Thursday night didn’t quite go as planned for Theresa May. After calling for an early election eight weeks ago in hopes of securing a bigger majority to back her up in Parliament, the Leader of the Conservative Party was delivered a swift blow as more of us put our faith behind Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party. It was a political shitshow for the history books — but while the government was in panic mode, one reporter chose to fixate on the quality of May’s makeup instead.
BBC’s Nick Robinson is now defending himself on Twitter after he was criticised for making “sexist” comments about May’s “thick makeup” during a live broadcast of the election results. His remarks were made especially infuriating by the fact that he implied that May had been so heavy-handed with her makeup because she was trying to conceal her crying about the loss.
Sorry if I offended some by talking about May's thick make up but politics is about the personal & emotional not just stats and charts
“Sorry if I offended some by talking about May's thick make up but politics is about the personal & emotional not just stats and charts,” Robinson wrote in response to the backlash. But his followers, May supporters or otherwise, still weren’t having it.
I'm not on May's side. I don't think the make up comment was acceptable. Borderline sexist - sorry.
Regardless of whose side you’re on, commenting on the appearance of a politician is totally irrelevant — especially when that politician also happens to be a woman. If you feel the need to criticise May’s looks along with her policies, that’s your petty “personal and emotional” cross to bear. But if you’re a supposedly professional reporter who can’t think of anything more erudite to say about a female party leader than that she’s wearing a lot of makeup because she’s crying (because she’s a woman!), you might want to work on that.
Nothing — and we mean nothing — makes spending a day battling hoards of pushchairs and disgruntled partners at IKEA worth it quite like those Swedish meatballs. The savoury spices wafting through the air, the gravy dancing on the plate — we're getting hungry just thinking about it. But if you think that's the most enticing aromatic experience to ever happen to the superstore, well... you'd be right. But not for long.
Soon, you'll be able to pick up specially curated home fragrances from fellow Swedish company, Byredo, at IKEA, according to Lonny. (As if you need one more reason to spend five hours of your Saturday lurking deep within the aisles of the home retailer.) Byredo — which just so happens to also be behind that innovative brush-on perfume we've been raving about — just announced the collaboration, although both parties have yet to reveal specifics.
"Smell is a very relevant part of the home," Ben Gorham, the founder of Byredo, told the website. "It creates a sense of comfort and security. We seldom speak of it and I think this project enforces that as well: getting people to think about smell."
How do they intend to do that? Well, in the same way you have to try multiple different meatballs to find out which one is right for you and your kitchen, it seems as though this fragrance-making process will include a little trial-and-error.
"We’re trying to develop a ton of smells enforcing the idea that everyone has a different relationship to it, and nothing is right or wrong,” Gorham explains. “I think we’re working on using scent to communicate emotions and tell stories of people, culture and design. It’s a layer we’ve imagined can add a very intimate experience to this scale that IKEA works in."
When I think about the future, any boyfriend or husband is a question mark. I imagine settling down some day, but I don’t daydream about a type of guy. Instead, I imagine my wedding with a blurry face groom, kind of like someone who hasn't given their consent to appear on TV. I can easily see any number of men being suitable partners, which might be exactly the kind of dumb optimism it takes to be single and looking in the 21st century. I really only have one deal-breaker: food.
Though my dating calendar is rarely full, I’ve still managed a couple of dozen first dates, meet-cutes, and dance floor make-outs. And more than once, I have felt a tentative first spark snuffed out over food. There was the time an older man, trying to impress my 22-year-old self at dinner, ordered a glass of Scotch…and a side of fried calamari. Or the guy who told me, after a night of sharing whisky and wisecracks, that his favourite restaurant was a place he couldn’t even remember the name of. I’ve had friends tell me in hushed tones, over spears of octopus or bowls of beef tongue, that their boyfriend would never eat this. “He’d just eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night if he could,” they whispered, as I marvelled at their patience.
I’m well aware this makes me sound like an insufferable foodie. Which is only partially the case. Sure, I’ve waited in my fair share of long lines for silly foods, but I don’t restrict my diet to the Instagrammable or artisanal. I’m just as likely to buy a cheap slice of pizza as I am to camp outside the currently-most-hyped artisan pizzeria in Brooklyn. Besides, my love of Papa John’s has become one of my trademark office charms.
And while that has not stopped people from calling me a food snob in the past — apparently if you roll your eyes and say, “There’s no such thing as a ‘crustless quiche,’ it’s just called a frittata,” you’re asking for it — my desire to connect over a good dinner or craft beers goes much deeper than just wanting to keep up with the culinary Joneses.
Growing up, my weekends followed a predictable pattern that ebbed and flowed around the finding, cooking, and serving of food. On Saturdays, my dad took my sister and me with him to the grocery store to buy dinner supplies. Sometimes, it would just be for the four of us, other times we’d include grandparents, cousins, godparents, or family friends — often, all of them at once.
What my parents are really saying by opening their house to every cousin, aunt, and family friend in the tristate area is, “I love you”, over and over again.
“Do you think 15 lamb chops are enough for 12 people?” my dad would ask me, holding up a tray full of frozen meat, vacuum-sealed and still as tough as hockey pucks. Inevitably, he thawed or bought extra meat, in case someone wanted rack of lamb, too.
My mother, meanwhile, handled the sides. We always had a shelf full of cookbooks, but I mostly remember my mum cooking from loose-leaf paper that otherwise spent its time as bookmarks in The Joy Of Cooking. Food-stained and wrinkled, a handwritten recipe for an aunt’s coleslaw or a stained internet print-out for beans and rice was consulted. While we were on our way to the grocery store, and often (always) after leaving, mum called with addendums: “Can you get more mushrooms?” “Grab some ciabatta?” And always, “I think we’re running low on milk.”
Back at home the nervous energy continued to build. Tables were set, vegetables were chopped, Dad hemmed and hawed about the right time to light the grill. Once guests arrived, under the hugs and “nice you see you’s” was a similar freaked-out energy you might feel before skydiving or taking a final exam.
Then, it was time. We all sat down and finally, we relaxed. Everyone loaded their plates up and, it turned out, there was plenty of everything. More than enough.
As a child, I was an audience member to the entire pageant. As an adult, visiting my parents, I get a small, supporting role. If it is Christmas, I will go to the supermarket every day that I’m home. There is always something missing, and something we need more of. I’ll accommodate my mother’s incredibly specific instructions for slicing potatoes when I help prep. Because now, I, too, feel the need to put into action the helpless, adoring feeling I get in my chest when I look at the people sitting around the table.
The entire day is made up of talking — small arguments, debates, requests, shopping lists whispered out loud. But we can never really put into words the brunt, inexpressible force of our love. That is what the food is for. That’s why there can never be too much of it. What my parents are really saying by opening their house to every cousin, aunt, and family friend in the tristate area is, “I love you”, over and over again.
The reality of my inheritance didn’t sink in until I was in college and called my father to tell him about a party I was throwing. “I just ran out and got a few more beers, because you just never know,” I told him, even as the kitchen fridge was bursting forth with cans of Bud Lite.
“You just never know,” he agreed.
While I may be able to picture a future with just about anyone, I can’t imagine a future where food isn’t central to our daily lives. It’s how my family taught me to say “I love you”. I’m not sure I know how to say it any other way.
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They sorely underestimated us. They didn’t think we’d register but 714,595 under-25s signed up to vote between 18th April and 20th May. They didn’t try to engage us, so we engaged ourselves and our peers. They didn’t think we’d turn up, but an estimated 72% of us voted. We used our voice, causing one of the most unprecedented results in decades: we should be proud.
Historically, young people haven’t voted. Politicians and older people alike have said it’s because we’re lazy. One unnamed Conservative MP told the Huffington Post’s Owen Bennett just last month that “under-30s love Corbyn but they don’t care enough to get off their lazy arses to vote for him!”
Party policies aren’t aimed at us because they don’t expect us to turn up, and we don’t turn up because we see no one representing us. It’s a vicious cycle that the Electoral Reform Society deemed a “voter registration time bomb” thanks to school-leaver registration dropping by more than a quarter in three years. In 2005, 75% of the over-65s voted, in contrast to only 37% of 18-24s. Relying on an older vote, the pale, stale, male face of Westminster hasn’t appealed to young people around the UK. Until now.
