On Carmen: Rubin & Chapelle dress ($4,800); Lydell NYC necklace ($48); Furla purse ($228); Q by Pasquale sandals

($745). On Derek: Etro tweed coat ($ 2,297) and shirt ($407).; Reiss sweater ($105) and necktie ($205); Angelo Galasso trousers (available upon request) and shoes ($1,555).

a beautiful escape
Actors Derek Luke and Carmen Ejogo heat up the screen in the much-buzzed-about remake of Sparkle. Here they show off the coolest fall trendsincluding animal and Asian-inspired prints for her and layering pieces and transitional coats for himall in the mesmeric connes of the Midtown hotel Dream New York.

By Deena Campbell Photography by Ashley Sky Walker | Styling by Billie Causieestko Hair by Tippi Shorter | Makeup by Ashunta Sheriff

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Louis Vuitton dress ($1,970); Carlos Miele booties ($865).

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Reiss suit ($935), shirt ($119), pocket square ($28), and necktie ($59).

Tommy Hilger jacket ($998); Angelo Galasso shirt ($1,250); Reiss jeans ($179).

erek Luke isnt afraid of the camera. The unassuming actor is mostly known for his lm debut in the title role opposite Denzel Washington in Antwone Fisher (2002) and as Diddy in Notorious (2009), but in a reboot of the 1976 classic lm Sparkle, the fashion-forward actor plays Stix, a irtatious businessman and love interest of Sparkle Williams (Jordin Sparks). Similar to myself, he is independent and isnt afraid to be his own man, says the 38-year-old, who has been married since 1998. The movie is also a salute to my parents, who had a similar story. (Lukes mother and three aunts were church-singing girls who made an album produced by Lukes father in the 70s.) Stylish and condent, the actor is just as comfortable discussing the Miami Heat as he is talking about haute couture. Fashion is another extension of the being, says the New Jersey native, who developed a T-shirt line titled Heartist in 2009. My style is casual and classic with an attempt to be edgy. He fancies Tyson Beckfords style, the designs of young Ghanaian designer Nana Boateng, and Euro taste in general. London guys arent afraid to look good. They wear suits all the time, says Luke, who will costar with Paula Patton in the romantic comedy Baggage Claim next year. Lukes dream is to maximize all potential before departing this earth; a goal he believes can be achieved by eectively dressing the part. Clothes are accessories to your future. I want my work to be classic.

Mackage jacket ($790); Reiss shirt ($119).

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Carlos Miele dress ($1,260); Louis Vuitton earings ($865).

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PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE: SANDRA FEDERIZIO

C
Herve Leger dress ($2,200).

armen Ejogo is a shape-shifter. Whether playing a mentally unstable mother in HBOs Lackawanna Blues (2005) or an alluring ocer in the CBS series Chaos (2011), she doesnt simply portray characters in lms, she completely morphs. Continuing her parade of memorable roles this August, she stars as the wanton singer Sister in Sparkle, alongside Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter, and Derek Luke. Although she nds commonalities in the character, in reality, Sisters sense of style couldnt be more distant from her own.

She objecties herself to get what she wants, says the 38-year-old Londoner, who now resides in Brooklyn. That means wearing red nail polish, super micromini clothes; anything that will put her out there. I couldnt be further from that. Ejogo, however, does nd kinship in Grace Jones style and has sewn her own clothes since she was 8 years old. I like avant-garde designers who have their own sense of originality and arent trying to be of the moment. Her favorites include Antonio Berardi, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Helmut Lang. The lms vibrant costuming inspired her. The clothing really got me into the character in a way that doesnt always happen, she says. Ejogo is married to actor Jerey Wright; the couple has two children, Elijah and Juno. Shes also starring in the upcoming thriller Alex Cross and new ABC series Zero Hour. She says the new Sparkle is dierent in that the 60s-style costuming is on a par with todays street style. I think our viewers are more fashion-obsessed; and [this redo] is more glamorous than the original.