
How to Shop the Hottest Floral Trend Before Everyone Else Catches On
If you pay really close attention to what other people are wearing, you'll notice that orchids are popping up more and more. And not orchid-inspired patterns, but actual photos of orchids printed onto a dress or blown up to cover a garment, as Dries Van Noten expertly did for a look in its spring/summer 2025 collection. Fashion has a new favorite flower, it seems.
It stands to reason, as there are more than 28,000 orchid varietals spanning every color imaginable, the flower lends itself to endless interpretation. Who doesn't love a sunset-hued palette for late summer?
This idea of leaning into nature is nothing new for Brooklyn-based designer Tyler McGillivary, who's sourced inspiration from pictures of the natural world since her brand's inception. Whether it's a dress printed to look like a monarch butterfly wing or jeans stamped with prehistoric shells, McGillivary is onto something with major potential. After all, why shouldn't nature's beauties be wearable? Based on my own observations, I'm predicting this style will become more popular through the rest of this year and well into spring 2026.
Below, shop a curated edit of clothes and accessories to make the orchid trend your own.
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Elle
4 hours ago
- Elle
Our Editors' Picks for the Best New Balance Sneakers
As long-time lovers of the brand, we have a lot of opinions about the best New Balance sneakers. While once defined by a recognizable bulky form, modern styles from New Balance have shifted to that of the ultra-sleek. Think: ballet sneakers, mules, and taekwondo shoes—thanks in part to collaborations with ultra-cool brands and athletes like Ganni, Miu Miu, and Coco Gauff. With no shortage of iterations to choose from, we decided to round up our favorites. The Best New Balance Sneakers Despite partaking in contemporary trends, the brand has stayed true to its origins as a highly-beloved (and widely trusted) dad shoe. New Balance kicks have been sported by fashion insiders and A-list stars alike, including Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, proving that even the thickest soles carry an air of coolness. ELLE's resident New Balance aficionado Dale Arden Chong has tested out nearly every style featured below, and the rest have been thoroughly researched. Here, find the New Balance shoes worth adding to your repertoire of fall sneakers. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a pair of New Balance 530s, cherish them. The style is so popular, it's often hard to find in stock. Rotating a pair like these into your lineup is sure to turn heads. Sizes: 5.5-15.5 ELLE editor review: 'I was a little wary about styling these with my everyday 'fits. That said, they've become a regular player in my sneaker rotation. The 530s have a chunky look that, especially with a slouchy sock, feels reminiscent of the '80s, and I mean that in the best possible way.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor This ultra-light iteration of the legendary 530 style adds a sporty detail to any outfit. The multi-colored laces and Miu Miu logo offer a touch of playfulness—and luxury. Sizes: 4-12 Every wardrobe needs a chunky, low-top basketball sneaker. Enter the New Balance 550. Originally debuted in 1989, the style has been reimagined and re-introduced throughout the years, and it's now a favorite amongst celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Adele, and Bella Hadid. Sizes: 5.5-17.5 ELLE editor Review: 'Consider me a victim of the hype, but I've been eyeing these ever since I saw the initial collaboration Aimé Leon Dore did with New Balance. I've waited a handful of years to get my hands on a pair of 550s (they're seemingly always sold out in my size!), but I finally did it—and they're just as good as I was expecting. I even got myself a pair from the New Balance x Malbon collection, so I can wear them on the golf course, too.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor New Balance does workout sneakers just as well as lifestyle ones. Case in point: the Fresh Foam X 1080v14. As the name suggests, the foam sole is extra cushy, which minimizes impact as your foot hits the pavement. Plus, that rocker sole will help keep you moving forward. Sizes: 5-13 Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide ELLE editor review: 'I've kept a pair of Fresh Foam sneakers in my workout circuit for a few years now, and it only seemed natural to upgrade myself to a new pair. These have just enough cushion to give my warmups on the treadmill an extra push. These are a great running shoe for any type of runner. (After all, these are the ones that got me racking up those miles!).'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor As evidenced by brands like Maison Margiela, Chloé, and Prada, sneaker mules are on the rise—and they've become a staple in every It Girl's wardrobe this summer. This Miu Miu pair in collaboration with New Balance is inspired by the popular 530 style, infusing a vintage feel. Sizes: 34-46 Tyrese Maxey's collaboration with the brand is all about high performance. Outfitted with quality cushioning, shock absorbing N-ergy, and pods at the heel, this pair is designed to conform to and protect the wearer's foot throughout the duration of every intense workout. Widths: Standard Customer review: 'I'm totally digging this style! I usually rock the 9060s, and these are just as comfy. I've gotten tons of compliments, and they're so lightweight—perfect for workouts!' While most New Balance sneakers are composed of some type of animal leather or suede, this pair from the Fresh Foam series features a mesh upper and bio-based content. This particular style also meets New Balance's green leaf standard, which means a significant percentage of