OUTRAGE | Stereotypes Must Be Broken

Most of the people I know have encountered some degree of bigotry based on a stereotype surrounding their race, gender, whatever. It's unavoidable. But, of all things, an online matchmaking network is now campaigning against the stereotypes we unknowingly hold within our psyche. The Indian website, Truly Madly's campaign sees a variety people of different walks of life to break the bias with a simple statement that contradicts the stereotype that surrounds their behaviour, personality, beliefs, work, passions and style.

As you can already see, a common misconception that is addressed in the campaign is the conflict (or balance) of work and the person's true calling and passion. In a time when entrepreneurial pursuits and a flourish of the creative industries, there are as many people catching the dream and questioning their own and other people's choice in working within art, music, fashion, architecture and the like. As I myself am working within what some people deem a fickle industry, the breaking of these stereotypes surrounding my passion is important to bring clarity as to what I do for a living. 

These aren't the only issues addressed, as the campaign targets language barriers, socioeconomic status, materialism, vegetarianism/veganism, homophobia and gender roles. Obviously, the goal of the campaign is to bring down any barriers that stop two people making a connection on the website, but it's unquestionable that it also serves as a deterrent of narrow-mindedness - something that we all have to some degree.

Or Dostoyevsky!

To check out the rest of the gallery, CLICK HERE

Source: Truly Madly

OUTRAGE | Stop The Beauty Madness

There is no question, challenging beauty standards has been around for a while, but there is promise in the determination of people who are standing up for body confidence. The latest campaign to glorify our natural beauty, called "Stop The Beauty Madness", has been created by Robin Rice from Be Who You Are. This series of 25 advertisements clarifies to viewers what many women, and men, face when deemed imperfect in terms of looks. 

Beauty issues that are addressed within the campaign include the prejudicial claim that all thin women are anorexic, the nature of beauty within different subcultures, and a fighting statement against the finding of the optimal anti-ageing solution. Another beauty issue being addressed, which has come to fruition as of late, is "Colourism" - the intra-racial preference for paler skin, and the damaging lengths some men and women go to to achieve porcelain skin, a trend very popular in Asian populations. This does not exclude the chase for the perfect golden bronze tinge many women, and men, want within the Western World.

The myriad of identity issues that correlate with beauty standards are broken down in full force within the campaign. The main message that comes through is that whatever age, gender, lifestyle, body type and ethnicity you are, we have to accept ourselves for who we are, and be proud of it!

For a look at the complete campaign, head to www.stopthebeautymadness.com

Images courtesy of Refinery29

Source: Refinery29

Fendi x Karl Lagerfeld: The Glory of Water

It is no surprise that Karl Lagerfeld, as proactive as he is, has contributed his creative genius to Fendi in collaboratively coordinating the launch of the new Paris flagship store. In the heat of Couture Week, an event such as this is heightened by the complementing photography exhibition showcasing the King of Fashion's matchless photography of the Roman fountains of Italy (as part of their collaborative project to restore Trevi Fountain) that went hand-in-hand with the event. The exhibition, "The Glory of Water", is applaudable, seeing as it has given lost glorification to these historical water features of Italy. Amongst the more concentrated buzz around the designers' collections, the exhibition brought a contemplative and almost melancholic air to the chaotic week.  

For a look at the launch of the flagship Fendi store on Avenue Montaigne and more details on the "Glory of Water" exhibition, CLICK HERE

Images courtesy of Fendi, FauxRealFashion, Wallpaper, Blou Art Info and Elle

Riccardo Tisci's Inner Ballerina

Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci is a modern master of fashion - having been named Designer of the Year in 2012 by GQ, designing costumes for Madonna's Superbowl comeback and Rihanna's current Diamonds world tour and of course his rebellious Givenchy collections, he has now expanded into costume design for the regal dance of Ballet. His ability to design minimal high-impact costumes is exemplified in his collaboration with the atelier of the Palais Garnier, at the Opéra national de Paris in France, for the Belgian production, Bolero De Ravel.

The mesmerizing yet haunting designs must be a sight to behold in the flesh, and even from photographs and sketches it's easy to tell the amount of dedication and intricacy in the costumes, which complement the set design by the veteran performance artist, Marina Abramović. The outstanding costumes comprise of skin tight bodysuits which are surprisingly harmonic with the translucently flowing chiffon and crystal details, and effectively depict the dancers as hypnotic alien-like creatures to the audience. Riccardo has truly shown his flexibility in fashion, and it's unpredictable to know what this fashion master will create next.

  

Bolero De Ravel is on stage until June 3, 2013 in Paris, France

For more details on the production, please go to Opéra National de Paris

Images courtesy of CR Fashion Book, A Shaded View on Fashion and Givenchy

Fendi's New Fountain

The glorious Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, a popular tourist destination and a significant Italian historical piece of architecture, is to be restored under a project initiated by Fendi. Sophia Venuturi Fendi, Creative Director and Head Designer for Fendi, and the illustrious King of Fashion, Karl Lagerfeld, will be running the initiative. The project aims not only to bring renewed life into the fountain, but also merge the creative forces of Fendi and Lagerfeld to further emphasize the importance of Fashion in Italian arts and culture. I look forward to seeing the undoubtedly beautiful result of the project! Watch the video below for more information on the project.

Images courtesy of Blogs.ft and Wikipedia

Video courtesy of the official Fendi Youtube channel