Sophie Ellis-Bextor turned editorial into performance art—pleats, poses, and unapologetic color—during her September shoot with Chantel King for The Guardian.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has always danced to her own beat—literally and sartorially. But in her September 2025 editorial for The Guardian, shot by Chantel King, she didn’t just wear fashion. She weaponized it. The result? A visual symphony of saturated hues, theatrical silhouettes, and poses that felt more ballet than backdrop.
In one frame, Ellis-Bextor wears a flowing, pleated light blue ensemble that feels like a cross between Issey Miyake and a Grecian oracle. The fabric—lightweight and sculptural—cascades in dramatic waves, with wide sleeves that billow like wings mid-flight. The silhouette is layered and draped, creating movement even in stillness. In another look, she dons a textured cream sweater with a high collar and visible zipper—utilitarian, yes, but softened by the plush knit and her expressive styling.
Hair shifts between soft waves and structured bangs, always framing her face with intention. Makeup is playful: bright pink lipstick, electric blue eyeshadow that matches the backdrop, and skin that glows without shimmer. The styling is cohesive across color stories—each look a self-contained palette, each pose a punctuation mark.
