ISSUE 523 23 SEPTEMBER 2O2O S T Y L I S T.C O.U K £1.99
Nope... we have no idea either. How to survive in a post-planning world
I S S U E 5 2 3 X 2 3 S E P T E M B E R 2 O 2 O X S T Y L I S T.C O.U K
News 19-22 SCOOP
VB’s beauty mantras, plus essential autumn TV 24 ELSEWHERE
Good news from around the world
Fashion & Beauty 33 MOST DESIRED
We’ve fallen for Emporio Armani’s Icon bag 34 COMFORT ZONE
Rejoice: cosy knitwear is back in business 4 5 P RAC T I C A L M AG I C
Layer up in the season’s chicest trends 4 8 C A N YO U S P O T T H E FA K E ?
Stylist investigates counterfeit beauty products 53 PRESS MUTE
Autumn’s hottest nail shades keep it low-key 55 TREND ON TRIAL
Can Rixo’s yellow shadow brighten up our days?
Features 58 WTF HAPPENS NEXT?
Learning how to live in unknown territory 62 “I REALISED HOW WIRED I HAD BECOME”
Actor Rose Leslie on her lockdown lessons 68 NO MORE SAD SANDWICHES
Chefs tell us what’s inside their dream lunch box 74 “WE NEED TO BE LOUD TO BE HEARD”
Yomi Adegoke on the painful irony of the ‘loud Black woman’ stereotype
Every Week 14 STYLE LIST
Thirty of our favourite things 26 WORK/LIFE
Youth worker Tanya Compas on her 9-5 29 ESCAPE ROUTES
PHOTOGRAPHY: THERE SA MARX
A seaside staycation at the newest Pig hotel 3O TO BE HONEST
“What if I never get good chat back?” asks Billie 7 9 G O U R M E T O N -T H E- G O
Make Ottolenghi’s berry bowl for brunch 8 1 B O O K WA R S
Two eagerly awaited follow-ups battle it out 82 5-MINUTE PHILOSOPHER
Coat, £929, Marina Rinaldi (marinarinaldi.com); bag, £300, Kassl Editions (matchesfashion.com); boots, £345, Ganni (ganni.com)
Skin answers our existential questions STYLIST.CO.UK
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Editorial Editor-in-Chief: Lisa Smosarski Executive Editor, Print: Tracy Ramsden Creative Director: Matt Phare Acting Deputy Editor: Francesca Brown Editor-at-Large: Alix Walker Editorial Assistant: Kiran Meeda PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN
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“We’re back to help you navigate our new world” In January, if anyone had asked me what this year had in store, I could have given you a day-by-day, week-by-week, heck, month-by-month plan of 2020’s key moments. I knew when I was seeing friends, where I was travelling, what my work diary might look like and all the exciting plans we had for Stylist. I’d have told you that my next two months of weekends were mapped out with social events and that my diary, as ever, was bulging at the metaphorical seams. I had no doubt about what 2020 had in store. Except, it turns out, I didn’t, did I? Despite the headlines circling from China, I just couldn’t comprehend how drastically our lives were about to change. Not even astrologers – who are paid to predict the future for a living – guessed what was about to happen (she says, raising an eyebrow cynically). Because, from the end of February, life as I had always navigated it just simply stopped. Our diaries were cleared, our movements constrained, and for the first time in the past decade, Stylist stopped printing. For a planner like me, this newfound invisibility of what my days and weeks ahead looked like shook me to the core. I just didn’t know how to navigate time. So here we are, six months later, back in print – and what a delight that is. We are delivering our issues to you a little differently, but all the elements of Stylist that you love are here. Not least, that unmatchable joy of holding an actual printed issue in your hands again. For the next few months, as we navigate our new world and you navigate yours, our print issue will be back just once a month, but we are still creating a digital issue for you every week which you can read on the new Stylist app and Apple News+. We’ve all had to fast-track our ability to change over the past few months, but for me, the great uncertainty of the constants we took for granted – seeing our friends, hugging our family, travelling wherever we wanted whenever we could – is still the hardest challenge to navigate. To not be able to make plans, schedule events or trips that give us goals to work towards, to not know what happens next, has left us feeling like we are bystanders in our own stories. Which explains why, according to my iPhone, my most used emoji is on the cover this week… because really, no one knows what happens next. We’ve found out how to survive – and thrive – in our new post-planning world on page 58.
Finance Chief Finance Officer: Damien Barioz Management Accountant: Charisse Stanio Accounts address: DC Thomson, 2 Albert Square, Dundee, DD1 9JQN
The Stylist Group Ltd Chief Executive: Ella Dolphin Managing Director: Owen Wyatt Chief Marketing Officer: Sophie Robinson Senior Operations Executive: Susan Robinson Executive Assistant: Sarah Jones Executive Chairman: Ellis Watson
Lisa Smosarski, Editor-in-Chief @lisasmosarski
Editorial complaints We are committed to journalism of the highest standards and abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice which is enforced by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). If you have a complaint, you can email us at readerseditor@ stylist.co.uk or write to the Readers Editor at Stylist, The Stylist Group, 1-5 Portpool Lane, London EC1N 7UU. It is our policy to publish clarifications and corrections when necessary and as quickly as possible. However, should you wish to take the matter further, you can contact IPSO at Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London EC4M 7LG; www.ipso.co.uk or email complaints@ipso.co.uk or call 0300 123 2220.
S T Y L I S T ’ S F E S T I VA L O F I N S P I R A T I O N I S COMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU After a tumultuous year, we’re all in need of some inspiration. Which is why we’re excited to tell you that Stylist Live returns on 14-15 November with a digital experience like no other. A weekend of entertainment streamed to your sofa, expect panel discussions, workshops, expert interviews and access to exclusive discounts via our online boutique. Sign up to the newsletter at stylist.co.uk/ live to find out when tickets are released.
Average distribution: 401,855 (ABC period January-July 2020)
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T HE ST Y LE L I S T
GREEN THINKING
T E A PA R T Y
WILD READ
TIME OUT
HANG IN THERE
Need a fun gift? Plant these pencils complete with mindful thoughts for herbs galore (£10.77, shop.sproutworld.com).
Your screen break needs this bright and beautiful new design from The Completist (£12.50, the-completist.com).
Adam Sharp’s book of lists, The Correct Order Of Biscuits, is weird and wonderful (£9.99, waterstones.com).
Breathe Balm contains chamomile, eucalyptus and cedarwood to calm the senses (£30, eveandkeel.co.uk).
The natural trend is here to stay and the Hatch bamboo shade is the perfect nod to it (from £75, conranshop.co.uk).
BUCKLE UP
F R E S H TA K E
OUTSIDE IN
GREEN EYED
HEAR THIS
Elevate your everyday black ankle boots with an elegant gold buckle (£345, russell andbromley.co.uk).
Calvin Klein Eternity Fresh is a musky update on the 1988 classic (£52 for 50ml, fragrancedirect.co.uk).
Refresh your window box with seasonal refills (£80 for box plus £40 every three months, windowfleur.com).
Part of H&M Studio’s a/w collection, this dress is the answer to our new-season prayers (£59.99, hm.com).
Breakout podcast You’re Wrong About tackles well-known news stories and looks at them from all angles (stitcher.com).
M O S T WA N T E D
LOV E L E T T E R
NEW LOOK
H A N D Y T O H AV E
CLEAN FEEL
Nomad Noé’s scented luxury candles hit the UK – each made with coconut and apricot wax (£55, selfridges.com).
This initial pendant with delicate semi-precious stones is the jewellery update you need (£55, pdpaola.com).
Replicate Stacey Dooley’s red hair with Clairol’s Nice’n Easy in 8WR Golden Auburn (£6.79, boots.com).
The PopPower Home Wireless Charger keeps your phone charged tangle-free (£59.99, popsockets.co.uk).
99% biodegradable, Sanex’s Zero% Shower Gel is nourishing and eco-conscious (£2, tesco.com).
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3 O
LITTLE
P I CK- M E- U PS
SHOP THIS WEEK’S STYLE LIST VIA THE STYLIST APP
WORDS: FRANCESC A BR OWN, SHANN ON PETER, POLLY KNIGHT
EDITOR’S CHOICE
GOOD MORNING
COOL CLASSIC
C A R RY O N
WOV E N WO N D E R
CLOCK IT
For a caffeine kick that doesn’t make your heart race, try My Lifeline CBD cold brew coffee (£33 for six, my-lifeline.co.uk).
Autumn is well and truly here: invest in a trench coat and you’ll wear it for seasons to come (£350, uk.saintandsofia.com).
This personalised case will keep your laptop safe between home and the office (£40, notanotherbill.com).
Remember handbags? This sleek tote looks luxe but has a highstreet price tag (£29.99, reserved.com).
Studio Emma’s concrete clock combines a riot of colour with a touch of industrial chic (£50, curiousmakers.co.uk).
ALL A BLUR
HELPFUL PIECES
F L AT O U T
FRILL SEEKER
HAPPY HOUR
Christian Louboutin’s Matte Lips Fluid in Rouge is the perfect tool for a diffused red lip (£73, selfridges.com).
Bala’s exercise sliders are the ideal home workout buddies for building power (£20, thesportsedit.com).
This autumnal geometric blanket is part of Arket’s collaboration with Swedish artist KG Nilson (£69, arket.com).
This cosy cardi will look great with jeans and trainers – the perfect weekend look (£35, monki.com).
Get Nio’s ready-made cocktails delivered through your letterbox (from £19.50 for three, niococktails.co.uk).
G E T C R E AT I V E
A R T AT TA C K
SWEET STUFF
D A I LY R E S E T
BY T H E BA R
Birmingham-based Folk Like These offer inspired art kits like this travel watercolour set (£26, folklikethese.co.uk).
Amp up your workwear with this Thebe Magugu skirt; add a black roll neck and knee-high boots (£470, 24s.com).
The bubblegum-scented Dear Diary Lip Balm hydrates with jojoba oil (£15, neighbourhood botanicals.com).
With mineral water and antioxidant mushrooms, Ultimune Defense Mist is a great skin soother (£56, shiseido.co.uk).
Yard chocolate is made by a Jamaican cocoa seller who roasts their beans by hand (£5.95, yardconfectionery.com). STYLIST.CO.UK
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SPICE UP YO U R L I F E
B E AU T Y
T H E E VO L U T I O N O F PO S H For her new beauty collection, Posh Lipstick, Victoria Beckham was inspired by her iconic 90s persona. Here, she tells Stylist how to channel your inner Posh Spice She may be one the UK’s most seminal fashion proteges, but Victoria Beckham has long been influential in the beauty space, too. From her signature smoky eye to her impossibly glowy skin, legions of women worldwide are keen to channel her refined approach to beauty. But with her latest drop, Beckham plans to revive her most iconic look of all time: Posh Spice. The new Posh Lipstick collection has an unbelievably buttery formula and comes in eight spectrum-spanning nude shades, plus one modern, subdued red. To VB, it is the manifestation of her signature look. Here, she shares the beauty mantras that encapsulate the Posh spirit.
POSH IS AN AT T I T U D E T O WA R D S B E A U T Y AND LIFE
NOTHING FEELS BETTER THAN WA K I N G U P N A T U R A L LY
“All of the Spice Girls really stood for being your most authentic self and celebrating the differences among us. Today, Posh is about having that same confidence. It’s about being true to yourself, but also not taking yourself too seriously.”
“As opposed to being woken by an alarm. It’s a sign that you’ve had enough sleep. I’m not sure what the perfect amount of sleep is, and having four children, you do lose the ability to sleep in, but I try to get at least eight hours’ sleep by going to bed early with a herbal tea and my Kindle.”
WORDS: SHANNON PETER
PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM N EWTON
C L E A N B E AU T Y I S THE DEFINITION OF MODERN LUXU RY “It’s taken me a long time to educate myself on clean beauty and as a team, we’re continuously still learning. What we have proven with this lipstick – and the brand – is that clean beauty doesn’t have to compromise on luxury or how effective a product can be.”
YO U D O N ’ T N E E D CABINETS FULL OF STUFF “Just a streamlined routine that provides results. More than anything, I want skincare that performs, which is what I’ve created with my two-step skincare heroes [Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum and Priming Moisturizer], which target the health of your skin at the cellular level.”
N O FAC E M A S K IS GOING TO STOP ME FROM WEARING LIPSTICK “The swipe of a lipstick can turn any day around. I don’t just wear it for how it looks to other people, I wear lipstick because it makes me feel great about myself.”
THE POSH LIPSTICK RANGE INCLUDES EIGHT NUDES
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick, £34 each; victoriabeckham beauty.com
VICTORIA BECKHAM IS EMBRACING THE LEGACY OF THE SPICE GIRLS
SCOOP
LETITIA WRIGHT STARS IN STEVE MCQUEEN’S UPCOMING ANTHOLOGY PROJECT SMALL AXE
BOOKS
Lunchtime reads from the wisest of writers Twenty five years ago, Penguin released its now beloved Great Ideas series, highlighting influential works from the most iconic thinkers, pioneers, activists and visionaries of our time. The series has amassed over four million readers since. Now, it’s back with 20 wide-ranging titles and a new look. Immersed in a palette of aqua, muted grey and white, the pocketsized books of knowledge are as aesthetically pleasing as they are informative. “Some covers prescribe, some misguide; some are formal, some informal; some are minimal, some maximal;
TELEVISION
E S S E N T I A L V I E W I NG FOR AU T U M N TV season is officially open for business. Here’s our pick of what to watch over the next couple of months, whatever your mood A D U LT M AT E R I A L Channel 4, autumn Jolene Dollar (Hayley Squires) is one of the most successful porn stars in the UK in this new drama by Lucy Kirkwood. That is until the arrival of a new young performer called Amy, who causes everything to unravel.
