In April 2012, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen stepped apart to each shoot a solo ELLE UK cover. The sisters, 25 at the time, then reunited for a shoot published inside the issue.
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Shot by Alexei Hay and styled by Anne-Marie Curtis, the Olsen twins wore pieces that were a separation from their influential personal style. Gone were the trademark all-black looks and cocooning minimalist layers. Instead, they wore rhinestone Prada and crystal Roberto Cavalli. It wasn’t quite a return to their acting careers, but they tried on a new guise.
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At the time of the ELLE UK shoot, the sisters’ brand, The Row, was already six years old, but was yet to hold the singular influence over ‘quiet luxury’ it has today.
Though the Olsens had just entered their mid-twenties, Hay says the energy on set was more akin to being with legends. ‘They had been through so much at such an early age that it was like they were veterans in the celebrity fray. They were ready to play with their appearance without being hobbled by insecurity and had a boldness and curiosity that’s uncommon in the world.’
‘I don’t understand the new idea of designers as celebrities. To me, the Phoebe Philo kind of modesty is the way to go,’ said Mary-Kate to ELLE UK’s fashion, watches and jewellery director Avril Mair in the accompanying interview, which proves as true today as it was then – the sisters do little press and fewer photoshoots, and haven’t been on a major red carpet in years.
‘The thing that struck me most about Mary-Kate and Ashley was how impecably honed their taste was. It was obvious that they were incredibly involved in the brand. They really wanted to talk about their clothes. When I walked into the meeting room in a pair of culottes by The Row, the first thing they said was: “You’re wearing our pants!”,’ says Mair.
Mair says she was struck by their ‘strong sense of modernity and utility’ and would go on to become a loyal The Row customer. ‘I was trying to find out about their shopping habits (they buy each other diamonds as birthday presents), while they were intent on telling me about refining fabrics and fit. I was obsessed then and still am 12 years later.’
The Best Pieces To Buy From The Row
The Row Plaid Shirt
The Row Cotton-Corduroy Jacket
The Row Half Moon Leather Bag
The Row Suede Trainers
The Row Crepe Trousers
The Row Gathered Leather Loafers
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