EDITOR’S LETTER
Dear loyal readers, Another year of Farid has come to the end, and with it, the torch will be passed to the next generation of cultural commentators. Farid could look very different in a few months, and so, it’s only right that we acknowledge the incredible commitment our contributors have displayed. We have covered a huge range of topics in the past four issues and on the website: white privilege, period poverty, superheroes, drugs, sex and pop culture, are to name just a few. There’s no doubt that the future is unclear right now. Covid-19 has affected everyone across the world. It is important to acknowledge your privilege in situations such as these, since statistically speaking, people of colour are more widely affected in just the UK. But, Covid is not the only plague to have ravaged the black community, and it is a plague that has been spread for hundreds of years. Left unaddressed this virus has destroyed and broken millions of lives, not just that of George Floyds. Though it is important to note his murder was the catalyst in the situation, we must also acknowledge our part in the structure all the way across the pond. Later on in the issue, Coreen talks about the UK’s own problem with racism, and the small things you can do to be actively anti-racist. As we edge towards the horizon, a new day comes closer. Ironically, since my first editor’s letter of the year was also titled “A new day is on the horizon”. The future is unclear but we all remain optimistic because in the face of adversity, that is all we have. Tuck into a bag of crisps and get your favourite bevvy on the go because this last issue is something to celebrate. None of us are psychics or possess a level of clairvoyance, which suggests a certainty at the future, but still, it is nice to wonder and predict the future of our favourite topics. Troy Harrison talks about what he knows best, a topic I am sure you are all familiar with by now, considering the frequency in which he boasts his impeccable knowledge. AJ Crompton again tackles a reader’s issue in her Agony AJ column, and I talk about the future of porn! Those are just a few of the brilliant pieces hidden inside this issue, but of course we still have our regular features. This issue’s playlist brings a compilation of old bangers and brand new tunes, so crank up the volume and vibeeeeeeee. Much love,
Kieran Galpin Editor - in - Chief of FARID
SPECIAL THANKS
Kieran Galpin Megan Rose AJ Crompton Emma Castle Coreen Sylvia Keely Liptrot Troy Harrison Adelle Adrian Kaitlyn Anna Edina Balog Jussara Nazaré Melody Kim Markus
BOOKS YOU CAN READ • The First This Time: A New Generation Talks About Race - Jesmyn Ward • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou
UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE UOG Student Union The OG Farid Team ISSUU
V I D E O S Y O U C A N W AT C H • Do All White People Think the Same About Race? (Jubilee)
• Can Black Lives Matter and the Police Force See Eye to Eye? (Jubilee)
• How to be Antiracist - Ibram X Kendi
• Life of Privilege Explained in $100 Race (Peter D)
• When They Call You a Racist Patrisse Khan-Collors and Asha Bandele
• How to Help BLM With No Money/ Leaving Your House (Zoe Amira)
• Sister Outsiders: Essays and Speeches - Audre Lorde
• Black Panthers Revisited (New York Times)
• Home - Toni Morrison
And remember... PETITION, PETITION, PETITION. Find out more at change.org.
THE MIL L E N N IU M ISSUE
• Eloquent Rage - A Black Feminist Discovers her Superpower
• Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo-lodge • Heavy: An American Memoir Kiese laymon
• The Wretched of the Earth - Frantz Fanon
SUMMER 2020
A
mongst other slight variations, this is the general
it becomes infinitely more arduous and callous for any of
reaction emanating from a large proportion of
us to keep blindly living in denial of the fact that racism is
the White British population, in response to the
deeply embedded within White society. I am aware this
global outrage sparked by yet another Black person’s life
particular atrocity occurred across the pond but do not
being savagely terminated by the very people who had
ignorantly believe we, in the UK, are guiltless.
sworn to provide protection. The UK is not innocent. For those of you who for some reason aren’t aware of what I’m referring to; George Floyd, a forty-six-year-
I have seen many White British people attempting to
old Black man, was recently killed whilst being held
absolve themselves and our society from being deemed
under arrest by four members of the Minneapolis Police
racist; following up their ‘the UK isn’t racist’ statements
Department. As if that isn’t already heinous enough,
with claims such as ‘the calibre of racism is different over
when you then come to know: he was arrested on suspi-
here’ and ‘they [Black and Non-Black POC] should be
cion of trying to pay for items with a fake twenty dollar
grateful they live here instead of the US’. Firstly, as White
bill; he begged and pleaded for air whilst a white officer
people, we are not the ones who get to decide some-
knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes (almost three
thing isn’t racist. Secondly, you have single-handedly
of which he was unresponsive for) and his family had to
countered your own argument by then claiming racism
hire two pathologists to carry out an independent au-
within the UK is ‘different’. Regardless, ‘different’ does
topsy, in an attempt to prove his actual cause of death;
not equate to ‘better’.
A Pa nd e mic With o u t Bo r
Racism seemingly taking a different form does not negate
All the lack of coverage of our country’s own racism
the fact it remains an issue here. The very existence of
does is allow for your ignorance to remain unchallenged
racism within the UK automatically means we are no
and unchanged. Instead of flagrantly attempting to
better and racism in our country supposedly presenting
deny the UK is racist, consider yourself lucky to be so
differently to that of another’s is most definitely not
unaware of the daily obstacles faced by Black and Non-
cause for celebration or gratitude. If someone were to
Black POC within our society. (Note: I am not trying to
present you with two apples filled with slightly different
overshadow or talk for POC in the following section.
versions of the same poison and expect you to celebrate
I have been given permission to share the experiences of
receiving a ‘less poisonous’ option, you’d quite rightly
some of the people around me, in the hope that it opens
question the audacity of them.
the eyes of more White people with regard to how racism exists in our society).
You would not express any gravtitude because obviously the only acceptable alternative is one that’s poison-free
A friend of mine was tormented for their skin colour so
and their perceived differences don’t make either of
horrendously throughout school they would attempt to
them any less harmful. Racism is still an enormous problem
make themselves appear ‘Whiter’ just to try to fit in and
in the UK; don’t dismiss its existence or consider it to be
make it stop, when that didn’t work, they stopped attend-
less of an issue just because you haven’t encountered
ing school altogether. They would tell their mum they felt
coverage of police publicly killing Black and Non-Black
ill so they wouldn’t be made to go in and face yet another
POC over here.
day filled with racial abuse from their White peers. And
c rd e rs
Words by: Coreen Sylvia
no, the racism they were forced to endure was not ‘just’ verbal. And no, the school did not reprimand those involved. My partner has been racially abused on multiple occasions whilst simply doing his job. Being in a customer-facing role, he is still expected to treat those people with the kindness and respect they fail to show him or risk being made unemployed as a consequence. His White bosses have neglected to follow up on any of his reports of racism. He, like so many others, has had to endure this type of abuse and injustice so much throughout his life that his automatic response is now to just laugh it off. It is not funny. I have Muslim friends who are verbally abused whilst walking down the street for wearing their hijab. The same Muslim friends who are still having to fight to be given the chance of employment whilst the White people they trained with have already secured jobs because, guess what, the system works in our favour. They are all very capable of fulfilling the role and working to a high standard but they are outwardly devoted to Islam and their interviewers have so far all been White. They simply do not present as ‘western enough’ to be accepted.The aforementioned experiences of racism are by no means isolated occurrences.
