What I’m reading:
I probably would have mentioned a book here but this just arrived in the post.
Vogue Italia’s Do It Yourself June issue is a full-on Rihanna takeover; or as the cover says: Rihanna by Rihanna.
I think the idea is genius, because over the past year and The Panini, many of us who work in creative industries have often questioned how we’re going to get things done, only to wind up being our own photographers, our own muses, our own models, production assistants, makeup artists, stylists etc, etc.
It feels refreshing that Riri’s kind of embracing that, although of course, she has a TEAM. But still, I love the vibe of this issue, and that’s as someone who cannot speak Italian. The images of Rihanna start on page 130 but there’s also a piece by one of my favourite artists, Tishk Barzanji on page 45 and a shot from one of the most amazing photographers, Carlota Guerrero, on page 52.
What I’m thinking:
I might have mentioned this recently, but lately I’ve been throwing around the three Cs in my head: Creativity, Content and Credit. I really want to write a piece on how the three intertwine and why I love much of what this relationship brings, but also, why I’m over certain aspects of it, particularly concerning ‘content.’ I’ll be delving into this more via a blog and a few Instagram Lives with fellow creatives who also happen to make content as a byproduct of what they do for a living.
What I’m watching:
The British Beauty Council hosted an event with Facebook earlier this week. Called Beyond Bias in Beauty, the event was created in an attempt to examine inclusion, creativity and empowerment within the beauty community.
I say attempt because this is such a huge impactful issue - no-one can explore everything within an hour. But the event was well worth watching, and for me, it marked the start of what I hope is a deep-rooted commitment to real change.
The seminar opened up with insights on stereotypes in advertising from Facebook’s Connections Planner Zehra Chatoo, before moving on to Facebook’s Branded Content Lead Becky Owen, discussing how to break beauty standards. Becky brought on guests YouTuber Gary Thompson AKA @theplasticboy, #FilterDrop hashtag creator Sasha Louise Pallari and inclusive beauty brand Kohl Creatives founder Trishna Daswaney. Over the next forty minutes or so they discussed a plethora of issues, from anti-ageing vs pro skin, to how inclusivity is often just used as a marketing gimmick. I’ve decided to talk about the event in greater detail in this week’s podcast actually, so be sure to check it out tomorrow. What’s clear is that we need to keep the conversation going, and anyone who isn’t interested in changing things permanently should probably just move to their own private island.
Minute Muse
Marjon Carlos is a journalist I’ve admired for several years, because I feel like she’s a real, old school, let’s-get-to-the-bottom-of-this type of journalist.
As well as interviewing the likes of FKA Twigs and Cardi B for US Elle and other magazines including i-D, Marjon is also the host of @yourfavouriteauntie, an Instagram talk show/podcast? where she dishes out advice from ‘someone you actually listen to.’
Recently Marjon was interviewed for The Cut’s Why Does Your Skin Look So Good? regular feature by Daise Bedolla and I loved how upfront she was about realising when she’s purchasing a product for packaging over effectiveness, and why she gets Botox and fillers. Click here to read: https://www.thecut.com/article/marjon-carlos-rosacea-eczema-skin-care-routine.html
Another thing you can’t fail to mention if you’re going to have any kind of discussion on Marjon Carlos is her style. Her hair is often sculpted into tumbling waves reminiscent of a renaissance painting, while her wardrobe is all about colour. Similar to last week’s muse Melina Matsoukas, Marjon wears prints well, and she’s definitely someone who inspires me to be a little more brave.
Finally, if you love a newsletter as much as I do, sign up for Marjon’s Notes From Auntie’s Desk - it’s a treat and I love how she has the same energy for discussing Real Housewives of New York as I do!