Call me genetically smug, but I’ve always had good hair. My brunette locks are low-maintenance, easy to style, and generally speaking, they behave (even when I don’t). But three children and a carousel of hormonal plot twists later, something has shifted—not necessarily dramatically, just enough for my sister to point out that my hair recently started thinning (the exact way she put it was: “Your ponytail requires fewer turns of the elastic.” A subtle betrayal, but a betrayal nonetheless). Still, I looked closer at my scalp, and she was right.

Before this, I’d only done hair growth treatments via ingestible, hydrolyzed collagen powder. I believe in the benefits—it makes my hair thicker, more… upholstered if you will—but collagen never quite addressed a receding hairline. Now, I have the need for new growth rather than improved existing inventory.

Enter: OMI Hair Growth Peptides. What sets these tablets apart is their exacting, clinical nature. The formula is concise, with seven ingredients anchored by a patented peptide complex known as IFP Hair Factor, which is designed to target the follicle itself, reinforcing and reactivating growth at the source rather than merely polishing the result. This product is reassuringly modern—it’s less about hope and more a mechanism with intent.

What’s important to note is that my hair changed dramatically. It was thicker, fuller, and there was simply more of it. The brand says it takes 90 days to see results; I saw a remarkable change in under two months. I take two capsules with food at night—they’re also available in gummy form, for those who prefer a chewable—but you can take them during the day if you prefer.

Omi Hair Growth Peptides

There are studies to back OMI’s claims—users reported reduced hair loss in measurable percentages, plus visible strengthening. But for me, the real proof arrived unprompted, in the form of hair experts pausing mid appointment to ask, “What are you using? You have so much new growth, and it’s not just your Iranian genetics.” That, I’ve found, is the tell.

Lately, it seems Gwyneth Paltrow can’t get enough of see-through fashion. This year alone, the star’s hit red carpets in a gauzy pink tank top, transparent lace dress, and the viral layered pants that created a nude illusion beneath her Oscars dress. Now, Paltrow’s continued that trajectory on a trip to Italy, paired with a new sheer look from her arsenal.

Paltrow traveled to Florence this weekend for Belmond’s reopening of its luxe, newly renovated Villa San Michele hotel. For the occasion, she slipped on a sweeping white shift dress with a maxi-length hem. The slit piece was overlaid with a sheer top layer, cinchd by thin side ties for a flowing silhouette. Paltrow’s piece was complete with a trailing gold plant pattern with soft purple centers, bringing her look a shimmering finish.

Paltrow’s Midas touch didn’t stop there, however. A tubular gold necklace, oval hoop earrings, and layered bangle further emphasized her look’s gilded touches with an ornate glamour. Gleaming gold rings brought a shining finish to her accessory lineup.

Though her sheer attire’s elegance leaned towards the ethereal, Paltrow took the simple route when it came to footwear. The actress finished her outfit with a set of nude sandals, secured by minimalist straps atop thin platform soles and stiletto heels. The pair’s neutral color provided a clean base for her look, remaining formal while being almost invisible beneath her swirling dress—and allowing its golden accents and transparent textures to take center stage.

The moment notably marked one of Paltrow’s few outings this year outside of awards season. This winter, she made the rounds with the cast of Marty Supreme for her supporting role as struggling actress and socialite Kay, appearing everywhere from the Golden Globes to the Actor Awards. Between red carpets, she also returned to the front row in a vibrant green minidress for Valentino’s fall 2026 runway show during Milan Fashion Week. Her trip to Villa San Michele continued the actress’s luxe dressing streak, while proving that her penchant for sheer dressing—an arm of the trending mid-2020’s “naked dress” return—can evolve past adventurous red carpet attire.

This also isn’t Paltrow’s last fashionable moment this year. With more collections for her revamped GWYN clothing label coming up, plus the Manhattan opening of Goop Kitchen (complete with a clever campaign starring power publicist Kelly Cutrone) on the horizon, the star’s certainly keeping busy—and is sure to be out and about all the while.

Despite being part of the Chanel universe for almost her entire life, it wasn’t until last summer that Sofia Coppola first visited Biarritz—the seaside enclave where Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel established her first couture house in 1915 and introduced a then-radical vision of modern dressing rooted in ease and movement. “I came to Biarritz for the first time last year for the film festival,” Coppola says, referring to the Biarritz Film Festival Nouvelles Vagues, where she was honored for the 25th anniversary of The Virgin Suicides. “I was so happy to come back! I’d like to come back for longer.”

This time, the occasion was Matthieu Blazy’s debut Chanel Cruise show—marking the first time the house has staged a collection in the very city that shaped its origins. Even Coppola, a veteran of Chanel’s far-flung destination shows (from Havana to Lake Como, and beyond), was surprised it had taken this long—111 years, to be exact.

The setting felt especially fitting. Biarritz’s influence on Chanel’s resort wear—defined by jersey, simplicity, and a sense of freedom—aligns seamlessly with Coppola’s own understated aesthetic. During her stay, the Oscar-winning director leaned into the city’s relaxed rhythms, picking up vintage Levi’s at Fadead Vintage and visiting a Franco Mazzucchelli exhibition at the Champ Lacombe gallery.

