Elle Canada May-June 2026

THESE DAYS, the word “power” has become somewhat loaded. We hear it and can’t help but think of what’s happening in the world: unchecked authority, demonstrations of force and decisions that hit squarely but rarely fairly. We think of the type of power that consumes, crushes and frightens. And yet, when I look at the cover of this issue, that’s the word that comes to mind. Because in my life and in the lives of the women I admire, power doesn’t look like that at all. It tends to be a lot more benevolent and nuanced. Around me, I see women who embody strength in a thousand different ways. There are those who take a stand without trembling and those who inspire change without ever raising their voice. Those who…

Pop open the Parma Violets—their sweet pastel hue is an exact match for one of spring/summer 2026’s favourite shades. Lilac was a fixture throughout the new collections, with designers bringing the shade to life through texture. See Burberry for crochet, Stella McCartney for faux feathers and Valentino for velvet. Purple never looked so good.…

Denim is shedding its casual weekday vibe and treading into polished, runway-ready territory with rich-indigo and deep-rinse washes that elevate any look. At Khaite and Victoria Beckham, slim stovepipe silhouettes and roomy wide-legged styles were rendered in dark washes, adding a sense of gravitas to everyday dressing, while at COS, the hue went ultra-stiff with structured matching top-and-bottoms sets—always a yes. From head to toe, dark denim is crisp, clean and ultra-chic.…

DAY Take the Canadian tuxedo to the office with complementary dark washes. Fun extras, like a striped top and platform mules, keep the two blues from dipping into down-home territory. NIGHT A pair of slouchy denim boots sets the stage for a playful going-out look. Slip into some slinky, vintage-feeling separates and elevated earrings for an of-the-moment medley. WEEKEND An on-the-go weekend calls for an outfit that can keep up. Lean on a dark-wash dress, and pair it with a suede jacket and statement-making accessories like retro sunnies and a silk bandana.…

ON A RAINY DECEMBER AFTERNOON in an abandoned subway station on New York City’s Lower East Side, creative director Matthieu Blazy presented his highly anticipated first Chanel Métiers d’Art show. As the well-heeled crowd carefully made their way down the stairs, the bustle suddenly stilled as rapper A$AP Rocky and actor Margaret Qualley—both brand ambassadors—made their striking entrance. Wearing looks that had been revealed a few days earlier in a Michel Gondry-directed short film made for the French house, the pair immediately established a cinematic tone as reality and fiction collided. A piercing whistle preceded the arrival of a subway train from which models of all ages emerged, playing the roles of everyone from students to executives to eccentrics. Embodying that raw yet elegant New York energy as they stepped…

Stripes never go out of style, but on this season’s runways, they had a fresh, modern energy. While Jacquemus championed bold, unapologetic lines with wide horizontal bands in vibrant or muted tones, Issey Miyake and Lacoste reworked the motif with classic Breton-inspired polos and tops cut in more voluminous silhouettes. Rather than just serving as a background pattern, stripes are being used strategically—verticals to elongate, diagonals to inject motion, mixed widths to add visual drama—making them a key print to shake up the season.…