the shoe's materials are made from recycled content and renewable resources. Sizes: 5-12 Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide Customer review: 'I really love these shoes for my mid- to distance runs. I have used them for a few 5K races, and they were a little heavy for that. But for my daily runs and my half marathon, I think they might be my new shoe!' In the '80s, the T500 was more commonly associated with on-court style. Now, it's the ideal pick for those seeking a go-to leisure sneaker. If you fall into the latter category, consider these as a sleek and simple option that will carry you well beyond the fall and winter seasons. Sizes: 5.5-16.5 ELLE editor review: 'I'm not usually the type of woman who sports a sleeker, more fitted shoe, but that didn't stop me from pairing these with everything. When in doubt about what shoes will go with my warm-weather outfits, these are what I reach for.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor The 574 sneaker is a decades-old classic, combining the best of functional versatility and style. And for those who aren't quite onboard with the chunky look, it's the perfect entry point. Sizes: 5-11 Widths: Standard, Wide ELLE editor review: 'These sneakers bring me back to my youth. Available in different neutral colorways, it's an unassuming option for those who don't want their sneakers to take the cake when it comes to their outfits. That said, it's an immediately recognizable style that almost gives an 'if you know, you know' type of vibe.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor The latest iteration of New Balance's FuelCell Rebel is stylish and a great option for everyday runners looking for something with some extra bounce (but not too much). Plus, they're lightweight, so you can get more miles in on each run. ELLE editor review: 'As someone who, up until recently, decidedly did not run, I just have to say that these were the shoes that finally got me to commit. There's just enough cushion with a heel-to-toe rocker that propels me forward (but not quite as much as the Fresh Foam X 1080v13). I'm light on my feet and feel like I could go for a while. That said, the most I've run (so far) is about five miles, so take that for what you will.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor If you happen to work in a more casual environment—or you simply want a go-to shoe that'll look good with just about anything—might we suggest the 327? The retro-inspired design combines the timelessness of New Balance's wedge silhouette, while prints like leopard add a refresh. ELLE editor review: 'There are moments when I love wearing my chunky New Balance sneakers and moments when I do not. When the latter happens, I reach for these. They're a cool alternative to my go-to pairs that feel a little more polished without sacrificing the comfort I love from the brand. They've easily become one of my favorite pairs of walking sneakers for long days out and about.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor As evidenced by the popularization of the PUMA Speedcat Ballet sneakers, metallic shoes have become the obsession of sneakerheads everywhere. This take on the 1960R adds just the right amount of flashiness to make a statement. ELLE editor review: 'I've seen the 1906R in a few different colorways now (our senior culture editor, Erica Gonzales, has the sold-out pair made in collaboration with GANNI!), but it took me a while to finally jump on board. That said, once I did, I never looked back—I now own three pairs, including this one. They're unsurprisingly comfortable, but add a cool, normcore vibe to my looks that I love. And, my neighbor (an undeniable sneakerhead) also clocked these the moment we passed each other in the hall, so I'd say that's a good sign. What more could you need?' —Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor Maybe you already have a pair of the Made in USA 990v6s, and you're looking to take things up a notch. Or, perhaps you're just getting into the 990 game now. Either way, New Balance's latest iteration in the series is not one to miss. The style features performance-inspired details to give it an ever-so-slightly sportier feel, like the added FuelCell cushioning in the midsole. ELLE editor review: 'As mentioned, I already own a pair of 990v5s (which are great, obviously). But sometimes, you're just ready for something a little different. These feel like a more modern take on its predecessor without skimping on the street style appeal or the comfort. Suffice to say, I'm a fan.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor A staple sneaker in Hailey Bieber and Jack Harlow's rotations, the 9060's familiar style reinterprets design facets reminiscent of the 860 and 99X styles. Sizes: 5.5-18.5 ELLE editor review: 'Of all the New Balance styles I've tried, I was the most nervous about these. They're chunkier than I'm used to, especially with that curvy sole. But let me tell you, these are the ones I truly cannot stop wearing (and these have lasted me full days of walking through New York). With jeans, trousers, shorts, what have you, the 9060s were the ones that knocked my 990v5s out of their top spot.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor The second installment of the iconic CT-Rally sneaker, included within the highly-coveted Coco Gauff US Open collection, offers the style's most cushioned fit yet. This most recent iteration comes in a sleeker, more modern form without skimping on comfort or durability. Customer review: 'I originally chose these for the style and look. Very pleased with their performance on tennis hard-courts! They are lightweight, yet sturdy, and supported my entire foot during abrupt stops/starts. High quality! New Balance, you never disappoint!' Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.