I am 24 and this is the first time I have voted with unadulterated pride. For the first time in my life I see a principled man who resembles a human being, rather than a robotic member of the elite spewing soundbites at us through the TV. Jeremy Corbyn shares the values young people hold dear – wealth distribution, anti-war, a free NHS, a fair job market, scrapped tuition fees – and has encouraged these values for over 40 years. His political career (though he’s no careerist) began in grassroots activism, and he has a reputation in parliament for being a backbench rebel: he doesn’t fit the mould we’re all so tired of seeing.
Sophie Slater, the cofounder of ethical clothing site Birdsong, is 25 and campaigned and voted for Labour. “For the first time we have someone representing us who is anti-imperialist, fundamentally transparent, and isn’t corrupt – these are all values that my friends, colleagues and young people I work with have,” she tells me. “For years now we’ve been told that all of our activism takes place in an echo chamber – I feel like this is generational gaslighting of the highest order. Ironically, I think young people have far more diverse social groups as a result of austerity and the digital age, and therefore have more political empathy and human insight than the older, ruling class. We’ve been fighting for the same issues that Corbyn represents for a long time, which is why they’re so appealing.”
Young people care deeply about politics, but are tired of the status quo. We are seeing a generation that has been politicised by Brexit – and who realise that it is urgent and important for them to take action.
Echoing this sentiment is Emily Vickers, a Strategic Manager at RECLAIM, a non-party political Manchester-based youth leadership and social change charity. Supporting working-class young people aged 12-22, the charity helps them recognise their own power as disruptive leaders capable of changing society for the better. “Young people care deeply about politics, but are tired of the status quo. We are seeing a generation that has been politicised by Brexit – and who realise that it is urgent and important for them to take action.”
The charity has been working with Team Future, a group specifically created to build the power and voice of young people in political debate. Emily explains that in the lead-up to the election, there were clear strategies to engage the under-18s: “The group developed a manifesto for politicians, based on a survey they had carried out with over 4,000 young people around Greater Manchester. It asked which behaviours and values they’d like to see displayed by UK politicians in the election and beyond. Across all groups, 'honesty' was the number one answer – which I think says a lot about young people’s feelings about the integrity of the mainstream politics. This was followed by representation: so many young people just hadn’t seen their communities reflected in the politicians they were hearing about. They’ve been desperate for this election to change things for the better.”
if u stay up late on election eve, you might catch a glimpse of santa arriving with a big bag of cans for the lads pic.twitter.com/85KhsUp7DW
— The Absolute Goose (@SuzeMarsupial) June 7, 2017
So while pockets of young activists had been tirelessly campaigning in the lead-up to this week’s election, how can we trace the mass turnout of young voters who were previously unengaged? Do not underestimate the reach of social media. According to The Independent, in the weeks leading up to the registration deadline, Labour was encouraging young people to sign up in over one third of their social media posts, with over a quarter on Corbyn’s personal social platforms. The Conservatives? The last time they used Facebook to encourage people to vote was April 2016. Corbyn’s relatable charisma leant itself well to the internet, with phrases like ‘absolute boy ’ and ‘a big bag of cans for the lads ’, and memes of Corbyn becoming declarations of the left-wing on Twitter and Instagram. While this may sound trivial, tapping into the digital world of young people certainly played its part in the result.
And then, of course, there was grime. With artists like Stormzy and Akala educating their followers and fans about the tricky nature of the political system, they encouraged a previously ridiculed and patronised age group to remind the elites that they should and would be heard. The catalyst was JME’s chat with Corbyn for i-D. Not only was someone young people admire breaking down a system rigged against them, but a politician was taking the time to sit and chat with someone like them. “What I’ve seen of him seems so genuine,” JME says before they sit down, "I feel like I’m going to meet one of my mum’s friends.” When other politicians duck questions, repeat catchphrases (see Theresa May’s interview in The Plymouth Herald), and make pitstop visits to towns just for the press shot, a leader like Corbyn sparks action and ignites passion.
So, with a terrifying coalition between the Tories and the DUP on the cards, how do we feel about the future? Speaking to Emily, I personally feel hopeful: “We’ve had messages coming in from across Team Future expressing excitement and hope at what the huge youth turnout in this election means for the future of politics – and particularly for the role of youth within it,” she tells me. “I think this result and the amount of publicity around it has really reinforced young people’s determination to influence decision-makers and become active agents in the fight for a better society.”
A warning to detached politicians and older generations: if you didn’t see us before, you certainly do now.
When a tweet circulated yesterday saying, “Senior Labour figure: 'I am gobsmacked. What is happening?'” Labour campaigner Edith Miller summed up how a lot of us feel: “Better start having some faith in us pretty quickly, because we’re the future of your party and this country.” She's a 25-year-old master's student from Colchester, and didn't vote in the 2015 election. This time, she voted Labour because "this is an amazing opportunity to build a truly left-wing Labour party to oppose the Tories' austerity agenda which has harmed so many people in the last seven years. Also, crucially, Jezza is the absolute boy."
When she was out on the streets every day "canvassing, leafleting and organising locally", why does she think people are shocked at our political turnout? "They had no faith in us, but that was largely because their political imagination is so lacking. They think because we didn't turn out in 2015 that meant we didn't care or couldn't be engaged in politics, when the reality was we weren't being offered anything other than soundbites. My local Labour party has not only seen a massive increase in young voters, young people also made up a huge chunk of the volunteers out on the streets working to re-engage older people with the party and with voting, too – it works both ways!"
This is just the beginning. We are fired up, and know how powerful our vote can be. A warning to detached politicians and older generations: if you didn’t see us before, you certainly do now.
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Orange Is The New Black may have just made the best Kardashian joke ever. And they did it with a little help from the so-called Kim Kardashian of France herself, Nabilla Benattia. Unfortunately, you won't see it in Season 5, but you can see it on Benattia's Twitter.
In the bonus scene, Benattia plays a new inmate whose hair is making Taystee and Black Cindy very jealous. The minute she sits down, Cindy calls her "Kim Kardashian White" before trying to get the skinny on what shampoo she's using since it's clearly not one the prison is providing. Benattia, who we learn is actually playing herself, won't talk about her shampoo or Kardashian.
The scene eventually ends with Benattia getting fed up with Cindy for yelling "hello" at her while making the international sign for telephone with her fingers. "Leave me alone with this catchphrase. I wrote a book. I'm a writer now," she Benattia before getting up and leaving the women stunned.
Now, to really get the joke, you have to know a thing or two about Benattia. According to Vanity Fair, she appeared on the French reality show Les Anges de la téléréalité ( The Reality-TV Angels) in early 2013 where she and others were sent to Florida and tasked with finding fame in America. Benattia wanted to be like Kim Kardashian, and that my friends is how got the nickname the "French Kim Kardashian." It doesn't hurt, of course, that there's a striking resemblance between the two.
The OITNB "hello" gag is actually a throwback to one of Benattia's most legendary moments on the show. After her roommates didn't bring any shampoo to the house, she yelled into her fake finger telephone, "Non, mais allô quoi" (which loosely translates to "Well, hellooooo") before adding, "You’re a girl and you don’t have any shampoo? I don’t know, are you receiving me? It’s as if I were to tell you, I’m a girl, but I don’t have any hair!” No surprise, this became a meme that would eventually get Benattia her own reality show in France called Allô Nabilla.
Unfortunately, Benattia has yet to reach Kim K levels of fame in America. This is despite getting a chance to meet Kardashian while in Miami and getting a few tips from her. What Benattia is known for in the U.S., though, is being accused of stabbing her boyfriend Thomas Vergara in 2014. No surprise that Taystee is up on this hot gossip, but she got it a bit wrong. Benattia didn't kill her boyfriend with her bare hands, but she did spend a little time in jail for stabbing him several times in the chest. His wounds were serious but not life-threatening and she was later released. And, surprise, she is actually still with Vergara.
And, yes, Benattia did write a book. It's called Too Fast and if you believe it's one Amazon review, it's a "good book."
J.K. Rowling, beloved author and tweeter extraordinaire, has done it again. Since penning the instant classic Harry Potter series, the award-winning author has built up quite the reputation for her Twitter presence. She is unafraid to call out inequality, blatant sexism, and trolls of all sorts. Rowling also uses her magical Twitter powers to encourage and support people struggling with anxiety. Her words are always on point. Each time the author publishes a book or a tweet, her fans are there for it, and this time is no different.
Following the results of the general election, Rowling tweeted the first of what would become a powerful and succinct message calling out the men, or "liberal cool guys" as she calls them, who call themselves liberal but, in words and action, are not. Instead, their use of sexism and misogyny, unknowingly or not, couples them with the harmful, pervasive, and more extreme iterations of gender discrimination that allow for the continuance of rape culture, toxic masculinity, and inequality.