Here, her personal snapshots from the visit.

“So nice to be welcomed by Chanel in Biarritz. I had these cookies when I was here last year. I've never had them anywhere else before, and was hoping to get some here!”

“I love being on the sea. I love seeing surfers and the town feels laid back.”

The view from the Hôtel du Palais.

“On the way to the Chanel party from my duchess suite! (Like some alternate fantasy life!)”

“The Hôtel du Palais feels like another era.”

Indeed, formerly known as the Villa Eugénie, the Hôtel du Palais was built around 1855 as the summer mansion for Empress Eugénie de Montijo, the wife of Napoleon III. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor suites are dedicated to King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson who were frequent guests.

“Flowers by the wonderful Thierry Boutemy. I got to work with him on Marie Antoinette. He's from Brussels.”

“The show was so uplifting and I know Biarritz is such a part of Chanel’s history, I was surprised it was the first time they did a show there. The place has such a nice atmosphere.”

Flowers inside the the Casino Municipal, where the show was held.

“I loved seeing the marché and discovering all the stands with delicious specialities! It was fun to have crepes there after the show and walk around the town. I got espadrilles and great vintage Levi’s at Fadead.”

A flower stand at the Halles De Biarritz.

Coppola’s bag from Chanel’s Métiers d’art 2026 collection which debuted in New York in December.

“Loved all the beautiful details at the show. And now I’m dreaming of that black knee-length Chanel suit!”

Spring’s as good of a time as any to think pink—just ask A$AP Rocky. The rapper and style icon made a surprise appearance at Chanel’s cruise show yesterday, complete with a sweet nod to his and Rihanna’s infant daughter Rocki Irish. In the front row, the star clutched a supersized pink linen Chanel flap bag, accented with matching baby-sized satin Mary Janes—both personal gifts to Rocki Irish from creative director Matthieu Blazy, according to Page Six.

Rocky’s specific style brought a heartfelt, bold take to parenthood. After all, anyone with little ones is used to carting around a massive backpack, tote, or diaper bag filled with snacks, toys, and supplies for any child-related incident. His supersized Chanel flap bag, complete with tufted white, red, and black tweed trim and gold hardware, created a decidedly luxe take on the practical parental necessity.

Rocky’s whimsical bag added a burst of seasonal color to his Chanel attire during the show: a bright red button-down shirt with gleaming gold “CC” cutout buttons, tucked into pale burgundy crosshatched trousers and cinched with a leather belt. Glossy dark red derbies, plus a supple tan suede jacket with multicolored tweed trim—all from the same Chanel cruise collection that walked the runway—smoothly complemented his look.

Of course, Rocky’s always embraced a dynamic accessorizing opportunity. He finished his Chanel outfit with a swirling gold and silver ring, round gold stud earrings, and a matching watch—plus a swirling bejeweled sun brooch for good measure. Joining him in the front row were Chanel muses and ambassadors Michaela Coel, Nicole Kidman, Tilda Swinton, and Marion Cotillard.

A$AP Rocky’s appearance for Chanel’s cruise show marked his first runway outing since Fashion Month earlier this winter. The star, as well as his partner Rihanna, has been a front-row fixture for years—and both are beloved for their boundary-breaking, open-minded approach to style. In fact, the same ethos led to Rocky founding his own label, AWGE, which he showed in New York City in February. After stylish date nights and outings with their children Rocky, RZA, and Rocki Irish, it’s clear parenthood is another fashion-forward chapter the all-star couple is thoroughly embracing.

Thanks to her custom Chanel bag and darling flats, it seems Rocki Irish—at just 7 months old—is already building an impressive accessory collection. Plus, with her debut appearance on the cover of W’s Pop Issue, she’s got stylish credentials to match. Clearly, fashion runs in the family.

30 Rock went off the air in 2013, and Timothée Chalamet didn’t begin to make his ascent to stardom until four years later with Call Me By Your Name. Which is a shame. We could easily imagine another timeline in which Chalamet has a three-episode 30 Rock arc playing a shifty cougar-obsessed Lothario who tries to seduce Jenna Maroney out of her OffBrandHeelz.com money. We’ll have to settle for Chalamet’s surprising linkup with Tina Fey at last night’s New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden instead. Chalamet, of course, was accompanied by girlfriend Kylie Jenner. Fey, meanwhile, was having an actual 30 Rock reunion with co-star Tracy Morgan.

Chalamet’s Knicks obsession is well-documented. So, seating arrangements aside, it was little surprise that he showed up courtside to cheer on his team during the first round of the NBA playoffs. He made his allegiance clear with a Knicks cap that he wore with an otherwise all-black, oversized outfit. Jenner dressed in contrast, in an all-white, tight-in-all-the-right-places outfit. She paired a tank with bedazzled jeans. Chalamet wore his trademark Timberland boots, while Jenner opted for simple flip-flops. Opposites attract.

The Knicks always attract VIP fans, and over the years this has led to some surprising celebrity seat pairings. Who could forget the time eternal cool girl Chloë Sevigny was seated next to Jersey Shore star Pauly D?

