Elle Canada

“JUST ONE MORE VIDEO, and then I’ll go to bed,” I tell myself—the same way I whisper “Just two or three chips” in front of that big bag of Miss Vickie’s Lime & Black Pepper chips that I always end up finishing. Just as ultra-processed foods are engineered to create compulsion, temptation on our phones has been technologically refined to hit us right at our pleasure centre. Psychiatrist Anna Lembke even calls our phones “modern hypodermic needles” because they deliver instant gratification—thanks to dopamine. (See our wellness feature “Dopamine Sick” on page 78.) A key neurotransmitter in the brain’s reward system, dopamine is responsible for that buzzy feeling you get after clicking “buy” or laughing at a post shared by a friend. It’s not evil; it’s a signal that helps…

Voices of Fashion If you’re looking for some inspiring viewing, head to Montreal’s McCord Stewart Museum for AFRICA FASHION; on until February 1, 2026, it’s the only Canadian stop for this exquisitely curated presentation. Featuring 45 African designers and brands—from trailblazers like Naima Bennis and Shade Thomas-Fahm to contemporary innovators such as Thebe Magugu and IAMISIGO—the show offers a vibrant overview of the creativity and influence that has shaped African style, particularly during the dynamic post-colonial era. Organized by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, it includes more than 100 garments and accessories as well as textiles, photographs and videos that span from the 1960s to today. musee-mccord-stewart.ca Party Ready H&M is pulling out all the stops with its new holiday collection—and just in time for all those RSVPs. The pieces…

Carmine red, pistachio green, neon pink… Is colour blocking here to brighten up the cooler season and shake up the fashion status quo? Well, while brighter shades seem to be the novelty of the fall/winter 2025/2026 season (think show-stopping looks by Saint Laurent, Gucci, Miu Miu, Givenchy and Tom Ford), warm, rich tones have not left the ready-to-wear runways either, having been spotted at Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino and Stella McCartney. From mocha mousse to khaki green to mustard yellow, earthy hues are standing their ground. “Fashion codes, dressing traditions and social conventions have taught us to associate certain colours with certain seasons,” says Alessandra Ronetti, art historian and specialist in colour studies. “In the West, for example, we favour pastels and light shades in spring and…

Born from a shared passion for travel, adventure, elegance and style, ELLE’s unique city guide is a celebration of the art of living—a combination of inspiration, refinement and a natural curiosity to discover the world. Throughout the pages that follow, we invite you to embark on a journey across seven emblematic cities within the Air France network: Abidjan, Istanbul, Madrid, Mumbai, Oslo, Tokyo and Paris. Each destination captures a facet of global creativity and sophistication, from Paris’ je ne sais quoi to Tokyo’s avant-garde spirit and Abidjan’s vibrant energy to Oslo’s understated grace. “With our worldwide network, Air France connects legendary destinations with those off the beaten path,” says Jean-Eudes de La Bretèche, country manager, Air France KLM Canada. “This guide, created by ELLE, invites you to experience the richness…

TRENDY EATERY Le Comptoir Cocody(2) Set in the Ivoire Trade Center (the venue for 2024’s inaugural Abidjan Fashion Week), Le Comptoir offers a modern take on Ivorian cuisine. Chic interiors are done in teal and neutrals, with a long blue-tiled bar and woven lamp-shades. The portions are huge, so go hungry for dishes such as Chicken Stew With Plantain and Creole Jambalaya. ITC Ivoire Trade Center, Boulevard Hassan 11, Cocody, lecomptoircocody.com LOCAL FOOD HOT SPOT Bushman Café(3) This café/guest house/creative hub is the place to hang out in Abidjan, with its live music, workshops and rooftop parties and African art every-where. Food is classic Ivorian: Alloco (fried plantains seasoned with spices and chili-pepper sauce) and Pa Pa Pa Chicken in Cocoa Butter. Riviera 4, Mpouto Quartier Ciad, Cocody, bushmancafe.hotelabidjan.net CHARMING…

TRENDY EATERY Arkestra (1 & 3) Chef Cenk Debensason skilfully blends local ingredients and influences from Asia and Mexico. As well as its main restaurant, Arkestra has a cozy bistro, Ritmo, for small plates and the city’s first jazz-kissa-inspired bar, The Listening Room. Etiler, Dilhayat Sokak No:28, Besiktas, arkestra.com.tr LOCAL FOOD HOT SPOT Pandeli (4) One of the city’s culinary icons, this turquoise-tiled restaurant, above the Spice Bazaar, has been in the Pandeli family for more than a century, serving the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Robert De Niro and Queen Elizabeth II. Order the signature sea bass cooked in paper or the lamb with an aubergine purée. Rüstempa a District Fish Market, Balık Pazarı, Mısır Çar ısı çi 1 D:2, Eminönü/Fatih, pandeli.com.tr CHARMING HOTEL The Splendid Palas Hotel (2) A summer…