Elle
4 hours ago
- Elle
We're All Crying Over Conrad and Belly's Scene in 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' This Week
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Spoilers below. Last episode, Belly and Conrad experienced an erotically charged moment as she came to his aid after a surfing accident. The moment left the soon-to-be-married college student confused, but a few weeks have since passed. Season 3, episode 7, 'Last Hurrah,' opens with Belly still in Cousins with Conrad, and her wedding is in three days. In voice over, she claims to have recovered from the intense exchange. Then she hears Conrad yell from a minor injury upstairs and runs to be by his side. He is okay, but sees her noticing his leg scar and they have some tense eye contact before Belly runs off again, reminding her former boyfriend that her fiancé will be here soon. At the office, Steven is more and more interested in Denise, offering to take her to the wedding. She seems more fascinated by their secret video game project, but there's definitely some flirtation going on. They catch the next train to Cousins together. Jere arrives at the house with gift bag goodies, which include Smirnoff Ice (they'll be icing people at the wedding) and some blunts. It's gonna be a wild one! Conrad manages to put on a cheerful face as Jere comes in and has even planned a bachelor party for his brother. Laurel and John have arrived for the wedding and run into Adam with Kayleigh, his infamous mistress, at the hotel. Laurel is pretty annoyed, but thanks them for helping with the wedding. As usual, Adam is a bit of a pill about paying for everything. Laurel gives Kayleigh her number for any last minute issues, but she obviously hopes not to hear from her. Taylor, Anika, and their friends arrive in Cousins for Belly's bachelorette, which is taking place the same night as Jere's party. With the two guest lists crossing paths, Jere seems to be trying to set up Conrad with Anika. The crew lights up the grill and their rollies, and everyone chills by the pool. Taylor has planned a bar crawl for when the sun goes down and Anika says she's hoping to find someone to make out with tonight. She's interested in Conrad for sure, and Belly says it would be fine if she went for him... which Taylor doesn't believe. Taylor's mind is, of course, on Steven, who arrives with Denise. Steven introduces them and Taylor makes an effort to act like she's just friends with the love of her life. When the former lovers are left alone, Taylor notes Steven's vibe with Denise. He is rightfully concerned, but Taylor insists they're just friends and she supports him. He tells her he trusts her and adds, 'Don't do me dirty.' Belly, Taylor, and Anika rehearse their reception dance up in the bedroom, which may blow up on TikTok, but does seem a bit 'middle school talent show' for a wedding. Still, Belly struggles with the choreo. Downstairs, Denise is watching the bachelors' efforts, saying their moves are a bit 'cringey.' But she is gradually won over by their masculine charm, especially Steven's. Jere and Conrad have a convo, where Jere says he's mostly given up weed because of work and Belly. He admits that Adam has offered him a full time job in the fall and he will finish school online. Conrad warns him that he can do better than 'following in dad's footsteps.' Jere seems irritated, but thanks Conrad for caring for the house—and Belly. Awkward. The bride, meanwhile, is cleaning up her beloved home after the bachelors, annoyed by the messy shenanigans. Conrad comes in to help her and Jere finds them. He seems aware of the dynamic playing out here, as does Belly, and she makes an effort to show her allegiance to Jere by forcing him to clean up with her instead. That night, she gets ready for their bar crawl and Jere interrupts for a solo talk. He says he's missed her all day while she's been with her girls. It seems like they haven't had time alone in a while. They start kissing and Jere has sex on his mind while Belly is thinking about doing her hair. His interests win out and they make love. In bed afterwards, they agree to meet up post-party tonight on the beach. After the boys and girls part ways, Belly admits to her gals that her body count is two: Conrad and Jere. She ends up drinking on behalf of Anika and Taylor's past lovers, ordering 10 tequila shots. The guys are also enjoying the bar, and they start chatting about Denise. The brothers think she's a great match for Steven, but Conrad seems to wonder if he'll really go for it in front of Taylor. John and Laurel are also out at the bar, but they're talking about Kayleigh, who is texting a lot. Laurel's mind is on Suzannah and how much she wishes she was here. They reflect on her bachelorette, when she went to a strip club. The convo turns flirtatious, but John doesn't want to hook up if it means conflict after. It doesn't take much for him to throw in the towel though, and soon these divorcés are necking at the bar. Belly is pretty tipsy and emotional and starts telling Taylor how much she loves her and how thankful she is for her effort as a maid of honor. She finds out that Taylor isn't the reason Laurel showed at her bridal shower. Then, Conrad walks around the corner. Belly reflects on how Conrad always seems to show up just when she needs him and remembers an incident