If I, as one White person from a small predominantly White town, am able to highlight even a few instances of the racism experienced by some of the people in my own social sphere; can you even begin to imagine how widespread racism is and how deeply embedded it is within
“Can we please see the same outrage for & rejection of *all* racism, not just the most overt violent forms? Can
we
arguing
please over
stop
just
technique?
We’re just saying, ‘We don’t racism THAT way, we only racism THIS way’ We’re just arguing
about
technique.”
our society? Some other examples of wider racism in the UK which you should research further include: 1. The Windrush Scandal (2018) 2. The Grenfell Tower Fire (2017) – the fire itself, the response to it and the way its victims have been treated 3. The deaths of: Belly Mujinga (2020), Trevor Belle (2020), Shukri Abdi (2019), Sarah Reed (2016), Faruk Ali (2014), Adrian Thompson (2014), Kingsley Burrell (2011), Demetre Fraser (2011), Seni Lewis (2010), Ricky Bishop (2001), Christopher Alder (1998), Stephen Lawrence (1993), Joy Gardner (1993), Cynthia Jarrett (1985) and Brian Douglas (1995), to name just a few.
– Mikaela Loach
4. How colonialism generated Eurocentric beauty standards and its links to skin bleaching 5. The underrepresentation of Black and non-Black POC in leadership and influential roles 6. The choice of language/beliefs expressed by our political leaders and others in the public eye with regard to race 7. Racial bias within the media 8. White privilege (Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Please continue to do your own research). I am White so I am privileged enough to be able to say that I have absolutely no clue how it must feel to experience racism but what I do know is that it is always unacceptable, regardless of the form it takes and it needs to stop. Now. For the record, anyone who ‘doesn’t see colour’ is part of the problem; people’s differences are to be embraced not erased. Additionally, it is not enough to simply claim to not be racist. If you are ‘neutral’ and are not actively condemning racists, then you are standing alongside them.
The year is 2020 and we still have so much progress to make. It’s disgusting. It’s infuriating. And if you don’t feel that way then you need to take the time to deeply examine why that’s the case. We, as White people, need to do more. Since George Floyd’s death, more of us seem to finally be waking up and using our platforms to speak out against racism, which is a start, but it remains grossly shameful that it has taken the loss of yet another Black life to act as the catalyst for this change, especially when it is so long overdue. However, it is vital that we maintain momentum. When trying to combat racism, it is important to remember, in order for things to actually begin to change, we must be actively antiracist. Although, sharing quotes and hashtags may seem like a good start, this alone is passive and mostly just performative as it won’t achieve much. Some suggestions of how to be actively anti-racist: 1. Take the time to continue to educate yourself (do your research, read relevant books, listen to relevant podcasts, watch relevant films/documentaries) 2. Call out racism 3. Use what you know to talk to and educate your family and friends 4. Sign and share relevant petitions 5. Donate (if you can) to relevant charitable organisations 6. Support Black and Non-Black POC’s businesses 7. Support Black and Non-Black POC artists/creatives 8. Use your privilege to amplify the voices of Black and Non-Black POC 9. Do not be a white saviour – do not expect a pat on the back for doing what is right 10. Do not go to your Black or Non-Black POC friends to ask for support or guidance on dealing with racism – it is not their responsibility (Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Please continue to do your own research).
YOUR WO MEANING 2020 WAS THE YEAR FOR AWAKENING. Bush fires set alight for the world to see, Coronavirus created a worldwide pandemic and a young man was shot and killed in America, which was the catalyst for another civil rights movement. The Black Lives Matter movement was reinvigorated after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis and I’m sure whoever is reading this knows a lot of information that has been circulating. Protests started in all 50 states in America and have even reached beyond the shores to join us here in the UK and other countries, that are now speaking against the racial injustice experienced by police against minority groups. What needs to be acknowledged is that finally people are taking a break from their usual routine and listening to voices that have not been heard for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, it takes a destructive situation and a loss of a life for people to realise something that is real, even when the camera is turned off. I can regurgitate statistics which highlight the prejudice that black people face every day, living in both America and the UK, but I will never understand that feeling. The collective response felt throughout all 50 states of America and across the sea is the most important part of standing up against systematic racism. Our black content creators and influencers encourage those of us who cannot understand the day-to-day life of dealing with racism, to swim in the uncomfortable conversations with ourselves, family, friends and partners; to check our own white privilege and speak up against those voices inside and outside our lives who do not stand for equality. Since this cultural revolution, many aspects of our society have come under criticism. Our police departments are forced to confront their actions, the statue of a 17th century slave trader has been ripped from its foundation and thrown into the river, and our brands across the world have come under scrutiny for their inclusivity – or lack of it. Jackie Aina was one of the first influencers to talk about brands (more specifically, cosmetic brands) and their ability to produce products that black men and women can buy and use for their skin tone. Many companies skip skin tones within their foundation and concealer ranges and say this is because these such shades are hardly ever bought and thus, not lucrative. However, if those shades of foundation are not even being made in the first place, how is it possible for them to be bought? Fortunately, brands such as Too Faced produce foundations like Born This Way, that have become staples in our make-up routines due to the vast range of shades produced. Now with brands such as Fenty releasing 40 shade ranges in their foundation, everyone else is in dire need to step up. Tarte Cosmetics created their Tarte Shape Tape Matte and Hydrating foundation that only included 15 shades – roughly three of those shades were targeted for women of a darker complexion. Even NikkieTutorials took her Shape Tape video offline after realising their range was a mess and apologised for not speaking up sooner. Beauty Blender is the perfect example of having the tools at your disposal to create a 32-shade foundation range, but only creating roughly eight shades with people of colour in mind. A fantastic example of a drug store foundation is the Nyx collaboration with Alissa Ashley, who brought inclusivity to the Can’t Stop Won’t Stop foundation range. Boasting 45 shade ranges, it overtakes Fenty and doesn’t break the bank. When talking to Allure back in 2018, Alissa explained “NYX already has an amazing shade range to begin with, but even though it was good, it could still be improved by adding some middle or in-between shades.” Although this is now two years ago, it’s what the industry needs to lead from when it comes to inclusivity.