THE UNDOING Sky Atlantic, from 26 October Bird Box’s Susanne Bier is the director of this pacy psychological thriller. It stars Nicole Kidman as a successful therapist whose life is turned inside out when her husband Jonathan (Hugh Grant) disappears after a devastating event.
THE CROWN
OLIVIA COLMAN REPRISES HER ROLE AS THE QUEEN IN THE CROWN
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Netflix, from 15 November We’ve all been waiting for this one… Set to cover some seminal moments in recent(ish) history, it’ll include the political ascension of Margaret Thatcher
(Gillian Anderson) and the marriage of Princess Diana (Emma Corrin), meaning women are front and centre.
T H E H AU N T I N G O F B LY M A N O R Netflix, 9 October The follow-up to the frankly terrifying Haunting Of Hill House is set to be even more nervejangling. Set in a manor house in England in 1987, it’s based on Henry James’ gothic ghost story The Turn Of The Screw.
HONOUR ITV, 28 and 29 September In 2006, Banaz Mahmod was murdered on the orders of her father and uncle after she left her abusive husband and fell in love with another man. This two-part factual drama stars Keeley Hawes as DCI Caroline Goode, who investigated the case, while newcomer Buket Komur plays Banaz.
some shout and some whisper,” says designer David Pearson. Included in the collection is writer and feminist Audre Lorde’s When I Dare To Be Powerful, which celebrates female strength and solidarity, and Sojourner Truth’s Ain’t I A Woman?. A former slave lauded as one of the most important orators of her time, Truth’s text covers a selection of her impassioned speeches on the necessity of equal rights for Black women. Essential buys in other words… The Great Ideas books, £5.99 each, are available to buy from 24 September
WORDS: HELE N BOWNASS, KIRAN MEEDA PHOTOGRAPHY: BBC.C O.UK, N ETF LIX
S M A L L AX E BBC One, autumn John Boyega and Letitia Wright star in this vital new anthology series by 12 Years A Slave director Steve McQueen. The five stories centre on the West Indian community in London between the 1960s and 80s and how the characters confronted injustice in the face of adversity.
MARI-LOU & YOUSSOU SOULMATES
SCOOP
DESIGN
SPANISH ARCHITECT MARTA ARMENGOL IS A MUSE FOR CAMPER
B E I N S P I R E D BY THESE FEMALE ARTISTS In celebration of its artisanal roots, fashion brand Camper spotlights four female creatives you need to know One of the most easily recognisable shoes in the industry, Camper’s unique aesthetic of form and function has seen us through some of our most formative moments. In celebration of their 45th anniversary this year, the brand returned to their Mallorcan heritage and put female creatives from the island at the centre of their narrative. One of these muses is Marta Armengol, an architect and artist from Mallorca whose work has been exhibited in Palais de Tokyo in Paris and Matadero Madrid. We asked her to choose four women in the art world whose work we should all explore.
C A R L O TA G U E R R E R O, S PA I N You might not know Guerrero by name, but you will certainly know the self-taught artist as the woman who shot Solange’s iconic cover art for her Grammy award-winning album, A Seat At The Table. Since then the Barcelona-based photographer and art director – who frequently uses sensuality and sexuality of the female form as her subject – has made headlines for her visceral and outer-worldly creations seen at Miami Art Basel.
LOUISE BOURGEOIS, FRANCE One of the great figures of modern and contemporary art, the late Louise Bourgeois was born in Paris and is best known for her emotive large-scale sculptures and installations – her most famous works being a series of huge spider sculptures inspired by her childhood memories of her mother weaving tapestry. The largest of these steel and bronze arachnids, Maman, was made for the opening of Tate Modern in May 2000.
C A RO L B OV E , U S Carol Bove is a conceptual artist based in New York City. Bove describes herself as an anthropologist and creates installations of archival objects gathered from personal experience, literature, art, history and nature. The key to Bove’s success has been in her ability to juxtapose works from popular culture in a thought-provoking way. She was commissioned to create pieces for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 150th anniversary celebration this year.
C A M I L L E H E N R O T, FRANCE Henrot rose to prominence with her 2013 video Grosse Fatigue – fruits of her Smithsonian fellowship, the piece makes use of
SOLANGE’S ALBUM COVER FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE, SHOT BY CARLOTA GUERRERO
themes such as insanity, madness, euphoria and information overload. Not just restricted to video, Henrot’s broader practice stretches beyond this iconic work to include comical drawings, ikebana (the Japanese art of floral arrangement), bronze sculptures and a series of 3D printed telephones that connected to pre-recorded ‘helplines’. Explore the world of Camper at camper.com
LOUISE BOURGEOIS IN 1990, WITH HER ARTWORK, EYE TO EYE
FOOD & DRINK
A NEW GENERATION OF FEMALE DISTILLERS IS BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO THE WHISKY INDUSTRY
UNCLE NEAREST 1856 PREMIUM WHISKEY
THE SEXTON SINGLE M A LT I R I S H W H I S K E Y
NC’NEAN ORGANIC S I N G L E M A LT
Inspired by Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first African American master distiller in Tennessee, and the man who taught Jack Daniels how to make whiskey. Made by Fawn Weaver, it’s bold, spicy and perfect with ginger beer (£55, masterofmalt.com).
Created by Alex Thomas, one of the few female master blenders in the industry, The Sexton is made from 100% Irish malted barley then aged in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks for a rich and fruity flavour (£29.99, amazon.co.uk).
The first whisky from Annabel Thomas’s distillery in the Scottish Highlands is produced using 100% renewable energy. Smooth and delicately fruity, drink it long with soda (£47.95, ncnean.com).
WORDS: BILLIE BHATIA, JENNY TREGONING PHOTOGRAPHY: V ICTOR STAAFX, GETTY IMAGES
Say cheers to whisky made by women
E l s e w h er e GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
A PLAY IN THE R IG HT DIRECTION
BRAZIL’S WOMEN FOOTBALLERS WILL FINALLY GET EQUAL PAY
Brazil For the first time in the country’s history, Brazil’s women footballers will be paid the same as their male counterparts. In 2019, the women’s prize at the Fifa World Cup was $30million – and the men’s was $400million. But earlier this month, Rogério Caboclo, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, announced that every player who represents Brazil will get the same day rates and prize money. To usher in even more change, the confederation has appointed two women’s football coordinators to help with team management. Just last year, Brazil’s beloved forward Marta Vieira Da Silva called for more support at the World Cup final. “The women’s game depends on you to survive,” she said to the crowd, “value it more.” We second that.
THE JUNGLES OF NEW GUINEA HAVE GONE TO THE DOGS
A MUSEUM DEDICATED TO JOY HAS OPENED IN DENMARK
Mindful masks Canada Though
masking up has become a vital way of protecting each other during the pandemic, it can make communication tricky for some. But one social enterprise wants to change that. Based in Winnipeg, The Cutting Edge has been producing masks to help people who have difficulty hearing, with a transparent section over the mouth so they can lip-read. “As schools are going back, many orders are being placed by colleges and some of the groups advocating for accessibility,” said operations director Anne-Lydie Bolay. A simple yet thoughtful way to help. 24
STYLIST.CO.UK
‘SOLIDARITY BATMAN’ FEEDS SANTIAGO’S HOMELESS
Joy to the world Denmark The World Happiness Report listed Denmark as the second happiest place on Earth, so it makes sense that the world’s first Happiness Museum has opened in Copenhagen. Inside, the walls are scattered with positivity-inducing quotes, artefacts that evoke joy and Post-it notes from visitors on what makes them smile. “We thought, why don’t we create a place where people can experience happiness from different perspectives and give them an exhibition where they can become wiser around the questions we try to solve?” said CEO of The Happiness Research Institute, Meik Wiking. It’s exactly what the world needs right now.
Canine encore Papua New Guinea
Have you ever heard a dog sing? Neither have we, and it’s no wonder – singing dogs, native to the jungles of New Guinea and known for their distinctive humpback whalesounding howls, haven’t been seen in the wild since the 1980s. Recently, though, there was a chance sighting of a pack of wild singing dogs on the island, which is reason to celebrate: scientists believed the species had become extinct, but now they know they’re out there, they can be monitored and protected. May they sing to their heart’s content.
A hero in an apron Chile Chile’s homeless population totals more than 12,000, and its capital, Santiago, accounts for half of that alone. While the pandemic continues, the livelihoods of the city’s homeless people largely rely on donations from passers-by. Now, one selfless individual has taken it upon themselves to enact change – and they’re dressing up for the occasion. A masked, selfproclaimed ‘Solidarity Batman’ has been handing out hot meals to the most vulnerable. “Look around you, see if you can dedicate a little time, a little food, a little shelter, a word of encouragement to those who need it,” said the anonymous superhero. An ethos to live by.
WORDS: KIRAN M EEDA PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTE RSTOC K, GETTY IMAGES, R EUTERS
THESE ACCESSIBLE MASKS ARE A STROKE OF GENIUS
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Tanya Compas, youth worker Tanya Compas, 28, is a youth worker and the founder of Exist Loudly. She lives in south London with her girlfriend and flatmates
M Y A L A R M G O E S O F F… Never. I wake up naturally as soon as the sun comes up. I’ll grab my laptop, head downstairs and put on The Receipts Podcast or Say Your Mind by Kelechi Okafor. Breakfast is porridge, which I eat while going through my emails.
TANYA HAS LAUNCHED AN ORGANISATION TO SUPPORT QUEER BLACK YOUNG PEOPLE
R I G H T N O W, I F E E L … Honestly, hopeful. And excited about the future.
POPCORN IS HER GO-TO SNACK FOR THE 3PM SLUMP
I GOT MY JOB… By using my platform. For six years I worked at charities, but I had all these ideas that weren’t being actioned. At the same time, I was building a following as a vocal queer woman. I was delivering workshops in LGBTQ+ education and selfacceptance, visiting schools and appearing on panels. Last year, I went totally freelance, which felt like a big moment. Nine months later, during the resurgence of the BLM movement, I launched the GoFundMe for Exist Loudly, with
M Y T Y P I C A L DAY… Begins at a desk in my spare room. Before lockdown I was on the go a lot, but now most of my work is remote. As of March, it became really tough. Funding was pulled for a project I’d been working on for months and I was relying on that income for the rest of the year. I hadn’t been freelance long enough to get support, so I had to rely on universal credit. I’d worked so hard and it felt like a massive step backwards. It did, however, give me time to reset: I got into cycling and took time to rest.
EXIST LOUDLY IS THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE
I’ll stop for lunch around 1pm and eat salmon or jerk chicken with sweet potato – that’s my thing. Right now, I’m launching Exist Loudly and working on initiatives with other organisations – we just offered free binders (which flatten the chest) to 10 trans and non-binary people. For some, lockdown has meant having to sit with their bodies, and when you don’t feel comfortable in yours, it’s tough. I can finish anywhere from 2pm to 10pm, depending on my workload that day.
My Plan B: PE teacher I have always wanted to work with young people, but I also really love sport, so maybe teaching PE would have been another path for me. But, honestly, I couldn’t really see myself doing anything else.
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M Y G O -T O S N AC K AT WO R K I S… Popcorn at 3pm. Always. MY MOST MEMORABLE M O M E N T… Was launching the Exist Loudly GoFundMe page. I was in disbelief watching the money come in, it was really affirming. M Y WO R ST WO R K HABIT IS… Checking my emails as soon as I wake up. M Y E M A I L I N B OX … Is pretty organised. I recently set up auto-responses, which have made the biggest difference. A FT E R WO R K … My girlfriend will make something like stew and we’ll watch Good Girls or Drag Race. Sometimes we do each other’s make-up, that’s always fun. I’m asleep by midnight.
PHOTOGRAPHY: C HAN TEL KING
plans to support queer Black young people by creating spaces of joy to foster community. We’ve raised £110,000 so far, which feels incredible.
WHEN I’M TIRED OR STRESSED I… Go for a walk or a bike ride. It helps clear my head.
WORDS: HANNAH KEEGAN
I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR… The creation and execution of Exist Loudly, the organisation I founded this year to support queer Black young people. As a youth worker, I’m responsible for guiding young people, too.
Love that feeling? We’ll get you back on the road.
