given full creative control. “It’s about sharing the resources we have with each other,” says Phiri. “We want to be able to spotlight people who may not [otherwise] get the opportunity.”

QUALITY CHECK

“I had some really bold pieces in my closet, but I realized I would only wear them a few times and get sick of them within a year. Part of the inspiration behind Taikan was wanting to create the perfect hoodie. Imagine one that lasts for more than a decade and that only gets softer and better. A lot of our customers don’t have the money to shop all the time, so it’s really important that [our items are] at an attainable price point. What’s exciting is when someone feels [one of] our pieces and believes it’s going to be really expensive but then checks the price and sees that it’s reasonable for the quality.” – GL

GROUP WORK

“Collaboration is one of the major pillars of the brand. We both come from creative fields. I also DJ, and Garret owns a live-music venue. We love being able to work with our friends on projects. Vancouver isn’t always on the international map when it comes to fashion, so it’s cool to create opportunities for artists to design for us and to see these clothes get shown and worn all over the world. Community is the core. You can’t build a brand alone.” – MP

BACK TO BASICS

“At some point, I started to realize that apparel and bags are just products. At the end of the day, clothes are often quite similar. You wear them, and they can keep you warm. But what do we want to make this brand about? What I really get excited about is working with creative people. Taikan is a play on the word ‘taken,’ and it’s about taking our creative peers on this journey with us. One of my personal mottos in business is ‘If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.’ We’re fairly new at what we’re doing, so there’s lots of room for improvement.” – GL

GARRET LOUIE

TENNISCORE

Serve up fierce looks on and off the court.

By HEATHER TAYLOR-SINGH

FOR SOME, TENNIS IS A SPORT; for others, it’s an aesthetic. Tennis-inspired fashion, also known as “tenniscore,” has become a recent trend thanks to TikTok and brands like Miu Miu and Celine. Pleats, tightly fitting bodices and skorts are staples of the distinctive style, which is quickly moving from the court to the street.

While there’s an element of luxury to current tennis fashion, its origins aren’t so opulent. In the late 1800s, players were required to wear all white as a symbol of purity and virtue. Men wore cardigans or sweater vests, shirts and flannel pants, while women played in ankle-length corseted white dresses. This was the norm until 1887, when 15-year-old sensation Charlotte Dod wore a white blouse and a calf-length skirt at legendary British tennis competition Wimbledon. While the response was mixed, it was the first time any thought had been given to designing functional tenniswear for women.

But change was slow going, and it wasn’t until 1920 that the sport’s uniform took another leap forward, when French player Suzanne Lenglen made a fashion statement in a sleeveless blouse and calf-length skirt by French designer Jean Patou. This was the start of women’s tennis fashion becoming more relaxed. In the ’30s, women began wearing polo shirts, drop-waist dresses and, occasionally, pieces that cinched the waistline. Short shorts were introduced for women players in the ’50s, which allowed them greater mobility on the court, but the majority of them still wore cinched-waist dresses, cardigans and pleated skorts. Up until this point, most tenniswear was made of cotton, but around the ’70s, designers started to notice a need for more breathable fabrics, so man-made textiles and drip-dry garments entered the scene. British brand Tinling collaborated with beloved player Billie Jean King and her female counterparts for the 1973 Battle of the Sexes match, which was held in support of equal tennis rights for women. It was one of the first instances when a sponsor logo was featured on sportswear—a discreet one on King’s dress—and the designer’s main goal was to make the women’s garments look simple so they wouldn’t pull attention away from the players’ skill sets.

For years afterwards, tenniswear continued to be variations on past pieces. However, in the early aughts, Venus

and Serena Williams pushed the boundaries of what could be worn on the court and were among the first to popularize polyester and nylon—both lightweight fabrics that don’t absorb moisture. At the 2002 U.S. Open, Serena not only won the tournament but also drew attention with her shorts catsuit, which was designed by Puma. At the 2010 French Open, Venus impressively wore a lingerie-esque black lace dress with red lining from her fashion label, EleVen. The superstar sisters continued to trailblaze, masterfully combining the worlds of fashion and sports by rocking ultra-feminine looks—sequin-encrusted catsuits, frilly skirts (à la balletcore), high-end jewellery—on the court.

The luxury-fashion world got in on the action in the early 2000s, when, most notably, Chanel debuted a handful of tennis-inspired pieces, including a white polo dress featuring navy-blue piping, which has since become a sought-after vintage piece. Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2005 collection offered a fun take on the trend—the opening look of the runway presentation featured a groovy-patterned blouse and matching pleated skirt, complete with thick headbands and sporty sunglasses. But it wasn’t just high fashion getting in on the game. Mid-luxury brands like Tory Burch and Lacoste put their own spin on the trend with polo shirts and pleated skirts in bold colours, and by 2015, streetwear giant American Apparel made the tennis skirt go mainstream.

On the spring/summer 2023 runways, Miu Miu—known for its recent micro-mini-pleated-skirt domination—debuted a collection dubbed “performcore” featuring versions of sporty clothing, including short shorts and a calf-length tennis skirt, that reference early tennis fashion. American designer Thom Browne, who’s known for his pleated garments, released a new collection of polo dresses that all feature a logo patch—a callback to the days of King. And this past March, Celine announced a summer tennis capsule collection that includes polo tops, monogrammed accessories and, of course, pleated skirts.

It’s clear that tennis-inspired clothing will continue to evolve—for players and fans alike. So whether you’re working on your swing or lounging around in the heat, wearing your best tennis attire is the perfect summer sport.

PHOTOGRAPHY, ROYAL GILBERT

FIT FOR ALL

Writer GABRIELLE LISA COLLARD dishes on her three current favourite swimsuit brands—which can accommodate all shapes and sizes—as well as a few online-shopping tips.

LET’S BE HONEST: Shopping for a plus-size swimsuit is no picnic. Options are limited (especially for sizes beyond 3X, which are mostly only available online), prices are exorbitant and most swimsuits feel like they were made to hide our bodies with huge amounts of fabric or are so nonsensically short and ill-fitting, you’d think the people who designed them had never laid eyes on a person with larger breasts, let alone a belly. In the hope of making your life easier this summer, allow me to introduce you to three brands whose ethical practices, size range and fit might be just what you’re looking for.

NETTLE’S TALE

Vancouver-based label Nettle’s Tale is on a mission to offer high-quality, ethically produced, thoughtfully designed clothing in a size range that’s a lot more inclusive than those of the vast majority of similar brands. Its website features the exact measurements of its 21 current models, which helps you clearly visualize the pieces on yourself. Nettle’s Tale swimsuits come in sizes XS to 4X, the latter being among the most generous fits in the industry, accommodating a hip circumference of up to 178 centimetres. Check out my personal favourite, the Marielle, a one-piece designed in collaboration with Alberta photographer, content creator and slow-fashion aficionado Marielle Terhart (@marielle.elizabeth on Instagram), whose content is a vital addition to your social-media landscape if you want to know more about plus-size and ethical fashion. NETTLESTALE.COM

HACKWITH DESIGN HOUSE

Hackwith Design House—which makes most of its clothing to order (to minimize waste) in a small Minnesota studio—won me over many years ago with its casually elegant, comfortable and versatile designs. Most of its swimwear collection, which includes many different styles of tops, bottoms and one-pieces that can be mixed and matched, is available in sizes 0 through 28. It’s probably worth mentioning that I can thank this brand for the only well-fitting one-piece swimsuit I’ve had in my entire adult life.

HACKWITHDESIGNHOUSE.COM

MIMI & AUGUST

Over the past few years, Montreal-based brand Mimi & August—beloved for its affordable prices and comfortableyet-sexy mix-and-match styles, which come in both neutrals and vibrant nature-inspired prints—has expanded its size range and now offers swimwear in XS to 4X. Since releasing its first plus-size styles in 2021 and then gathering fit feedback from its new customers, Mimi & August has come up with an improved size chart to accommodate even more body types. Now this is what I’m talking about. MIMIANDAUGUST.COM

SEASONED-ONLINE-SHOPPER TIPS:

Don’t rely solely on alpha sizing when choosing a swimsuit (or any garment, for that matter) online. Sizing varies greatly between brands and sometimes even within brands. The only way to avoid unpleasant surprises is to take your measurements (chest, waist and hip circumference) and compare them to the size guide on each website.

Should my three favourite brands not be accessible to you for some reason, here are a bunch more online stores— both slow and fast fashion—that sell swimwear in a wide range of styles, sizes and prices: Night Dive Swim, TomboyX, Coeur de Loup, Old Navy, Youswim, Swimsuits for All, Parade, Penningtons, Knix, Torrid, Eloquii, H&M, Skims, Forever Yours Lingerie, ASOS Curve, Joe Fresh, Boohoo and Sportive Plus.

HACKWITH DESIGN HOUSE

RACHEL MARSH

This Hollywood newcomer is one to watch.

By PATRICIA

WHEN RACHEL MARSH finished her chemistry read with Rob Lowe and his son John Owen Lowe for new Netflix comedy Unstable (which was co-created by the duo and came out earlier this spring), the 31-year-old had a pretty good feeling about it. A quick call with her manager reaffirmed that gut instinct: She was the top pick for the role of Luna, a brilliant, quirky young scientist who works for Lowe Senior’s tech-billionaire character, Ellis Dragon. Still, there was no official offer, so the Seattle-raised actor, who has a background in improv comedy courtesy of the iconic Upright Citizens Brigade theatre group, went home and immediately started prepping for another audition she had that afternoon. It also went well, but it ended up not mattering because Marsh officially won the part on the charming sitcom—her first major series regular role—and was finally free to celebrate. “We went out for seafood because that’s my favourite thing,” she says with a laugh. “It all feels like a blur.”

RIGHT PATH “When I first got [Unstable], I had also just booked another role, which was crazy and overwhelming for me. Choosing Unstable meant that I’d be leaning into comedy—that was who I wanted to be—because the other role was a dramatic one. As an actor, you never really get any kind of agency. It’s rare to get to choose your own path. I was given a gift because comedy is what I’ve always wanted to do.”

ALL-STARS “I grew up watching Rob [Lowe] on Parks and Rec, so it was really special for me to get to audition for this project and eventually work with him. And [Unstable co-star] Fred Armisen too—I grew up in his era of SNL and watched him on Portlandia That was my intro to what was funny. It’s surreal for me to look at Netflix and see that I’m on a show with them.”

EGO BOOST “When I first started taking acting classes, I had a teacher who [would say] ‘Nerves are vanity.’ That has always helped me. It sounds intense, but if you think of [nervousness] that way, it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m just being concerned with myself.’ It’s almost a way to trick your mind into getting over it. I also have a background in improv, and that taught me a lot of confidence over the years, so I feel like I’m not afraid of failure or embarrassment right now.”

SELF-DISCOVERY “I was [living] in L.A. and not really loving it. Unless you’re born here, you have to have a reason to be here, and I felt like I didn’t have a purpose. I watched a lot of theatre with my mom and did plays in high school, but I grew up in the suburbs of Seattle, and nobody I knew was a working actor. So even though it was a passion of mine, I didn’t know you could do it as a job unless you, like, grew up in the industry. When I graduated [college], I saw some friends going to auditions, so I started taking acting classes and improv classes and slowly found my thing—the reason I was in L.A.”

DREAM-MAKING “I’d love to do another project that’s really challenging but in the same world of comedy, [like] dark comedy—I’d love to do something really dramatic. I look up to a lot of people from SNL, like Kristen Wiig, who everyone knows is so good at comedy but no one really knew she could do something dramatic, and then she really proved to the world that she is versatile in that way. I would love to try out a bunch of different things but keep my roots in comedy.”

KAROUNOS

“It’s surreal for me to look at Netflix and see that I’m on a show with them.”

SUMMER SHOPPING GUIDE

Embrace the warmer days with hot fashion trends, essential seasonal pieces and inspirational looks that are sure to complement any wardrobe.

DENIM OVERHAUL

Our favourite wardrobe staple takes on a contemporary twist.

By ESTELLE GERVAIS

DECADE STUDIO

A goal of creating the perfect pair of jeans was the starting point for friends Molly Spittal, Matt Atkinstall, Morgan Ellis and Ezra Kish when they launched Decade Studio—a challenge they quickly realized would be harder than it had seemed. With the denim industry’s standard fit being based on non-relatable model proportions, the average woman often has to squeeze into stretchy designs that accommodate her curves, meaning 100-percent-cotton jeans are a sought-after rarity. But the Vancouver-based brand has since cracked the code and offers classic pairs for all shapes and sizes. decadestudio.com

B SIDES

Taking its name from the side of a music record that features an artist’s more distinct and complex songs, NYCbased brand B Sides applies the same connoisseur concept to each new pair of jeans it puts on the market. Claire Lampert and Stacy Daily started their denim journey by scouring the American West to unearth the most perfectly imperfect vintage pairs, which they then upcycled into more modern styles. The jeans in their main line are cut from weighty yet comfortable new materials in a mix of washes, textures and colours and boast a level of quality that hasn’t been seen in the industry since the 1970s.  bsidesjeans.com

LAFAILLE

Designer Ben Lafaille deconstructs and reworks existing garments, giving them a subversive edge and taking upcycling to a whole new level of cool. The approach has become the signature of his namesake brand. With circularity at its core, Montreal-based Lafaille offers an array of unique pieces that are made from hand-picked denim and feature raw finishing and thoughtful embellishments. The collection includes belted dresses and patchwork jeans that make for stylish second-life essentials worth showing off. lafaille.studio

MATHIEU FORTIN. DENIM JACKET AND SKIRT (LAFAILLE), BELT (STYLIST’S OWN) AND BOOTS (COPERNI)

LA FAILLE

DIESEL

The Italian denim giant that dominated our wardrobes in the early 2000s is back in full force thanks to the appointment of disrupter and Y/Project designer Glenn Martens as creative director. Infusing Diesel’s core codes with a much-needed update, Martens puts forward his style signatures—including trompe l’oeil patterns and asymmetrical hems—while adding artisanal touches and military-inspired detailing that stay true to Diesel’s Y2K aesthetic. diesel.com

RE/DONE

Re/Done has caused a bit of havoc in the luxury-denim market, having grown from a small e-commerce brand into the international sensation it is today. (It’s now sold in more than 50 countries.) Committing to circular fashion through mindful production—by using reducedwater denim and recycled materials— Re/Done creates timeless designs that are infused with denim’s rich history. Its ongoing collaborations with Levi’s, which offer an upcycled contemporary take on the iconic heritage brand’s styles, are some of the most praised in the fashion industry. shopredone.com

DIESEL

RE/DONE

FASHIONABLE ALLEGIANCE

At this summer’s biggest concerts, signalling your own superfandom is as easy as dressing the part.

By RANDI BERGMAN

EARLIER THIS YEAR, a TikTok dropped into my summer-concert group chat that perfectly summed up the frenzy around Beyoncé’s upcoming Renaissance World Tour. (It might also be summed up by the fact that said group chat exists.) In the short video, @jessforfun speedily runs through the introduction to a series she calls “Road to Renaissance town halls.” “First things first: outfits. What is the general vibe here?” she asks.

“Are we thinking disco, cowboy, denim, leather, all of the above? Let’s get aligned on this so we can spot each other easily because now we’re all friends.”

She then runs through hair, makeup and, most importantly, hat options.

“As much as we all want to wear bedazzled cowboy hats, let’s be mindful of those behind us and around us,” she says. “We all paid top dollar for these tickets, so let’s not be blocking each other’s view.” The fact that the video, which has more than 66,000 views, is so hilariously prescriptive should be of no surprise—ever since live events rebounded after the pandemic, being in the presence of our idols and throngs of like-minded fans has felt more transcendent than ever.

As such, nabbing tickets to these concerts has become a bit of a mission impossible. Last year, Ticketmaster was brought to a standstill when it was met with what it called “historically unprecedented demand” for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Fans were outraged when they were either kicked out of the app mid-purchase or served only bloated resale prices minutes after the coveted tickets went on sale. The fiasco led to Beyoncé’s and Madonna’s tickets being offered in a myriad of ways over a period of days and even weeks—a process that left fans sweating.

There is no match for the wild, sweaty energy at a live show. At one of Harry Styles’ Love on Tour concerts in Toronto last summer, fans—mostly accessorized with colourful boas and Gucci-esque sunglasses—synced up for choreographed dances and a colour-coded flashlight mob. The vibe was at once electric and pure, stoked by outfits that reflected the heartthrob’s own colourful optimism.

With the explosion of music events like Coachella, Glastonbury and Osheaga, it seemed festival dressing was the dominant form of self-expression for music lovers during the 2000s and 2010s. While this approach to fashion hinged on homogenized ’60s-inspired hippie faves like fringe and flower crowns, superfan concert dressing taps into individualized sensibilities. “I love that you can spot a Harry fan a mile away,” my Styles seatmate told me last year.

At this summer’s big-ticket concerts, the fan-centric new approach to style will be front and centre—and I encourage you to dig in. Just make sure you remove your hat after you’ve taken all your fit pics.

Beyoncé

Revel in these Beyhive-approved disco-cowgirl must-haves at the diva’s Toronto show on July 9 or the Vancouver show on September 11.

Madonna

Embrace the material girl’s many personas at one of her career-spanning Celebration Tour (which hits Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto in July and August) shows with nods to the ’80s, ’90s and

with a corset bodysuit, of course.

1. WHITE CANDY PEARL NECKLACE, RECTO ($475, SSENSE.COM). 2. BULLET SATIN BODYSUIT, FLEUR DU MAL ($425, FLEURDUMAL.COM). 3. MINI BAG WITH RHINESTONES, BLUMARINE (PRICE UPON REQUEST, BLUMARINE.COM). 4. 501 TWO-TONE WOMEN’S JEANS, LEVI’S ($148, LEVI.COM).

5. CHARLOTTE TILBURY PINKGASM JEWEL LIPS IN PINKGASM ($36, CHARLOTTETILBURY.COM)

6. CAROLINA HERRERA GOOD GIRL BLUSH EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY ($148 FOR 50 ML, THEBAY.COM)

7. ALYKI HEELED SANDAL, L’INTERVALLE ($158, LINTERVALLESHOES.COM)

Taylor Swift

For the Swifties heading south of the border to experience her Eras Tour, take inspiration from the icon’s laid-back approach to statement-making.