ORDS ARE GLESS.
WORDS BY AJ CROMPTON
Clothing and beauty brands are just as responsible for the employment of black models and black influencers and since the Black Lives Matter movement exploded in May, hundreds and thousands of brands are coming under fire. Whilst plenty of brands are happy to post on social media expressing their support for the movement and claim to replicate the beliefs into their ethos, they do not employ black people or collaborate with them. Retailers such as Pretty Little Thing and Fashion Nova have incorporated black culture into their clothing and aesthetic, so much so that their grids on Instagram clearly show a certain type of “look”. PLT have gone as far as acknowledging their actions by saying this: “At Pretty Little Thing we are proud of our diversity and acknowledge that we have embraced the black culture across all aspects of our brand.” Many people are angry about these blatant actions as the brand may employ people of colour, yet the black woman and man are not employed or celebrated. However, PLT has collaborated in the past with Saweetie and Maya Jama back in 2018. Fashion Nova are accused of using black culture the same way and have not yet responded to any backlash and, even on their Instagram grid, the brand has not posted any support for the Black Lives Matter movement. In The Style is another clothing brand which focuses on their collaborations with influencers and, in particular, Love Island contestants constantly have their own clothing line with the brand as soon as they’re off the island. Their collaborations include Olivia Buckland, Shaughna Phillips, Meggan Grubb, Billie Faiers, Francesca Allen and Gemma Collins – the website doesn’t include a black influencer or model in sight. It’s a vicious cycle of Love Island hiring a predominantly white cast, to brands then working with predominantly white influencers and then money being poured into those brands who are not representative. All these actions taken by brands have come from decades of racism and poor attempts of inclusion. Since the Black Lives Matter movement has sprung back into life, the demand for social change never left and a new campaign, Pull Up or Shut Up is now demanding transparency across the board. This campaign is in support for the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for the percentage of black people within employment and leadership roles, thus shedding light on who may be contributing to the problem. Whether companies directly or indirectly play their part in systematic racism, “only 8% of people employed in white-collar professions are black.” (@pullupforchange). Sharon Chuter is the Nigerian-born CEO, founder and creative director of UOMA Beauty, which is described as an “empowered tribe” and is responsible for holding brands accountable by initiating the Pull Up for Change campaign. UOMA Beauty was the first to reveal that they employ 58% black people, 83% POC, 17% white people and are represented by 75% female. Some people may be surprised, and some won’t be, but our favourite brands need to develop out of their comfort zones and change from their inside out. E.l.f is a popular and affordable brand that released their figures showing the breakdown of their team is 7% black/African-American, 17% Asian, 14% Hispanic or Latino and 55% white. A drugstore favourite, Revolution, identified that they need to do more work in being inclusive within the workplace as white people dominated their team (73%), whilst only 3% represented black people – they also had this to say: “we do not employ enough black people. We know that black representation is the most meaningful step towards change.” Please follow @pullupforchange to educate yourself on the brands that circulate our lives daily and review their actions – you could be surprised. The reason for campaigns such as Pull Up for Change, and writing articles such as this one, is to start an important dialogue rather than drag brands through the dirt. Those of us who acknowledge and understand the dire need for change during our 21st century will continue to self-evaluate our actions and the actions of those around us. No longer can we all stay silent against the wall of violence held up by those who are afraid of equal living and the operations who defend and finance them. We may not all understand, but we stand with the movement in the hope that all humans can be treated as such and this starts within us personally.
#PULLUP ORSHUTUP #PULLUP ORSHUTUP #PULLUP ORSHUTUP #PULLUP ORSHUTUP THIS IS NOT A MOMENT, IT’S A MOVEMENT.
For many decades, mass-market retailers have translated to their customers that to appear fashionable, you must If you were asked to describe your clothing style, what would your answer be? It’s a difficult question with often no straight answer, but a question we nearly always take into account when buying new clothes. We all look for different qualities when it comes to apparel and we are now in a time where we can experiment and discover much wider varieties of clothing beyond what the high street mannequins are flaunting.
keep up with the latest and ever-changing trends. However, with the tiresome genericism of stock from shop to shop, people have become inspired to break this mould and find their own style and originality. Fashion is undoubtedly one of the most impactful ways to express yourself and your creativity, something which has become harder when many mainstream retailers only allow expression to the extent of a seasonal ‘trend’. This has consequently caused a huge rise in customers seeking alternative methods of clothes shopping; increasing amounts of people are now looking to access a more extensive variety of garments and styles from over the decades and around the world, allowing more opportunity for experimentation and creativity with clothing. This thirst for more individual apparel has seen a surge of attention towards social shopping apps, which are being recognised as home to globally unique fashion. Depop, the most popular and widely used of these apps, creates a platform for buyers and sellers to explore fashion that they likely wouldn’t be exposed to on the high street.
Words by: Emma Castle Donating clothes, charity shopping, transforming or The
significant
retailers
and
difference these
online
between sellers
mainstream is
that
reusing old garments are all methods that benefit
the
the slowing of fashion. With a new stigma surfacing
majority of garments listed to these apps/websites are
condemning the practice of fast fashion, alongside the
pre-loved, meaning that they have been worn or used by
increasing popularisation of alternative shopping
previous owners. Although the concept around fashioning
methods, could this see the demise of these types of
second-hand clothing has previously been regarded as
stores and outlets? An influx of brands is now beginning
undesirable and only done as a necessity, people are now
to surface that prioritise sustainability whilst offering
embracing the variety of apparel that’s offered through
products that often don’t fall under the umbrella of
this method. With the rise of these platforms marketing
conventional clothing. As consumer’s needs are
second-hand clothing in an enticing and positive light,
changing, the future could see the overshadowing of
the deterioration of this stigma has advanced whilst
more problematic retailers by smaller more ethical
helping to pave the future of more sustainable fashion.
franchises, potentially changing the way we choose to
Purchasing second-hand clothing has both ethical and
source our clothes forever.
environmental benefits. As we are now more able than ever to explore The immoderate amount of material production that’s
unorthodox and conscientiously sourced fashion, our
needed to support fast fashion results in detrimental
creativity can truly flourish as our styles can forever
effects to our environment with huge amounts of CO2
expand and change without pressure to idolise the
emissions and greenhouse gases being released from
cookie-cutter trends. With an increased awareness
factories around the world. The fast-fashion industry is
surrounding the question of ethicality for how these
also notorious for mistreating their garment workers,
fast-fashion clothing chains are sourcing, manufacturing
who undergo intense labour for often less than minimum
and distributing their items, we are also reminded that
wages. With movements in recent years shedding light
the cost of buying new clothing is more than just the
upon these frequently overlooked issues, people have
number on the price tag. So, let’s slow things down and
been converting to methods of slow fashion due to ethical
really take time to consider what qualities we should be
standpoints.