Esc ape Routes THE WHOLE HOG
FIND FOODIE HEAVEN IN NORTH CORNWALL AT THE PIG AT HARLYN BAY
A SEASIDE STAYC ATION: PIG HOTEL-STY LE Stylist’s editor-in-chief Lisa Smosarski visits a UK coastal retreat worthy of the Hamptons Sweeping sandy beaches free of crowds, crystal clear waters, buttery lobster with crisp rosé in the sun… thanks to a mini heatwave, there were times my weekend getaway to The Pig’s newest addition, Harlyn Bay in north Cornwall, felt more like a summer break in the Hamptons than an autumn staycation during a pandemic. The Pig at Harlyn Bay has all the ingredients fans have come to love from this boutique hotel chain – take one neglected manor house, renovate to create cosy snugs and unique bedrooms, then add open fires, a decadent bar, kitchen garden, laidback but impeccable service and a locally sourced menu that ensures you leave with a button or two on your jeans undone. This Pig also has a few surprises up its sleeve: like four new garden wagons, romantic cabin-style rooms that even have a discreet outdoor shower, and The Lobster Shed – a Hamptons-style outdoor restaurant specialising in steak, crab and the most delicious lobster. The Pig sticks to its policy of only serving food found within a 25-mile radius by embracing the sea that makes up much of the area. And it is the coastline that makes this hotel a jewel in the Piggy crown, because just seven minutes’ stroll
traditional cream teas, pasty shops, Roskilly ice away is Harlyn Bay, a beautiful stretch of sand, cream and genuinely great fish restaurants. But loved by surfers, that even got us city-dwellers The Pig more than holds its own – as well as onto a bodyboard and into the gently shelving bay and crashing waves. In fact, The Pig at Harlyn The Lobster Shed, the main restaurant serves Bay is a beach-lover’s dream, surrounded by some memorable dishes like chunky hake in mouthwatering pickled celery brown butter, crispy salt of Cornwall’s most loved bays – Constantine, and pepper cuttlefish and hand-dived scallops. Mother Ivey’s and Booby’s (no sniggering) – The hotel team have cleverly incorporated which are all a short walk away, or take a twosocial distancing measures while maintaining and-half-hour loop to get the best views from the sense of rest, relaxation and indulgence that the headlands and a pitstop at each beach. The Padstow area is a foodie’s dream – made you go to a hotel like The Pig for. Baskets of face masks and Bramley hand sanitisers are most famous by chef Rick Stein and his four ready for use, there are “personal safety kits” in eateries (a visit isn’t complete without Rick’s fish bedrooms and regular sanitising of public areas and chips by the harbour, a 10-minute drive away) – and you’re spoilt for choice with masses and rooms. The breakfast buffet is temporarily of cosy Cornish pubs with gone, but in its place are PRISTINE COASTLINE AND fascinating pirating histories, table-served buffet menus. AL FRESCO LOBSTER: NO With overseas travel WONDER LISA IS SMILING HARLYN BAY IS A POPULAR uncertain for months to come, SURFING BEACH The Pig at Harlyn Bay could not have arrived at a better time. A seaside staycation to match anything you’d find further afield, it might change how you holiday forever. From £150 a night, excluding breakfast; thepighotel.com
T O B E H O N E S T. . . S T Y L I S T ’ S C O L U M N I S T B I L L I E B H AT I A H A S S O M E T H O U G H T S , AND SHE’S NOT AFRAID TO SHARE THEM
“What if I never get good chat back? ” t’s human nature to dwell on our flaws. There is an irony in how good we are at this. If listing our negatives were a sport, we would all have a gold medal swinging from our bedroom mirror. Acknowledging the good about ourselves is near impossible, let alone saying it out loud, or in this case writing a column about it. So, here goes. I’m good at cooking (better at eating); I’m good at racket sports; I’m good at remembering friends’ personal details; and I’m good at winged eyeliner. If I had to say what I was best at, it wouldn’t be writing, or putting outfits together for fashion week, it wouldn’t even be making spinach and paneer curry, it would be having good chat. Good chat is bestowed to a certain type of person. Most frequently they possess underdogtype qualities, and due to this, have put considerable effort into things they can control, such as good chat. I can’t control the fact my dad’s dominant waistline and moustache genes outweighed my mum’s razor -sharp cheekbones and toned arms. I have never been the prettiest person in the room, never the slimmest, never the best dressed, or the most polished. I fall into the middle ground, and that’s OK with me because I wouldn’t trade my good chat for any of those things.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH BRICK HAIR AND M AKE- UP: MAR ISOL STEWARD AT FRANK AGEN CY
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I was about eight years old when I realised I had good chat. My parents were hosting a dinner party and I took it upon myself to get acquainted with our guests. I proceeded to question, converse with and tell stories to any grown up who would listen. Turns out I was pretty good at it. Before I could even mention giving my tennis coach a black eye because I had unnatural strength for a child, they were all bent over with laughter. As I progressed in years, so did my conversational flair. I was welcomed into friendship groups at high school that, if we were sticking to ‘typical’ high school cliques, wouldn’t ordinarily have given me a look in. I had an easy relationship with teachers and frequently got away with things I shouldn’t have thanks to a quick wit and humorous retort. When I confronted a boy who had a crush on me, I asked him why he liked me (it wasn’t for my Tammy Girl non-uniform look, I can tell you that). He replied on MSN Messenger, “IDK, coz you’ve got bantz”. The older I got the more good chat became my thing, so much so I had a reputation as a ‘friend stealer’ – still one of my proudest accolades. Like a predator stalking the savannah, if there was fresh meat to join our social situation, they were all mine. You want to talk about dating? Let me tell you about this time I thought I had
pulled Ed Sheeran outside Notting Hill Arts Club. You think you have a cringe-inducing travelling story? I packed a denim mini skirt and cowboy boots for a family holiday to rural India… There wasn’t a person or a situation I didn’t have an anecdote for or a willing ear – me and my chat would and could always get me through. These last few weeks however, I have feared the worst: that coronavirus has stolen my best quality, my good chat. Without my usual life packed full of new and exciting experiences bolstering my personality and conversation, I live in fear that my chat has dried up like an old piece of toast. Instead of an easy flow of fun, my chat has been reduced to a staccatodelivered, “There is meant to be a mini heatwave next week” and, “What are you cooking for dinner?” Because my new office chair, my seven-step skincare routine, and how my fitness levels are so dire I constantly fear aneurysms when I look at a big hill, are really not cutting it. Forget work burnout, I’ve got chat burnout and it’s a fire that very much needs fuelling. I pray that my good chat comes back with a vengeance, ideally bigger, brighter and more hilarious than it was before. Because right now, I pity anyone who has to hang out with me.
MO ST WA NTE D : BOTT E G A V E N E TA’ S C AT- EY E SU N G LAS S E S A pair of classic sunglasses will get me through this good-chat lull. Not only will they give me something to talk about, they will shield me, in the most stylish way, from making eye contact when the conversation runs dry. No one is doing accessories quite like Bottega Veneta (see its dumpling Pouch bag), and while these sunglasses are lighter on my bank balance, they still pack a sartorial punch. (£285, matchesfashion.com)
“Forget work burnout, I’ve got chat burnout and it’s a fire that very much needs fuelling”
Autumn / Winter 20
Discover more at vagabond.com
C H E C K M AT E
WORDS: POLLY KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY: HARRY PEDERSEN ART DIRECTION: MEGAN GLYNN
EMPORIO ARMANI ICON Checks are big news for a/w 2020 and this houndstooth bag is a timeless way to wear the trend. The clashing checkerboard squares give this classic top-handle bag a contemporary feel, a key feature of Emporio Armani’s Icon collection, taking iconic pieces and giving them a sharp modern twist. Wear crossbody with jeans and a knit or with oversized tailoring for work. Bonus points: it’s the perfect size for all your daily essentials. Bag, £330, Emporio Armani Icon (armani.com); Join Stylist and Emporio Armani for an exclusive virtual trends event on Tuesday 29 September; tickets, £15, from stylistxemporioarmani.eventbrite.co.uk
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C OMFORT ZONE This autumn, cosiness doesn’t mean compromising on style. Think fluffy outerwear, knitted dresses and supersized scarves, finished off with this season’s stomping boots: practical and chic FA S H I O N : P O L LY K N I G H T PHOTOGRAPHY: THERESA MARX
Jacket, £4,100, and trousers, £1,550, both Dior (dior.com); jumper, £460, Eudon Choi (eudonchoi.com); trainers, £200, Diadora (diadora.com) 34
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Dress, £329, and scarf (in hand), £109, both Boss (hugoboss.com); scarf (around neck), price on request, Joseph (joseph-fashion.com); shoes, £595, Manolo Blahnik (manoloblahnik.com)
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Left: coat, £929, Marina Rinaldi (marinarinaldi.com); cardigan, £475, Eudon Choi (eudonchoi.com); boots, £345, Ganni (ganni.com); bag, £300, Kassl Editions (matchesfashion.com) This page: Coat, £3,600, skirt, £1,670, belt, £350, and boots, £1,030, all Prada (prada.com) STYLIST.CO.UK
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Dress, £2,370, and boots, £845, both Bottega Veneta (bottegaveneta.com) 38
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Jumpsuit, price on request, Joseph (joseph-fashion.com); shoes, £290, Osoi (brownsfashion.com)
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FASHION
Coat with belt, £2,795, Stella McCartney (stellamccartney.com); roll neck, £39, Kettlewell (kettlewellcolours.co.uk); boots, £475, Neous (neous.co.uk)
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Tomorrow starts tonight
FASHION
Coat, £1,005, and skirt, £490, both Max Mara (maxmara.com); roll neck, £250, Studio Nicholson (studionicholson.com) Model: Amandine Guihard at Next Hair: Wilson Fok at Eighteen Management using Boucleme Make-up: Riona O’Sullivan using Mac Nails: Tinu Bello at One Represents using Peacci Set design: Maya Angeli Set assistant: Markos Iwannides Fashion assistant: Cristiana Frunza Photography assistants: Andre Vasiljev and Kurt Fairbairn Casting: Jessica Harrison With thanks to: Rida Studios This fashion shoot adhered to government guidelines.
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Tomorrow starts tonight
FASHION Tracksuit bottoms, £34.90, Uniqlo U (uniqlo.com)
Cape, £137, Shahini Fakhourie (shahinifakhourie.com)
Skirt, £65, & Other Stories (stories.com)
Boots, £275, Toast (toa.st)
Dress, £99, Kin (johnlewis.com)
PRACTICAL MAGIC Whether you’re hunkering down or braving the elements, get all wrapped up in soft, cosy layers and shower-proof outerwear
Boots, £79, Kurt Geiger London (kurtgeiger.com)
FA S H I O N : P O L LY K N I G H T Bag, £270, Stand Studio (matchesfashion.com) Coat, £110, Weekday (weekday.com)
Shoes, £155, Gant (gant.co.uk)
Trousers, £79, Arket (arket.com)
Scrunchie, £8, Peachy Den (peachyden.co.uk)
Dress, £99, Guess (guess.eu) STYLIST.CO.UK
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The power of dressing well Yes, fashion is a form of self-expression, but it can also help promote a positive headspace‌
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STYLIST ADVERTORIAL
e all have that one piece of clothing that makes us feel invincible. From a battered trophy band T-shirt to the sequin dress that never fails to turn heads, we form deep relationships with our clothes and how we wear them. However, we think it’s fair to say that this year has not only changed how we dress, but how we feel about clothes in general. This new approach to how we dress in the wake of lockdown is something that fashion brand Tu is now championing, as our clothes have arguably become more attached to our overall sense of wellbeing. We’ve all seen how, in the absence of impromptu office gatherings, meals with friends or cutting loose on a night out, we
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have found comfort in the garments that made us feel good when everything else felt a bit unstable. The cuddly jumper. The super-soft leggings. The statement earrings worn during an important online meeting or call. As we finally start to return to some semblance of normality, Tu is actively promoting this idea of dressing to create a positive mood for the new season. Shopping for a winter coat now taps into our new-found love for being outside. Incorporating bright colours will increase our good vibes, even if we’re just hanging out on Zoom. Most importantly, we want our clothes to make us feel good inside as well as out, and the new collection from Tu has a whole bunch of pieces to help you create a happier wardrobe… Dress well, feel good. Shop the collection online at tu.co.uk
Opposite page: mustard coat, £40, cream knit, £22; (this page, above left) denim jacket, £22, jeans, £18, plain T-shirt, £3.50; (above) check jacket, £28, check trousers, £18, fine knit, £14, all available at Tu (tu.co.uk)
Fe el- g ood fa s hion t houg ht s Stylist Lucie Clifford talks us through her top tips for dressing to boost your mood THE FINE ART OF POWER DRESSING
DON’T BE SHY OF BOLD COLOURS
E M B RAC E T H E SIMPLE THINGS
A two-piece suit is a great investment, and will make you feel confident even on days when you don’t wake up feeling 100 per cent. Perfect for work or play, a well put-together outfit can and will enhance your self-love.
No matter what shape, size or age, dressing for yourself will enhance wellness and lift your positivity. Choose bold colours that make a statement. Yellow is a great mood-lifter, and will add a layer of sunshine to any ensemble.
Denim is a wardrobe staple, and transitions from season to season. Fall back in love with your jeans by pairing them with new pieces for a fresh new look. Change is healthy, and it can also be exhilarating.
BEAUTY
CAN
YOU
SPOT
COUNTERFEIT COSMETICS HAVE BECOME MORE PREVALENT THAN EVER
THE
With sales of counterfeit cosmetics rising by more than half during lockdown, Stylist investigates the murky side of the online beauty industry WORDS: HANNA IBRAHEEM PHOTOGRAPHY: SAM KAPLAN
FAKE? hen Priya* purchased a hard-to-get lip gloss at a fraction of the usual price from a reseller online, she thought she had nabbed herself a good deal. “The packaging looked completely normal and the colour was spot on,” she remembers. But when Priya swiped the doe foot applicator across her lips, she realised quickly that something wasn’t right. “I’m convinced it was laced with something like superglue,” she says. “When I put the lip gloss on, it gave my lips that sticky feeling that you get with a tacky lip gloss. Suddenly, I couldn’t separate my lips. They were stuck together.” Turns out, she’d been duped by a fake. Unfortunately, Priya’s experience isn’t unique. A report published by the OECD and the Intellectual Property Office confirmed that cosmetics and perfume account for a third of all counterfeited products entering the UK, and during the Covid-19 crisis there’s been a 56% rise in counterfeit beauty goods being sold online. Not only are fakers targeting the most desirable
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BEAUTY
DEDICATED TASKFORCES ARE CARRYING OUT RAIDS ON COUNTERFEIT SELLERS
brands – MAC is believed to be the most counterfeited beauty brand in the world – they’re also producing seriously deceptive fakes, making it difficult for even the most clued-up consumers to tell the difference. And it’s not only buyers who need to be protected – the real victims of beauty fakes are often people from the world’s poorest regions, including children, who are exploited to produce them in poor conditions for next-to-nothing by crime syndicates. And as with most organised crime, the counterfeit industry weaves a twisted web. “Profits from intellectual property crime are used to fund other serious crimes such as drug smuggling, people trafficking, money laundering and child pornography,” says Eleanor O’Connor, communications coordinator at The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association. But the beauty industry is fighting back. Multibillion-dollar global brands such as The Estée Lauder Companies and Amazon have hired specialist anti-counterfeit experts to clamp down on the sale of fakes around the world. “The Estée Lauder Companies pursues counterfeiting operations and the individuals responsible for the production, distribution and sale of the counterfeit goods through a cross-functional team comprised of worldclass experts in anti-counterfeiting,” says Michael Thwaites, director of security at The Estée Lauder Companies UK and Ireland. “These teams work with UK and US federal law enforcement as well as international customs officials to prevent the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods. We file criminal and civil actions. We take down websites and act against sellers on marketplaces and social media.” In June this year, Amazon set up its Counterfeit Crimes Unit, investing more than 50
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Throughout the pandemic, many of us have been forced to take our spending power to the web, as online shopping has risen by 129%. And given that beauty has proven to be a pick-me-up in uncertain times, it has left more of us than ever vulnerable to being duped. “I once bought a foundation from an online reseller,” says Anete, another victim of beauty fakery. “When it arrived, I noticed that the writing on the packaging was slightly different from the original. My skin can take a lot, but it made my face feel itchy and I could not wait to wash it off. It smelled like glue mixed with cheap perfume.” This is one of the major hazards of buying counterfeit products – they can be made with cheap and often dangerous ingredients. “We’ve done laboratory tests on counterfeit perfumes and found they contained poisonous chemicals, cyanide, rat droppings and even human urine,” reveals Commander Baxter. “There have also been cosmetics like eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss created with high levels of toxins and chemicals, such as arsenic and lead. These can all cause really serious, severe reactions, including rashes, burns and long-term scarring.”
