Posts

Posted on

these photos capture the powerful, fierce women that normalise female muscularity

Female Muscularity is not just a social media fad, it’s a body type that allows women to feel empowered within themselves. These women subvert the notion that muscles are of the masculine gender. It’s funny because we know they are genderless. It’s just fibrous tissue at the end of the day.  

We went to the gym with an advocate of muscular females, Jessie Lee a 21-year-old. We went weight-lifting with a group of five women varying in muscularity. And explored the poses of bikini model Natalia Jachura. Each woman presented their individual strength in their own unique way, all just as beautiful as each other and all just as strong. Yet this is not to say that the process of getting there was easy – the strength of the body and the mind are both an art. Be proud of how your body looks and performs now and you will soon learn how to progress.   

“I think women should be kinder to each other.”  

To appreciate the skin you’re in yourself you need to appreciate other females’ too. Self-love doesn’t just come from within it also comes from the impression’s others have of us. So stop scrolling with envy wishing you were one of those shiny new Gymshark girls, and instead embrace they are individuals with their own goals. Their success didn’t come from wishing on thin air.   

We are all different.   

No two people are the same – something that is surprisingly hard to remember. No matter how hard you work, how much you diet, how much you exercise. You will always look like you and only you! So do it for yourself and you’ll be shocked at how much better it makes you feel. We are a generation that craves approbation from one another. But remember no two people have the same perception of the ‘ideal’ body – you can’t please them all.  

Muscles can be feminine.  

Who is to say that muscles can only be obtained by a man? Never fear to push your body to new limits because of the risk you might look ‘too manly’. They’re not a trophy of strength either. They’re simply a part of your body and if you work for them, be proud of them.   

Femininity is what you make of it.  

There are no set criteria for femininity.  

Full article in issue 355.

Jessie photographed by Harriet Scott

Jessie photographed by Harriet Scott

Jessie photographed by Harriet Scott

Jessie photographed by Harriet Scott

Jessie photographed by Harriet Scott

Jessie photographed by Harriet Scott

North Tyneside Barbell Competitors photographed by Harriet Scott

North Tyneside Barbell Competitors photographed by Harriet Scott

North Tyneside Barbell Competitors photographed by Harriet Scott

North Tyneside Barbell Competitors photographed by Harriet Scott

North Tyneside Barbell Competitors photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Natalia photographed by Harriet Scott

Posted on

Three compelling stories of young men growing up in a class divided framing town

Growing up can be hard, but growing up surrounded by people with an outdated mindset on the British class system can be just annoying wherever you fall on the class system.

This photo series follows three young men from different walks of life all growing up in a class divided  in Driffield a farming town situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Toby walks around a wood close to his farm looking for mole traps he set the week before

1. Toby , 21

Toby lives with his parents on their family farm outside of town . He works on the  farm 6 days a week on his dads payroll  . His week mostly consists of corn carting and handy man jobs through the late winter months. feeling like an outsider in town due to the way people perceive  him coming from a wealthy farming family

“I feel like i get treated differently by people just because my dad is a farmer in the area , like i am expected to follow in his footsteps and act like middle aged, middle classed man who dresses proper . I couldn’t be seen in a pair of trackies my dad will kill me for looking like a chav, yet everyone my age who lives in town wear trackies and trainers and they aren’t chavs .  I’ve always had people saying snide comments to me at school for being posh or being a farmer boy yet i’m just the same as them”

2. Lester, 24

Living by his self in  a flat in town Lester works on a local farm  6 days a week for minimum wage which is just enough to live off a week working long hours. With very little down time. Coming from a working class family with a low income Lester has to support himself seeing framing as his only option.

“I don’t like working on the farm much its long and hard work , the farmer is nice enough to work for but we are just different people . I feel as i’m useless in the grand scheme of things ,a mindless worker only here to serve those above me. I want to get out of this job and see new places , I’m sick of feeling below everybody else”

 

Wills day off 3. Will, 19

Will  has a full time job as a chef in a local pub after he finished college with their being few job prospects in the area he could either work as a farm hand or work in a pub or restaurant both for the same wage with working on the farm being the more socially accepted job in the area. He moved from Bradford to Driffield when he was 11 , coming from a large city to a small town his style and even accent where looked down upon by many of the locals.