prioritising when making impulsive fashion purchases in the future.
dear agony AJ, I’m currently in lockdown, as is everyone else, and I find myself talking to more guys than I can count. However, I have no intention of meeting them after lockdown. Sure, talking to them is hot, but it also just passes the time. I’m sure other people are doing this as well, but I can’t help but feel dirty because of it. There’s a freedom in being able to say cheeky things without actually having to follow through. Am I an awful person? Should I actually live a little and meet these guys after lockdown?
yours sincerely, guilty conscience
o x o x xo
o
dear guilty conscience, First things first, we must all be aware of our mental health during lockdown. Due to the pandemic, and the commitment to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, we’ve all been subjected to prolonged amounts of time stuck inside, alone with our thoughts and perhaps at times surrounded by negativity. Reaching out for attention and support during a time like this is completely natural and it may be hard to think about a tangible romance waiting for you on the outside when the veil is finally lifted. If you have no intention in seeing people when all of this is over, that’s your prerogative! The only advice I would say to you is to give no false hope to your online lovers – enjoy your time but do it truthfully! But you know what else passes the time? A book. A series. Cooking. Talking to family and friends. If you think this is the only source of entertainment during lockdown, then you are sorely mistaken. When in life would we get this opportunity to pause in the revolving door and take stock of our lives? Whilst there are people out there defending our health and putting themselves at risk, the best we can do is stay home and work on ourselves by developing new skills and taking care of our mental health. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with having fun, don’t waste your time to the extent where you start questioning your credibility as a person; your time is best spent elsewhere. At this moment in time, lockdown measures may be loosening, and you may start thinking of meeting people, but what’s number one is your health. Since you’re talking to “so so so” many guys, it may not be productive to meet them all... unless it’s all together *wink wink*. Don’t over stretch yourself just for a cheeky convo and then complain that you feel like a terrible person. At the end of the day, it’s clear what you’re looking for whilst in lockdown, you just need to keep in-check with your mental health and make sure that your actions are not negatively affecting you. Perhaps for a day, turn off that phone, take a break from multitasking your conversations and look out of the window to check if the sky’s still blue.
yours sincerely, agony aj
Advances in Photography Post-lockdown
POSING BEHINED A PHONE SCREEN
WORDS BY: MEGAN ROSE
“Can you bring more light in to your room? Move to the left. Now move to the right. Oh great…you’ve frozen.”
The
glamour of bright flashing lights, impressive lenses and enthusiastic crews working together at face-to-face shoots is lost in lockdown. Portrait photographers are now having to compose photo-shoots from the comfort of their own homes over video calls. Competing with lagging technology and poor-quality screenshots to adapt to the current social distancing guidelines, the world of fashion has become a fast-changing place.
The beginning of FaceTime photoshoots made a professional appearance early on during lockdown, with models styling their own hair and makeup and posing in their bedrooms for remote stylish shoots. Bella Hadid is one of many models seen involved, with Vogue Italia and for Jacquemus Summer 2020 campaign, appearing elegant and chic despite being shot through a screenshot of a small screen. However, it’s undeniable for student and professional photographers alike, being away from the model when shooting from home is both challenging and less sociable than shooting face-to-face.
Focusing less on her perfectionism and taking remote shoots for a matter of convenience, Daisy admits she was surprised to find an element of her project aesthetically appealing, emulating the appearance of film photography. “I’ve been quite impressed. There’s something about them that mirrors what’s happening right now.” Although she admitted, “it’s not quite the same as a glossy fashion shoot,” she sees potential for the future as it hadn’t previously been explored.
Daisy Easterby-Sands, Fashion Photography student at London College of Fashion, is used to taking good quality images with proper cameras, but with all of her cameras stuck in university accommodation as she isolates in Cornwall, photo-shoots over FaceTime remain her only option.
Isabella Akers, Editorial and Advertising Photography student at the University of Gloucestershire agrees: “It has really surprised me how well the images have actually turned out. I do love that face-to-face contact with people and it’s difficult over FaceTime” but suggested it has its place in the current climate.
“We have to be our own directors, style the model verbally and ask them to sort out a specific natural lighting and set. It’s challenging as I’m quite a perfectionist,” explains Daisy. Without being able to take photos in person and physically move a model around to create the most appealing image, the future of photography for Daisy among others requires more verbal communication and a considerate amount of patience.
Izzy started her portrait project before lockdown, taking anonymous photographs of herself and other ordinary women. She says: “A lot of what we see on social media and in fashion is so unrealistic and people can’t relate to it. I want to show people what real bodies look like.” She’s passionate about the message being heard and as a result, decided to continue to shoot over video calls when social distancing guidance was put in place.
While many photographers are probably dying to get back to their old habits, for some brands we could see a change in the way their marketing is done. For fast fashion websites that have embraced influencer style shoots for promoting their items, it’s possible we will continue to see FaceTime shoots in the future as it suitably matches their style. Daisy personally believes “influencers at-home photos fit the aesthetic of the brand better” and can see it continuing into the future but sees it unlikely for bigger fashion brands to follow suit. With so much technology available to create optimum shoots for successful marketing, it’d be surprising if it was entirely taken over by a FaceTime alternative, but potentially we will see more creativity and a wider variation in branded shoots moving forward.
Although both photographers acknowledged that the quality is not comparable to that of a high-quality image from a long-lense camera, they both agreed that the screenshots taken were far better images than they first expected. Like all creative industries, photography has not been alone in adapting to new technologies among the restrictions of isolation, and has found the positives in this new practice. With this new-found phenomena revealing the potential of screenshot photography, the question still stands: Will video call photoshoots be a thing of the past once social distancing is eased further? In terms of convenience, it seems likely that portrait photographers will continue to create content in this way in the future. Like with most creative careers, the photography industry has evolved under the circumstances and have recognised they can adapt easily to the technology they have at hand. After having surprising successes in lockdown, Izzy says: “If there’s people wanting to get involved in a project who lives really far away and I couldn’t see them in person, it would work really well. If it came to it I definitely would shoot over video calls again.”
