Table of contents for April 2021 in InStyle

ON SET TIMELESS FILMS ON REPEAT? Tootsie, Groundhog Day, Misery, and Planes, Trains & Automobiles. STYLE ICON? “Auntie Mame!” ULTIMATE FASHION LOOK? “Birkenstocks, baby! Also a matching knit two-piece number.” WARDROBE STAPLES? “Any jumpsuit, anytime. A black turtleneck. And I can’t seem to get enough of a plissé pant.” FAVORITE MUSICIAN? “Too many to name, but Nina Simone looms large.” HISTORICAL FIGURE YOU’D WANT TO DRINK WITH? “Alexander Hamilton, to discuss Lin-Manuel Miranda. He’d never believe that, 217 years after his death, there would be dance numbers in his honor.” TOP RED-CARPET MOMENT? “I love getting dressed up, but I really loved when [husband] Ben [Falcone] and I wore matching Adidas tracksuits.” GO-TO DESIGNERS? “Norma Kamali, Mara Hoffman, Aje, Zara—and God bless Etsy.” THINGS YOU KEEP ON SET? “Ice-cold green…

“I can’t think of denim shorts with stockings and boots and not think of you.”—JOSEPHINE LANGFORD JOSEPHINE LANGFORD: Thanks for being willing to jump on the phone with a stranger. [laughs] I love your style—it’s so distinctive. SARAH SILVERMAN: Honestly, I have never been more honored! JL: I can’t think of denim shorts with stockings and boots and not think of you. Do you intentionally break convention? SS: When I’m wearing shorts with tights, I feel like a superhero. It’s like my Wonder Woman costume. I first saw Janeane Garofalo wear it in the ’90s, so I can’t take credit. I love that it looks like I’m showing skin when I’m covered head-to-toe, plus I can wear flats with shorts. I’m most comfortable when I can run if I need…

A friend of mine just sent me a timely invention: Lapaloft™ is his $14 cardboard laptop stand that pitches your computer camera so that it shows you head-on, erasing the jowly distortion that happens when you do video conferences while perched over your camera from above. With its sloping design, the thing renders your device almost unusable, but the tech lords with more than one keyboard love it. And I do too, because when I’m Zooming, it turns out that looking good is more important to me than taking notes. It’s terribly narcissistic, this negative self-absorption that happens when we appear in the same frame as the people we’re talking to over and over and over. But what do we expect of ourselves when we’re all nervously tele-working via a…

What’s your beauty routine been like in quarantine? Since every day feels like the weekend, I have time to wash my face, put on La Mer’s The Concentrate serum, The Moisturizing Soft Cream, and face mask and try different treatments. I see and feel the difference in my skin; it’s way more hydrated and luminous. Growing up in Cuba, I was always at the beach in the sun. I didn’t have a good sense of skin care then. Now that I’m getting older, I’m way more aware of how important that is. When shooting movies, I have heavy makeup on for five months straight. Since I’m wearing less these days, my skin is very happy. Do you miss getting glam for events? Sometimes I’ll just put on a deep red…

WHY YOU SHOULD GO Antigua is a beautiful and happy place where you can explore all day or totally relax. It’s also done a fantastic job of handling COVID. Visitors must get a negative test within seven days of arriving, and masks are worn in public. And while nightlife is closed for the time being, all of the area’s best activities are social-distancing-friendly: sitting by the ocean, hiking, sailing, and outdoor dining. WHERE TO STAY AND EAT Jumby Bay (1), a private island resort just a 10-minute boat ride off the northern coast, and Curtain Bluff (2), located further south on the mainland, are both wonderful spots to stay, with tennis courts and a variety of water sports. My favorite dining options are open-air beach shack Beach Bum Bar &…

TV SHOWS Bridgerton (1) “Because of the Duke [Regé-Jean Page], and also because of the Duke. In all seriousness, I appreciate the insightful and important conversation prompted by the show’s decision to do color-blind casting. Also, the Duke.” Big Mouth (2) “It’s so crude, and I’m obsessed. It’s everything I wished I could talk about as a kid. I also impersonate the old hormone monster at least twice a day.” BOOKS Think Like a Monk (3) “Not only is Jay Shetty a dear friend of mine, which makes me happy to support him, but the words in his book spiritually slap you in the face in the best way possible.” Unfinished: A Memoir (4) “I’m anxious to read this because, generally speaking, Priyanka Chopra [Jonas] is a pretty private person.…