“We moved to Driffield because the majority of my mum’s family made the move over to Driffield. Driffield is a lot quieter than Bradford it’s not as scary/intimidating the majority of the people know who you are. The first 1/2 years of moving to Driffield I felt like an outsider as I was trying to fit in
and be like everyone else but when you move to East Yorkshire from West Yorkshire the accent is a hard thing that people can’t get around for some reason.”

Written by Leo Bell

Photography by Leo Bell

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/BrlaC5DFWYT/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/fcnudiversity?lang=en&lang=en

Posted on

How fashion is becoming more inclusive of all gender types

Exploring the representation of gender in the fashion industry and if it allows people to express their identity.

A growing number of people are questioning social constructs, including gender, and adopting identities outside the traditional ‘male’ and ‘female’. This is often carried out within fashion and beauty, with progressions being made towards less binary limits. Without social constraints on clothing, freely purchasing fashion items lets everyone enjoy the experience intended by the high street and high end. There’s just the question of whether labels prevent this experience.

Young people are seemingly more inclusive and celebratory of diversity in gender dressing as unisex clothing is becoming more popular with generation Z.  Collusions, a gender neutral line,  became the fourth best-selling brand on Asos after its first week of launch in October. Straying away from the impression that customers should specify gender when buying clothes as retail is usually categorised in male and female sections. With an understanding of gender identities, there should be – and is starting to be – an adaption to different body shapes and sizes.

In conversation with Gab Hernandez de Leon, an LGBTQ activist, he discloses the reality of fashion for trans and non-binary people and was clear that fashion has always helped him express his gender. However, is “confused by the way that non-binary clothing is all about fashion with “no gender”, although, this is an actual gender.” Suggesting that the market may not fully understand the way these particular individuals are choosing to express themselves.

Gab Hernandez de Leon (LGBTQ activist)

 

“Fashion can 100% have a negative impact on people. Not being able to fit into your size because your waist is too big or because your shoulders are too small.” Giving the impression that a lot of fashion is designed for the majority with slight regard to varying body shapes of ‘petite’, ‘tall’, or ‘plus size’. He also gives an insight to how “labels can help sometimes, for example, transgenders will feel accomplished being able to fit into their desired gender clothing.” This suggests that the balance of fashions impact on identity is completely personal and down to the individual. The way one person might perceive clothing could be completely different to the next; in the same way male and female identifiers experience fashion, it is down to personality and taste. 

Popular high street brands, such as Topshop and Urban Outfitters, removed gendered changing rooms last year. Providing a more positive outlook for young people to experience fashion. New brands, along with well-established names, have also taken wind of developments in society and responded to this with more androgynous styling, campaigns, shows and collections. This normalises the idea of fashion obtaining no gender, with the concept becoming part of fashion values. Catwalks are now beginning to blur the lines of gender as well, with a mix of styles, materials and models. Giving the opportunity to eradicate strong labelling as society grows.

Posted on

THE THREE EMOTIONAL STAGES OF FEMALE HAIR LOSS

 

Your hair is something you don’t realise you rely on for all your confidence until it’s gone. Your hair is something that makes you fit in with society. Your hair is something that expresses your personality, your femininity. Yet with this being said, alopecia is still one of the most under-represented diseases within the modelling world, with only 2% of models being booked with known alopecia.

So, with no representation and no-one to look up to, Hannah who was diagnosed with alopecia when she was just ten has had a tough time of it. From feeling like an “alien”, to being asked how her “treatment” was going, Hannah explains to us the three emotional stages of hair loss she has had to face.

“Yes, I have alopecia. Have I ever let it stop me from doing anything? No.”

All of the photos below were styled, photographed and directed by Fauve Wright in inspiration of Hannahs ‘Three emotional stages of female hair loss’.

STAGE ONE: Alienated from society

“When I lost my hair, I didn’t feel human… I felt like an alien. I got stared at constantly in public, my identity was taken away from me before I even got to develop one. I was ten. I felt like a creature. I hid behind wigs, before I realised enough was enough.”

STAGE TWO:  GOING BARE

“When I stopped wearing my wig it was the most terrifying, scary, experience of my life, but also the most empowering. At the age of ten, I was still getting used to having no hair, so when a lady at the till asked me how my ‘treatment’ was going, it made me feel extremely bad about myself. Women are perceived as ill and weak when bald, yet society accepts it within men.”