Last night’s lineup is primed for similar infamy. To Chalamet and Jenner’s right, Fey (wearing a blazer and orange Nike sneakers) took in the game with Morgan (Fey is also an executive producer on Morgan’s new sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins). To their left was Ben Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor. A further seat down, you could find Edie Falco.

All that celebrity goodwill brought the Knicks some good luck. They trounced the Atlanta Hawks 126-97, taking a 3-2 lead in the first-round series.

Though we can only dream of the idea of a Chalamet x Fey project (or at least all the Call Me By Your Name jokes 30 Rock could have made), perhaps we’re wishing for the wrong collaboration. Kylie recently earned raves for her surprise comedy turn in Charli xcx’s The Moment, and has said she’d like to explore her comedic acting chops more. Fey once cast former LA party girl Nicole Richie on her show Good News. Maybe she could do similar wonders for Jenner’s career? She’s worked with her family before, too. Kim Kardashian actually once had her own 30 Rock cameo, back in 2013.

In Matthieu Blazy’s new class of Chanel ambassadors, nobody’s having more fun than Ayo Edebiri. This year, the actress has frequently worn the French house’s most experimental new designs—a streak that continued with an eclectic mix of pieces last night. On Tuesday, Edebiri appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers in Blazy’s viral collaboration with luxury French shirtmaker Charvet—complete with a special, unexpected reference.

While stepping onstage, Edebiri wore sheer black tights beneath an oversized white collared shirt, which was first seen on Chanel’s spring 2026 runway. But this wasn’t your average button-down, with small pearls placed on its cuff and collars, an embroidered “Chanel” patch, and woven chain hem lining for a smooth silhouette. However, the secretly intricate piece wasn’t only a chic shirt—it also referenced the late Broadway diva Elaine Stritch, who often wore oversized button-downs and with just tights for her signature “no pants” look.

Appropriate, considering Edebiri was promoting her starring role in Proof, which marks her own Broadway debut.

Stritch’s dynamic style, frequently worn during her onstage comedy sets over the decades, would become a staple for the actress in her later years. That pairing was seen as a display of her free-spirited nature, pluck, and independence “She appreciated her own long legs and she decided to show them off and you don’t realize how far ahead of the time she was,” Liz Smith told The Cut of Stritch in 2019. “Now it means nothing. But she shocked everybody. And she really made it work.”

Edebiri’s Stritch-esque attire channeled her same humor and wit, bringing a new silhouette to shirtdresses in the process. Aside from the Bottoms star, Nicole Kidman has also worn the Chanel and Charvet shirt, which she paired with jeans for Blazy’s debut show. Edebiri’s take showed a familiar way to approach the piece with a nod to the legendary Stritch, who became beloved for her turns on television and Broadway.

But the flair didn’t end there. Edebiri’s shirt earned a dramatic edge from a shaggy, bright red faux fur jacket, which she wore shrugged off her shoulders. Hailing from Chanel’s subway-set Metiers d’Art collection, the style added a vibrant burst of Big Apple-worthy color to the actress’s attire, ensuring it was both eclectic and bold—in fact, as far from basic as a white button-down could be. Stritch would have surely approved.

For a formal touch, stylist Danielle Goldberg finished Edebiri’s look with a set of glossy black patent leather pumps. Complete with its signature pointed toes and stilettos, the shoe continued its ongoing rise in 2026—having been embraced by Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Anne Hathaway, and more stars on and off the red carpet this spring. Like the shirt and tights, heels were a frequent finishing touch for Stritch as well, completing Edebiri’s reverent reference to the star.

The moment marked Edebiri’s latest outing in Chanel, having worn styles from matching leather to multicolored feathers in 2026. After Blazy’s beachy cruise show this week, there’s even more dynamic options for her to try—and, perhaps, channel more icons in the future. Here’s hoping his supersized beach tote or sole-less sandals make the cut.

In the past few years, classic novels have risen from the ashes—or dusty bookshelves—becoming popular material for film studios, authors, and yes, readers, to revisit with gusto. It all began with Jane Austen, ever the bellwether. Last year marked the legendary novelist’s 250th birthday, unleashing a swarm of festivals, parades, and a rise in book sales. Next came Wuthering Heights—the hotly debated film adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi sent droves to bookshops, increasing sales of the novel by over 100 percent before the premiere. Netflix’s Frankenstein (also starring Elordi) adaptation boosted sales by 180 percent the week after release. More book-to-screen works are on the way: Netflix has a Pride and Prejudice remake up its sleeve, along with an East of Eden series starring Florence Pugh; The Odyssey will hit theaters this summer.

But movie adaptations are merely one limb of the tree. Retellings are everywhere in contemporary literature, from King Lear to David Copperfield. On TikTok, #classicliterature has over 80,000 posts and has spawned plenty of accounts devoted to unpacking hefty texts, pushing classic novels out of academic corners and into mass consumption.

With this attention comes the spiky topic of classification: What qualifies as a classic, and who gets to decide? The old canon has been long due for a refresh, and the cruise ship of change is finally righting its course: once-overlooked books by marginalized authors are receiving their roses. Take, for example, Doubleday’s new Outsider Editions imprint. Due out mid July, the publisher will release its first batch of essays, novels, short stories, and memoirs from underrepresented authors who probably weren’t discussed in your English class.

