FARID THE ZINE | THE SELF EXPRESSION ISSUE | Winter 2018 by Farid the Zine

FARID. Winter 2018

The

SELF E X P RIssue ESSION THE ZINE 1

YOU. YOU. YOU. We’ve all heard it before: “you can’t love others until you learn to love yourself.” It’s a hard pill to swallow considering it’s such a simple statement, but it sure can feel super complicated. Let me start this off by saying, that statement is the truth. Self-love and knowing how to express yourself plays a huge role in relationships with others. Whether it’s romance or friendship, the way we treat ourselves will always be reflected in the quality of our connections with others. Therefore, I think it’s important to recognise and understand how self-love and the art of expressing yourself effect the love we give to, and receive from other people. In our current political and social climate, the concept of self-love and being yourself is seen as cheesy (and it kind of is). However, it’s super important now, more than ever, to truly stand behind what you believe in with every bit of energy your body possesses – otherwise hate will win. The people who spread hate and diminish our individuality project their hate onto other’s because they see it as an easy target. Don’t be an easy target. Embrace your flaws, work hard to prove it to the people around you and yourself (first and foremost) that you are strong. BE YOU. DO YOU. FOR YOU. Over the past few months, #TeamFarid has grown to numbers beyond my expectations. Now, the team is filled with tremendously talented individuals who strive every day to be themselves. That is the backbone of this publication, having an ‘IDGAF’ attitude and living life for yourself, your craft and nothing else. I knew that this issue needed to represent the importance of being yourself, the necessity to hold your ground when it comes to your principles and to truly be comfortable with who you are. This issue is (as always) filled with content which I like to describe as ‘food for your soul’. We explore self-expression from all angles, ranging from expression through food to a playlist, which you can bang on and dance like Emma Stone in Easy-A. So, grab a cuppa or a G’n’T (whatever takes your fancy) and enjoy the self-expression issue of Farid The Zine.

Hesham Abdelhamid

Editor-in-Chief

SELF EXPRESSION -A VOICE | 4-5 When over thinking takes over -IS THERE A LINE BETWEEN BODY POSITIVITY AND BEING UNHEALTHY? | 6-13 A healthy debate -VIDEO: FARID’S ACOUSTIC SESSION | 14-15 We have a surprise for you -SELF-EXPRESSION: TATTOOS | 16-25 Art vs Taboo -Q&A WITH ONLINE STAR EEVEE | 28-29 From student to touring star -VIDEO: WINTER LOOKBOOK | 36-41 Cheltenham’s current ‘It’ brand -DISCO FEVER: CHRISTMAS FASHION EDIT | 42-47 Unleash your inner Dancing Queen -WHO IS LIL’ MIQUELA | 50-55 Or who isn’t she? -SELF-EXPRESSION: YUMMY FOOD | 56-61 You love it, we love it, and everybody loves it -SELF-EXPRESSION: MUSIC | 62-65 Dance for yourself -WOULD YOU EVER CHOOSE TO BE GAY? | 68-71 The coming out story has no ending -SELF-EXPRESSION: DRAG | 72-79 Don’t be a drag, just be a queen -THE URBAN JUNGLIST | 80-83 Relax and unwind -SELF-EXPRESSION: LOOKING FURTHER | 84-93 Inner identity -JOIN THE TEAM | 94-95 How to become part of #TeamFarid 3

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Hesham Abdelhamid Holly Harden-Sweetnam Lewis Thompson Benoit Ganesan Emily Redman Owen Adamson Nicole Honeywell Haby Dawson Amy Owen Gabriel Laroche Cinsy Tam Cameron Hayward Klaudia Mihalova Oliver Walker Ollie Chard Ann Nguyen Lydia Maers Charlotte Curtis Maria Gushchina Trevor McFedries

SPECIAL THANKS UoG Students’ Union UoG Journalism ISSUU FRANK & DOLL Eevee Chloe Alisha P. Daryanani Chloe Southworth

VOICE OXFORD DICTIONARY DEFINITION

Noun

Otherwise known as, inner speech or internal monologue. The silent expression of conscious thought to oneself in a coherent linguistic form. Refering to a person’s inner voice that provides a running monologue while we are awake.

n bed, awake. It’s 2:30am and the rest of the house is asleep. The beaming light from the lamppost shines through the little gap in the curtain, lighting up one corner of the bed. The world seems empty and silent, except for the distant humming of the washing machine downstairs. Theres nothing except the thoughts in your head keeping your awake. Tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable, thoughts whizzing around. Everything you’ve done today, every word, action and joke stands out, ready to be analysed. The chitter-chatter gradually getting louder and louder. That’s when the self doubt kicks in... “...I should wear that top again. I wonder if she noticed my top. I know she likes the film, so surely she would understand the reference. Maybe she didn’t notice? We were talking for a while, she would have noticed. Maybe we were talking for too long. Maybe I was talking for too long. Maybe she thought I was annoying. Maybe she didn’t actually want to talk to me. Maybe she doesn’t like the top. Maybe she doesn’t like me. I shouldn’t wear the top again.” It’s called over thinking. When you think too much, instead of acting and doing things, you are overthinking. Everybody does it. Some of us are better at overthinking than others. The intensity of thoughts running around your head, unable to stop them, causes serious anxiety. We begin to question our behaviour, our thoughts and feelings, usually because somewhere deep inside we don’t feel good enough. It consumes your energy, disables your ability to make good decisions, and puts you on a loop of thinking over and over again. For some, overthinking can be caused by caring too much about what other people think. Most people want to be liked by those around them and rather than being genuine, you labor to create an image that you think people will find appealing. In the process, you compromise your authentic self, gradually becoming less honest, less natural, less “you.” When you find yourself being self-conscious or worried about what someone else may think of your choices, remember that you’re likely blowing things out of proportion. You’re most likely, overthinking the entire situation. What’s important, is that you listen to yourself. If there is a behaviour you are trying to change (overthinking), be it large or small, listen to what you’re inner voice. You could be the only person/voice standing in your own way. Thinking is good. Overthinking is bad. It can end things, before they even get the chance to develop. Realise that thinking once, or a just a few times is enough. It leads you nowhere thinking over and again the same thoughts. You need to make a decision and act. Next time you’re struggling because you’re overthinking a situation. Take a step back. Get out of bed, switch on the light and tell yourself you don’t need to overthink this situation. Tell yourself you’re good enough just the way you are. Tell yourself three personality good traits about yourself. Then take a deep breathe and get back into bed. If you can master self love first, the overthinking will eventually fade.