STAGE THREE:   Feminine empowerment

“The first thing I started worrying about when I lost my hair was if I would still look like a girl. Can bald still be beautiful? Is anyone going to find me pretty again? You start to look at what else you have to offer. I am an amazing dancer, friend, sister, and what’s on my head has never stopped me doing anything. My alopecia has made me more powerful and feminine than ever, as it has just now made all my other qualities shine. I now think it’s sorta badass.”

 

Words | Photography | Styling | Creative Direction by Fauve Wright – @fauvewrightphotography

 

 

Posted on

“Us Gingers Have To Stick Together”

There is nothing stronger than the insatiable desire to ‘fit in’ when you are 13. As you get older, you no longer rely on your humour or your imagination to be liked as you did on the playground at school. Suddenly, your beauty becomes your currency, and being ginger, I always felt short-changed. 

School is tough enough as it is, and kids can be mean. Period. Growing up, I had my fair share of ridicule at school, time goes on but the name-calling always sticks.  I’ve always seen ‘ginger’ as a negative word, a word thrown at me with with disrespect. Being ginger was never something I felt I could be proud of.

I often laugh to myself as I recall my early teens and pledging to myself that “as soon as I’m old enough, I’m dying my hair black” – it was mainly said in jest, for I knew jet black hair wouldn’t suit me quite as much as my fiery ginger locks. But black hair doesn’t attract bullies; black hair blends in.

I’ve always struggled to explain what it feels like to be ostracised for my hair colour; it’s hard to explain to someone without ginger hair about the stigma attached to it. In 2014, a study by Kevin O’Regan at the University of Cork, found that 90% of redheads had faced some form of abuse because of their hair colour. Having always felt some form of discrimination and been ‘the odd one out’ in a group of friends, I knew that the only people that could relate to my experience of having ginger hair, funnily enough were other red heads. 

Olivia, a 6-foot model and natural redhead, agreed with my empty promises about dying my hair. “I’d always say that I’d dye it, but I knew I never would” she continues, “if I had brown hair I don’t think I’d be getting anywhere in this industry. My hair makes me stand out.”

Me and Olivia met on a recent photoshoot and it was one of the first times in my life I could share stories about the trials and tribulations of being ginger with a fellow redhead. I felt such a sense of relief when she told me she also felt “awkward and out of place” because of her hair colour. We discussed about whether we wanted our kids to be ginger and laughed about how the people that used to bully us  at school now praised us for our fiery locks. I agreed with her when she told me she thought that “ginger always looks better in a crowd,” and it was her unpretentious empathy that saw Olivia go from fellow redhead to a close friend of mine. “After all,” she says, “us gingers have to stick together.”

 

 

Posted on

“But ginger hair clashes with *insert colour here*”

I have ginger hair. I grew up loving fashion and as I got older I loved experimenting with vintage and charity shop finds. My wardrobe looked like a textiles factory had exploded in it; there were so many colours and textures and patterns.

I loved it, my mum (who also has ginger hair) however did not. “You can’t wear pink! It clashes with your hair!” Oh so many times I heard this sentence…

I’d put something on and get ready to leave the house only to be met with “But ginger hair clashes with *insert colour here*!”

I decided to challenge the ridiculous idea that ginger clashes with so many colours. I planned a photoshoot and chose three brightly coloured backdrops that were meant to *clash* with ginger hair but just as I thought, it did the opposite…

 

 

 

 

 

   

Posted on

7 Things Gingers Are Tired Of Hearing

  1. It never has been nor will it ever be funny for a stranger to yell “GINGER!!” in my face. I am quite aware that my hair is ginger, I don’t need a very loud and rude reminder that I am in fact ginger. Get out of my personal space and on with your day. Thank u, next!

  2. I would like to live the rest of my life without someone asking “Does the carpet match the curtains?” when asking about my pubic hair. Just don’t do it… Don’t even *think* about doing it. It’s unbelievably rude and absolutely NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. If it is really bothering you that much then use your common sense and keep your mouth shut.

  3. “I’ve never slept with a redhead” …*eyeroll* FYI, that is not a compliment! It makes me feel like the object of a weird fetish. You’ve never slept with a redhead before? Well, I can guarantee you, I will not be the first.