Regardless of how known a title may be, some readers may bristle at the thought of diving into a classic (surely a holdover from weekends scaling mountains of assigned reading.) But with the pressure off, these titles can provide unique entry into themes and concepts still very much alive across art forms. Not to mention, it’s usually best to read the book before seeing the movie.

For the classically curious, we enlisted 14 authors to share their favorite titles—both well-known and unfamiliar—with guidance on how to approach the old chestnuts.

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Henry Melville

‘Moby Dick’ by Herman Melville

“I reread Moby Dick every year—the eccentricity of Melville’s language surprises me each time I step back into it,” says Kaveh Akbar, author of Martyr!. “He’s laugh-out-loud funny. Nowadays I’ll try out different recorded versions, letting the language wash over me like song.”

“I’m in a poetry group where my role is to ask, ‘Is the poet maybe kidding?’ In this case: YES HE IS! If you read just for the fun of it, Melville is a hoot and a half,” says 2018 Pulitzer-Prize Winner for Fiction, Andrew Sean Greer, author of Less and forthcoming novel, Villa Cocoa. “Enjoy it and skip whatever blubber-boiling you like. But do challenge yourself to ask, ‘Is he kidding?’ Then all of it will be pure fun.”

Best for: Readers who devoured A Marriage At Sea, The Wager or The Old Man and the Sea.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens

“Great Expectations has everything: Family, ambition, escaped convicts, bullies, class differences, a vengeful bride left at the altar who weaponizes a young woman to take her revenge on men, secrets kept and revealed, and a (sort of) happy ending. Oh, and a murder or two,” says Francine Prose, author of many novels including the forthcoming, Five Weeks in the Country. “The best way into the book is to read it aloud. The complex sentences and 19th-century diction soon begin to seem as familiar as everyday speech.”

“Maybe its ubiquity as a ‘classic’ is one reason why actually reading the text is such a revelatory experience—it’s a far weirder and more pleasurable book than its presence on countless syllabi would suggest,” says Julie Buntin, author of Marlena and forthcoming novel, Famous Men. “Pick it up and be open to it—within a few chapters, the sentences unspool easily, sweeping you up.”

Best for: Those who will do just about anything to inhabit the world of The Goldfinch (including watching the movie), or feel it’s high time to read the real thing after bingeing the 1998 film adaptation.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury

“It’s just great,” says Kiley Reid, author of novels, Such a Fun Age and Come and Get It. “And it has the best opening chapter I can remember reading, with a character that you never see again. There’s action and fires and running from the law, and yet, it reads slow and delirious, like a middle-of-the-night fever dream.”

Best for: Those staunchly against the unlawful firing of librarians. Also, readers of I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years 1933-1941 by Victor Klemperer or A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess.

In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

‘In Search of Lost Time’ by Marcel Proust

“Almost everyone feels that they should read it; hardly anyone actually has. I’m speaking as a skeptic who held out until about 15 years ago,” says 1999 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Fiction, Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours, and the forthcoming memoir, Unsayable: My Life in Writing. “In Search of Lost Time isn’t difficult—Ulysses is difficult. Proust’s book is just long. In Search of Lost Time, all seven volumes of it, is probably the most thorough, incisive account of what it’s like to live on the planet earth. It contains the highs, the lows, and the middles. Read it with at least one friend—there are some Arctic stretches, and you’ll need encouragement to keep going.”

Greer suggests “Swann in Love, the second part of volume one in Proust’s In Search of Lost Time. Read 10 pages a night and let it wash over you. There is always something to make you gasp: with beauty, with insight, with heartache. It will do what all great fiction aspires to: it will change you.”

Best for: Those who finished the My Struggle series, took zero breaks while attending a showing of Oppenheimer or plan to watch the Masters Golf Tournament in its entirety.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

‘Beloved’ by Toni Morrison

“Beloved by Toni Morrison is not only a deeply felt and vividly rendered story, it’s also a testament to what’s possible in fiction,” says Angela Flournoy, author of The Turner House and The Wilderness. “Morrison breaks so many ‘rules’ in this novel, but it all works. First-time readers shouldn’t be intimidated by Beloved—it’s a book that puts memory at the center of the narrative, and holding onto that fact will help you appreciate its beauty.”

Best for: Fans of Lincoln in the Bardo, those who consider Jesmyn Ward a living legend (she is) or were early acolytes of Sinners.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

‘Parable of the Sower’ by Octavia E. Butler

“While it was published in 1993, and calling it a classic makes me feel old, I still think Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower should be considered a classic,” says Paige Lewis, poet and author of forthcoming novel, Canon. “In this dystopian novel, set in the then-future of 2024, teenager Lauren Olamina struggles to survive in an America that’s collapsing because of a fascist government, corrupt police, climate change, and resource scarcity-related violence. Something my students like to point out is the difference between the young characters in the book and the older characters. The older people in Lauren’s community sit around hoping for the world to go back to ‘the good old days,’ while it is clear to 15-year-old Lauren that this sort of passivity is detrimental.”

