Introducing the Cut’s Fall Fashion Issue

Photo: Nadia Lee Cohen for New York Magazine/the Cut

I’m writing to you at the end of August as this issue’s pages are being sent off to the printer, between pacing to the tune of Beyoncé (Cowboy Carter, specifically) and staring down everything one last time. First, I want to say thank you. For reading, for laughing and commiserating with us, and for engaging because I know you don’t have to. You are the reason we continue to push the Cut forward.

It’s surreal to already be in my fourth year as editor-in-chief of the Cut. In these past 40-plus months, the team has evolved, and so too has what it means to create a modern magazine that is responsive to what women and femmes care about most and, of course, want to read. The Cut’s first solo issue is the beginning of a new chapter and was a labor of love from every editor who pored over these pages.

What makes this era of the Cut exciting is more than just words on the page — it’s this team’s consistent effort to meet the moment. In our daily pursuit to find our way into your feeds, I often visualize my mother teaching me how to play double Dutch. As a young Black girl, I found double Dutch was cultural currency on the playground; there was something daunting about jumping in and knowing you could trip between the ropes and embarrass yourself in front of everyone. That’s how it can feel to run a magazine sometimes. There’s always going to be an endless loop of breaking news and global current events that we want to help you make sense of while balancing our desire to spark new conversations, whether around the complexity of age-gap relationships or why every nice dress costs $500 now. Finding the exact right timing to jump in with something to say takes the same instinct and bravery it took to leap inside those fast-moving jump ropes. And then there’s the vocal community of readers who tell us when an essay doesn’t sit well with them or how they love our inclusive point of view. All of this has been much on my mind as we envisioned fall fashion and created indelible images alongside stories you’ll want to talk about in your group chats.

Photo: Stevie Dance

Nadia Lee Cohen photographed Chloë Sevigny, the quintessential New York City “It” girl, in celebration of her upcoming 50th birthday as she evolves as a mother and finds new ambitions for the next stage of her career. Since childhood, Sevigny notes in our cover story, she was “always hustling” and “also acting.” She’s now contemplating a different story for her life as she gains more control over her creative endeavors — a familiar chapter in womanhood, famous or not. Our second cover is a self-portrait shot by Usher Raymond IV himself (with photography by Stevie Dance), who at 45 reached what most would consider the climax of their career: headlining the Super Bowl halftime show as the first independent artist ever to do it. But as you’ll see, if you think he’s done, think again. You’ll also meet Amelia Dimoldenberg, who has been creating the viral Chicken Shop Date for a decade; breakout star Mikey Madison; and familiar faces like Morgan Spector and PinkPantheress. And you’ll find ideas for making this season’s fashion all your own, from how to layer the accessories and sweaters you’ve had in the back of your closet for ages to how to better discern which celebrity-backed beauty brands are actually worth it.

And yes, there are those juicy essays, features, and pop-culture takes you’ve come to expect, too, including a special one from our fashion critic, Cathy Horyn, who chronicles her emotional journey to discovering her personal style at 67. Come celebrate all of this with us as we take over the Bluestone Lane Tribeca location, from September 6 through 11, to create the official Cut Cafe pop-up with special events and other surprises. And I hope to find you in the comments, no matter how spicy your reply may be.