  4. Following on from my previous point… “I’ve got a *thing* for gingers”  Nope. Never. Just stop.

  5. “Oh my god, I’m like, sooo tanned compared to you!” Yep, unsurprisingly, being ginger my skin is fairly pale. Moving on…

  6. “Have you ever thought about dying it?” I mean, as a taunted teenager, it definitely crossed my mind, but NOPE! Name a better hair colour than ginger and I’ll consider it…. I’ll wait…

  7. “Is that your natural hair colour?” YAAAASSS! And isn’t it so amazing! Okay, I do like people asking this one so I can bashfully act like it’s not that great. But deep down under my modest facade I just know my hair is the best.

Posted on

Generation GenderiZation

Boys do cry

Whether it be tears of joy, tears of sadness or a cry for help within, this perception that crying is for the female gender only, is outdated.

Crying is something we all do, have the need to do, feel like doing and some of us feel guilty of doing so. I cry when I watch a soppy film, I cry when my dog goes back to his shared custody home, heck I cry when it’s my time of the month and I have to socialize with people. The point is, I cry, you cry and BOYS cry. Just because generations before us have been brought up in a society where crying is for girls and the weak, doesn’t mean generation Z and forthcoming generations can’t suggest a change.

Why is it that crying and showing emotions of physical sadness determine masculinity and femininity? Its 2019, why are boys still reluctant to admit that they cry. For years its always been MAN and WOMAN and nothing in-between, current society people are identifying as no gender or transgender, which means a lot for these people, including the acceptance to show a more stereotypical feminine emotion, such as crying.

We all, as humans, have the same pre-frontal cortex which is affected by our emotions from the limbic system in the temporal lobe, whether you’re boy or girl. In English, this means when we feel the urge to cry, we can, and sometimes have to. Gender differences doesn’t mean that boys don’t have these bodily functions and express sadness through literal tears just like girls do, we’re all made the same.

Just because boys are labelled the stronger more dominant gender doesn’t change the fact that they can struggle with mental health problems and deeper issues. The stigma around mental health is a whole new level to begin with, however adding boys into the equation is almost unspoken. In 2017, statistics showed that out of 5,821 suicides in the UK, 75% of these were boys suffering silently with mental health problems. Suicide is the most common cause of death for men ages between 20-49 years in the UK.

In December 2018, Tyson Fury, the renown and world famous champion heavyweight boxer, who is 6ft9 and 250lb, competed against Deontay Wilder in the battle to retain his champion and unbeaten title. There could only be one winner for this, for the strongest, toughest, hardest fighter. Tyson Fury explained to the world on many interviews, on the news and social media that 14 months beforehand he had struggled for a year with crippling depression. He had, in his words, ‘everything’. The money, family and children, cars, houses, name, reputation and he still felt like he did not want to be alive. He ballooned to 400lb, was drinking alcohol and taking drugs on a daily basis because of his depression, he admitted to nearly committing suicide and the world did not believe he could be successful in his fight.

Further research from twitter, a poll was created asking whether boys think it’s normal to cry or if only girls should. No surprise when only 6 boys admitted anonymously that they think it’s normal, and 21 other boys choosing the other option of only girls should, disappointing reality. Further to this, a Facebook questionnaire to see if boys would answer more openly when given multiple questions about showing emotions and which situations, they would be more likely too. A better response became of this and indicated that most boys cry when nobody is around because they feel they would be mocked for it. However, a number of boys commented that it is becoming more accepted for boys to cry and even seen as attractive to some girls as it shows sensitivity.

When interviewing Hamilton Flavio De Almeida, a 24-year-old aspiring electrical engineer graduate, he spoke about his struggles as a young black male in modern day society. Quarter African, quarter Portuguese, quarter Spanish and quarter English; Hamilton talks on the uneasiness of fitting in and the need to conform to typical masculine behaviors and stereotypes. When asked When asked “How do you feel about being open and expressing your emotions as a young male?” He responded by saying that “I’m naturally more of an emotional person due to the countries I have been brought up in – Spanish are a very open and loving community, whereas I feel the need to suppress any emotion if feeling it in a negative way in England just because I think I will be judged, because I’m already different to begin with.” And when asked a more direct question “Would you cry in public?” He laughed and shook his head with the simple response “Never!”

For the ones who feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit to similar issues, it’s okay not to be okay and everybody needs to be spreading this message.

One thing’s for sure, boys do cry and that’s a fact. Hide no more and end the stigma.

