Harper's Bazaar UK April 2022

While I would hesitate to echo TS Eliot in his description of April as ‘the cruellest month’, it is undeniably true that spring has a particular energy that can feel disruptive. As the days get longer, I find myself waking with the birds, fizzing with adrenalin, and longing to launch into new projects. Suddenly, the warm, sober-hued knits I’ve been wearing seem stodgy and inappropriate, and I want to feel the whisper of light cotton or the cool slither of silk against my skin. My children have learnt, at their cost, not to leave things on the floor at this time of year; I prowl the house with a bin bag, clearing clutter, flinging open windows and tickling stagnant corners with a feather duster until everyone and everything is thoroughly…

VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS The most famous tennis siblings in the world, Venus and Serena Williams hold 122 singles titles between them. Following the release of a Hollywood film about their childhood and with a summer of championships ahead, our cover stars reflect on their astonishing careers. What is your proudest achievement? Serena: ‘Being a mum. There is nothing that makes me more proud.’ A book I always recommend is… S: ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.’ What or who inspires you the most? Venus: ‘Virgil Abloh. I love how he brought people together in a divided world.’ Success means… V: ‘Looking back on your life and realising you’ve lived it with no regrets.’ What is your hidden talent? V: ‘I speak Italian, French and some Chinese.’ What do women need most in…

1 THE SEQUIN SKIRT Why keep glamour for after dark? Add a spritz of sparkle to daytime dressing with this Celine showstopper. Sequined skirt, from a selection; mohair jacket, £2,100; cropped tank top, £250; sunglasses, £310; leather bag, £1,950, all Celine by Hedi Slimane 2 THE TAILCOAT A mainstay of masculine tailoring reimagined, this Louis Vuitton jacket is an elevated addition to any outfit, with a glistening trim that’s made for magpies. Tweed tailcoat, £7,500 Louis Vuitton 3 THE PEEP-TOE BOOTS Whatever the weather, this cautiously optimistic footwear lets you dip a toe into springtime. Leather boots, £1,400; silk dress, £4,500; knit top, £850; leather bag, £2,730, all Louis Vuitton 4 THE ART ACCESSORY The classic Lady Dior bag gets an irreverent refresh this season, thanks to a fashionable feline design created in collaboration with the artist…

‘Claire McCardell has always been a hero of mine,’ says Tory Burch, who paid homage to the 20th-century activewear designer in her S/S 22 collection. ‘Her rule-breaking clothing genuinely empowered women.’ Burch’s pieces channelled a similar sense of freedom and female self-expression, blending versatility and practicality with retro references and striking clashes of scarlet, chartreuse and blue. Knitted bandeaux and reversible jersey tops were layered atop voluminous poplin dresses patterned with picnic checks and sophisticated stripes, while bustiers were paired with relaxed trousers and structured linen jackets. The collection also featured embellishments that were signature to McCardell, including double topstitching, oversize pockets and hook-and-eye closures – reflecting an approach to casual elegance that is, as Burch says, ‘as relevant today as it was in the late 1940s’. PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF TORY…

Glittering details worthy of a leading lady let you shine in the spotlight…

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