Just unfollowed a man whom I thought was smart and funny, because he called Theresa May a whore. 1/14
Rowling began with an action that one could only hope that all of us would do. Rather than offering excuses to ignore the behaviour because the person is in other instances "smart and funny," she stands by her convictions and calls it what it is. Unacceptable. Her Twitter followers were quick to catch on to the ending characters. After what would be the first in a series of 14 tweets, her followers tuned in eagerly awaiting what she would say next, and it did not disappoint.
If you can’t disagree with a woman without reaching for all those filthy old insults, screw you and your politics. 2/14
Her dissection of an issue that many women have had first-hand experience with is praise-worthy. It comes from a genuine place, as she has been the recipient of these unacceptable insults. She has even been accused of supporting this type of behaviour. An accusation she quickly dispelled. The co-opting of feminine words for the use of insulting, humiliating, and intimidating is a toxic byproduct of a culture that attempts to impede women from holding positions of leadership and power, and Rowling was having none of it.
Reactions from fans and feminists flooded in. Her followers loved every moment of it as they tweeted their agreement, sharing their experiences, and added their commentary.
Preach. This is the proof that opposite opinions shouldn't be taken as a reason to attack people. Ask J.K, she knows her stuff. https://t.co/ktOgrITGt3
I've met guys who consider themselves progressive, but who also default to this sort of behavior to minimize women. Spot on, Ms. Rowling. https://t.co/DLArAXDc0E
J.K. Rowling exemplifies a powerful and important message. "Female is not a design flaw," she tweets. (Can we get this made into a t-shirt?) You do not have to agree with someone, but that is never an excuse to resort to dehumanising, sexist language. One commenter simply included the hashtag "#ImWithJK" with their retweet of the author. Words are a powerful thing. When used in the way that J.K. Rowling did, they can spark an important dialogue that leads to change.
Theresa May's Conservative government will be propped up in parliament by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), it was confirmed on Saturday evening.
The Conservatives have come to a "confidence and supply" arrangement with the controversial Northern Irish party, who won 10 seats in Thursday's general election - enough to help May's government overcome the hung parliament.
Their arrangement is less tight-knit than a full coalition government, but will see the DUP support May's party in key votes such as the budget.
A spokesperson for 10 Downing Street said: "We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond." The BBC reports that further details of the "confidence and supply" arrangement will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Monday morning.
Any voter with even reasonably liberal values is right to be concerned about the Conservatives' arrangement with the DUP, even if it stops short of a full coalition. The Northern Irish party holds or has demonstrated views on abortion, LGBT rights, and climate change that are genuinely abhorrent to many of us. And because May needs their 10 MPs to form a viable government, the balance of power appears to lie in the DUP's favour as they hammer out the exact terms of their deal.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, a Conservative former Northern Ireland secretary, Owen Paterson, insisted that LGBT rights could not be affected by any deal with the DUP. However, he admitted that our current abortion law could be threatened, at least, by pressure from the super socially-conservative party ."You might get a debate I suppose on further reduction of abortion times as medical science advances," he is quoted by The Independent as saying. Last year, DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "I would not want abortion [in Northern Ireland] to be as freely available as it is in England."
Indeed, a Change.org petition titled "Stop the DUP & TORIES forming a Minority Government!" has already amassed more than 600,000 signatures. The petition argues that May should resign after she failed to win a majority in Thursday's general election, and calls her deal with the DUP a "disgusting, desperate attempt to stay in power."
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NASA just graduated its newest class of astronauts. Out of the over 18,300 applicants from all around the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico, there are the 12 who were selected. For those doing the maths, that puts the odds of being selected at less than 1 in 1,500. 2017's class is full of incredibly talented people with backgrounds ranging from engineering, the Navy, the Marines, to geoscience. One of the most exciting parts? Roughly half of them are women!
They join a group of only 350 who have been chosen to become astronauts since the beginning of the space program in 1959, but they're not off to outer space just yet. Before they can become eligible to go on a mission to the International Space Station, they will report to the Johnson Space Center in Houston in August for a training program that lasts two years.
Out of the very select few who made the cut, here is a bit about the five women joining the ranks of NASA.
Loral O’Hara is already an employee at NASA. The 34-year-old engineer earned a spot in NASA's KC-135 Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program. This program enables new researchers to run microgravity experiments. Before that, she was an intern at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge where she spent a summer in Maryland as a research associate for Goddard Space Flight Center. Currently, she is developing ways to study extreme environments at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA.
Jessica Watkins may be a new astronaut, but she isn't new to space exploration. Already exploring Mars as part of the JPL team that operates the Curiosity rover, the Stanford graduate enjoys a rich life outside of work. With a Ph.D. from UCLA and a postdoctorate from Caltech working to discover Mars' geological history, Watkins also writes short stories, flies planes, and plays rugby.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA.
Jasmin Moghbeli tests H-1 helicopters as a major in the Marines. Based in Arizona, she has accumulated more than 1,600 hours of flight time which includes 150 combat missions. A graduate of MIT, the Naval Postgraduate School, AND the Naval Test Pilot School, she is originally from Baldwin, NY; though she was born in Germany.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA.
Kayla Barron has a master's degree from the University of Cambridge in nuclear engineering where she was a Gates Cambridge Scholar. Originally from Richland, WA; the 29-year-old is also a naval lieutenant. As a submarine warfare officer, she was one of the first women to serve on a Navy submarine. Before joining NASA, she worked at the U.S. Naval Academy as a right-hand-woman to the school's superintendent.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA.
Zena Cardman, also 29, worked at the Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research station in Antartica studying extremophiles, which are the organisms that live under some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. She is currently doing doctoral research at Penn State which involves cave slime in the hopes of earning her Ph.D. in geoscience.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA.
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During her YouTube live stream on Friday night, Katy Perry shared her past struggles with a few emotional topics. While at Witness World Wide, she discussed them with Dr. Siri Sat Nam Singh, who is best known for his series The Therapist on Viceland. During their talk, they touched on Perry's relationship with her parents, her love life, issues with alcoholism, and times when the singer had struggled with suicidal thoughts.
It was at this point in the live stream that a member of Perry's team encouraged her to take a break, but in a moment of strength and vulnerability, she chose to continue the discussion. This level of transparency can be difficult for anyone, let alone someone who has been in the public eye for so many years. "I feel ashamed that I would have those thoughts, feel that low and that depressed," Perry admitted, also sharing that she wrote a song about her experience according to Cosmopolitan.
She went on to discuss the unmistakable divide she has felt between the public persona of Katy Perry and how she, Katheryn Hudson, is in her private life with her family and close friends who know her. "I’m a bit more nerdy than everybody thinks I am, I’m a big goofball," Perry said. Her forthcoming album, Witness, further explores the dichotomy of Perry's public and private self. "The fantasy of Katheryn went into Katy and made this bigger than life personality." The singer explained that her new pixie cut was a reaction to this realisation. "I didn't want to look like Katy Perry anymore," she openly shared with Singh and her live stream.
There are many signs and symptoms related to depression and suicidal thoughts. Feelings of hopelessness, withdrawal and isolation, extreme mood swings, and increased use of alcohol or drugs are all common signs of depression that should not be ignored. It is complex, but it is treatable.
If you are thinking about suicide, please call theSamaritanson 116 123.
Think globally, act locally. That's the message the stars are bringing this week. First up: The sun in hometown-oriented Gemini faces off with heavy-hitter Saturn in worldly Sagittarius. And if you're feeling overwhelmed by the crush of WTF news, don't tune out completely. Selective Saturn helps you curate your feeds. Turn off the alerts and set times for checking up on current events. Maybe you start your day with writing a diary and a meditative walk while listening to music. Once you've accomplished a few of your a.m. tasks, free from emotional derailments, see what's happening around the globe.