“You wouldn’t stand in a field of flowers and tell the peonies they won’t ever be beautiful until they look a little more like forget-meknots. So why my love, do you tell yourself the same thing? No wrong way to have a body” - S.R.W “You will always be too much of something for someone: too big, too loud, too soft, too edgy. If you round out your edges, you lose your edge. Apologise for mistakes. Apologise for unintentionally hurting someone. But don’t apologise for being who you are” - D.Laporte “You are not the first flower of spring. You are a garden of desires. A vast nebula, the moon, the sun. A lucid dream” - Priscilla Serrano “No amount of regret can change the past. No amount of anxiety can change the future” - N.Salmon “Let yourself, be silently drawn, by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray” - Rumi. “You owe yourself the love, you so freely give to other people” - Unkown. “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways” Sigmund Freud “I like you; your eyes are full of language” - Anne Sexton.

Is there a line between BODY POSiTIVITY and being UNHEALTHY? An extensive exploration of body positivity and a questioning on whether our society is disguising obesity and unhealthy habits with a positive outlook.

Words by Emily Redman Owen Adamson Illustration by Nicole Honeywell

n 2015, Common Sense Media found that 80% of 10-year-old girls have been on a diet. That’s 8/10 girls who are so unsatisfied with the way that they look, they feel they need to restrict what they eat in order to change their appearance. Restricting calories in many cases causes fully grown adults to become agitated, sleepy and unable to concentrate, so it’s not difficult to predict the effects on an undeveloped child. The question on my mind after reading this statistic is: why? Why are the majority of 10-year-old girls so affected by the way they look that they want to sacrifice sharing pizza with their friends at sleepovers, eating popcorn in the cinema and sneaking downstairs late at night to grab a ‘midnight snack’?

To answer my initial question, it would be naive of me to ignore the effects of the media on young people. The work on social media’s effects on children isn’t comprehensive, so we can only estimate the real causes, however, a study reported in Common Sense Media found that young people who regularly use Facebook were far more likely to have a ‘drive for thinness’ than light or non-users. It seems clear that there is a correlation between advertising campaigns featuring thin and highly edited pictures of models and body confidence. This motivation to be skinny doesn’t stop at adolescence, with only 28% of men and 26% of females ‘extremely satisfied’ with their image released through The Body Image Journal reported by Cosmopolitan.

One reason for this is directly linked to the eating habits and diet culture adopted by parents. A study reported in the Huffington Post revealed that two-thirds of Brits are on a diet ‘most of the time’. Maybe primary socialisation (when kids learn about the basic stuff - usually in the family) doesn’t just entail children picking up language and the importance of right and wrong, but also the restriction of calories as a result of imitating the people they see as role models. This is supported by the fact that many studies have found children as young as five pick up their mother’s restricted eating patterns. Does this mean that parents are to blame for their children’s self-confidence issues? Factors such as media consumption are arguably more influential than parental habits, however, they should be more aware of what they say in front of their highly impressionable offspring; their words and actions have a more lasting effect than they may think.

The desire to be thinner can be a persistent and brutal journey to self-hatred, all because we’re trying to achieve what can often be an unobtainable image. Body positive role models such as Iskra Lawrence, Ashley Graham and (for the men) Arcadio del Valle are so important because they spread the message that beauty doesn’t just have one size, or look, or diet and nor does health (but that’s a whole different debate). The message of body positivity is so important because it teaches not just young girls, but men and women who’ve been told for most of their lives that they must look a certain way to feel worthy, that their soul-purpose in life shouldn’t be to lose weight. I hope that the rise in the movement one day horrifies people that Esquire found 54% of women would rather be hit by a truck than be fat (WTF). For me, the most important role of body positivity is to show that there are so many more important things in life than the number on the scales. You can be kind, generous, intelligent, caring, sensitive, creative and be overweight. So, is fat really the worst thing we can be?

Words by Emily Redman 8

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The desire to be thinner can be a persistent and brutal journey to self-hatred.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

We need to stop justifying bad health with words like powerful and empowered.

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itting down and flicking through Instagram, it can be hard not to want to start chugging raw eggs and drinking sink-water flavoured detox teas. It’s a depressing thing to look at, all these athletes and models, especially when you’re sat in your Simpsons’ donut slippers and you’ve just eaten seven pieces of bacon. There are people on there, who frankly, look fantastic; and it’s pretty easy to get lost thinking that this is the norm. But stand up, go to your window and see what the next ten people to walk by look like. It’s inevitable that at least eight of them will look more haggard and generally more miserable than you. It’s easy to get fixated on idolising celebrities and personalities from social media these days. Our phones are practically an extension of our arms and the constant barrage of images we subject ourselves to exacerbates a culture of comparison that is growing amongst people both young and old. It’s a trend that can have positive and negative consequences, depending on your outlook. This is why body positivity is, by and large, a good cause. However, as with any social ideology with its roots in a good place, some of the branches have decided to go a little off-track. A good example of this is Tess Holliday, the “plus-sized” model who recently came under fire for posting a nude image of herself, and featuring as a cover girl for Cosmopolitan magazine. People accused her of negatively affecting young minds and promoting a body image which is extremely unhealthy. She responded by saying it was “your minds that need to change” and “#effyourbeautystandards”. Unfortunately, she is completely wrong. Anyone with a grasp on reality will grant you that human bodies naturally occur in a variety of sizes and shapes. There are a multitude of plus sized models who truly fit the bill, going against the traditional and equally worrying image of the ultra-skinny catwalker. But there is a limit to this campaign. It is not meant to be used as a tool to justify an extremely unhealthy lifestyle and shape. Holliday is not a “curvy woman”, (a term which is equally offensive, as if to suggest you have 11