LIPTROT
Although it seems like years ago since we could actually go to gigs and festivals, there’s still an important topic to talk about… At music events across the world, there are ridiculously high amounts of sexual assault and harassment. Music gigs can be a place filled with so much love, for some it’s an escape and for others it’s something to look forward to with friends. It’s heart-breaking to see so many different gig-goers have these experiences, some from young ages, and for it still to be happening. With only 2% of these instances being reported, organisations, such as Safer Gigs for Women and Girls Against, work to ultimately end sexual assault at all music events. Safer Gigs for Women work directly with venues and artists to tackle this issue, with one of their associated artists, Frank Carter, using ‘girl only mosh pits’ to ensure his fans are having a good time at his shows. His song ‘Wildflowers’ is played for women, and only women, to crowd surf. As he speaks about the issue at every event, he raises awareness and tries to make his gigs a safe place for all the fans that go see him. Unfortunately, harassment still happens at his events, but this little bit of awareness is definitely a foot in the right direction.
Girls Against was founded by four teenage girls
The shocking, but not surprising, level of unreported
who promote their campaign by contacting venues,
cases needs to be addressed because if people don’t
artists and press around Manchester and Liverpool
intervene then this behaviour becomes normalised.
because such happy environments shouldn’t bring such a
Seventy percent of those who experienced sexual
negative experience. They say that we must hold bands
assault or harassment at a festival said the perpetrator
accountable outside of live spaces too, such as artists
was a stranger. If you wouldn’t tolerate this behaviour on
tweeting something, posting something, or writing a
the street, why should you tolerate it at a festival? A new
song. The more artists are held accountable for their
strategy is introducing trained female security workers,
actions, the better the spaces become. The amazing
so that people affected won’t have to find 7ft security
Statement Festival, founded in Stockholm, combats these
guards to be intimidating.
experiences by it only being held for women, non-binary and transgender music lovers.
New data collected by event discovery guide and ticket outlet, Skiddle, has revealed that women are buying
As these organisations work to spread the word to
record numbers of tickets to live events. Women have
gig-goers, saying that it’s not okay to grope, threaten
grown their market share of overall ticket sales by 22%,
or harass others and encourage victims to speak out.
which means women are purchasing 13% more tickets
They work with the bands and venues to advocate that
than men. With this we should be encouraged that even
this behaviour will not be tolerated. There needs to be a
more women are attending live events, which means we
standard that all venues stick to , to ensure that reports
can support each other and work together to stop sexual
are dealt with seriously.
harassment.
But is there more to be done? Do we need adverts
Everyone is entitled to enjoy themselves at a music
both at venues and online to teach appropriate
event without worrying. It’s important to look after each
behaviour? Do we need education in schools? Do we need
other and make sure there’s zero tolerance of
security members at gigs trained to help victims of
anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. As we
assault?Organisations, like The Survivors Trust, give
unfortunately miss out on the next festival season,
courses, workshops and webinars to help people get the
educate yourself on assault and harassment and support
training they need. There’s a lot more to be done but with
these organisations that tirelessly work to create safer
the strategies, you can see the positive impact they are
environments. Nobody should have to stop going to gigs
putting into the industry.
because of an awful experience.
The gender divide in the music industry could have
If you’ve been affected by a similar experience, want to
an impact on the amount of sexual harassment that
talk about your experience or get help, then
takes place at music events, as it’s like we’re living from
please contact:
another century. Perhaps if the industry took women in the workforce and as artists more seriously, then we would have this approach to women in the crowds and audiences as well.
VICTIM SUPPORT Helpline: 0845 30 30 900 victimsupport.org.uk THE SURVIVORS TRUST Helpline: 0808 801 0818 thesurvivorstrust.org
TAKE FARID WHEREVER YOU GO
This year our design team has produced outstanding work but aren’t always in the spotlight. But, without them, there would literally be no magazine. As such, I thought it only fair to showcase some of the incredibly intricate mood boards and covers from the past year. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! The NAKED issue was my dream aesthetic. The theme itself was derived from a minimalist style and aimed to include every shade of beige and brown you could imagine. It relished in the void of colour and focused more on making use of empty space. When colour is used, it is always to amplify the already minimal structure of the page. “Less is more” really does work, and NAKED is proof of that!
The BIRTHDAY issue was our very first printed issue, and so, I wanted to ensure the colour and vibrance was at the center of the theme. We decided to use patterns that worked well with the messaging of the article and the entire ethos of the magazine. It translates gorgeously on both print and online, which makes for a pretty kick-ass anniversary issue. This was also the issue we had some new additions to the design team, and they instantly took to creating some of the most memorable designs to date.
Both myself and Adelle toyed with many colour palettes for this issue, since it would be our last one but also because of the arching theme of the future. We settled on the neon coloring, which we thought paired perfectly with the articles for the MILLENNIUM issue. Each issue our design team topped themselves and the MILLENNIUM issue is proof of that. I may be a little biased, but this is my favourite aesthetic we have produced. This past year, our front covers have been beautifully illustrated by Melody, who was featured in our BIRTHDAY issue. For this issue, this stunning image that champions this generation’s voice was created by Jussara NazarÊ, a proud Sao Tomean/Portuguese designer. Find more of her works on Instagram at @JUICE_NAZNAZ_ART.
TAKE FARID WHEREVER YOU GO
WO R D S BY T ROY HARRISON
MA K E W AY FOR STA RG I R L Last year, DC Comics introduced its streaming service, DC Universe, with a strong start. Titans, Young Justice, and many more introductions have made it to this streaming service... unique, to say the least. There is one show that no one is talking about, a show with enough potential to be another phenomenon like Supergirl. Hopefully, it will break away from the ‘villain of the week’ gimmick that all the Arrowverse shows are known for, and this show has the chance to be DC’s version of Spider-Man Homecoming. That show is Stargirl. Courtney Whitmore is one of the newest DC superheroes that will get the live-action treatment. The super-heroine, based on Geoff Johns’ sister, is one of the heroes that will get their own show and hopefully breathe new air into the live-action universe. Courtney Whitmore will be played by Brec Bassinger, a teenage superhero that is a high schooler by day and a staff-wielding powerhouse at night. In the New 52, Whitmore is known as one of the world’s most dangerous superheroes with her role in the Justice League of America. However, this portrayal might have a more light-hearted take on the superhero.
ow h s e n so e i e r e h T on . o n t a th t.. u o b a g si talkin The Justice Society of America will be making an appearance as Stargirl’s mentors. We have had a glimpse of superheroes being mentors to other heroes but not
TH E FU TU RE O F TH E MCU to the extent this television show will visualise. Joel McHale is cast as Starman, who will pass down the mantle (and staff) to Courtney. This will probably be the first live-action incarnation of the Justice Society that won’t die straight away. There is something about the Justice Society that obtains a sense of timelessness to the concept. Before the time of Batman and Superman, these superheroes were showing forgotten heroes that were respected in their own right. Heroines like Quake (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Supergirl, Wonder Woman, and the White Canary have paved the way for Stargirl’s appearance. However, Whitmore is so unique that she has to deal with problems that an average teenager goes through every day. This gives a chance for a relatable superhero that doesn’t have an invisible jet, a time ship with a cloned girlfriend, or the resources of a top-secret agency. Stargirl is the perfect hero to have a Netflix Original about, Stargirl is just a normal girl (and I do mean normal) with an immensely powerful object in her possession. Breathing new life into the Arrowverse, Stargirl will be a legacy hero which was kind of touched upon in The Flash season 5 but, we haven’t had a superhero pick up the mantle of someone else. This will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen DC Comics do; I have severe Flash and Supergirl season 1 vibes from the two trailers that have been released. Will Stargirl be a hit? Only time will tell.
