Elvira Devinamira on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Digital, July 2025 issues, wearing Alexander McQueen, Apartment 6 (@_apartment6) jewelry and Realm Shoes’ Shoes.
Draped in sun-kissed gowns, her silhouette framed by the soft waves of the French Riviera, Elvira Devinamira stands tall on the shores of Cannes – not just as an actress, beauty queen, or businesswoman, but as a woman reborn. Her recent presence at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival marked the return of a woman who once faced silence and shadows, and chose to rise with grace, with strength, and a story worth telling.
How she began: Elvira Devinamira’s desire to tell stories that matter
Outfit: Alexander McQueen. Jewelry: Apartment 6 (@_apartment6). Shoes: Realm Shoes.
For many, Elvira first came into the spotlight as Puteri Indonesia 2014, a poised young woman with a dazzling smile and a commanding presence. At just 21, she represented Indonesia on the global Miss Universe stage, where she wasn’t just seen, but heard – carrying her culture, her values, and her voice across borders. Elvira eventually made it to Top 15, becoming the winner of Best National Costume.
“I saw pageantry as a platform,” Elvira recalls. “A place where beauty could be a voice.” Soon before her pageantry, Elvira had already been an advocator of using her words for good causes, from her background in law as well as an experienced participant in the Model United Nations.
Competing in PAGEANTRY gave me the CONFIDENCE to SPEAK UP, to represent Indonesia with pride, to CONNECT with PEOPLE from ALL WALKS OF LIFE
Dress: Fendi. Bag: Fendi. Shoes: Fendi. Jewellery: Apartment 6
That initial taste of international attention sparked a desire to explore deeper narratives. Acting, at first, was simply an extension of curiosity. But during her first major role – portraying a 19-year-old girl navigating hardships – Elvira was reliving the intensity of her teenage years and discovered something within herself.
“There was a moment after an emotional scene when I walked off set and thought, “This is it. This is what I want to do”. I fell in love with the craft, with the depth, the emotion, and the power of storytelling”. What began as a role soon became a calling to deliver stories that truly move people. It somehow resonates deeply with the journey she has taken all her life: Making impacts.
I began this JOURNEY of being an ACTRESS in the first place
to tell STORIES THAT MATTER
Outfit: Noon by Nour. Jewellery: Retro Chic. Shoes: Fendi
Through the years, actress Elvira has embraced a range of genres, from romance and comedy to gripping psychological drama. And while each performance shaped her craft, it was her lead role in Cookster: The Darkest Days of Stephen Roach that would become a defining moment and her most favorite to date. The project, a dark psychological thriller, demanded emotional depth and raw vulnerability – all of which Elvira delivered with striking conviction.
“The opportunity came through my agency after COVID-19 pandemic,” she says. “Everything, from auditions to casting, happened virtually through videos and Zoom calls. The script was intense, powerful and unlike anything I had done before. What gave me the courage to say yes was the belief that true growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone.” That courageous step marked a milestone in her life: Cookster: The Darkest Days earned a nomination for Best Indie Featured Film at Cannes Film Awards 2025.
Through dark times, she shines
Outfit: Paul Costelloe. Shoes: Malone Soulier
That milestone didn’t come easy. Like many creatives, Elvira’s career faced an abrupt standstill during the pandemic. Between 2020 and 2023, her name disappeared from film credits. What happened in that quiet space became a different kind of chapter – one written not in scripts, but in solitude. “I was at my lowest,” she admits. “I was forced to pause physically, mentally and emotionally. I felt a deep sense of uncertainty in me.”
Dress: Omran Osman. Jewellery: Anabela Chan. Shoes: Malone Soulier
But Elvira saw lights leaked through the darkness. “Somehow, it allows me to slow down, to listen inward. I reconnected with my family, my health, my inner self and reflect on the things that truly matters. I stopped chasing noise and started healing in stillness. I came back with more clarity, a stronger sense of purpose, and a deeper appreciation for every opportunity.”
Through small, grounding rituals – journaling, daily walks, quiet moments with herself – Elvira rebuilt the confidence she once thought lost.