to be curvaceous to be womanly) she is verging on morbidly obese. This isn’t about insulting someone over their weight, nor is it about making all women fit a stereotypical social idea. It’s about regulating your body to a reasonable standard to keep yourself in good health. It’s been said numerous times that many of the people with similar figures to Holliday (both male and female) are healthy. This is usually followed by a pointless comment war, with one side being rude and the other claiming that in fact, she is peak condition, and that “you don’t have her blood tests, you don’t know!”. You DO NOT need to have her blood tests to know she is unhealthy. The body of medical evidence that shows being obese as a leading cause of cancer and an unholy amount of other diseases is vast. Seriously, it stopped being about body positivity some time ago, and became a simple battle between the delusional and the medically informed. We need to stop justifying bad health with words like “powerful” and “empowered”. Those are relevant terms for many situations, often ones that should be given greater support, but saying that being morbidly obese is a form of empowerment is utterly ridiculous. This is when people will begin to say, “if you don’t find her attractive, just leave her alone”. The problem is it isn’t about attractiveness, it’s about a person who is in the public spotlight, influencing young people who are already grappling with mental and physical problems. Tess Holliday may have come to terms with it, but that is an appalling statement to make. She has come to terms with what, willingly misguiding children into believing being that overweight is a good or healthy thing to shoot for? It’s pretty clear no sensible person is advocating that the entire human race collectively does pullups until we look the same. It won’t happen, and we often gain strength in our diversity. The line has to be drawn though, when we begin to indulge and encourage behaviour we know is unhealthy, and will negatively affect people across the board.

Words by Owen Adamson

LOVING OUR BODIES IS ALL WE HAVE GOT.

Illustrations by Haby Dawson

ES SIO N

Our mission is to provide a platform to fresh young talent, who have something to say. FARID: THE SESSION will be a vessel for musicians from all over Gloucestershire to tell their story and showcase their gift.

S E H T : D I FAR

Visuals by Lewis Thompson Benoit Ganesan Alex Georgieff

In a series of acoustic sessions, captured by our film crew, you will be introduced to the musical talents of the University of Gloucestershire. First up, Bulgarian Americana and folk duo, Deya&Teodora. Deya Kuneva & Teddy Mladenova are a force to be reckoned with. Armed with raw vocals and virtuosic presence. 14

CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON TO WATCH THE FIRST FARID: THE SESSION. YOU WOULDNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T WANT TO MISS THIS. #NEWBEGINNINGS 15

b c g i

dn e f j m h l o p k

SELF EXPRESSION:

Tattoos So, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a given that tattoos are a very good way of expressing yourself. Like, you are literally placing imagery on your body. However, in some places around the world, Tattoos are a huge taboo and some of our students are experiencing the prejudice which comes with having tattoos. Words by Amy Owen

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e f i g d o l n 16 16

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ancy a trip to the beautiful country of Japan, with its serene and alluring nature? Or maybe it’s modern and exciting cities? Well one day you could see it all for yourself - just as long a you don’t have a tattoo. Okay, strictly speaking maybe that’s not true. But Japan is well known for its long history of disliking tattoos, and here’s why: Since time began we have been creatures of fascination. We express ourselves like no other mammal. Whether it be through storytelling, dance, art or permanently marking our bodies with ink. Dramatic I know, but it’s true, tattoos are a big thing and for some, a way to tell the world who you are - or where you went on that lads’ holiday in 2015. Either way, it creates an identity, but for the Japanese it comes with an attached stigma that will get you banned from using their hot springs, public bathrooms and might even affect you getting a job. Of course, society is becoming more lenient to such things, but not long ago it was illegal to even have one.

World Cup that’s taking place in Japan next year. Rugby players of all countries have been asked to cover all tattoos. As some of you may know, we are a heavily tattooed nation- one of the most on earth in fact. Many players have full sleeve arm and leg tattoos making them hard to cover. With this in mind a lot of controversy has been spun, something that has divided opinion. With many western fans coming along to support the World Cup, does this mean less people will want to cover their tattoos, or even attend the event?

To us, Japan may have a very old-fashioned view on tattoos. But to them, our views are just as backwards. In the UK today, around 1 in 5 adults have a tattoo. They make a statement, tell a story... or maybe just your ex’s name. But they are a big part of our cultural identity. Today we see a lot of our role models and celebrities getting visible tattoos, even creating shows that are becoming popular in our society today. It’s no wonder people are wanting to get in on this trend. Examples such as Just Tattoo of Us (possibly one of the most painful puns conceived by mankind) and Tattoo Fixers have started a trend in making fun of bad tattoos. If you have a bad tattoo, it’s This is down to the Yakuza gangs. An organised easy to get your five minutes of fame. crime ring of gangsters who more currently are registered companies that trade off with For international student, Meg, tattoos are a way official powers to give them some transparency to rebel. Meg is a half Japanese, half English (but obviously they are still shadey). They mark student from Japan. All her life she was brought themselves with full bodied tattoos, meaning up with the message that tattoos are bad. In anyone with a tattoo could be seen as a gang Japan they can affect your life in a big way, even member. These would all be done by hand changing the way your peers and family view you. from the neck all the way down to the feet. Yes When she moved to England it was a completely - everywhere. This is where a bad reputation for different story that changed her view of tattoos. tattoos first originated something that some of our She believes that “it’s your body and you should older generations may still agree with. Because be able to do what you want with it”, which is why of this, the Meiji government banned tattoos for she got her very first tattoo last month. over 70 years. They described them as “barbaric” and this view was kept until the law was lifted in She decided to get a wave on her ankle, which 1948, but the stigma hasn’t entirely gone away. to her represents two big parts of her life. Firstly, her love of beaches and the ocean and secondly Within Japan there are still signs up today which to remember the tsunamis that happened in restrict access to certain places for people with Japan and to all those that lost their possessions, tattoos, whether it be their public bathrooms, friends, family and lives. swimming pools or even hotels. This is to keep up a reputation and attract certain types of Unfortunately, says she will never be able to tell people. A recent example of this is the Rugby her family about this, because they still hold 18

traditional opinions, and if they found out about her tattoo it would be very likely that they would disown her. However, these deeply entrenched views are beginning to shift. Meg believes that younger generations are starting to question why it’s so bad to mark your body, and believes one day Japan will have a totally new outlook on this. So, for the moment, Japan still seems to hold its traditional views and a major change needs to happen, which will hopefully be coming soon. Tattoos are part of who we are as a generation and helps to express what makes us individuals. Whether they’re good or bad it should be our own choice. I mean what’s the worst that can happen?

Photos by Gabriel Laroche

THIS ISSUE? THIS? FARID?

(Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest, the answer was always gonna be yes) 26

FIRE CONTENT FARID?

