Think Big
ELLE|September 2019

This Season ’s Doorway - Defying Silhouettes Weren’t Just A Runway Statement . They Were A Reclamation Of Female Power .

Dayna Evans
Think Big

There is a scene in Knock Down the House, the award-winning documentary that tracks four women running for Congress in 2018, in which Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is sitting on the couch in her living room, breathing deeply. In only a few hours, the then 28-year-old bartender from the Bronx—and complete newcomer to politics—must go on live TV and debate 10-term Democratic congressman Joe Crowley in an attempt to unseat him from his position. It will not be an easy or necessarily pleasant task. She closes her eyes, extends her arms above her head, and exhales. “I need to take up space, I need to take up space,” she says, waving her arms around her. “I am here.”

This story is from the September 2019 edition of ELLE.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of ELLE.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ELLEView All
Rebel Hearts
ELLE US

Rebel Hearts

The best fashion is served family style. Model siblings-slash-fashion royalty Lily McMenamy and Eddy and Arthur Aldridge share an unbreakable bond. Here, they team rocker-chic staples with equally timeless Cartier Trinity jewelry.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
Nicole Kidman
ELLE US

Nicole Kidman

At Least We Can All Agree On Whether she's confronting the toughest emotions onscreen, raising millions to support women's causes, or putting on a pinstriped suit to help save the movies, the Expats star brings people together.

time-read
9 mins  |
April 2024
WOMEN OF IMPACT
ELLE US

WOMEN OF IMPACT

Write a poem. Build a business. Use your megaphone with no apologies. As our 2024 honorees show, there are endless ways to make positive change.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
Breast Surgery, Augmented
ELLE US

Breast Surgery, Augmented

Is \"internal bra\" surgery the stuff that braless dreams are made of?

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024
BRITISH INVASION
ELLE US

BRITISH INVASION

Kit Kemp's signature hotel design, a madcap take on English tradition, is taking over New York.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
FULL CIRCLE
ELLE US

FULL CIRCLE

As Tory Burch celebrates 20 years, her sense of mission is stronger than ever.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024
CACTUS FLOWER
ELLE US

CACTUS FLOWER

The minds behind Desserto are spinning the desert plant into (eco-friendly) gold.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
ELLE US

MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION

A new book gives an inside look at fashion's most ardent archivists, from Michèle Lamy to Azzedine Alaïa.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024
MORE IS MORE
ELLE US

MORE IS MORE

A maximalist season kicks off with embellished bags, intricately decorated vases, and high-flown takes on ceremonial jewelryas seen here in the medals and aiguillettes of creative director Claire Choisne's latest high jewelry lineup for Boucheron. High Jewelry Collection Histoire de Style, The Power of Couture, Boucheron, boucheron.com.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
La Nuova BELLEZA
ELLE US

La Nuova BELLEZA

Confident, sexy, and at the height of the fashion world. Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti demonstrates how to dress for seduction in spring's sheer.feminine slipdresses and body-conscious looks from luxury labels in Italy and beyond.

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024