Dreamtime becomes all the more important starting Friday as soulful Neptune slips into its annual retrograde until November 22. This year (and every year from 2012 to 2025), this five-month backspin will take place in Pisces, the sign Neptune rules, basically doubling its impact. We all need moments to check out, unwind, and access the more creative and spiritual sides of ourselves. That's how great art and music is made! This introspective phase will also inspire people to take more personal responsibility for healing the planet. With sea god Neptune in aquatic Pisces, we could evoke the water protector movement that began with the No DAPL fight of 2016. Pay attention to what you're pouring down the drain, clean with environmentally friendly sprays, and find a charity to support that provides clean drinking water to people who don't have access.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
Relationships are supposed to feel amazing, right, Gemini? Well, sure, yeah...sometimes. But the best connections are a double-edged sword. Having someone love you for who you truly are can actually be scary, especially if you haven't learned to fully accept yourself. This week, tough Saturn in your partnership zone will directly oppose the sun, which is beaming in Gemini. Don't just cut and run on an important connection because you're uncomfortable opening up — which might masquerade as boredom or annoyance at the other person. Instead, seize the opportunity to get even realer, Gemini. Dropping the mask of cool will draw a supportive soul closer. And if that involves an ugly cry or a huge revelation about your past, so be it. You don't have to be perfect to be loved!
On Friday, soul-searching Neptune flips into its annual retrograde until November 22, retreating through your 10th house of career. Is the work that you do satisfying on a deeper level — or are you just paying the bills until you find your thing? Very few people hit dream job status from the jump, but make sure that you're advancing in that direction. Maybe it's time to start interviewing (these tips can help you prep), if only for the experience of stretching your limits. And you never know what can come of it, Gemini! Neptune governs helpful people: Over the coming five months, working with a mentor or coach can speed your ascent to the top.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
What ever happened to those boundaries, Cancer? You may need to toughen up your shell this week in the name of self-preservation. You can't blame people for asking for your support. Let's be honest: You're one of the most nurturing and savvy advice-givers on the planet. And you do love to help. But maybe it's time to start charging an hourly rate for your wisdom (hello, coaching certification?) or letting people know that you can't be on call 24/7. Saying "no" can be empowering this week, even if people throw a fit or guilt trip you. Honour your needs. You have the right to skip a party when you're sleep-deprived — or to screen a BFF's relationship 999 calls when you're on a date. Be firm and start training people to treat you differently.
Starting Friday, you'll feel the nostalgic pull of a favourite holiday spot as soulful Neptune turns retrograde in your travel zone until November 22. Flip through old photos. Maybe it's time to revisit your ancestral homeland and hang out with those cousins you haven't seen since you were 14. Neptune rules the sea, and as a water sign, you'll find an aquatic getaway deeply restorative. (Think: remote surf towns or cities built along the beach.) Neptune's U-turn here might even inspire you to learn a foreign language or travel for a teacher training so you can set off on a more independent career path. Since retrogrades rule the past, you may be picking up something you already began instead of starting fresh.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Leo July 23 to August 22
Distracted dater alert! With so much on your plate this week — and so many interesting people to mingle with — you may struggle to focus on (or find) that one special soul. Priorities, Leo! Relationships require care and feeding. If you're expecting your love life to "just happen" you could be in for a rude awakening. Don't let a good one slip away due to neglect. Ignore your FOMO and devote quality time to the people who matter most, from a love interest to your best friend. Go the extra mile, treating for dinner or bringing a small gift. If you're looking for romance, put down your phone. An attraction of the non-virtual variety may be staring you right in the face, and emerge from your friend zone.
On Friday, you'll plunge into deeper waters as therapeutic Neptune turns retrograde in your eighth house of seduction and secrets until November 22. During this phase, you'll need a stronger sense of commitment from the people in your inner circle. No more vagueness! A label-free relationship could leave you feeling insecure and loyalty is an absolute must from anyone you let into your private world. One or two key connections could be cemented during this cycle, so choose a couple relationships you'd like to strengthen before 2017 is through. One catch: These people cannot be your "everything!" That's just way too much pressure to place on any mere mortal. Simultaneously work on cultivating your own confidence. Invest in your own creativity and passionate pursuits and you'll keep a healthy balance between "me" and "we."
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Virgo August 23 to September 22
This week's mission: Finding a better balance between your work life and your personal life. If your career's been in high gear, you may have allowed your public persona to dominate the scene. It's great to have everyone's admiration, Virgo, but have you set the bar too high for yourself? Exhausting! You need wiggle room to be a human being. Step down from the guru role and don't go along with people putting you on the pedestal. It's just too much pressure. Don't worry: You won't lose your fanbase by keeping it real. Instead of handling everything for others, empower them to do for themselves. Point them to helpful resources and sending them on their way with one of your inspiring pep talks. Then, go home and take a nap!
On Friday, your closest relationships are up for review as ruminating Neptune turns retrograde until November 22. Do you feel like you've hit a wall with a certain someone in your life? While it might seem logical to "have a talk" about this, Neptune's backspin reminds us that the shift starts from within. Be the change you wish to see in your relationships, Virgo. Do you feel misunderstood? Seek to understand. Wish people would listen to you more? Ask them questions about themselves — and then chime in with your own stories, instead of waiting to be solicited for this data. Sure, you might realise that a few of the people you know are legit narcissists. But it's more likely that your curious and open attitude will foster a stronger bond. Most importantly, stop making sacrifices to show that you care — and start asking partners to step up to the plate!
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Libra September 23 to October 22
Future-tripping alert! There's nothing wrong with dreaming of a better tomorrow, Libra, as long as you're also paying attention to the here and now. This week, give your huge and important life plans some 101 project management support. You could overwhelm yourself by fixating on the end game (moving in together, getting promoted) when you haven't even come close to the halfway point. Instead of scaring yourself off of this noble mission, how about focusing on your next milestone? Rome wasn't built in a day. This week, pick out the proverbial marble slabs instead of trying to recreate your version of the Sistine Chapel. Accomplishing something small will boost your confidence to take the next step, then the one after that...
On Friday, start staving off the summer sniffles with preventative medicine like healthy food and adequate sleep. Sensitive Neptune pivots into its yearly retrograde, moving backwards through your wellness sector until November 22. Take extra care to treat your body like a temple during this five-month cycle. Stress is often the root cause of what ails us, so make it your mission to reduce anxiety-producing activities and people from your life. Have you been tackling too much by your lonesome? Reach out for backup. Maybe a local student would want to work as a summer intern. Ask around.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Scorpio October 23 to November 21
Should you focus on the big picture or fixate on the details? This week, the answer is: both. With the sun in hyper-original Gemini all week, the little things are what give your efforts edge. But on Thursday, results-obsessed Saturn makes its annual opposition to the sun, reminding you to hustle along with your timeline. Drop the perfectionism in the name of progress — but don't cut corners, either! It may be necessary to break a mission down into smaller phases so you can tick some of the boxes off your task list. The sense of accomplishment will buoy your courage. Be resourceful, Scorpio. If you only have a shoestring budget, you might use the barter system to pay for some services. Keep the credit cards locked up. This is not the week to get into debt, not even for your art.
On Friday, dreamy Neptune slips into a five-month retrograde in your fifth house of creativity, image, and romance. With the planet of illusions in the time out chair, you have a helpful window for assessing your "brand." How do people actually see you, Scorpio? Are you representing true to form or presenting yourself according to other people's ideals? Like fellow Scorpio Willow Smith, it's time to wear your most unique attributes on your sleeve, even find ways to support other talented women. In love, take off the rose-coloured glasses and see people for who they really are. Their human quirks can be endearing!
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Sagittarius November 22 to December 21
Drop the DIY schtick this week and double up. Powerful partnerships emerge as the Gemini sun in your dynamic duo zone sends a wake-up call to slow-motion Saturn in Sagittarius. It's great to get hands-on experience, but you're stalling your progress by wearing too many hats. Cede control to a capable collaborator and you'll sail to the finish line a whole lot faster. On that note, have you been handing the reins to the wrong partner? While this person's intentions are to help, they may need to go back to their lane. In love, you'll need a more vocal commitment this week. Don't shy away from labels. Security can be sexy.
Starting Friday, tighten up the radius of your inner circle, Sagittarius. While you live for the thrill of chatting up strangers — and, naturally, dazzling them with your sparkle — you get frustrated when they start to have expectations of you. But your loved ones aren't wrong for wanting you to commit to plans or show up on time when you're on their calendars. With compassionate Neptune turning retrograde in your family zone for five months this Friday, be more selective about the company you keep. Prioritise your loyal squad over last-minute Tinder dates and the cool kids club. A relative might need additional support this summer and while you don't have to cancel your life plans for this, carve out some time in your schedule so you can be there.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Capricorn December 22 to January 19
You like to keep up appearances, Capricorn, but this week, sticking to the status quo could limit your personal growth. Step out as the trailblazing badass and colour outside the lines. You might rock the boat more than you're comfortable with, so make sure your rebellion comes with a cause. What kind of change is needed in your community? Where has progress stalled at work? Be the thought leader who puts new ideas on the table. Your courage can also spark an important change for the people you deal with on a daily basis.