Feeling trapped in his own emotions
A young Chanel makeup artist who is breaking into the industry being a gay man, showing makeup has no gender
Our gender does not define us, masculine or feminine or a bit of both
Posted on

Homosexuality and The Church: Acceptance vs Rejection

Within my research for my article on homosexuality in Christianity, I spoke to a pastor in Northern Ireland from a church I have visited many times and I have always felt welcome in his presence. I reached out to him to see if he would answer a few questions for me and I think it speaks volumes that although he was “happy to do so,” there was one pressing issue with him saying “I would like to be kept anonymous as I wouldn’t want to upset anyone.”

I started by asking him the age-old question, ‘Do you feel as being gay is a sin?’

Yes, there are many biblical verses which support the view that the act of being gay is a sin. See, Leviticus 20:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. But it is also important to look at the bible in the context of love. That is the angle in which I will always peach the gospel as love because to me the whole message of Christianity is love

Have you ever peached on homosexuality and put it out there that if anyone was struggling with it they could come to the church?

I have not done this. I’m not sure a sermon is the place to address this. It could upset a lot of people in the church. Also, the biblical verses are not conclusive of what side we should take on this, an argument could be made for and against LGBT tolerance and I think each has to make their own decision. 

If asked by a member of the church to speak on the subject would you?

I would discuss in a more informal setting, such as a one on one conversation or small group, like a Bible study session but I have to say it plays on my mind and its something I struggle with as I want to be able to just say they come to me, but I worry people may get offended. There are no LGBTQ people in my congregation that I know of, that doesn’t mean that there is none or that member of my church does not have friends or family members that are. I mean I am only one man I am not god I don’t know all the answers.”

What do you think would happen if one of the members of the congregation were to publicly come out to the church?

I think this would really split the congregation. I believe the split would be age-dependent, we have an amazing group of younger Christians in the churched which is are blessed to have and I think they would be more supportive than the elder. But there may be a few that go against that pattern. I also believe that the supporting group would be the minority.

Do you feel a gay man can be a Christian?

From my experiences as a Christian for many years now to me any human who accepts Jesus as their saviour and has a relationship with him is a Christian. Anyone can have that, regardless of sexuality. We were made to sin and everyone sins, once you expect the holy spirit in heart and know that Jesus died on the cross for you and live your life with the Lord guiding you then I think anyone would really struggle with not calling that person a Christian.

Posted on

The young and diverse on what makes them hopeful for the future

Captured in the streets of London, Newcastle and York.

Imran Suleiman, 21, East London, Photographer.

Describe yourself…I like simple things. Laughing in sync with someone, being alone, or happy dreams that I remember. When do you feel most confident?… When I can be myself around people without judgement floating in the air. Describe your generation...The generation I’m from is the one of trends and deep social comparison. The generation I’m from is one of immigrants and takeaway shops. The generation I’m from is one of nostalgia and the Internet destroying traditional TV. Who do you consider to be the voice of your generation? … I come from a generation where anyone can have a voice because of the Internet, so it’s difficult to pinpoint it on one person. The voices of our generation are the ones we subscribe to and choose to give our time to, rather than 15/20 years ago when we had little choice in whose voices we were listening to, the internet has given us more choice to absorb information on our own accord. What change would you like to see in the world in 2018/19?…I’m not sure. My life is quite trivial and I barely pay attention to politics and the world around me too much so I wouldn’t know how to answer that question. What makes you hopeful for the future? … Accessibility to things and the ability to make and be whoever you are because of the internet and technology. It’s a hopeful time to be an aspiring filmmaker like myself because it’s getting easier and easier to make one. What is the most important thing happening in culture right now?… 6ix9ine is potentially getting a life sentence for pretending to live the life of a gangster when really, he should have been taking care of his daughter and making smarter decisions. Do you feel represented in society?… I come from East London which is a hugely multi-cultural society, even taking London as a whole it is quite a representative of my life and my passions, so I would say so yes. This is your chance to speak out. What have you got to say?… Life after graduation is one of uncertainty, especially for a freelancer like myself trying to financially survive and be happy, but I enjoy the grind and I hope I can be successful in whatever it is that I do.

Simone Watikel, 21, Newcastle, Student.