The BIGGEST SHIFT was learning to EMBRACE PROGRESS, not PERFECTION. That mindset saved me
Dress: Omran Osman. Jewellery: Anabela Chan. Shoes: Malone Soulier
So when Cannes came calling in 2025, it felt like more than an invitation that she embraced fully. “It was my first time at Cannes,” she says with a smile. “And everything felt wonderfully new – the energy, the people, the connections. I had unforgettable moments, from laughing with fellow actors at parties to sharing meaningful conversations about our craft. It was a dream.”
The editorial photos taken there – soft, coastal, and full of movement – mirrored Elvira’s current phase of life. Confident, calm, in flow with who she is becoming. And among the many looks she wore during the festival, one held special meaning: a vibrant green peacock gown adorned with Indonesian batik embroidery, lovingly crafted by her team back home.
Elvira Devinamira at Le Roi Soleil premiere, Cannes Film Festival 2025. Photo: Getty Images
“That dress was a piece of home,” she says. “Green is my favorite color – full of life, elegance, and hope. And the intricate embroidery reflected our culture’s artistry. It was my way of honoring Indonesia on an international stage.” Initially, it featured a long train, but due to changes in the Cannes 2025 dress code, her team added a hidden hook to shorten it. The dress arrived just in time before Elvira left for the airport, perfectly timed for her unforgettable moment on the red carpet.
Beyond the screen
Suit: Gucci. Jewellery: Anabela Chan. Shoes: Gucci.
Off the red carpet, Elvira is quietly building a legacy that goes beyond film and pageantry. Her beauty brand, ELV BEAUTY, was born from the same core belief she’s carried throughout her journey: that beauty is rooted in confidence, self-love, and authenticity.
“ELV BEAUTY stands for confidence, self-love and embracing your natural beauty, about feeling seen.” Launching a business in Indonesia wasn’t without its trials – from navigating partnerships to understanding local consumers – but it’s the personal connections that have made it worthwhile. “Seeing real people connect with the brand… that makes it all worth it”, Elvira shares with a satisfying smile.
Next, she’s preparing to launch a fashion line in collaboration with a dear friend – a creative endeavor born from shared passion and deep friendship. “It’s a project close to my heart,” she says. “Something that combines everything I love: storytelling, style, and identity.”
Suit: Gucci. Jewellery: Anabela Chan. Shoes: Gucci.
Now in her 30s, Elvira Devinamira speaks with a quiet power – reflective, grounded, and unshakably clear. “This phase of my life feels so aligned. I know myself better now. I’ve made peace with my past. I’m more intentional, more present.” She pauses, smiling. “I’m finally building a future that reflects my truth.”
Dress: Dolce & Gabbana. Jewellery: Anabela Chan. Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana
And as she looks to the roles she wants to explore next, there’s a flicker of playful ambition. “I think I’ve cried and suffered enough on screen,” she jokes. “Maybe it’s time to be a spy, a CEO, or even a villain in heels. I want to explore characters that are bold, unexpected – ones who get to kick more than just emotional baggage.”
To the young girl who once stepped onto a modeling stage at 16, unsure of what lay ahead, Elvira offers a message that feels especially resonant today. “Trust your path. You don’t need to have everything figured out, you just need to keep showing up, stay curious, and stay kind. Even the quiet steps you take are leading you somewhere beautiful. Everything that’s meant for you will find its way not when you force it, but when you’re ready to receive it.”
Dress: Dolce & Gabbana. Jewellery: Anabela Chan. Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana
On the beach in Cannes, Elvira Devinamira stands not as a woman defined by titles – beauty queen, actress, entrepreneur – but as someone who has lived through transformation. Someone who found light after darkness, and chose to begin again.
And this, as much as any role she’s played, may be her most powerful story yet.
*** Creative Team ***
Starring: Elvira Devinamira, S.H. @elviraelph
Photographer: Tom Hunt-Smith @tomhuntsmith
Stylist: Ahmad Alek @ahmad.alek
Makeup Artist: Kelvin Nguyen @kelparrynguyen, using @suqqu_europe @111skin
Hair Stylist: Joshua Michael Aspell @joshaspellhair @joshaspellhair_
Videographer: Karina Olenchenko @karina.olenchenko @creators.london
Post-production: @abdelkebdani
Producer: Kelvin Nguyen
Location: Cannes, French Riviera
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