If 2018 has already left you in need of a good laugh then listen up, because we at Refinery29 have some big news! We've teamed up with Prime Video, the makers of this year's smash hit TV comedy The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, to bring you a night of comedy you won't want to miss. On Tuesday 6th March, come and spend an evening celebrating the hilarious, as London's Bethnal Green Working Men's club is transformed into the far wittier (and, let's be honest, probably far better-looking) Bethnal Green Working (Wo)men's Club. Inspired by Mrs Maisel herself, the iconic east London arts venue will become a beacon of the best female comedy talent in the business.
Refinery29 and Prime Video have curated a roster of spectacularly funny women to take to the stage, including Sofie Hagen and Evelyn Mok. Side-splitting, gut-busting, rolling-on-the-floor-at-the-sheer-hilarity-of-it-all laughter guaranteed. Not enough to tempt you? How about the promise of a free drink on us with your ticket and entry to our extra-special afterparty hosted by the amazing an amazing guest DJ? We thought that might win you over!
So how do you get a slice of this action? Comedy! with Refinery29 and Prime Video will take place at Bethnal Green Working (Wo)men's Club on Tuesday 6th March. The comedy will have you rolling in the aisles from 7pm and the afterparty will start at 10pm. The event is totally free but you still need to book your tickets through Eventbrite. Spaces are limited so don't wait! Did you hear the one about the R29 reader who missed out on a ticket to this fantastic night? That's something we don't even want to joke about...
Attendees must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. Please be aware that booking an e-ticket for a free event does not guarantee your place. Admission is on a first come, first served basis for ticket-holders. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.
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After several seasons of snakeskin (faux, of course), zebra patterns and teddy textures, AW18 marks the triumphant return of the leopard-print coat. It kicked off with Victoria Beckham's last show on New York Fashion Week's schedule before her UK homecoming. While all the front row chatter should've been around her 10th anniversary and catwalk departure (she'll be showing via presentations from next season onwards), what captured fashion's finest – and thus our Instagram feeds – was instead the belted leopard-print trench coat she showcased.
Simply styled with a high-necked black blouse, work-appropriate trousers, and patent black shoes, it was a fresh and contemporary take on an enduring and iconic staple. “Everyone’s obsessed with this leopard-print coat,” she told Vogue after the show. “It was based on a Venetian upholstery fabric which was super heavy, woven in one of the oldest factories in Italy, and we reworked it as a chenille jacquard.” By steering clear of the faux texture with which the likes of Shrimps and Alexachung have spoiled us, and instead opting for this heavy, solid fabric, Beckham has brought the '60s signifier into 2018.
Photos: Getty Images
A flurry of further appearances throughout this season only confirms that whichever cut, colour or fabric you choose, a leopard-print coat will be your outerwear of choice next winter. Paul Surridge – the British designer at the helm of Roberto Cavalli, now on his second season for the brand – presented a sexed-up Basic Instinct -inspired collection in Milan, with leopard-print appearing via cropped biker jackets in silver hues on women and knee-skimming aubergine coats on men.
Tom Ford's electric take was another show to light up Instagram, where he spliced puffer-faux fur hybrids in fuchsias, tangerines and Byzantine blues. Leopard spots of varying sizes were combined on power-shouldered coats, while a neon red bomber with exaggerated sleeves and a leather collar cemented the return of the '80s this season. Max Mara, too, offered up plenty of the print, with a smoky-eyed Gigi Hadid strutting down the catwalk in head-to-toe leopard.
Photos: Getty Images
An enduring classic, the leopard-print coat has made its way through cultural history and somehow still maintains its relevance. Whether seen on Anne Bancroft's Mrs Robinson in 1967's The Graduate, with her marvellously coiffed hair under a matching pillbox hat, or Barbra Streisand in her black-trimmed coat in '68's Funny Girl, we're constantly looking back to the '60s for inspiration. In the '00s, Kate Moss revived the staple with her rolled-out-of-bed blonde tresses and penchant for a black skinny jean, while over the past decade, Alexa Chung has had us head over heels once again, donning many an iteration of the leopard coat.
And now it's back on the streets of fashion month, mirroring its victorious return to the catwalks. Julia Restoin Roitfeld wore a car coat by House of Fluff – a newly established faux fur brand – at London Fashion Week earlier this month, while Caroline Issa wore a longer length monochrome piece in New York. Anna Dello Russo paired hers – in one of the more understated outfits we've seen from the Vogue Japan editor – with leather sock boots and opaque tights in Milan.
Photos: Getty Images
We're currently smitten with Shrimps' Papa Puss coat, with its removable lemon faux fur collar, and H&M 's collarless round-necked number, which we'll be styling over a spring-bright rollneck and kick-flare jeans. If you love the print but textures aren't your thing, go streamlined with Boden's Imelda coat, which will see you through to warmer climes, too.
While this autumn and winter have zoned in on the vinyl trench, teddy textured coats, and ubiquitous puffer jacket, we're more than willing to bet that you'll be investing in a leopard-print coat next year – or, in fact, digging up the one you put in storage all those years ago.
Scented hair mists are lightweight multitaskers that do more than just smell nice. The high alcohol content in your perfume can dry out your hair strands, while the oiliness of them can make your freshly washed locks greasy. So we've rounded up our hero hair mists, featuring products that protect colour, minimise static, detangle and hydrate damaged tresses. They're also a cheaper alternative to your favourite fragrances, which often come with a hefty price tag.
So where do they fit into your haircare routine? Percy & Reed cofounder Adam Reed explains: "Hair perfume should be the last thing that you apply to your hair. After styling simply shake the can, spray into the air before walking through for the perfect shine and finish. Wait a few seconds before touching your hair."
Read on for our edit of the best hair mists that will envelop your tresses with musk, citrus and floral scents.
Sachajuan finishing mist doesn't just smell divine. This lightweight hair perfume protects against colour fading, minimises static and promotes shine for gorgeously glossy locks.
Sachajuan Protective Hair Perfume, £40, available at Cult Beauty
The addictive scent of Gypsy Water in a handy hair mist is going straight in our basket. Spritz onto styled hair for a luxurious finish.
Byredo Gypsy Water Hair Perfume, £42, available at Space NK
Percy & Reed designed its Eau My Goodness Shine and Fragrance Spray with two ideas in mind, says Reed: ultra light distribution on the hair to give you great shine with a beautiful scent. What more do you need?
Percy & Reed Eau My Goodness Shine And Fragrance Spray, £22, available at Feel Unique
Enriched with nourishing camellia oil, Diptyque's Eau Rose hair mist is a delicate blend of blackcurrant, cedar and honey, leaving a scented veil of fragrance on your tresses.
Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist, £36, available at Selfridges
A classic among hair mists. Chanel recommends spraying it onto your brush to envelop hair with the iconic fragrance.
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Fresh Hair Mist, £34, available at John Lewis
Treat your tresses with Balmain's blend of silk proteins and argan oil. Working to repair dry, damaged and weak hair, use as a finishing spray or a leave-in conditioner to help detangle locks.
Balmain Hair Silk Perfume, £24.25, available at Look Fantastic
Fans of musk, look no further. Slip Narciso Rodriguez's For Her hair mist into your handbag for fragrance touch-ups throughout the day.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Hair Mist, £27, available at Harrods
One of the original hair mists, Alien's blend of sambac jasmine, cashmere wood and white ember makes for a rich, long-lasting fragrance.
Thierry Mugler Alien Hair Mist, £22, available at Boots
Indulge in Tom Ford's Black Orchid fragrance. Containing UVA and UVB filters, it protects from the damaging effects of the sun and leaves hair with a luminous sheen.
Tom Ford Black Orchid Hair Mist, £50, available at Feel Unique
Refresh your hair between washes without reaching for dry shampoo with Oribe's 'Côte d'Azur Hair Refresher. Enriched with aloe and amber extracts, it minimises static and hydrates locks to ensure they look freshly washed at all times. It won't affect your keratin treatments or newly dyed tresses.
Oribe Côte D'azur Hair Refresher, £22, available at Net-A-Porter
Not strictly a hair mist, but British perfumer Lyn Harris takes credit for the subtle, fresh but floral scent in Sam McKnight's Cool Girl texturising spray. Spritz liberally through the hair and roots for the signature ‘done’ yet ever so slightly dishevelled look for which McKnight is famous.
Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl, £25, available at Feel Unique
Ahead of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s biggest Costume Institute exhibition to date, which opens in May, fashion's key players met with leaders of the Catholic faith at the Galleria Colonna yesterday to preview some of the artefacts that will be on display during the show. Curator Andrew Bolton said at a press conference last night that we can expect Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination to be one of the museum's most ambitious undertakings to date.
Opening on the first Monday in May, Heavenly Bodies will borrow around 40 liturgical pieces spanning 15 papacies from the Vatican, some of which have never left the sacristy (where vestments and items of worship are held). On Monday evening, guests at Rome's Baroque Palazzo Colonna – a formal papal residence – were treated to a glimpse of the opulent religious vestiges. Anna Wintour, the exhibition's co-chair, teamed her signature pristine bob with a royal red velvet dress, complete with a high neck and pinched shoulders, while Italian designer Donatella Versace wore a neon patchwork dress emblazoned with Vogue covers from the Versace SS18 collection.
Photo: Domenico Stinellis/AP/REX/Shutterstock
On show was an embroidered silk cape worn by Pope Benedict XV, Pope Benedict XIV's 18,000-diamond tiara, and Pope Leo XIII's bishop's hat. The question on everyone's lips, though, was how does one exhibit such relics, and indeed explore such a subject, while remaining respectful of the religious? “Some might consider fashion to be an unfitting or unseemly medium by which to engage with ideas about the sacred or the divine,” Bolton said to guests in Rome yesterday. “But dress is central to any discussion about religion. It affirms religious allegiances and, by extension, it asserts religious differences.”
"Fashion reflects the world around us and nobody understands that more clearly than Andrew," Wintour told the press. "When I go to these fashion exhibitions, I'm always so amazed to see people from all sides of the globe and all walks of life really studying the exhibitions, understanding that fashion does not operate in a vacuum."
Heavenly Bodies clearly has the church's approval, with the Vatican's culture minister Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi addressing the audience and noting both the necessity and symbolism of clothing within religion. “God himself was concerned with dressing his creatures,” he stated.
Regardless of how you feel about the show, Girls has left a legacy on pop culture. It’s a quintessential example of the old saying “you either love it or hate it.” Hoards of millennials herald Lena Dunham’s brainchild as a beacon of honest acceptance and validation of what it’s like to navigate life as a 20-something woman. On the other hand, from its beginning, many people thought Girls and its creator offered a version of Brooklyn and millennialism that erased people of colour. In fact, a two-episode guest stint by Donald Glover in the second season seemed to be a direct response to the latter criticism.
Glover played Sandy, a black Republican and the boyfriend to Hannah Horvath (Dunham). In true Girls fashion, their romance included some onscreen sex, and Hannah ultimately fucking up the relationship with her own self-centredness. Now, a new profile for the New Yorker describes an interaction between Glover and Dunham that took place after Sandy’s run had come and gone. It touches on Glover’s feelings about how black people — or at least Sandy — existed in the Girls universe. I thought that Glover’s cameo was a sign of uncritical support for Dunham. I’m happy to report I was wrong.
As quickly as their relationship began, Hannah and Sandy broke up, and he took it as an opportunity to call her out for being a caricature of white girl clueless. “'Oh, I’m a white girl, and I moved to New York and I’m having a great time,' and, 'Oh, I’ve got a fixed-gear bike, and I’m going to date a black guy and we’re going to go to a dangerous part of town,'” Sandy mocked. By Dunham’s own admission, Glover improvised all of these lines; meaning that Glover was delivering a read of white feminism that was truly from the heart. And in a series of events that I have personally seen play out too many times in real life, too — one in which privileged people lean into being dragged like a masochistic sport — Dunham emailed Glover afterward to say that she hoped that he didn’t feel his part on Girls had “tokenised” him. She clearly learned nothing from the backlash following Macklemore’s infamous “You got robbed” text to better fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar in 2014.
But this isn’t about Dunham. It’s about Glover being both weird and woke, a combination that gives me a sense of pride, lust, and truthfully, relief. “Let’s not think back on mistakes we made in the past, let’s just focus on what lies in front of us,” is the response Dunham claims to have gotten in response to her email. His reply didn’t take the passive tone that many people of colour have to adopt while addressing racism and other microaggressions in professional settings. Nor did Glover give Dunham a pass for creating a character in response to accusations that Girls was racist. In his own way, he urged Dunham to do better, while acknowledging that his casting on the show wasn’t all the work that needed to be done. And in case Glover’s coy message didn’t make it clear, I’ll spell it out. Despite the great scene in which Sandy effectively told Hannah “about herself,” Sandy was not critical to Hannah’s life, or the show in any substantial way. Hannah went back to being trash, and Sandy went away. So yes, he was a token, and one of the few characters of colour to have a storyline bounce off the overall Girls storyline as if it never existed in the first place.
That Glover is woke shouldn’t come as a surprise after the success of his hit show Atlanta, an undeniable ode to contemporary blackness. Accepting an award for Atlanta at last year’s Golden Globes, he thanked Migos for making “Bad & Boujee” in his speech. He quietly provided notes to Ryan Coogler on this year’s biggest and blackest film, Black Panther. And ahead of Atlanta’s sophomore season, he’s been gushing to media outlets about why his next role — he’s playing Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story — is so important. Calrissian, originally played by Billy Dee Williams, was the only black character in the Star Wars franchise until 1999, and Glover told Esquir e that he still remembers his dad buying him the figurine. Glover is black AF, and he owns it.
But before Glover evolved into Childish Gambino, his rapper alter ego, I had no clue who he was. I didn’t watch Community, nor 30 Rock. I don’t personally know any black people who did. And even though I’ve always vibed with Glover’s music stylistically, some of his lyrical themes — like being a social outcast — were also out of my purview. Not even his stand up special, Weirdo, spoke to me. Admittedly, before Because the Internet, his second studio album, I felt confident Glover’s ability to appeal to white sensibilities and tastes would always win out. I imagined his gripes on his album Camp being about white women who wouldn’t date him because he was black and getting co-signs on his music by the same white kids who listen to Macklemore. Some or all of that may be true, but at least now I can rest assured that he didn’t play Sandy just to give Dunham a co-sign when everyone else thought she was problematic.
Women affected by the Syrian conflict have been sexually exploited in return for aid by men working on behalf of the UN and international charities, according to reports.
Aid workers operating in the area said the men would ask for sexual favours in return for food and lifts, and that some women were avoiding collecting aid altogether because people would assume they had received it in exchange for offering up their bodies, the BBC reported.
The abuse is often carried out by third parties and local officials who have access to dangerous and remote parts of Syria that humanitarian agencies do not. Agencies and charities are therefore more likely to overlook the allegations because they cannot access the areas themselves.
The allegations are the latest in a long line of reports of sexual misconduct within the charity and humanitarian sectors since the Oxfam sex scandal broke earlier this month.
Humanitarian adviser Danielle Spencer said she first heard women from Syria make allegations of sexual exploitation in return for aid in a refugee camp in Jordan in March 2015, and yet it continues. She told the BBC she had seen men "withholding aid that had been delivered and then using these women for sex".
"It was so endemic that they couldn't actually go without being stigmatised," she continued. "It was assumed that if you go to these distributions, that you will have performed some kind of sexual act in return for aid."
A new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on gender-based violence in the country also concluded that aid distributions are not received for free most of the time. In focus group discussions with women in Syria, the report said: "Examples were given of women or girls marrying officials for a short period of time for ‘sexual services’ in order to receive meals, distributors asking for telephone numbers of women and girls, giving them lifts to their houses ‘to take something in return’ or obtaining distributions ‘in exchange for a visit to her home’ or ‘in exchange for services, such as spending a night with them’."
Those most at risk of being abused are "women and girls ‘without male protectors’, such as widows and divorcees as well as female IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons)," it concluded.
Allegations were also reported by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in June 2015, which said the practice was "widespread", with about 40% of the women and girls it surveyed in Syria saying they had experienced sexual violence when they were accessing services and aid.
UN agencies and international charities reportedly met to discuss the issue in July 2015, with many organisations, including the IRC and the charity Care, altering their procedures to better protect women and girls as a result. Despite all this, the abuse has carried on and aid workers say it has been going on for potentially far longer.
Spencer said "sexual exploitation and abuse of women and girls has been ignored" and known about for seven years. "The UN and the system as it currently stands have chosen for women's bodies to be sacrificed," she told the BBC. "Somewhere there has been a decision made that it is OK for women's bodies to continue to be used, abused, violated in order for aid to be delivered for a larger group of people."