E E V E E

Words by Hesham Abdelhamid Photos by Cinsy Tam

Shot by Cinsy Tam

Hi Eevee, how are you and what have you been up to today? I am doing great. In the morning, I needed to answer some emails and do some financial stuff, so pretty boring so far haha. I am looking forward to this, I don’t get interviewed much – it’s nice when someone is interested in my work, I love it. Now, I’m doing this interview and later on I’m gonna work on some beats and record some vocals. So, a pretty chilled day. Can you describe what a regular day in your life is like? A regular day for me is pretty boring, I am a student – too broke to do anything interesting. I wake up and make some breakfast – It’s my fav meal of the day. I try to go to gym, to do some exercise or yoga – I love yoga, helps with stamina on stage. I will never skip breakfast (cause food duh) but sometimes the gym is just too much hahah. Then, I am either at the Frog and Fiddle chilling with ma homies or I am sat behind my computer working on samples or new tracks. How did you start making music and you have mentioned previously that you want to explore other genres, is tat gonna happen soon? First, I wanted to learn how to DJ. I was practicing that for 3 months. I bought a new laptop and there was music program on it. It was a very basic program with only loops. but I really liked it, so I made some beats with it. My ex-boyfriend was a producer and he installed FL studio on my pc. He taught me the basics of FL studio. From day one I used FL studio, I tried to work with it every day and practice my sound. I stopped with djing and just focused on my beats. And that is how it all started. I think hip-hop will always be my main thing but yeah, I’d like to explore more genres. I really like wave, dark, witch house beats so maybe I ma gonna in that direction. I also like to combine new styles with my lo-fi sound and make something new and still on the Eevee brand.

“I THINK HIP-HOP WILL ALWAYS BE MY MAIN THING”

he is a producer that started off uploading one beat a day on Soundcloud during SoundCloud’s earlier years. Since then, she has grown her fanbase to over 40,000 followers and can now dedicate all her time to her craft, making music her full-time job. Eevee has been traveling all around Europe and has a tour coming up next year. We spoke to the ambitious student to speak about life, music and the future.

My music is purely based on my mood. It really helps me to relax or get my head in gear. But for example, I can’t make music the I made a year ago because my mood is different. I think it’s good to grow and explore new genres and see what I can make of it. It’s called reinvention and the greats do it – So I feel like it’s a good step. Where do you find inspiration? A lot of my inspiration is based on my mood and feels. Making beats works in a kind of therapeutic way for me. I also get inspiration from travelling, friends, music, movies. I find inspiration in people’s stories – that’s the main thing I guess. You understand that as a journalist, right? What is it about lo-fi sounds that you find yourself relating to the most? It’s simple, I love the soft kicks and snares. I love layering music and seeing what happens. What was the best part about living in Netherlands? I think the weed haha, it’s really good. I am sorry if you have to censor that, but it’s true haha. And what was the worst part about it? The weather, it rains a lot here. Way more than England and It’s so cold, like so so so so cold. You seem to travel a lot, where is your favourite place to visit? I love London, because I have a lot of friends over there and they have a lot of good tattoo artists and I am obsessed with covering my body with art. I also like that the culture is very mixed. But I like to explore new countries, because every country has something different. So, I can’t say I have a fav place because I want to travel more and see more of the world.

“I AM OBSESSED WITH COVERING MY BODY WITH ART”

And why do want to change the kind of music you make?

Do you prefer live streaming DJing, or DJing in front of a crowd? In front of a crowd of course, because I love to see the people in real life and have some interaction with them and feel the energy. God, I sound so pretentious. What helps you create? I can be very easily distracted, like sometimes I will sit down and work on a beat for 30 mins and then my ADHD kicks in and I want to do something else. But it’s kind of a hard question because sometimes I have inspiration and sometimes not. It’s just how it works haha. It’s very organic. Do you ever create music even if you’re not in the mood of doing it? Yes, I do I can work for hours and not make anything good. But sometimes I think I’m not in the mood and then make a lot of beats. If you could collaborate with one artist/group, dead or alive, who would that be? J dilla.

“I KEEP MYSELF OUT OF T

What are your thoughts on the new generation of mainstream Hip-Hop (Lil Yachty, Migos,Lil Uzi Vert etc)? I need to confess, I hardly listen to that kind of music, so I don’t really know. I listen to a lot of bedroom producers and I keep myself out of the mainstream. What are your plans for 2019? I’m gonna do a UK tour so I’m really stoked for that one! I’m working on my first album and I think it will be released in mid 2019. Lastly, anything you’d like to have accomplished by the end of 2018? I just want to continue making beats and finish some collabs I’m working on. I also want to start making my DJ sets more theatrical.

THE MAINSTREAM.”

FARID

special thanks: FRANK & DOLL videography by LEWIS THOMPSON video editing by BENOIT GANESAN Photos by MAYA BELLE styling by HOLLY HARDEN-SWEETNAM & HESHAM ABDELHAMID Makeup by ANN NGUYEN

X FRANK & DOLL

Caring about clothes can sometimes be seen as frivolous and superficial. And yet, when it comes to other forms of self-expression, such as painting, writing or dancing, it’s readily accepted that the more you care, the more likely you are to fall into a path of personal exploration. Well, whether people like it or not, fashion and dressing up is one of the greatest ways to express yourself! We spent a day with independent, Cheltenham based, brand Frank & Doll at their new boutique - located on Cheltenham’s high street. Let’s just say, we had so much fun. Jam-packed with garments which will make people gasp when you step into the room, they are the current ‘it’ brand in Gloucestershire. Their repertoire is impressive, with the likes of chloé Lloyd, Gabby Allen and Tanya Bardo sporting their sexy and sassy outfits. We wanted to showcase their clothes in all their glory and glam, so we created a video lookbook for you. If you want to get your hands on some of the fabulous pieces (Go treat yourself), head down to their super cute boutique at 38 High St, Cheltenham GL50 1EE. Click the play button to watch the video look book, featuring winter fashion to die for!

FRANK & DOLL BOBBIE BOX BAG IN BLACK Â£38

FRANK & DOLL MIDNIGHT LOVER WHITE & RED POLKA DOT TOP Â£45

FRANK & DOLL LADY OF THE NIGHT SEQUIN DRESS VELEVT & SEQUIN MESH BODYCON DRESS Â£120

urbanoutfitters.com 42

URBAN OUTFITTERS Motel Strappy Back Dress Â£79.00

An Outfit for Each Disco Diva.