On Friday, nebulous Neptune turns retrograde in your communication sector for five months — a phase where it will be essential to curate your every word. If you don't, you could inadvertently wind up leaking information or spreading gossip. Rule of thumb: If a person you know isn't in the room, praise their name only. And if you don't have anything positive to say, take up your concerns with someone who might actually make the situation better — not fan the flames of drama. A BFF or festival buddy you've been counting on for summer plans could start to flake out or even have a legit excuse for needing to tend to other affairs. Don't guilt trip them! This is an opportunity to deepen other connections. With 7.5 billion people on the globe, there's no excuse for having only one best friend.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Aquarius January 20 to February 18
Brace yourself, because a power struggle could break out as the ego-driven sun clashes with take-charge Saturn this week. Group dynamics will not simply flow with ease as they have in the past — especially if there are too many cooks in the kitchen. Do some damage control (or triage) by calling a team meeting. Bring a talking stick so people don't interrupt each other. The purpose here? To realign with your shared mission and divide up duties so you can stop stepping on each other's Stan Smiths. If you've been too diplomatic, stop shying away from the leadership role that's been calling your name. With your innate sense of equality, you are the perfect person to rule the roost!
On Friday, get a firmer grip on your wallet. Nebulous Neptune turns retrograde in your finance zone until November 22, sounding the call for savvier money management. Scrutinise your statements. You might realise you've been paying for a recurring service that you aren't even using or have been getting overcharged by a vendor. Soul-searching Neptune's reverse can send you on the hunt for more meaningful work. Who knows, Aquarius? Before 2017 is through, you might be collecting a salary from a company (or writing your own) whose values mesh beautifully with your desire to make the world a better place for all. Still have room to grow? Consider apprenticing alongside a master or enlisting a mentor to help close that gap.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Pisces February 19 to March 20
Nesting overload? While curating the perfect home bar cart is a worthy aspiration, don't tune out the calling of your career. This week, the sun in your domestic zone gets a wakeup call from stern Saturn in your professional sector. Come out of hibernation and handle your business. You simply can't afford to blow off responsibilities for a minute longer. Do you already feel like work has overtaken your life? Use this week to gather more support for your aspirations. Going into martyr mode is not going to make the office VIPs respect you more. Instead, show them that you're a strong leader by outlining resources (besides your time and energy) that will be required to get the job done. Sure, you may have to burn some midnight oil, but requesting another pair (or three) of hands on deck can prevent a future fail.
Another reason to rally your support squad? On Friday, your ruling planet, compassionate Neptune, tucks into its annual retrograde. Until November 22, your cosmic guardian is retreating through the Pisces zone of the sky, bringing a chance for deep personal introspection. As you explore new aspects of your identity, having caring people in your corner can keep you grounded. You might realise that you've outgrown a relationship or a once-favourite activity — or you could feel like your entire identity is going through a shift. Allow yourself to move gently through these transitional times. Rushing during Neptune's retrograde is a no-no. Instead, leave yourself room to drift, expand, and explore different aspects of your identity — and change your mind at a moment's notice. You might just come back to the person you always were, but with a renewed sense of confidence.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Aries March 21 to April 19
What's that you say, Aries? Choose your words with extreme care this week as heavyweight Saturn in your candid ninth house faces off with the Gemini sun in your communication sector. With so much verbal might, you could start a Twitter riot...or a cult. Seriously, that's how influential you are right now. But you'd be better off leading a peaceful revolution. Flex your skills in a savvy way and drum up support for a mission that makes the world a better place. A local charity or global cause (or the local chapter of a national organisation) may be looking for your leadership. Explore!
Starting Friday, the line between fantasy and reality may be hard to discern. Soul-searcher Neptune flips into its annual retrograde, retreating through your esoteric 12th house until November 22. During this cycle, you'll need to surround yourself with a wise council of advisors — from savvy friends to a mentor, therapist, or life coach — because your intuition won't be its sharpest in the face of temptation. This is a powerful time for releasing the past, but you'll have to keep firmer boundaries in place with shady people. Give yourself a chance to heal before, say, figuring out if you can pull off a friendship with the ex who broke your heart. Creatively, this will be a golden period for you. Start saving up for studio space rentals or claim a corner table at the local café where you can tuck away with the muse.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Déjà vu, Taurus? This week, you may feel like you're stuck in the same old situation — but also so ready for a major makeover. Don't just keep stubbornly pushing ahead when you're not getting results. That's actually detrimental to progress. You might need to take a wrecking ball to a bad habit or leave an underpaying job to create space for one that actually puts decent cash in your pocket. If you need to acquire additional training to command a better rate, follow the prompt and enroll in a course of study. Even a 3-day programme could do wonders, especially if it brings your technical skills up to snuff.
On Friday, start categorising: friend, frenemy, or Facebook acquaintance? With sketchy Neptune turning retrograde in your communal 11th house until November 22, you need to be careful about who you let into your private life. Just because someone dazzles you upon introduction doesn't mean they have the character or integrity to be a trusted friend. Appearances can be deceiving, especially when the planet of illusions is in reverse. You may realise that you need some space from a certain squad if they aren't appreciating your generosity. Don't keep giving until it hurts. Pull back and see who steps up to the plate. If they are truly meant to be in your life, they'll start pursuing you. If not, a more soulful circle of friends is waiting to be discovered.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
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Vaquera is an independent fashion label that takes an exploratory approach to design. Their motifs include dissecting femme/queer presentation, late capitalism, and pop culture with literal absurdism, like their Tiffany pouch dress, which drew a lot of buzz during last season's Fashion Week. Naturally, Vaquera was the perfect choice to partner with Hulu and Vogue for a collection inspired by The Handmaid's Tale.
The full collection features a host of Handmaids -esque details, from white bonnets to cult-like gowns. The show's patriarchal nightmare is given historical context in the form of old-fashioned ruffles and a Suffragette's dress, complete with a white apron demanding votes for women.
Speaking with Refinery29 in April, Vaquera mentioned that "we aim to reverse cultural norms, celebrate individuality, and empower oppressed individuals," which are themes woven into their clothes and Margaret Atwood's haunting story.
Almost all of the looks feature red, the colour worn by the Handmaids. It's a colour of power, sexuality, and blood, and costume designer Ann Crabtree told the Hollywood Reporter when finding the perfect red hue, "...we also wanted it to look like liquid blood. We knew there would be huge scenes and we wanted it to be visually important en masse."
On the runway, Vaquera's use of the colour red highlighted some of the more surreal aspects of their designs, like a red damask gown with pillow cushions sewn to the front. And one of the most ingenious commentaries on women's gender presentation came in the form of a white gown with bras strewn about, ending in a bra-shaped purse.
Their partnership with Hulu proves that Vaquera is succeeding without losing the creative streak that makes them so original.
More than a thousand women have been cycling through central London today as a show of solidarity with everyone affected by breast cancer.
The women completed a 25km route through the capital to commemorate 25 years of Breast Cancer Care's Pink Ribbon. Since 1992, the ribbon has been a symbol of "hope, strength, and unity" for breast cancer patients, survivors, those who sadly lost their lives to the disease, and their friends and families.
The women taking part in today's "Pink Ribbon Tour" actually cycled along the same route as professional cyclists competing in the final leg of The Women's Tour, albeit several hours earlier. The British weather was helpful for once, staying dry and sunny, and offering pleasant temperatures of around 2o°C.
The women were cheered on by supporters including the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Denise Lewis, the 2000 Olympic heptathlon champion. The Mayor even gave a "high 5" to some of the cyclists as they set off on their ride.
Lewis, an ambassador for Breast Cancer Care, wished the cyclists luck in a video message shared before the event. She said: "Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Care plays a vital role in offering their services and support. So on behalf of everyone in the charity, including myself, I wish you all the best of luck."
Check out a selection of pictures from the Pink Ribbon Tour that have been shared on social media today.
Each year, more than 50,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Care is a UK-wide charity offering support and information to everyone affected by breast cancer. You can call them for advice free on 0808 600 8000 or visit theirwebsitefor further information.
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Beckinsale posted a funny little video of her, Sheen and their 18-year-old daughter walking into Lily's school graduation. The clip, which has them all in white, looks like something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie, but her message to them both was pure Nora Ephron. "We may not be a conventional family but we have love and humour and respect and care," Beckinsale wrote. "And I am proud to have walked this far with both of you and to have @lily_beckinsale walk us into the future."