where she lost track of time on a shopping expedition as a kid after insisting she could be on her own. In the flashback, Conrad is looking out for her, and she suspects he still is now. But when all the guys appear, her smile is for Jeremiah. As the fellas continue on their bach, Belly stops Conrad to ask about the bridal shower. He admits he talked to Laurel, but won't take credit. She asks why he did it, and he says because it was important to her and on her wedding day, he thinks she should have 'everything she ever pictured.' Steven and Denise show up and Taylor poaches Denise for the bachelorette night. Belly is shook and decides to deal with bad feelings by eating a weed gummy. Things are about to go off the rails. Jere's friends are trying to convince him to go overboard and go to Bali and just in general show he is an unreliable life partner. Only Conrad seems aware of the potential repercussions, but his mild warnings rub Jere the wrong way. He gives Conrad a pointed speech about how he and Belly will be taking care of each other now and they are family. Taylor tries to chat up Denise and brings up having dated Steven. Denise makes a comment about Taylor 'tying him up into knots' and it gets less friendly. Denise says Steven would never see her romantically, but Taylor generously states she pictures Steven with a girl like Denise. She encourages her to call him. 'I just want him to be happy,' says Taylor, making herself very unhappy. Steven bails to hang with Denise, leaving Conrad as the only co-best man standing. Jere throws booze all over him. On the dance floor, Belly keeps thinking of Conrad and their best moments together. She tries to shake it off, but the weed gummy has taken control. In the bathroom, she starts confessing to Taylor that Conrad has done so much for her over the years. She starts panicking about how quickly the wedding is coming and how it is not her dream. The only thing she ever used to picture at her wedding was Conrad. She ends up confessing that she and Conrad spent Christmas in Cousins together and it was the beginning of her doubts about Jeremiah. She still hasn't told Jere and seems to think now she has to, which Taylor tries to discourage. Nothing happened! Belly admits she is really high and they decide to go back to the house. At the bachelor party, Conrad finds out about Jere's infidelity in Cabo and is about to go ballistic before his brother starts barfing up the entire night. Conrad leaves in disgust. Jere is still barfing by the time they get home, leaving Belly solo on the beach. Taylor receives them in horror, feeling even worse after realizing Steven is still out with Denise. Taylor gets a call from Lucinda and admits that Denise is a great match for Steven and says that she doesn't want to hang onto him if he doesn't want her. She ends up insulting her mother, calling her 'clingy.' Taylor's machinations have indeed pushed Steven and Denise together and she invites him to her room. However, they run into Lucinda at the inn before sharing a kiss, where Lucinda has been nurturing her hurt feelings with alcohol. Steven ends up helping her to her room, listening to Lucinda confess how much she wants good things for Taylor. Drunk Belly thinks she's meeting Jere on the beach, but finds Conrad there, of course. Weakened by all the night's revelations, Conrad invites her up into the intimate wooden overlook. He actually badmouths Jere, talking about how drunk his brother was, and Belly defends him. She is about to leave when Conrad tells her that Jere cheated in Cabo. It's not news to Belly. But it is surprising to Conrad that she is still marrying him. What is acceptable to her is unacceptable to him. 'You're not the kind of person who would take that from a guy,' he tells her. Once the dam breaks, Conrad lets out everything he's been keeping in, questioning the entire wedding. Finally, he apologizes and admits his only actual issue is just that he still loves her. 'I don't think I'll ever get you out of my system,' he tells her. 'You will always be there, here.' Belly is skeptical, saying he is just reacting to the marriage. But Conrad denies it. She tells him it is too late and that saying this now is 'fucked.' But Conrad keeps going, now in tears. He reveals everything he has kept to himself for four years, explaining how he broke up with Belly so he wouldn't keep hurting her. But the summer of close proximity broke him down. When he sees her, all his other life plans are ruined. He loves his brother, but hates seeing them together, and he hates himself for doing this now—but he needs her to not marry Jeremiah and be with him instead. 'You will never be what Jere is to me,' Belly tells him coldly. 'He is my best friend and he doesn't take it away when things get hard.' She concludes, 'You and I were never anything,' before walking away down the beach. Belly throws one more look over her shoulder before falling down on her knees and sobbing. When she gets back to the house, Belly finds Jere passed out on his bed and doesn't join him. She finds Taylor and shares her bed. Her best friend notes Belly never got to meet up with Jere and that she was on the beach a long time. Taylor guesses Conrad was out there, too. Belly asks just to sleep for now, crying. Conrad sits alone outside, haunted by his own confessions. Yay! Wedding in two days!