Disco Fever

Celebrate crimbo in true disco style. Shine for no one but yourself.

URBAN OUTFITTERS Velvet Bell-Sleeve Mini Dress £59.00

Disco Diva Fever Looking for true disco-style diva dresses? Well you’re in luck my friend. FARID’s fashion stylist has put together this seasons ultimate disco looks, from our favourite brand, Urban Outfitters. Party away the Christmas holidays in unforgettable flamboyant style.

URBAN OUTFITTERS Bardot Slinky Metallic Cowl Neck Dress Â£109.00

TOPMAN JADED GLITTER VELVET SHIRT* £55.00

Do it Dirty Disco

Want to up your party game? FARID has searched far and wide for this seasons statement pieces which will make you unforgettable. Check out Topman’s latest christmas releases for some serious disco fever. Don’t be afraid of the velvet. Own it boy.

TOPMAN CHARLIE CASELY-HAYFORD X TOPMAN VELVET BLAZER Â£120

THIS ISSUE? THIS? FARID?

(Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest, the answer was always gonna be yes) 48

FIRE CONTENT FARID?

ARTIFICIAL INFLUENCER:

LILâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MIQUELA 50

You are probably thinking “WTF? Who is that? No, what is that?” Well, the question should actually be, who isn’t she? This is Miquela Sousa, model, actress, activist, singer, rapper, songwriter and a professional “it girl”. Words & visuals by Hesham Abdelhamid Imagery courtsey of Trevor McFedries & @LILMIQUELA

o you ever open Instagram and hope you were as cool as your favourite influencer? I mean, I know you do! Well today, it’s official. An artificial influencer has surpassed me in coolness. No, that’s an understatement actually. An avatar is so far past me in coolness, I feel like I need to re-evaluate everything I’ve ever done in this lifetime. The Internet’s latest “it girl” is the 19-year-old Los Angelesbased, Brazilian/Spanish influencer and musician Miquela Sousa, better known as her Instagram handle Lil Miquela. There’s just one thing: she’s not real. Or at least not what we used to call real. Sure, blood running through your veins might come in handy every once in a while, but as it turns out, it’s not a deal breaker if you want to become famous. At a time when Internet notoriety is the heaviest currency of them all, what does a beating heart have against a million Instagram followers? Apparently, for Miquela Sousa, nothing. Feeling confused? Yeah, me too. Let’s break it down, shall we? A quick glance at Lil Miquela’s social media outlets and you’d think she’s your average, run-of-the- mill digital influencer. Sporting the trendiest fits from Chanel, Supreme and Fendi, posing with real celebrities at parties and events, sharing relatable memes, and using her platform to support social causes such

as Black Lives Matter and transgender rights. In August 2017, Miquela became a signed music artist and released her first single “Not Mine”, which quickly reached number eight on Spotify Viral that same month. She has collaborated with brands such as Prada, posed nude for a spread in Paper Magazine, and a few weeks ago she was announced as Pat McGrath’s latest muse. Zoom a little closer and you’ll notice that her bangs are a little too blunt, her eyes a little too empty and her skin a little too blended. Miquela might be verified on Instagram and Twitter, but IRL, she’s a digital simulation. An avatar, if you will. So, is Lil Miquela a scammer, hoax, art project or marketing scheme? “I’d like to be described as an artist or a singer or something that denotes my craft rather than focuses on the superficial qualities of who I am,” Miquela (or at least the admin of Miquela’s accounts) tells Business of Fashion over chat. It’s safe to say that Miquela raises interesting questions about what it means to be real on the Internet. Have we come so far that the physical form in which we exist no longer is of importance? Am I being banal for wanting to know to what extent Miquela is real? “I’ve found so much compassion in my followers, and it’s made me feel comfortable opening up and sharing my creativity with them. To me, that’s what being real is”, she tells Paper Magazine… which doesn’t really answer my question though, now does it?

I guess we will never know what’s real or not. That’s how you have to approach social media (and oftentimes even news reporting) these days. Celebrities and influencers have a major impact on our societal norms, thoughts and opinions. Even though their pictures are edited and only show a censored fraction of their lives, we look to these fabrications as something attainable. So, is there really a difference between somebody whose appearance was designed by a digital artist, versus somebody whose appearance was designed by Dr Simon Ourian (no offence, Kim)? It’s an interesting issue that serves as millennial food for thought.

stance regarding gun control, the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and Planned Parenthood. She raised substantial amounts of money for multiple organisations working to benefit different marginalised communities. She uses her influence to highlight young, upand-coming artists and designers who struggle to make a name for themselves. In an interview with Nylon Magazine, Miquela shared that “there are so many people who need help, and I’m trying to use my platform to do that.” A beating heart or not, this type of authenticity is hard to come by in today’s oversaturated era of pretty faces and sponsored posts. So, at a time when the realness of online alter egos is repeatedly being called into With an Instagram following count question, perhaps the realest of them all closing of over a million users, Miquela is, in fact, fictitious? uses her platform in the most purposeful way possible. She has taken a strong

SELF EXPRESSION:

YUMMY FOOD Food is no longer just a source of energy for people to get through the day, but rather a way to express various aspects of our personalities and the intricacies of our life choices. Now, we are so proud of our food that we tend to share it with the world, does that make food a valid form of self-expression? Words by Cameron Hayward Illustration by Klaudia Mihalova

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veryone loves food. We don’t keep it a secret either. Whether you’re heading to the high street for a cheeky Nando’s, or firing up the wok to fix up your signature stir-fry, the plans we make for what we eat may be the most important decisions in our day. Our identities are shaped by our decisions, and our food choices can tell us a lot about ourselves. So how do you like your eggs in the morning? We all know that vegans like to tell people they’re vegan, identifying themselves by what they eat over anything else. But the truth is, we’re all the same in this way, our diets are a symbol of status, and in many cases, of culture. In a consumerist world that is riddled with obesity, the nature of our diet shows who we are. Fast food is described as ‘cheeky’ and seen as rebellious. Then there are the clean-freaks who pride themselves on an organic and healthy lifestyle. In an age with more food options than ever before, there are more ways to distinguish ourselves by our diets. But this isn’t a new phenomenon; friendships are formed, and families are strengthened by the food they share around the dinner table and at school. Food is more than just a form of identity, it’s a way to express yourself by sharing and creating recipes and new combinations.

this sharing revolves around our food. Instagram is extremely popular when it comes to sharing food. Food we want, food we’ve cooked, food we’ve bought at a restaurant, all food all the time. Our food is getting bigger, brighter and more photogenic, we’re sharing food that represents who we are and what we like. And it’s not just the Instagram famous filling our feeds with haute cuisine; from gym goers showing off their dedicated diets, or restaurant-geeks letting their food go cold to get the perfect angle, we all let our food speak for us on social media. All this sharing creates a new higher standard for food aesthetic, for chefs and for home cooks. In turn, food has become an art form, allowing us to express ourselves by cooking and sharing meals that represent us.