Beauty hackers And it’s not just your health at risk: buying counterfeit beauty products can also pose major security issues. Well-known websites such as eBay, Amazon and Depop offer some level of security should you have a bad experience, but purchasing a product from an illegitimate website could expose you and your data to serious harm. They’ve got you from the moment you set up an account to make a purchase. “If I were a fraudster, I’d have your email address and there’s a strong possibility you’ve used the same password that you use for your email account, too,” explains DC Weizmann Jacobs of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit. “Once I’ve gotten into your email, I can go through every other account you have and begin resetting passwords.” Put simply, the easiest way to ensure you’re buying authentic products is to only purchase from authorised sellers, such as the brand’s own website or a department store. “Fraudsters will
“ W E ’ V E D ON E L A B O R AT O RY T E S T S ON C O U N T E R F E I T P E R F U M E S A N D F O U N D T H E Y C ON TA I N E D C YA N I D E , R AT D R O P P I NG S A N D E V E N H U M A N U R I N E ” One raid carried out in Grimsby by the Local Government Association seized creams that contained hydroquinone – the dermatological equivalent of paint stripper, often found in illegal skin-lightening products, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and damage internal organs. A quick scroll through Reddit throws up hundreds of threads detailing horrifying experiences of stinging eyes, burnt faces and swollen lips. Skincare has a history of fakery too, with Commander Baxter revealing that she’s even come across counterfeit sunscreen. “Could you imagine thinking you’re putting on factor 30 or factor 50, only to be putting yourself at risk of serious sunburn?” That’s exactly what happened to Rebecca. “I bought what I thought was factor 50 sunblock
try to deceive shoppers by slightly changing the spelling of a well-known brand or shop in the website address,” warns The Anti-Counterfeit Group (ACG). “Just because a site ends with ‘.co.uk’ does not mean that the seller is based in the UK. Also, if there is no address supplied or if there is just a PO Box or email, be wary.” The ACG also recommends checking for spelling mistakes on web pages and ensuring the URL starts with ‘https’ to indicate a secure payment. And if you do have a concern over fake products or dodgy websites, you can report these to Trading Standards or seek help from Citizens Advice. In these uncertain times, when a little bit of luxury goes a long way, that old adage has never been more pertinent: if it seems too good to be true…
PHOTOGRAPHY: SAM KAPLAN/TRUNKARC HIVE.C OM , SHUTTERSTOCK
The ugly truth
by a well-known brand during a holiday in Cyprus,” she tells Stylist. “Because I bought it in a shop on the beach and it was displayed on a sunblock stand, I assumed it must be legit, especially as it cost €30. I also couldn’t go without suncream so I bought it. Throughout the day, my skin was hot and burning, so I kept topping it up. I also sat in the shade. But by the time I came home I was badly burnt. I thought it was strange considering I always wear a high factor and this hasn’t happened before. That’s what made me think the cream wasn’t genuine.” Hair tools aren’t off limits to beauty scammers either. “Most counterfeit straighteners have an unregulated plug, which won’t have any safety features,” explains Commander Baxter. “It makes them lighter in weight, which means they’re cheaper for the seller to post to the buyer.” They also lack the in-built mechanism that stops the plates from overheating, which not only poses a fire or explosion hazard, but a major risk of injury: Commander Baxter has seen one victim who burned an entire chunk of her scalp using a fake pair of straighteners.
*NAME HAS BEEN C HANGED
$500million (£388million) in a global team comprising federal prosecutors, experienced investigators and data analysts to protect its store from counterfeits. Online retailer eBay also has a dedicated team working to identify potential counterfeit listings. “We have zero tolerance for counterfeit items and we want our users to feel confident they are only paying for genuine items on our marketplace,” an eBay spokesperson told Stylist. The City of London Police are taking action, too, with a counterfeit taskforce that conducts online raids. “A team of investigators go online every single day and look across transactions being made. They will proactively look for fake websites and get them taken down,” says Commander Karen Baxter, head of economic crime. So far, they’ve taken down around 94,000 websites, thus halting the sale of one hell of a lot of fake beauty products.
STYLIST ADVERTORIAL
THE POWER OF THREE Building a hardworking skincare routine needn’t feel like hard work – just follow these three fundamentals
e’re about to let you in on a little secret: skincare isn’t complicated. In fact, the best routines – the kind recommended by dermatologists – are those that focus on just three ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and retinol. It’s what we like to call the holy trinity of skincare…
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T H E H Y D R AT I O N POWERHOUSE
Healthy skin is hydrated skin, which is why a hyaluronic acid serum is the cornerstone of any skincare routine. This clever molecule has special humectant qualities, meaning it attracts water to the surface layers of skin, effectively plumping the complexion while simultaneously topping up moisture reserves. A blend of hyaluronic acid and soothing niacinamide, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum douses skin in intense hydration. This hero can be used in both the morning and evening and it has been clinically proven to restore and plump skin in just one day.
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THE A N T I OX I DA N T HERO
Between dirt, pollution and UV rays, skin has a lot to contend with throughout the day, which is why skincare that strengthens skin’s defences is key. Enter vitamin C. Considered the
GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES
gold standard in antioxidant protection, it fights environmental aggressors, and protects against the free radical damage they can cause. Better still, vitamin C has been found to amp up collagen production and boost radiance. Given its potency, some vitamin C formulas can cause irritation. However, La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum contains 10% L-ascorbic acid, an excellent dosage to yield results without upsetting even sensitive skin. Apply it every morning under SPF.
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THE EXPERT A N T I -AG E R
The skincare finale is retinol. One of the most powerful skin ingredients, it works by stimulating cell turnover, thereby smoothing over fine lines and evening out hyperpigmentation. With soothing vitamin B3, La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum is specifically designed for sensitive skin. But no matter the skin type, the key to introducing retinol is to allow skin time to adjust. Start by applying three drops every second
or third night to build up tolerance, before graduating to nightly use. And note: retinol can increase skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, so be especially diligent with your SPF. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+ is ideal for everyday use. Shop La Roche-Posay skincare online at Boots.com
BEAUTY
Nails Inc Nail Polish in Hawaii Beach Nude, £8
Chanel Le Vernis in Richness 719, £22
Peacci Nail Polish in Sepia, £10
P RE SS Candy Coat Gloss Palette in Harlee No 037, £6.99
STOCKISTS: CANDY COAT (LOVEC AN DYCOAT.C OM), CHANEL (SE LF RID GES.COM), ESSIE (BOOTS.C OM ), J HANN AH (LA-GE NT.C OM ), NAILBERRY (NAILBER RY.CO.UK), NAILS INC (NAILSINC.C OM ), PEACC I (PEAC CI.C OM ), PILLBOX (PILLBOXCOSMETICS.CO M)
Essie Expressie in Precious Cargo-go!, £7.99
From dirty pink to washed-out apricot, a/w 2020 is the season of the muted mani WORDS: SHANNON PETER PHOTOGRAPHY: PIXELEYES
J.Hannah Nail Polish in Fauna, £20
Pillbox Nail Polish in Sun-Kissed, £7.99
Nailberry L’Oxygéné Nail Lacquer in Love Me Tender, £15
newlook.com
Tori Mom jeans
ÂŁ28.99
TREND ON TRIAL T E S T I N G B E A U T Y ’ S L AT E S T L O O K S
CAN R IXO ’ S SUN S HINE Y E L LOW EYE S B RIG HT EN U P OUR DAYS? Shannon Peter
T H E P OW E R TOOLS Clinique All About Shadow in Lagoon, £17.50
Stylist’s beauty director says: Just like the brand’s
bright and playful prints, Rixo’s a/w 2020 make-up was pure, unadulterated cosmetic joy. And it was a joy to apply, too. I pasted a vivid yellow shadow over the entirety of my eyelids, before pressing a fingerprint of blue on the inner corner topped with a teeny tiny flat-backed crystal. Fun and easy – just how make-up should be.
C OM PILED BY: LUCY PARTINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES STOC KISTS: MAC C OSMETICS (MACCOSMETICS.CO.UK), C LINIQUE (LOOKFANTASTIC.C OM), CLAIRE’ S (CLAIRES.CO.UK), NYX PROF ESSIONAL M AKE-UP (CULTBEAUTY.CO.UK)
Lucy Partington Stylist’s beauty editor says: The slightly sunburnt peachy flush paired with bright yellow eyes, a dab of sky blue in the corner and finished with a little diamanté brought me so much happiness. It’s been so long since I played with colour and doing this look reminded me that, actually, make-up doesn’t always have to be neutral smoky eyes and skin-toned lips. Whether I’d actually go out in public like this is another matter – although, thinking about it, it would work well with a mask – but for those days when I don’t have to leave the house? I’m in.
Hanna Ibraheem
Mac Eye Shadow in Chrome Yellow, £16
SHANNON IS SERIOUSLY FEELING THE JOY
BRIGHT EYES AT RIXO A/W 2020
Claire’s Clear Body Gems, £5.50
A FUN ALTERNATIVE TO THE SMOKY EYE, SAYS LUCY
HANNA WILL BE WEARING THIS TO HER NEXT BIG EVENT
Stylist’s senior beauty writer says: I love wearing yellow. My skin’s natural tones
Verdict
could be the reason I think it works for me, and it’s why I have numerous bright yellow Indian outfits. Yellow eyeshadow, however, is new territory. I had to balance a tightrope of applying enough to make it pop but avoiding a clown-like look. I then patted a sparkly blue shadow and crystals on my inner corners (harder than you’d think) and loved the result. It’s so fun and bold. I need to remember this look for the next event or Asian wedding I go to.
Dreary, rainy days are not much fun, but it seems we all agree that adding a touch of bright colour to our lids is a great way to inject some instant happiness when things get bleak. We love this look for different reasons, too. Whether it’s because it suits our skintone, or simply because it makes make-up feel fun again, it’s a big fat ‘yes’ from us. With thanks to Republic of Photography
NYX Sweet Cheeks Creamy Powder Blush Glow in Summer Breeze, £6
NEW
RESPECTS YOUR SKIN Carefully selected ingredients
RESPECTS THE PLANET 99% biodegradable formula
JOIN US: stylist.co.uk/consciouscollective
WTF HAPPENS NEXT? Feeling confused, worried, jumpy about the future? As we continue heading into uncharted waters, Stylist explores how we can learn to live – and thrive – in a post-planning world WORDS: FRANCESCA BROWN
t’s been exactly six months since the country locked down and our lives were radically upended – and as we enter autumn, things still seem pretty much in flux. Right now, and for the remainder of 2020, the question ‘Where do you see yourself in six months’ time?’ is void, because no one – not even the experts – seems to know where we’re headed. “Since lockdown became less restricted, I started feeling more positive thanks to having more routine,” says Paula Hunter, who runs a PR company in Manchester. “Work started trickling in again and that felt good. But Manchester is in partial lockdown again and that’s brought back anxiety. I’m healthy, sure, but I feel off-kilter, and I’m still wishing life was back to normal.” Wishing for ‘normal’ is understandable, but currently impossible. Since humans are hardwired creatures of habit, we need stability to keep our brains functioning efficiently. “The brain needs to know what’s coming next to increase its energy, which is why we form habits,” says Dr Emma Yhnell at
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the School of Biosciences in Cardiff. “Connections between the neurons (brains cells) are strengthened if something is done regularly, and thus uses up less of our brain energy.” When lots of new things are happening, it requires more energy for the brain to process, store and remember. “We won’t always know what is coming next and, in terms of the brain, a small amount of this is OK, but if we are faced with a huge amount of uncertainty this can be problematic,” she says. Basically, in neuroscience terms, our brains deliberately build themselves neatly so they’re working to optimum capacity – and they’re not keen on pandemics arriving and screwing things up. “The billions of neurons in our brain are arranged in ordered networks so that they can effectively communicate with each other,” adds Dr Yhnell. “Biological systems tend to resist disorder and minimise uncertainty so that they can work quickly and efficiently. If uncertainty can’t be reduced and additional energy can’t be found, we may start to experience problems with the brain and memory issues. When we experience uncertainty, the brain enters a hypervigilant state to try and decrease uncertainty, but this requires a lot of energy and it can’t be sustained in the long term.” It’s why many of us have struggled to focus on work as we attempt to understand the drip feed of government guidelines and this strange new world. Think about how the brain had to adapt every three weeks as lockdown rules were updated, and every day at 5pm as new information trickled in from daily briefings. “The initial stress response caused cortisol and adrenaline to flood our minds and our bodies,” explains psychotherapist Zoë Aston, author of Your Mental Health First Aid Kit ebook and the upcoming Your Mental Health Workout. “This causes the amygdala (the part of the brain that deals with real or imagined threats) to perceive a trauma, which creates the fight, flight or freeze response.” Unfortunately, none of us can see or fight a virus, so we’re left reeling. Simultaneously, we’re having to manage our zig-zagging emotions. “We are dealing with the grief process too, which traditionally is denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, although not necessarily in that order,” says Aston. “Denial is the psychological defence system that paces overwhelming amounts of psychological data. But our denial systems have
BEING OPTIMISTIC CAN MAKE YOU MORE RESILIENT – AND HAPPIER
“IT MAY FEEL PARALYSING RI G HT NOW, BUT W E A B SO LUT ELY HAVE I T I N US TO R I SE A B OVE T H E MO NST RO SI T Y T H AT I S 2 O2 O ” been compromised since March because there’s no escape from the negative news and we can’t get angry – a useful coping tool – at a virus. Instead, we appear to have become caught in the bargaining phase, trying to make sense of things while everything is still so uncertain.” So, if we can’t control the here and now, the billion-dollar question is: how do we find ways to cope and move forwards? “The answer is more about psychology than neuroscience,” says Dr Yhnell. “Rather than retraining the brain to relinquish control, we can try to accept that there are many things we can control through mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy. This will improve our mental health.” It is something Emma Markezic discovered in 2016 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s. In her book Curveballs, she explores how to deal with the loss of a loved one, illness or redundancy. Her techniques, which include labelling emotions, avoiding news or simply adopting a positive outlook, can undoubtedly be applied to the collective trauma of a pandemic.
