HTSI Editor’s Letter: Summer with Sienna

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It’s been two decades since Sienna Miller first burst into the public consciousness as a vivacious star in the movies Layer cake and Alfie (in which she starred alongside 2000s icon and man-bun Jude Law). The year epitomised that post-Cool Britannia period when culture, politics and fashion briefly aligned. And, like so many things that have marked 20 years this summer, see also Bad GirlsRock band Keane and Facebook – Sienna have also been enjoying a glorious renaissance in recent months.

The first signs of a resurgence came at the Chloé show in February, where she sat front row at designer Chemena Kamali’s debut for the brand. She later attended a celebratory dinner where, by pure chance, I sat next to her and her boyfriend, Oli Green; she chatted endlessly about her recent birth of a baby, her relatively new relationship with someone several years her junior, and her feelings about being crowned queen of bohemian style again. I’ve met Sienna a number of times over the years and am always struck by how charming, funny, and kind she is. She may have been a vanguard in exposing the phone-hacking scandal (a distinctly horrifying experience), but she is defined by her indefatigable optimism, her effervescence, and her refreshing lack of malice.

She also looks spectacular, so it was only natural to ask her to star in this August issue: her sunny aura still has an extraordinary charm. She talks to Carola Long as she embarks on another chapter of her life. The only pity is that she has not yet acted in a story as dazzling as hers.

A hairdresser often ends up being a therapist, a repairman and a friend.

Jennifer Garner is another faithful defender of good humor who always seems to see the best in life. HTSI She talks about her 20-year friendship with Adir Abergelthe hairdresser and barber with whom she has collaborated since the days of the cult TV show. AliasI’m always amazed at the attachment celebrities feel for their “glam squads,” people they can spend days, weeks, and months with. The relationship is so intense and intimate that a makeup artist or hairstylist often ends up being a therapist, a problem-solver, and a friend. Abergel and Garner, who have partnered to create a range of products for hair-care brand Virtue, are no different: He’s part of the extended family. His mother considers him “her personal hairstylist,” and he styled her daughter Violet’s hair for her portraits last year.

For me, I’ll take you to South Tyrolthe pastoral region of the Dolomites that I have become obsessed with. After spending some time in posh spa hotels, I was intrigued to see what other kind of hospitality is on offer in those hills, so I visited two different hotels that offer alternative flavours of Tyrolean luxury.

From the fragrant Alps to the city center: Laila Gohar spends the summer in New York. I thought complaints about the city’s subway’s intolerable humidity were an exaggeration until I got caught in a heat wave there last year. Laila has a simple solution for summer dining and staying cool. Keep the menu super simple and Serve some cold soups.

@jellison22