UN agencies and charities including Oxfam and Unicef said they have zero tolerance policies on such abuse and were not currently aware of allegations against them in the region.
Meanwhile, the Department for International Development said it was not aware of any sexual abuse cases involving UK aid and that there were "mechanisms already in place to raise issues of abuse and exploitation". Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also said the government was "committed to a zero tolerance approach" and does not support agencies involved in such activities.
Diana Semaan, Syria researcher at Amnesty International, said the human rights organisation was "deeply alarmed by the report that individuals distributing humanitarian assistance in Syria are sexually exploiting women and girls in desperate need of aid".
She told Refinery29: "The allegation that the UN has known about these serious abuses for several years is particularly troubling. The UN and other humanitarian agencies must take effective measures to prevent sexual exploitation and other abuses of aid recipients without delay."
These days, we're pretty open about all the rubbish bits of motherhood. And goodness knows there are plenty of rubbish bits to be open about.
What with 2am feeds, judgemental mums, being more exhausted than you ever thought you could be, and finding yourself covered in poo in a public place, caring for your darling child can often be the opposite of a magical experience.
There is, however, one area of motherhood that people still don't feel fully comfortable talking about, at least in person, and that's the loneliness. Be the first of your friends to give birth and you're speaking a different language from them overnight. Find yourself on maternity leave after a decade of employment and your daily contact with human beings may go from an entire office of people to just you and your baby. Join an NCT group with women who aren't on your wavelength and you could find yourself feeling lonelier than ever while you stand on the sidelines, watching other mums happily chat away.
One woman working to change that is Michelle Kennedy, founder of Peanut, the app to help mums make friends. Before having her baby, Michelle was working at dating app Bumble and Peanut embraces the same sort of concept as Bumble's BBF option – linking like-minded women who, without the app, may not be lucky enough to cross paths and form friendships.
Now, Peanut is launching a new feature: Pages. It's kind of like the millennial version of forums and gives Peanut users a chance to ask questions of the community and tap into ongoing conversations on whatever subject they're curious about, from how best to get your baby to sleep to what the hell you need to watch on Netflix right now.
Unsurprisingly, the idea for Peanut came about from Michelle's own experience of loneliness as a new mother. Here, she speaks to us about feeling friendless with a newborn in tow, and how it nearly broke her.
Did you worry about getting lonely before you had your baby?
It was something I hadn't anticipated. You go through this motion of buying everything you could possibly think of buying, you've got a list and you read on forums what you need and you do a big shop and you feel prepared in that way. You're obsessed with the birth, and what it'll be like but then you don't really think of anything past that. I'd worked since I was 15, I was in a very busy, very senior job and I loved what I did, so it was weird for me to think about not working and because of that, I hadn't really given any thought to what it would be like not to be in the office, coupled with the fact that I didn't have girlfriends who were mothers, I was the first.
When did you start feeling lonely?
It was Christmastime when I had him so people were there, then January came around and everyone was back at work and school and there was me, on my own, and it's not madly comfortable to say at age 30 that you're feeling lonely. It's like, I've got friends, there's nothing wrong with me, I just hadn't thought about how days were so long, particularly when you don't leave the house often. I found that really isolating and boring sometimes, and it feels like a horrible thing because then you feel like a bad mum. But it's nothing to do with that, it's just you've gone from being around people and using your brain, to being around this little person who doesn't give a tremendous amount back at that age. There were often times when I felt I could be anyone to him; it's quite sad to say that but I didn't have anyone to share that with and say, "Isn't it a bit shit sometimes?" I used to scowl at my husband when he went off to work because I was basically jealous.
Illustrated by Cecilia Castelli.
There are mum groups though, right? Did you try those?
The thing no one thinks about is that in the first few months, you're not allowed to go to these classes because the baby hasn't had all their vaccinations so that isn't even an option for you. I did eventually do NCT but I didn't make any lifelong friends in my NCT group as the group was fairly transient. But I know some people who made lifelong friends so it's luck of the draw. It was a very confusing time and I felt like I didn't have anyone to hang out with on my wavelength. And that's the other thing – I don't just hang out with people because they've got brown hair too and it didn't make any sense to me that if two people are mums they should just hang out, that's a very weird logic.
So what did you do?
I used to make it my mission to get to Hampstead every day and it became like a weird ritual: "If I can get to Starbucks, it's going to be a good day." I'd walk past women sitting in coffee shops with their friends and I was like, "Who are they? How can they know each other and where's my crew?" There was one Saturday in Starbucks and I saw this girl timing how long she'd been feeding her baby on each boob and she was using an app. I said to her, "What are you doing?" and we started chatting and I said I'd love to take your number and hang out with you sometime and she said to me, "Do you know what, I'm not going to take your number because I don't want to not call you and let you down" and I was mortified. I'd never crashed and burned so awfully and my husband couldn't understand it, he sort of laughed – but it was just the worst thing that had ever happened.
Meeting on an app is no longer weird for dating but for friends it still seems a bit... awkward?
I don't know why. I remember when This Morning used to do segments on people who met and married on the internet and it used to be a massive thing and you would think it's weird, right? I remember thinking, "What's wrong with them?" Then I started working in the industry and I realised that it's actually just efficient because people are working longer hours, moving to new areas or whatever – I don't live next to my mum, even my best friend lives an hour and a half away. It's just more efficient, particularly at 2am when you're feeding your baby and everyone's asleep and you feel like the loneliest girl in the world, or you look on Instagram and your friends are in a club and you think, "Where did my life go?" When that happens you might want to talk to someone. I can't go out with another girl but I can message her on Peanut and feel like someone else is doing what I'm doing and feel that support.
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Sometimes, all we want from our Uber driver at the end of a night out is mellow Magic FM or the soothing tones of Smooth Radio, but there are times when something better tailored to our individual music tastes would go down a treat.
One driver got the memo and has become a social media sensation after sharing the playlists they curated for passengers of different demographics, based on quiet assumptions about their music tastes.
Twitter user @TEEJUS___, who works for Uber and Lyft and uses they/them pronouns, shared screenshots of the nine playlists and their hilarious names, which include "basic 20-30s" and "fucking hipsters". The idea has since gone viral, with the original tweet having racked up 46k retweets and 213k likes by Tuesday afternoon.
So I just started driving for uber and Lyft and I’ve been getting a lot more compliments on my music since generalizing my passengers by 1 of these 11 playlists pic.twitter.com/WhX1O5wZ4b
Other available playlists, all of which are public under the Spotify username TJ Jones, include “white dudes who look like [they] like rap", "quiet ppl", "heady bros", "POC (people of colour)" and "30+".
Each one contains 20-30 songs catering to the named demographic, so on the "basic 20s-30s" playlist you'll find Fleetwood Mac, Drake and Sia, for example; "quiet ppl" are assumed to like Frankie Cosmos, Porches and Sufjan Stevens, and "white dudes who look like they like rap"? Kanye West, Future and Chance the Rapper.
Jones has proven to be quite the entrepreneur, capitalising on their moment in the online spotlight by offering to categorise people for $5.
😅 ppl actually paid me for this but I don’t know their @ ! Christina and Tate who are u pic.twitter.com/jDzFbw2653
I identify as “basic 20-30s.” listening to it rn honestly I didn’t know I wanted to listen to “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” & “No More Parties in LA” back to back. this dude has a playlist making gift https://t.co/3xwuHonhYa
Jones has even received job offers owing to his superb music curation, with fans lobbying for them to be hired by Spotify.
Yo @TEEJUS___, I need a music supervisor for a couple of short films this summer. If you’re interested, the job is yours! :) Your @spotify playlists are a perfect resume.
And it looks like we could be treated to some new playlists soon, including “hype up for drunk white girls 20’s”! Let's hope other drivers are taking notes.
There are two types of people in this world: those who love the great outdoors and those who would rather stay inside and cosy up on the sofa. In anticipation of warm weather and longer days, Ikea has released several items that will suit everyone, no matter which of those camps they fall into. Ikea's 2018 Summer Collection is all about getting outside, but it's filled with pieces for people who love to camp and people who would much rather glamp.
The new arrivals include a selection of practical items for the more outdoorsy folks. There are solar-powered lanterns so adventures don't stop when the sun starts to set, picnic baskets for hauling marshmallow supplies, and absorbent beach towels just in case there's an unexpected summer shower.