The six stages of pandemic anxiety We’ve all been on our own journey since January. Here, psychologist Dr Rachel O’Neill, a therapist at Talkspace, guides us through the emotional peaks and troughs of a global pandemic
1 . WO R RY In the pre-crisis phase, before a crisis has reached its peak, individuals experience a sense of fear and concern about what will happen next. We were all glued to the news, remember?
“It may feel paralysing right now, but we absolutely have it within us to rise above the monstrosity that is 2020,” she says. “I don’t think happiness is the ultimate goal, it’s resilience. If you work on making yourself a more resilient human, what I’ve discovered – through both personal experience and scientific fact – is that happiness is simply a by-product of being resilient.” With this in mind, it’s important to remember that 2020 is helping things move to a more positive future. They may be small wins in the midst of a pandemic but they represent hope: long-awaited investment in our healthcare system, rethinking the way we shop, plans to boost the UK’s cycling network by £250million, flexible working finally being taken seriously. “Research shows that 50% of how ‘happy’ you can be in any given moment is written in your genes,” says Markezic. “After that, 10% comes from the circumstance and 40% from choice. That 10% isn’t working in our favour right now, but that great big 40% can, because that’s the part that you have control over. If you choose to be optimistic, you will ultimately find yourself more resilient and happier.” We can also all take courage from the fact humans can thrive during unexpected changes. Devina was forced to pivot after her work as a football coach dried up. “I wanted to do something for people whose mental health had been compromised by lockdown, so I joined up with Tower Hamlets’ football academy to run online training sessions, Zoom socials for over-50s and free play sessions and healthy meals for children,” she says. Of course, it’s important to remember we’ve all been through something momentous – and we should not expect to ‘bounce back’ from it or solve the crisis on our own. “The best word I can think for what’s going to change the future is altruism – it can be something as small as not holding a grudge, helping each other or making more conscious choices,” says Markezic. “Science has proven being altruistic can actually change your gene expression on a cellular level, so you’re not only more mentally resilient but less likely to get sick, and can even live longer.” And maybe that’s the secret. The future has always been a mystery, pandemic or not. But if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that kindness, optimism and resilience are vital for weathering the storm. And never have we been better practised.
2 . PA N I C After the initial shock, there may be a focus on tangible tasks like obtaining food, water, and a place to stay. Hence all that toilet paper stockpiling when lockdown was imminent.
3 . P R A G M AT I S M There’s a focus on coming together and helping the community. In this phase, it’s not uncommon for individuals to neglect some of their own emotional needs and focus on others.
H OW TO TH R I VE , 2O2O -STY LE We asked the experts for their best coping techniques
S AY B Y E T O YO U R O L D L I F E “While we want to go back to life before, things have changed forever. In my research, 80% of people going through a transition turned to rituals in some form to mark that new beginning. This can be anything from having a gathering with loved ones to starting a new creative venture,” says Bruce Feiler, author of Life Is In The Transitions (£12.99, Penguin Press).
RECLAIM YO U R T I M E “Schedule one hour a day when you can be still, listen to a podcast and take on helpful tips. Therapy For Black Girls is a weekly conversation with psychologist Dr Joy Harden Bradford. Also, Oprah’s SuperSoul podcast is designed to ‘guide you through life’s big questions’,” says Chelsea Kwakye, co-author of Taking Up Space (£12.99, Merky Books).
Well, that didn’t go to plan... Remember January 2O2O? From astrologers to futurists, nobody saw this one coming
“IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR” When renowned astrologer Susan Miller makes her predictions, the world listens. So when she appeared on CBS New York in January to declare that 2020 would “be a prosperous year”, maybe she, or the stars, were having an off day. We all have them. But it’s Capricorns – this year’s celestial favourite – we should really feel sorry for: talk about drawing the short straw. By March, complaints about Miller’s inaccurate forecast came rolling in, with wider whispers of people contemplating “firing” their astrologers. Later, Miller released a special coronavirusthemed report, restoring many people’s faith in astrology once again. As for the true pandemic perpetrator? Pluto, apparently.
“HOUSES WILL FLY BY 2020” Back in 1966, science writer and author of 2001: A Space Odyssey Arthur C Clarke noted that the house of 2020 “would have no roots tying it to the ground. Gone would be water OUR CRYSTAL BALL DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A TOILET ROLL SHORTAGE…
LOOK FEAR I N T H E FAC E
pipes, drains, power lines; the autonomous home could therefore move, or be moved, to anywhere on Earth at the owner’s whim.” Unless he was referring to the recent house-selling boom, last time we checked our flat hadn’t grown wings, sadly, since relocating to a tropical beach would have made lockdown infinitely more bearable. The 2020 reality is settling for illusionist David Blaine, recently seen floating 24,000 feet above the Arizona desert thanks to a cluster of balloons.
“A CALM TIME TO REALIZE OUR DREAMS” “The first half of the year, from January to June, will be a relatively calm time when many of us will be successful in realizing our dreams and putting concrete plans into place,” said astrologist Tatiana Borsch on publishing platform Swaay in December 2019. Yeah, not so much, Tatiana. Unless she meant realising we can nail a successful sourdough bake. She did, however, also predict a “year of two halves”, to which we say: bring on the other half now, please.
“TRUMP WILL BE DEFEATED” OK, we’re holding out for this one. Not only has a smart robot in Silicon Valley called it, a national election model by Oxford Economics predicts that US president Donald Trump will “lose in a landslide” on 3 November, capturing just 35% of the popular vote. Does it have clout? The model predicted the winner of the popular vote in 16 of the past 18 elections, so we’re thinking… hopeful. That said, the chief US policy strategist told CNN: “Traditional models work in normal times. But we’re not in normal times.” Come on 2020, you owe us this one at least.
“When fear about the future gets hold of you, press pause and begin to process it. You can use a mantra (I like ‘There is nothing that can happen that will make me less of a person’) or write the fear down. This helps you regain a sense of control,” says Dr Pippa Grange, author of Fear Less: How To Win At Life Without Losing Yourself (£12.99, Vermilion).
4. HOPE At this point, people feel the initial threat of the disaster has passed and there’s optimism about the future. Remember how you felt when pubs first re-opened?
The reality of the disaster sets in and many people feel a growing sense of disillusionment. It’s not uncommon to feel hopeless about the future.
ADDITION AL WORDS: LISA HARVEY, HANNAH KEEGAN
5. DESPONDENCY
6. PLANNING In the final stage there’s a focus on rebuilding, but we may continue to experience feelings of grief and loss over the lives we had before. STYLIST.CO.UK
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“I REALISED HOW WI Like most of us, lockdown forced Rose Leslie into a period of reflection. Ahead of her new Agatha Christie adaptation, the actor shares what she learned with Stylist WORDS: HELEN BOWNASS PHOTOGRAPHY: D AV I D R O E M E R
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ROSE LESLIE
RED I HAD BECOME“
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If I come across a lake or stream I’m always drawn to jumping in and immersing myself in the cold water; it’s a thrill.” Rose Leslie is telling Stylist about her love of cold water swimming, which she braves, without a wetsuit, year-round. It’s one of the reasons she’s excited about returning to Glasgow next week to resume filming new BBC drama Vigil (which was paused for – well, you know why: the c-word), a police thriller by the creators of Bodyguard, likely to air in 2021. Leslie stars alongside Suranne Jones, as they investigate the disappearance of a fishing trawler and a death on a nuclear submarine. It’s not only the water that draws her back north of the border, it also feels like home. Leslie was raised in a castle in Aberdeenshire, although she now lives in London with her husband Kit Harington, also an actor, and the whippet puppy they have been raising during lockdown. The last few months have been a time to reflect on her fast-paced life and a career that has been as varied and chameleon-like as any young actor might hope for, taking in huge American dramas Game Of Thrones (she met Harington on set) and The Good Fight and hit British shows including Downton Abbey and Luther. Next month we’ll see her in Death On The Nile, an all-star cinematic adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel. In conversation, Leslie is as refreshing as that cold water she likes to throw herself into. She’s smart, funny and open, and our chat runs from anxiety and social media insecurity to the joy of Daisy Cooper in This Country. I find something reassuring about an Agatha Christie novel or adaptation. What was the appeal for you of making Death On The Nile? The appeal was not only to work with Sir Kenneth Branagh, but who doesn’t love an Agatha Christie? Detective stories are right up my street. I’ve always found it quite cathartic that justice is served at the end. It’s also the decadence of Agatha Christie and her world, the costumes are so fabulous and the world is so polished. It’s a warm hug. Are you adept at figuring out who did do it? No. I can work it out several 64
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green spaces and I feel calmer because of that. It sends me into a peaceful mindset that I wish I could hold on to once I leave the park. It gives me 20 minutes of reassurance that we’re plodding along and some worries don’t feel as big when you’re confronted by a massive oak that’s been there for 400 years.
LESLIE DESCRIBES HER NEW FILM DEATH ON THE NILE AS A WARM HUG. SIGN US UP
pages before [the reveal] but that’s it. I remember reading Big Little Lies and a good friend worked out that it was the horrendous abusive husband. That had not landed with me. Despite revelling in those books, I’m not good at sussing them out. Is that because you’re good at being in the moment rather than looking ahead? Or maybe it’s just not how your brain works? I’d definitely take the first comment because it makes me sound far more intelligent. There is that idea of being immersed in a tale. The onus is taken off the reader to figure out who the murderer is, you’re just along for the ride and that’s a pure joy. How has life changed for you over the past six months? Firstly, I feel incredibly grateful. My husband and I were fortunate to spend lockdown in the countryside. Having birdsong and greenery and hedgerows was such a blessing. We raised a puppy in lockdown. We
were trying to eke out conversation over the dinner table, talking about nothing but what we should eat the next day. It has been an extraordinary time for all of us; it certainly slowed us down. I have become aware of why I love London so much: it has to do with the abundance of distractions that we have readily available. If you don’t have bars and restaurants or theatres or museums, if there isn’t that distraction, then you have to confront your thoughts. Which is something that we humans are very good at burying. It’s been a real eye-opener. It’s not been productive in a way that I’ve actually done anything, but it's been mindful. Why was being in nature so important for you? It brings me peace. It feels like a sinking stone from the throat being dropped in a delicate way to the pit of my stomach. There is a grounding. I feel reassured by
“ WO R R I E S D ON ’ T F E E L A S B I G W H E N YO U ’R E C ON F R ON T E D BY A M A S S I V E OA K T H AT ’ S BEEN THERE FOR 400 YEARS”
Something I’ve found surprising is the exhaustion of the last few months. Can you relate? Kit and I, we were in the countryside and [initially] revelled in the idea that ‘this is going to last for three weeks, let’s lap it up’. But my inability to slow down reminded me of what happens if I’m lucky enough to go on a holiday; it takes me 10 days to come out of my fast pace of life, and then I begin to relax, by which point I’m on the way back home. With lockdown I had to confront just how wired I had become and that possibly wasn’t serving me in the right way. If it weren’t for the six months of being forced to slow down, I know I would have carried on. So, while I’m not claiming I’m not experiencing mental exhaustion any more, I felt it far greater back in March. You’re not on social media, has that proved helpful during the last few months? I’m a relatively private person, and always have been. I remember being in the drama school common room and people saying have you heard about Facebook? [But she didn’t join up]. It sounds corny, but I know me. And I am anxious. I’m an anxious lady. And I have always felt that it would be adding to that anxiety. I know that I would respond by thinking, ‘Oh God, I’m boring to the people who have followed me. I’m not saying anything witty enough.’ I would break myself down in a negative way that just doesn’t serve me. I recognise that now that I’m 33. I wouldn’t have recognised that when I was in my 20s, but there was a gut instinct of knowing it wouldn’t serve my mental health. That was coupled with the idea, and I’m not saying that this is correct, that if one wants to be considered a versatile actor, then the more mysterious one appears, the more one would be able to morph into the roles I wished to achieve. And now with hindsight, I feel that ship has sailed for me. I’m way behind the tide.
