Natalie Portman doesn’t just grace a cover—she commands it. For Elle France’s September 2025 issue, the Oscar-winning actress and activist trades Hollywood glamour for a raw, unfiltered moment: a red blazer slung over bare shoulders, laughter caught mid-air, and a defiance that feels like a manifesto. This isn’t just a photoshoot; it’s a declaration.
The image is a masterclass in visual tension. Portman, clad in a crimson blazer —its oversized lapels and structured shoulders a nod to ’80s power dressing—drapes the garment over a sheer, neutral bodysuit . The juxtaposition is deliberate: the blazer, a symbol of authority, left unbuttoned, almost discarded, while the bodysuit whispers vulnerability. Her hands clutch the collar, a gesture that feels both playful and confrontational, as if she’s tearing down the very walls of expectation.
The hair , pulled back into a loose, lived-in bun, and the barefaced makeup —save for a hint of mascara—strip away the artifice. This is Portman as you’ve rarely seen her: not the poised red-carpet icon, but a woman mid-laugh, mid-thought, mid-rebellion.
The blazer, a deep, matte red , dominates the frame. Its wool-blend texture suggests weight, gravitas—yet the way it slumps off her shoulders introduces a casual insouciance. The bodysuit beneath, in a soft beige , clings just enough to hint at structure without constraining movement. The ensemble is a sartorial metaphor: power, but on her terms .
No jewelry, no shoes—just the raw elements of the look. The styling credits? Unnecessary. The message is the medium.
Portman’s pose— head tilted back, mouth open in laughter —is the linchpin. It’s a rejection of the static, the posed, the perfect . The lighting , soft yet directional, carves shadows under her collarbone, adding depth to the image’s emotional landscape. Even the typography of the ELLE logo, bold and unapologetic, feels like a partner in this act of defiance.
The hair and makeup (or lack thereof) are the final stroke. A barely-there gloss on the lips, flush on the cheeks —as if she’s just stepped in from the cold, or from a heated debate. It’s the antithesis of the “done” face, and it works.
Portman’s ELLE France cover arrives at a moment when the conversation around female agency in Hollywood is louder than ever. Inside the issue, she discusses her 30-year career , her activism , and the “20 new rules of the back-to-school season” —a playful yet pointed nod to reinvention. The cover, then, isn’t just about fashion; it’s about autonomy .
In the interview, Portman reflects on her “workaholic” Wikipedia label (“I don’t see it as a bad thing”) and her upcoming projects , including a Marvel satire and a Lena Dunham collaboration . The cover, with its unbuttoned blazer and unguarded laughter , feels like a visual echo of her words: “We no longer have the right to choose not to be engaged.”
Natalie Portman doesn’t just grace the pages of ELLE UK—she commands them, channeling four decades of Dior’s beauty legacy in a single, breathtaking sweep. From the power-suited 2010s to the dewy minimalism of the 2020s, this is a masterclass in reinvention, one contour stroke at a time.
Natalie Portman’s latest editorial for ELLE UK — lensed by Cass Bird and styled by Alexandra Bernard —isn’t just a beauty spread; it’s a cinematic journey through Dior’s most defining eras. The Oscar-winning actress, long a muse for the house, slips effortlessly into the spirit of the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s, each look distilled into a single, arresting frame. The result? A visual symphony that proves beauty is as much about attitude as it is about aesthetics.
1980s: The Power of Excess
1980s: The Power of Excess
Portman’s ’80s incarnation is all about shiny, unapologetic glamour . A studded denim jacket—reminiscent of rock ‘n’ roll rebellion —pairs with a bandeau top and a leopard-print hair scarf, evoking the era’s love for bold patterns and even bolder silhouettes. The makeup? A flush of blush and pop-of-color lips , a nod to the decade’s maximalist ethos. The attitude? Pure, unfiltered confidence.
1990s: Grunge Meets Glam
1990s: Grunge Meets Glam
Here, Portman embodies the blurred lips and smoky eyes of the ’90s, a decade where beauty was all about effortless rebellion . A slouchy, oversized black top—emblazoned with a vintage photograph—hints at the era’s penchant for irony and nostalgia . The hair, slightly tousled, and the dark, moody lips complete the look, channeling the spirit of Kate Moss and heroin chic.
2000s: The Top Model Era
2000s: The Top Model Era
The Y2K revival is in full swing , and Portman leans into the velvet-touch lipstick and sleek, wet-look hair that defined the early aughts. A crisp white shirt, unbuttoned just so, and gold and diamond cuffs (price on request, naturally) elevate the look to top model territory. It’s a study in polished seduction , where less was never more.
2010s: Contoured Confidence
2010s: Contoured Confidence
The 2010s were all about precision and power , and Portman’s look— contour sharp enough to cut glass , a pink and gold Dior joaillérie cuff , and a crisp white collared shirt—captures the era’s obsession with elevated minimalism . The hair, pulled back into a sleek bun, underscores the architectural beauty of the decade.
2020s: The No-Makeup Makeup Revolution
2020s: The No-Makeup Makeup Revolution
Fast forward to the present, and Portman embodies the dewy, fresh-faced beauty of the 2020s. Wet hair, barely-there makeup , and a glow that looks lit from within —this is beauty stripped back to its essence. The look is completed with gold hoop earrings and a nude bodysuit , a testament to the era’s love for effortless, clean-lined elegance .
What ties these decades together isn’t just the clothing—it’s the transformative power of hair and makeup . Portman’s chameleonic beauty is on full display, from the spiked, gelled-up ‘80s hair to the sleek, wet-look waves of the 2020s . Each era’s makeup—whether it’s the blurred lips of the ‘90s or the contoured cheekbones of the 2010s —serves as a time capsule, capturing the essence of the decade in a single stroke.
The mood shifts with each frame: rebellious in the ‘80s , moody in the ‘90s , seductive in the 2000s , polished in the 2010s , and effortless in the 2020s . It’s a testament to Portman’s range as an actress—and a reminder that beauty is, above all, about storytelling .
Explore more celebrity style transformations and red carpet moments on CelebMafia.
Anna Sawai attended the LVMH Prize awards at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, opting for a quietly elegant look that proved fashion can whisper just as powerfully as it can shout. Her choice a perfect example of timeless celebrity fashion that prioritizes thoughtful design and personal grace.
Sawai’s ensemble is a masterclass in understated elegance and is from Dior’s Spring 2024 collection . The two-piece outfit features a crisp white fabric with a delicate print of lily of the valley stalks—a signature motif for the house of Dior. The top, a short-sleeved blouse, has a classic silhouette with a chic, elevated black collar that adds a modern, structured touch. The matching A-line midi skirt falls gracefully to her knees, creating a harmonious and sophisticated silhouette. The fabric appears light and fluid, lending a sense of gentle movement to the look.
The cohesion of her styling elevates the entire outfit. The most striking accessory is the vibrant, quilted yellow Lady Dior bag , a bold and unexpected pop of color that adds a playful twist to the otherwise monochrome and green-hued outfit. It’s a confident choice, demonstrating an understanding of how color blocking can transform a look. The black pointed-toe Mary Jane heels with a delicate strap complement the black collar of her top, creating a visual balance that ties the whole ensemble together. Her hair is pulled back into a simple, elegant low ponytail, and her makeup is natural and dewy, with a soft, confident smile that completes the picture. It’s a look that speaks to quiet confidence and impeccable taste, eschewing loud trends for a timeless, composed aesthetic.