Elle
4 hours ago
- Elle
Amanda Knox's Real-Life Case Was a Lot More Complicated Than It Looks in the Hulu Series
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. It's been nearly two decades since the murder of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy first became international news. However, most of the media attention was devoted to the suspects in this case, with lurid speculation and grisly details dominating the headlines. Almost immediately in November 2007, Kercher's roommate, Amanda Knox, became the face of this story, fitting the mold of guilty and innocent depending on the publication or news outlet. Knox was convicted and subsequently acquitted of Kercher's murder, not to mention various appeals and retrials in between. Now, an eight-part Hulu true crime drama will depict not only the events in the weeks before and after, but also the decade-plus fight to clear Knox and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito's names. Considering there has already been a Lifetime movie, a Netflix documentary (that Knox was part of), the Matt Damon-starring Stillwater (which was inspired by Knox's story), and two memoirs penned by Knox, it might seem there isn't much left to say. However, Knox is a producer on The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, alongside Monica Lewinsky, allowing Knox to have a voice alongside a collaborator whose entire character was also scrutinized by tabloids when she was in her early twenties. The series, created by K.J. Steinberg, sets out to show how Knox ended up behind bars, including how she became a suspect, the prolonged interrogation, the mishandling of evidence, and the ongoing trial-by-media, spanning 16 years. Tell Me Lies star Grace Van Patten plays Amanda with Sharon Horgan as Knox's mother, Edda Mellas. However, Kercher's family was not involved (Stephanie Kercher told The Guardian last year that the family found it 'difficult to understand' how the dramatized retelling serves any purpose). To help make sense of it all, below you'll find a guide to some of the real-life events depicted in The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox. However, if you don't know much about the case, be warned: There are some spoilers for the show ahead. Knox is studying at the University of Washington when she applies to spend an academic year abroad, opting for the picturesque Italian college town of Perugia. As reported by Rolling Stone, the 20-year-old Knox wants to 'expand her horizons' and 'live without a safety net' in her junior year. Knox rents a room in a cottage at 7 Via della Pergola, taking the last available spot in the four-bedroom accommodation. Kercher is also part of a study abroad program and has already moved in; the two other roommates are both Italian women in their late 20s. In the weeks after moving in, Kercher and Knox hang out with the guys living in the basement apartment below them. It is here they meet 20-year-old Rudy Guede, a basketball acquaintance of Kercher's new boyfriend, Giacomo Silenzi. On October 25, Knox and Kercher go to a Schubert recital at the local university, and when Kercher leaves at the intermission, 23-year-old student Raffaele Sollecito approaches Knox. The two immediately hit it off, with Sollecito hanging out at the bar (Le Chic) where Knox works later that same evening. Knox goes back to Sollecito's apartment that night, and the pair are inseparable for the next week. Knox is scheduled to work a shift at Le Chic on the evening of November 1, but owner Patrick Lumumba texts that it is so quiet that she doesn't need to come in. Knox and Sollecito cook, smoke a joint, and watch Amelie. They turn their phones off for the evening. The following morning, Knox leaves Sollecito's apartment to return to her place, where she showers, changes her clothes, and grabs a mop and bucket, to clean up a leaky pipe at Sollecito's. When Knox arrives home, the front door is ajar. Knox's two other roommates are away for the holiday weekend (All Saints' Day), and Kercher's door is closed. Knox explains her thought process after she finds drops of blood in an email sent to friends and family two days later (and shared with Rolling Stone), saying she believed it was 'nothing to worry about.' It is only when she sees feces in the toilet in the other bathroom that Knox panics that there might be an intruder. Knox calls Sollecito, whose apartment is a five-minute walk away. A broken window in another room suggests that someone had been there, and Kercher isn't answering her phone. Sollecito tries to break down Kercher's locked bedroom door, but it won't budge. They return outside, where Sollecito called the carabinieri (Italian military police). In the meantime, two postal police arrive with two cellphones