It has long been debated by sites like Huffington Post whether food should be considered art. Art can be generally defined as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” To this end, food more than fits the bill, I have certainly had food that was so good it brought out a tear. But art is also about self-expression. Documentaries like Chef’s Table bring this to the kitchen; the chefs are artists, using unique creativity to craft sensory masterpieces. Each one has their own style they bring to every dish, whether The advent of social media has given it’s a twist on a classic, or something millions the opportunity to share their completely original. It’s not just the top lives with the world. For many of us, chefs with signature dishes though, we

all have at least one recipe we pull out when trying to impress. A tomato soup with a kick, a monster chocolate sundae, or the ultimate low-calorie crispy chicken fajitas. These small changes we make to meals are projections of ourselves, whether we like to pig out, get an intense hit of flavour, or replace buns with lettuce because carbs are the greatest threat to the world. So, do you want to find out more about someone? Just look at their plate. Sure, some might say food to them is just for nourishment, but even that is a statement. Are your cookies just like your mother used to make, or have you replaced the currents with white chocolate chips? The meals we cook for our friends and family speak for who we are and where we’ve come from, even who we’ve shared food with. Everyone has a unique ‘foodprint’, shaped by our lives, as varied as they are. The cultural significance of food can’t be doubted, but our diets are far more varied and unique now, thanks to what we share online. You no longer have to be in India to make a traditional Biryani, you just have to look in the right place. So, the saying really is true, you are what you eat.

YOURSELF. YOURSELF. YOURSELF.

“Dance for yourself. If someone understands, good. If not, no matter. Go right on doing what interests you, and do it until it stops interesting you.” - Louis Horst

Music is the perfect food for your soul. Whenever you are sad, happy, melancholic or just want a good old bougie; music is the perfect solution. We have curated a playlist for you, so you can dance around in your room with no shame in the game. This playlist is filled with anthems that preach self-love and acceptance. Remember, it doesn’t matter what you look like! I mean if you have a hunchback, just throw a little glitter on it, honey, and go dancing.

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Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld Fuck You – Lily Allen So What – P!nk Roar – Katy Perry My Way – Calvin Harris Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson Do My Thang – Miley Cyrus Monster – Lady Gaga Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine Survivor – Destiny’s Child IDGAF – Dua Lipa Hair – Lady Gaga Doing Me – RAY BLK Love Myself – Qveen Herby BUSTA RHYMES – Qveen Herby Homemade Dynamite – Lorde Rebel Rebel – David Bowie I Want To Break Free – Queen Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

Click the spotify icon to listen now!

THIS ISSUE? THIS? FARID?

(Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest, the answer was always gonna be yes) 66

FIRE CONTENT FARID?

HEY, I AM _____ . YES, I AM GAY. WELL, F*** YOU. NO. IT’S NOT A CHOICE. The coming out story doesn’t have an ending.

Queer individuals spend their life constantly ‘coming out.’ It’s pretty exhausting. It’s unpredictable and It’s scary. We like to think that we live in a post-homophobic society but that just isn’t true. It might be a hard pill to swallow for some people – but hey, deal with it you are not the person at the firing line. LGBTQ+ members have always been a minority, still today, the gay community faces heinous acts of hate and prejudice. Despite it being 2018, people are always either shocked or apologetic when someone comes out. It’s not a bad a thing, but being gay cannot be a lifestyle choice because nobody in their right mind would choose to be gay. Words by Ollie Walker Illustrations by Nataly Menjivar

exual orientation isn’t something we can pick and choose. It’s either coded into our DNA or it’s socialised into our lives. I’m not going to sit here and reel off a load of studies and research to prove a point. What I’m saying now is from the heart and backed up only by what I’ve experienced. Being gay cannot be a lifestyle choice because nobody in their right mind would choose to be gay. Ever since society can remember, homosexuals have been a minority. We have been persecuted, punished and pushed around. From forced sterilisations and criminal charges, to being bullied and labelled a ‘faggot’, gays through history have had to fight to survive. We’re fortunate to be living in an age when, for the most part, we have equality. We can walk down the street, strutting to a Lady Gaga song and not worry about being locked up for what we did with that guy last night - yes, I see you hun. But in the past - even as recently as the last century - men and women were being punished for love. They were punished for their “perversions” and deemed psychologically ill. Brilliant, compassionate people were made to suffer. Alan Turing, Oscar Wilde and even Ellen DeGeneres have suffered because of their sexuality, with Turing and Wilde being so heavily impacted by their treatment that they lost their lives.

has been decriminalised in the UK and throughout most of the western world, coming out as gay is still a terrifyingly daunting challenge for many of us to overcome. All through school I heard gay being used as an insult or a negative comment and I know that it was a factor in me not coming out until the age of 17. If I hadn’t been so afraid of being picked on in the changing rooms during PE, or not being accepted by the people who had been my friends since nursery, there’s every chance that I’d have been a lot happier, a lot sooner. I’m not saying that I lived a miserable life for 17 years, but it was difficult. Being too scared to tell your family that the only reason you have that Kylie calendar on your wall (yes, I had one every year), was because you thought she was fierce - not because you wanted to stare at her half naked every night. Sneaking glances at the underwear models when you went shopping with your friends. Having multiple girlfriends, but never really being able to put your heart into it. These things take their toll on you.

