Elle

Background

Elle (lit. 'She' or 'Her') is a French fashion magazine founded in 1945 by Hélène Gordon-Lazareff. Elle is a weekly publication, published fifty-two times per year.

History

Hélène Gordon-Lazareff, Russian-born and Paris-raised, started Elle in Paris in the immediate aftermath of World War II. It was first sold as a supplement to France-Soir, edited at the time by Hélène's husband, Pierre Lazareff. Hélène, Elle's pioneering founder, returned to Paris from New York City to create a unique publication that grappled with the many forces shaping women's lives in France in 1945. Women won the right to vote in 1944, and Elle dove immediately into long-form "newspaper-like" features on women's role in national politics and the growing feminist movement. Elle would "celebrate a new type of woman: independent, modern, active, comfortable in her own skin and her time". The first issue of Elle France was published on 21 November 1945 featuring Yolande Bloin on the cover dressed by Elsa Schiaparelli. Bloin was an actress in Jacques Becker's film Falbalas. The magazine had a circulation of 110,000 copies in 1945.

In the Elle articles featuring rising fashion designers, the magazine would provide free patterns of some of their fashion pieces. This allowed the general public to experience haute couture as the glamour of the fashion world was becoming accessible to the common working class.

Its 100th issue, published on 14 October 1947, featured the work of Christian Dior just eight months after his debut show. Likewise, Brigitte Bardot had her first Elle cover at age 17, on 7 January 1952, months before her screen debut in Manina, the Girl in the Bikini.

On 2 April 1956, Grace Kelly appeared on the cover of Elle France, a few days before her marriage to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. On 16 July 1956, Elle France featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover.

By the 1960s, Elle had a readership of 800,000 across France and was said to "not so much reflect fashion as decree it." This dominance was reflected in the famous slogan: "Si elle lit elle lit Elle (If she reads, she reads Elle)" (lit. "If she reads she reads She").

In 1987, Elle Decoration was launched in France by the Lagardère Group.

In 1995, the magazine circulated 5 million copies worldwide.

Elle and politics

Elle magazine, while predominantly known for fashion and beauty, has frequently explored political and social issues. Some of the key topics covered by Elle include gender equality.

Elle has published articles on combating gender inequality, showcasing influential women and advocating for equal pay and opportunities within the workplace. One notable edition was its "Women in Politics" issue, which shone a spotlight on female politicians worldwide. Elle has consistently raised awareness of women's health and reproductive rights. The magazine covered the global struggles for access to safe abortion services, notably in the U.S. following legislative changes. Elle has also addressed issues of social justice, including racial equality and LGBTQ+ rights. It reported on the Black Lives Matter movement, emphasizing the importance of representation and inclusivity within all industries.

In 2025, Elle announced in Italy the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize nomination for the sociologist Porpora Marcasciano (first transgender individual in history to be nominated to the prize), nominated by Dr. Tiziano Peccia.

Staff

Elle editors have included Jean-Dominique Bauby in France, who became known for writing a book after suffering almost total paralysis.

Editions

As of 2026, fifty-one editions of Elle are in operation, twenty-six editions of Elle Decoration, nine editions of Elle Men, and eight editions of Elle à Table.

Elle also publishes region-specific editions within or across countries, such as Elle Hong Kong and Elle Québec, published in addition to Elle China and Elle Canada respectively. In Belgium since 2003, Elle is published as Elle Belgique (in French and for Wallonia) and Elle België (in Dutch for Flanders). Elle Baltic was launched in 2026 for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Elle Middle East was launched in 2006 across the Middle East with Elle Oriental (published in Arabic and French for Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Maghreb). The two publications were later rebranded into Elle Arabia and the French edition was dropped.

International editions

In 1970, the first non-European edition of Elle was launched for Japan as a collaboration with An An magazine as An An Elle Japon. Prior to the entry into Japan, editions operated in Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland/Austria, and Yugoslavia throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1985, the American and British editions were launched both featuring Yasmin Le Bon on their respective inaugural issues. The American edition was jointly owned by Hachette and News Groups Publications (owned by Rupert Murdoch). The following year Elle España was launched.

In 1987 editions launched for Italy and Hong Kong. Italian Elle would move from a monthly to weekly release schedule in 2018. Editions for China, Greece, Germany, and Sweden in 1988. In 1989 editions were launched for Quebec, The Netherlands and Switzerland.

In 1990 Elle Taiwan began publication.

Elle Korea was launched in November 1992. A year later, in 1993, Elle Singapore was launched. In 1994, Mexican, Argentine, Thai, Polish, and Czech editions were launched.

Elle India and Elle South Africa launched in 1996. Romanian and Norwegian editions launched the following year. An edition for Turkey launched in 1999.

Elle Hungary and Elle Ukraine were launched in 2001. In 2002, a Croatian edition was launched. A Belgian edition launched in 2003, available in Dutch and French.

Bulgarian, Serbian, and Slovenian editions launched in 2005. Danish and Indonesian editions launched in 2008.

In 2012, Elle Lebanon was launched; however, it was quickly folded into Elle Oriental. A Kazakh edition began publication in February 2015.

Elle Lithuania launched in February 2024, the magazine is published by the team who previously published L'Officiel Lithuania from 2010 till its closure in 2023. Elle Luxembourg and Elle O'zbekiston began publication in September 2024. The Uzbek edition would close in November 2025 after payment disputes between the publishing company and editorial staff.

Editors

Other markets

In the 1980s, Elle signed an agreement with the Japanese Itokin, a group based in Osaka specialising in ready-to-wear. Elle has been selling its lingerie in Japan for over forty years through licensing agreements. Elle has over 150 partners in 80 countries, all paying royalties to the brand. Elle has more than 3,000 stores worldwide, mainly in Asia. Under the Elle brand, there are around ten cafés, hair salons and spas. The brand also sells fashion, beauty and home decor products.

Nissan and Elle collaborated and unveiled the Nissan Micra Elle in September 2012, a limited-edition car specially designed for women.

The brand has also been launched in the hospitality industry. In 2023, the fashion magazine opened its first hotel, Maison Elle, on the 17th of Paris. Other Elle Hotel projects have been announced for Mexico and around fifteen high-end hotels in the heart of cities that would open in the next ten years.

In June 2024, an article from Elle Decor announced the launch of the media brand's first residential tower located in Miami.