If that wasn't enough to get you all teary, Beckinsale finished with a sweet message aimed at anyone with a modern family who's trying to make it work. "God bless love, and good hearts, and loyalty and friendship," she wrote, "and may we all have more and more of it and make more and more of it in the world."
A post shared by Kate Beckinsale (@katebeckinsale) on
Beckinsale and Sheen have been the definition of #ParentingGoals for years now. When Lily was accepted by a U.S. college — she's headed to New York University in the fall — the two parents celebrated together. Sure, they may embarrass their daughter with their love — something they do often, btw — but it sure gets a laugh out of everyone else. Like, how can you not LOL at the fact that Beckinsale sends nude photos of Sheen to Lily as a joke or that she once drew a penis on Lily's teenage homework?
Beckinsale and Sheen, though, take their goals even further, since Beckinsale isn't only making it work with her ex but with her ex's girlfriend, Sarah Silverman. Honestly, she doesn't get why it's such a big deal that she loves to troll Silverman and reminisce with her about their "unfortunate" throwback hair pics. "I don’t know why everyone was so surprised," Beckinsale told Stylist last year. "Sarah’s such a fantastic woman, I love her and Michael, and I have gotten on for years now. I’ve known him since I was 22, we’re basically family."
As unconventional as their family is, though, Beckinsale just can't help being like any other proud mum. She posted a photo of her little girl in her cap and gown with the caption: "I am so proud of you I have nearly forgiven you for saying other parents don't bring air horns to the ceremony that was a LIE."
Stop trying to make Sense8 happen, it's not going to happen. At least, that seemed to be the Mean Girls- style message Netflix was sending to Sense8 fans who tried to resurrect the recently canceled show.
Fans tried their hardest to bring Sense8 back, a show celebrated for its diversity, with petitions and hashtags including #RenewSense8 and #BringBackSense8. Sadly, that wasn't enough. While Netflix got the message, they're encouraging fans to chill with all those campaigns looking to save the show. On the Sense8 Facebook page, Netflix shared a polite, but final message with fans.
"To our Sense8 family... We’ve seen the petitions. We’ve read the messages. We know you want to #RenewSense8, and we wish we could #BringBackSense8 for you. The reason we've taken so long to get back to you is because we've thought long and hard here at Netflix to try to make it work but unfortunately we can't. Thank you for watching and hope you'll stay close with your cluster around the world. #SensatesForever."
Netflix doesn't give a reason for the cancelation in this message, but just yesterday at the Producers Guild of America's Produced By conference, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos explained why the show was cancelled. " They did a beautiful show," Sarandos said, according to The Hollywood Reporter, but “the audience was very passionate, but not large enough to support the economics of something that big, even on our platform.” Netflix doesn't release viewer numbers, so it's unclear how many people were watching Sense8.
That's why this Facebook message may be a warning to other passionate fans whose Netflix shows may be on the chopping block. While it was once rare to hear of Netflix canceling shows, already, this year they've said goodbye to Bloodline and canceled The Get Down after just one season. There may be more cancellations in the future, according to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. "Our hit ratio is way too high right now,” he told CNBC last month. “So, we’ve canceled very few shows…I’m always pushing the content team: We have to take more risk; you have to try more crazy things. Because we should have a higher cancel rate overall.”
Other networks seem to agree. At the ATX Festival this weekend, FX boss Nick Grad said he was glad Netflix was finally canceling some things. "They can’t have 10,000 shows," he said, according to Deadline. "I think it brings them back in the ecosystem of where we’re all trying to make the best shows and the best decisions.”
So this isn't to say you should stop tweeting your love and support for your favourite Netflix shows, but know you'll need more than hashtags to keep them alive.
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We all know what it means when a glossy envelope with fine calligraphy lands in your mailbox: Someone's getting married, and they're hoping for you to be there for the big day. While saying yes to the invitation is a relatively straightforward process, things can get a bit awkward if you're not so sure about attending.
Whatever your reasons may be — it could be cost concerns or conflicting schedules — turning down a wedding is a situation that can feel very personal. It's important to approach the refusal with tact and consideration, so there will be no unnecessary bad blood in the future.
To help you get out of these formal engagements without ruffling feathers, we've consulted Katie Balmer, wedding planner at The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel and a leading wedding expert in Scotland, on how to say "thanks, but no thanks" in the most graceful way possible.
DO: Follow The Format
The level of formality should be informed by the manner of which the invitation was sent. If the offer was extended to you by mail, you should decline via post. If the message came in an evite or email, a simple email expressing your regrets will do. According to Balmer, another tip to keep tensions low is to give the bride and groom a quick call or send a hand written note — on top of sending back the formal RSVP card — to let them know why you can’t attend.
DON'T: Put Off Your Response
If you already know that you can't make it for whatever reason, don't hesitate to let the happy couple know ASAP. "It is very important to respond in good time — do not leave it until the last possible moment," says Balmer. "Otherwise, you risk adding to the couple's last-minute wedding stress as they try to finalize the guest list with the caterers and complete table plans."
Stringing the hosts along with a delayed response is bad form, and this type of inconsiderate behavior may get you off the guest list for other special occasions in the future. Most formal wedding stationery comes with an "accept" and "decline" option, so check off the box for no-go and make peace with your decision.
DO: Be Brief In Your Explanation
While it's a nice gesture to offer a reason for your refusal, there's no need to be super forthcoming and overshare. A simple and succinct response will do, and it's an especially bad idea to dwell on your rationale if it's cost-related — it will establish nothing beyond making the couple feel bad. White lies like "I can't make it because of personal reasons" or "We'll be out of town" are completely acceptable in these cases.
DON'T: Backpedal On Your Decision
Once the decision not to attend the wedding has been decided, it is crucial to stick to that decision. "Going back and forth only adds to the inconvenience for the soon-to-be newlyweds," says Balmer. "As long as you are honest, timely and appreciative, the bride and groom should understand." The wedding FOMO will be your consequence to bear.
DO: Make It Up To The Couple
Even though you'll be absent, it's still good etiquette to arrange something thoughtful for the soon-to-be newlyweds. If you're close with the couple, offering to help with the bridal shower or bachelorette party is a nice way show that you still want to be involved in the celebrations. For a less hands-on alternative, Balmer recommends sending a wedding gift from their registry to confirm your appreciation, even if you can’t be there to celebrate in person on their big day. Another surefire way to offer your congratulations? Taking the lovebirds out to a fancy dinner always works. After all, a free meal is one gift that always work in your favor.
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When Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James announced in June 2013 that Sam Taylor-Johnson would be directing the big screen adaptation of her blockbuster erotic novel, it's fair to say a few eyebrows were raised. Taylor-Johnson was best known as a prominent member of London's YBA (Young British Artist) scene, and her one previous movie, Nowhere Boy, was a sensitive and restrained biopic of John Lennon.
Her Fifty Shades of Grey film opened in February 2015, and despite some pretty scathing reviews, did brisk business at the box office. Yet around a month later, Taylor-Johnson confirmed that she would not be returning to direct the two sequels.
Now the artist-director has spoken candidly about her association with the Fifty Shades franchise in a new interview. Explaining what drew her to the movie in the first place, she told The Sunday Times. "It felt like a very dysfunctional fairy tale: a controlling prince and an unsuspecting young village girl. What I wanted to achieve is [for her] to usurp him against the odds."
She also discussed the film's most controversial scene, in which Dakota Johnson's Anastasia Steele is seen being "punished" with six lashes from Jamie Dornan's Christian Grey.
"The idea was she would hold a mirror to his darkness and come out with the power," Taylor-Johnson explained, before saying of the scene: "It was a struggle and there were lots of onset tête-à-têtes, with me trying to bat it into the [right] place."
She then spoke about her relationship with the book's author, who retained a significant amount of control over the direction of the film adaptation. "I like everyone — and I get really confused when they don’t like me," Taylor-Johnson told The Sunday Times. "I was so confused by E.L. James. I don’t understand when I can’t navigate a person, when there's no synergy."
Taylor-Johnson confirmed that she has now fully distanced herself from the franchise, saying of the sequels: "I’m not going to ever watch them. I have literally zero interest."
"With the benefit of hindsight would I go through it again? Of course I wouldn't. I’d be mad," she added.
One year after the Pulse nightclub shooting killed 49 people and wounded 58 others, a survivor has opened up about the tragic incident and how she's using music as a way to heal.