SILK TRIANGLE SCARF, HERMÈS ($435, HERMES.COM)

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’00s—starting

1. CROCHET SCOOP DRESS, SILK LAUNDRY ($400, SILKLAUNDRY.CA). 2. DIOR DIORSHOW ICONIC OVERCURL MASCARA IN 254 BLUE ($40, DIOR.COM). 3. COWBOY HAT, GORM ($195–$300, BY SPECIAL ORDER, GORMOFFICIAL.COM) 4. METALLIC SWIM SKIMPY TRIANGLE TOP, SKIMS ($80, SKIMS.COM). 5. KAIA DIAMANTE HANDLE BAG, BILLINI ($125, THEBAY.COM). 6. PATTERN BY TRACEE ELLIS ROSS DETANGLING NECTAR ($33, SEPHORA.CA) 7. NURODEO LEATHER BOOTS, ALDO ($150, ALDOSHOES.COM)

1. MERYL TOP, ELLIE MAE ($565, ELLIEMAESTUDIOS.COM) 2. TAZZ DENIM MAXISKIRT, REFORMATION ($268, THEREFORMATION.COM) 3. GUERLAIN THE FLORAL DENIM CASE AND ROUGE G LIPSTICK IN 510 ROUGE RED ($48 FOR THE CASE AND $44 FOR THE LIPSTICK, GUERLAIN.COM). 4. MAISON MARGIELA REPLICA ON A DATE EAU DE TOILETTE SPRAY ($188, SEPHORA.CA). 5. MODENA SANDAL, MAGUIRE ($195, MAGUIRESHOES.COM). 6. SUNRAY BANGLE, BIKO ($285, ILOVEBIKO.COM). 7. ODETTE KNITTED TOTE, H&M ($55, HM.COM). 8. GARDE-ROBE POP CHARM

PHOTOGRAPHY, MATHIEU FORTIN (MAIN IMAGE); DRESS (MICHAEL KORS), BAG (LEMAIRE) AND BOOTS (J.W.ANDERSON)

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SKIRT, SLXW ($143, SLXWSTORE.COM)

WOVEN LEATHER HAYWORTH SLIDE SANDAL IN OPTIC ORANGE ($145, MICHAELKORS.CA)

EARRINGS, NOTTE JEWELRY ($60, NOTTEJEWELRY.COM)

SUNGLASSES, JIMMY FAIRLY ($223, JIMMYFAIRLY.COM)

BATHING SUIT, MONDAY SWIMWEAR ($239, MONDAYSWIMWEAR.COM)

EARRINGS, CULT GAIA ($136, NET-A-PORTER.COM)

BEACH BABE

SUNGLASSES, POPPY LISSIMAN ($129, POPPYLISSIMAN.COM)

STRIPE COVERLET, DUSEN DUSEN ($280, SSENSE.CA)

HAT, MARYAM KEYHANI ($630, MARYAMKEYHANI.COM)

RING, LA MANSO X TÉTIER BIJOUX ($434, LAMANSO.SHOP)

BIKINI TOP, TEA YOU ($42, TEA-YOU.COM)

BIKINI BOTTOMS, TEA YOU ($68, TEA-YOU.COM)

BIO SCULPTURE GEMINI NOURISHING NAIL POLISH IN CATCH THE WIND ($20.50, IRISBODYANDBEAUTY.COM)

HEELS, PALM ANGELS ($935, PALMANGELS.COM)

TOTE, JACQUEMUS ($675, MYTHERESA.COM)

DIOR FOREVER NATURAL BRONZE IN 007

GOLDEN BRONZE ($72, DIOR.COM)

PINK LEOPARD FOREST DRESS, FARM RIO ($325, FARMRIO.COM)

TOTE MARNI KIDS ($238, FARFETCH.COM)

TOP, MIAOU ($160, MIAOU.COM)

BATHING SUIT, ZIMMERMANN ($582, ZIMMERMANN.COM)

RARE BEAUTY SOFT PINCH TINTED LIP OIL IN HOPE ($26, SEPHORA.CA)

VASE, REFLECTIONS COPENHAGEN ($842, BYFLOU.COM)

SANDALS, ALDO ($95, ALDOSHOES.COM)

PLATFORMS, L’INTERVALLE ($128, LINTERVALLESHOES.COM)

SARONG, PUCCI ($415, PUCCI.COM)

EARRINGS, MICHELLE ROSS ($198, MNROSS.COM)

BUCKET HAT, ($20, WWW2.HM.COM)

DRESS, SILK LAUNDRY ($340, SILKLAUNDRY.COM)

CALIRAY SURFPROOF SETTING SPRAY ($46, SEPHORA.CA)

LOUIS VUITTON PACIFIC CHILL EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY ($370 FOR 100 ML, CA.LOUISVUITTON.COM)

NIGHT MOVES

1. DRESS, ONE33SOCIAL ($529, ONE33SOCIAL.COM). 2. PANTS, STINE GOYA ($410, FARFETCH. COM) 3. BAG, BOUQUET MTL ($295, BOUQUETMTL.COM)

4. SUIT, THE SLEEPER ($522, THE-SLEEPER.COM). 5. SEQUIN

TOP, ZARA ($60, ZARA.COM)

6. SEQUIN MIDISKIRT, ZARA ($80, ZARA.COM)

7. PLATFORMS, ALDO ($95, ALDOSHOES.COM) 8. JUMPSUIT, DRESS THE POPULATION ($423, DRESSTHEPOPULATION.COM)

9. DRESS, MICAS ($41, SHOPMICAS.COM)

10. BAG, SOURCE UNKNOWN ($91, SOURCEUNKNOWN.COM)

11. DRESS, REMAIN ($494, THEFRANKIESHOP.COM)

When the sun goes down, fluid fabrics and slinky styles come out to play.

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STYLE THE TREND

This ’90s fashion staple is back—here are three runway-inspired ways to wear CARGO PANTS this summer.

DAY

Pair light-coloured cargo trousers with a breezy cotton top and co-ordinating accessories for a summery monochrome look.

NIGHT

Styled with heels and a going-out top, your overdyed cargo jeans are ready for a night on the town.

WEEKEND

Relax in style with a pair of parachute cargo pants, a knitted crop top and comfortable running shoes—all in lively, bright hues.

2. TOP, T. LINE ($195, SHOPTLINE.COM) 3. FLATS, ALLBIRDS ($135, ALLBIRDS.CA).

1. JEANS, 3.1 PHILLIP LIM ($635, INTERMIXONLINE.COM)

2. TOP, SID NEIGUM ($495, SIDNEIGUM.COM) 3. SHOES, ALDO ($110, ALDOSHOES.COM) 4. BELT, BRAVE LEATHER ($115, BRAVELEATHER.COM) 5. BAG, SIMONS ($89, SIMONS.CA)

1. PANTS, TNA ($128, ARITZIA.COM) 2. EARRINGS, WARREN STEVEN SCOTT ($95, WARRENSTEVENSCOTT.COM)

3. CROP TOP, ZARA ($30, ZARA.COM). 4. BAG, COS ($79, COS.COM) 5. SHOES, ARC’TERYX ($200, ARCTERYX.COM)

STYLING, TRUC NGUYEN; PHOTOGRAPHY, LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT (RUNWAY),

1. PANTS, DES PHEMMES ($341, MODAOPERANDI.COM)

4. BAG, NAGHEDI ($380, ANDREWSCO.COM) 5. SUNGLASSES, JENNY BIRD ($230, JENNY-BIRD.CA)

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Wild CARD

High-stakes professional poker has historically been a boys club—but not anymore.

By MELISSA VINCENT

MY REACTION TO ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS I’M ASKED at the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) tournament categorizes me as an easy mark. Amid fire dancers and bottles of cava at a lavish Barcelona beach club, Chris Reed, one of a handful of female players at the event, looks me straight in the eye and earnestly asks, “Who are you railing here?”

I gaze at the cigar-box purse—which is designed to look like the ace of spades—in the crook of her arm while she studies my face. She clocks my wordless expression and then clarifies without missing a beat: “I mean who are you cheering for?” Reed’s adjustment gives me a quick introduction to one of the defining hallmarks of poker pros: the ability to read other people. If you have an unguarded face—as I learned I apparently do—you’re toast in this game. A slight twitch of the mouth, an unintentional eyebrow furrow or a few blinks in rapid succession are all possible “tells” as to whether what you’re saying is true.

“Poker has given me amazing camaraderie and friendships with women all over the world, and there’s one thing we have in common,” Reed later says at the rooftop bar at Barcelona’s Hotel One. “There are very few wallflowers who play poker.”

Card games that involve highly skilled astute players, the potential for a massive payday and an element of luck have long had a hold on our cultural consciousness. But historically, it’s been a million-dollar boys club. In August of last year, online

poker behemoth PokerStars held its first women’s invitational in an attempt to incentivize more women to play. Although women’s events are no longer new in the world of competitive poker, the motivations of the growing number of women who find themselves wrapped up in the game often buck popular assumptions.

For one, it’s not always about the money. “Poker doesn’t really give you economic security unless you do it professionally, so it takes some time to get there,” says EPT tournament winner Giada Fang, who has an academic background in medicine and surgery and now splits her time between being an on-air host for a poker television show and translating poker books into Italian. She started playing online while she was recovering from a serious motorbike accident 12 years ago in Italy; her foray into the game was on the heels of an international poker boom in the early 2000s. For the first time, high-stakes tournaments were being broadcast on national television, which resulted in box-office blockbusters—like the Ocean’s Eleven remake and Casino Royale —that glamourized the game, and the general public got a front-row seat to huge wins by underdog amateur players (including Jennifer Harman, who, in 2000, became the first woman to win a coveted World Series of Poker bracelet, widely considered the most prestigious non-monetary prize a player can win). All this contributed to a surge in the game’s popularity, evidence that the old guard was changing. (A few

years ago, Maria Konnikova’s The Biggest Bluff, which traces the lessons she learned following her introduction to the world of poker, became a New York Times Best Seller.)

Today, a collision of factors—including the option to play from anywhere using a smartphone, the possibility of funding via cryptocurrencies and the multi-dimensional immersive gameplay available on e-sports platforms like Twitch—has given the global poker market an estimated valuation of $76 billion, with projections that it could reach $170 billion by 2030. Thanks to a 1985 amendment to the Criminal Code that gave provinces exclusive control over legalized gambling, Ontario’s Ford administration was able to open up a regulated online gambling market, which has brought everything from sports betting to online poker into our collective line of sight through inescapable advertisements on billboards, Jumbotrons and city buses. Though a 2022 study by Statistics Canada reported that the majority of players are not at risk for developing a gambling problem, past studies have revealed a higher likelihood for addiction in low-income populations, although they largely didn’t examine additional factors like formats of play, environment or gender. One of the last major studies examining problem gambling among Canadian women was conducted in 2010 by The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry; in it, the study authors advocated for significant additional research in the realm of internet gambling to evaluate its short- and long-term impacts.

Historically, poker has been imperfect, and it remains knotted with complex issues, with only a small fraction of players winning at or even aspiring to play at a high level. For most, cultivating a distinct style of play within an ever-growing international community is what gets them to the table, both virtually and IRL. According to a 2021 study by The Journal of Gambling Business and Economics, even though women make up roughly 30 percent of players in the online poker space, a scant 3 to 5 percent end up in live rooms at casinos. The same study revealed that the live room has not been immune to things like the archaic positioning of women as bartenders or floor runners and inappropriate behaviours—both on and off the table.

“It’s kind of the same conversation [being had] about the Formula 1 girls: How do you appeal to women if the only way they’re being represented is through being on the sidelines and waving a flag or giving a man a trophy?” asks Rebecca McAdams Willetts, director of partnerships, PR and consumer engagement at PokerStars, who, through her role, launched a women’s poker boot camp and used player feedback to make changes to timing, buy-in and prizes. “Industry-wide, there is a huge movement to engage women in a more intelligent and respectful way. Most of the time, what we hear is that women don’t have [expendable leisure] time and have to prioritize how they spend their money. If women have any downtime,

they have to decide between poker and a series on Netflix or catching up on life admin or sleeping because they’ve been up all night with the baby.”

While poker might scratch an entertainment itch, it also has a hidden knack for fostering skills that are transferable to other parts of life. Playing on a circuit helps with financial-planning and budgeting knowledge, which is needed to manage a bankroll (the amount of money a player sets aside to pay with), and there’s a growing crop of self-improvement programs, like Poker Power, that invite seasoned female players to teach other women skills like “intelligent decision-making, negotiation tactics and opportunity identification through risk assessment,” which can be used everywhere “from the classroom to the boardroom.”

These types of workshops didn’t exist when Ebony Kenney started developing the tools that would give her the coveted edge that led to her becoming one of professional poker’s most compelling breakout stars and earning a spot in the record books when she cashed out at $1.7 million at the Coin Rivet invitational in northern Cyprus last fall. (It was a highly visible televised win, and she intentionally wore clothing and a head wrap by Black-owned brands Fanm Djanm and Öfuurë.) While studying engineering as a single mom, she started working as an exotic dancer because it aligned well with her busy schedule. “I developed the ability to read people through body language and by noticing patterns,” she explains. “I could tell right away who had money and who didn’t. I knew how to handle men being aggressive or out of line. These are the talents I developed as a 19-year-old stripper, so when I found poker, it was a perfect match. But at the time, I didn’t realize how valuable that skill set was.”

However, a barrier exists for promising female players—who still comprise only 5 percent of those on the professional-poker circuit—when they try to make their way to the next level: Backers that front the money to enter higher-stakes tourna-

ments are harder to come by. “People don’t put enough trust in women,” says Fang, noting the disparity between the way male players are funded compared to women with a similar skill level. For Kenney, getting sponsored by America’s Card Room was a game-changer that gave her more time to play and study, enabling her jump from mid-stakes playing into the upper echelon. “Even though my kids are 18 and 21, I want to fully take care of them because for so long in their lives, there was so much uncertainty and waiting for the other shoe to drop,” she says. “I’m at this point in my life now where I’m like: ‘Chill out, kids. Sit back and take it all in. Mom’s got it.’ Now I don’t have to rely on whatever guy I’m dating to pay the bills and go through that emotional tug-of-war.”

In writer Jason Reynolds’ four-part podcast series for Radiotopia, My Mother Made Me, he recounts how on a trip to the casino with his mom—a pre-lunch Sunday ritual for as long as he can remember—her motivation for playing clicked for him when she revealed that the slots taught her to “keep her feet on the ground.” McAdams Willetts feels the same way. “Poker players have to forgive themselves so much,” she says. “You get used to saying ‘Well, in that moment, I made the right decision; I couldn’t have known what was going to happen next.’ Then you just move on instead of getting stuck.”

When Kenney reflects on her 15-year career, she credits her approach to poker with helping her on a larger healing journey. “For a long time, I really thought [my reality] was just feast or famine,” she says. “I didn’t realize that [I could find] a consistent middle ground. Now I’m able to be a lot more gentle and compassionate with myself and with other people. Poker is a microcosm of life. If you zoom out, it’s such a big representation of what life is—and can be.”

If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling and needs help, visit the Canada Safety Council’s website for a full list of problem-gambling hotlines across the country. canadasafetycouncil.org/gambling-addiction

”THESE ARE THE TALENTS I DEVELOPED AS A 19-YEAR-OLD STRIPPER, SO WHEN I FOUND POKER, IT WAS A PERFECT MATCH. BUT AT THE TIME, I DIDN’T REALIZE HOW VALUABLE THAT SKILL SET WAS.”

ALL MESSED UP

What happens when clutter becomes chaos? For people struggling with their stuff, the de-hoarding community can help.

By EVE THOMAS

WHEN DECLUTTERING GURU MARIE KONDO told The Washington Post that she cares less about mess now that she’s raising three kids, it was met with a wave of relief—even vindication—from scores of women who’d felt personally judged by her popular books and Netflix series. “Where’s the official apology?” tweeted Canadian film director Sarah Polley (later clarifying that she was only joking). Whatever your thoughts on the KonMari method, the backlash made one thing clear: A lot of people struggle with clutter, and it’s a struggle that’s connected to identity and security as well as things that happened in the past and visions of the future.

Personally, I’ve always had a magpie’s love of shiny treasures, a weakness for wonky ceramics and thrifted cashmere and a few too many junk drawers. But it was only when I started packing up to move house that I was confronted with the emotional weight of all my possessions. It was less “sparking joy” and more “mounting dread.” After desperately searching for a useful decluttering guide and even trying Reddit forums and YouTube affirmations, I found real help from an unexpected source: the world of de-hoarding.

“Hoarding” is an admittedly scary word. It evokes images of expired food, neglected pets, court-ordered cleanups and nosy neighbours. Having only been classified as a distinct mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013, it is defined by a persistent difficulty with discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, and is often accompanied by a need to acquire more items. While a whopping 91 percent of Canadians claim that clutter negatively impacts their lives, only an estimated 2 to 5 percent of the population actually suffers from hoarding disorder. But that number may be low due to a still-evolving understanding of the illness itself (which was originally linked to OCD) as well as widespread silencing stigma. In popular culture, hoarding is fodder for prestigious documentaries like Grey Gardens and exploitative reality TV like Hoarders and Buried Alive —shows that put emotionally distressed people through extreme home makeovers so audiences can delight in drastic before and after shots.

“The solution on these shows is ‘Let’s get it all out,’ which experts agree isn’t effective in the long term,” says the anonymous host (who calls herself “The Hoarder” and whom we will call “TH” here for clarity) of the Overcome Compulsive Hoarding (OCH) podcast from her home in the U.K. “You’ve got to address the emotional stuff or it will recur. ‘Why can’t I let this go? Why do I keep bringing this in?’” TV hoarders are presented as utterly unrelatable, their trauma overblown. But, as TH notes in one episode, “When owning an object is part of our identity…then losing that item feels like a threat to our very self.”

TH started OCH as a sort of journal about “drowning in stuff and trying to get out,” not sure if anyone would listen. She couldn’t even say the word “hoarder” aloud until it launched. Now, within the confines of the show, she is open about her struggles, her formative periods of poverty, her experience with cognitive behavioural therapy and what she calls “an embarrassing amount of inner dialogue.”

OCH has reached the top 2.5 percent of podcasts worldwide, with listeners as far away as the Bahamas and Japan (where cluttered homes are called gomi yashiki ). Some fans have mild hoarding tendencies, while others are on the brink of eviction; some struggle with mess due to depression, ADHD or burnout; and many are just trying to understand loved ones who hoard. (And some, like me, are asking themselves why they’re packing the espresso maker they haven’t used in a decade.) One episode tackles anthropomorphizing objects, while another explores the “endowment effect”—the way we imbue things with value more when we own them. I’m reminded of garage sales and clothing swaps where people don’t want to let an item go without sharing its story, insisting, “This is really worth something; somebody could use this.”

In another episode, professional organizer Tracy McCubbin identifies a series of “emotional clutter blocks” that feel all too familiar. Some examples are “My stuff keeps me trapped in the past” (in my case, old concert tickets), “Trapped with other people’s stuff” (a tray of costume jewellery) and “My fantasy stuff for my fantasy life” (unused art supplies, neverworn high heels). Some hoarders’ thought processes seem alien, while others’ are so common they’re clichés. Have you ever kept a dress that didn’t fit? Stocked up on a bargain at the grocery store? Let the “good china” gather dust in the cupboard? Saving something for a special occasion is hardly disordered thinking—until “something” is too many things

and that “special occasion” never comes. “That’s the thing: This exists in all of us to some degree,” says TH. “Everyone’s bought something they didn’t need and kept something they didn’t like. I’m interested in what flips the switch.”

If ever there was a time for switch flipping, the early pandemic was it. Control was in short supply, and package deliveries proved a reliable dopamine hit. I spoke to a friend who lost her job and started selling her old clothing online—only for her bedroom to get taken over by “doom piles” of unsold clothing. Another was renovicted during lockdown and found herself in a strange new neighbourhood with only her moving boxes—which she couldn’t seem to unpack—for company. One entertained herself with online auctions—partly for the thrill of the hunt and partly out of nostalgia for kitsch from her childhood. She even confessed that she would sometimes buy antiques that had no bids because she “felt bad for them.” Though my friends felt some distress, their habits weren’t particularly extreme—not in this world of one-click purchases, retail therapy, product hauls and unboxing videos, all of which are essentially telling us: “Buy all the stuff!” Just make sure it’s out of sight (or tagged #cluttercore) when you get pinged by BeReal.