With Avengers: Endgame turning one recently, some may look back and see how far the Marvel Cinematic Universe has come. However, here at Farid, we like to see where things are going instead of where they’ve been. So, instead of looking back at the classics and lamenting how liberating it was to see Captain America pick up Thor’s hammer, I think it’s time to see where the MCU is going, and the future that it has is in store for us.
go e w o d Where ndgame? after E If you’re expecting another Avengers film, then sorry to disappoint you, but there isn’t one in sight. This isn’t really a shock because, from a business standpoint, we need standalone films to build up the “New Avengers”. Phase 4 of the Cinematic Universe has been postponed until later this year because of COVID-19, but, when the phase finally does hit the ground running, we will be getting films such as Black Widow, The Eternals, Doctor Strange 2 and Shang-Chi. With these films, audiences will be treated to a diverse line-up of characters that will arrive in various film industry genres. The MCU tackling different genres will be vital for their survival after Avengers: Endgame because, understandably, audiences will be asking, “where do we go after Endgame?”. Spraying out and experimenting with different things is nothing that the studios haven’t done before; I mean...we’re talking
about the company that made us fall in love with a talking tree. However, with Shang Chi taking inspiration for the old karate movies featuring Bruce Lee, not to mention Doctor Strange 2 is Marvel’s first foray into horror, there is no worry that “Superhero Movie Fatigue” is right around the corner if you keep things interesting. Films aren’t the only thing Marvel has on the horizon. Thanks to Disney+, Marvel has found a way to utilise the actors in the movies and give them miniseries, meaning that they have more than two hours to tell in-depth stories (I’m trying to give hints to my mum so she can get a Disney+ account because I’m too broke). Characters like Scarlet Witch, Falcon, The Winter Soldier, and Loki are the first cohorts to receive this treatment. Who knows, if we show we’re interested in watching the shows, maybe they’ll bring more prominent names like Hulk or Ant-Man to the platform. If you’re a fan of more familiar faces, then don’t worry. Captain Marvel 2, Black Panther 2, the untitled third film in Tom Holland’s trilogy and Thor: Love and Thunder are right around the corner. All of these movies have the potential to be mind-blowing as Captain Marvel 2 is said to set up a new version of The Avengers, meaning she might take up the mantle of leader. Thor: Love and Thunder is confirmed to have Natalie Portman as a new version of Thor - yes, that’s right a female Thor is coming to the MCU. Black Panther 2 is said to set up the first Marvel character, Namor the Sub-Mariner (who is sort of like Marvel’s Aquaman). Finally, Spider-Man’s story will be continued, following the story of the whole world knowing about Peter Parker’s secret identity.
Before we wrap up, there is one other topic that is left unturned... The Fantastic Four. Marvel’s first family was hinted at in Spider-Man: Far From Home, which means it’s incredibly likely that they’ll be introduced in Phase 4 (let’s just cross our fingers and hope that this reboot is actually good).
I N T RO DU CIN G T H E LEAG U E O F S U P E RH ERO ES This issue is all about the future, so I thought it would be a good idea to showcase a team in comics that don’t get the recognition they deserve. Ladies and gentlemen, today I’m going to be talking about... The Legion of Super-Heroes. First Appearing in Adventure Comics #247 in 1958, this superhero team hailing from the year 3000 always had a sense of optimism because they were literally created by a 14-year-old called Jim Shooter, who helped pen early stories. This helped reinforce the values that the Legion of Super-Heroes were the idealisation of in the future. The team consisted of many aliens that called Earth home, so Superman (who was a legend by the time the Legion formed) acted as a beacon of hope not just to humans, but for aliens to find a new home. The world that the Legion of SuperHeroes lived in was proof that the heroes of today (the Justice League, Teen Titans, etc.) made the world better for the heroes of tomorrow.
ith w l a e s d oia, k o o b e Th ran d a p , m racis scovery an self-di tal heal th men From their introduction in the 1950’s, the team has generated an extensive roster of members but at the core, each iteration of the group includes all three or one of the three: Cosmic Boy (who has the power of magnetism), Saturn Girl (one of the best telepaths in more than one galaxy) and Lightning Lad (who can generate electricity). Each are aliens but have a sense of duty to Earth, I’ve always thought that it was nice to have the core team not be made up of humans because it shows that just because someone isn’t like you, it doesn’t mean that your home isn’t their home too. Everyone belongs somewhere, and those three belong on Earth. I am not going to break down every character, but there is one member that I do want to talk about, and that is Brainiac 5. The team’s optimism of the future is displayed in this character, as Brainiac 5’s emotion is based on expectation and the hope that someone who is known to be cruel by nature can mould into a caring, sensitive teammate. If you know anything about Superman’s rogue’s gallery, then Brainiac is a techno-organic lifeform that conquers planets. Being the fifth model put into a teenage body, Brainiac 5 is an idea that there is hope for the cruel supervillain, sure there is a looming threat that he could fall onto the side of darkness once more, but it’s the fact that he is given a chance to not be a stereotype on which his ancestors built upon.
Ka-Pow! ! m a h W
If all that interests you, then you can find the futuristic superheroes in different mediums. They’ve appeared in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon, featuring in the episode “Far From Home”, where we sort of getting an introduction of who they are, the Superman animated series episode called “New Kids In Town” and they also had a cartoon series of their own (which is how I found out about them when I was a kid). The Legion has also made live-action appearances in liveaction shows like Smallville and Supergirl. In Smallville, the three core members appear in the episode “Legion” in season 8, and in Supergirl, all of season 3 is dedicated to them.