Describe yourself…I am a creative, conscientious, approachable, self-aware and hardworking young black woman. When do you feel most confident? … I’m a writer and I love to create new articles on my blog page ‘Ethereal Truth’ about many of society’s underlying and ignored issues. So, for me, I’d say that I feel most confident when I’ve produced a new piece. I only put my writing out for praise or critique when I feel proud and happy with it and so, that’s when I’d say I am most confident. When I feel as though I’ve achieved something which will help to positively influence the world and hopefully make even one small change. Describe your generation… I think our generation is very obsessed with social media and technology and as a result, are becoming self-absorbed and more concerned with life on screen, rather the world off-screen. We’re constantly comparing our lives to others and I think this is massively detrimental to the mental health of this generation. Of course, there are many generational activists trying to make a difference, though I think there are also too many people who try to keep up the façade of being ‘woke’ because they see it as trendy. Being ‘woke’ and ‘conscious’ is fashionable on social media, but upholding that image is futile if you aren’t upholding these same ideals and helping to better the world around us. Who do you consider to be the voice of your generation?…l I’m not sure I’d say there is a voice of our generation and I do think that’s a big issue. Our generation is dependant on role models of the past in order to progress. We always refer to our ancestors’ actions in their society, but we too will be ancestors. It’s a cycle and we need to try and create a world that we would be happy for our children to live in. We will be who the future generations look to, to inform their present. Role models of previous generations should definitely have huge influences on the 21st century, but I don’t there is really a voice of my generation that is directly informing us and the situations we are confronted with. What change would you like to see in the world in 2018/19?… I would really like the big issues of racism, sexism, homophobia and colourism – amongst many others – to be expunged. However, hopefully it’s not too cynical to say that I’m not sure this will be accomplished within the next year. What I would really like to see is people being kinder to one another. People are so wrapped up in social media and absorbed in their own lives, that sometimes it becomes easy to overlook or to forget to check in on others. Kindness is free. Check up on your friends and family and don’t be afraid to do a selfless good deed. What makes you hopeful for the future?… I think I’m most hopeful for the future, when I look at the people around me – particularly those on my course – actively trying to make a difference. There is such an emphasis now on allowing all voices, even the oppressed and marginalised, to be heard. Hopefully in the future, with movements like ‘#MeToo’ these voices will not be silenced but will be treated with respect. What is the most important thing happening in culture right now?… I think the most important thing happening in culture right now is that black people are representing themselves in the music industry. They are no longer relying on big music producers to get their name in the charts, but instead, are relying on the support of their community. There’s been a big influx of African music which is frequently played on the radio and its great music of our heritage being widely accepted, as well as seeing how black artists influence other music styles. Do you feel represented in society?… To an extent. Society is very concerned with trying to appear representational and thus, you see more black people on television and in the media, than you would have done 50 years ago. But, I think these representations are still very limiting. Often, the black women portrayed on screenplay into stereotypes, or the media chooses only to include lighter-skinned black women. I recognise that there are more people of colour on our screens, but I think the media need to recognise that the images they are showcasing, are not representative of a variety of people of colour. This is your chance to speak out. What have you got to say?…I really want to emphasise to my generation the importance of voting. In the last referendum, it remained shocking for me to see the lack of 18-24-year-olds who voted. You might not be into politics, but you should be concerned with your future. The things that are currently being discussed by the PM and MP’s will affect us. There were a lot of elderly people who voted in the referendum, but this is not their future. It’s ours. The decisions being made now will affect us, our children and families. Vote.

Angelee Kholia, 22, West London, Magazine Editor.

Describe yourself… Adventurous, fun, creative, willing to try new thingsWhen do you feel most confident? …I feel the most confident and undefeatable when I’ve dressed my best and wearing my favourite clothes. I believe that when you dress your best, you act more out-going and confident. Describe your generation…Often too attached to their phones and devices, and too consumed on modelling themselves to this ideal that celebrities paint on social media. But on a positive note, I’d like to think that a lot of young individuals are using their voice more to fight for things they believe in. Who do you consider to be the voice of your generation?… A few people- Florence Given, Jack Harries, Simran Randawa What change would you like to see in the world in 2018/19?… More changes within governments and companies to combat environmental issues. More social justice for women in the world. But, personally, I would like to see more platforms and programmes in place for graduates. It’s so hard to get a job in this economic climate, that jobs for graduates are limited and opportunities are slim. What makes you hopeful for the future?… Young people using their voices more whether that’s in relation to political, educational or environmental issues. It makes me hopeful that the world will be a progressive and better place in the future, I fully believe in and trust youngsters. What is the most important thing happening in culture right now?… More people of colour and LGBTQ communities getting recognition for their work and gaining more space in the media. It’s great to see! This is your chance to speak out. What have you got to say?… Be true to who you are, it will see you well. There are so many people on this planet but there’s only one of you. Being yourself is unique and will catch the eye of future employers and potential business partners.