Patience Carter, who was shot at Pulse, is one of the youngest victims. She had recently completed her sophomore year of college and headed to Orlando for a vacation with her best friend, Akyra Murray. On Carter's first night in the city, she headed to Pulse with Murray and Murray's cousin, Tiara Parker.
"At other clubs we’d been to, people would keep to themselves unless they were dancing. But at Pulse, everyone was smiling and talking to one another," Carter recalls in an article she penned for Teen Vogue. "We were feeling it."
David McNew/Getty Images
The young women had just ordered an Uber at around 2 a.m. when shots rang out in the club. Carter and Murray successfully escaped through an exit door, but they ran back inside when they realised Parker wasn't with them. After they found her, they ran into a handicap bathroom stall and hid with a group of other clubgoers.
"We were right by the door, and [Omar Mateen's] bullets were coming directly at us," Carter says. "Miraculously, his gun jammed. That’s when I realised I’d been shot in both of my legs."
After police infiltrated the building, Carter was rushed to the hospital where she went straight into surgery. The next day, she received the heartbreaking news that her best friend had died.
"In the hospital, I wrote a poem about the guilt I had for being alive. What if I’d told Akyra to wait outside when I went back for Tiara?" Carter writes. "Putting those feelings into words allowed my healing process to begin."
When Carter returned home to Pennsylvania, she turned to songwriting to cope with the trauma and grief. She wrote a song in honour of Murray, whose brother wrote a poem and rap verse to complete the track, called “Praying 4 Orlando.”
Carter is completing her media, culture, and communications degree at NYU, but she says the physical and emotional pain continues to affect her. However, she's determined to use it to create something positive.
"It’s important for me to put my feelings into songs and turn negative energy into something positive," Carter concludes. "Other survivors will listen to what I create and feel inspired to keep going. I want to make the soundtrack of their healing."
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Like any other social issue, body image is not the same around the world — and it certainly isn't discussed in the same terms, either. When photographer Yagazie Emezi visited the beaches of Liberia and spoke with local women, it quickly became clear to her that body positivity wasn't the first thing on their minds.
Although Liberian women certainly think about their bodies, there are usually more pressing issues to talk about, Emezi tells Refinery29. She adds that the cultural emphasis is placed more on how women dress than their actual bodies (though the idea that there's an ideal body type definitely persists, too).
"You could look like a super model, but that won't matter if you are dressed shabbily by Liberian standards," Emezi says. "Family members might say their daughter is too skinny or fat. Individuals can look at themselves and want to change things. But it's just approached and talked about differently."
Emezi says that speaking with these women showed her just how differently people around the world talk about bodies. Ahead, meet the women she spoke with and see how they view body image and body talk.
Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Royda, 30
"I am a 5'1" and a half, curvy, thicker woman, and when I add five pounds, it may look like 10. In African culture, as soon as you gain a little weight, people tend to say, 'Oh, you're getting fat,' which they think is a compliment. You're getting healthier. But it becomes a subconscious thing for me that I'm gaining weight.
"The best thing someone has said about my body, which is actually kind of weird... as I'm aging more, coming more into my '30-year-old body,' as my mother likes to call it, I hear a lot of people saying, 'You look like you're a mother,' or 'You're ready to have kids,' which is an odd thing to say, but also an honour. I think one of the greatest things in life is to be a mother and to have children. I don't know what a body that looks like a mother looks like, but I'll take that one."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Tian, 21
"People always say good things about me: that they like my body, that I have to take care of my body, that I can't get fat. That makes me feel fine. I say mainly good things when I see women, because I don't know them. You don't have to say something when you don't know the person."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Grace, 22, and Lynette, 20
Grace: "Nobody has said anything bad to me, but somebody once told me that they love my toes and that they love my hair. It made me feel good, because I do love my hair."
Lynette: "Someone once told me that I am too dry [skinny], but I don't feel too bad about it, because I am satisfied with my body. I don't pay too much attention to what other people look like. Maybe I will if I see a woman that looks nice. I think it is just our nature as women to talk about other women."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Lara, 22
"Actually, nobody has said something bad about my body. They're always telling me that I'm sexy and I just need to maintain it and look good all the time. It makes me happy, because I love my body. I love the shape."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Emily, 19
"First of all, I thank God for giving me this body. You have to love yourself the most. People say that my body is okay, that I have a slim body. I say plenty things about people but, you know, you must look at yourself first before you criticise someone else. Women might talk about other people's bodies because of jealousy."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Josephine, 19
"I feel fine about everything with my body. After I cut my hair, people criticised me and said that I looked like a man. But I felt happy when I cut my hair. I say good and bad things about women. Some women dress decent, but if you don't dress good, people will say something."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Amanda, 19
"Someone saw me once and said, 'You know, you're dry. You're not beautiful. Your body is not good-looking.' It discouraged me, made me feel bad for that day, but, within myself, I [still] felt like I was the best. I'm good-looking, and I praise myself in front of many people.
"I've criticised other women. I've told one of my friends that she doesn't look good at all. I know it made her feel bad, but I had to tell her. Honestly, it's because so many people have done it to me, so I have to do it to her."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Frances, 19
"Someone told me something very, very good about my body. It was concerning the way I dress. [How I dress is] very decent, so people admire me. It makes me feel good and relaxed. I feel really good about my body.
"I have said good and bad things about other peoples' bodies. I met a person, I didn't approach her, but I did admire her. I saw another woman and thought, 'Wow, so disgraceful.' She was wearing something that did not suit her. It wasn't nice for her. I didn't say anything to her face, but it didn't suit her."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Sarafina, 20
"People say that they like the way I walk, and I feel good about that. Most of the time, people say that they like the way I dress. No one has said anything bad about my body."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Jarraye, 18
"For me, people always say that I'm [too] slim, but I don't pay attention to them because I love the way I am. God made everyone look different. When people say bad things [about my body], I don't feel bad."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
Sabawu, 19
"Someone once told me that my nose is a little bit big. At first, it really made me feel bad, but I like it like that. And I've been told that I have a good shape. I say mainly good things about women, because everyone is special in their own way. Don't criticise people by just looking at them."
Photographed by Yagazie Emezi.
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I was a fat baby, a fat kid, a fat adolescent, a fatter teen, a fat twenty-something, and I’m fat right now. I have been obsessively dieting, and gaining, and dieting for as long as I can remember: bound by the pressures of the oftentimes image-obsessed gay community which I’m in, and the wider world’s general idolisation of the thin white body. Years of bombardment from advertising, movie stars, models, and health gurus who build their empires on making you feel inadequate and insecure naturally results in deep self-loathing for any part of your body that isn’t nearing 0% fat.
This feeling of self-hatred intensifies every year, around this time, when the sun starts coming out. Everywhere you turn your body is being criticised, in this oddly seasonal context, for not being ready for the beach. People have no idea how to talk to you about fat, because fat has become synonymous with failure. And so, unable to understand or talk about why you feel so gripped by wanting to remove those extra pounds, even though you can’t bloody afford a beach holiday anyway, you begin down the diet road.
But not this year. This year I was lucky enough to properly discover fat activism, and I realised that once I flooded my social media feeds with bodies that are much more like mine, I felt far more comfortable in my body, as well as supported and validated in my choice to start reframing my relationship with it.
In this article are some of the most iconic, rad, beautiful women and men (to be clear: I'm not pictured) who reject the mainstream idea that thin equals beautiful. The more imagery I consumed of fat people like me, the more I began to appreciate my fat belly and my big back – the things my body does, not what it looks like. I thought so much about the hours, and the tears, spent starving myself, taking stupid gimmicky gym classes that I despised, and the sheer energy and breath wasted talking about what I wanted to change about my body. I decided to commit to channelling that energy into things that are actually important, and not a waste of life.
A big worry I always had was whether someone would want to fuck me, because my fat always made me feel unfuckable. But then I look at my track record, and my now-boyfriend, and I’ve had that insecurity disproved on countless occasions.
These realisations seem simple but when the world has pushed your grip on reality through the size zero prism, it’s pretty hard to see the woods through the fat. To broaden the conversation, I reached out to some of my fat activism icons to share their perspectives on how to deconstruct the toxic institution that is the ‘Summer Body’. So take it from me, and them, that it’s easier than you think, and also way more satisfying.
I think that the idea of slimming down for summer is the result of these 'Celeb Summer Body' articles you get in women's lifestyle magazines. Around this time of year, we are inundated with images of celebrity bodies on the beach on the front covers of magazines, with headlines either telling us to get in shape to look like them, or to body shame the women for daring to have cellulite or a bit of a tummy. We've slowly been brainwashed that summer should be synonymous with being slim, which is ridiculous.