“We’re ill-equipped as a species to deal with this,” observes Kathryn Jezer-Morton, a Montreal-based academic and the author of momfluencer newsletter Brooding, which deals with feminine ideals and conspicuous consumption. “Most of us are taking in more stuff than we need because everything is suddenly so cheap and accessible. Along with being a good consumer, you have to constantly be purging. The managing of stuff is a challenging executive-function skill we’re not really taught.” Basically, we know how to hunt and gather but not what to do when the cave is full—we have a scarcity mindset in an abundant, Dollarama-filled world. It’s a balancing act for the influencers Jezer-Morton studies. “Admitting you have too many clothes or beauty products is acceptable—even aspirational—because it’s contained in one area of your house,” she says. “But admitting to a general issue in your living space goes too far. Being ‘messy’ might be okay—it’s that manic-pixie-dream-girl energy. But ‘dirty’ is hard to come back from if you’re a woman because it’s tied to personal hygiene and sloppiness.” TH reveals that most fans contact the show through direct messages or emails rather than giving public likes and shout-outs, which even gory true-crime podcasts get. The message is clear: Hoarding is bad for anyone’s personal brand.

“We say in hoarding treatment that the goal is a safe home, not a beautiful home, because what counts as beautiful depends on social structure, socio-economic class and your background,” says Sheila Woody, director of the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Collaborative Research on Hoarding. The centre provides scientific research and practical resources to people on the front lines, like firefighters and social workers, who are dealing with extreme cases.

Yet even these begin with good intentions and generosity, not laziness or stinginess (media-driven stereotypes)—like someone who keeps old tools in case they need to lend them out or a refugee from a war-torn country who doesn’t dare part with anything. “Someone who says ‘Excuse the mess’ to guests probably isn’t a hoarder, but someone who stops having guests over may be,” notes Woody. (Whether isolation is a cause or an effect is up for debate.)

Canadians who are worried about their habits can access the centre’s guide to regional support or use self-assessment tools like the Frost Clutter Scale, a series of nine images for different

rooms (den, kitchen, bedroom); the first is tidy, but the clutter increases with each image, with the last frame being almost entirely filled. “To the layperson, this is a problem that could be solved with two strong guys and a truck,” says Woody of that last photo. “They don’t see the extreme angst of making decisions or parting with something and then feeling regret.” But even for those with “normal” amounts of mess—a chaotic closet or garage, say—fixes are rarely quick and often lonely, explains Woody. “Incremental progress is not very attractive when you’re faced with doing this very hard thing a little bit every day, all on your own, for a long time.”

On her podcast, TH does offer some concrete tips (with the caveats that she’s not a doctor and one size never fits all), such as taking a digital photo of an item before letting it go and exercising your “de-hoarding muscle” by doing easier jobs, like trashing junk mail. Mostly, though, she leans toward fostering validation, fighting shame and bringing hoarding into the mainstream so that it’s closer to anxiety or depression in terms of stigma and something you might be brave enough to take a sick day for or reach out to your real-life friends about.

When I think of my own possessions, I know I’ve held on to more than I should. I got through a few boxes of old agendas and yearbooks before decision fatigue set in and I left the rest of the task for my future self. But listening to OCH helped me curb some bad habits, like browsing the thrift store after dropping off donations or buying shiny new storage bins as a reward for tidying. Most of all, it felt nice to let the show play while I packed, with TH offering gentle encouragement and, occasionally, poetic mantras: “Your home does not exist to hold on to the ghosts of everyone you’ve ever met or every dream you’ve ever had or every purchase you’ve ever made.”

Often, listeners who have binged the whole show tell TH that they noticed a shift in her over the 80-plus episodes—that she got brighter, lighter and more optimistic. “If I’m always telling other people that hoarding shouldn’t be a source of shame, eventually I need to consider that for myself too,” she reasons. So what, in her opinion, would an honest, effective TV show about hoarding actually look like? It would be gradual and compassionate, and there would be a lot of internal work that’s invisible to the viewer. “It wouldn’t make for very dramatic television,” she admits. Most importantly, it would encourage empathy from the audience. For some, there might be a glimmer of the familiar. For others, they’d suddenly feel seen—maybe for the first time. And, above all, they’d feel a little less alone.

“YOUR HOME DOES NOT EXIST TO HOLD ON TO THE GHOSTS OF EVERYONE YOU’VE EVER MET OR EVERY DREAM YOU’VE EVER HAD OR EVERY PURCHASE YOU’VE EVER MADE.”

ACT NEXT

Pen15 co-creator and star ANNA KONKLE isn’t afraid to get weird.

By PATRICIA KAROUNOS

FOR THE BETTER PART OF A DECADE , Anna Konkle was working on Pen15, the intentionally-cringe-inducing comedy she co-created, produced and starred in alongside her best friend, Maya Erskine. The Emmy-nominated series, which wrapped its 25-episode run on Hulu in 2021, saw the two adult actors play fictionalized middle-school versions of themselves, offering an unflinching, hilarious and often disgusting look at being a 13-year-old girl in the early 2000s. The passion-fuelled project meant that Konkle, who in reality is 36 years old, spent a lot of time in the headspace of a hormonal teenager.

The Massachusetts-raised talent is now two years removed from Pen15, but it’s still with her every day—including when she signed on for the second season of The Afterparty. Konkle was a fan of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ comedy—which stars Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Zoë Chao and centres around a season-long murder mystery—from its debut. Each episode is told through the eyes of a different character and borrows from different filmmaking styles and genres. Season two follows the same structure, and Konkle would be lying if she said the concept wasn’t as nerve-racking as it was exciting.

“It was scary because [the show] asks so much of everybody in terms of bouncing between different film styles in the same day, and I didn’t have a lot of experience doing that,” she says.

“I was like: ‘Okay, I’ve been playing a 13-year-old—can I only play 13-year-olds? Is that all I can do? And now I have to play 10 versions of this adult?’”

Not a trace of Konkle’s self-doubt can be seen in season two of The Afterparty, which starts streaming on July 12. Haddish, Richardson and Chao all return—this time for an idyllic wedding weekend that ends in murder—alongside a few new cast members, including John Cho, Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods and Poppy Liu. Konkle plays Hannah, the oddball sister of the groom, who is always unabashedly herself. The actor steals scenes regardless of which genre a given episode is riffing on—she is wry and alluring and unafraid to do the weirdest thing possible—but it’s in her spotlight episode (the fourth episode of the season) that she truly shines.

This particular episode plays on the style of Wes Anderson and similarly aestheticized films, like 2001’s Amélie: It is artful and fantasy-like with exaggerated colour palettes and twee, eccentric characters who are somehow both unlike any living person you’ve ever met and grounded in humanity. Konkle says it was a challenge to match her performance with the ultra-stylized look while staying true to the role, but she appears to pull it off effortlessly. The actor reveals hidden depths to her character, who at that point could easily be written off as a joke, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine her actually starring in a big-screen Anderson film.

Also a challenge? Letting go of some of the creative control she’d been used to sharing with Erskine—whom she met in 2008 at an experimental-theatre workshop while they were both N.Y.U. undergrads doing a study-abroad program in Amsterdam—on the set of Pen15 and focusing on just being an actor. An admirer of all the creative talent involved in The Afterparty, she’d find herself listening in on decision-making conversations before remembering that she didn’t have to and was struck by how calm creator Chris Miller and co-showrunner Anthony King were because that was not the type of energy she’d carried with her while wearing multiple hats.

“On Pen15, if I felt something wasn’t going well, I would say something or rewrite something, or maybe Maya would and then we would edit ourselves,” says Konkle. “I’m a perfectionist, so that was the place my neurotic-ness could live—at the end of the day, I could fix it later. As just an actor, you really have to trust a lot of other people. The good news is that the minute I was on this set, I felt really at ease and comfortable.”

It helps that Konkle is still wearing those other professional hats. She writes every day—she’s currently working on a memoir that explores growing up in a dysfunctional household where her parents were separated but lived on opposite sides of the same house—and is developing other projects. In fact, after Pen15, she considered focusing on behind-the-scenes work. The series, she says, allowed her to explore so much of what she wanted to on-camera, and she couldn’t envision what might come next. But The Afterparty was too intriguing to pass up. (Post-Pen15, she has also had roles in two feature-length films, including black comedy The Drop, which premiered earlier this year on Hulu in the U.S.) And it paid off: The show, and the role of Hannah, made Konkle realize that she still loves acting and that there is a path forward where she can do it all.

What that will look like is still up in the air. Konkle approaches acting day by day. If there’s a role she really wants—something that’s different and makes her feel inspired—she’ll go after it. If not, that’s okay too. It’s with that same open-mindedness that she tackles her writing. She’s working on multiple ideas—she can see a role for herself in some of them but would have no problem giving it to someone else instead.

“Art that pushes the limits of what we think [something should] be or a character who marches to the beat of their own drum is really exciting to me,” she says. “Something that drives most of what I do, I’ve realized recently, is shame—and what’s funny, sad and human about it. I’m willing to do anything. If I picture myself [when I’m writing], I’m less careful. I’m not putting anybody else in a situation that would make them uncomfortable. I can go further and be less afraid because the only person I’d be making uncomfortable is myself.”

For the LOVE ofBOOKS

How to get over a reading slump and rekindle your passion for reading.

By PATRICIA KAROUNOS

THERE WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE when I would read an average of 125 novels a year. It was something I was really proud of—borderline smug about, even. I revelled in meticulously logging each title I devoured on Goodreads (think social media meets cataloguing site for avid readers), and I loved bringing the stat out in icebreaker settings, getting a kick out of the mix of low-key admiration and disbelief that crossed someone’s face when I told them. But as I neared the end of my academic career and then started my first full-time “adult” job, I hit a wall. I’d sit down with a book I was excited to read and just...stare at it. My eyes refused to focus on the words in front of me, and my brain was incapable of comprehending more than a few sentences at a time. Whereas the old me could have finished a 400-pager in the span of a few hours, this new version was lucky to get through a chapter a day. It was as if I had a reader’s version of writer’s block.

PIQUE YOUR INTEREST

Why not pair this summer’s buzziest new books with an equally exciting show or movie to help you get back in the reading game?

FOR CLOSE BONDS

SUNSHINE

NAILS BY MAI

NGUYEN (July 4) + JOY RIDE(July 7)

It’s the best feeling when you finish something and immediately want to share it with your BFFs. Both Sunshine Nails(about a VietnameseCanadian family who come together to save their indie nail salon after a multi-million-dollar chain opens up across the street) and JoyRide(a raunchy comedy following four Asian-American friends as they travel through Asia looking for the birth mother of one of the group), which stars Ashley Park (EmilyinParis) and Stephanie Hsu (EverythingEverywhereAllatOnce), will do exactly that.

FOR GRIPPING THRILLS

THE WHISPERS BY ASHLEY AUDRAIN (June 6) + THE MOTHER (May 12)

Motherhood is approached from very different angles in this pair. In Canadian writer Ashley Audrain’s TheWhispers, three women examine how their lives have changed in the shocking aftermath of a tragic accident involving a neighbour’s child. Meanwhile, Netflix movie TheMotherstars Jennifer Lopez as a former assassin who comes out of hiding to protect the daughter she left behind years ago.

Years later, I’m back to reading more frequently again (though not at the same rate—because, you know, responsibilities), but every once in a while, I’ll hit that same wall. I also now know that these reading “slumps,” as they’re commonly referred to online, are pretty normal. Just ask any reviewer, writer or book lover who’s had to deal with them. “I can get to a point where reading feels like a chore,” says Paige Smith, a Calgary-based content creator who makes videos about reading for TikTok’s increasingly popular #BookTok community under the username @paigesofbookss. As a full-time teacher, Smith often finds it challenging to go home at the end of a long day and read as well as share her well-composed thoughts online, especially since she aims to get through 50 to 60 books a year. She’s no stranger to reading slumps and ultimately has to push through them. “It’s a hard balance, but I have to find the time; I have to [remember] that this is something I love and that for me, self-care is sitting down and reading.”

Smith is onto something when she talks about balance. In a 2020 post on his LinkedIn page, bestselling author and brain-performance coach Jim Kwik, whose job is to, in part, help people use their minds more effectively (including reading faster), cites higher levels of stress and anxiety resulting in a lack of motivation as a common cause of reading slumps. Former journalist and Toronto-based novelist Carley Fortune has noticed that her slumps also tend to hit at times of stress or when reading feels more connected to her job as opposed to something she gets sheer pleasure out of. Also unhelpful? Setting lofty reading goals or spending too much time in online book communities that make reading feel more high-pressure than it should.

“There’s a lot of guilt around reading—both in terms of how much we’re reading and what we’re reading,” says Fortune, whose second novel, Meet Me at the Lake, hit shelves on May 2. “A lot of us have this list of books we feel we should

read, and if we’re not tackling it, we feel bad. I’ve really had to shift my mindset. A slump isn’t about the books; it’s about my response to reading [at a particular moment].”

So, if you’re stuck in a slump, how do you get out? The most important thing to do, says Fortune, is identify why you like reading. She loves romance novels and YA fiction because they’re an escape for her. Smith, on the other hand, gravitates toward thrillers for their entertainment value. Once you figure out your reasons for reading, it’s easier to pinpoint—and accept—the cause of your slump, whether it’s heightened stress, as Kwik suggests; the kind of self-applied pressure Fortune identifies; trying to tackle too many books at once; going through a “book hangover” (a.k.a. the feeling of enjoying a book so much you don’t want to move on from it); an underwhelming experience with a certain title; or some other reason.

From there, you can address the root cause. Smith says you just have to set aside all distractions, schedule a block of time and sit there with a book. Even if this doesn’t immediately push you out of your slump, one-on-one time with yourself will ultimately help you relax. In his post, Kwik also recommends trying a different genre—switching things up, he writes, can catch your brain off guard and force it to refocus.

But Fortune suggests a different approach: returning to beloved books from your past—those nostalgic titles that ignited your passion in the first place and can put you back in that frame of mind. If you find that tracking your reading or setting benchmarks has the tendency to make you feel bad or compare yourself to others, she adds, stop doing that. While it can be fun to keep count, it’s not a requirement to call yourself a reader, the author points out. And if figuring out what to read is part of your problem, Fortune recommends following authors and content creators who have similar tastes to yours for recommendations. “All it takes is one gateway book,” she says, “and your love of reading will be sparked again.”

FOR COMINGOF-AGE WOES

THE GLOW BY JESSIE GAYNOR (June 20)

+ BARBIE (July 21)

We’re all just Barbie girls living in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie world—or at least we will be this summer when the acclaimed filmmaker’s Margot Robbie-led flick about an exiled Barbie searching for her place in the world debuts. The protagonist in satirical novel The Glow is on a similar journey of self-discovery, only she’s trying to save her girlboss-fuelled PR career by transforming a wellness retreat into the hottest new self-care brand.

FOR UNEXPECTED

TWISTS

YELLOWFACE BY R. F. KUANG (May 16) + AMERICAN BORN CHINESE (May 24)

Hate figuring out how a story will resolve before you actually get there? Well, believe us, both Yellowface—critically acclaimed author R. F. Kuang’s new satire about a white writer who tries to pass off an Asian woman’s work as her own while “reinventing” herself as Asian-American— and Disney+ action comedy AmericanBorn Chinese , which boasts a stacked cast that includes Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan and follows a teen who is suddenly caught up in a war between Chinese mythological gods, will keep you guessing until the very end.

FOR A DASH OF ROMANCE SAMMY

ESPINOZA’S

LAST REVIEW

BY TEHLOR KAY MEJIA (July 18) + XO, KITTY(May 18) Romcom lovers, you have plenty to look forward to this summer. First, return to the world of ToAll theBoysI’veLoved

Beforewith XO,Kitty , a charming spinoff series following the youngest Song-Covey sister, Kitty, as she moves to South Korea for school. Then check out SammyEspinoza’sLastReview , about a music critic hoping her big break will arise from profiling a rock star who is staging a comeback— and also happens to be her teen crush.

PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY/MILENA BONIEK (MAIN)

COMEDY GOLD

Canadian-born actor HELÉNE YORKE on starring in cult hit series The Other Two

By JOANNA FOX

WHEN WE CONNECT VIA ZOOM , I know immediately that I’m going to like Heléne Yorke. We start the conversation joking— but not joking—about how we both may look put together onscreen but that it’s a bit of an illusion. Yorke confesses that she noticed her shirt had a grease stain on it right before coming on camera, and I admit that from the waist down my outfit is leggings and Crocs. “I just put on pants a minute ago,” she tells me, laughing.

Yorke is just as funny as I thought she would be—and if you’ve seen her on the often cheeky and hilarious HBO Max series The Other Two, which premiered its third season this past May, you likely aren’t surprised either. The show, which co-stars Drew Tarver, Molly Shannon, Ken Marino and Wanda Sykes, is about a brother and sister (Tarver and Yorke) who are dealing with the Justin Bieber-level fame of their little brother, the rising daytime-television-host career of their mother (Shannon) and her overzealous talent-agent boyfriend (Marino)—all while trying to find their own place in the world.

Yorke was born in Vancouver and moved to the U.S. shortly after, but her family is originally from Winnipeg, and she still frequents her parents’ summer cottage there. “It’s so funny trying to explain Canadian cottage culture to people in the U.S.,” says Yorke. “They’re like, ‘Oh, you have a lake house,’ and I’m like, ‘Relax, it’s basically leaning and falling off its supports, you don’t drive your car there—you only ride a bicycle—you swim in a lake and you get yeast infections weekly,’” she says with a laugh. “That’s how it goes.”

A natural performer, Yorke grew up wanting to dance and sing, and at one point she wanted to be a ballet dancer. “But then I realized what that entails,” she says, “and I was like, ‘I don’t want to do that.’” She went to school for musical theatre at the University of Michigan and then made her way to Broadway, but when she was working on a production of Bring It On: The Musical in Atlanta, she broke her ankle. “I was learning how to do backflips, and I was like, ‘What am I doing?’” says Yorke. “I’m a Canadian who’s meant to be digging potatoes—I can’t do a backflip. But I attempted it anyway, broke my ankle and was like, ‘I guess I should do TV.’”

She went back home to L.A., where she was living at the time, and, because of her new full-leg cast, got her mom to drive her to auditions. Nothing happened right away, but Yorke kept telling herself that things were going to get better. Eventually, she landed a recurring role in Masters of Sex, which led to parts in Graves, The Good Fight and High Maintenance. But she couldn’t turn her back on her love of theatre, so she also worked in some major productions, like Bullets Over Broadway and American Psycho. When she got the script for The Other Two, though, she immediately knew she wanted to be a part of the project. “It’s so rare to read something you really like and

think, ‘If I don’t get this, I’m going to cry for a week,’” says Yorke. “There’s so much great TV out there, but you’re right for only so many characters. And I felt so right for this, which is both embarrassing and lucky.”