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ROSE LESLIE
Your career has been versatile, from detectives, to a housemaid – and a wildling. What’s left to tick off? I have always been drawn to accents so I’d like to be able to delve into that more. There is a different stance, a different body language that I take on with another dialect. And that is a wonderful gateway into a character. It’s also more enjoyable than my own voice. Your new drama Vigil is filmed in Glasgow. Does it feel like a homecoming being in Scotland?
It does. Growing up in the countryside near Aberdeen has instilled not only the love of the landscape but also that peace in seeing nothing on the horizon. And I love cold water swimming; running into the North Sea, which is freezing. I read an article that it kick starts your immune system and helps alleviate anxiety and stress so I’m trying to prove that.
I have always been incredibly grateful towards Game Of Thrones because it opened up this cavernous cave of wonderful projects. That is coupled with the fact that I’m now married, having met a wonderful person on the show. It was so much fun to get muddied up, have a bow and arrow, fake furs and do that accent. It was wonderful to be a part of it.
Game Of Thrones finished a year ago. With the benefit of distance, how do you feel about your time on the show?
Finally, what TV shows have you been getting into? I’m currently obsessed with Des. We are two episodes in and I have
been blown away. Anyone that has spoken to me for the last 48 hours will hear nothing but how sensational it is. I wish we had saved Succession for lockdown, but we polished it off in February. Oh my lord! The most enthralling drama. I love Tom, and cousin Greg. And I think This Country is the funniest show I’ve ever seen. I got super excited when I saw Daisy [Cooper] and her dad on Celebrity Gogglebox. Death On The Nile is in cinemas on 14 October
ROLE CALL From Beyond the Wall to the early 20th century, Rose Leslie has travelled far and wide in her career so far
GAME OF THRONES (2012-2014)
DOWNTON ABBEY (2010-2015)
As Ygritte, in the wildly popular fantasy drama, Leslie got famous on a global scale. The wilding lived Beyond the Wall and after avoiding being killed by a vengeful Jon Snow (Kit Harington) she embarked on a three series’ long relationship with him. Although it ended in tragedy on screen – repeat after us: “You know nothing, Jon Snow” – it led to the pair getting married in real life in 2018.
Back to 1912 for Leslie in the iconic period drama. She played Gwen Dawson, a maid who dreams of something bigger than serving rich people. She ultimately left the house, after some encouragement from Lady Sybil, to become a secretary.
This sci-fi thriller saw Leslie star as Dr Amy Menser alongside Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy and Toby Jones. It’s set in an isolated laboratory where a new synthetic life-form is being developed, but it’s not exactly going to plan.
THE GOOD FIGHT (2017-2019) Set a year after the end of The Good Wife, this American series follows lawyer Dianne Lockhart (Christine Baranski) and her protege Maia Rindell (Leslie). The pair join a new law firm, after a scam leaves Lockhart penniless and Rindell’s reputation in tatters.
D E AT H O N T H E NILE (2020)
IN GAME OF THRONES WITH HER NOW-HUSBAND KIT HARINGTON
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Who doesn’t need an Agatha Christie adaptation currently? In this version, Leslie plays Louise, a passenger on a river steamer where a murder takes place. The cast has more famous faces than an Oscar selfie, including Kenneth Branagh and Letitia Wright.
PHOTOGRAPHY: DAV ID ROEME R/TRUNKARC HIV E.C OM , SHUTTER STOC K, LAND MARK M EDIA
MORGAN (2016)
Enjoy a cut-above Halloween Carve yourself out the tastiest of spooky Saturday nights, and an on-trend squash, with Ocado’s help
POWER LUNCH
Back to work or off to the park, it’s time to elevate your packed lunch. Stylist asks five chefs what’s in their dream lunch box WORDS: JENNY TREGONING I L LU S T RAT I O N : WILLA GEBBIE
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for lunch is spinach, walnut and yoghurt. I love to dip toasted mini pittas in it – they get quite rigid (in a good way) when they toast up. As Brits, we always reach for hummus, and it is great, but it’s not the only dip. We can all get a bit stuck for creativity, so yoghurt is a nice change. If I’m snacking, I usually want something sweet. I love shortbread and I’ve got a recipe in my book for saffron and sesame shortbread. The sesame seeds give it an interesting crunch but it feels familiar because of the shortbread texture and consistency. It’s handy to bake things that aren’t just going to last a day – cake is great but not every cake stays fresh the next day. I like brownies too, and I’ve got a tahini and orange version in the book that is the Terry’s Chocolate Orange of brownies: it’s gluten-free and keeps for days.”
T H E P LA N T- BASED PICNIC
TH E LOW-WASTE LUNCH BOX Melissa Hemsley is a chef and writer whose latest book Eat Green (£22, Ebury Press) is out now. Follow @melissa.hemsley for her #laptopfreelunch ideas “I did six years of working in an office, and when you’ve got a really nice lunch to look forward to it motivates you during the day. Lunch often gets left behind because we have our regular rotations for breakfast and then everyone makes an effort for dinner, but a good lunch makes me more inspired during the day and boosts my energy and mood. People say soup is boring or it’s not filling, so I suggest making a really hearty, flexi soup with a base of onions, leeks, garlic and roasted veg, say squash and carrot, that you can change up each day. Put it in a flask in the morning, then one day stir in some miso and grated ginger for a beautiful, Japanese-flavoured soup. The next day, fry rosemary in a bit of butter and stir that in. If you’ve got pesto, you could swirl that in and grate a bit of cheese on top. Whatever veg you’re roasting for the soup, roast a second tray to use for a salad. Put veg into two thirds of your lunch box, then fill a third with handfuls of rocket, lamb’s lettuce or watercress, scissor in fresh herbs then crumble over some feta. If you want to make it even heartier you can add in some grains. There’s a great brand called Zaytoun, which is a Palestinian social enterprise selling maftoul – really big cous cous that’s chewy and lovely. If you are doing a roasted veg salad mix a herby dressing [5 tbsps olive oil, 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar, 2 tsps raw honey, 2 tsps za’atar or 1 tbsp fresh herbs] through something hearty, like rice or quinoa, which helps hold onto the flavour. If you’re transporting snacks, Fortnum 70
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& Mason do really lovely tea caddies that I reuse to put biscuits, crackers or roasted chickpeas in. I also love root veg fritters – whatever root veg is bendy or leftover I’ll grate it, salt it then squeeze all the water out, mix it with chickpea flour (gram flour), add spices and leftover herbs and fry them into little fritters, then dollop them with guacamole, a spicy dip or chutney. They’re delicious cold and if you use chickpea flour you don’t need to use egg, so they’re vegan, too.”
FU L L F LAVO UR O N -TH E- G O Sabrina Ghayour is a BritishIranian chef and bestselling food writer. Her new book Simply (£26, Mitchell Beazley) is out now “One thing that you can make at home then eat cold later is little tandoori salmon bites spiced with rose harissa, turmeric and paprika. Yes, they’re lovely hot, but salmon is one of those great British things we like eating cold – poached salmon, for instance – and these take eight minutes in the oven and are really nice whether you pair them with a grain salad, a piece of bread or a veggie salad. I actually use rose harissa in everything – from Chinese to Italian to Indian to Moroccan recipes. I use it as chilli to treat meat, poultry and cheese; I stir it into my soups, stews, salads, sauces and dressings. It’s so useful. Simply using a tablespoon to marinate steak makes one of the best steak sandwiches you will ever eat. I also like to mix it with yoghurt to thin it down, add a squeeze of lime juice and some salt and pepper, and then use that as a salad dressing. Persians are big fans of yoghurt – we eat yoghurt with every meal, almost as a condiment. A very traditional Persian dip that works well
Denai Moore is a chef and artist. She’s the founder of Dee’s Table supper clubs and her vegan Jamaican recipes can be found at deestable.com “It’s all in the preparation, but I’m really into sushi at the moment. Prep the night before and it lasts for a couple of days and travels well, so it’s ideal for lunch on the go. I have spent most of the summer packing up sushi rolls to take to the beach with me, near where I live in Margate. It’s super easy to make, especially if you have a rice cooker. Once the rice is cooked, pour on sushi vinegar for seasoning and mix together in a pan big enough to allow the rice to spread out without it mounting up. Once the rice has cooled down, assemble the sushi with whatever vegetables you have in the fridge – I like cucumber, avocado or, if I’m feeling creative, roasted sweet potato or courgette is really tasty for autumn. Take a little pot of wasabi and soy sauce with you to season before you eat and you’re good to go. Because I’m vegan, I eat plant-based proteins and tofu with glazed soy sauce is a delicious lunchtime snack too. It’s so much better than sandwiches which will be soggy within an hour, especially if they have waterbased fillings such as tomato and cucumber. For long journeys, I’m a big fan of mixed nuts, because they’re satiating and give a good energy boost for when I need it. I mix up salted cashews and roasted almonds in a bag and grab handfuls whenever I need a snack on the go. Edamame is also ideal, especially with sushi. No lunch box is complete without a chocolate bar. I’m a massive fan of Ombar, which is organic, raw, dairy-free chocolate made with coconut milk and coconut sugar. I carry it with me in my bag if I’m travelling around for meetings. It’s super delicious chocolate and gives a pick-me-up when I need it. I’m all about food that gives me energy, so most of my recipes are based around that.”
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TH E NEXT-LEVE L L EFTOVE R S
ADDITIONAL WORDS: KIRAN MEEDA PHOTOGRAPHY: RAHIL AHM AD, KRIS KIR KHAM , SARAH MALCOLM
Ravinder Bhogal is head chef at Jikoni and author of Jikoni: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes From An Immigrant Kitchen (£26, Bloomsbury), out now “There is something wonderful and retro about cold fried chicken and it makes a great stuffing for a sandwich. When I was growing up in Kenya, there was a restaurant called Carnivore and it was our Sunday treat to go in and have kikapu fried chicken, which was basically fried chicken in a basket. I also think there is something lovely – and a little bit sordid – about eating fried chicken cold the next day. Having it as a leftover is always such a pleasure. For Jikoni’s crispy fried chicken we tenderise the meat with buttermilk flavoured with garlic, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, sweet smoked paprika, dried oregano and rosemary and let it sit for as long as possible, overnight preferably. The crust is the magical bit – a mix of plain flour, cornflour (it makes things extra crispy) and smashed up cornflakes to give it that lovely crunch. It would make a delicious fried chicken sandwich served in a soft, white brioche roll, layered up with iceberg lettuce, some sriracha mayonnaise and pickled cucumber or gherkins. I love using apples to make chutneys and pickles. My bramley apple achaar is easy to prepare and makes good use of the bounty of British apples everyone seems to have growing in their gardens or neighbourhoods at the moment. It treads that tightrope between sweet and sour perfectly, and then you have very interesting spices such as mustard seeds, nigella seeds, fenugreek seeds – and I add some chilli flakes for a bit of kick. I love to eat it in a sandwich with some sharp cheddar, or you can whizz it up with oil and vinegar to make a salad dressing, so it’s a really versatile pickle to have in the fridge.”
TA I WA N E SE TO TA K E AWAY Erchen Chang is the co-founder and food art director at Bao; order Bao’s make-at-home kits online, £20 each, at baolondon.com/shop “For an alternative to a sandwich, I would recommend fried pork cutlet in soft bao with a sweet soy glaze. In Taiwan, it’s quite common to have fried pork chop or fried chicken at room temperature, so it’s great for the office or if you’re on the go. You can prepare the pork cutlet at home by marinating it overnight in soy, five spice and ginger with a little bit of sweetness from mirin or sugar. Coat it lightly with potato starch so when you fry it off it’s not crispy but it has a little bit of a skin around it. The flavour is very Taiwanese. I would bring that to work with a little bit of mayonnaise, a sweet soy glaze and some thinly sliced cabbage, then at the office you can just heat up your bao in the microwave and put it all together. Golden kimchi is a Taiwanese version of kimchi – it’s a bit milder, more acidic and not spicy. Basically, you salt Chinese cabbage to draw out the liquid so it becomes crispier. Then make a blend of carrots, apple, vinegar and fermented bean curd, pour that over the drained cabbage and leave it to sit at room temperature for about a week to let it ferment. It’s the carrot that makes it golden. The kimchi will keep in the fridge for a long time and make any sandwich much more tasty, or it can be eaten on its own. For a really simple dessert, I love making 70s-style fruit platters with flan or crème caramel; they are fun and easy to prepare but also a little bit extravagant [the perfect afternoon pep-up, then]. I would choose any fruit that’s in season – blackberries are really tasty now – but then staples like banana and apple are also good.”
Five smart lunch boxes we love These next-gen food containers prioritise practicality and style
L AY E R U P The perfect salad is all about variety – and with Guzzini’s salad lunch box, there’s no compromise on how much you can mix in. It has three tiers of compartments, and this clever chilled version means no fridge needed (£32, fratelliguzzini.com).
WA T C H T H I S S P A C E Larger-than-usual lunches have a home in Takenaka’s two-tiered bento box made from recycled plastic. The bottom section is a satisfying 10cm deep, leaving plenty of room for your main meal, while the top tier is perfect for snacks (£25, selfridges.com).
FRESHER FOR LONGER Swell’s latest lunch pot is a time extender. Made to increase the typical amount of time food is kept at a certain temperature, it’s reinforced with triple-layered stainless steel and keeps food cold for 11 hours and hot for seven hours (£31.50, uk.swell.com).
BAC K TO BAS I C S Lunch boxes are no exception when it comes to Ikea’s simple, ergonomically designed storage. This leak-proof container has two removable inserts, one with a separate lid for dressings (£3, ikea.com).
LOCKED IN Whether you’re packing a soup or sauce-heavy dish, Elephant’s premium stainless steel lunch box is built to prevent leaks: there’s a removable silicone seal (£26.10, elephantbox. co.uk).