Bang! If you want to read more about them, I’d recommend their 1990’s comic run called “Legionnaires”. The comic series is a whole lot of fun and gives you one-to-one issues with different characters of the team, the comic run makes them more human than ever by giving them complex emotions, making them vulnerable individuals rather than a cookiecutter, well-oiled machine. The books deal with racism, paranoia, selfdiscovery, and mental health, so pick it up. And there you have it, you know as much about the Legion to get you by if someone asks you about them at Comic-Con. Sorry if it sounded a little nerdy, but if you didn’t mind this at all, let me know, and I could do something like this on more characters in the future.
WO RDS BY K IERAN G ALP IN
Lockdown has posed many problems, there is no denying that. From financial difficulties to mental health, the effects of a self-isolated quarantine are felt by everyone, no matter your place in society - perhaps except Dominic Cummings! An overlooked aspect of Lockdown has been people’s sex lives. By the 17th March, Pornhub had seen an 11% increase on its daily average and a 26% increase on people tuning in at noon, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “afternoon delight.” But Lockdown has also forced people to reflect on their viewing habits since they are engaging in them more frequently, and porn is no exception. Audio pornography is precisely as it sounds. It is not repeatedly listening to Chris Hemsworth talk as I initially thought, nor is it some version of ASMR without Cardi B tip-tapping on a coke can. Instead, audio porn is often a guided experience, where the listeners use their imagination without the need for visual aids. The genre itself is a relatively new medium, but the concept of audio stimulation has been around as long as a dirty mind has. Despite popular opinion, research doesn’t always guarantee a practical understanding of a topic. So, with plenty of time on my hands and no sexual partner in sight, I decided to try some out.
DAY O NE: I N TH E PAL M OF M Y HAN D Get your mind out of the gutter because I am referring to my phone being in the palm of my hands, though the topic of this article does require the other thing at some point. The darkened depths of the app store is home to diamonds like “Fart Soundboard” and “Goat Simulator”, so it came at no surprise that I managed to find exactly what I was looking for. “Dipsea” is an audio pornography app that caters to a wide variety of sexual identities, fantasies and kinks. I was asked a few straightforward questions regarding my preferred sexual partner, level of crudeness, and the hugely important payment option. I, of course, chose the free trial, though we will come back to that later. “Lecture Me” was my recommended gateway erotica, and at thirteen minutes long, I slipped on my headphones so that my unsuspecting parents couldn’t hear my sordid audio adventure. As the title suggests, this
particular clip was around the idea of a teacher-student romance, rather coincidental since I finished uni last week. The flirty back and forth was interesting, and its well-written nature was certainly a departure from the usual pizza delivery guy and pool boy. But, as a gay man listening to a female narrative, I couldn’t get past the detachment I felt. There was a disconnect between the act and the actors, especially as the male voice kept talking about how beautiful my bra was.
DAY TWO : D E E PER. . . IN TO T H E APP Mae West famously said, “when I’m good, I’m good, but when I’m bad, I’m better,” so perhaps the root of my failure yesterday was my inability to go beyond what was suggested to me. I took a deep dive into the app’s bowels in the hopes of finding some freaky side of myself I never thought to explore. Who knows, perhaps I am secretly into feet? I came across “Commando” after
five minutes of drudging through teacher fantasies and bondage play. The story had clearly been taken from the mind of a guy who lists ‘masc for masc’ in his Grindr profile, but I conceded and slid my headphones on once again. Two guys in an open relationship invite a tourist into a ‘playroom’ in the basement of a rave, seems completely safe, right? The author’s voice was gruff but still youthful, like Hardin Scott in ‘After,’ so that definitely helped. After a few minutes, I got into it and could finally see the medium’s allure. Perhaps as a writer myself, it was hotter to listen to someone’s carefully crafted words. After all, anyone can learn to fuck, but writing takes talent.
DAY THR E E : D O I H AV E DAD DY I SS U E S ? One’s own fantasies form the basis for a lot of things in life, whether you admit it to yourself, or hide it in the deepest parts of your brain. “Sexual fantasies say a lot about the emotional places we go to in our minds,” says apparent sex expert Roberto Hogue, and it has become evident that my ‘emotional place’ is full of problematic curiosity. Tonight this curiosity took me to Quinn, another audio porn distributor with a slightly riskier compilation of aural erotica. My bed partner was “Give Me My Money,” voiced by an author who refers to himself as Prince Breed, though I doubt that was his birth name. The plot was mostly a gangster movie, where my ‘husband’ failed to pay the money he owed, which resulted in me (his wife) having to pay it for him. Women paying men’s debts, now that is nothing new! But, sketchy plot aside, it was hot. His voice was low, gritty, and reminiscent of Michael B. Jordan’s, though his repeated use of the word “bitch” became an issue five minutes in. For me, there is a fine line between submission and degradation, and that line, I don’t want to cross.
DAY F O UR: B R EATH E I N , TH EN R EL E A S E Breathplay, the act of using one’s own breathing for sexual enhancement, has always been complicated, although somewhat compelling kink. Auto Asphyxiation, the scientific term for controlling one’s breath during sex, has resulted in
numerous deaths across the decades, but that hasn’t stopped people from walking on that fine line. Dipsea has erotic guided meditation that uses breath work to enhance your sexual pleasure, without the potential for longtime health detriments. The meditation, guided by a man with a deliberately sultry voice, instructed me in just about everything. Things took an erotic turn four minutes in, having spent the introduction in positions vaguely reminiscent of Yoga. This snippet was beyond helpful and informed me more about breathing in sex than porn or sexual health classes ever had. But, if you were looking for a quick release, this is definitely not the clip for you.
DAY FIVE: TH E DA RK CAVERN S O F P O RN H U B Today I discovered that everyone’s favourite pastime website has its very own section dedicated to audio porn. For the most part, it is men twice my age whispering ‘babygirl’ into the microphone, which needless to say is not my kink of choice. But, if you search hard enough, you will find the inevitable diamond in the rough. Despite his excessive use of the word tasty, my particular diamond was an American with a ‘tasty’ voice. I know, I used that word, perhaps it’s growing on me. I feel dirtier than usual after this audio porn, coming to the steady realisation that I should visit a confessional next time I pass a Catholic church. I didn’t finish feeling ashamed of my body, nor did I leave having ill-conceived notions of how real people have real sex.
R E F L E C T I O N Finishing my sordid five days of debauchery, I can’t help but feel just slightly more invigorated. Even with sex, we tend to become repetitive. From the guys and girls we sleep with to the positions we so often choose, sex should be something ever-changing and growing. Stop having sex with the same fuckboy in Doggystyle, try something a little different! Audio porn did precisely that, it readjusted my outlook on how our erotic minds really work. Sure, it is hard to find that specific fantasy, but it’s plain sailing once you do. From kidnap fantasies to threesomes, there is an audio kink for everyone, and it’s only a click away. Put in your headphones, kick back under the covers, and live your slutty truth!