Yorke’s character, Brooke Dubek, is constantly struggling to be a good person, which makes her extremely fun to watch because you keep thinking that Brooke won’t dare go there—and then she does. “She’s deeply flawed, but I feel that she’s all of us,” says Yorke. “Do you ever have a nasty habit? Or a dark little secret? And then you see a meme and realize that everybody is on the same page as you? It sort of feels like Brooke is everybody’s little secret. She’s a good person, just maybe not on paper.”

The show, which first came out in 2019 on Comedy Central, wasn’t immediately available in Canada (it’s now streaming on Crave), and a lot of fans discovered it during the early days of the pandemic. Although it might have taken a bit of time for viewers to catch on to this gem, there’s definitely lots of buzz around the show’s third season. “[Being on] HBO Max just means that we have a broader audience because people are able to stream it,” says Yorke. “I can feel that people are pumped to see [season three]. That’s so gratifying because you want people to feel that way about your work.”

Created by Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider—both former Saturday Night Live writers—The Other Two has become a cult comedy hit with its laugh-out-loud jokes, pitch-perfect banter and, of course, amazing cast. “It’s a lightning-in-a-bottle situation,” says Yorke. “To have a cast that genuinely loves each other, our creators and the writing so much—I would do this show forever.” Since its storylines are connected with the entertainment industry (and since the show’s creators definitely have some serious connections), it’s ripe for celebrity guests, and they seem to up the ante every season. Along with several SNL cast members, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Mario Lopez, Andy Cohen, Patrick Wilson, Debi Mazar, Alessia Cara, Simu Liu, Edie Falco and Kiernan Shipka all drop in on episodes, playing themselves. “I think people get excited about being on [the show],” says Yorke. “Like, ‘Hell, yeah, I’ll come play myself.’ There are a lot of people who you know and love, and it’s just silly.”

For now, Yorke, who currently lives in New York with her husband and almost-one-year-old son, is looking forward to heading back to the cottage in Winnipeg this summer and simply enjoying the fact that The Other Two is out in the world again. “It’s really nice that people come up to me now and tell me they love the show,” she says. “I was having dinner with my husband, and this woman was like, ‘We’re not supposed to do this, but I love the show.’ And I’m here to tell you—and I say this in every interview I do—if you love the show, please tell me. I absolutely love hearing it. Bother me. It’s the greatest.”

PHOTOGRAPHY, M. COOPER; STYLIST, SARAH SLUTSKY; HAIRSTYLIST, XAVIER VELASQUEZ; MAKEUP ARTIST, SARAH GRAALMAN

UNDER the SUN

How to protect your skin and hair all season long.

By EMILY MACCULLOCH

T hesummer season offers up some of our favourite things on a golden platter: music festivals, park hangs, sandy beaches and that glisten your skin gets from just the right amount of sweat and sunshine. But with the warmer weather comes more damaging UV exposure as well as frizzy and fried chlorine-soaked hair. Not to worry, though: We’ve got all the tips you need to protect yourself from head to toe, from the ultimate primer on everything SPF to pro advice on how to heat wave-proof your mane.

SCREEN QUEENS

Although sunscreens have come a long way from the nonblendable pastes of the past—and our knowledge about just how crucial it is to slather them on year-round has moved ahead by leaps and bounds—for some reason, many people are still hesitant to make SPF a stand-alone step in their daily routine. But wearing sunscreen is a non-negotiable since exposure to ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) causes DNA damage to the skin, which leads to premature aging (think fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and hyperpigmentation) as well as a drastically increased risk of skin cancer. Thankfully, protection is easy once you’re equipped with the right tools, and with so many award-winning formulas at your fingertips, there’s no excuse for not wearing it on the reg. To help you find your best-ever SPF, we asked two of Canada’s top dermatologists for a crash course on all things sunscreen.

PLAY THE NUMBERS

When selecting a sunscreen, keep in mind that the higher the number on the bottle, the better the protection. “If you’re spending a day in the sun, I generally advise that you apply an SPF of 50 or higher,” says Dr. Christina Han, dermatologist, XYON medical director and director of dermatology at False Creek Dermatology in Vancouver. One reason she recommends a higher-level SPF is that, on average, most people won’t apply the amount of sunscreen required to get the level of protection on the label. “Most people applying an SPF 50 are really getting about an SPF 25 due to under-application.” Therefore, going with a higher number offers a bit of a protection buffer.

BRUSH UP ON YOUR BOTTLE KNOWLEDGE

If you look at a sunscreen label, there’s a lot of information, and, let’s be honest, it’s confusing. Dr. Alia Bosworth, medical and cosmetic dermatologist at Luma Clinic in Halifax, shares a few key pointers that will help demystify those details.

• BROAD SPECTRUM COVERAGE

Look for the “Canadian Dermatology” logo and the words “broad spectrum”; the latter means that the sunscreen will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. “This is why most dermatologists advise looking for a broad-spectrum sunscreen—usually indicated by ‘UVB + UVA’ (with the UVA in a circle)—to ensure adequate protection,” says Bosworth.

TINTED VERSUS NON-TINTED FORMULAS

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Both types of sunscreen will protect the skin, but if you’re prone to hyperpigmentation, Bosworth recommends trying a tinted SPF. “Tinted mineral sunscreens contain iron oxides, and they help filter out part of the visible light spectrum, which can play a role in some conditions, like melasma.”

SUNSCREEN SAVIOURS

From sweat-resistant must-haves to weightless daily lotions, these SPF superstars apply like a dream and will leave you feeling glowy, not goopy.

1. EVEREDEN SPF 50 PREMIUM MINERAL SUNSCREEN LOTION ($39, SEPHORA.CA)

SHISEIDO URBAN ENVIRONMENT VITA-CLEAR SUNSCREEN SPF 42 ($48, SHISEIDO.COM)

BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN MOISTURIZING SUNSCREEN LOTION SPF 30 ($25, FORMULAFIG.COM)

BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN SPF 30 ($54, SEPHORA.CA)

SHIELDS ON-THE-GO ESSENTIALS

1. SUN BUM GLOW MOISTURIZING SUNSCREEN FACE LOTION SPF 30 ($24, WELL.CA)

2. CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ PROTECTIVE LIP TREATMENT SPF 25 ($88, CLEDEPEAUBEAUTE.CA)

3. ATTITUDE TINTED MINERAL SUNSCREEN STICK SPF 30 ($21, ATTITUDELIVING.COM)

4. ALYRIA SCREEN OUT LOUD POWDER SUNSCREEN SPF 50 IN SHADE 420 ($39, ALYRIASKINCARE.COM)

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• CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE

Always look at the expiration date on a bottle, whether you’re shopping for a new SPF or about to apply one from last year’s stash. “I don’t advise using sunscreen that’s past its expiration date, as the product can break down and you may not get the same efficacy,” says Bosworth. In order to make the most of your SPF, she advises storing it indoors and away from heat and light.

COVERAGE IS KEY

As we learned from Han, sometimes we’re not applying enough sunscreen for it to properly do its job, and in some cases, we’re missing entire areas altogether. “Most people are good at getting their faces, but often-missed areas include the ears, the neck, the tops of the feet and the backs of the hands,” says Bosworth. Another oft-forgotten spot? The lips. As Han explains, the skin on your lips is more sensitive and can burn easily, which makes it especially important to keep that area protected. “Using a sunscreen specifically formulated for lips can help reduce burning, peeling and, in the long term, precancerous and cancerous changes to the lips,” she says.

APPLY; THEN APPLY AGAIN

For a normal day without a ton of outdoor time or direct sun exposure, Bosworth recommends one application of two finger lengths of sunscreen in the morning on your face, ears and neck. For those who are prone to melasma, she recommends applying twice a day. If you’re going to be spending more time outdoors (say, having an alfresco lunch), sweating excessively (perhaps playing sports) or swimming, she recommends reapplying your SPF every two hours on both face and body. For easy face touch-ups, she likes using powder and stick formulas that can boost protection without messing up makeup.

POST-SUN PLAN

After a long and glorious day of safely soaking up the sun, it’s important to rehydrate your body and skin with plenty of water. Han recommends hopping into a cool shower to minimize skin inflammation and then layering on some aloe vera or a hyaluronic-acid-based moisturizer to help draw water back into your skin. She advises skipping any potentially irritating exfoliants, like alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (such as glycolic and salicylic acids), as sun-exposed skin tends to be more sensitive.

BODY TYPES

SWEATPROOF STAPLES

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SUNSCREEN

LOTUS AROMA BODY & FACE

SUNSCREEN

HAWAIIAN TROPIC WEIGHTLESS

SUNSCREEN LOTION SPF 50 ($14, WALMART.CA)

1. AVÈNE TINTED MINERAL FLUID SPF 50+ ($37, SHOPPERSDRUGMART.CA)

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COPPERTONE SPORT

MINERAL

SUPERGOOP! PLAY EVERYDAY LOTION SPF 50

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SUMMERSAFE STRANDS

Because your hair needs sun protection too.

Let’s break it down: Between the frizz-inducing humidity, colour-zapping UV rays and drying salt water and chlorine, summer can take a real toll on your strands. “All those factors can make hair more prone to damage,” says Janet Jackson, hairstylist and L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert. That goes for all hair types, from curly to fine to colour-treated, as no one is safe from the harmful elements that are in high gear during our warmest months. Jackson—who’s worked with A-listers like Winnie Harlow, Iman and Andie MacDowell—knows a thing or two about getting your mane in order for the most socially packed season.

TRY A BONDING TREATMENT

Sunshine and, if you’re lucky, salt water are on the menu for summer, but these elements can cause the bonds in your hair to weaken and break. Bonds are what gives your hair strength and shine, so once they’re compromised, frizz and dullness follow. “Adding a repairing shampoo and conditioner to your hair regimen is a great way to repair your hair bonds and fight against summer’s damaging effects,” says Jackson. A bonding treatment will nourish strands from the inside out and will work to repair those broken bonds and rebuild that strength deep within the cortex of the hair. Any hair type can benefit from using a bond-repair treatment, and for those with extra-fragile hair (such as colour-treated and/or curly), using a complete bonding system, like the L’Oréal Paris Bond Repair collection, is ideal for when your summer-weary strands need an additional boost of TLC.

DON’T NEGLECT; PROTECT

Just like your skin, your mane needs adequate sun protection too. “Being in the sun for long periods of time is very damaging to the hair,” says Jackson. Before heading out the door, slap on some UV protection to shield your strands from harmful rays. Jackson recommends looking for sunscreen hair oils and leave-ins that are waterbased as they’re less likely to weigh hair down.

SWITCH UP YOUR STYLERS

Tweaking your skincare routine from season to season is a no-brainer, so why not give your hair the same courtesy? Its needs vary according to the weather too. While it’s probably safe to keep using the same shampoo and conditioner, changing up your styling products can go a long way toward keeping your hair happy and healthy throughout the summer. Jackson advises looking for a strong-hold hairspray that protects against humidity and topping off your routine with a serum, cream or spray that helps fight frizz.

TIE ONE ON

Stocking your closet with some stylish sun-safe accessories is a simple way to do your hair and scalp a favour this summer. Silk scarves are a hot-weather staple—wrapping your hair in one will keep delicate strands protected, plus it will make you feel like you’re yachting on the Amalfi Coast. Or take a cue from the summer runways of Jacquemus and Schiaparelli and go for a sun-blocking statement hat. To tame unruly summer strands while you sleep, Jackson recommends using a silk pillowcase. It will help minimize static and encourage hair cuticles to lie flat, both of which lead to smoother, frizz-free hair.

L’ORÉAL PARIS BOND REPAIR RESCUE PRE-SHAMPOO ($10, SHOPPERSDRUGMART.CA)

SACHAJUAN HAIR IN THE SUN ($44, ETIKET.CA)

KERASILK TAMING BALM ($42, CHATTERS.CA)

SILK LAUNDRY ENDANGERED SPECIES SCARF IN HAZELNUT ($280, SILKLAUNDRY.CA)

BALMS AWAY

Cleansing balms aren’t new, but they’ve been gaining in popularity—and rightfully so: They provide a deep clean without stripping your skin and elevate your whole face-washing experience.

By LESA HANNAH

LONG BEFORE THEY LINED THE SHELVES of Sephora and esteemed medicine cabinets, cleansing balms were made to wash the udders of farm animals. The rudimentary formula at the time included lard, honey and herbs and was effective at removing dirt and impurities, soothing and protecting the skin and imparting antimicrobial benefits. “I’m actually familiar with this because I grew up on a horse ranch in Idaho,” says Kim Walls, founder and CEO of Furtuna Skin. By the mid-1800s, the balm was reinvented as a “cold-cream cleanser” by Pond’s, says Walls, and it contained a mix of mineral oil, beeswax and water. Women sat at their vanity tables and applied it generously before wiping it away with a tissue to take the day off their face. (A little-known fact: Kleenex was invented precisely for this reason.) In the 1960s, cleansing oils came along thanks to Shu Uemura, but they tended to leave a residue that no one liked and never really went mainstream. Presumably that’s because we have generally been convinced that oil is bad for our skin and thus prefer suds, believing they’re the best way to get it clean. “We’ve been trained—by Johnson & Johnson in particular—to love that foamy lather,” says Walls.

But modern cleansing balms have been growing in popularity over the years, and a spate of new ones have come out recently. “I think that makes sense from a zeitgeist perspective,” says Walls, whose brand recently introduced its Cleansing Oil Balm. She believes the demand is there because consumers are realizing

that balms are a healthier way to clean the skin. Relatively solid to start, they soften up once massaged in and begin to do their job of melting down sunscreen, makeup and anything else that needs to be whisked away. “It’s bonding chemically with dirt, grime and pollution,” says Walls. And then it’s all rinsed off without leaving the skin’s barrier feeling dry and tight. This result is key because a stripped barrier leads to collagen breaking down more quickly, which diminishes the barrier’s fundamental function.

For my part, I, too, fell victim to the belief that foam is better until I discovered the utterly transformative experience of cleansing with a balm. It changed how I approach washing my face entirely; I look forward to it, and it has become a ritual I take my time with, doing it early in the evening rather than leaving it until five minutes before bed. I wear a lot of sunscreen, and I know the balm is breaking down every last bit. And as Walls says, if you really lean into it, the gains go beyond just getting your face clean. “Massage it in, and use your knuckles so you’re getting lymphatic drainage,” she says. “It’s got comprehensive, multi-sensory benefits as well as physiological ones that come from enhanced nutrient absorption, better oxygenation and more nutrient delivery to the surface of the skin.” I remain convinced that even if you don’t take those few extra minutes to give yourself a spa experience, a balm is the ideal way to wash your face, and it seems that Walls agrees. “You get the best cleanse,” she says. “And the least damage.”

This balm is made from a potent variant of extra-virgin olive oil that is packed with antioxidants and fatty acids and sourced from the brand’s own estate in Sicily. It powerfully removes dirt, dead skin cells and pollution residue while leaving skin incredibly soft and nourished.

FURTUNA SKIN CLEANSING OIL BALM ($114, FURTUNASKIN.COM)

Beyond cleansing, this balm draws out excess oil and debris thanks to the addition of bamboo charcoal, while manuka honey provides antiinflammatory and antibacterial benefits.

KEYS SOULCARE NOURISHING CLEANSING BALM ($48, SEPHORA.CA)

Eight different oils—grape, olive, moringa, black cumin, jojoba, camellia, papaya and rosehip—work together to deeply clean. The set includes an exfoliator powered by AHAs and PHAs to remove dead skin cells at different levels and damask-rose water to soothe skin and balance pH levels.

NOBLE PANACEA CLEANSING BALM & EXFOLIATING REFINER ($257, HOLTRENFREW.COM)

A NEW LINE OF HAIR TREATMENTS TO RESCUE DAMAGED HAIR

L’ORÉAL PARIS is launching Bond Repair, a new hair-care range that will restore your glorious mane.

WHAT IF YOU COULD SAVE a few bucks by skipping a salon appointment? This is what the new Bond Repair range from L’Oréal Paris promises: affordable, easy-to-use hair care that’s comparable to a salon treatment. Janet Jackson, L’Oréal Paris hair expert, owner of Toronto’s JouJou Hair Studio and winner of Hair Artist of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards, explains the technology behind Bond Repair and shares her pro tips for making the most of these products.

TELL US ABOUT L’ORÉAL PARIS’ BOND REPAIR.

“It literally meets all expectations! L’Oréal Paris has developed an amazing technology and put it into products that take only 10 minutes to use at home between visits to the salon. They’re like a budget-friendly version of a salon treatment. The products are very easy to use, totally affordable and easily fit into any hair-care routine.”

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?

“Consumers are looking for hair-repair products with long-term results, and that’s what Bond Repair delivers. It strengthens and almost completely rebuilds the hair fibre by restoring weakened bonds at the heart of the hair follicle—the deepest and

most essential layer of our hair. Plus, the formulas contain citric acid, a natural ingredient that helps repair damage to reveal healthy-looking, shiny hair.”

WHO IS IT FOR?

“Bond Repair is designed to treat all kinds of damage—whether it’s from bleaching, colouring, heat, UV rays, chemicals in the water, dehydration or mechanical damage from too vigorous brushing—and it works on all hair types.”

ARE THERE ANY DO’S AND DON’TS WITH THESE PRODUCTS?

“If you have fine, oily hair and want to use the pre-shampoo, just apply it from mid-length to the ends of your hair, not near the scalp. If you have textured hair, you can apply it from roots to ends. Then apply the conditioner—be sure to saturate your hair with it—and use a moisturizer or mask afterwards.”

JANET JACKSON

BOND REPAIR, THE NEW HAIR-CARE COLLECTION FROM L’ORÉAL PARIS

PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF L’ORÉAL PARIS

HeadlineWORTHY HAIR

Spotted in real life on the hottest celebs, here are the six hair looks you’ll be seeing this summer.

By JOANIE PIETRACUPA

COLOUR NATURAL BLOND

A.K.A. Brond, mousy hair, dirty blond, California blond

WHAT IT IS Peace out, cold, ashy tones of recent years, because this summer’s blond is looking way more natural—and sunnier. “It’s a classic colour that tends to resurface every time summer rolls around, but [this time it’s] new and improved,” confirms Armineh Damanpak, master stylist, Joico artist and co-owner of .Beau salon, opening this July in Vancouver. “This summer, we’re seeing a rebirth of natural-looking blond with golden, honey and caramel highlights that are expertly crafted to illuminate the face.”

WHO IT’S FOR “Using fine highlights or balayage, you can create a custom blond for any complexion,” says Damanpak. “The end result: an effortless look built on tones that blend to perfection and infuse hair with dimension and depth.”

STARS WHO ROCK IT Natural ombré on Blake Lively, Suki Waterhouse, Cara Delevingne, Hunter Schafer and Margot Robbie; California blond on Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lawrence and Meghann Fahy; caramel blond on Beyoncé, Rita Ora, Lily-Rose Depp and Sydney Sweeney.

REAL-LIFE VERSION According to Damanpak, it’s a good idea to bring photos of your blond goals to your colourist, explain down to the last detail your daily hair-care routine and consider their advice regarding a custom colour based on your complexion, desires and needs.