In reality, I had nothing to worry about. My friends and family have been more supportive than I ever could have imagined. My 21st birthday was the 4th anniversary of my coming out to my family, and I spent it surrounded by the people I love. However, not everyone is that lucky. We all hear the horror stories. Kids who are effectively disowned by a parent or kicked out of their homes just But despite the fact that homosexuality because they love someone. In homes

up and down the country, boys and girls, and even men and women, live in fear of what will happen to them if their families ever found out the truth. One of my most fabulous friends - who is so gay it hurts - still hasn’t told his dad the truth. He knows his dad loves him, we all do, but he’s still scared that when he finds out, he’ll disown him. And that’s the truth of the matter. If it was so easy to choose to be straight, I think the vast majority of us would. Not because we’re ashamed or because we agree with the morons who shout abuse at us as we kiss our significant other goodbye at the train station, but because it would just be easier. And until kids are taught at an early age that it’s okay to be gay, these incidents aren’t going to go away. It’s been over 10 years since my first sex education class, but I know for a fact that it didn’t include any information on how Johnny and Steve show their love for each other. Nor did any of the classes that followed it. I learned everything from porn and the internet, which is actually ridiculously dangerous. Porn sets completely unrealistic expectations of sex and leaves anyone who doesn’t look like a chiselled adonis feeling insecure and worthless (and when I first saw it, I was a heavy-set 13-year-old, with a haircut that should never have even been considered and more rolls than my local Greggs, so you can imagine how I felt). I’m not saying that we should boycott porn, not at all. But I am saying

that it should never be used to educate teenagers on how to have sex, or what to expect their future partner to look like. Even in the 21st century, being gay is a taboo subject up until you start to hit your mid-teens and beyond. Kids aren’t taught early enough what being gay is, and they’re definitely not taught that it’s normal. Just last night, a girl asked if I was flirting with my housemate, and when we explained that I was gay, she blew it way out of proportion and spent ten minutes apologising. I think the embarrassment is the worst part of being gay. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not embarrassed of being gay, not at all. I know it doesn’t sound like it but I’m proud of our community and everything we’ve achieved. But people still treat you like it’s something unusual or they get embarrassed when you tell them that you’re gay. I have no right to speak on behalf of the LGBT+ community. None at all. But I think that many would agree with me when I say that being straight would be a hell of a lot easier.

I S S E R P X E H F T R L O U E GH D S H EN I RA ND G OU BT , DR AG IT “We are all born naked and the rest is drag,” a philosophy a lot of people live by, without even knowing it. This famous RuPaul quote perfectly captures the façade we put on for our day-to-day jobs, our family and even our friends. With the rising popularity of drag in mainstream media, the very meaning of being a drag queen is ever changing. Drag has been a vessel for martyrs of the LGBTQ+, to voice their opinion and challenge precarious ideas. Drag has always been an anarchic tool for self-expression. Words & Photos by Ollie Chard Illustration by Hesham Abdelhamid Featuring Ann Nguyen

T U O T

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rag is an everevolving term. With its roots set firmly in queer culture, drag has been present in various prominent areas of history. Beginning in early European theatre, drag has moved from comedic portrayals of ‘female impersonation’, to a dynamic form of selfexpression. Drag, as we know it today, found its place in the nightclubs of the early-to-mid 1900s, where queer culture was allowed a space to thrive; where discriminatory law was rejected. Since then, drag has reached a magnitude that it has not experienced before, as a once-niche aspect of the queer community has begun to find its place in more mainstream culture, widening the parameters of the relationship between drag and self-expression. José Sarria, in 1961, became the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in the US. Sarria was a political activist, who used drag to express, in his own terms, ‘we have our rights, too.’ Sarria became the staple performer at the Black Cat Bar in San Francisco, spoofing popular love songs of the era, and encouraging his patrons to be unabashedly and unashamedly themselves. In the face of routine raids on gay bars carried out by the local police force, as well as the successful attempt to prevent Sarria from gaining a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he remained vigilant. Undeterred, Sarria

would often sing the final bars of his performance to those detained earlier in the night, launching his falsetto at the establishment that wished to oppress them. He wore his identity as a drag queen and a gay man as a badge of honour. Sarria was truly bold and asked, ‘why be ashamed of who you are?’ Harris Glenn Millstead, better known as Divine, is an icon of ‘bad taste cinema’, establishing himself as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world, almost.’ With his tongue set firmly in his cheek, Divine conquered queer culture with his vulgarity and outrageous behaviour, once declaring that he was here to represent ‘Freedom, Liberty, Family Values, and the fucking American Way of Life.’ Divine, in a sense, was the anti-drag queen of his time: Anti-beauty; Anti-grace. Films such as ‘Pink Flamingos’ demonstrated his expert ability to indulge the audience in shock and humour, cementing him as a cult symbol of queer culture, whilst also managing to infringe on the mainstream. Divine’s drag defied convention. It blended a campy sense of promiscuity and indecency with unapologetic selfexpression, because, ‘if you find it offensive, honey, don’t join in.’ It feels near-impossible to write about drag without mentioning the woman himself, RuPaul Charles. From his early performances in the 90s club scene with ‘gender-bender’ drag to the international success that is ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, RuPaul has earned his title as the most commercially successful

“establishing himself as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world,’ almost”

drag queen. His contribution to queer culture has undoubtedly brought drag an unprecedented level of exposure, whilst providing a ‘big F-U’ to a culture dominated by masculinity. Inspired by icons such as Diana Ross and David Bowie, RuPaul has always promoted the notion of using ‘all the colours in the crayon box’, defying societal boundaries of gender identity. To RuPaul, drag is about the power of self-expression. A suit and a dress are one-in-the-same; they both provide you with the ability to alter the world’s perception of you. Ultimately, in his world, everything is drag. The success of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ has paved the way for various individuals wishing to challenge and expand the notion of what defines drag. Sasha Velour, the winner of season 9, embodies this entirely. Her drag is intelligent and refined. It explores ideas of femininity, beauty and is a means for her ‘darkness [to be] turned into power’. Her somewhat- androgynous aesthetic is partly inspired by her mother’s battle with cancer, wishing to show how baldness and glamour are not mutually-

exclusive, and how tragedy can be turned into strength. Velour also views drag as a means of education, using it as a tool of observation and empowerment in a divisive political climate, driven by the idea that ‘information is the ultimate weapon’ for the queer community. ‘Velour: The Drag Magazine’ is a means of channelling this, serving as a celebration of drag, a catalyst for discussion, and a platform to provide a voice to those who should be heard. Drag is an ever-expanding art form. It celebrates and creates queer history. It is driven by an unwavering desire for self-expression, and serves to challenge societal ideas of masculinity, femininity and what lies in between. The power of drag is undeniable and can be seen on both an individual and cultural level. In light of its recent popularity, drag can only be expected to continue growing, as a new wave of artists emerge and are brought to the forefront.