On the 29th of May, we were transported through space
‘Rain On Me’, though reminiscent of 90’s club culture,
on a long-awaited journey. We travelled to a planet of
tackles a contrasting topic. The hard, gritty, real lyrics
healing, draped in familiar dance tunes, and reminiscent
are encompassed in an all-consuming beat. It is the true
of a gay’s Mad Max-style wet dream. Chromatica, Lady
meaning of diverse audience experiences that can relate
Gaga’s sixth studio album, finally arrived, kicked down
to almost any person for a variety of reasons. The idea
our doors, clad in shining pink-hued armour, and was
of transforming pain into empowerment is sometimes
armed with a restorative techno beat. Since the release
devoid of the music industry. Still, Gaga and Grande are
of ‘Stupid Love’ in February, every gay on the planet has
seen visibly fighting against the onslaught of emotion
been recreating the video in their living rooms, draped in
and distress. The day before, and hidden beneath a flurry
the lockdown fashions of blankets and oversized hoodies.
of excited fan tweets, Gaga released ‘Sour Candy’, which
Next came ‘Rain On Me’, a long-awaited collaboration
features the Korean girl group BlackPink. Two musical
with Ariana Grande, whose contribution seems reminiscent
powerhouses, from two corners of the planet, clash in an
of her ‘Break Free’ days.
eruption of rhythmic tones and sexy vocalisations.
WORDS BY: KIERAN GALPIN
SONG RANKINGS 01 02 03 04 05 06
Alice 911 Rain On Me (with Ariana Grande) Plastic Doll Replay Stupid Love
07 Sour Candy 08 Sine From Above 09 Babylon 10 1000 Doves 11 Enigma 12 Fun Tonight
The themes of self-acceptance run through the gooey
But, this version of her music is drenched in the
centre of the song, detailing the artist’s hard exterior but
refinement the years have bestowed on her. The entire
satisfying centre. Blackpink, arguably known for their
album is an ode to mental and physical recuperation,
sexy highly produced videos, bring a refreshing perspective
with its EDM style tempo wrapping it in an uplifting
to what was already guaranteed to be an up-tempo tune.
escape capsule from reality. ‘Alice’ reminds us of
“Close your eyes don’t peek; now I’m undressing,” sings
the sheer power of her voice, hitting the high notes
Gaga, repeatedly using the motif of confectionery to
perfectly as she describes her search for inner peace, much
allude to her sometimes misunderstood persona. The
like the titular character in Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice in
taste of ‘sour candy’ remained in our mouths just long
Wonderland. The motif of inner peace reverberates
enough as we waited for the main course, little did we
throughout the entire album.
know we would have to travel to get there. However, it is essential to note it is not a cry for help, When midnight came, and the doors were opened to
but a call to arms. In ‘Rain On Me’ and ‘911’ she further
the inner workings of Gaga’s mind - Chromatica, we
details her experience with trauma and in ‘Fun Tonight’
boarded the glitter-lined spaceship. We embarked on a
her complicated relationship with fame. The songs
journey set to rewire the way we think. She has stated
separately are powerhouses of musical talent and sheer
that all her albums somewhat appear on Chromatica, the
force of will, but when combined with the rest of the
metaphorical, though potentially real, planet she details,
album, act as a narrative for self-healing and acceptance.
this was entirely different. A little over a decade ago, we were introduced to a new form of pop music that would
The 90’s European house vibes and ‘Vogue’-style
redefine the genre entirely. While still paying homage to
musings throughout the album firmly plant this in the
the high turning points in music history,
genre of dance music. But that isn’t to say it lacks the complexity that emotional ballads are known for. The
Gaga taught me at least some of my most important
album must be thought of as a collective work since they
lessons. Gaga, being the eclectic mastermind, rarely stayed
tell a story that we are all too familiar with.
in one ballpark for more than a few years. In more recent times, both ‘Joanne’ and ‘A Star Is Born’ have
We all have pain, trauma, and regret in our lives,
grounded the Italian singer in a homely mainstream
and at times it is easy to pick the nearest sad playlist
market. As ‘Chromatica I’ starts, and its soothing
and bury ourselves under covers. What Chromatica
instrumental invigorates a rather boring lockdown
teaches us is that pain can be transcended, transmuted, and
routine, we are returned to a Gaga of the past.
repackaged as a source for empowerment. Lockdown may still be in effect, but let work know I am staying on Chromatica for a while.
PLAY-LIST DUA LIPA - PHYSICAL
Happy two year birthday FARID! Here are the songs to kick off those celebrations. Drink responsibly and always take a selfie with the flash on. Here is to another two years of amazing content.
F UT UR E FT DRAKE L I FE IS G O O D
L A DY GAGA ALI C E
THE WEEKN D - BLI N DI N G LI GHTS
JU B ËL DAN CI N G I N T HE MO O NL I GH T
REX ORANGE COUNTY FT BENNY SINGS - LOVING IS EASY
LOY LE CARN ER, JORJA SMITH - LOOSE ENDS
SAI N T MOTEL MY TY PE
YU N G L FT WI ZK I D EVE B O U N C E ( R EM I X )
STAYS O L ID RO CKY - PA RT Y GI RL
PHARELL WI LLI AMS - SAN GRI A WI N E
SUBLI ME SAN TERIA
NO DOU BT JU ST A G I R L
UN LOV E D W H Y N OT
TODRICK HALL - MASK, GLOVES, SOAP, SCRUBS
SI EN A LI GGI N S PERF ECT
M ADON NA HOL I DAY
ALFIE TEMPLEMAN HAPPINESS IN LIQUID FORM
ABBIE OZARD - PINK SKY (ENDLESS SUMMER)
HALSEY NIGHTMARE
This year has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. Amongst the chaos of University, part-time jobs, and Covid19, the team has proven time and time again that they are at the top of their game. I am lucky enough to have worked with some of THE most talented people to create outstanding content and everlasting memories. I want to thank Hesham and the rest of the OG FARID team for creating such a game-changing platform and appointing me, its captain, for the past year. I am hopeful for the future and what the next group will bring. For the last time, I leave you with XOXO, KIERAN
When I first joined FARID, I didn’t expect how involved I would become. It quickly became one of my favourite side projects to work on amidst the demands of education, and I enjoyed every minute of it - from creating the moodboards within this issue to the lovely creative people I’ve had the opportunity to work with. The best thing about FARID are its people, and as I return to Malaysia as another of one of the zine’s contributors, I leave you in the capable hands of an enthusiastic creative team who I guarantee will continue to keep you engaged, refreshed and completely blown away with every issue. Selamat tinggal dan sekian, terima kasih, ADELLE