GOOD TO KNOW “Natural, warm blonds will evolve beautifully throughout summer,” says Damanpak. That being said, you’ll want to take proper daily care, with products that protect from heat, the sun and chlorine.

PRO TIP Apply a shine mask at least once a week to revitalize those golden highlights, and if you want to feature them more, styling them into mermaid waves will do the trick.

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1. JOICO K-PAK COLOR THERAPY LUSTER LOCK INSTANT SHINE & REPAIR TREATMENT ($28, CHATTERS.CA)

2. AMIKA JUMBO HIGH TIDE DEEP WAVER ($165, SEPHORA.CA)

3. AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT AIRY TEXTURE SPRAY ($32, WELL.CA)

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SYDNEY SWEENEY

NEW BOB

WHAT IT IS This new take on the classic bob can be seen on celebs pretty much everywhere—on TV, in films, on red carpets and on social media. Very short and above the jaw—or brushing against the nape of the neck—this bob can be ultra-layered, tapered, with or without bangs, curly, straight, smooth, ripple-waved...it’s up to you.

WHO IT’S FOR “The bob is one of the most iconic cuts of all time, and it’s also one of the easiest to wear, no matter what kind of hair you’re working with,” says Aliza Esmail, owner of and director at Salon August in Toronto. “I’m thrilled to see how popular it’s gotten this season thanks to stars like Zendaya, Jenna Ortega and Hailey Bieber!”

STARS WHO ROCK IT A blunt-cut bob on Hailey Bieber and Kourtney Kardashian; modern layers on Mindy Kaling and Kristen Wiig; a short bob with blunt bangs on Lily Allen and Emma Chamberlain; a stacked bob on Zendaya, Jenna Ortega, Kerry Washington and Lizzo.

REAL-LIFE VERSION Now more than ever, people are opting for simplicity, ease and freedom when it comes to cut and colour.

“I can’t say it enough: Working with a stylist is essential to determine the right cut for you—one that’s based on your desires, needs, worries, lifestyle and daily hair-care routine,” says Esmail. “Although bobs don’t vary greatly in length, there are a thousand and one ways to cut, wear and style them.”

THE PLAY-BY-PLAY

FOR AN ULTRA-STRAIGHT, GLOSSY LOOK Straighten hair section by section using a paddle brush and a hair dryer, pulling hair in all directions—toward the front, back and sides—to create volume. Finish the ends with a flatiron for a hit of shine and to seal the hair cuticles.

FOR NATURAL TEXTURE Apply curl cream section by section and brush it in, evenly blending the product. Allow hair to air-dry or use a diffuser to define curls and create body.

FOR VOLUME AND BOUNCE After applying a protective serum, use a large round brush and a hair dryer to dry hair.

PRO TIP “It’s important to choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type as well as proper styling products,” says Esmail.

1. DAVINES LIQUID SPELL REINFORCING BODIFYING FLUID FOR SENSITIZED OR FINE HAIR ($62, CA.DAVINES.COM)

2. DENMAN D38 PADDLE BRUSH ($40, AMAZON.CA)

3. DAVINES OI LIQUID LUSTER INSTANT ULTRA-SHINE SOFTENING TREATMENT ($65, CA.DAVINES.COM)

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A.K.A. Lob, slob, liquid bob, power bob, butterfly cut, cub cut

ZENDAYA

EMMA CHAMBERLAIN

COLOUR WARM BROWN

A.K.A. Expensive brown, soft-girl brown, candlelit brunette

WHAT IT IS Let’s call it “the Hailey Bieber effect”—in recent months, a bunch of celebs have picked up on the model’s famous colour. “With its shimmer, richness and depth, this is a colour that gives,” says Sam Dupuis, colour artist at Montreal’s Salon Le Artof. “It requires a bit of maintenance to keep that flattering multi-tone and multi-dimensional colour fresh.” “Candlelit” is the perfect descriptor because it looks like the hair is being ever so subtly illuminated by candlelight.

WHO IT’S FOR As with any natural-blond look, you’ll want a rich brown tone that highlights your complexion. “Hailey Bieber’s golden tones are perfect for rosy skin, but other complexions would benefit from a more solid and slightly darker brown, a multi-dimensional finish or an ultra-glossy shine,” says Dupuis.

STARS WHO ROCK IT Brown with warm, golden or caramel highlights on Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber, Ashley Park, Jessica Biel and Chrissy Teigen; naturally faded chocolate brown on Dakota Johnson and Aubrey Plaza; luminous dark cocoa on Anne Hathaway and Ashley Graham.

REAL-LIFE VERSION Ask your colourist for a natural tone-on-tone brown that works well with your complexion and have them warm it up with luminous highlights. For curly and Afrotextured hair, Dupuis recommends leaning into contrast to get a multi-dimensional look and well-defined curls.

GOOD TO KNOW The richness and depth of this delicate brown make it a perfect fit for this summer’s hair hits: layers, long bangs and beach waves, baby.

PRO TIP So you don’t wake up one morning after a summer of sun, chlorine and salt water with unintentional copper or—shriek—orange highlights, use the holy hair triad of colour-protecting shampoo, conditioner and hydrating mask.

1. KERASILK COLOR PROTECTING SHAMPOO ($38, KERASILK.COM)

2. PUREOLOGY COLOR FANATIC MULTI-TASKING LEAVE-IN SPRAY ($59, CHATTERS.CA)

3. KÉRASTASE CHROMA ABSOLU MASQUE CHROMA FILLER ($85, KERASTASE.CA) 1.

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ASHLEY PARK

DAKOTA JOHNSON

KAIA GERBER

STYLE

MODERN WAVES

A.K.A. New beach waves, tousled waves, cool-girl waves, light waves

WHAT IT IS Back in the day, salty beach waves and soft Hollywood curls dominated awards season and social media, but today it’s all about modern waves that are more laid-back than ever. “These waves are only lightly curled, as they’re meant to mimic hair’s natural structure rather than a tighter, more artificial wave,” says Jason Lee, founder of upmarket hair-care brand Mela & Kera and owner of Jason Lee Salon in Toronto.

WHO IT’S FOR “This look suits everyone, although some people will have to work a little harder and longer on styling,” explains Lee. “That’s especially true for people with thick, curly, frizzy or Afro-textured hair. They’ll have to straighten before creating these subtle, natural waves.”

STARS WHO ROCK IT Subtle waves on Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Nicole Kidman; unassuming undulations on Hunter Schafer, Dua Lipa and Rihanna; deconstructed on Sienna Miller.

REAL-LIFE VERSION “This new, very minimalist, natural take on beach waves pairs perfectly with the carefree and relaxed fashion that’s pervading the summer season,” says Lee. “It looks brilliant with shorter, chin-length cuts as well as with longer locks.” He suggests adding invisible layers for improved styling.

THE PLAY-BY-PLAY After applying blowout cream to damp hair, get to work with a flat brush and a hair dryer. Then spritz on some texturizing spray before creating S-shaped waves with a flatiron, ensuring that the ends are properly straightened. Finally, coat the length of your hair with finishing cream and tousle gently.

PRO TIP “Never, ever wave from the root—if you do, you’ll end up with an overblown, too-voluminous look that’s not a cute sight to behold,” says Lee. “Also, it’s best to alternate how waves move from one lock to the next so you don’t end up with an overworked, too-perfect result!”

1. MELA & KERA BALAYAGE EXCEPTIONNEL EXQUISITE BLOWOUT CRÈME ($46, MELAANDKERA.COM)

2. MELA & KERA BALAYAGE EXCEPTIONNEL WAVE FOUNDATION ($41, MELAANDKERA.COM)

3. ORIBE MATTE WAVES TEXTURE LOTION ($53, ORIBE.COM)

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NICOLE KIDMAN

DUA LIPA

KENDALL JENNER

SIENNA MILLER

FLUFFY CURLS

A ’90s throwback of sorts, fluffy, textured hair comes in a wide variety of cuts and silhouettes. “We’re seeing a lot of mixed styles, like highly worked roots with a voluminous fluffy ponytail or slicked back on top with a cotton-candy puff in the back,” explains Janet Jackson, L’Oréal Paris Hair expert and owner of Toronto’s JouJou Hair Studio.

WHO IT’S FOR Consider the shape of your face and your hair type before presenting the fluffy-curl option to your hairstylist. Jackson also recommends factoring in your lifestyle, personality and personal style; in fact, you may want a full consultation before jumping in feet first.

STARS WHO ROCK IT Pumped up on Tracee Ellis Ross, Beyoncé and Gabrielle Union; gently defined curls and ringlets on Emily Ratajkowski, Kerry Washington and Megan Thee Stallion.

REAL-LIFE VERSION The good news is that hot and humid weather has positive effects on volume and texture, so don’t fret about that fabulous fluff! “Colour-wise, I always advise my clients to avoid products and formulas that alter the texture and shape of hair,” says Jackson. “Brush-dyeing and balayage are excellent techniques for enhancing Afro-textured hair for a truly radiant look.”

THE PLAY-BY-PLAY Apply your preferred curl product (cream, mousse, gel, spray) to wet hair, making sure that it’s spread evenly from root to tip if you have a thicker mane or just on the ends if you have finer hair. Dry hair without contact using a diffuser and keeping your head down. Once they’re dry, undo any ringlets that look too perfect with a light oil, serum or butter, and finish by lifting the roots with a wide-tooth comb and applying a spritz of texturizing spray.

PRO TIP “Keeping curls hydrated with a nourishing shampoo/ conditioner combo is the secret to a fabulously textured, healthy head of hair,” says Jackson.

A.K.A. Fluffy hair, brushed-out coils, neo Afro

1. L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL CURL EXPRESSION PROFESSIONAL CREAM-INJELLY ($40, MATANDMAX.COM)

2. L’ORÉAL PARIS DREAM LENGTHS SUPER CURLS CREAM ($9.50, AMAZON.CA)

3. SHEA MOISTURE HIGH POROSITY MOISTURE REPLENISH SHAMPOO ($14, WALMART.CA) 1. 2. 3.

KERRY WASHINGTON

EMILY RATAJKOWSKI

CUT BUTTERFLY BOB

A.K.A. Long shag, butterfly cut, wolf cut, sharp bob, chopped bob

WHAT IT IS “I see this genderless, timeless and ever-evolving cut as a variation on the shag,” says David D’Amours, Kérastase artist and owner of Privé par David D’Amours in Montreal. “In a way, it’s a return to glam, softness and lightness that we’re seeing with these increasingly popular choppy layers, which require the simple maintenance of running your fingers through your hair throughout the day.”

WHO IT’S FOR Anyone—if they’re willing to take the time to style it into bouncy fabulousness. D’Amours encourages opting for fewer layers if you have thicker, more full-bodied hair and more layers if you have fine, light hair. “They add volume, which is essential with this cut,” he says.

STARS WHO ROCK IT A butterfly bob on Farrah Fawcett, Pamela Anderson and Hailee Steinfeld; a modern rocker look on Miley Cyrus and Precious Lee; fabulously wavy on Simone Ashley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lily Collins, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Coolidge.

REAL-LIFE VERSION The key to getting this flattering, brilliant cut right is all in the styling. “The softness, the feathered ends and how the hair moves and shines can only be achieved with proper hair care and styling,” explains D’Amours.

THE PLAY-BY-PLAY

WITH A HOT BRUSH OR HAIR DRYER Dry your hair about 90 percent of the way before rolling it section by section using a hot brush or a brush and hair dryer. Pin curls with a clip to hold them in place while they cool down.

WITH ROLLERS Dry your hair about 90 percent of the way before rolling it section by section using heated rollers. Secure the rollers in place and leave them while you tend to the rest of your beauty routine.

PRO TIP “Keep hair as healthy as possible by masking, using a shampoo that’s right for your hair type, using heat protectors and closing the cuticles with a bit of serum or hair oil to finish your look,” says D’Amours. “It’ll save you a whole lot of styling time.”

1. T3 VOLUMIZING HOT ROLLERS LUXE FOR VOLUME, BODY AND SHINE ($170, SEPHORA.CA)

2. KÉRASTASE GENESIS ANTI HAIR-FALL FORTIFYING SERUM ($85, KERASTASE.CA)

3. KÉRASTASE CHRONOLOGISTE L’HUILE DE PARFUM FRAGRANCE HAIR OIL ($85, KERASTASE.CA)

MILEY CYRUS

JENNIFER LOPEZ

SIMONE ASHLEY

PAMELA ANDERSON

LILY COLLINS

THIS TIKTOKVIRAL SKIN SAVIOUR IS OUR FOREVER BEAUTY ESSENTIAL

Plus, it’s a French-pharmacy cult fave. Need we say more?

THESE DAYS, THERE ARE TWO WAYS for a product to enter the pantheon of all-time greatest beauty products. One is earning the title of “French-pharmacy cult favourite,” a surefire way to make must-have lists everywhere. And the second—a very 2023 option—is to go viral on TikTok and have scores of beauty buffs and makeup artists get behind its magic. One pick that’s got the blessing of both? Lait-Crème Concentré by Embryolisse.

If you haven’t yet encountered this essential multi-purpose moisturizer, let us give you a crash course. First crafted by a French dermatologist in 1950, Lait-Crème Concentré has earned an immaculate reputation thanks to its pared-down but intensely effective formula. Nourishing shea butter, beeswax and aloe vera are the key, natural-origin ingredients in the mix, creating a silky-soft texture that’s light and non-greasy. Chasing that dewy, glazed-skin effect? This one’s for you. But Lait-Crème Concentré’s unparalleled formula means its benefits go way beyond that of an everyday moisturizer. Let us count the ways: It can be used as a complexion-enhancing makeup primer to ensure long-lasting coverage, as the perfect post-shave cream for the guy in your life and, come evening, as an ultra-gentle impurity remover when dotted on a cotton pad. Applied in generous coats, it can even double as a mask to impart max hydration.

It’s no surprise then that this all-in-one skincare hero has gone on to become iconic among celebs, pro makeup artists and derms alike. The proof is in the prolific purchases: A blue-and-beige tube is sold worldwide every 20 seconds. On the heels of a branding makeover that included a revamped packaging, Embryolisse is expanding its legendary lineup with the launch of its Radiant Complexion Cream. Packed with plumping hyaluronic acid and universally flattering pink-mineral pigments, this boundto-be-iconic cream corrects the visible signs of fatigue (see ya, dullness) and instantly restores a healthy glow. It’s the one-stop answer to achieving the no-makeup makeup look. Together, these products are set to shake up your summer routine and beyond. Simplifying your routine—and stretching your beauty budget—has never been easier.

1. LAIT-CRÈME CONCENTRÉ, EMBRYOLISSE ($43, EMBRYOLISSE.CA)

2

STAR BRIGHT

By EMILY MACCULLOCH

YOU PROBABLY KNOW SKAI JACKSON from her role as Zuri Ross on hit Disney Channel sitcoms Jessie and Bunk’d, but these days, the 21-year-old is busy showing the world a whole other side of herself. The author, activist and actor has not only recently wrapped two upcoming film projects—thriller

The Man in the White Van and action thriller Sheroes—but also just been announced as the face of Cacharel’s fragrance line Yes I Am. “This has been a goal of mine for a very long time,” Jackson shares via Zoom from Los Angeles. Representing the collection of playful yet empowering scents (the original Yes I Am as well as Yes I Am Glorious, Yes I Am Delicious and the soon-to-be-launched Yes I Am Bloom Up!), Jackson identifies with the French fragrance house’s values. “There are so many things that drew me to Cacharel—not just the brand itself but everything it stands for and its work behind the scenes with bringing young girls together,” she says. A prominent voice for gen Z, Jackson sees her new beauty gig as another way to connect with and inspire her growing audience and to show them that they can do anything they put their minds to. “I’m so excited about this partnership,” she says. “I can’t even really put [my feelings] into words.”

ON HER FAVOURITE CACHAREL SCENTS

“I really like the original scent—it has a spicy note to it. I love wearing it when I go out with friends or even just when I’m fresh out of the shower. I like Glorious as well—it has more of a peachy, fruity aspect to it. I wear it when I go out during the day.”

ON HER PERFUME HACK

“I like to put on a body cream first because I feel like it makes my perfume last a little bit longer. Then I apply it on my wrists, on my neck and behind my knees.”

ON HER DESERT-ISLAND MAKEUP ESSENTIAL

“I can’t live without my NYX eyebrow gel—the one that comes in a clear and pink tube. I love it. I’ve bought so many high-end brow gels because I have really curly eyebrows, and nothing lasts on them except this one.”

ON HOW SHE STAYS FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED

“I write positive affirmations in my journal—about what I see for myself in the next five years and what I want to accomplish in life—and then speak them into existence as if they are already true. Sometimes my friends and I will make mood boards or vision boards just to get our spirits [aligned].”

ON HER CAREER DECISIONS

“I’ve navigated things by having the best team on my side and [letting them] know everything I want to do and what my goals are and being [upfront] with them. Having that support system has played a huge role. And also by being strategic about [my choices] and not doing something just [for the sake of doing] it.”

ON WHAT SHE DOES FOR SELF-CARE

“I like getting facials and massages, but my favourite thing in the world to do is [get a treatment from] my chiropractor. I know that might sound strange, but it relaxes me so much. I go to him once a week, and he’s the best.”

ON HER ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

“Use social media to your advantage. It doesn’t matter whether you have a million followers or 500 or 20. Your voice still counts. [Don’t be] afraid to speak up. I try to encourage my fans to speak up in the right way—in a positive way. It’s all about using the platforms you have.”

Outspoken, driven and with her vision board in hand, SKAI JACKSON is ready for her close-up.

COURTESY OF CACHAREL (S. JACKSON)

Sensitive, dehydrated, oily and combination skin—you’re covered.

CLEANSING IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP in your skincare routine. Removing impurities and pollution properly will give you the best results from your routine. Bioderma, a pioneering brand in dermatological care, takes this essential step seriously. Its ecobiological approach to biome-preserving skincare has resulted in a range of highly regarded makeup removers enhanced with micellar technology. You know how the cleansing step can sometimes strip the skin too much? Not here. Bioderma’s no-rinse formulas are focused on suffusing the surface of your skin with active ingredients that suit your specific skin type. With three distinct product options—each adorned with a different-coloured cap for easy recognition—there’s an effective solution aimed at every issue. Read on as we break down the best makeup-remover solution for your unique skin.

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN:

BIODERMA SENSIBIO H20 MICELLAR WATER

The cleansing step can be a tricky one for those with sensitive skin. You need a product that oh so gently purifies your skin while respecting (and preserving) its delicate balance. Sensibio is the easy answer. Embracing a less-is-more approach, it’s formulated with cucumber-fruit extract and zero fragrance. Just a few swipes of Sensibio eliminates 99 percent of makeup and 78 percent of heavy metals from the skin, soothing it into a calm, comfortable state.

BEST FOR DEHYDRATED SKIN:

BIODERMA HYDRABIO H20 MICELLAR WATER

Dehydrated skin is the perfect match for Hydrabio. Along with super-moisturizing niacinamide and softness-imbuing apple-seed extract, its patented Aquagenium complex targets skin lipids and aquaporins to keep hydration at a balanced level. The results are unmistakable: Skin immediately feels softer and thoroughly cleansed, and participants in a study reported a 25-percent increase in its hydration after eight hours.