that have been found in a bush half a mile away, which are registered to Knox's roommate, Filomena Romanelli. Then Romanelli, her boyfriend, and two of her friends arrive. One of Romanelli's friends breaks down Kercher's door, and Kercher's partially clothed body (which is covered with a duvet) is discovered inside. Someone had cut Kercher's throat, and her time of death is estimated to be between 8:30 P.M. on November 1 and 4 A.M. the following morning (the long timeframe is due to a delay in taking body temperature). While Kercher's British friends fly home to the UK, and Knox's two roommates hire lawyers, Knox voluntarily speaks with the Italian police without legal representation. Knox is interviewed multiple times over the next few days, and her phone is tapped. Paparazzi capture Knox kissing Sollecito outside the 'House of Horrors,' and her seemingly at-ease and amorous behavior in the days after the murder becomes a cornerstone in the court of public opinion. Knox's mother encourages her to fly home, but Knox thinks she can help with the investigation. But on the night of November 5, Knox accompanies Sollecito to the police station, and they are both interrogated for prolonged periods overnight. Sollecito admits that Knox could've left in the middle of the night while he slept, and the sleep-deprived Knox signs a confession that she was in the room next door to Kercher's when she was stabbed and that it was her boss, Patrick Lumumba, who killed Kercher. Knox, Sollecito, and Lumumba are all arrested. Patrons from Le Chic provide an alibi for Lumumba. Meanwhile, the Rome forensic police match the fingerprints in Kercher's bedroom to Rudy Guede, who is arrested in Germany on November 20. Lumumba is released and later sues Knox for slander. Then, Guede is extradited to Italy in December. Guede, Knox, and Sollecito are charged with murder. They will be held in detention until a trial date is set. A working theory in these early stages regarding the motive from 'public minister' Giuliano Mignini (whose job is part detective, part district attorney) is that Kercher was killed in a satanic ritual. Later, this is downgraded to 'a drug-fueled sex game that went awry' (as per The New York Times). Leaks are common from the start, with security footage from a lingerie shop or theories from the prosecution ending up in the news Guede has an expedited trial, which comes with a reduced maximum sentence. He is found guilty of sexual assault and murder. He is sentenced to 30 years. Knox and Sollecito are now formally indicted on murder charges. In the lead up to this indictment, Knox's family speaks about how much Knox is being vilified by the tabloid press, with many publications twisting the childhood nickname 'Foxy Knoxy' (that Knox earned when she played soccer) to have sexual connotations. Knox and Sollecito's trial begins January 16, and the prosecution is still maintaining it was a 'drug-fueled sex game gone awry.' Sollecito's lawyer counters that they were 'two lovebirds in the first week of their romance,' not a couple looking for excitement. Knox is also painted as a 'she-devil' who manipulated Sollecito into doing whatever she wanted. The trial doesn't conclude until December, and during these 12 months, Knox remains a fascination for the media—represented as a temptress and an innocent. Knox testifies that the police hit her during the interrogation, and the Italian justice system is now under the international microscope. The defense argues that DNA evidence is contaminated (due to how many people walked through the crime scene) and that the evidence is mainly circumstantial. Regardless of these factors and an emotional appeal by Knox, in December, a jury of six civilians and two judges finds Knox and Sollecito guilty on all counts. Knox receives a sentence of 26 years (she has an additional guilty verdict for slander against Lumumba), and Sollecito gets 25 years. The appeal trial begins for Knox and Sollecito. Both defense teams are focusing on DNA evidence, including traces of Sollecito's DNA on Kercher's bra clasp (which wasn't discovered at the crime scene until 47 days after the murder) and traces of Kercher's DNA found on the alleged murder weapon—a bread knife recovered from Sollecito's kitchen. After being behind bars for nearly four years, Knox and Sollecito are acquitted on October 3. Slander against Lumumba is the only charge for which Knox receives a guilty verdict (the three-year sentence has already been served by this point). The DNA evidence that was vital in convicting the pair in 2009 now helps overturn the verdict; independent experts successfully argued that contamination was a possibility. The prosecution team states that they will appeal this appellate court verdict to the Italian Supreme Court. Knox returns to Seattle the following day, where the press are waiting outside her family home. Guede's conviction of sexual assault and murder is upheld, though his sentence has already been reduced from 30 to 16 years. On Valentine's Day, the prosecution team files an appeal to the Italian Supreme Court (Court of Cassation) to seek a new trial for Knox and Sollecito. The Italian justice system allows for various appeals on both the defense and prosecution side. In this instance, if the acquittal is reversed, then Knox can be tried in absentia. 