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YOMI ADEGOKE
D U ORD! ”
till s e r en a loud’ m o ck w the ‘too a l B ic, n n , o e d r i h e W lenc ainfully nalist i s g bein type is p ing jour ke o o g n e e n r -wi omi Ad ste d r a s aw uthor Y e t i r w and a
On a sunny afternoon in 2018, my co-author and I gathered with a group of brilliant Black women for brunch, to mark the release of our debut book Slay In Your Lane. It resembled any good celebration: champagne bottles were popped, pictures were snapped and laughs – loud ones – were had. Sadly, our revelry was cut short by a perturbed staff member who demanded we lower our voices as we were making too much noise. A perfectly reasonable request, if we hadn’t been surrounded by the thundering chortles of a dozen white merrymakers. The irony was not lost on us that this happened while we were toasting a book that documents microaggressions of this exact type. But the incident wasn’t surprising – it wasn’t the first time any of us had been singled out in this way. ‘Tone’ and ‘attitude’ is often projected onto the words of Black women. And no matter how quietly and calmly we speak, unconscious bias ramps up the volume of Black women’s voices by a few decibels in the ears of wider society. For years, Black people – Black women in particular – have been stereotyped and penalised for ‘loudness’ in predominantly white spaces, regardless of the actual noise level. As a child, I attended a largely Black primary school, but at my secondary school the majority of pupils were white. The way in which me and my predominantly Black friendship group were perceived changed hugely compared to my time at primary school. The same behaviour characteristic of any group of teenage girls – gossiping, giggling – was now identified as abrasive, disruptive and, most confusingly, aggressive.
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YOMI ADEGOKE
Whether it’s in a work meeting or at dinner with friends, business leader Karen Blackett OBE shares her tips
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CHEERLEADERS A R E EV E RY T H I N G
THE MIRROR IS YO U R F R I E N D
“First things first: find an ally, particularly if you’re a person of colour. This is a person you trust and who, in a work scenario, agrees with you on a point you’re making. Talk to them about this point before the meeting so you’re on the same page. If you feel you’re not being heard, pass the baton to them. It can be as simple as saying, ‘Kim, what do you think?’ This will help amplify your voice.”
“If you have a presentation or an important meeting, it is a good idea to rehearse in the mirror. Sometimes I’ll record myself and listen back to my voice to see which words, such as ‘like’, I say often, as they can make you sound unsure. I also look at how I’m holding myself. Body language specialist Judi James recommended the ‘Michelle Obama V arms’ to me, where you stand upright with your hands clasped in front of you – it projects confidence.”
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CALL OUT DISMISSIVE B E H AV I O U R
TA K E A MEANINGFUL PAU S E
“You have to presume no one intentionally wants to dismiss you, for your own sanity. But that doesn’t mean what you’re feeling isn’t real. Talk to that person to explain how they made you feel and present tangible examples. Come to an agreement that they will make an effort to hear you. If they’re not receptive, focus your attention on other people in the room going forward.”
“I always say a microaggression, whether it’s a friend who doesn’t think your opinion is valid or a colleague who brushes over you, is like a mosquito bite: at first it’s an itch, but if it keeps happening it becomes painful. In those situations I find it really helpful to just pause. Take a moment to step back, sit in your silence and let the people around you notice that pause. What you say after that will be much more impactful.”
NEVER CHANGE W H O YO U A R E
“While you should never change who you are, at times, flexing our behaviour can alter how we’re heard in some settings. My personality type is a ‘driver’, meaning I’m good at getting things done, but I can also be seen as impatient. So, when I’m talking to someone who has the opposite communication style to me, I’ll slow down a bit so I can make sure I get my point across well.”
ADDITION AL WORDS: HANNAH KEEGAN
F i ve wa ys to m a ke yo u rs e l f H E A R D
PHOTOGRAPHY: C HRISTINA EBENEZER/KIN TZING
Black women collectively raising their voices It carried on at university in Warwick, and making themselves heard, on and offline, where my friends and I were dubbed has continued to create meaningful change. the ‘too loud, too Black Freshers’. We This was the case with Erica Garner, daughter wondered how we had ended up with the label, of police brutality victim Eric Garner, who made when the deafening, often drunk rugby lads sure she was heard after being sidelined by weren’t known as the ‘too loud, too posh idiots’. the US news channel ABC in 2016. They had It wasn’t a case of us never being loud or assured her she would be able to ask President boisterous; rather, in a situation where everyone Obama direct questions at his town hall on race, was making noise, ours somehow grated more. but she claimed she was removed from the Even quietly spoken Black women often find event after producers deemed her question themselves on the end of ‘loud’ accusations, as inappropriate. Garner walked out, shouting until the characterisation rarely reflects reality. People she was given an audience with the president. can’t hear us over the inescapable stereotype, “That’s what I have to do? A Black person has to one that’s been peddled by the media for years. yell to be heard?” she exclaimed. Her voice was When it comes to Black women, loudness is carried by activist Feminista Jones, who utilised coupled with labels such as ‘ghetto’, ‘intimidating’ the #LoudBlackGirls hashtag to start a dialogue and, of course, ‘angry’. The ‘loud Black woman’ regarding the stereotype. Previously, the hashtag stereotype goes hand in hand with that of the YOMI’S LATEST BOOK had been used to denigrate and undermine ‘angry Black woman’. Both were borne largely RECLAIMS THE NOTION Black women, but it soon became a reclamation. out of the character Sapphire on the 1930s OF LOUDNESS The irony is also not lost on me that despite television show Amos ’n’ Andy, who was our alleged loudness, Black depicted as unnecessarily “ PE O PL E C AN’ T HEA R US OVER T HE women continue to have to loud alongside a host of fight tooth and nail to be other undesirable traits: rude, I N E S C A PA BL E ST ER EOT Y PE, O NE T HAT ’S heard. It is important we stubborn and overbearing. B E E N PE D D L E D BY T HE MEDI A FO R Y EA R S” acknowledge that not all The trope has evolved over Black women are loud, because Blackness is the years and also become more prevalent – the mouth’, which poked fun at the idea that not a monolith, but that we also challenge why you’ll see it in the raised voices at reunions on Black women were unable to grow their hair, as loudness as a trait is considered so unbearable reality TV shows such as Love & Hip Hop, The well as stereotyping us as loudmouths. on us when we are. A comedian like Bill Burr’s Black women have pushed back against Real Housewives Of Atlanta or Bad Girls Club. this racist pigeonholing for years, but an incident booming voice is an asset to his comedy; on Indeed, it’s all over the silver screen: in the a Black female comedian like Tiffany Haddish, in 2015 marked the first time that many people spoof film Scary Movie there’s the obnoxious it is the very reason she is pilloried. The listened. A group of Black women who formed Brenda, whose loud commentary at her local accusation is that we are too loud, but in reality, part of a book club were kicked off a California cinema leads to other moviegoers finishing her wine-tasting trip after being accused of laughing we aren’t often loud enough – our experiences off before the killer antagonist could. The ‘loud continue to be shouted over and shaped by too loudly, garnering worldwide attention and Black woman’ appears in many of producer, those who refuse to listen. It is crucial that, spawning the hashtag #LaughingWhileBlack. writer, actor and director Tyler Perry’s films, too, despite it all, we continue to make all the It quickly gained traction online, with Black most notably in the argumentative character noise and take up all the space we can. women around the world expressing solidarity Angela from Why Did I Get Married? Her jarring and sharing similar experiences of silencing. vocals are so infamous that whenever an image After the backlash, the company apologised of her is posted online, people often joke that Slay In Your Lane Presents: Loud Black for their removal and reached a settlement after they can ‘hear the picture’. In fact, a popular Girls edited by Yomi Adegoke and the women launched an $11million racial internet saying used to denigrate Black women Elizabeth Uviebinené (£14.99, discrimination complaint against them. was once ‘the shorter the ponytail, the louder Fourth Estate) is out 1 October
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G O U R ME T O N -T HE- G O E A T , S L E E P, C R AV E , R E P E A T FOR MORE RECIPES HEAD T O S T Y L I S T. C O.U K / FOOD
Make Ottolenghi’s berry bowl for brunch The last of the really tasty British berries are in the shops right now (made extra sweet by this year’s heatwave) so give them the send-off they deserve with this vibrant platter from Flavour, the latest cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and his right-hand chef and recipe developer Ixta Belfrage. A mound of fresh berries is always a crowdpleaser, whether passed around the brunch table or shared out for dessert, and this recipe takes them to the next level with a bed of thick, creamy labneh and a drizzle of lemon thyme-infused orange oil. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS (serves 6)
WORDS: MEENA ALEXAN DE R
PHOTOGRAPHY: JONATHAN LOV EKIN
For the labneh: X 900g sheep’s or cow’s yoghurt X ½ tsp salt For the orange oil: X 100ml good-quality olive oil X 10g lemon thyme sprigs, plus leaves for serving X 1 orange, finely shaved to get 6 strips of skin For the berries: X 200g blackberries X 250g raspberries X 300g strawberries, hulled and halved lengthways X 50g caster sugar X 1 lime, finely grated to get 1 tsp of zest, then squeezed to get 1 tbsp of juice X 200g blueberries X 150g cherries
METHOD Step 1: To make the labneh, put the yoghurt and salt into a medium bowl and mix well to combine. Line a colander with a piece of muslin large enough to hang over the
SEASONAL BERRIES GET THE OTTOLENGHI TREATMENT
sides and place the colander over a bowl. Transfer the yoghurt to the muslin and fold over the sides to completely encase the yoghurt. Place a heavy weight over the muslin (a few tins or jars will do) and transfer to the fridge to drain for at least 24 hours (and up to 48 hours). Alternatively, you can use shop-bought labneh on the day or some Greek-style yoghurt mixed with a little double cream. Step 2: Meanwhile, put the oil into a small saucepan over a medium heat. Heat gently for about 7 minutes, or until tiny air bubbles form. Remove from the heat, add the thyme and orange strips, then cover and leave to infuse, ideally overnight, though half an hour will do the job.
Step 3: Put 50g of blackberries, 100g of raspberries and 100g of strawberries into the small bowl of a food processor along with the sugar and lime juice and blitz until completely smooth. Put all the remaining berries and the cherries into a large bowl along with the blitzed fruit and gently combine. Step 4: Spread the labneh out on a large platter. Spoon over the berry mixture, then sprinkle with the lime zest. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the infused oil, along with a couple of the orange strips and thyme leaves. From Ottolenghi Flavour by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage (£27, Ebury Press), out now
EAT W I T H... Wine expert Jane Parkinson recommends the perfect pairing Moschiaccio La Bioca Moscato d’Asti, £12.95, Jeroboams Super low-alcohol (just 5%), spritzy and with sweet orange and grape flavours, this palate sensation is pure heaven with berries and a twist of orange. STYLIST.CO.UK
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B o o k Wa r s SECOND THOUGHTS
TWO EAG ER LY AWAITE D FOL LOW- UPS THE FIRST WOMAN
EARTHLINGS
Stylist’s sub-editor Meena Alexander backs The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (£16.99, Oneworld), out 1 October
Stylist’s production editor Amy Davies-Adams fights for Earthlings by Sayaka Murata (£12.99, Granta), out 1 October
Inspired by 18 years spent As a young girl growing up in working in a shop, Sayaka 1970s rural Uganda, Kirabo Murata’s 10th novel (her first to leads a largely sheltered life, be translated from Japanese showered with affection by her into English) Convenience grandfather and the many Store Woman sold more than matriarchs who raise her. two million copies, was Nevertheless, she worries translated into 23 languages she is ‘wrong’ – her mother and won several notable left without explanation when awards – and fans. Sally she was a baby, and now, it Rooney called it “unsettling and seems, she is a witch. totally unpredictable”. I’d be Much like Sayaka Murata’s interested to hear what she has heroine in Earthlings, Kirabo’s to say about Murata’s follow-up feeling of otherness manifests Earthlings, which makes CSW as otherworldliness – while feel like a cosy comfort read. Natsuki believes she is an Both novels explore women alien, Kirabo has a ‘second self’ who don’t conform to society’s that ‘flies’ out of her body, expectations. But while CSW’s particularly in moments of Keiko found her happy place shame or degradation. This in the neatly stocked shelves of disassociation is an early her beloved convenience store, coping mechanism, a way of Natsuki has no interest in fitting dealing with the harsh reality of becoming a woman in a patriarchal society. in to what she calls ‘the Factory’. We meet her aged 11, on a holiday in the As Kirabo grows up and leaves her hometown for the never-ending mountains with her family. It’s a trip they take every year, and each time streets of Kampala and the brutal hierarchy of St Theresa’s boarding she has grown closer to her cousin Yuu who, like her, feels like an school, Makumbi paints an intricate portrait of womanhood through a outsider: an alien from the planet Popinpobopia, in fact. Their vivid beautifully drawn cast of characters. There are outcasts and rebels, imaginations have been fostered by mistreatment – they’re bullied, accidental feminists and downtrodden second wives, empowered unloved and, in Natsuki’s case, a victim of sexual abuse. They make educators and bitter gossips, all of whom serve to illustrate the many a promise to each other to survive no matter what, but when they’re torn ways women can be held back by men – and, indeed, by each other. apart by their families, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep. Just as she did in her brilliant debut Kintu, Makumbi unearths and Fast-forward several years and Natsuki is 34, married and holding down a job. But all is not as it seems. Her husband is asexual and their polishes old Ugandan myths once buried by Christianity and colonialism marriage is a way of avoiding society’s pressures to conform. But when to help tell her story, honouring the country’s ancient oral tradition. people start demanding more of them She also invokes mwenkanonkano, – namely, babies – the pair escape to the a Ugandan feminist movement that long mountains. At the family estate they are predates its Western counterparts – and reunited with Yuu and the ramifications serves as both a dirty word and source of are both shocking and outrageous. secret power for her young protagonist. The genius of this novel is in its Earthlings’ cute cover and the narrator’s In 2018, both Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi and subtlety: home truths about the treatment conversational tone lull you into a false Sayaka Murata released novels to rapturous of women throughout history are hidden sense of security, so when the violence praise: Kintu and Convenience Store Woman like gems within the utterly engaging tale comes – and boy, does it come – you’re (translated into English for the first time) of a single girl. Although Murata also blindsided. For the most part you side respectively. So all eyes are on their next novels, draws an affecting portrait of a girl trying with the ‘aliens’ against the machine, but but that isn’t their only parallel. Both follow to find her place in the world, it is the Murata refuses to let it be that simple. It’s women who are struggling against the headstrong Kirabo I can’t stop thinking provocative and radical, and unlike The expectation to conform and the result is two about. So, I’m calling it now: The First powerful, inventive tales. However, Makumbi First Woman, almost an anti-coming-ofwins out for giving her narrator such heart – we Woman will soon be considered a age novel. For that, I applaud it, but I do come to know Kirabo intimately making her need a lie down after that final scene… coming-of-age classic. And rightly so. battle to assert herself all the more vital. +++++ ++++,
C OM PILED BY: AM Y DAVIES-ADAM S
The verdict: The First Woman wins first prize
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5 MINUTE P H I LO S O P H E R THE MEANING OF LIFE IN 22 PROBING QUESTIONS
SKIN What will the activist and Skunk Anansie frontwoman make of our existential questions? What is the meaning of life? To be good people and be good to our environment. I don’t know if there really is a meaning, life just happens and our duty is to keep it on the side of goodness.
