wabi sabi
Focused on the discovery and acceptance of beauty in imperfections, Wabi Sabi is all about empowering women to love their acne. They should not feel ashamed of their appearance as a result of acne, it should be embraced like any other part of the body. Through Wabi Sabi, women are encouraged to show their bare skin, rather than mask it. Acne isn’t an imperfection. Acne isn’t a flaw. And most of all, acne isn’t ugly.
INTRODUCTION
At a time where female empowerment is so prominent in today’s society, accepting one another for one’s self has never been more important. With the rise of ‘body positivity’, from size to characteristics such as stretch marks and cellulite – it’s time to level up.
PHILOSOPHY Wabi Sabi is an ancient aesthetic Japanese philosophy, deriving from Zen Buddhism. It primarily focuses on the discovery and acceptance of the beauty in imperfection.
侘寂
COLOUR SCHEME
TEXTURE
SOCIAL MOVEMENT
The ‘Body Positivity’ social movement focuses on promoting acceptance of all bodies, as well as challenging society’s ideals of how the body should look. Regardless of characteristics such as race, gender and size, every body deserves a positive image. Using this movement’s mindset, ‘Skin Positivity’ has become increasingly popular amongst individuals. Everyone is encouraged to embrace their skin, regardless of imperfections. It’s all about selflove.
NO FAK E SHIT
MOOD
“Every spring, there’s a brief period when the cherry blossoms bloom. Rows of trees become brightly white and pink, sweet floral scents travel with the spring breeze. And as quickly as they had graced us with their spectacular color and beauty, they fly off with the wind, landing softly on the ground, disappearing back to the soil.” The beautiful period of blossom is only a fleeting moment in time. wIt is impermanent.
NATURE
ARCHITECTURE
Famous landmarks that have collapsed have done so with age, which gives them a unique look. If the landmarks had stayed perfect, then it would not have the same appeal as it does with its imperfections. It shows that it has survived through challenging times of adversity.
INFLUENCERS Sofia Grahn
“Acne has taught me that looks really isn’t ultimately what’s important in life. It has forced me to practice unconditional self-love. regardless of what I might look like or how I might feel. I’m not perfect by any means but I’m still very deserving of the good things in life.”
Louisa Northcote
Louisa Northcote is an activisist and the creator of the skin positivity movement, #freethepimple, which aims to celebrate individuals embracing their acne.
ARTIST
“After posting my unretouched acne images on social media, I received numerous messages from people with albinism, vitiligo, freckles and birthmarks asking me to make work that they could relate to... The more models people see with different complexions, the more normal skin conditions will become.�
Peter DeVito
PHOTOGRAPHER
“In the vein of classic ‘beauty’ photography, Epidermis highlights and showcases the skins of women less often seen. Normality is defined by the images we see all around us, we are led to believe all women have idealised, flawless skin - they don’t. Whether unshown or simply disguised, many women have conditions such as acne, rosacea and eczema and many of these women feel a pressure to hide behind a mask of makeup, covering up what actually makes them unique.”
Sophie Harris-Taylor
“I was embarrassed to even step foot outside my house. The thought of people looking at all the “problems” on my face gave me anxiety. I just wanted to hide my face from everyone. It’s been a difficult process, but I feel more empowered and I stopped caring what people think of my skin anymore. At the end of the day, it’s just skin. It shouldn’t dictate my entire life...” - Joice (Epidermis series)
A Different Kind of Flower This flower is not like the others. Amid the garden of delicate white daisies, she bears the same shape, the same leaves, but there’s something wrong with her petals. Can’t you see? Can’t you see how she sticks out in the garden of white — each petal tainted with red specks? It must be some kind of a disease or malnourishment. The speckled daisy watched alone, as the sea of white danced and swayed with the wind.
Katie Guber (@asianacnegirl)
Spring brought rain and droplets of water fell onto the garden of daisies. As the rain glided across the surface of each petal, white droplets dripped onto the dirt, washing away their pristine white coat, revealing a miraculous bunch of bold and brilliantly colored daisies— each unique with their own design. The
colorful garden danced together in harmony.
So, why hide such beautiful designs? Your designs.
“Being confident in our own skin starts within ourselves. It is undefined and unrestricted by our physical appearance or the bumps and blemishes on our skin.�
@blume
Photography by Peter DeVito
PLAYLIST PRETTY HURTS Beyoncé
GIRL ON FIRE
Alicia Keys feat. Nicki Minaj
CONFIDENT Demi Lovato
GOOD AS HELL
Lizzo feat. Ariana Grande
STRIP
Little Mix feat. Sharaya J
QUEEN Jessie J
PERFECT TO ME
Anne Marie feat. Nicolas Haelg
UGLY
Sugarbabes
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Charlotte Roulstone