“I often joke that I still don’t feel like a full-blown adult. But this pandemic might just do the trick.” I remember the last few days before the quarantine started. It was my 32nd birthday, so I threw a party and all of my friends came out. Walking home that night, I looked up at the famous New Yorker [hotel] sign, and I thought, “After almost two years, this place is finally starting to feel like home.” Two days later, everything was shut down. It was like the universe was saying, ‘Yeah, bitch, you’re going to become a real New Yorker now.’” For me, with the lockdown in place, having a meltdown was Step 1. I thought about leaving the city to be with friends in L.A., but I didn’t…

No one is doing it quite like Nia Dennis. In January the UCLA gymnast began her floor routine kneeling with a raised fist. While a carefully curated playlist of Black artists that included songs by Kendrick Lamar, Soulja Boy, 2Pac, and Missy Elliott blasted on the speakers, Dennis, 22, impressively danced and flipped—yes, the Crip Walk into a front handspring Rudi—her way to a near perfect score…again. Last year she became a viral sensation after a similar showstopping routine set to a medley of Beyoncé hits. While recovering from shoulder surgery over the summer, Dennis meditated on the Black Lives Matter movement, and it has become increasingly important to her to put her Blackness front and center in an arena that has historically only celebrated Eurocentric standards. “I’m muscular, I’m…

Cover: Charles Dennington/M.A.P; styling: Vanessa Coyle/The Artist Group; hair: Richard Kavanagh/DLMAU; makeup: Amanda Reardon/Vivien’s Creative; manicure: Georgia Whitaker/The Uncommon Agency; set design: Annika Fischer; production: Kellie Tissear/M.A.P; location: The Range Byron Bay p. 7: Charles Dennington/M.A.P p. 8: Clockwise from top left: Robbie Fimmano/Walter Schupfer Management; Thomas Whiteside/Trunk Archive; courtesy Michelle Phan p. 10: From left: Cass Bird; Marco Imperatore/Unconventional Artists p. 12: Charles Dennington/M.A.P p. 14: Clockwise from top left: Christian Cody; courtesy @terrahipp; Sebastian Faena/IMG Lens; no credit; Presley Ann/Getty; courtesy @Labyrinthofcollages p. 16: Clockwise from top left: courtesy Georgia Louise; courtesy Ty Hunter; courtesy Charles Dennington; courtesy Joanna Vargas; courtesy Emil Rebek; courtesy Lisa Genova p. 18: Clockwise from top left: Charles Dennington/M.A.P; Everett Collection (4); courtesy Eileen Fisher (2); courtesy Birkenstock; Charles Dennington/M.A.P p. 19: Clockwise…

Regina forever @iamreginaking for @instylemagazine by @christian_cody —@LABYRINTHOFCOLLAGES GIRL CRUSH Give it up for this week’s much-deserved #WCW, the remarkable academy award-winning actress @iamreginaking who happens to be @instylemagazine’s February cover star! “By trusting her instincts and playing the long game, Regina King has established herself as Hollywood royalty.” I couldn’t agree more! —@MICHELLEMONAGHAN, via Instagram BRAVO FOR BADASS @InStyle great issue with @ReginaKing on the cover. The Badass Women issue is always fascinating with your choices. Glad to see adding “glass ceiling” breakers like @Browns [Callie] Brownson & @Washington_FB [Jennifer] King. Maybe look @SenatorCantwell next year as she broke a huge ceiling. —@DBUCKSHNIS, via Twitter @LBuitta [Lauren Bean Buitta] It is great to see cybersecurity represented in @InStyle. Congratulations for being in the Badass 50, and thank you for…

