Harper's Bazaar UK May 2015

It’s long been a dream of mine to feature Lupita Nyong’o on the cover of Bazaar; but such is the global demand for this extraordinarilytalentedactress, ever since her Oscar-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave, that scheduling aLondon shoot was fraught with complications. Yet once she was in the studio with our photographer Alexi Lubomirski, the day flowed naturally, eased by her calm grace. Nyong’o’s thoughtful intelligence also shines through in her conversation with Sophie Elmhirst (page 146); all of whichmakes her a remarkably compelling contemporary rolemodel. As such, Nyong’o is the perfect woman to be the face of this issue, which is inspired by the many and varied manifestations of beauty. Hence Carine Roitfeld’s story celebrates a diverse range of international models, including Gigi Hadid (born in Los Angeles to…

David Nicholls The Bafta-nominated writer considers feminismin his new film adaptation of Far from theMadding Crowd, starring CareyMulligan, on page 114. Following Starter for Ten, The Understudy and One Day, his new novel, Us, is out in paperback thismonth. To Botox or not? ‘Definitely not. There’s nothing beautiful about an inexpressive face.’ Most beautiful view ‘Walking the DalesWay fromIlkley to the Lake District is spectacular.’ Howmuch time do you spend in front of the mirror? ‘The bare minimum; I don’twant to get too downhearted. I glance and run.’ Sam Taylor - Johnson For ‘Travel notebook’ on page 223, the visual artist and Fifty Shades of Grey director spent time in New York with her family. In 2014, she photographed Coco Chanel’s apartment for the acclaimed ‘Second Floor’ exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. How do you define beauty? ‘It’s all in the…

Join Bazaar’s beauty director Sophie Bloomfield from6pmon 12May for a VIP preview of the new second-floor fragrance and beauty rooms.We’re thrilled to offer our readers the chance to hear Bloomfield in conversation with a teamof Fortnum&Mason’s experts, when you can learn about the department store’s illustrious history, and afterwards shop the new beauty brands on offer. Tickets cost £40, including a champagne and canapé reception, product demonstrations, a Bazaar subscription and a goodie bag. L’OCCITANE EVENT Visit L’Occitane’s Covent Garden shop on 13 May to see the brand’s Chelsea Flower Show garden designer James Basson in conversation with Justine Picardie. Tickets cost £40, including a Nyetimber drinks reception, entry to a raffle to win two tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show, a subscription, a goodie bag and treatments. MEET LAURA MERCIER Join the world-renowned…

1 OBJECT OF DESIRE Necklace or work of art? This FABERGÉ floral extravaganza is a sartorial flight of fancy. 2 LAYERED LENGTHS Now for a trans-seasonal dressingmasterclass: still not quite sure where to start with layering? Look to CALVIN KLEIN for inspiration. A cropped jacket over a tunic with calf-length trousers is a simple, chic and failsafe combination. 3 THE SEVENTIES SCARF If this season’s Woodstock-worthy suede and fringing don’t appeal, then the neckscarf offers a rathermore elegant nod to the Seventies. Cast yourmind back to Lauren Hutton or Bianca Jagger for the perfect way to accessorise relaxed tailoring or even a safari jacket. 4 MATCHY MATCHY Although we wholeheartedly approve of ladylike trends, we wouldn’t usually condone matching up accessories. But sometimes, just sometimes, they work. See VALENTINO, CHANEL and DOLCE &GABBANA for proof: matching the…

When summer hits and your winter suits feel tired, let a white one be your game-changer.Whether you’re dressing for the office or heading to a white-tie event, this will be one of themost hardworking pieces in your wardrobe. Keep it simple but elegant: teamwith a white T-shirt à la KateMoss for day or, for evening, a chic silk La Perla camisole and pointed flats. AMaisonMichel trilby is the finishing touch. PHOTOGRAPHS: PAMELA MANSON, GRAHAMWALSER/HEARST STUDIOS, COURTESY OF BURBERRY, XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM, GETTY IMAGES. SEE STOCKISTS FOR DETAILS. COMPILED BY ANNA ROSA VITIELLO…

Fromarmy-green shirts at Chanel to crochet dresses at Alberta Ferretti, summer suede is everywhere for S/S 15. Adopt classic silhouettes and soft pastels: Loewe’s trench-coat is themost sophisticated example. Invest in pieces that fit with your wardrobe staples, such as Jaeger’s workwear-appropriate skirt or Fendi’s leather and suede jacket. Add suede accessories if you so wish. PHOTOGRAPHS: ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI, GRAHAMWALSER/HEARST STUDIOS, VANESSA JACKMAN. SEE STOCKISTS FOR DETAILS. COMPILED BY CHARLOTTE DAVEY…