Best for: Those who have reread The Road several times, read (and now are watching) The Testaments, and are eager for the return of The Last of Us.

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

‘The Buddha in the Attic’ by Julie Otsuka

“The Buddha in the Attic follows a group of Japanese ‘picture brides’ as they come to America in the 1900s, marry men they’ve never met, and settle into their new lives,” says Katie Yee, author of Maggie; Or, A Man and Woman Walk Into a Bar. “You should read it because it’s been banned in several school districts. You should read it because it’ll surprise you, with its humor in quiet moments. You could read it because it’s short: only 144 pages. Ultimately, though, you should read it because the ending will shock you. It’s one of those rare, perfect novels that marries form and content; the pain at the heart of these characters is felt even in its structure, in the bones of the book.”

Best for: Those who count The Kitchen God’s Wife among their favorite titles, ravaged Small Boat in a single sitting or who stump for Preparation for the Next Life to receive the attention it deserves.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ by Shirley Jackson

“This is quite possibly my favorite novel of all time, and I dare anyone to read the opening paragraph and resist the urge to read it in a single sitting,” says Kevin Wilson, author of several short story collections and novels including Now is Not the Time to Panic, Nothing to See Here and most recently, Run for the Hills. “Merricat Blackwood lives with her sister and uncle in Blackwood Manor, in isolation from the rest of the town ever since their family died by poisoning. In such a short span of time, I was blown away by how much of our secret desires—which we hold so deeply inside ourselves—could rush to the surface.”

Best for: Readers seeking out O.G. weird-girl lit, watched Wednesday with absolute delight or still carry a torch for season one of Euphoria.

Another Country by James Baldwin

‘Another Country’ by James Baldwin

“I recently picked up my dad’s old paperback of Another Country, which I first read in college, and realized just how much it formed me as a writer,” says Rob Franklin, author of Great Black Hope. “Its vision of bohemian 1950s New York is uncompromising—kinetic, haunting, with teeth. I’ve heard the book dismissed as relentlessly bleak, but what I love about it—and what I think it gets so right—is its portrayal of how intimate relationships across identity lines are so often pressure-tested by larger systems. We see characters like Ida (a Black woman) and Vivaldo (a white man) who are bonded by grief but also speaking across an unbridgeable distance (side note: it also has this HBO Max Industry thing going on, where every character is randomly bisexual, which I adore). Read it to pick apart the craft. Watch the way the sentences move. Ask yourself: ‘Which questions does Baldwin attempt to answer about love, sex, politics, and history? And what do these reveal about the author, the tensions in his own life he may have been trying to resolve?’”

Best for: Folks who religiously watch Industry, couldn’t get enough of Palaver (or Memorial) by Bryan Washington, or long for old New York.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ by Muriel Spark

“This is a novel many encounter in adolescence that is often misread—or miscategorized—as an ode to the impact of a beloved teacher. It is not that,” Buntin says. “Miss Brodie’s intrusive command of her ‘set’ of girls is a portrait of fascism writ small: a tart, bracing evocation of the lure—and danger—of a charismatic leader with dangerous ideals. Spark is bolder than most contemporary writers by miles. In a breathless twist of a single sentence, we sometimes learn a character’s entire fate. My recommendation for how to approach it is this: Look twice. Nothing by Muriel Spark is exactly what it seems.”.

Best for: Those who have made The Virgin Suicides their entire personality or are searching for something like Election meets Never Let Me Go.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’ by Milan Kundera

“I remember reading this in college and finding it sexy, but exotic,” says Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Olga Dies Dreaming, Anita de Monte Laughs Last and forthcoming, Last Night in Brooklyn. “The government, and the weight of government in the lives of these protagonists, seemed to me utterly foreign (at least, in the turbo-charged optimism of mid ’90s America). It is a book of living passionately in private. This is considered a ‘book of ideas,’ but ones that feel relatable in the current American moment, where so much is swirling around that feels beyond our control. What we can do, no matter what, Kundera reminds us, is to feel the lightness of being alive.”

Best for: Longtime fans of Bel Canto, The God of Small Things or Love in the Time of Cholera.

Sula by Toni Morrison

‘Sula’ by Toni Morrison

“This novel should be read by everyone, multiple times,” says Deesha Philyaw, author of short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and forthcoming novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman. “Set in the 1920s in a Black hilltop community called The Bottom, which overlooks a fictional white Ohio town, Sula should first be read for its portrayals of friendship between young girls, of the chaos of love and death, of mothers as mysteries (and murderers), and of daughters as dreamers. It should be read again to behold the novel’s singular Black women characters, some who live by their own rules and others who suffocate beneath the rules they believe propriety demands. Finally, it should be read a third time, at a minimum, to savor Morrison’s incomparable prose and feats of language, for exquisite lines such as, ‘Like any artist without an art form, she became dangerous.’”

Best for: Those who felt The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store alter them on a molecular level, or gobbled up Kin and subsequently listened to every podcast episode on which Tayari Jones has appeared.