BOTANICAL

Create your own urban jungle and boost your mood, enhance creativity and reduce stress levels. Houseplants do much more than just brighten up your interiors. They also increase your productivity, maintain humidity levels and filter the air from pollutants like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene.We all struggle with staying positive from time to time, try boosting bedroom moral with a simple botanic, urban jungle.

THE URBAN JUNGLIST When aspiring to be an urban junglist, there are a few elements that must be considered first. Do you have a source of natural light in desired room? AKA, a window. Light is by far one of the most important elements for a plant. Those green leaves are giant solar panels, which through phototaxis, or movement in response to light, position themselves strategically to often capture as much sun as they need. Water is another vital component in plant survival; even desert-loving plants, like cacti and many succulents, eventually need to be watered; but we often don’t stop and think why a plant needs water to survive. Water serves many important physiological purposes in a plant’s life, including growth and metabolism. Overall, plant care does require consistency, basic knowledge of your plant’s specific needs, and patience. Some varieties require very little attention and don’t need to be fussed over. Just let them be and enjoy the positive effects they have on you and your home. In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants that have some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy. Succulents are known for being understatedly beautiful and nearly indestructible. They offer interesting colour and texture to small, quiet spaces such as a meditation garden or even the corner of your desk. For new plant parents, succulents are excellent new borns as require little attention. When planting, use a container with a drainage hole, or alternatively put a crushed rock on the bottom before planting. Water in well and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Water once a week and thoroughly.

URBAN OUTFITTERS

PLANT POT SPEAKER

URBAN OUTFITTERS

PLANTS THROW BLANKET

LOOKING FURTHER

Illustrator Lydia Maers, explores spirituality within inner identity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Allow the power to flow through you. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to capture it. You wish only to borrow itâ&#x20AC;?- G.G. Collins. The inspiration for my illustrations came from looking deeper into inner identity and individual spiritual connections. In this series of illustrations, I captured how different personality attributes and spirit animals, can either work together harmoniously or create conflict from within. Each main colour provides the clashing battle we all have in ourselves. I wanted the portraits to be as detailed as possible, yet leave enough space for their spirit to shine through. The spirit animals are sketched looser, providing wisps of detail around the edges. Where the two illustrations collide; is where you can feel the most energy, spirit, and emotional connection between the person and their animal. I truly believe, we all have a deeper energy within and by connecting with a spirit animal, that relates to our characters, all can become more intuitive. Self-identity is so important to us all, and what better place to start than our spirit and soul?

HOLLY HARDEN-SWEETNAM

What animal do you think you relate to the most and why? My spirit animal has to be a wolf because they are loyal creatures. They have a good instinct and have an appetite for freedom. They’re also really social animals and I always feel happier and more confident when around good friends. They essentially have an awareness of the importance of social connections. What about your zodiac? How does it contribute to who you are? Typical Pisces are very friendly, so they often find themselves in a company of very different people. Pisces are selfless, they are always willing to help others, without hoping to get anything back. They also have a lot of empathy and expressed emotional capacity. I would say I’m super intuitive with my emotions and am emotionally intelligent. Other main strengths which I would agree with are: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise. My weaknesses are: Weaknesses: Fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality, can be a victim or a martyr. What does your spirit animal mean to you? For me, I always like to follow and listen to my gut instinct. I usually can tell instantly when I walk into a room if the atmosphere is off or someone else is upset. I find I can pick up on other people’s emotions really well and the wolf symbolises expression, sharp intelligence and strong connect with instincts. To me the wolf points to a way of perceiving and understanding the world around me. How does your animal affect your identity? I’ve always considered getting a small wolf tattoo. Nothing too fancy, just subtle and delicate. I think a lot of people thinks wolves are always aggressive, but something about them to me seems loyal and gentle with their own. I love wearing faux fur, and strong outfits, perhaps that is because the wolf is a strong animal. The wolf also affects my identity but how I act with my friends. As a pisces, I’m a loyal character if I feel loved and respected by the other. Wolves are too very loyal.

ALISHA DARYANANI

What animal do you think you relate to the most and why? I think the animal I relate most with is a butterfly, mainly because I love to travel and I just think they’re cute. They’re also energetic yet delicate, moving and fluttering constantly. What about your zodiac? How does it contribute to who you are? My zodiac is Aries, meaning I am courageous, determined, confident and optimistic. It contributes to who I am by making me willing to take any risk as I am also very impulsive. I’ve shown this through sky diving, scuba diving, cliff diving and loads of other crazy things I’ve done. What does your spirit animal mean to you? As a feminist, I think the butterfly just represents that aspect of me. And the traveling part of me as well. Butterflies fly around and aren’t afraid of being around other creatures...I also enjoy meeting new people whenever I can, as if I’m flying around a garden, and every new person is a new flower. How does your animal affect your identity? Butterflies come in all different colors, and because I grew up on such a diverse island full of wildlife, I can picture my home in this one little creature, even when I’m miles away. The island is so small as well, just like a butterfly. In short, my spirit animal is my home.

CHLOE SOUTHWORTH

What animal do you think you relate to the most and why? I relate most to a jellyfish as they are transparent to the world and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really hold anything back, what you see is what you get. Jellyfish are also absolutely free and versatile, which I can relate with as I am willing to flow between mediums and I feel freedom is my most important virtue. What about your zodiac? How does it contribute to who you are? I am a libra and one of the qualities of a Libra is fairness. This is something I really believe in. I have very strong ethics and consider myself very ethically minded when making decisions. This probably contributed to my choice to be a vegetarian along with my support of various causes. What does your spirit animal mean to you? My spirit animal embodies my sense of freedom and my refusal to be confined by barriers, social or otherwise. How does your animal affect your identity? I am a free moving spirit and tend to do my own thing, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really follow a crowd or trends and just like and wear what I like despite what others may think.

CHARLOTTE CURTIS

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THE ZINE FARID.

FARID THE ZINE | THE SELF EXPRESSION ISSUE | Winter 2018

Articles inside

The coming out story has no end

Artifical Influencer: Lil' Miquela

Self Expression through Tattoos

Is there a line between body positivity and being unhealthy?

A Voice