UP FOR GRABS In celebration of Earth Day, Salvatore Ferragamo has reinvented its iconic top-handle silhouette with eco-friendly materials (cork, linen, and recycled polyester) and pledged to offset the carbon emissions from its production. The catch? Only 500 of these limited-edition purses were made—so to bag one, you’d better be fast. Runway Refresh Fans of Simone Rocha’s ethereal-cum-edgy work will delight in her H&M collaboration, which nods to some of the Irish-Chinese designer’s most memorable shows of the past decade. “I wanted to reimagine details from my archives rather than do mere re-editions,” Rocha says. “I’ve reinterpreted things for now.” Carried Away Linen-centric brand 120% Lino introduces just the right complements to its diaphanous designs: a selection of breezy summer purses made in partnership with accessories go-to Rosantica. Grip Service…

As a former model, Laura Harrier is a master at wearing clothes with confidence. “She always looks cool and effortless,” says the actress’s stylist Danielle Goldberg. “There’s a sensuality in the way she dresses, even when she’s in jeans and a T-shirt.” There’s also a through line of simplicity: The star’s style choices often rely on one bold element—a bright color, big sleeves—to stand out. “She’s been gravitating toward easy, light pieces lately,” says Goldberg. “Especially during these times, less is more.” “Laura loves clothing that is aspirational but still sensible.”—DANIELLE GOLDBERG, stylist…

Face oil has been around for ages but only recently regained its popularity, thanks to highly engineered formulas that work on all skin types. “When it comes to using an oil, people envision a one-way ticket to greaseville with a layover in the land of acne,” says Dr. Mona Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist. “Truth be told, we rely on oils for hydration.” Dr. Gohara, along with celebrity facialists Joanna Vargas and Georgia Louise, shares her favorite oil-based products to lock in moisture, combat specific concerns, and give your skin the ultimate glow-up. Acne-Prone Anti-Aging Sensitive Skin Dry Skin EDITORS’ PICKS…

Body Talk Scrap the basic body lotions and opt for these creative formulas for next-level slimming, scrubbing, and soothing “There’s still a lack of Black creativity and Black women represented in stores across America.” Purchasing POWER “I wanted to create makeup bags that women were actually going to like and have on display in their bathrooms,” says Aurora James, the founder and creative director of ethical fashion brand Brother Vellies, who partnered with Sephora to create a limited three-piece collection. With the bags topping out at $48, having an accessible price point was important to James, as was expanding the representation of Black-owned brands within Sephora. The mega retailer was the first company to sign onto James’s 15 Percent Pledge in June, which means that 15 percent of Sephora’s shelf…

Back in the late ’90s, Rita Sodi was working in the denim business in Florence, Italy, at a time when stonewashing was all the rage. (Anyone remember that?) When the busy executive came to New York, her colleagues would inevitably take her to what they considered to be good Italian restaurants. “They were not Italian,” Sodi says now rather firmly. After all, she grew up with a mother who cooked all day long, making pasta from scratch and preparing what was local and in season. Sodi expected to see that dedication reflected in the menus. Then one day, having taken her fashion career as far as it would go, “I decided to change my life,” says Sodi. She packed her bags, moved to N.Y.C.’s West Village, and, with zero experience,…

When I was growing up, my family was very into the visual arts. My parents had really interesting pieces on the walls at home and would always take my siblings and me to visit galleries around Australia and Europe. My older sister Alice, who is based in Melbourne, eventually became a painter, and my older brother, George, is also an artist in L.A. I’ve seen George’s entire artistic evolution, from when we were kids to when he was in art school in Sydney to now, where he has his own studio downtown. He creates these amazing, large-scale, colorful photographs that depict everyday surfaces and landscapes, but they’re more than just pictures: They’re beautiful, painterly abstractions. I’ve saved a lot of his art over the years, but this picture, called 71st…

THIS SPRING, What Are You Cleaning Out of Your Life? “Negativity. I’m focusing on self-care and all of the positive things that life has to offer.”GEORGIA LOUISE Celebrity Facialist, “So Slick,” p. 56 “Anything that no longer makes me happy. I am emptying my cup so that it may be filled with blessings that serve my purpose.”TY HUNTER Stylist, “Billy G.O.A.T.,” p. 96 “I’m putting away the sweatpants! They’ve been comfy, but I can’t wait to wear real clothes in the real world again.”LISA GENOVA Writer and Neuroscientist, “Master Your Mind,” p. 80 “Down Under in Australia we are going into autumn, so I’m in the process of a reverse spring clean.”CHARLES DENNINGTON Photographer, “Happy Happy Joy Joy,” p. 85 “Impatience. I believe the secret to reconnecting is calmness of…