BEST FOR COMBINATION TO OILY SKIN:

BIODERMA SÉBIUM H20 MICELLAR WATER

If you’re working with combination to oily skin, the right makeup remover will leave a covetable fresh-face feeling in its wake.

Bioderma’s Sébium H20 Micellar Water gets it right every time. Developed with purifying ingredients like zinc gluconate and copper sulphate, this instant formula gently cleanses and limits sebum production while never drying out the skin. Trust us, it’s the most balanced your face will ever feel.

WE FOUND AN EFFECTIVE MAKEUPREMOVER SOLUTION FOR EVERY SKIN TYPE

A FRAGRANT World

Meet Olivier Polge, the next-level nose behind some of our favourite CHANEL scents.

By THÉO DUPUIS-CARBONNEAU

Olivier Polge’s destiny was predetermined. The son of famous French perfumer Jacques Polge, who worked with Chanel for 37 years, he grew up between Grasse and Paris surrounded by some of the world’s best raw materials for creating scents. After a remarkable stint at American company International Flavors & Fragrances, Polge joined Chanel in 2013 as his father’s successor. Since 2015, he’s been the official nose of the French house—which stands out for its unique combination of classic elegance and modernity—and we owe scents like No. 5 L’Eau, Bleu de Chanel and Misia to his remarkable skill. We recently spoke with Polge about his creative process, how he crafts a fragrance and his favourite scents.

ON HIS SOURCES OF INSPIRATION “Creatives are stimulated by their surroundings. With all the compelling scents and combinations of raw materials that I get to play with and develop, my craft is a source of inspiration in and of itself.”

ON HIS CREATIVE PROCESS “When I create, I’m inspired by a state of mind rather than a particular kind of person. There are no rigid rules, but I do find that certain floral notes make for an extroverted perfume, while others are better suited to more-inward-focused fragrances. And two people may not agree at all—that’s the beauty of this art form.”

ON HIS RAW MATERIALS “I’ve always been drawn to iris. It’s truly a unique ingredient and very Chanel in its abstract nature: a bit floral, a bit powdery, a bit woody and quite difficult to put your finger on. It’s an ingredient that we’ve always tapped into for our perfumes—there’s just a skosh in No. 5, while it’s more of a pillar of No. 19, which features it to perfection.”

ON CRAFTING A FRAGRANCE “I love what Gabrielle Chanel once said to Ernest Beaux in the No. 5 days—something like ‘I am a designer of couture. I want a fragrance that is a composition, like a dress.’ What she meant was that she didn’t want perfumes that smelled exactly of jasmine or rose but more of an abstraction of their essences—like an haute-couture piece that’s the expression of various fabrics coming together.”

ON MASS-MARKET VERSUS NICHE SCENTS “Coco Mademoiselle is designed with accessibility and immediacy in mind. It’s

all about arriving at a straightforward aesthetic that aligns with Chanel’s over a ll style. As for the Les Exclusifs line, its fragrances are more of an exploration of rareness, of being inspired by the unique symbols of Gabrielle Chanel’s world. Coromandel, for instance, was created as an homage to the coromandel screens that grace Coco Chanel’s apartment.”

ON SELECTING A SILLAGE “There’s nothing more sensual than perfume. It’s so intimate and invisible, and it lives on your skin. I’d love to provide a ready-made answer, but I think the only way to understand what kind of fragrance is right for you is to actually wear it. Finding your match might take time.”

ON A CREATION HE’S PROUD OF “I wrapped up Paris - Paris right before the pandemic, so obviously we got slowed down, and it took a while to launch. But I’m thrilled to see that despite the odds, the perfume has found such resonance.”

ON WHAT SCENT HE WEARS “Pour Monsieur by Chanel, which was created by my father’s predecessor, Henri Robert, in the 1950s. It’s kind of an old-school cologne— it’s quite elegant, and I love it dearly. However, I only wear it on weekends because during the week, I need a totally-scent-neutral environment.”

ON SCENTS THAT MOVE HIM “I’m fond of coastal Mediterranean aromas—the scrublands with their flowers and semi-arid aromatic plants, thyme, cistus, immortelle flower....”

ON HIS JOY-SPARKING NOTES “Citruses! I think bergamot— which is quite common—is a magnificent scent. It sparkles!”

LOOKING AT THE STRUCTURE OF HAIR FIBRES THROUGH 4-D GOGGLES AT THE L’ORÉAL PARIS LABORATORY

ELLE WAS THERE: SCIENCE

at WORK

We took a peek behind the scenes at the L’ORÉAL PARIS laboratory to learn about how the beauty giant’s hair products are made.

By ALEX GONTHIER

BEHIND ALL THE SHAMPOOS , conditioners and hair treatments that line our pharmacy shelves are years of research and development that led to the sourcing of the best ingredients on the market and the creation of high-quality formulas. On a recent visit to the L’Oréal lab in Paris, we were given the unique opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes and learn about the tests our favourite products, like the new Bond Repair collection, undergo before arriving in our hands—and on our strands.

Our first stop was the formulation-sciences laboratory. In this vast and immaculate space, work tables are lined up like a much more pristine version of a high-school chemistry class. This is where all the French brand’s formulas are thought out and designed. For a single final product, researchers might create more than 200 samples and test upwards of 30 active ingredients. Between the initial idea and the eventual launch, there can be up to 10 years of back-and-forth development.

Next up was the test laboratory, where five machines with very distinct uses carry out precise experiments on hair samples to measure and compare the effects of several external factors, including heat, humidity, hydration and hair brushing; this helps researchers determine the effectiveness of a product. They even have an instrument that mimics a hairbrush; it will perform more than 130 brush strokes on a hair sample to calculate the damage caused over time by this daily gesture.

We then made our way to the “hair salon,” where new formulas that are currently in the works are applied to volunteer heads for comparison. We even had the chance to touch, brush and analyze participants’ hair after the Bond Repair collection was applied to see their impacts for ourselves.

On the tech side of things, L’Oréal uses microscopes and 4-D-visualization devices to better understand the structure

of the hair fibre, from scalp to tip. Using magnifying glasses, we were able to compare healthy hair to hair that has suffered from the stresses of everyday life, like UV rays, friction, brushing and styling.

At the end of the tour, and after having witnessed all the steps hair products undergo—from the conceptual to the concrete—we were sure about one thing: We’ll never look at hair products the same way again.

supple and hydrated from morning ’til night. Plus, its newly launched miniature format allows you to carry it everywhere.

ON THE ROAD

Here’s

everything you need to maximize your beauty-and-wellness routine—think mini, multi-purpose and convenient—when travelling light for a summer weekend away.

By THÉO DUPUIS-CARBONNEAU

Get perfectly tanned skin safely with this golden-hued new-generation self-tanner, which is designed especially for darker skin tones.

Each of these capsules contains the perfect dose to brighten and unify your complexion. Just bring one for every day you plan to be away.

This practical tropical-smelling balm moisturizes lips brilliantly while protecting them from UV rays.

Unify, correct, illuminate, sculpt and enhance: This well-thought-out compact has everything you need to create a flawless complexion.

BONDI SANDS TECHNOCOLOR CARAMEL 1 HOUR EXPRESS SELF TANNING FOAM ($34, BONDISANDS.COM)

CLARINS MILKY BOOST CAPSULES ($42, CLARINS.CA)

EOS THE GUARDIAN SPF 30 LIP BALM IN COCONUT ($5, LONDONDRUGS.COM)

Infused with aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and squalane, this sunscreen-cum-primer helps prepare and protect the skin while gently illuminating it for that coveted summer glow.

We couldn’t help but fall for this weekend bag’s brilliant design (complete with separate shoe space!), vibrant colour and perfect size. Plus, the brand offers a matching carry-on. Sold!

BÉIS

Housed in a very chic case, this multi-functional formula—which is based on madecassoside, a molecule extracted from Centella asiatica—repairs the skin’s barrier and deeply moisturizes the body, lips and hands.

Only have space to bring a single pair of shoes? Set your sights on these sneakers, which can pound the pavement for a morning run and still look cute (and be comfy) with a summer dress or shorts.

Thanks to a pigmented tip on one side and a kabuki brush on the other, this product gives lips, eyes and cheekbones a little pep in two steps and three strokes.

Adorn your eyelids with shades of liquid sunshine with this essential shimmery palette.

THE WEEKENDER IN CREAMSICLE ($145, CA.BEISTRAVEL.COM)

NUDESTIX NUDIES BLUSH STICK IN PICANTE ($39, NUDESTIX.CA)

E.L.F. SKIN SUNTOUCHABLE! WHOA GLOW SUN PROTECTION +MAKEUP PRIMER ($18, ELFCOSMETICS.COM)

DIOR LE BAUME ($75, DIOR.COM)

CHANEL OMBRE PREMIÈRE LAQUE IN RAYON ($48, SEPHORA.CA)

LULULEMON BLISSFEEL 2 RUNNING SHOES IN WHITE ($198, SHOP.LULULEMON.COM)

SELF-TANNING TOWELETTES

VeganNot tested on animals

Paraben and sulfate-free

Gluten-freeAlcohol-free

Looky Self-Tanning Towelettes are THE ideal solution for obtaining a golden tan all year round, without the harmful effects of UV rays. Easy to use, these wipes allow an even application on the face and body, without leaving marks or spots, for a gradual and natural tan.

FACE & BODY

GOING THE DISTANCE

Running becomes more popular over the summer months, but it’s important to remember that it requires some preparation to avoid injury, gain strength and feel confident.

By VAL DESJARDINS

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF REASONS to take up running. Relatively inexpensive and accessible, it’s a sport associated with ambitious goal-setting, time spent outdoors and the “runner’s high” (that rush of endorphins that follows an intense burst of activity and leaves many athletes in a euphoric state). That being said, whether you’re gearing up to run recreationally for the first time or working toward a specific goal, it’s important to remember that running is a high-impact movement practice that requires a certain level of time investment and preparation.

Much like skipping, hopping and jumping, running is a locomotor movement that is focused on the body’s ability to move from one point to another. The moment your foot connects with the ground is called “initial contact,” at which point your joints, tendons and ligaments absorb the impact and use that energy to propel you forward. Because of the speed at which your body is travelling, your joints absorb two to five times your body weight on each leg as you run. Your capacity to sustain this load for longer periods of time will increase as your running program evolves. This metric, which focuses on the body’s ability to sustain muscle work and fatigue, is called “structural tolerance” and is key when it comes to understanding the impact that training has on running.

Taking a regular running practice seriously means incorporating other types of training. Including a resistance-t raining routine in your program can help strengthen the joints and muscles that are engaged during the movement patterns that are repeated when you’re running. For example, plyometric exercises, such as box jumps or skater bounds (an exercise where you leap laterally from one foot to the other), can help build explosiveness in single movements, which will translate into increased running speed. Beyond helping keep you injury-free, strengthening your lower-body muscle groups also allows you to make your runs more challenging without necessarily

making them longer. By integrating squats and bridges into your training, you improve your ability to perform other elements of physicality, such as speed or inclination.

A regular running practice will gradually increase aerobic capacity, which is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can consume during a given exercise. As tolerance levels to strenuous exercise change, so does the body’s capacity to oxygenate blood. The measurement of cardiovascular health is rooted in this metric. And given the role that aerobic exercise plays in reducing the risks of developing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, it’s unsurprising that running has remained a barometer for one’s overall fitness levels for the past several decades. Remember those torturous shuttle-run tests (also known as “beep tests”) that many of us were subjected to in high school? This multi-stage fitness assessment—developed at the University of Montreal in the 1970s by a doctor named Luc Léger—was actually designed to test the aerobic capacity of as many people as possible without having to revert to laboratory settings. It has remained an indicator of personal progress in fitness to this day.

With the summer months upon us, it’s easy to see why running—a typically outdoor practice that gives you a chance to enjoy your surroundings—could be more appealing than ever. That being said, its merits go beyond benefiting our physical health and connecting with nature. Running’s accessibility has led to a culture that offers a variety of communal experiences and opportunities for kinship. Similarly, because of runners’ tendency to set goals, the sport is often associated with large-scale events, like huge numbers of runners racing for a given cause. Ultimately, what makes running so appealing is also what allows it to bring people together. At a time when connection with others is more crucial than ever for our mental health, it’s something that can be as meaningful or as important as you want it to be—as a runner, your route is yours to decide.

VAL DESJARDINS , owner of The Studio MTL and personal trainer

BAR BIE‘S WO RLD

RISING STAR BARBIE FERREIRA ON BLIND FAITH, BIG DREAMS AND MANIFESTING HER DESTINY.

By JOANNA FOX

Photographer SACHA COHEN

Creative director OLIVIA LEBLANC

Stylist CHRIS HORAN

HEN I SPEAK WITH BARBIE FERREIRA , she’s at her home in Los Angeles, enjoying a brief moment of downtime before embarking on a busy multi-feature shoot schedule that will take her into the summer. The 26-year-old admits that prior to jumping on our call, she was playing video games. “I like really weird ones, like Animal Crossing,” she says with her lovely throaty laugh. As a fellow gamer and a fan of that one in particular (you build a society from scratch on a desert island), I’m thrilled to dig deeper. I tell her that playing helps me turn off my brain when there’s too much going on, that it clears my head. “Yes, there’s definitely that,” she agrees, then pauses. “And then there’s a certain part to Animal Crossing—because I’m a perfectionist—that’s not so fun anymore. Like there’s a thin line between enjoying myself and it being another job because everything needs to be perfect. I have big plans.”

Ferreira’s video-game-world building is nothing compared to the big plans she has in real life. The actor, whose parents are from Brazil, was born in East Harlem and grew up in New Jersey and New York. With her sights set on acting, she started out modelling for American Apparel while working in one of the brand’s stores as a teenager. (She went by Barbara back then.) She eventually used her modelling exposure as a stepping stone, landing a role in HBO’s Divorce, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, before being cast as the unforgettable Kat Hernandez in the network’s award-winning series Euphoria. Playing that character shot Ferreira—at rocket speed—straight into the spotlight. “I look back, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m living what I manifested,’” she says of her success. “My mom’s a chef and my grandmother cleans houses, so, you know, the chances of all of this happening were pretty slim.”

Ferreira attributes a lot of her drive and hustle to coming of age in a city like New York. “Being a kid and a teenager in New York is insane,” she says. “It’s like no other place, and it has definitely shaped who I am in a lot of ways, good and bad. But mostly good, I hope!” She describes herself and her childhood friends as having a shared quality. “We hustle,” she says. “We also grew up with so much creativity and insanity

everywhere, so it kind of preps you for wherever you land in life.” This pretty much explains why Ferreira is so focused and incredibly aware of how far she’s come.

Acting is something Ferreira wanted to do from a young age; throughout high school, she did local theatre and took classes at acting studios to learn and explore the craft—without feeling any pressure—simply because she loved it. “I think the universe was on my side when it didn’t throw me into being a child actor,” says Ferreira. “I do believe that it’s nice to grow up and know what you want to do before you get in the public eye. I think that would be very challenging for a young person.” When she got the opportunity to step into the world of modelling, Ferreira saw it as a means to an end. “I started shooting for things outside of American Apparel, and then I ended up getting signed to an agency,” she explains. She became friends with well-known photographer, artist and director—and Canadian—Petra Collins, who at the time was working with American Apparel. (She has since gone on to shoot music videos for Carly Rae Jepsen and Cardi B and, more recently, an Interview magazine cover with Pamela Anderson.) The two young women hit it off (and are close to this day), and Collins continued to use Ferreira for shoots for more-high-profile publications, like Seventeen and i-D magazines. “After a couple of years, I was like, ‘Okay, cool, this whole thing was for the acting,’ and I was ready to start focusing on that. But it really helped me get where I needed to be, so I’m thankful.”

When Ferreira first worked with Parker, the famed actor really helped boost her confidence. “She was like, ‘I saw your audition—you’re so good,’” says Ferreira. “That was so powerful because I was literally freaking. I was like, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing.’ I was so nervous. I almost couldn’t get through it. But I did.”

After Divorce, there were industry-wide rumblings about a new HBO show being cast. According to Ferreira, so many young people in New York were auditioning—not only actors but models, designers and influencers too. Everyone wanted a part in what would become Euphoria. “There must have been tens of thousands of people going out for this show, but for some reason, I thought, ‘I’m going to book it,’” says Ferreira. “I had this blind faith.” It was the first time in Ferreira’s life that she’d felt so confident about something, and after about eight callbacks, she got the role. “I’m just happy that they gave me a chance,” she says. “This role was everything I wanted, and I poured all my focus and attention into it.”

What Ferreira wasn’t prepared for, however, was how big the show has ended up being and how far-reaching it is. She’d assumed that it would resonate with gen-Zers, but

she thought that perhaps the drugs and sexual content wouldn’t appeal to an older audience. (I think that, ironically, that kind of content is exactly why people like HBO.) But it not only reached cult status with a younger audience; older viewers—especially ones with kids and teenagers—watched the scandalous lives these teens were living with a combination of shock, horror and intrigue. It was sexy and wild, it was sad and awful and, most importantly, it was enthralling. It also propelled Euphoria’s talented young cast—including Zendaya (who won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of drug addict Rue), Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, Angus Cloud, Jacob Elordi and, of course, Ferreira—into the cultural zeitgeist and to a new level of Hollywood fame.

“I don’t think it’s something you can prepare for,” says Ferreira of the response to the first two seasons of the show. “I learned so much more about myself and myself as an actor. Figuring out how to navigate this world is a very interesting journey because there’s no guidebook on how to be an actor on a show about teenagers that blows up on HBO,” she says with a laugh. “That’s, like, a hyper-specific thing, so I was thankful to have the rest of the cast [with me] because we could all relate.”

On the show, Ferreira’s character, Kat, is on a complex journey of self-discovery that leads to her moonlighting as an online dominatrix cam girl. This double life gives Kat a new-found confidence and an awareness of the power of her own sexuality; for viewers, it was refreshing to see a character who is outside the usual teen-show tropes. “It’s unique,” says Ferreira of her role. “A lot of people have seen me in my ultimate vulnerable moments.” On the one hand, Kat is badass and assertive; on the other, she’s sensitive and insecure. It’s one of the reasons Kat was so popular with fans of the show—she was extremely relatable yet also powerful in the sense that she took control of her narrative and owned it. “I think a lot of people can relate to Kat and to having people walk all over you until you lash out, either in a negative or a positive way, and then figure out your power and who you are and navigate that in a messy, chaotic way,” says Ferreira. “As teenagers do.”

In August of last year, Ferreira made headlines when she announced on Instagram that she would not be returning to Euphoria for its third season. There were rumours about a rift

with creator Sam Levinson and her having walked off the set, but her reason for leaving was much simpler—and far less dramatic: She felt it was time to go. On Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Ferreira explained that her character had no real direction, especially after a bit of a lag in her storyline in the second season, and she was worried the show would not do Kat justice. “It was hard,” says Ferreira of the decision. “But I was thinking about this a lot because obviously Euphoria is something that is so important to me—it was such a big part of my life and is what I’m mostly known for. It was challenging to say goodbye to a character that I love so much and that I poured my life into. But as an actor, it’s really exciting to start a new chapter and explore different things. And now I’m in a place where I get to end on a high note and actually move on—to explore myself and my craft and step into different characters. All I ever wanted was to be an actor, so I’m just so happy that I get to make this my life.”