Middlemarch by George Eliot

‘Middlemarch’ by George Eliot

“The main attraction of this monumental novel is Eliot’s ability to show the deep complexity of every human being,” says Charlotte Wood, author of The Natural Way of Things and Stone Yard Devotional, among others. “Her masterly control of the great sweep of the narrative is staggering—she zooms in to focus on the tiniest personal detail, then out to the broadest possible examination of British society and politics, then back again to the intimate. I do recommend some assistance if, like me, you’re daunted by the magnitude of the story and its reputation. Enter the Secret Life of Books podcast, with its brilliant Middlemarch Book Club. Also: commit! I had an iron rule of 20 pages a day, no matter what.”

Best for: Readers with a lengthy trip ahead or have read Infinite Jest without gloating.

2666 by Roberto Bolaño

‘2666’ by Roberto Bolaño

“This should be a classic—and maybe already is,” Prose says. “One of the most deeply strange and original novels I know, 2666 seems at first like one thing and then keeps changing into something else. The first chapter is a wry comedy about a love triangle involving three academics. But the book is about to get stranger and darker. A magazine reporter goes to Mexico to write an essay about boxing and plunges into the terrifying realities of the U.S.-Mexico border, where thousands of women have been murdered. There’s a huge cast: an herbalist and seer, a detective, a young man who goes to work for the narcos, a writer who may or may not have vanished. By the end, we understand that Bolaño has done nothing less than examine the politics of the border, the depths and complexities of human nature, and the nature of evil.”

Best for: Fans of Narcos, So Far So God by Ana Castillo and True Detective.

There may be nothing Sarah Jessica Parker loves more than a theme. While most attendees at the Met Gala take the dress code as just a light suggestion, Parker always commits. For 2013’s “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibit, the actress arrived in a printed Giles Deacon gown with thigh-high plaid Christian Louboutin boots, topped off with a Philip Treacy-designed mohawk headdress. It was a look she herself would outdo just two years later at the “China: Through the Looking Glass” themed gala in 2015, where she teamed her H&M dress with another headpiece by Treacy, this one made to look like flames were erupting out of her head. It was a look that spurned 1,000 memes—and, really, what more can you ask for from the Met Gala red carpet?

Of course, then there are the actor’s more poignant Met moments—like when she paid homage to Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, a freed slave who went on to become First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker, in 2022. Or her 2011 look, which honored her late friend Lee McQueen. As of now, there’s no word on whether or not Parker will be attending the event in 2026, but as we wait to see, let’s look through each and every one of the actor’s Met Gala looks over the years.

2024: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Richard Quinn dress features hand-cut lace appliquéd over a wire frame, creating a fragility that played into the year’s theme and dress code, “Garden of Time.” Parker was inspired to work with Quinn on the dress after he got involved with looks for And Just Like That.

2022: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”

The “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” Met Gala in 2022 propelled Parker to channel an important piece of American fashion history. Her custom Christopher John Rogers dress was inspired by Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, a freed slave who went on to become First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker.

2018: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”

Dolce & Gabbana had the honor of outfitting Parker for the 2018 Met Gala. Naturally, she wore a Neapolitan nativity scene on her head as an homage to the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” dress code.

2016: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”

Although Parker usually wears a large gown to the Met, she mixed things up drastically with her 2016 outfit. The actor slipped into capri pants from Monse that she paired with tousled hair, a simple tank top, and a theatrical jacket. Mismatched heels—a classic Carrie Bradshaw styling trick—finished her look.

2015: “China: Through the Looking Glass”

Parker’s H&M ensemble and flame-like Philip Treacy hat was one of the more talked-about looks of the 2015 Met Gala.

2014: “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”

In 2014, the actor picked out a two-tone Oscar de la Renta gown and white opera gloves.

2013: “Punk: Chaos to Couture”

Parker went all out for the 2013 punk-themed Met Gala. She wore an abstract Giles Deacon dress that she paired with a Philip Treacy mohawk hat, which was so tall that it required her to sit on the floor of her car as she made her way to the museum.

2012: “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations”

Parker paired her floral Valentino dress with thick gold bangles at the 2012 ball.

2011: “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty”

The 2011 Met Gala honored Alexander McQueen and Parker chose to dip into the late great’s archives for the occasion. She wore a blinged-out dress from the designer’s fall 2005 collection.

2010: “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”

As a nod to the 2010 exhibition “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity,” Parker wore a pleated Halston Heritage dress that was asking to be danced in.

2006: “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion”

In 2006, the actor arrived at the Met steps on the arm of the late Alexander McQueen. Her tartan tutu dress? The perfect interpretation of the night’s “AngloMania” theme.

1995: “Haute Couture”

For her Met Gala debut, Parker went the simple route in an empire waist cocktail dress that she picked up at a thrift shop.

The 2027 cruise shows have officially commenced, which means the fashion world is embarking on a world tour as top brands present their midseason offerings in some of the globe’s most glamorous locations. Chanel kicked things off (and set the bar high) on April 28 with a show in Biarritz, France. There, Nicole Kidman, Tilda Swinton, A$AP Rocky, and Sofia Coppola sat front row at Le Casino Municipal to take in designer Matthieu Blazy’s debut cruise offering.