The ‘perfect summer body’ is a damaging ideology sold to the masses by the diet industry in order to profit from women's insecurities. We all already have the 'summer' body; it's the same body that takes us through spring, winter, and autumn. This notion that you 'have' to lose weight in order to enjoy the weather is toxic and negative, and only reinforces fatphobic values.
There is also this incorrect assumption that being a fat person of colour is seen as 'more acceptable' within our own communities as opposed to the mainstream. The result of this is those fat bodies of colour are grossly underrepresented within the mainstream media, because there are defined standards around our bodies that categorise us in opposition to whiteness and white bodies.
Kaye Ford
Society seems to narrow down the black female body as consisting of 'boobs and butt' – thus objectifying and sexualising us, while equally ignoring an entire demographic of women who do not fit the stereotypical 'black hourglass' shape. It is these women who need to feel represented within the media. The black female body exists in our culture at a complicated intersection of hyper-visibility and hyper-sexuality. Body positivity, like most movements white women have made themselves the champions of, was never intended to include black women. If a few rogue white feminists decide to defend black female bodies, that's fine, but we all know that body positivity is for white women.
So, I lean myself more towards fat activism than body positivity, as body positivity is now at a point where there is a mass exclusion of the very bodies that helped create the movement in the first place, and it now seems to centre on the white, hourglass-shaped, beautiful, socially 'acceptable' fat woman. In order for body positivity to thrive, it needs to be intersectional.
Fat activism has helped me in that it has given me the confidence to accept and love my body for what it is. We are normal. It helps us to remember that we deserve to be treated with the same amount of respect as our non-fat counterparts get. Fat activism fights for inclusivity, respect, justice and increased visibility of all fat bodies. We can be fat AND beautiful and it does not make us any less worthy as human beings.
I already have a summer body because there is no way on Earth that I will let my enjoyment of summer or how I exist in my skin be defined by a culture that can't accept fat bodies. I spent far too many years sweltering in the heat of summer, covered up in jeans and a cardigan – and why? All because society told me that I couldn't slay in shorts or be a bombshell in a bikini. I've grown to love my body in its entirety – I love how soft it is, how it looks and mostly, I love how the sun feels on my skin when I'm free from my own judgements.
That said, it’s so difficult to ignore the messages that are thrown at us about dieting and fitness – and even more so when the summer months roll around. I have learnt that my worth is not defined by the shape or size of my body, nor what I choose to eat. These messages aren't going to go away overnight; and sometimes we have to grab life by the lapels and go for something – even if it scares us and in spite of what the media is telling us.
Forcing myself to go out with my arms bare, my legs free and my mind strong was probably one of the best things that I did to boost my self-esteem in the summer. I realised that no one really cared about my body and if they did, I was having too much fun existing in the body that I call home to notice.
My body does some amazing things; because of my body I can walk, swim, dance and so much more! My body doesn’t exist to be judged or objectified by others. I owe a lot to the fat acceptance movement and the understanding I have developed of the impact of social norms and beauty ideals on one’s body image; I am now free to enjoy my body, and the summer weather, as I see fit.
In terms of practical steps, the work of body positive advocates and fat activists such as Virgie Tovar and The Militant Baker are excellent to refer to, whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or well versed. Unlearning the negative behaviours and prejudices that we are taught by society can seem like a lengthy task, but it’s worth the wait.
My body isn't seasonal. I don't change it out and move to the back of my closet. My body isn't trendy; my body is my vessel through life. I love that my body helps me to experience life, why would I punish something that does that? I don't like to focus on parts of my body because I feel like that is letting diet culture into my world to disrespect my being. It's not just parts of my body that experience my daily life, it is my entire being. All of my body is worthy of love and respect just as it exists.
Photo: Samantha Figueroa
My advice to those who are tempted by diet culture during this part of the year is this: report ads that make you feel uncomfortable, unfollow models/bloggers/celebrities that actively support diet culture, and be aware of how it can manifest in your personal relationships. As humans, we are continuously changing, growing, morphing into different people through our years. Succumbing to diet culture isn't natural, however. Forcing your body through mental and physical obstacles for fleeting exterior beauty is pointless when all we should do is look inward and begin to love ourselves as we currently exist.
We’re conditioned to believe by mass media that a beautiful body can only be one very narrow ideal that so many of us don’t fit into – slim, white, cis – and this ‘beach body ready’ nonsense kicks it all into gear at the same time every year. It’s so hard to not let these negative voices get to you, especially when everywhere you turn you’re basically being told you're not good enough. Whenever I feel those negative thoughts come back and have them be reinforced by this horrible seasonal push in diet and exercise plans, I remind myself that there is no wrong way to have a body. Just because you don’t look like people in magazines/ads (even these models don’t – they’ve been photoshopped to oblivion!) doesn’t mean your body is any less magnificent just the way it is.
Photo: Darnell Temenu
I used to berate myself constantly for the way I looked in a bikini and would compare myself to others constantly but I now know that my body is beautiful in its own right, and it’s crucial we remind ourselves of exactly that. Society says I should hide my big thighs because they're apparently a 'problem area' but I love them the most; we must also remind ourselves problem areas are socially constructed! I already have a summer body because I have a body. I have a bikini body by *dramatic drum roll* putting on a bikini. It is really that simple. We are all so beautiful and we can rock anything we want, no matter what size we are. Every body is beautiful, especially those that are told they are not via media erasure, racism, ableism, transphobia and fatphobia.
Photo: Darnell Temenu
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First previewed backstage at the Halpern show during London Fashion Week back in February, legendary hairstylist Sam McKnight 's eagerly awaited product line has finally landed.
The first drop of launches – a selection of hairsprays to help master any hairstyle – are the result of four decades in the industry, bringing to fruition McKnight’s ideas that have been developed over years of experience on countless shoots and shows, from British Vogue to Chanel and Burberry.
The product range arrives just a few months after Somerset House's major exhibition, Hair bySamMcKnight, which celebrated the hair supremo's remarkable 40-year career. The first exhibition of its kind, it explored the relationships between McKnight and key collaborators: photographers such as Nick Knight and Patrick Demarchelier, models including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner and Christy Turlington, and designer Karl Lagerfeld.
So if you're looking to emulate the hair of Kate Moss or Kendall Jenner this summer, clear some space in your beauty cabinet for these hero products, available from 12th June at Liberty. "I'm aiming to inject a bit of modern effortless into hair. I have created a collection of hair products that are individually hyper-effective yet the sophisticated formulas work together and can be layered," McKnight explains. "They create hold, volume and texture, with easy speed and brushability. These are my ultimate dry styling products, and this is just the beginning. Hair by Sam McKnight is the culmination of my experience backstage and on shoots, delivered in a can." But if you're put off by the thought of a horrible hairspray smell, McKnight has that base covered, enlisting the help of his friend Lyn Harris, who founded perfume brand Miller Harris, to formulate a delicious fragrance.
Click on to find out more about the four individual sprays and how to use them, with tips from Sam McKnight himself...
EASY UP-DO
The must-have base for any type of braid, bun or chignon, this will make creating an up-do so much easier. “This is 20 hair pins in a can, making those effortless-looking up-dos easily achievable. The product changes the texture of your hair. It gives your hair body, hold and bite."
Hair By Sam McKnight Easy Up-Do, £25, available at Liberty
COOL GIRL
A lightweight texturising spray for mussed-up, deconstructed texture. “It’s rock’n’roll and sexy: the hair that everyone wants. A barely-there texturiser that gives style that lasts all day. Cool Girl gives you just enough to create that slightly undone feel. My signature look in a bottle."
Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl, £25, available at Liberty
MODERN HAIRSPRAY
A firm-hold hairspray with a brushable formula – it’s a hairspray that allows for mistakes. “The perfect multi-tasker. This hairspray will get you through the whole day, but also brushes out if you need it to. You can use it to curl, set, straighten, hold, add shine and volume. It’s a real game changer.”
Hair By Sam McKnight Modern Hairspray, £22, available at Liberty
LAZY GIRL
The ultimate dry shampoo to give hair volume and longevity between washes. “My dream dry shampoo. It’s an ultra-light powder mist. A styling product in its own right. Perfect for those lazy days but it also gives you volume and hold."
Hair By Sam McKnight Lazy Girl, £19, available at Liberty
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