You Know You Want It Etro never fails to put a fresh spin on free-wheeling paisley patterns. Its latest update? Adding faded blues and western-inspired extras. PILLOW TALK Don’t sleep on this spring’s chic, cushiony purses. JEANS on the Scene Right-now ways to wear denim from a few of our favorite fashion decades. ’70s ’80s Major Players Build an all-star wardrobe with these retro-sporty staples. GRAPHIC TOPS OLD-SCHOOL SNEAKERS JOGGING SHORTS TRACKSUIT SEPARATES…

BIG-COLLAR BLOUSES They add winning personality to a crisp A-line skirt or work-from-home-friendly jeans. PLEATED TROUSERS Mixed with minimalist extras, the office-dweller staple feels undeniably cool. COLORFUL TUNICS Take these breezy silhouettes beyond the beach with wide-leg pants and artsy accessories. BELTED BOHO DRESSES Our only advice: the longer the strap, the chicer the look.…

Her Rise Starting my blog in 2003 was escapism for me. I had a really hard home life and a very toxic stepfather, so blogging was an outlet. Also, as an Asian-American growing up in Florida, I didn’t have many people around who looked like me, so it was a way to build a community. A year into it, I did a simple skin-care routine, and that was my most engaged content. It motivated me to keep going. I switched over to YouTube in 2007 so I could share the process of makeup and skin care in story form. Big Break I applied for a job at a Lancôme makeup counter at a department store in 2008 and was denied. Instead, I received an email from Lancôme’s corporate PR team,…

Designer and tech entrepreneur Christopher Bevans devised one of the more ingenious decorating hacks of the COVID era by installing a print of a neon Pantone grid as a wall hanging in his workstation. He considers the space to be his “creative cove” in the Portland, Ore., home he shares with his wife, Christina Bevans, an executive assistant and project manager, and 13-year-old daughter, Coco. It is also where he stores his sneaker collection and his Woolmark Innovation Award. “I’ve been on some Zoom calls where people say, ‘Where are you, man? What’s going on?’” he says, laughing. “But this is my world. It’s like entering my brain. It’s full of color and life. It’s vibrant.” Bevans is well-versed in color theory, having worked as a designer for Billionaire Boys…

You’ve cared for several rabbits over the years. Have you always kept them as pets? I didn’t have them growing up, but one day in the ’80s or ’90s I saw a Netherland Dwarf rabbit in a window in N.Y.C. and was like, “I’m going to get a rabbit.” I didn’t know anything about them and did everything wrong, but then I met Mary Cotter, a longtime educator and former president of the House Rabbit Society, at a photo shoot. She retrained me, and now I train other people as well. I’ve been to rabbit conventions, which are educational but also a fun thing to do. It’s true when they say people match their animals: Everyone there looks like a rabbit. What should people know before getting one as a…

Not long ago, I was filling out an online registration form for my son, and I couldn’t remember his age. Was he 12 or 13? Stumped, I resorted to doing the math. Born in December 2007; it’s November 2020: 20 minus 7, so he’s 12, turning 13. What the heck just happened? I was a couple of weeks away from turning 50. The skin on my face definitely showed signs of aging. Had my brain started wrinkling and sagging too? No longer young, had I reached a point in life where I’d now routinely experience senior moments? My grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease. Was this cognitive hiccup a symptom of dementia? Did I just have a stroke? Had my previously reliable memory suddenly turned old, feeble, damaged, or diseased? Thankfully, before…

After almost a full year in quarantine, legendary showman Billy Porter considers himself a changed man. It all started last March: As COVID-19 concerns were running high in New York City, Porter and his husband, Adam Porter-Smith, decided to temporarily relocate from Manhattan, where he’s lived for 30-plus years, to Bellport, Long Island, a quaint seaside village full of artists and creative types. Porter is diabetic and therefore high-risk when it comes to the virus, so at first the move was logistical—a way to stay safe while escaping the chorus of blaring sirens outside his Harlem apartment. But then something unexpected happened: The longtime New Yorker fell in love with the small town and decided to stay for good. Dialing in over Zoom on a wintery Friday night from his…