The print edition of Are Media’s ELLE Australia is the latest of at least six magazine titles to return to magazine stands in the past year.
Whilst the magazine on stands features Sophie Wilde on the cover, the ELLE relaunch came with an additional five covers featuring a handful of Aussie women.
See Also: Are magazines back? The ELLE Australia relaunch team on the global magazine revival
Talking us through each of the covers, editor of ELLE Australia, Grace O’Neill, told Mediaweek: “We wanted to present a portfolio of digital covers that captured the next generation of Australian superstars.”
She admits that she always had a very strong idea of what she wanted out of the first cover.
“ELLE has this carefree, effortless spirit that we, the team, really wanted to capture. Shooting on the beach made perfect sense, especially for a cover that came out in March.
“Photographer Jordan Malane is a genius at capturing the perfect light. So one late afternoon we started shooting the cover look which featured a Gucci ensemble with crystal embellishments and low-slung jeans – that felt so ELLE to me – with Sophie standing in the water at Cronulla Beach. We shot for about an hour and captured the magical shot of Sophie with the starburst glistening off the top,”
Sophie Wilde
“To me, Sophie Wilde was always going to be the first cover choice with ELLE. As mentioned in my editor’s letter, I saw Sophie in Paris back in October about five minutes after the idea of editing ELLE Australia had first been put to me. It immediately struck me that if I were given the opportunity to edit ELLE Australia, Sophie was the natural cover choice: she is not only an extremely talented young actor (her recent AACTA win and BAFTA nominations only go to prove that), but she is a burgeoning style icon, and has a personality to go with it that is completely captivating and exciting.”
Akon Changkou
“Akon is currently one of Australia’s most prominent fashion models. She was working at the ATO when she decided to change her life up and pursue modelling. After being rejected by multiple agencies in Australia due to her height, she flew to Paris where she was quickly snapped up to walk for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and more. We are so thrilled she shot a cover with us during her limited time back in Australia over Christmas.”
Akon Maddens
Angourie Rice
“Angourie is one of the most exciting and dynamic young Australian actors who, off the back of her star-making lead in Mean Girls, was a perfect choice to hero with a cover.”
Angourie Rice
Alycia Debnam-Carey
“Alycia is not only one of Australia’s most talented actors – I particularly loved her in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and can’t wait to see her in the Belle Gibson biopic, Apple Cider Vinegar – but she’s also a bona fide fashion darling as the history-making first Australian ambassador for the house of Dior.”
Alycia Debnam-Carey
Maia Mitchell
“Maia is another homegrown superstar. Yes, she’s garnered a staggering 10 million Instagram followers, but even without her incredible social following, she remains a phenomenal actor. I particularly love the work she has done in supporting her hometown of Lismore during the floods in 2022; she has a heart of gold on top of being show-stoppingly beautiful and talented.”
Maia Mitchell
Miah and Madeleine Madden
“The Madden sisters are Australian creative royalty. I had long admired Madeleine’s work, but hadn’t encountered Miah before her brilliant role in Paper Dolls last year. So it made sense to shoot Miah and Madeleine together, big sister and little sister, for their first Australian magazine cover together. They are pure joy and positivity!”
Miah and Madeleine Madden
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Top image: Grace O’Neill