When ELLE fashion director Alex White began considering spring style, the architectural Bauhaus-inspired looks she had seen on the runways were in the front of her mind. They were a perfect match for the stark, Brutalist buildings of architect Marcel Breuer, found right in ELLE’s backyard in the Bronx. The modern and elegant personal style of artist and model Conie Vallese, whose work was shown at Milan Design Week in 2025, was another inspiration for the shoot. Photographed by Andy Harrington, Vallese brought her artistic spirit to looks from female-designed brands like Khaite, Bottega, Givenchy, and Prada. See the captivating photos below and read Adrienne Gaffney’s interview with the muse behind it.
—Nina Garcia, editor-in-chief