'We're not considering that possibility; for us, she has been acquitted. That's how the system works, but for us it's a hypothesis far into the future,' says one of Knox's lawyers, Luciano Ghirga. Two days later, it is reported that Knox has sold a tell-all memoir to HarperCollins for nearly $4 million. The Court of Cassation (the Italian Supreme Court) overturns Knox and Sollecito's acquittal on March 26, meaning they will have to stand trial again. HarperCollins says they will still release Knox's memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, as planned, on April 30. The retrial begins September 30 with neither Knox nor Sollecito present in the Florentine court. While Sollecito attends some court hearings, Knox remains in the U.S. throughout this new trial as she is afraid that if she returns to Italy, authorities will put her in prison again. On January 30, Knox and Sollecito are re-convicted of murder. Knox's new sentence is 28 and a half years, Sollecito's is still 25 years. The process continues to swing between courthouses, and the pair can appeal this latest twist. The following day, a teary Knox appears on Good Morning America, saying she 'will never go willingly back' to Italy and plans to fight any extradition attempt. In a verdict that shocks Italy, the Court of Cassation overturns the convictions of Knox and Sollecito, rather than sending the case back down to the lower court. They are cleared of all charges (except for Knox's slander charge). They will not face a retrial. Neither Sollecito nor Knox is present in court to hear the verdict. In September, the Court of Cassation explains its verdict is informed by the 'culpable omissions of investigative activity' and 'contradictory evidence.' The Netflix documentary Amanda Knox premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival. Knox, Sollecito, Mignini, and freelance reporter Nick Pisa (whose regular coverage included salacious exclusive stories for The Daily Mail that fueled the perception of Knox) participated in this account of the events. The documentary goes on to receive two Emmy nominations. The European Court of Human Rights orders Italy to pay €18,400 (approximately $21,000) in damages for failing to provide Knox with access to a lawyer during the November 2007 interviews. However, they found no evidence of the 'inhuman or degrading treatment' that Knox alleged took place during the interrogations. Knox returns to Italy for the first time in nearly a decade. In the years since her conviction was overturned, Knox has been working with nonprofits like the Innocence Project. At the Criminal Justice Festival in Modena, she serves as a keynote speaker and is a guest on a panel discussing trials by media. Knox marries author Christopher Robinson. In an interview with the New York Times, Knox announces the birth of her first child, Eureka. Knox remains close with Catholic priest Don Saulo, who was the chaplain at Cappane prison where Knox was incarcerated for four years. Don Saulo helps facilitate a meeting in the summer of 2022 with prosecutor Mignini. The latter was instrumental in painting Knox as a sex-crazed vixen, but Knox wants to meet face-to-face. Her family voices objections to Knox writing to and meeting with the prosecutor. 'But I was haunted by this 'Why?' question. Why did this happen to me? If they had done their job correctly, I would be a footnote in Meredith's story,' Knox tells The Guardian. Knox also reunites with Sollecito during this trip in the town of Gubbio, which was where they had planned to visit 15 years earlier. On her podcast, Labyrinths, Knox explains the slander conviction is one that some people see as 'proof that I am a liar and I am an unsavory person and that I have something to hide and I've never told the full truth about what happened to Meredith and only somebody who was involved in the crime would ever even make statements that implicated themselves and others.' It is why she has fought to have it overturned. Knox is convicted again of this charge in an appellate court in Florence, Italy. The highest court (Court of Cassation) in Italy upholds the slander conviction against Knox. Knox releases her second memoir, Free: My Search For Meaning.