Not only is the seaside town picturesque, it also holds an important place in fashion history. In 1915, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel opened the maison’s first-ever couture house in the Basque city, thus setting forth a new proposition for modern dressing. In fact, it’s been said that Coco created the idea of resort collections when she launched a line in 1919, inspired by the women of Biarritz. In homage to the Mademoiselle herself, Blazy opened with a version of Chanel’s original little black dress, grounding the collection in one of the brand’s most radical inventions. “Much is said about the revenge dress, this might be the original one,” he stated in the show’s notes. From there, he expanded outward, presenting a collection that oscillated between whimsy (see: fishtail mermaid gowns, “heel cap” shoes that left the foot almost completely bare, and one enormous beach tote) and the classics (black tweeds, smart florals, and mariner stripes) thus presenting options for both dreamers and purists.

While Chanel is sticking to its home country of France, most other brands are taking their cruise collections to the United States this year. Demna has chosen New York as the setting for his first Gucci cruise show. Like Biarritz and Chanel, the Big Apple plays a part in Gucci’s history: it’s where the brand opened the first store outside of Italy in 1953, setting the stage for global expansion. Louis Vuitton, similarly, will hold its show in New York. Jonathan Anderson, meanwhile, who is presenting his first resort show for Dior, will be staging his presentation at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s newly opened David Geffen Galleries. It seems that before soccer takes over North America for the FIFA World Cup this summer, fashion is paving the way. And while you can’t buy tickets to a fashion show, you can admire the clothes from afar. Here, a look at all the highlights of the cruise season. Check back often as we track the latest and greatest to hit the runways.

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Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz are reportedly engaged. On April 27, People confirmed the rumors, saying they’d shared the news with “a small circle” and were showing off the ring to friends.

On Monday, April 27, Kravitz was seen in New York City wearing the impressive oval rock on a gold band as she casually strolled down the street. The Batman actress was in a long-sleeve gray shirt and a flowing black skirt, accessorizing with a butter yellow tote, some pendant necklaces, and a baseball cap reading “Boy Next Door.”

The newly affianced couple has been fairly private about their relationship, aside from being spotted in Italy more often than the Trevi Fountain. Here’s what we know about their relationship and engagement so far.

How long have Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz been dating?

Rumors that Styles and Kravitz were dating started swirling in August 2025 when they were seen walking arm-in-arm in Rome in a TikTok posted by a fan account.

The couple was seen in Italy multiple times that summer, as well as London and New York. In September, Styles reportedly met the actress and director’s rock star dad, Lenny Kravitz. A source told People, “Over the weekend, Harry even met up with Zoë’s dad over lunch. Everyone looked like they had a great time. She’s also been introducing Harry to friends. This feels more than casual.”

They were still going strong as the new year commenced. Styles announced his Together, Together Tour in January, and another source claimed Kravitz was planning to travel with him.

“They both have busy schedules that don’t always line up,” a source said. “When it makes sense, she may join him on tour.”

A second source added, “They seem very serious and focused on prioritizing time together. They also seem to have created a life together that they both genuinely enjoy.”

What have they said about their relationship?

Neither Kravitz nor Styles has commented on their relationship publicly.

When did they get engaged?

Speculation about an engagement began on April 21 when photos of Styles and Kravitz sharing a kiss in London were published by The Sun. A ring was visible on her left hand. The news was confirmed by People on April 27.

What kind of engagement ring does Zoë Kravitz have?

In an interview with the Daily Mail, a diamond expert speculated, “Zoe’s ring looks to be a ten-carat oval-shaped diamond set in yellow gold. It was probably custom-made and costs around $1 million. It is bezel set, which is popular these days.”

Has Zoë Kravitz been engaged before?

Kravitz was married to actor Karl Glusman for two years, from 2019 to 2021. She began dating actor Channing Tatum soon after, when they worked together on her directorial debut, Blink Twice. The former couple became engaged in October of 2023, but split a year later.

“There was no dramatic falling out between Channing and Zoë,” an insider told Page Six at the time. “They really just grew apart and decided it was best for them to go their separate ways.”

Has Harry Styles been engaged before?

Styles has never been publicly engaged, though he has had some high-profile relationships. Most recently, he was dating actress Taylor Russell. The pair split in 2024. Before Russell, he was involved with Olivia Wilde for two years. Styles has also been linked to Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and Camille Rowe.

Nicole Kidman brought back the ’90s with just a few accessories and a surprise backless moment on the Chanel Cruise in Biarritz, France, on Tuesday. The Practical Magic 2 star wore a calve-length and long-sleeve black dress that could have been simple on someone else. Not Kidman.

The high neckline dipped down behind her in a cowl loop, with a feather embellishment hanging from a chain and framed between her shoulder blades. She wore her hair up with some luxurious curtain bangs, a pale blue Chanel purse with gold hardware, diamond earrings, and a pair of black slingbacks.

Though, it was Kidman’s ovular-sunglasses that really added a ’90s touch. Kidman is actually quite familiar with these particular frames. After all, she wore them in the brand’s recent eyewear campaign (she co-starred in the spread with Lily-Rose Depp, Pedro Pascal, and Ayo Edebiri).