Nature or nurture? Nurture. I do believe some people are just fucking evil, but I would say that’s a small percentage. The majority of humans, given the right environment, can do positive things. Is it more important to be liked or respected? It’s not important to be liked because people will dislike you for the most stupid shit. But I think people should always be respectful of others, even if they don’t agree with them politically. That way, you can live in harmony. If you could be remembered for one thing what would it be? ‘She wrote some great songs.’ Who or what is your greatest love? It’s the life I’ve created, which means every day I get to be around people I love, doing things I love. When did you last lie? I went for a run in the hot sun today and then jumped in the pool, which made me late for an interview. I wasn’t busy like I said, I was just absolutely boiling. Does the supernatural exist? No. I think if you’re honest with yourself and not influenced by other people, you can usually find clear answers to why everything happens. And if you can’t, that’s only because we don’t have the knowledge and technology yet. I mean, can you imagine us back in the 1800s seeing someone use a TV. We’d be like, “There’s a witch!” Are you fatalistic? Not at all. There is always hope, and you can always change things. What is your greatest fear? As humans we can all be very selfish and segregated; my fear is that side of humanity becoming the moral majority. Animals or babies? That’s harder to answer than the meaning of life! 82
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“NO B O DY DEVELO PS A PER SO NA LI T Y O R GETS A NYW H ERE I N LI FE BY GET T I NG EVERY T HIN G R I GHT A LL T HE T I ME” What talent do you yearn for? I don’t have the dancing gene. I can do a two-step, that’s about it. Do you like to be complimented? No, it makes me feel awkward. It’s a British thing and it’s a shyness thing. Do you have a high pain threshold? Yes. I had a couple of injuries as a kid, and I read somewhere that it raises your pain threshold. What book do you recommend most to others? The Power Worshippers: Inside The Dangerous Rise Of Religious Nationalism by Katherine Stewart. It totally blew my mind, my book of the year so far. Which lesson has been the hardest to learn? That it’s OK to make huge mistakes. Nobody develops a personality or gets anywhere in life by getting everything right all the time. What food sums up happiness? My mum’s Jamaican cooking. She makes amazing ackee and saltfish with dumplings. What have you never understood? What people see in beer. It’s the worst drink on the planet. It’s bloating and you have to drink so much of it to get a buzz. What is the one thing you want to know before you die? Will we ever get to a place where everyone can be empathetic towards each other? Are you scared of dying or what happens when you die? No, but I’m a bit of a Peter Pan person so I feel very far from it right now. Quinoa or Quavers? Quavers. Love Quavers with a passion. It Takes Blood And Guts by Skin with Lucy O’Brien (£20, Simon & Schuster) is out 24 September
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGELA IM PROTA
Where is your happy place? Ibiza. As a touring musician, everything’s always changing, you’re always moving, so it’s difficult to find places that feel like home. My Ibiza house feels like home; when I come here I’m happy.
THE POWER WORSHIPPERS IS SKIN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR
WORDS: MEENA ALEXAN DE R
What is the difference between right and wrong? If you’re doing something that’s hurting people – financially, emotionally, physically – it’s wrong. Without their permission, that is [laughs].
Land of
oats and dory Brilliant barley, fantastic fish and vibrant veg; we’re proud to partner with over 500 British suppliers to deliver the best produce in the land to you.
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THE HALLOWEEN FEAST
ENHANCE THOSE SPOOKILY AUTUMNAL HALLOWEEN VIBES
SET THE SCENE Here you need to try something gothic. Helena Garcia, author of The Wicked Baker (£12.99, Quadrille), suggests raiding charity shops and antique markets for vintage crockery and old-world decorations. “Find Victorian bell jars or buy vintage jars and put dried flowers in them.” Stack real pumpkins in threes around the room, then hang a pumpkin glow hanging decoration from Ocado, £2. On your next walk to the local woods, collect twigs to display and enhance the witchy vibes.
W H AT T O S E R V E Pumpkin isn’t just for carving. Try it with sage in pasties, or cook up a stew and top with mashed potato shaped into ghosts. “Anything to give it a Halloweeny twist,” says Garcia. Make a centrepiece by decorating a cake to look like a dripping candle by covering with white chocolate mixed with red food colouring and vegetable oil, or cut pastry into bat or witch shapes for topping pies. Soreen Chocolate & Blood Orange Lunchbox Loaves, £1.20, make for an easy sweet snack.
FINISHING TOUCHES As for creating a suitably spooky atmosphere? “Candlelight – there’s nothing like it.” Opt for large church candles for maximum impact and add food colouring to punch. For the ultimate conversation piece, Garcia swears by dry ice. “You can get it online, store it in the freezer, then add a piece to drinks to give a cool effect.” Just make sure to wait until the smoke has cleared before drinking. Send guests home with some Cadbury’s Pumpkin Patch Cakes, £2.50.
GO ALL-OUT WITH YOUR TABLE SETTINGS
The Celebratory Dinner Get-Together From an elegant cheese and wine evening to creating the perfect ambience, Social Pantry’s Alex Head on five steps to elevate any occasion Ready-made cocktails are your friend. “I love to start the evening off with some fizz or a cocktail to make it really special and it can be so easy. Pre-made cocktails were a real lockdown trend and will get your evening off to a good start,” says Head. Make a jug of margarita or gin sours ahead of time and have pre-garnished mix-andmatch coloured glasses ready for serving. Go all-out with your table setting. “The tablescape is just as important as the menu,” says Head. “If people walk in see a beautifully laid table that’s had a bit of thought put into it, they instantly think, ‘Wow, this is going to be such a fun evening.’” Statement candles, elaborate jugs and embroidered table cloths are key. Make an extra effort with autumnal produce. “There’s really great seasonal produce at the moment,” says Head. “Slow-roasted ox cheek, celeriac purée, or
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a roasting tray of root vegetables are real winners when you’re entertaining. Put a couple of big dishes in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in.” Swap your overly curated cheeseboard for a cheese centrepiece. “For after dessert the other day I served a gorgeous big wedge of blue cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy with a pot of London honey, it was a really nice way to finish the evening and made it feel quite special without being too formal.” M&S has a simple but celebration-worthy cheese centrepiece that would be a good fit. Have some fun with dessert. “The other food trend we’re seeing is retro desserts, so a trifle is fun, as is upside-down pineapple cake,” says Head. As the weather cools down, old-fashioned fruit puddings are a great way to tap into the season. “Try blackberry sponge pudding with clotted cream or poached pears with cardamom cream to keep it lighter.”
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STYLIST ADVERTORIAL
The Book Club brunch Add autumnal vibes to your next literary gathering Top of our reading list this autumn are Elena Ferrante’s much-anticipated return in The Lying Life Of Adults and Bolu Babalola’s short stories Love In Colour. But what to serve your rule of six-abiding book clubbers? Keep it simple, says Benjamina Ebuehi, co-founder of The Sister Table brunch clubs (thesistertable. com) and author of The New Way To Cake (£16.99, Page Street Publishing). “We always serve a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so for autumn a ginger cordial with thyme or rosemary, topped up with either prosecco or tonic water, is minimal effort but tastes great.” Granola is a perfect added seasonal twist. “For autumn we add stewed plums with spices, then go heavier on the nuts and maple syrup,” adds Ebuehi. Make life even easier by ordering M&S sandwich platters and mini fresh fruit kebabs for guests to pick at, exclusively available at Ocado.
PICTURE CREDIT: JOHN CAREY. PRICES ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRINT BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE PRICES CHARGED FOR PRODUCTS WILL BE THE PRICES ADVERTISED ONLINE AT THE TIME AT WHICH THE CUSTOMER PLACES AN ORDER.
Whatever sort of get-together you’re hosting, Entertain by Ocado is your one-stop shop for the essentials, from food and drink to decorations. Visit ocado.com/entertain
THE COSY WINTER SUPPER MOROCCAN FILO P I E W I T H F E TA AND CHICKPEAS INGREDIENTS ( S E RV E S 4 ) X 20ml light olive oil X 2 white onions, peeled and sliced X 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced X 1 tsp ras el hanout X 1 tsp harissa paste X 200g tinned chopped tomatoes X 1 x 280g jar marinated chargrilled peppers, drained and sliced X 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed X 150g feta cheese, broken into 2cm chunks X Bunch of mint, roughly chopped X Bunch of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped X 5 filo pastry sheets X Light olive oil spray X Sea salt
METHOD THIS SUPER-COMFORTING DISH IS SEASONALLY SPOT-ON
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6.
Step 2: Warm the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the sliced onions, garlic and gently sauté for 15 minutes until soft. Add the ras el hanout and harissa paste and cook for a minute more. Stir in the tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes more, until the sauce has thickened. Add the peppers and chickpeas, season and set aside to cool a little. Step 3: Fold the feta, mint and parsley into the pie filling and spoon the mixture into a large tagine or ovenproof dish. Step 4: One at a time, lightly coat the filo sheets with the olive oil spray and a sprinkle of salt. Arrange the oiled filo sheets on top of the pie filling, scrunching them up for added texture and height. Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes, turning the dish around halfway through so the filo colours evenly. From The Pie Room by Calum Franklin (£26, Bloomsbury Absolute), out now
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COSINESS IS KEY FOR YOUR AUTUMNAL GET-TOGETHERS
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Making the host of autumn As the nights draw in, our attention turns to cosying up at home and inviting friends over (lockdown allowing). Here’s how to update your entertaining for 2020…
utumn is here (hello, lovely golden leaves and an excuse to wear layers again), and with the change of the seasons there’s something decidedly soothing about cosying up at home and inviting friends for dinner again – in line with socialising guidelines, of course. If you were anything like us, you spent lockdown mastering new culinary skills – whether that was learning how to make homemade ravioli or perfecting your sourdough recipe – and now it’s time to put these newfound talents to good use. Adding something special to the occasion couldn’t be easier, given the rise of food and drink deliveries – retail subscriptions jumped 50% in lockdown, with food and drink the second most popular service. An artisan cheese box, post-dinner single origin coffee or wine-tasting kit can lift a regular dinner with friends to something even more special, with the most minimal of effort. In fact, the whole way we eat together has changed – out are the fusty traditions of formal dinner parties and in are low-key gatherings, thoughtful decoration and, most importantly, a laidback atmosphere. As food writer and queen of the unfussy dinner party Alison Roman says in her latest cookbook Nothing Fancy, “It’s not entertaining, it’s having people over.” Relaxed doesn’t have to mean hastily cobbled together. Tablescaping – artfully laid place settings that show off your creativity and style – will create an on-trend aesthetic for your event. Thrifted linen napkins, colourful glassware and Daylesford scented candles all add an element of personality to your occasion with minimal effort – look to Fiona Leahy (@fionaleahydesign) or Laura Jackson’s new lifestyle brand Hoste (@hoste.london) for inspiration. Meanwhile, the food we serve has shifted from meticulously plated up multi-course
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meals to casual sharing platters and traybakes that can be carried from oven to table for everyone to dig in. Maximum flavour for minimum effort is the goal, and Rukmini Iyer, the food writer behind The Roasting Tin series of cookbooks, is your friend here. “What is good and keeps everybody quite relaxed is a one-pot wonder, which is great going into the winter as well,” says Alex Head, founder of the Social Pantry catering company. “A massive lamb tagine with some couscous, roast chicken and veggies, for example, or homemade pappardelle with a lovely ragu. You don’t need to be whipping up five or six different dishes, you can have a brilliant roasting tray or one-pot that are real winners when you’re entertaining.” Get the evening off to a good start with a nice bottle of wine and snacks at the ready. “When your guests arrive, get a drink in one hand, a snack in the other and they’re going to relax,” says Head. “Going into autumn, a simple crab toast or mackerel pâté is so easy with
“Out are formal dinner parties and in are low-key gatherings, thoughtful decoration and, most importantly, a laidback atmosphere” some shop-bought or homemade crackers roughly broken up. Another thing I’ve seen popping up at the moment is flavoured hummus with stacks of radishes.” So, whether you’re looking to host a glamorous birthday celebration, a casual brunch with your book club or a Halloween party that’s more sophisticated than scary, turn over for tips from the experts on how to entertain with style.
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H ow to h os t for a utumn From cosy suppers to book clubs, we've got your rule of six covered
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