On the Cover with Karen Elson

KAREN ELSON is the ultimate professional with hundreds of shoots for magazine covers and fashion campaigns to her credit. She and her team had incredible suggestions, enjoyed the day, and were flexible, open to Edit's needs. Karen and the crew noshed on healthy salads and pizzas from TRUE FOOD KITCHEN for a lunch break, and a significant amount of water was consumed by the time we called it a wrap. The setting, the people, and the model's versatility made for what we call the perfect shoot!

THE LOCATION

We were lucky enough to have the entire SAINT ELLE event and studio space to ourselves on shoot day. Over 8,000 square feet of room plus outdoor options gave the team room to spread out. The modern building also includes ideal rooms for changing, set up, and prep and expansive bars for storing the food and beverage on hand. This Wedgewood Houston neighborhood gem was new to us but now on the top of our list for events and photoshoots- there's nothing else like it in the city. Take a virtual tour on thesaintelle.com.

THE VIBE

A relaxed set with lots of laughter: JO MALONE LONDON candles burning and background music reflecting our model's unique tastes kept everyone energized throughout the day. Find the complete playlist 'Karen Elson Cover' on nashvilleedit.com this month for a little celebrity sound to pump up your next celebration.

JO MALONE LONDON incense and embers scented candle

THE CLOTHES

"The inspiration behind this shoot is the many angles of Karen's amazing life," says stylist COURTNEY KIVELA ROBINSON, "We wanted to illustrate these facets together in a fashion story. She's released a new book celebrating her iconic career as a true supermodel and musician and her personal memoirs.

Cream multi-printed caftan dress & black and nude slingback heels by GUCCI

KAREN'S LOOK

THE GLAM

Having a fine artist and makeup master on hand is such a bonus, and COLLEEN RUNNÉ did not disappoint, even using her talents to give us complete sketches for her looks postshoot (see the exclusive skin and makeup detail from start to finish on nashvilleedit. com). GIOVANNI DELGADO, who was also behind the gorgeous look for Kacey Musgrave's on our Holiday 2019 cover, used some choice Oribe products and a slew of styling tools and irons to mold Karen's signature red mane for transformations between each look.

FACE: Dior BACKSTAGE Face and Body Foundation, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, and Lancôme Absolue Powder Radiant Smoothing Powder in Absolue Pearl. EYE: MAC Cosmetics Art Library in Flamboyant and Pat McGrath Labs eyeshadow palette.LIP: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Infatuated Red.CHEEK: Chanel Joues Contraste shade In Love. Find all at Dillard's and Sephora in The Mall at Green Hills.

THE INSPIRATION

"The inspiration for Karen's look was her new book, The Red Flame. She has the most beautiful skin, which I wanted to keep luminous, transparent, no heavy foundation coverage."

THE ACCESSORIES

We chose beautiful pieces to complement the wardrobe, from fine dainty diamonds and liquid gold for the soft and monochromatic looks to fun standout pieces in mixed metals and eclectic shapes such as stars and lips with the Bohemian ensembles.

Fire Opal Ring, VINCENT PEACH

COVER CREDITS

Sheer tulle scarf-tie blouse, DOROTHEE SCHUMACHER, from HERO BOUTIQUE; Matte satin cross-back camisole with spaghetti straps, JADE, from E. ALLEN; camel leather pleated pant, ETRO, from GUS MAYER; "liquid gold" stud earrings, CLARK HELDMAN from H. AUDREY

Photography by EMILY DORIO Styling by COURTNEY KIVELA ROBINSON Hair by GIOVANNI DELGADO Makeup by COLLEEN RUNNÉ Stylist's Assistant: LESLIE STEPHENS