If you're not a seasoned camper, there are also items that will make spending time outside seem much more attractive — literally. There are buzzy outdoor lights and colourful lounge chairs to bring a bit of that couch comfort to a campfire setting.
In addition to the offerings that were created to transform outdoor areas into more glamorous and useful spaces, there are also pieces that help bring the best parts of summer inside. Brightly coloured duvet covers and cushions are reminiscent of blooms and sunny skies. Natural textures from cotton table runners, woven planters and paper lanterns could make you feel like you're having a backyard barbecue even if it's raining outside.
But don’t just take our word for it. Take a look ahead to check out 29 items that have the power to unite campers and glampers alike.
On Tuesday morning, designer Nnenna Stella was scrolling through Instagram in a coffee shop when she found out her Brooklyn-based label The Wrap Life was featured on Vogue Arabia’s one-year anniversary March cover starring two of the Arab world’s most famous models. “I was so hype,” she tells Refinery29 of seeing models Iman and Imaan Hammam wearing her head wraps alongside Saint Laurent dresses. “My hands started shaking and I forgot what I was ordering. I didn’t even know when the cover was coming out, and then Iman sent me an email” — yes, thatIman, who Stella styled for the Black Panther New York premiere — “30 minutes later with a big-ass picture of the cover.”
Coincidently, when Vogue Arabia reached out to Stella, she thought it was a joke. “I was like Vogue? Yeah, right, have them send the call sheet!” Apparently, people who reach out to her don’t always have the best intentions, so she says when the inquiry turned out to be legit, it was a surreal feeling. But the company actually did send a call sheet on a Friday, "and by Sunday, I was on set, styling wraps.”
She says working on the set for the magazine’s biggest issue ever filled with “fashion trends, bold beauty, empowering women, icons of Arabia, celebrity interviews, and a Middle Eastern royal contributor” was a great experience. Vogue Arabia showed attention to make sure the representation was balanced, whether that meant pulling a shirt up as not to show too much skin, or understanding the demographic the magazine is intended for. Stella says it was great to see a publication respect a culture’s practices and beliefs. “This strategy was so special because it was inclusive and diverse, and I really appreciate that as a woman of colour.”
She shared the cover on Instagram and captioned it: “As wearing head wraps and headdress become more common, we are so excited to be of service in a way that shares black and brown beauty. The world needs more of it. Thank you to the team at Vogue for inviting us. What a dream.”
Stella started the company four years ago after a 30-day-challenge of self discovery; she was feeling uninspired in her work as a waitress. “When you have a clear picture of yourself, it gives you certain room to want to be expressive,” she explains. “As I started to understand who Nnenna is, I wanted to be more colourful and vibrant,” but it was fashioning a winter scarf that was the kick off. “I tied it around my head and it felt really incredible. And that was one hint to start the company. I just wanted to give other women this really good feeling of wearing beautiful textiles, styling them, and walking out into the world. Everything you wear is saying something. It’s really transformative, it’s really magical.”
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This afternoon at Dior's AW18 show, artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri looked back at France 50 years ago, in May 1968, when civil unrest erupted across the country and a new feminist movement gained momentum.
As strikes and protests took place across Paris and beyond this social revolution placed the influence and zeal of the youth generation at the forefront. For AW18, Maria Grazia Chiuri commemorated the 50-year anniversary, drawing on the spirit of those times as well as the wardrobes worn by the new age of protestors.
The facade of the show venue, the Musée Rodin, was papered with manifestos bearing feminist statements such as "I AM A Woman" and "Women's Rights Are Human Rights" and inside the show space countless magazine covers and historical protest posters from 1968 covered the walls of the interior.
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesPhoto by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesPhoto by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesPhoto by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
The show notes began with a quote from legendary fashion journalist Diana Vreeland, who edited American Vogue from 1963-1971: “The sixties were about personalities. It was the first time when mannequins became personalities. It was a time of great goals, an inventive time… and these girls invented themselves.” Vreeland is credited with inventing the term 'youthquake' (crowned the word of the year in 2017) in 1965 and defining the uprising of young people in London in the '60s – a youth movement which still feels particularly pertinent in 2018.
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesPhoto by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Now, 50 years after the protests of 1968, Maria Grazia Chiuri wished to recreate that era when fashion's rules were being completely subverted. Dior regular, Ruth Bell opened the show in a black balaclava with a top emblazoned with the words "C'est non, non, non et non". There were patchworks aplenty, ponchos, tinted sunglasses and check tailoring. Denim was reworked and printed, kilts came in varying lengths and were paired with masculine jackets or coats, while dresses were worn over biker-inspired thigh boots and the beret from the AW17 Dior collection evolved into a peaked cap. Model Adesuwa Aighewi wore a knit bearing a huge peace sign while floral embroidery (flower power!) appeared on a number of dresses. Sheer gowns and vividly coloured mini skirts were worn with thick-soled boots, creating a casual silhouette of tough femininity.
As Isabelle Huppert, Bianca Jagger and Cara Delevingne watched from the front row, ardent activist Adwoa Aboah closed the show in a sheer floral dress. Steadfastly pushing her feminist message, which she has promoted since her Dior debut, Maria Grazia Chiuri's referential collection provided a modern wardrobe for today's fashion-conscious female protestor. Considering the "We Should All Be Feminists" T-shirt from Dior SS17 cost a hefty £490, you might need to save up first.
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When Chelsea Werner, a 25-year-old from Danville, CA, was diagnosed with Down syndrome, doctors told her parents that she would have low muscle tone for the rest of her life. Still, they enrolled her in a range of sports at a young age including soccer, baseball, swimming, and gymnastics. But something about gymnastics clicked.
Werner started working with a gymnastics coach, Dawn Pombo. Her local Special Olympics program in northern California was canceled, so Werner trained directly with USA Gymnastics. With Pombo's help, Werner learned to master the uneven bars and balance beam, but she really shined during the floor routine. For four years in a row, Werner competed in the Special Olympics National Gymnastics Championships and won.
These days, Werner still trains and competes in gymnastics around the world, but is now focused on expanding her modelling career. Werner signed with WeSpeak, a modelling agency that's committed to representing health conscious, drug-free models of all sizes and backgrounds, and she has walked in New York Fashion Week runway shows and starred in an H&M campaign.
Ahead, we talked to Werner about how she finds the strength to conquer her fears.
What's your favorite thing about gymnastics?
"I love performing for people. The crowd loves watching me do my floor routine so that’s my favourite event! I also love my teammates!"
What's the hardest thing about gymnastics?
"The longer I do it, the harder and more dangerous the skills get."
Do you get nervous trying new skills? How do you get over that fear?
"Yes [I get nervous]. My coach is good at breaking new skills down into smaller steps."
What advice would you give someone trying a new sport?
"Don’t be afraid to try something new! Be patient. It takes a while to learn something new. Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Find a coach that believes in you."
What are you working on next?
"I’m working on a front tuck and back tuck for my floor routine. I can do them but not good enough to put in my routine yet."
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If any of those movies win Best Picture on March 4, then they'll join very small pool of Best Picture-winning movies whose stories centre on women. Of the 89 past Best Picture winners, we counted only 16 movies in which women characters take the spotlight. What gives? Likely, for most of Hollywood's history, the most prestigious directors simply weren't making stories about women. Or, the voting members of the Academy, which have historically been majority white and male, simply didn't prioritise women's stories.
Hopefully, this year's overlap marks a step in a more equitable direction, in which stories about women are valued as Best Picture-worthy, too.
The screwball fun and verbal cleverness of It Happened One Night holds up, so many decades later. This movie is theoriginal rom-com, complete with the mismatched and memorable couple. Claudette Colbert plays Ellie, an heiress who impulsively decides to marry her beau, much to her disapproval of her family. In retaliation, her father ships her off on a yacht (that was back when fathers could do that). She escapes and ends up connecting with Clark Gable's character, a recently laid-off, gruff journalist. Their madcap adventure ensues, leading to, of course, love.
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Gone With the Wind(1939)
Gone With the Wind was a remarkably ambitious movie. It had a budget of $3.7 million — astronomical at the time – and ran for four hours. Essentially, we have four hours of Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) weathering the massive changes the country was going through during the Civil War. Amid all this, she also finds time to meddle, plot, pine over Ashley (Leslie Howard) and deny her love for Rhett Butler (Clark Cable).
Vivien Leigh won Best Actress. Hattie McDaniel, who played Scarlett's maid, won Best Supporting Actress, and was the first Black person to win an Oscar.