Alizeh Shaikh, 23, York, Doctor.

Describe yourself…I always describe myself as a jellyfish, I sort of just float around the earth with no aim except for survival because I’m too sentient for my own good. Every now and again I’ll spot something in the distance that I’m curious about or I’ll create a goal or ambition in my head and push myself to get there. But besides that, I’m just a ‘floater-alonger’ trying to make sense of the strange environment around me. Don’t bother me, and I won’t bother you. When do you feel most confident?…  When I have heels on, or in front of a large audience. I find that putting on an act of confidence always in turn gives me real confidence, a fake it till you make it kind of thing. When I am interacting with somebody who is engaged in what I have to say. There is nothing worse than speaking to somebody who is only physically present, but they’re actually away with the fairies. And I know their lack of interest is a reflection of THEM but it’s difficult to feel confident when somebody doesn’t want to engage with you in any way. When I am with my family. I am most comfortable then, and when I am most comfortable, I am most confident. Describe your generation… I believe my generation counts as the millennials? We are fighters. We are confused, we are poor, we have been degraded and degraded and degraded by past generations so much that we believe we are as useless as we are told. And for a long while we’ve believed we were as lost as we have been told. However, with technology advancing rapidly, and future generations rising to the surface, I think we’re finding our place on this earth and putting our foot down and forging our own paths. It’s difficult to describe an entire generation because that is asking me to describe millions of individuals who are undoubtedly each so unique that every one of those human beings could have a whole biography written about them. So, I think we’re diverse. I also think that we’re a sad generation because there is so much wrong that we can’t seem to unsolve, yet. I think we’re unsupported. I think we’re deserving of something better. I think we’re aware and we’re altruistic and we’re less greedy than past generations have been. I think we’re open-minded and we’re forgiving, and we’re intelligent. And I think that we have so much potential, but we’re just confused. Who do you consider to be the voice of your generation?… There isn’t one person, or three people, or even ten individuals, who stand out to me as spokespeople for my generation. Standing together and standing united is the only way my generation has ever been heard. So all of us. What change would you like to see in the world in 2018/19?… For people to show more compassion and kindness, to themselves, to other human beings, and to the earth and environment they call their home. A shift from the constant need to divide and segregate, to unity and understanding. For there to be a push towards sustainable living and less waste created. What makes you hopeful for the future?…  Seeing altruism in practice. I’ve always thought selfishness is one of humanity’s fatal flaws and so seeing altruistic behaviour makes me believe there’s another way and it’s not just about surviving in a dog-eat-dog world. How many different dairy-free milk’s are available these days and how they’re much more readily available and accessible than a decade ago. More and more people are becoming environmentally aware which gives me hope that we can achieve sustainability and not just destroy the earth we live on in hope that there’s another planet out there for us.When I make eye contact with somebody in the streets and they smile at me. That always makes me feel like there is hope. What is the most important thing happening in culture right now? The slow but sure acceptance of diversity. Causing a parallel shift towards peaceful indifference and peace.Do you feel represented in society?…
I do and I don’t. I think an individual has numerous identities, for example, their gender is one identity they carry, their ethnicity another, their sexuality another, their qualification status another, etc. As somebody who belongs to numerous minorities, I feel under-represented in the society that surrounds me and in the media both locally and globally.However, I also feel like I don’t try hard enough to make my identities known, or to represent my own self in society. I think it’s everybody’s responsibility to find their identity and play a part in representing themselves, there should be no such thing as minorities, if enough people spoke out and enough people were willing to listen to those speaking out, everybody could have a voice and feel represented because THEY would be doing the representing rather than taking a seat back and waiting for other people represent your identity for you. This is your chance to speak out. What have you got to say?… Just a reminder that being kind and being considerate doesn’t cost anything but you reap so much from doing so. You gain patience, and you gain peace, and you gain insight, understanding, perspective, self-restraint. It costs nothing and yet it’s invaluable, so be kind to yourself and to those around you and to the earth that you live on.

Amrit, 21, East London, Student.
(Featured model)

Alicia, 19, South London, Student.
(Featured model)

STYLED/PHOTOGRAPHED BY SALEENA BAZ.