Earlier this month, Kidman revealed a bit more about her personal life, namely her relationship with her youngest daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, who she shares with ex-husband Keith Urban. In a conversation with Hoda Kotb at HISTORYTalks in Philadelphia on April 18, the actress said, “Both my daughters will kill me for saying this, but I’m like, ‘You need to hug [me] for two minutes a day.’”

She added, “It releases certain chemicals in the body and everyone needs to be hugged for about two minutes a day. Did you know that?”

Kidman and her girls share a sense of fashion. In a January 2025 interview with W Magazine, she was asked if she’s saved any of her iconic red carpet looks for them to wear someday.

“I’ve saved all the red carpet dresses,” Kidman explained. “I have them all beautifully boxed. They’re museum pieces. They raid my wardrobe all the time. I’m like, ‘Okay, what’s mine is yours.’ But I don’t raid their closet, even though I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s cute.’ But I’m not allowed to take anything. It’s a one-way exchange.”

Nicole Kidman may not be the most regular of Met Gala attendees (she’s only gone six times...so far). And while that may seem like a lot, for someone who has been in the public eye as long as Kidman, it’s pretty sparse. That being said, when the actor does attend, she does so with style and authority. On two of the occasions she’s walked the Met carpet, she not only cohosted, but was dressed by her fellow cohosts, Karl Lagerfeld and Tom Ford (the latter, during his Gucci era). This year, Kidman is once again taking on co-hosting duty, meaning a return to the steps is imminent. Will she wear Balenciaga for the third time in a row? Or, surprise us all and go in a completely different direction? While we wait and see, let’s take a look back at Kidman’s Met Gala sartorial history.

2025: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”

Nicole Kidman paired her drop-waist, tea-length Balenciaga couture dress with a short ’do at the 2025 Met Gala.

2024: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”

Kidman also wore Balenciaga to the 2024 event. Her dress—designed by Demna—was inspired by one created by Cristobal Balenciaga himself for the house’s spring 1951 collection. The original was made famous by supermodel Dorian Leigh in a Harper’s Bazaar image by Richard Avedon. This new version took 800 hours of hand embroidery and the application of 150 meters of silk organza to create. “The gown creates a natural full circle moment of time—it’s a celebration of Richard’s work that will live on, but also, an acknowledgment of Balenciaga’s artistic vision that continues to seamlessly blend the illusion of past, present, and future,” Kidman told Vogue.

2023: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”

Prior to 2023, Kidman hadn’t shown up to the Met Gala in several years. But she RSVP’d “Yes” to the year that celebrated Karl Lagerfeld. As anyone with a television in the early ‘00s remembers, Kidman was the face of Chanel No. 5 and starred in a lavish commercial for the fragrance.

Kidman certainly remembered. She re-wore one of the dresses from that very commercial.

The night also gave her a chance to reunite with Baz Luhrmann who not only directed that Chanel ad, but also Moulin Rouge.

2016: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”

In 2016, Nicole Kidman wore an Alexander McQueen gown that was quite literally celestial. Creative director Sarah Burton customized the dress based on a sheer version that was shown during the brand’s fall 2016 runway show.

The gown’s elaborate cape added to the drama without resembling a costume. The look drew comparisons to the classic Art Deco-era work of the Russian-French artist and designer Erté.

The year was also notable as it marked the first year Kidman attended the Met Gala with a date from her personal romantic life. She brought then-husband Keith Urban, who let his wife take all the attention by opting for a classic white-tie tuxedo.

2005: “The House of Chanel”

Karl Lagerfeld famously did not consent to a retrospective of his own career during his lifetime, but he did cohost the Met Gala alongside Kidman in 2005 for an exhibition and gala dedicated to the history of the House of Chanel. Kidman, of course, was then the face of the brand’s iconic fragrance, Chanel No. 5. And naturally, she showed up in Chanel haute couture.

The gown came with a few hidden tricks. It had a dramatic leg slit and was lined in silver. If you appreciate no other detail, please take note of the fact that the silver lining matches Lagerfeld’s fingerless gloves.

Kidman truly leaned into proper hosting duties. Here, she, Lagerfeld, and Wintour greet Michael Kors and his date for the evening, Jessica Simpson.

2003: “Goddess: The Classical Mode”

Kidman was not only one of the earliest A-listers to spot Tom Ford’s talent at Gucci, but she cohosted the 2003 event alongside him. That year was a tribute to “Goddesses,” and Kidman certainly dressed like one in a gown that was a perfect exemplification of Ford’s knack for sophisticated sex appeal. Kidman was all covered up, but the draping of the dress recalled bosom-baring classical sculptures.

Long before the “Jason Derulo has fallen down the stairs at the Met Gala” meme existed, Adrian Brody actually did take a tumble at the Met. Don’t worry, everything was fine—but the moment did provide a nice look at the back of Kidman’s gown.

Once again, she was on her best hosting manors alongside Wintour, Ford, and Brody. For the record, though they stuck close together that night, Kidman and Brody never dated. However, they had both just won their Oscars a few months before.

Kidman was in good company that night. Ford also dressed another goddess, Diana Ross.