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Rebecca(1940)
Picture this: You marry a man you barely know, and move to his massive estate, where the memory of his last wife lingers as if she were still alive. That the slightly evil housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, won't accept the new wife's presence doesn't help the situation. Essentially, our unnamed protagonist can't escape Rebecca. Rebecca stars Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier, and remains a staple in the psychological thriller genre.
Rebecca's win set its own record. This was the last time a movie ever won Best Picture without also winning an Oscar in a directing, acting, or writing category. Alfred Hitchcock, the movie's director, never did get that Academy Award.
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Mrs. Miniver(1943)
Mrs. Miniver swept the 15th Academy Awards, taking Best Picture, Best Director (William Wyler), Best Actress (Greer Garson), and Best Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright). In a series of vignettes, Mrs. Miniver depicts how a British family adjusts to life in wartime. Mrs Miniver came out six months after the US entered the war. President Roosevelt encouraged MGM to rush the distribution of this movie, and asked it be translated into different languages and air-dropped in Nazi-occupied countries. Mrs. Miniver and all its moving, wrenching drama was influential in gathering American support for the Allies.
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All About Eve(1951)
If you saw Ryan Murphy's Feud: Bette and Joan, then you're already familiar with the legend of Bette Davis, who plays Margo Channing in the movie. In many ways, Margo's situation resembled Davis's. Like Davis, Margo is an ageing actress struggling in an entertainment industry that prizes beauty over intelligence and talent. Margo's life is made complicated when a young fan, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), shows up at her dressing room, and threatens to usurp her.
Four of the actresses in All About Eve received Oscar nominations: Davis and Baxter as Best Actress, Celeste Holm and Thelma Ritter as Best Supporting Actress. It's the only movie to do so.
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Gigi(1959)
In early 20th century Paris, Gigi (Leslie Caron) is raised by two Parisian courtesans, and trained to become a rich man's mistress. Gigi ends up developing a friendship with Gaston (Louis), a man whose uncle socialises with these courtesans. Gaston wants something more from Gigi — he wants marriage.
And just so you can picture this Paris-set romantic comedy better: Gigi is a musical.
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My Fair Lady(1965)
My Fair Lady, or: The Movie That Inspired Costumes For Big Little Lies'Audrey Hepburn Party. Hepburn plays Eliza Doolittle, a flower seller plucked from anonymity to be the subject of a wager between two scholars. Professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) believes that if he can teach Eliza to speak the Queen's English (and dress a bit differently, too), he can make people believe she's a duchess.
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The Sound of Music(1966)
The Sound of Music is a movie that needs no introduction, and Maria (Julie Andrews) is a problem that no one needs to solve. Maria is a restless nun who decides to leave the convent and work as a nanny for the Von Trapp family, which consists of seven kids and a gruff naval captain father. She's the first nanny to ever charm them; she also charms the Trapp family patriarch (Christopher Plummer).
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Terms of Endearment(1984)
If you're looking for a tear-jerker, you've come to the right place. Terms of Endearment is a mother-daughter movie that will, by its end, leave you in a puddle of tears. You'll see decades of the relationship of Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter, Emma (Deborah Winger).
The movie swept the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (MacLaine), Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), and Best Director (James L. Brooks). Deborah Winger and John Lithgow were also nominated.
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Out of Africa(1986)
This sweeping romantic drama might seem a bit slow (it's almost three hours long). But if you're able to sit and really concentrate (no phones!), Out of Africa has some beautiful moments. Meryl Streep plays Karen von Blixen, a Danish woman who enters into a marriage of convenience with a Baron living in Nairobi. They start a farm together. But the real action begins when Karen becomes involved with Denys (Robert Redford), a charming hunter. Out of Africa is based on Blixen's memoirs (she later became a famous writer who worked under the pen name Isak Dinesen). It marked Meryl Streep's sixth acting nomination.
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Driving Miss Daisy(1990)
In Driving Miss Daisy, we're privy to Daisy Werthan's (Jessica Tandy) life in Atlanta, Georgia, as it unfurls over 25 years. The focal point is the relationship between Daisy, a wealthy Jewish widow and retired school teacher, and her driver, Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman). At 81, Tandy became the oldest woman to ever win Best Actress.
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The Silence of the Lambs(1992)
Here's a binge-watch schedule that will give you nightmares: The Silence of the Lambs followed by all of Netflix's Mindhunter. Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is a student in the FBI's training program who works with a cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), to catch another serial killer. Silence won Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Until this year's Get Out, no other horror movie has stood a similar chance.
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Titanic(1998)
Has any other movie on this list lodged itself quite into the cultural imagination? Titanic is a legendary movie, to the point that its stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, are still regularly asked about it. Clearly, Titanic centres on a woman — who can forget Rose jumping back on that ship?
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Shakespeare in Love(1999)
For a Shakespeare-loving romantic, Shakespeare in Love is the ideal movie. A ridiculously charming Will Shakespeare (Joe Fiennes) is stumped for his next play — until he meets Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow), a noblewoman who inspires him to write the Twelfth Night. Viola wants to act, and dresses up as a man so that she can perform in Shakespeare's next play.
Many people were expecting Saving Private Ryan to win the Academy Award. Shakespeare in Love winning goes down as one of the Oscars' most surprising upsets.
Chicago(2003)
Who knew jail was a a good – Oscar-winningly good, in fact — setting for a musical? In 1920s Chicago, Jazz singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) shoots her no-good husband, and winds up in jail. Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger), one of Velma's biggest fans goes to jail for a similar crime: murdering the man she's having an affair with. Both women are represented by the famous lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), who creates a swirl of media attention around the women in order to drum up sympathy. It works.
Hilary Swank's breakout role was an extraordinary one. She played Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a Missouri woman determined to become a boxer, and escape the monotony of her life – even if takes everything out of her. At first, Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is reluctant to train a woman, but is convinced to by another boxer (Morgan Freeman). Million Dollar Baby culminates in a wrenching climax.
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As beneficial as therapy can be, it can also be really daunting if you want to start seeing a professional but aren't sure how or where to start. How do you find someone? And once you do, what should you be prepared for? What if you find out that your therapist just isn't the right fit for you?
All of these are valid questions, and it's understandable to want to know what to expect when you decide to take that step for your mental health. After all, therapy is hugely personal, and so is your relationship with your therapist. To get the most out of your sessions, it's important that you feel comfortable enough to do the work that you need to.
Kristin Zeising, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and couples therapist in San Diego, says that the bottom line is that what you get out of therapy is what you put into it.
"Recognise it takes both the therapist and you to address the issues and make changes," she says. "The therapist can’t make changes on their own. They are there to help ask insightful questions or guide you in your treatment, but can’t do the work for you. The more you put into it the more you’ll get out of it."
Ahead, we've outlined a few things you can expect when you're starting therapy for the first time.
If you are experiencing anxiety and are in need of crisis support, please call the Anxiety UK’s 24-hour hotline on 0844 775 774.
If you are experiencing depression and need support, please call Mind on 0300 123 3393.
You might be able to get to know your therapist before you meet in person.
Aarti Gupta, PsyD, clinical director at TherapyNest, a centre for anxiety and family therapy, says that when someone starts therapy, there's usually a screening process to make sure that the therapist and patient are a good fit.
"At my practice, I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation so patients can ask me questions and get to know my style, while I can make sure my skill set matches their needs and goals," she says.
In the best-case scenario, you and your therapist will find that you're a great match, but if not, that's okay, too.
"If, for some reason, there is a mismatch, I do help individuals find the right care by offering referrals," Dr. Gupta says.
Not every therapist is able to offer other recommendations, but Dr. Zeising says that you can also ask a general practitioner or even ask friends or look online for someone else who might be right for you.
Expect at least a little bit of paperwork.
Paperwork can vary from therapist to therapist, but you definitely can expect to fill out around four to six forms that say you legally consent to treatment, and that give your doctor a little more information about your family background, and your medical and mental health history.
"The intake form may have you answer questions as to why you’re interested in coming to therapy, what your goals are, and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment," Dr. Zeising says. "Some psychologists may also have you fill out assessment forms so that they can get a more clear view as to the specifics of your problems or your personality type so that they can best know how to help you."
You may have to wait a bit to actually see your therapist.
There could be a waiting period between the time you start seeking help and when you actually get into the therapist's office for a session. Dr. Zeising says that, for some therapists, it could take a few days, though for others, it could take weeks.
