It's been a while...

Something has given me a bee in my bonnet. During a recent dinner gathering with friends it was noticed that 3 of us (including me) all had grey jeans, black tops and dark boots on. A friend, excluded from these similarities, pointed it out and we were all "oh yeah, funny..." "haha", as you do. Now, the 3 of us were me, a female, and 2 of my guy friends. I was wearing a t shirt and the boys were wearing long sleeves. The only difference. Right?

No. Apparently it was completely different because I'm "a girl".

Half my wardrobe is probably guys t shirts, trainers and boots... They just fit better; I certainly have known guys to buy female fit jeans because they are stretchy which obviously means way more comfortable, who doesn't like stretchy trousers?! But even people, who I believed to be in the modern world, are still stuck behind the times when it comes to gender equality. 

Now, with the recent calamity that has hit the United States (and has united the rest of the world) it seems very apt to be writing this. Feminism appears to be residing in the minds of many, but unfortunately not in the minds of all. Marches took place across the globe this weekend caused by natural loathing towards a man who has been recorded bragging about sexually assaulting women. He-who-shall-not-be-named has claimed that women will be punished for abortion; most are outraged that their bodies and livelihoods are being forced into the shooting range.

“Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights,” - Hillary Clinton, Sept. 5, 1995

It's insanity that some of the human race still believe that anyone of different gender, sexuality or ethnic background should be treated differently. I'm not naive enough to pass on the fact that there is still a divide in some societal situations between these human differences but I didn't quite realise the substantial effect it is still having on some people's mindsets.

Let's hope and pray that the majority will solidify and not allow the corrupt minority to ooze through. I believe, even though this feels like a step back for politics, this is certainly a giant surge forward for the unity of of people and voices.

Peace out xo

Only you know yourself

Why should we be told what we feel is wrong? Who we know we are is wrong? Who has the right to tell us who to be? 

I woke up this morning and saw this video on Facebook. It's so heartwarming and I'm so so glad to see that not only have Ryland's parents been overwhelmingly supportive of their son, the online community, not only that of LGBT, have been immensely praising too. 

I was a "tomboy" as a kid, as I'm sure many of you were. Played sports, would rather go outside in the woods, on your bike, than sit in and play "families" with your dollies. I'm sure many of you guys played with Barbies, dollies and walked around with your legs pressed together shouting "I'm a girl" (like Ross on FRIENDS). Always told "they'll grow out of it". Some people don't "grow out of it". Some people are trapped inside the wrong bodies.


Allow your voice to be heard.

No one has the right to criticise what you do, who you want to be or who you feel you are. Dress how you want. Wear make up. Dye your hair. Wake up and walk out the door with bed hair. Embrace yourself and allow others to flourish around you.

Where's the originality?

We’re all pretty boring nowadays. Remember seeing those pictures of your mum with her crazy Mohawk or the tightest perm you’ve ever seen. How often do you see those styles now? We have full fringe, box fringe, centre parting. Short, medium, long length. What happened to originality? 

You walk through Brighton and  expect to see all types of different people but in reality everyone has that same coat from Topshop. The same "hipster" dream catcher hanging around their necks. And, dare I say it, those Levi shorts. These are all supposed to be expressing individuality and creativity, but really everyone is following the crowd of 'indies'. 

Indie, originally a short for 'independent' has now become a subculture itself. Emerging in the mid-2000s, 'Indie Kids' were inspired by retro fashions from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, based on Mods, Hippies, Punk and Grunge.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/543598617494363695/

Primitively supposed to be anybody that was individual in the way they expressed and presented themselves, the term 'Indie' has become a subculture in its own right. Although, something that actually makes these guys 'individual', buying second hand. You can walk down Brighton Laines and probably pick up your dads awful outfit he wooed your mum in (that now, he talks about how 'fashionable' he was 'back in the day'). 5 years ago you would have laughed, and probably cringed when the old photo albums came out. Now, you're sitting in that same 'ugly sweater' and Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star. However, stores including American Apparel and Urban Outfitters are now being associated with being 'Indie'. 

Fashion is an ever revolving thing, with eras coming back all the time. Brace yourselves. According to the Metro, 'it's safe to do the double with denim'. Think Bewitched dancing in a field. The 90's are creeping their way back in. Run while you can!