Before her time on Euphoria had ended, Ferreira was already spreading her wings. She starred in 2020’s heartwarming film Unpregnant —her first feature—alongside The White Lotus star Haley Lu Richardson, about two teenage girls travelling across the U.S. to terminate a pregnancy. In 2022, she appeared in Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller Nope “Jordan is amazing,” gushes Ferreira. “He called me up and was like, ‘I have this tiny role,’ and I was like, ‘I’ll do anything!’ He’s an absolute genius, so it was definitely very cool to be a part of that.” But as Ferreira enters this new chapter in her career, she’s looking for more challenging roles. “I dreamt of this time; it’s my time,” she says of this new phase. “I’m open to anything, really, as long as it has a good script and a great director and just good vibes. I’m looking for things that are a little bit different from what I’ve done before.”

She just finished filming House of Spoils, a supernatural thriller starring Ariana DeBose and Succession’s Arian Moayed, and is stepping into her first leading role in Faces of Death, a horror film inspired by the 1978 found footage of the same name—which was one of the first viral videos—opposite Stranger Things’ Dacre Montgomery. After that, she’ll be working alongside Michael Shannon on The Young King, about a drag king reconnecting with their estranged father.

“I DO BELIEVE THAT IT’S NICE TO GROW UP AND KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU GET IN THE PUBLIC EYE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY CHALLENGING FOR A YOUNG PERSON.”

BODYSUIT, SKIRT AND SHOES (SINÉAD O’DWYER) AND JEWELLERY (PANDORA)

When I ask Ferreira about navigating Hollywood, she tells me that she has a solid crew of friends in Los Angeles—people she can really rely on—from her early New York days. She goes to events for work, but for the most part tries to avoid the spotlight, instead opting to hang at home (she just bought her first house) with her two cats and dog and watch Housewives. “I just feel like the work speaks for itself, especially nowadays,” she says. “It’s like you can create your own identity and you can have your own power—you are your own brand. I love talking to people who are super talented and learning from them, but I kind of just avoid the frills of it all. It’s not really for me. There are a lot of people in the industry who believe in me and who are giving me amazing opportunities, so I’m just sticking to the work and letting it speak for itself.”

Through both her modelling and her acting, Ferreira has become a body-positivity role model for many people, but when the conversation veers in that direction—Ozempic, weight loss and the fact that celebrities seem to be shrinking—it’s clear that she has other things on her mind. “I honestly don’t think about it at all,” she says. “When I was in the fashion industry, there was a bigger focus on that. My favourite part about being an actor is that it’s a little bit less about that. When it’s all about looks, it gets a little bit silly and a little bit redundant. So I just try to do everything I can to prove people wrong—despite any pushback—and continue [doing what I do].”

And it’s certainly keeping the actor busy. Not only does she have a packed shooting schedule but she’s partnered with Pandora jewellery and collaborated with Levi’s on 501 jeans. And she’s also working with brands that are close to her heart—and her roots. She’s the face of celeb-adored Brazilian beauty brand Sol de Janeiro’s new summer fragrance line, and she has also partnered with sandal giant Havaianas on an upcoming project. (She was recently at an event in Rio de Janeiro to tease the Havaianas collection, and she sported a custom pink pair with ties that criss-crossed up her legs and a dreamy matching veil.) Despite trying to lie low most of the time, when Ferreira does go out, she definitely makes a style statement, and she admits that she’s loving creating her looks these days. “With modelling, you’re dressed up but not in the way you want to be, so I actually feel way more empowered to wear what I want now,” she says. “The possibilities are endless.”

That’s what I learned while speaking with Ferreira—that the possibilities for this young talent are endless. “The other day, my mom said to me, ‘If you told me you want to be the president of the United States, at this point, I don’t think I could doubt you,’” says Ferreira, laughing. “I love that.” And her mother is right. It’s Barbie’s world—we’re all just living in it.

“I DREAMT OF THIS TIME; IT’S MY TIME. I’M OPEN TO ANYTHING, REALLY, AS LONG AS IT HAS A GOOD SCRIPT AND A GREAT DIRECTOR AND JUST GOOD VIBES. I’M LOOKING FOR THINGS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I’VE DONE BEFORE.”

CARDIGAN, TOP, SKIRT AND PANTS (ANDRE ÃDAMO) AND JEWELLERY (PANDORA) FOR DETAILS, SEE SHOPPING GUIDE.

MAKEUP ARTIST, KALI KENNEDY (FORWARD ARTISTS); HAIRSTYLIST, KEN PAVES (ILLUME MGMT); TAILOR, MARTIN ZEPEDA; PRODUCER, PÉNÉLOPE LEMAY; SET PRODUCER, NOËMIE LACHAPELLE; PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANTS, GIUSEPPE RINALDI AND JOSH CULLEN; STYLIST'S ASSISTANT, GREER HEAVRIN

ASEASON

FOR EVERYTHING

HIT THE STREETS— OR THE PARK OR THE PATIO—WITH SOME OF THE COOLEST AND MOST COVETED SUMMER TRENDS THAT WILL GUARANTEE BESTDRESSED STATUS.

Photographer MATHIEU FORTIN

Creative director

OLIVIA LEBLANC Stylist

JACLYN BONAVOTA

THINK PINK

LACED OUT

DRESS (PROENZA SCHOULER), EARRINGS (BEAUFILLE) AND BAG (SPORTMAX)

SUIT UP

BARELYTHERE BRA

SHEER PLEASURE

DRESS (NENSI DOJAKA), EARRINGS AND NECKLACE (SOPHIE BUHAI) AND GLOVES (STYLIST’S OWN)

BOLD & BRIGHT

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SHIRT, TANK TOP, JACKET, TROUSERS, EARRINGS AND BAG (BOTTEGA VENETA)

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So much more than just a fashion and beauty magazine, ELLE Canada offers INCLUSIVE, inspiring content in the form of relevant, INTELLIGENT and thought-provoking CULTURAL and SOCIETAL articles in every issue.

OFF the BEATEN TRACK

Winding through mountains, canyons and deserts, Rocky Mountaineer’s first American Southwest train route offers an inspiring—and panoramic—take on slow travel.

By TRUC NGUYEN

THERE ARE FASTER WAYS to get from Denver to Moab, Utah, than by train, but they don’t involve viewing stunning canyon and desert vistas through glass-dome windows, white-linen-tablecloth meals complete with local wines and beers or lively stories about the route and region shared by an on-board host. Rocky Mountaineer’s two-day Rockies to the Red Rocks rail experience also offers opportunities to spot rare wildlife along the way, have conversations with new friends over handcrafted cocktails and, perhaps best of all, spend many hours offline and fully in the moment as there is no on-board Wi-Fi and cellular service is weak and intermittent.

Ahead of my trip last fall on the Canadian railway company’s newest route, being disconnected from work emails and group chats was something I was worried about rather than looking forward to. But, surprisingly, the trip provided a refreshing break from the constant pull of social media and the never-ending demands of our work-from-anywhere culture. My first morning on the train, after enjoying the welcome mimosa and a hot breakfast of waffles and hickory-smoked bacon, I stretched out in my reclining seat and listened as the on-board host, Mike, regaled us with local trivia and a brief history of this rail route and the landscape. There was little distraction from my myriad of digital devices, and I found myself spending many long minutes just gazing out the window of the railcar, watching the scenery speed by. For this city girl, it felt like a front-row seat to a real-life nature documentary.

As we followed the Colorado River—crossing the Continental Divide and passing scenic ranches, grasslands and farms—I began to settle into the gentle, unhurried rhythm of the train. By the afternoon, I had started introducing myself to fellow passengers and cracked open the slim paperback I’d brought along, and I didn’t bother trying to refresh my inbox again until our train pulled into the pretty town of Glenwood Springs, Colo., for the night. In my hotel room, after a soak in the famed Glenwood Hot Springs Pool—the world’s largest hot-spring pool, open year-round—I did some work but also realized there wasn’t anything urgent in my inbox. And by the early hours of the next morning, I was back on the train, watching the landscape change colour with the rising sun.

I ventured into the adjacent lounge car—access to which is granted with the pricier SilverLeaf Plus service, which also includes mixed drinks and premium spirits—and took dozens or maybe hundreds of photos from the outdoor viewing area, which is a small open-air space between the two cars. Occasionally, to get the right angle for a shot, I would stick my head out the open window, enjoying the sunlight and brisk autumn air on my face, leaning into the roar of the train. We crossed the Colorado-Utah state line, spotted herds of mule deer and antelope and passed dazzling sandstone cliffs and mountains. By early afternoon, we arrived at our final destination and it was time to disembark. I was excited to head out and explore Moab but also not quite ready for the train ride to end. The serene yet breathtaking trip reminded me that sometimes when we travel, it’s as much about the journey as the destination.

HORSES AT SORREL RIVER RANCH

SEEING RED

The Rockies to the Red Rocks tour goes either east or west; whichever direction you choose, be sure to book in some extra time in Moab. Next to the Colorado River and near Arches and Canyonlands national parks, the small desert city (population: 5,366) is a stunning adventure-travel hot spot that offers ample opportunities for mountain biking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing and more.

SEE & DO

Whether you go for a guided visit—a half-day tour with Moab Adventure Center is available as a Rocky Mountaineer add-on— or a self-driving trip, Arches National Park is a must when you’re in Utah. Time your visit to catch the “magic hour” light at sunrise or sunset, and be sure to leave enough time to hike and explore top sites like Delicate Arch and Devils Garden. nps.gov/arch

Jeep and UTV (utility terrain vehicle) off-roading experiences are a fun and fast-paced way to explore the area’s surreal landscapes and extraordinary rock formations. A gravity-defying drive on the “slickrock” sandstone of Hell’s Revenge, a popular four-wheel-drive trail, is guaranteed to thrill. highpointhummer.com

STAY

Sorrel River Ranch, about 30 minutes outside of town, offers breathtaking views in every direction: red rock, mesas, mountains and the winding Colorado River. An idyllic 97-hectare property where chickens and pot-bellied pigs roam freely and herds of wild deer can be spotted grazing at dusk, the lush riverside resort is an extraordinary getaway from the everyday. There are horseback-riding, hiking, spa and wellness experiences on-site, and you can book high-adrenalin excursions like canyoning, offroading tours and even skydiving. sorrelriver.com

GLENWOOD HOT SPRINGS POOL

48 Hours IN LONDON

Covent Garden is a bustling West End neighbourhood that offers endless options for exploring local culture during a brief London stopover.

By EVE THOMAS

TOURING A EUROPEAN CAPITAL can feel oddly familiar these days thanks to the reach of global fashion brands and café chains. But seasoned travellers know that the best trips are those that can never be replicated. For a quintessential London experience, ditch the generic and embrace the genuine in Covent Garden. Here, a couple of days out showcase what the Brits do best, from incredible historical sites to cinematic backdrops and world-famous shows to standout design details.

STAY

ONE ALDWYCH First opened in 1998 and recently renovated, this family-owned luxury hotel is fiercely independent and full of hidden gems, and it eschews cookie-cutter luxury for subtle and striking odes to English ingenuity. The famously triangular Edwardian building is sometimes compared to a slice of cake, and it once housed The Morning Post newspaper, where a young Winston Churchill worked. Suites feel like elegant apartments. They are full of muted pinks and blues (this may be the first time you’ll want to steal a hotel carpet) and British amenities—including handwoven wool blankets from the Isle of Skye and English leaf bath oil from body-care brand Mitchell and Peach—and even come with a Dyson hair dryer. There are also fridges stocked with gourmet local goods like shortbread and cider—all complimentary, which is perhaps the very height of luxury. The hotel has its own 30-seat movie theatre for champagne screenings as well as a jewel-box-sized spa and a lap pool with soothing sea-life projections being played at one end. For truly one-of-a-kind experiences, its Curators program pairs guests with experts like perfumers and art specialists. onealdwych.com

EAT

CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY AFTERNOON TEA As delicious as it is daring, this Roald Dahl-inspired tea is so popular that it has its own entrance at One Aldwych, and chef Dominic Teague says it’s even more popular with adults than it is with children. Delight in treats like beetroot macarons and cotton candy in an experience that’s just as much a feast for the eyes or book a traditional (but hardly boring) afternoon tea in hotel restaurant Indigo, where gluten- and dairy-free dishes reign by default. onealdwych.com

LAMB & FLAG Regardless of good-natured debates over what constitutes the “oldest” pub in London (continuously operating, in the same building, with the same name and so on), this Covent Garden spot is definitely up there, dating back to the 1600s and claiming Charles Dickens as a one-time regular. It’s delightfully cramped and unfussy, all dark wood and framed antique ads, with locals regularly piling out into the alley, pints in hand. Snag a booth downstairs or head up the narrow staircase for a traditional Sunday roast or fish and chips. lambandflagcoventgarden.co.uk

CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY AFTERNOON TEA

DODONMAR WAREHOUSE Big, small, musical, Shakespearean, based on a ’90s romcom or children’s fairy tale—there really is a play for everyone in London’s West End. For a truly intimate experience, head to Donmar Warehouse, a 251-seat theatre whose layout means no audience member is ever more than four rows away from the stage. Past productions include Henry V with Kit Harington (a.k.a. Jon Snow) and a stage adaptation of the film Force Majeure. And if you’re a One Aldwych guest, the hotel can arrange for a behind-the-scenes tour and meet-andgreet with the actors. donmarwarehouse.com

S OMERSET HOUSE As much a cultural hub as a sprawling gallery space, this neoclassical one-time palace, on the bank of the River Thames, regularly presents film screenings, panel discussions, interactive art installations and outdoor activities and events like ice skating, drag shows and London Fashion Week. For a more traditional art experience, check out the permanent collection of the on-site COURTAULD GALLERY, home to works including Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear and Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère somersethouse.org.uk

180 THE STRAND Housed in a brutalist building on The Strand (a major thoroughfare in Central London), 180 The Strand is a hub for London’s young creative community. At the 180 Studios, they can work remotely amid the indoor plants and art installations of the 180 Atrium, book the TV and photography studios upstairs and check out the nearby 180 Gallery. Recent interactive exhibits have showcased the dizzying multi-sensory work of Ryoji Ikeda as well as Richard Mosse’s explorations of the Brazilian Amazon. 180thestrand.com

SHOP

COVENT GARDEN A day spent strolling the shops around Covent Garden is a downright culturally enriching experience, one that follows in the footsteps of everyone from Jane Austen to Casanova. After the Great Fire of London, in 1666, the area became the city’s largest market, mostly selling fresh fruit and vegetables, and it remains one of the most varied and interesting shopping destinations in the world. Skip the global luxury brands (okay, maybe take a peek in the DIPTYQUE store) and seek out British shops like CHOOSING KEEPING for stationery, BLACKOUT II for glam vintage clothing and accessories and BENJAMIN POLLOCK’S TOYSHOP, which has been selling shadow puppet theatres for more than a century. There’s also plenty to snack on, like specialty cheeses at NEAL’S YARD DAIRY and creative takes on street food at the covered SEVEN DIALS MARKET In between stops, look for shooting locations from movies like My Fair Lady and Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy. Take a break in the rose garden outside ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, which regularly hosts free lunchtime concerts. Known as “the Actors’ Church,” it has on display memorial plaques dedicated to Boris Karloff, Vivien Leigh, Charlie Chaplin and playwright Noël Coward, among others. coventgarden.london

CHOOSING KEEPING

AN ART INSTALLATION BY PIPILOTTI RIST AT 180 THE STRAND

THE COURTAULD GALLERY

Get a

COME SAIL AWAY

sun-filled taste of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection, from sailing the Caribbean Sea to relaxing on its sandy shores.

By JOANNA FOX

WHEN I FIRST GOT A GLIMPSE of Club Med’s stunning five-mast yacht as it sat anchored in the British Virgin Islands, the sun had just set, lending a silver hue to the dark waves that were lapping our small motorboat as we made our approach. As we embarked, we were greeted by a smiling crew sporting apropos sailor stripes and handing us glasses of champagne. Welcome aboard the Club Med 2

Make no mistake—this is no cruise ship. It’s a 194-metrelong legendary French sailing yacht. With capacity for only 368 passengers (184 cabins spread out over five decks) and rooms starting at almost 19 square metres (each with a king-size bed, plenty of storage space and porthole windows), the Club Med 2 is intimate, luxurious and stylish. It’s part of the French brand’s Exclusive Collection, the aim of which is to give vacationers a five-star all-inclusive experience unlike any other in some of the world’s most pristine destinations. If this yacht is any indication, the brand has certainly succeeded.

To celebrate the vessel’s 30th anniversary, Club Med put more than $15 million into renovations—including overhauls of the lobby, bars and Monte-Carlo restaurant (the other dining option on board is the Saint-Tropez)—and added new itineraries

and activities. With a Sothys spa, two freshwater plunge pools, saunas, a gym with 360-degree ocean views, plenty of chairs for lounging on the teak decks and a daily schedule that includes yoga, meditation, cooking and dance classes and water sports (not to mention stops at various islands), it truly has the best of a Club Med resort, only it’s on the water—and on the move.

Thanks to the yacht’s magnificent sails—which helped propel us across the Caribbean Sea to our first stop, the Dominican Republic—wind power alone accounts for a savings of 20 percent in energy consumption, Captain Jean-Baptiste Coquinot informed me. Another bonus is that due to its smaller size and shallow draft, it can dock in places other ships can’t, like the Suez Canal and Venice. Over the winter, it makes its way around the Caribbean, but come spring, it heads to the Mediterranean. On our three-day trip, we dropped anchor near a private inlet on Catalina Island where the crew basically set up Club Med for us onshore, offering everything from aquafit and yoga to snorkelling and paddle-boarding, complete with a full buffet lunch and live DJ set.

This wouldn’t be a true Club Med experience without amazing food. The culinary team on board are all trained at the prestigious Ferrandi Paris cooking school, so guests can expect

top-notch French- and Caribbean-inspired cuisine made with the best produce available as well as plenty of delicious French pastries and cheeses. And for those who want to dance into the night along with fellow passengers and staff—also known as “GOs,” which is short for gentils organisateurs—the Cannes bar at the back of the boat is well away from folks who would rather be gently rocked to sleep.

One of the biggest advantages of sailing with Club Med is that your sea voyage can be combined with one of the brand’s onshore Caribbean resorts. After disembarking at the port of La Romana in the Dominican Republic, we made our way to Michès Playa Esmeralda, which is also part of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection. An eco-chic resort that opened in late 2019, Michès is a literal hidden paradise with no other hotels in sight and a stunning palm-tree-scattered coastline that will make you feel like you’ve just landed on a deserted beach.

Combining four uniquely upscale villages into one sprawling yet still walkable area, Michès caters to every type of traveller, from guests seeking wellness experiences to those interested in water sports or local excursions to those who simply want to sit on the beach and relax. And there’s no shortage of places to do all these things, including three pools, a kids zone with

an impressive splash park, a spa by luxe French beauty brand Cinque Mondes and, of course, the dramatic shoreline.