Though Dr. Gupta says that she usually tries to see patients within a week after they first contact her, she adds that longer response times might be because the therapist no longer accepts new patients, they're out of town, or they're away from work for an extended period of time.
The best time of day to see a therapist is 100% up to you.
There's no right or wrong time for a therapy session, and when you get a session in will depend largely on your schedule and your therapist's schedule.
That being said, you may want to keep in mind that the whole purpose of a therapy session is to get at underlying emotions, and that might make it harder to go about the rest of your day afterwards.
"It may be best to schedule your session at the end of the day so that you can have some time to process any feelings that have come up during the session," Dr. Zeising says, adding that it might also be best not to have immediate plans right afterwards.
If you're nervous about the first session, there are some ways you can prepare.
Generally, your first session is about establishing the main issue you want to address in therapy, what you want to get out of the experience, and how your therapist can help you.
"The therapist will help guide you through the process, so it’s not your responsibility to think of everything to say," Dr. Zeising says. "However, spending some time reflecting about what it is you want to address can be very helpful."
Expect some questions about why you're seeking therapy.
Since the goal of the session is to get a sense of your history and what brought you to therapy, Dr. Gupta says that some questions a therapist could ask will have to do with your current symptoms, your therapy history (or lack thereof), and how you've dealt with issues in the past.
For example, she says, your therapist might ask questions like, "What brings you in today? How long has this been going on? What have you tried to fix the current problem? Do you have a support network in your life?"
Your therapist will likely be taking notes while you talk.
At first, it can seem a little intimidating or even off-putting that someone is jotting things down during a conversation with you. But it's really just so that the therapist can refer back to common themes or specific comments that they'd like to address again later on.
"Notes taken during a session are usually fragments of data — a detail to touch on again later in the session, a reminder to ask about something next time you meet, meaning that was extrapolated by something mentioned that needs a closer look at," Dr. Gupta says.
If this makes you uncomfortable, Dr. Gupta says it's totally okay to bring it up to your therapist, and then maybe the two of you can work something out so that you feel more connected to your therapist during the sessions.
Don't worry if the first session doesn't go as well as you wanted it to.
If the first session doesn’t go perfectly as you planned, know that sometimes it takes a couple of meetings to really build a relationship with your therapist.
"You can always ask the therapist for some clarification if something doesn’t seem clear, or let them know what it is you’re needing so that they can tailor the therapy for you," Dr. Zeising says.
However, the therapist-patient relationship is important, and if you don't feel like you're being heard, it may be time to look for someone new.
"If you feel something is off with your connection, don’t hesitate to 'shop around' and try out another therapist until you feel you can be completely open and honest," Dr. Gupta says.
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Netflix has come up with the perfect solution to keep you occupied while the world anxiously waits for Stranger Things 3 to get a confirmed debut date.
Variety reports the streaming giant has plans to create approximately 700 original new TV shows and movies in 2018 — and, according to CFO David Wells, the company is willing to pay at least £6 billion to make it happen.
The news comes shortly after Netflix poached TV gods Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes from FX and ABC, paying £260 million and £80 million, respectively. As part of the mega-deals, Murphy and Rhimes will be creating and producing brand-new content exclusively for Netflix, leaving other hit shows such as American Crime Story and How To Get Away With Murder on network TV.
"Let's continue to add content," he said. "It's working, it's driving growth."
With 117 million members and counting, he's not wrong. Still, some could argue that trying to pump out 700 originals in a year is a risky move. One of the reasons Netflix is able to do this, though, is because they're not beholden to the same network rules. Who cares if 578 are flops if the other 122 are massive hits around the world? And, based on what we know about upcoming originals like Sabrina, Somebody Great, and comedian Michelle Wolf's currently unnamed weekly talk-show, it's likely their success rate will be even higher.
While this is great news for Netflix, it's potentially terrible for our social lives as we'll undoubtedly spend the remainder of 2018 kicking back in loungewear and trying to keep up. Just make sure to step into the sun every now and then to get some much-needed Vitamin D.
Dr. David Shafer, MD, is a celebrity plastic surgeon in NYC. He has worked in the industry for 12 years, and specialises in liposuction, facelifts, breast enhancements, and injections. The following story was told to Kelsey Castañon and edited for length and clarity.
I've always been interested in sculpture and the mechanics of putting things back together. When I was a little kid, I would take apart TVs or VHS tapes just to fix them, and in high school, I spent summers studying architecture. That's essentially why I decided to go into plastic surgery. As I went through my training in medical school, one of my favourite parts of being in the operating room was closing the skin — stitching everything back together. The incision is what patients are more concerned about after surgery, so that is what I put my heart into and ultimately found the most rewarding.
Early on in my career, I was seeing some patients in the fashion world. I was in the audience at a New York Fashion Week show and ended up sitting next to the mother of a very famous musician, who's also kind of famous herself. I can't say who she is, but we ended up going to a party and she was in my office a few weeks later wanting a facelift. Later, she ended up inviting me to another party, with other celebrities, and I got more patients that way. A lot of appointments come from word of mouth.
Giving — & Getting — The Royal Treatment About a year after graduating from my aesthetic surgery fellowship, I got a call that a Saudi royal family wanted me to come to Saudi Arabia to perform surgery on five or six members. The person said, 'We've done our research, and I need you to go to the consulate by the U.N. to fill out some paperwork and get a temporary medical license. Whatever you need, just tell us your fee and we'll make all the arrangements.' I thought it was one of my friends playing a joke on me! But the next week, my team and I were on a flight to Saudi Arabia.
When we got there, we were treated like rock stars. They put me up in a room that was bigger than my New York City apartment! I didn't know what to expect, but when I walked in to the operating room, it looked like something out of Star Trek — there was state-of-the-art equipment, all this amazing lighting. What was really interesting was that the women were fully covered, so I didn't even know what they were getting done until 20 minutes before surgery. Some got facelifts; others got liposuction, breast implants, or an abdominoplasty [tummy tuck], but they only exposed the part of the body I was operating on. It was a very different experience for me, because I'm used to meeting with the patient ahead of time and talking through the plan.
Some of the family members have become regular patients and will fly in to New York to see me. They've referred me to their friends in other countries, who refer me to their families. Very quickly, about 50% of my patients became international patients who travel abroad for surgery.
Real Talk With The Real Housewives A lot of women on the show don't have any shame or embarrassment when it comes to plastic surgery. When friends have had the same work done, it's easier to talk about openly. I've known Jules [Wainstein, formerly of RHONY] socially for a long time through friends and just being in the New York scene, even before she was on Housewives. One day, I got a call from her that she was on her way to the emergency room. She was going out of a window to smoke a cigarette, tripped, and injured her labia. I always joke that I've never had a vaginal emergency, but when I rushed to the hospital, sure enough it was a true emergency. If you Google the genital injury, hers was one of the worst cases I've seen.
I've been at many dinners where I've operated on half the people sitting at the table, but I can't say anything because of the confidentiality you have with your patient.
We can look at the humour of it now — and it made for very good TV. They couldn't film the scene in the hospital, so producers shot some of her appointments at my office. When they came to film, they transformed my office to look like a movie studio. They took out a lot of the furniture, put up all this special lighting, installed the microphones — it was really funny.
The Most Requested Procedures In the non-invasive realm, Botox (to decrease wrinkles) and fillers (to enhance the lips or cheeks) are incredibly popular. As much as I hate to admit it, the Kardashians have so much influence on the plastic surgery industry. It's crazy. Every single day, someone comes in asking for Kylie Jenner's lips or Kim Kardashian's butt. On the flip side, there are also patients who use them as a reference for what they don't want: ''I don't want them to look like Kylie's, I want them to look natural." So they're definitely used as a benchmark either in a positive or a negative way.
As far as surgery, what I call "the mommy makeover" — body work for those who've just had kids or lost a lot of weight — is really big with my celebrity patients, and can be transformative both physically and in terms of how they feel.
The Kardashians have so much influence on the plastic surgery industry. Every single day, someone comes in asking for Kylie Jenner's lips or Kim Kardashian's butt.
Keeping Secrets What happens a lot in plastic surgery is you become friends with the patients who come in a lot. You'll go to the same charity auctions or dinners or benefits. I've been at many dinners where I've operated on half the people sitting at the table, but I can't say anything because of the confidentiality you have with your patient. You have to be careful and let someone say something to you first.