Peace out xo 

Metro - Double Denim

The beautiful truth...

This is the beginning of a very long battle against our judgmental society and its poor perception of what "beauty" is. I'm so thankful to everyone who has signed already, with their photo, and those who have positively commented on my blog. However,  I want this to be a joint progress, it's you guys just as much as me that are going to make the change that is needed, I'm just the scribe. 

Sign below...

 

We need to broaden this quiet petition against what the media makes us think is "perfection". So this is where you come in... All I'm asking is for you to take a photo of yourself in the morning as soon as you wake up for me to post anonymously on my blog... Why do we need to care what people think? If as many of you as possible can do this I will be VERY grateful!

Email @ wanderlust.fashion.art@gmail.com

Snapchat @sophielbacon

Peace out xo

Forget that orange "glow", we're all turning into vampires

So everyone has seen that girl (or guy) who looks like they've had a fight with a Wotsit, but how many take much notice if we see someone of the opposite? Someone who looks like they've walked through a cloud of talcum powder. You just assume it's natural, right? 

I didn't realise how popular "Skin Bleaching" was until I "Googled" it. The late Michael Jackson is an obvious example, although the King of Pop denied the use of any skin lightening products, after his death detectives found large quantities of general anesthetic and dozens of tubes of skin bleaching creams in his home.

 

Skin lightening creams can cause, thinning of skin, uneven colour, redness, intense irritation and not to mention you're putting bleach on your face!!! They contain illegal compounds that can damage your health and high dose steroids. 

Professionals are urging you to remember that over the counter creams are not necessarily medically approved and can seriously, permanently, damage your skin. 

Why do we do such crazy things just to look "better"?!

Peace out xo

London Art Fair Discussion - Laura Hynd

Control of the Frame: Power, Representation & Identity in Photography - Laura Hynd - "The Letting Go"

 

Thanks to Pam Glew, I was able to attend London Art Fair where I went to a discussion about "Power, Representation & Identity in Photography", organised by PhotoVoice. The final panelist was Laura Hynd who spoke about her latest project, "The Letting Go". 

For this she became "the submissive" and allowed others to photographer her as part of a healing process to help her move on and push forward in life. The collection is a "personal and confessional series of photographs, portraits and self-portraits". She let others photograph her to reveal something personal and to help deal with her own and others' perceptions of her. 

During the discussion she showed a video of her photos in a montage instead of talking, but the images spoke for themselves. Each individual photograph has a very personal story behind it, and they speak very strongly as a collective. 

The notion of loosing control and allowing others to take lead was a strong part in her work. "My photographic ideas and private notions have been challenged and developed. Becoming the submissive during a photo shoot, trusting others and allowing self-portraiture to tell the story of a critical shift."

Everyone deals with suffering and pain in life differently. Although Laura never actually said what has happened to her, you can feel the lifting of social pressures and pain from personal experiences through her work. She has begun to realise that other peoples' perception of you shouldn't effect your daily life. You are you because of personal experiences during your existence.

Peace out xo

London Art Fair Discussion - Ryan Crawford

Control of the Frame: Power, Representation & Identity in Photography- Ryan Crawford

Thanks to Pam Glew, I was able to attend London Art Fair where I went to a discussion about "Power, Representation & Identity in Photography", organised by PhotoVoice. The third panelist to voice their work was Ryan Crawford, made homeless at just sixteen. He spoke about his tough time sofa-surfing and sleeping on park benches, before moving to Nottingham, getting a room and being accepted onto an Mechanics college course.

 
This photograph, "Running out of fire, running out of time", shows him in a thermal blanket given to him by a youth centre. The focus being on the "fire" colour of the blanket showing the passion burning in himself to keep going, to stay alive. After a long time on the streets Ryan was able to move to Nottingham and get a place, although he still had finance issues and often found himself without heating. Thankfully, he then found a place he could call home with people he could rely on. 




While he was talking you could tell the strength of the emotion behind his photos. Photography seemed to be an escape, a sanity, during his hard times. I'm sure many can relate to this feeling, escapism and freedom in something you love. Blocking out the rest of the world, especially the bad. If not, you should try it. 

Peace out xo