Whether you’re at sea or on land, the staff’s enthusiasm, the unparalleled service and the convivial atmosphere combined with the brand’s vision of personalized luxury are at the core of everything that Club Med stands for. “In the hospitality industry, you can’t decide to develop the ambience; the ambience comes from your DNA,” says Vincent Giraud, managing director of Club Med Canada and North America sales operations, noting that the brand’s particular joie de vivre dates all the way back to its beginnings in 1950 as a vacation brand that emphasized friendship and sports to weary postwar Europeans. “There is a Club Med spirit and a Club Med ambience that is totally unique.”

On my last night, I stood off to the side of the crowded dance floor and watched everyone—young and old alike—waving neon streamers, dancing, smiling and laughing. A GO in the centre held out his hand to me. Normally, I would have shied away, but this time, I took it. As he spun me around and people cheered, something dawned on me: These kinds of moments are exactly what keeps guests coming back year after year. Club Med has been—and always will be—completely, uniquely its own.

YOGA AT MICHÈS PLAYA ESMERALDA

EMERALD JUNGLE ROOM AT MICHÈS

A SWIMMING POOL AT MICHÈS

Take It EASY

Brimming with renowned hotels, spas and eateries, the OUTAOUAIS region is Canada’s next getaway hot spot.

DREAMING ABOUT AN ESCAPE that doesn’t require your passport? Consider a stay in the Outaouais, an about-to-blow-up destination in western Quebec with stellar lodgings, restaurants and spas in spades. If you haven’t yet made your way to this absolute haven, read on for our tried-and-true recos to build your own blissful itinerary.

WHERE TO STAY CHALETS PRUNELLA,

Ladysmith

If you love a glamping situation, consider one of Chalets Prunella’s four A-frame cabins nestled in 30 hectares of forest. Featuring warm open-concept spaces, private cedar hot tubs and floor-toceiling windows ideal for evening stargazing, they’re destined to deliver an unforgettable getaway. chaletsprunella.com

MINITIK INN, Bouchette

Ideally situated on the shores of 31 Mile Lake, Minitik Inn is your ultra-cozy home away from home. Stay in one of its six private suites outfitted with pieces made with locally crafted wood, a beautiful bathroom and a balcony with stunning water views. villagemajopial.ca

KENAUK NATURE, Montebello

Book a stay at the prestigious Kenauk Nature, where you’ll get up close and personal with the wild wonders of the Quebec landscape (25,600 hectares of protected territory, to be exact). Its log cabin-like accommodations are accompanied by a bevy of must-do activities, like paddle boating, clay shooting and moments spent in the floating sauna. kenauk.com

WHERE TO EAT

AUX CHANTIGNOLES, Montebello

Nestled in the stunning Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Aux Chantignoles is an elevated restaurant that’s very much worth a reservation. Come for a savoury snack, an all-out meal (sumptuous surf and turf, anyone?) or its well-known Sunday brunch, where the crepes are rumoured to be next level. fairmont.com

L’HUILE D’OLIVE , Bouchette

Headed up by executive chef (and Outaouais native) Marc Gervais, L’Huile d’Olive is your go-to for fresh, seasonally inspired takes on French classics. Standouts include the lobster poutine with new-wave Béarnaise and a beef tartare topped with maple and truffles. villagemajopial.ca

WHAT TO DO

KÒE NA SPA , Gatineau

Escape from the rigours of real life with an excursion to Koena Spa, an Eastern-meets-Western thermal spa conveniently located 10 minutes from Ottawa. Complete the hot-and-cold circuit and then book in for a lomi lomi massage, a Hawaiian-style version that’s executed with the forearms. koenaspa.com

NORDIK SPA-NATURE , Chelsea

Ten outdoor baths, nine distinct saunas and plenty of Zen areas to elevate your relaxation to the max—that’s the Nordik SpaNature experience. Here, a visit isn’t complete without a dip in the Källa, a saltwater flotation pool that mimics the Dead Sea. chelsea.lenordik.com

For more suggestions, visit outaouaistourism.com

L’HUILE D’OLIVE KENAUK NATURE

NORDIK SPA-NATURE

SHADES ofSUMMER

This season, head for the garden or the deck for a green oasis among a gradient of blues.

LINEAR STEEL TABLE, THOMAS BENTZEN ($2,151, MUUTO.COM)

TINTED WINEGLASS, ($67 FOR A SET OF TWO, HAY.COM)

THE WEEKEND UMBRELLA, BASIL BANGS ($259, BASILBANGS.CA)

FISH PLATE, MALAIKA ($106, GOODEEWORLD.COM)

VAPPEBY BLUETOOTH SPEAKER LAMP ($79.99, IKEA.COM/CA)

OUTDOOR ROCKING CHAIR, INNIT ($520, SIMONS.CA)

OUTDOOR CUSHION, CB2 ($80, CB2.CA)

SPECKLED STONEWARE BOWLS, VALÉRIE PELLETIER ($30 EACH, CHICBASTA.COM)

DOC OUTDOOR PEDESTAL TABLE, FRED RIEFFEL ($1,619, ROCHE-BOBOIS.COM)

WHITE LAVA + BONE SALT CELLAR, MARLOE MARLOE ($165, SSENSE.COM)

SUMMER HOROSCOPE SPECIAL

Get a peek at what’s in store for you this season.

By VANESSA DL Illustrations ROBB JAMIESON

GEMINI

MAY 21 JUNE 20

The start of summer will be the perfect time to assess your relationship with money and self-worth. Facing your sore spots won’t be easy, but in doing so you might find the source of what’s been holding you back from achieving personal and fiscal growth. There’s no better time to find spending hacks that will help you shift certain financial behaviours. July’s the time to bring poise and reflection into all your communications. Do you often keep quiet or is it more that you have trouble expressing yourself? Are you afraid that your disagreement will be taken the wrong way? Or, on the other end of the spectrum, do you go from 0 to 100 and awkwardly ignore what others contribute? Look for balance and highlight your merits, and others will see you as you deserve to be seen. This is the moment for you to speak from a place of authenticity and confidence. August is the month for a total re-zhuzhing of your home. Organize, clean and purify with so much zeal that your living space won’t be the only thing that gets revived—your spirit will too.

This summer, your tarot card will be QUEEN OF WANDS It comes bearing precious tidings, encouraging you to grow more aware of your personal power. Think long and hard about how your environment affects your mindset, and then make changes that maximize the positive vibes.

CANCER

JUNE 21 JULY 22

For you, Cancer, summer will start off on a calming, selfcare-oriented note. The astrological transits under way will encourage you to put your well-being first. Make time to rest and recharge. This time will favour personal growth, providing you with opportunities to leave a lasting impression wherever you go. Harness this positive energy to cultivate self-confidence and present your powerful, authentic self to the world. In July, you’ll be tempted to find pleasure through impulsive and unnecessary purchases. But be prudent in all things financial; Venus in retrograde will remind you of the importance of a healthy balanced budget. Don’t forget: Your true self-worth is rooted in things far deeper than material-world acquisitions. So find ways to have fun in the moment that won’t challenge your long-term financial wellness. As summer draws to a close, you’ll be inspiration-struck and compelled to drive your projects forward. Your energy will be laser-focused on sharing your unique ideas, but it will be important to not forget the contributions of others. Be mindful of controlling tendencies as they may rob your teamwork of peace.

Your tarot-card theme this summer will be THE SUN , serving as a reminder that joy can be found in the smallest of things— and that you have the right to shine bright!

LEO

JULY 23 — AUGUST 22

The first days of summer will offer you more awareness around what’s been weighing you down. You’re going to feel the need to free yourself by closing major chapters of the past that are taking up a lot of mental, emotional and spiritual space in your present. To be successful in this endeavour, you’ll probably want to lean away from the social sphere and into rest and solitude. The Venus in retrograde taking place under your sign will be one of your most significant astrological transits of the year. Between July 22 and September 3, you’ll become more aware of the fact that you’ve been putting your dreams and desires on the back burner. If you’re feeling out of touch with your true self, this will be the perfect time for you to refocus on your authenticity and regain internal alignment. The month of August will encourage you to assess your financial situation with pragmatism and precision. You’ll be motivated to make the changes you need to sort out—or even improve—your money situation for the rest of the year. Don’t be shy—crack open a new Excel spreadsheet and get to work! With a few simple tweaks, you’ll feel a whole lot of satisfaction, especially as the results of your efforts begin to show.

JUDGMENT will be your tarot teacher this summer, bearing witness to the paradigm-changing shifts that are waiting for you during this season’s transits—and inviting you to take ownership of meaningful change-making in your life.

VIRGO

AUGUST 23 SEPTEMBER 22

The start of summer is all about independence, Virgo. Although you’re one to appreciate all the comforts that your friend groups and communities of belonging bring, you’ll probably be feeling totally untethered these days, which will allow you to move forward with renewed energy. July is the time to take a bit of a step back and get some perspective on the parts of you that you’ve not been tending to lately. This season has an aura of irrationality—perhaps even mysticism—and it’s unveiling secrets and shining a spotlight on aspects of your personality that maybe you’ve forgotten exist. When you revisit these inner loose ends, you’ll find a direct connection to your intuition, which when plugged into will help you get a better handle on what you truly need and guide you toward the right choices. Entering August, you’ll be filled with fresh self-assurance. Determined as ever, you’ll be ready to take on new challenges and projects with that discipline and detail-orientedness you’re famous for.

All summer long, you’ll enjoy the tarot-card company of QUEEN OF CUPS , which symbolizes your need to listen to your inner world, establish a direct line to your intuition and trust your heart over your head.

LIBRA

SEPTEMBER 23 OCTOBER 22

As summer begins, that Libra intuition will guide you toward new professional goals that shift your life’s current flow. You’ll learn to trust the opportunities that present themselves at the right time. It’s important to listen to that inner voice telling you whether to accept or refuse an offer—it will always steer you in a direction that is aligned with your values and will leave you feeling accomplished. Come July, you’ll find out that all your work-related efforts may have had an effect or two on your friendships. Don’t neglect investing in the communities that acknowledge your generous spirit. Give yourself permission to reassess your relationships with groups that don’t leave you feeling full of trust and integrity. You’ll need a wee break in August to process the events of the preceding weeks, and it will be an opportune time to kick off a new spiritual practice. Forest bathing and solo spa moments are options, as is any occasion that helps you disconnect and then reconnect with equanimity.  Your summer-long tarot guide will be THE STAR , here to remind you of how essential it is to surround yourself with people who inspire and encourage you to pursue your deepest desires.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 23 NOVEMBER 21

Summer will be like a healing balm for you, dear Scorpio. Remain open to opportunities that help you flourish, explore the unknown and step out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s by travelling, picking up a new skill or meeting people who are very different from you, expanding your horizons will be key. Let your intuition be your guide—it’ll help you make the right choices and put you on the path toward realizing your full potential. In July, you’ll want to take a good look at your career history. Between July 22 and September 3, you’ll be evaluating your relationships and connections and how they fit into your long-term goals. To ensure that you’re surrounded only by people who want nothing but the best for you, a little housekeeping will be in order!

August will be ripe for commitment and friendship. That said, make sure your involvement in either doesn’t step on anyone else’s toes. Although you are a direct (and sometimes cutting) communicator, you’ll still want to pay special attention to any potential friction that may arise this month. Work on focusing your energy on people who share your aspirations, and avoid any tension that won’t serve a higher purpose.

Your wisdom-filled summer tarot guide will be KNIGHT OF SWORDS . Knights were a mainstay of the courts of yore—quick to service and as efficient as hell—and this card invites you to be like them and defend the causes that are close to your heart with loving detachment.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 22

DECEMBER 21

Just as summer rolls around, you’ll probably be feeling a bit blasé about the superficial, instead preferring to explore the things that really matter in life. This will also be an opportunity to discover (deeply) hidden aspects of yourself and open up to major transformations. If you’re feeling tension around unresolved matters, it may be the right time to go straight to the source for a frank discussion. In July, Leo season brings with it a new perspective on recent challenges. That said, from July 22 to September 3, you might have the impression that your dreams are out of reach. If so, it will be important to think long and hard about how your state of mind has been holding you back. Don’t lose sight of the forest—where you get your greatest hit of energy. Honing your focus will help you overcome any obstacles and stay motivated. In August, an unexpected shift will help you gain the confidence you need to use your talents and pursue your professional ambitions. You’ll be ready to take the lead and make significant progress toward achieving your goals. You’ll also want to adapt your lifestyle to fit your values.

All summer long, your tarot guide will be THE DEVIL . Don’t freak out! This card is simply inviting you to face your fears and most compartmentalized desires, helping you understand your motivations and make more enlightened choices in the future.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 JANUARY 19

Early summer will be a favourable time for self-discovery through human interaction. You’ll be able to explore fresh ways to take care of your relationships, drawing inspiration from new rituals you can share with them. You’ll be empowered by the desire to strengthen the precious bonds in your life, making the rest of your summer a time for both individual and relational growth. Come July, issues related to intimacy, sharing and taboos will be at the fore. Venus will be in retrograde from July 22 to September 3, inviting you to see exactly how your pride may be preventing other parts of your personality from shining— even the ones you don’t consider worthy of love. Make July the time to take the mask off and show the world who you really are.  When August gets under way, you’ll be convinced that you have the solutions to your—and other people’s—problems, and you won’t be shy to share them either. That said, it will be important for you to be careful about how rigid your opinions sound. Listening to others and remaining flexible will result in you acquiring new perspectives as well as expanding your understanding of the world around you.

Your summer tarot guide will be THE HIGH PRIESTESS , a card that symbolizes the importance of finding stillness so you can hear your intuition and make enlightened decisions based on the information you receive.

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 20 FEBRUARY 18

At the dawn of summer, you’ll notice fluctuating mood and energy levels from one day to the next, which is why it will be so crucial for you to get in touch with your needs on a daily basis. If you decide to go for a run every morning but your body is telling you to slow down, listen to it! The goal here is to adjust your life habits in a way that brings you the comfort and balance you need for a healthy life. When July rolls around, you’ll be putting a magnifying glass to your relationships in love and work. Hold those horses, though—acting impulsively in this passing phase is not advisable. Between month’s end and the beginning of September, take a step back to put yourself in a better position to clarify your values around relationships; then communicate them to the right people. Putting in the groundwork during this time will pay off in the long term. The month of August will be waiting for you to clarify your expectations, especially when it comes to your private/sex life. However, you’ll probably be more sensitive to criticism at this time too, which might lead you to question your value at a very deep level. Don’t indulge in taking everything so personally; when you follow this advice, you’ll deepen important bonds that are bound to bring you increased pleasure and satisfaction.

FOUR OF CUPS will be your tarot friend for the summer. It symbolizes a temporary feeling of weariness or disappointment. Instead of letting yourself fall into the trap of keeping thoughts and emotions to yourself, take a courageous step forward, express them and free yourself.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 19 MARCH 20

The beginning of the summer season will involve a search for comfort via various forms of creative expression. Take those emotions and put pen to paper, sing at the top of your lungs in the car or dance buck-naked in your living room. You’ve never been more capable of balancing business and pleasure. For this first month of summer, self-care will mean having a damn good time! In July, you’ll probably be asking yourself whether what you do at work really matters. Although efficacy is important, taking pride in a job well done is important too and you might also need a little self-delivered pat on the back. Don’t refrain from extending that praise to colleagues or asking them for feedback. Co-operation is queen in navigating this transit with bravado. Come August, your attention will be on the interpersonal sphere. However, impatience and hasty action may lead to conflict. The bonds we cultivate with others take time to grow, so be patient with the people in your life. It’s all about progress, not perfection.

Your summer tarot guide will be NINE OF CUPS , a symbol of the realization of your desires and the satisfaction of your deepest needs. Keep in mind that, yes, pursuing your dreams is important, but so is finding joy and fulfillment in the process.

ARIES

MARCH 21 APRIL 19

Your summer will start off gently, Aries, bringing a much-needed dose of comfort to your inner world. Instead of accepting every invitation while it’s still hot off the press, take the time to see how saying yes sits with you and whether it’s really the right move. Solid self-care and choices that support emotional balance will sometimes be followed by feelings of FOMO, but know that you’re on the right track. Come July, jubilant energy will help bring you out of your shell and lead you toward all things that spark joy. This time in your life will be about saying yes to evenings out with friends and activities that allow you to express your creativity. A new person or situation will be the source of much excitement—and stress. Are you able to welcome all that zeal and still tend to your worries? Your ticket to the other side of this astrological transit is discernment—consciously choosing where to direct the energies that move you. The month of August will involve a boost in your professional sphere. Make sure all your ducks are in a row by investing in an efficient projectmanagement tool. Don’t forget to balance all this forward motion with leisure time by taking a moment to meditate between tasks and properly rev up those neurons.

Your tarot-card theme of the summer will be THE FOOL , reminding you of just how important it is to trust your gut before you agree to set out on new adventures. Rather than focusing on specific outcomes, remember that it’s all about the lessons you learn along the way.

TAURUS

APRIL 20 MAY 20

Summer’s onset brings opportunities for you to meet new people and explore the things in life that give you vitality. Stay open to chatting with that next-door neighbour and saying hi to a stranger at the coffee shop as you’ll be more in tune with the fact that those who cross your path might have something important to teach you. You’ll be extra empathetic, open and vulnerable in your interactions. When it comes time to tackle those stickier subjects, remember to create a space in which trust and safety prevail—it’ll keep conversations constructive. In July, a new way to see home-life challenges will dawn on you. Between July 22 and September 3, you’ll gain clarity when it comes to what’s stoking the fires of imbalance in your family. Your leadership will result in better conflict management and therefore improved family dynamics. August is the perfect time to dive into new activities and tap into deeper wells of energy. You’ll be motivated to improve at the things you already love to do. Put your whole heart into it—you’ll be surprised by how much progress you make and how quickly.

Your tarot-card theme of the summer will be NINE OF SWORDS , and it’s here to suggest that you lock eyes with exactly what’s been worrying you. You have the inner strength and outer support system required to help you overcome it, but if you want to get a proper grasp of the situation, it will be necessary to voice what’s going on within you first.

For a more in-depth reading, check your rising sign first—which is based on your exact time of birth —and then your Sun sign, a.k.a. the one that’s astrally assigned to you based on your date of birth . If you’re not sure what your rising sign is, no worries—just go with what you know!

ELLE CANADA EXTRA

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EAST MEETS WEST

As the European fashion capitals dazzle us with their avantgarde runways each season, little is revealed about the behindthe-scenes artisans who are to thank for the intricate detailing on the dreamy creations. India has been at the forefront of this hidden world for decades, and it recently got to have its moment in the spotlight. Maria Grazia Chiuri, the current designer at CHRISTIAN DIOR , chose Mumbai as the backdrop for her pre-fall 2023 runway presentation, a truly cross-cultural event and an ode to the country she’s been collaborating with for 30

years. The collection features an array of traditional Indian shapes, such as tunics and sari skirts, as well as stunning fabrics like shantung silk and toile de Jouy finished with mirrored and sequined borders. Elephants, tigers, peacocks, mandalas and lotus flowers were delicately added to Chiuri’s minimalistic designs, another ode to the host country. The flamboyant palette—one of her most extravagant to date—created a technicolour experience and made the 56 models of Indian descent chosen to walk this special show truly shine.