A lot of celebrities don't want people to know the work they've had done. So in our office, we have our main entrance and then we have a back door, where we sneak them in through the freight elevator. The nice thing — not just for celebrities, but all patients — is after the surgery, you can choose to go home or to a hotel to recover. I can come to the hotel so the appointment is in a private setting. If they live in New York, it's so easy for me to swing by their apartments to check on them so they don’t have to keep coming in and being inundated by the public.
I always say the best patients are the ones referred by somebody else. They trust you. It's amazing to look back and trace who the primary "big deal" patient was. It's kind of like a tree with branches — you can see how the first patient helped grow your practice.
It's been a good year for Black directors, with the overwhelming success of Black Panther, along with Get Out 's Oscar nominations. But there will always be a special place in our hearts for Ava DuVernay, who isn't just shattering glass ceilings, but reconstructing them with her vision.
We already know that A Wrinkle In Time, which stars Oprah Winfrey, Storm Reid, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling among others, will have stellar performances given the lineup. But if last night's red carpet premiere in Los Angeles is any indication, then the film will be downright magical. The movie's stars, along with lucky A-listers who got a first glimpse at the film adaptation of the movie, wore rainbow-bright colours to compliment their naturally-textured curls, braids, twists, and whatever else you can think of. Get inspired, ahead.
Janet Mock's giving us the blues in a really good way with her smoky metallic eyes.
Photo: Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
Oh, it's just Angela Bassett casually slaying her second red carpet of the week with a pinned-up bang.
Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images.
Yara Shahidi's braided top-knot and baby hairs is fun up front, but check out hairstylist Tym Wallace's Instagram to see the real party happening in the back.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Storm Reid, who plays Meg Murry in the film, looked every part of the leading lady with her side-swept Senegalese twists and a shimmery inner-eye strobe.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Let's take a moment to admire the work of art atop Tessa Thompson's head, paired with sharp, graphic blue eyeliner and a magenta lip by makeup artist Mélanie Inglessis. "I wanted to her to look like she is from the future, so hair sculpture made sense," her stylist, Ted Gibson, captioned an Instagram. "There is nothing better than seeing [them] light up before they leave."
Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images.
BRB, experiencing immense curl envy thanks to Sofia Wylie.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Of course Janelle Monáe would be rocking (and nailing) a hot pink power pout, which has become a not-so-subtle nod to feminism. Also, those two-toned eyes, though.
Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images.
There's nothing more timeless than a fresh, neat set of straight-backs (as seen on Tracee Ellis Ross).
Photo: Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
It's only right that Ava DuVernay, who directed the film, lead the pack with style (and in a flawless fuchsia lip, to boot).
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Chloe and Halle gave us a double dose of shimmery lids, impeccable brows, and luscious locs.
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
Leave it to Issa Rae to reinvent the crown braid. Her plaits featured gold thread weaved throughout — and matched her shimmery lids, painted by Joanna Simkin.
Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic.
Only Oprah, in a gold-accented, segmented braid done by Nicole Mangrum, could look impeccable after what she describes "a whirlwind weekend of 84 interviews (a record for me)."
Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic.
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School shooting survivor and gun control activist Emma González joined Twitter this month with the handle @Emma4Change, to advocate for sensible gun laws after 17 students and faculty were gunned down at her Florida high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, on February 14.
So far, she has tweeted 528 times, with many of her tweets and RTs directed at the National Rifle Association. In a short, but tumultuous, period of time, she has built up over 1 million followers.
The NRA — which González, her classmates, and many students around the country are taking on as part of a burgeoning youth movement — joined Twitter in February 2009. That's nine years before González did. The organisation's current Twitter-follower count? 596,000.
Twitter isn't everything, but the brief time in which González and her classmates have built up huge followings is a testament to the power of their message. The weekend after the shooting, González called BS on lawmakers' "thoughts and prayers" in a hard-to-forget speech tinged with a very welcome, refreshing anger. Countless rallies and school walkouts followed nationwide. The Florida students have met with lawmakers, and González took on the NRA's spokesperson Dana Loesch (787,000 Twitter followers) in a CNN townhall on gun violence.
Undoubtedly, social media is part of the reason the students' message has resonated so far and wide. González' fellow #NeverAgain activist Jackie Corin also joined Twitter this month and has 67,000 followers. Kali Clougherty has over 20,000. David Hogg has 362,000. Cameron Kasky has 243,000.
The call to march in Washington, D.C., and around the nation, on March 24 originated and spread on social media with #MarchforOurLives, and so did the #WhatIf campaign, in which you can watch Jackie Corin below.
With her trademark shaved head, González has become the visual icon of the movement — people have even created drawings and other depictions of her. But the reality is students, especially students of colour, have been fighting for gun reform for years. And what really matters to them aren't Twitter followers or drawings — though those both help propel the movement — but keeping more kids from dying.
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If you pay attention to the lunar cycle, you may start to notice that the full moon, in particular, has an effect on us. No, it doesn't make pregnant people go into labor and it doesn't cause a spike in crime. But if you believe that the moon has astrological power, then it canhave an effect on our moods, our mindsets, and the types of activities we're drawn to.
The nature of those effects depend on what sign the moon is moving through when it reaches fullness and what your own sign is, too. The Zodiac sign that hosts the full moon acts like a filter for that bright, expansive, look-at-me type of lunar energy and imbues all of us with a hint of its personality.
This March, we'll face two full moons, the second of which is sometimes known as a monthly blue moon. Where the first full moon (which will crest on the 1st) will be in Virgo, the second (coming at us on the 31st) will appear in Libra. Although these signs are next-door neighbours on the Wheel of the Zodiac, they channel the full moon's energy very differently.
During the first, you can expect a return to order and a greater desire to focus on the details, while the second full moon will encourage us to cooperate with others and consider how we present ourselves to the world. Of course, these are merely general predictions. The March full moons will treat each Zodiac sign a little differently. Read on to discover what these lunar phases will illuminate for your sign this month.
Aries
When the moon's in Virgo, you'll feel like you're back in school. Rams tend to have a low tolerance for rules, and, unfortunately, Virgo is a sign that loves drawing within the lines. But you don't have to spend this full moon feeling boxed in — rather, apply your fiery energy to tasks that Virgo loves, like household chores and logistical plans at work.
When the moon's in Libra, your competitive sign will learn to be a team player. Don't roll your eyes just yet, Aries — you might actually like it this time. Libran full moons bring out the people-pleaser in all of us, so this just might be the day you learn the importance of cooperation.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Taurus
When the moon's in Virgo, you'll finally feel motivated. Where your Taurean instincts say to take a break, Virgo, fuelled by its ruling planet, Mercury, says to go, go, go. That mile-long to-do list will start seeing check marks during this lunar phase, Bull. Just put one hoof in front of the other.
When the moon's in Libra, you may end up with a new haircut, wardrobe, or skincare routine. Libra and Taurus share an affinity for the finer things in life, especially when it comes to grooming and pampering. The urge to splurge on something pretty may rear its head under this full moon.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Gemini
When the moon's in Virgo, you'll be inspired to chase an intellectual passion. You're a naturally curious sign, Gem, but you don't always delve that deeply into the topics that really intrigue you. Under the Virgo full moon, you'll suddenly find the focus needed to truly satisfy your thirst for knowledge.
When the moon's in Libra, your social perspective will flip. As a fellow air sign, Libra shares your tendency to mingle and flit from subject to subject (or person to person). But, where you're happy to put yourself first, this full moon will nag at you to think of others, too — and even stick with them after the small talk gets boring.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Cancer
When the moon's in Virgo, you'll feel a little emotionally stifled, but that might not be the worst thing. As an in-your-feelings water sign, your emotions come out in a freely flowing stream most of the time. Under this full moon, shining through orderly Virgo, you'll be called upon to put your moods and feelings in order. That may sound like gruelling inner work, but it may ultimately help you express yourself to others more clearly.
When the moon's in Libra, you'll get to flaunt your emotional sensitivity. Libran full moons encourage all of us to look out for the feelings of others. Lucky for you, Cancer, your naturally nurturing, even maternal, instincts are perfectly suited to this sort of energy. Be prepared to be a shoulder for others to cry on.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Leo
When the moon's in Virgo, your generous side will come out in full force. As much as you like — okay, love — to be the star, you also enjoy supporting those around you, Leo. This full moon will nudge you to let that side of you show through in how you treat others, especially strangers. Showing your local community a little love and care, whether by donating used books or volunteering a few hours at a shelter, will warm your enormous heart.
When the moon's in Libra, watch out for direct conflict. You normally like to address problems head-on, but this diplomatic sign will urge you to consider all sides of an issue before acting. This will feel nearly impossible for any passionate Leo, but it could be a welcome exercise in patience — or, at least, letting someone else talk first.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Virgo
When the moon's in Virgo, a cleanse will be in order. This could mean you finally tackle your kitchen's junk drawer, but you may need to address something altogether more spiritual. With the emotion-ruling moon in your purposeful sign, you'll find those difficult, personal truths more accessible. And in listening to yourself, you'll be able to clear out what no longer serves you.
When the moon's in Libra, that emotional cleanse may evolve into a total examination of the psyche. When channeling the moon's introspective energy, a Libran influence can take a turn for the self-conscious. You may feel inclined to embark on a major self-improvement project, Virgo, but don't bite off more than you can chew.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Libra
When the moon's in Virgo, you may get hung up on the details. You always like everything to look presentable, Libra, but this Virgo full moon will push you to prioritise function as well as form. And even your sign, represented by the Scales of Justice, may struggle to strike that balance.
When the moon's in Libra, prepare to work the room. You're always up for a little socialising, Libra, but with the moon supercharging your innermost thoughts, you'll have the confidence to approach anyone. Got a pitch you've been too timid to make at work? Have you been meaning to strike up a flirty conversation with the barista? The moon is your spotlight, and it's time to act.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Scorpio
When the moon's in Virgo, you're ready to go the distance for your inner circle. Virgos demonstrate affection by helping their loved ones, and the stars know that you're always on the lookout for a low-key, non-mushy way to show your friends and partner how much you love and appreciate them.
When the moon's in Libra, you'll be more willing to engage with others. Scorps don't usually mind drama, as long as they watch the conflict unfold from the outside. During this full moon, you'll feel compelled to close the distance between you and the turmoil and actually help find a resolution between the warring parties.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Sagittarius
When the moon's in Virgo, your professorial side may emerge. Only a full moon in thoughtful, meticulous Virgo can slow down a fiery and adventurous Archer — and coax out the scholar behind the adventurer. Nothing will feel more satisfying than refining your opinion on a complex political issue or parsing the meaning of an old philosophical text.
When the moon's in Libra, you'll just want to play. Libra is the sign of harmony, love, and cooperation — and you're a huge fan of all three of those things, Sag. You love to be where the people are, and this full moon asks little more of you than that.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Capricorn
When the moon's in Virgo, you'll be even more on your game than usual. You feel deeply bonded to this sign, Cap, thanks to your shared ruling element, earth. Virgos and Capricorns alike love to execute long-term plans and tackle logistics. What this full moon will give you that you don't normally have is a keen attention to detail. Don't be afraid to slow down for a day to make those final touches you'd normally gloss over.
When the moon's in Libra, you'll feel like the chaperone at the school dance. Fun, flirty, easygoing energy doesn't come naturally to every Goat, and you'll be acutely aware of this fact under the full moon in Libra. Don't force yourself to be someone you're not, Cap, but don't hold back if you do see an opportunity to crack a joke.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Aquarius
When the moon's in Virgo, resist the urge to tinker. If you had it your way, you'd putter about and dabble in whatever subject interested you in the moment. As Virgo-friendly as that curiosity may be, you'll feel added pressure to actually work toward a tangible goal as you go about your passion projects.
When the moon's in Libra, flex your mingling muscles. Aquarians are often dismissed as total hermits, but you can be extremely personable, even the life of the party, when you want to be. This full moon will see everyone coming out of their shell a little more, and you won't be an exception, Water Bearer. Might as well lean into it and be the charmer we know you are deep down.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Pisces
When the moon's in Virgo, you could finally discover a routine that works for you. Your sign is often characterised as the absent-minded professor of the Zodiac, but you aren't totally allergic to a little law and order. You just need a little time to test out different systems. During this lunar phase, give bullet journaling or KonMari-ing a try.
When the moon's in Libra, explore the surface as much as the depths. Not everyone is going to want to hear about the last five dreams you had, Pisces. You might have to spend this full moon exchanging pleasantries instead of flights of fancy, but you could also have a chance to capitalise on Libra's gossipy streak. Others may come running to you for words of wisdom on personal problems before this phase is through.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
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Even though it's starting to feel like fast-fashion can almost beat the industry at its own tricks, fashion week is still the first place we see trends take shape before they're available to the masses. And this season at New York Fashion Week, there were more than a few looks we're sure will be showing up on the high street before you can even say "add to basket."
While some of these must-haves are continuations of trends we're already familiar with, others are less about actual pieces and more about inventive styling combinations. But regardless of how convinced you are, there's no doubt the looks ahead have major potential — they're wearable, replicable, and perhaps most importantly, widely appealing. And knowing how on-point the pieces and styling have been at our favourite fast-fashion retailers lately, we actually can't wait to see what they do with them. Let's just hope they differentiate enough to call the designs their own, eh?
The Sweater-As-A-Scarf Sick of your usual blanket scarf? Us, too. Turns out your boldest sweater does good tied high and tight around your neck, keeping you warm and stylish simultaneously.
Tibi
R13
Creatures of Comfort
The Return of Leopard It's back, and it's more modern than ever. And though the leopard coat seems to be the item of choice, we're seeing the print take over pants, bags, and so much more.
Miaou
Collina Strada
Tom Ford
(More) Polka Dots Call it the Jacquemus effect, but it seems designers can't get enough of polka dots this season. If you already have some in your closet, embrace it. And if you don't? Time to invest.
Nanushka
Tanya Taylor
Saks Potts
Long Skirt + Tall Boots It may seem counterintuitive, but it's a look we've been seeing all over the runways...and it kind of works.
Tibi
Rosie Assoulin
Zimmermann
The Chic Baked Potato Psychedelic, shiny, and reflective? This fabric may have you looking like a fashion-y piece of tinfoil, but you certainly won't go unnoticed.
Sies Marjan
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
Calvin Klein
The Quilted Skirt For a more specific piece we're sure will pop up everywhere, consider the quilted skirt. It feels like you're at home wrapped up in a comfy blanket, but looks like a million bucks.
Prabal Gurung
Dion Lee
Tibi
Spliced Colours Think colourblocking went away? Think again. This season's dresses and coats are spliced in every which way with sections of bold, bright hues.
Adam Selman
Prabal Gurung
Esteban Cortazar
Even Bigger Shoulder Pads We've already seen the return of the '80s power shoulder, but blazers are getting even more dramatic come fall (if that's even possible). These should be fun on the crowded New York City subway.
Marc Jacobs
Calvin Klein 205W39NYC
Vaquera
Checker(board), Mate We've had or fair share of plaids, so we're moving on to a more literal checked pattern that's sure to bring out the Hot Topic in all of us.
Christian Cowan
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
Vaquera
The Sexed-Up Turtleneck Add it to your basics arsenal for layering under blazers. Or if you're feeling brave, wear it all by itself.
Jason Wu
Alexander Wang
Eckhaus Latta
Bows, Bows, & More Bows Dainty ribbons popped up everywhere from hair accessories to sleeve adornments. We're all for a trend that's cute and easy to D.I.Y.
Bevza
3.1 Phillip Lim
Oscar de la Renta
The Belted Coat As A Dress The soon-to-be day-to-night uniform of boss ladies everywhere.
Marni
Antonio Marras
Jacquemus
Silky & Slouchy Comfort over everything (without compromising style, of course).
Bottega Veneta
Marques'Almeida
Roksanda
'80s Prom Finally, your dream dress can be yours — now you just need a school dance to go to.
Saint Laurent
Marni
Natasha Zinko
Clashing Neons Caution: Outfits look best under black light.
Marni
Prada
Missoni
Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy Is funeral fashion a thing?
Erdem
Marine Serre
Mary Katrantzou
Dripping In Jewels Quite literally.
Attico
Erdem
Huishan Zhang
Wallpaper Florals Some worthwhile inspiration for your next home decorating project.
Zimmermann
Emilia Wickstead
Natasha Zinko
Blending Pastels Like a palette of watercolor paints running together, don't be afraid to mix your watered-down hues.
Sies Marjan
Emilio Pucci
3.1 Phillip Lim
Long Live The Bloutfit Read: The black outfit.
Dolce & Gabbana
MSGM
Saint Laurent
The Fair-Isle Sweater It's just one of those pieces that withstands the test of time.
Prabal Gurung
Michael Kors
Prada
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