Issue Six 14.03.17
e h t is in
Air
and its influence in Sport. Label's top 5 picks! on a first date!
EVERY SINGLE DAY
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The Team Contents Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Taylor Editor Leanna Kightley Assistant Editor Alice Priestley Art Director Jessica Foxford Head of Design Liam David Hopley Head of Illustration Emily Forrester
Design by Jessie Foxford
Chief Photographer Elias Ruiz Monserrat Comment Editor Asli Jensen Culture Editors Jamie Hutton - Lydia Kah-Pavlou Features Editors Emma Morgan - Natali Dimitrova News Editor Ellie Mackenzie Music Editor Emily Harrison Sport Editors David Boyden - Hannah Thompson Style Editor Arianna Rossi Head of Online, Marketing and Distribution Beatrice Quarshie Disclaimer: Label is the publication of Loughborough Students’ Union. The opinions contained are those of individual contributors, not of Loughborough Students’ Union, the editorial team, or any other officer of the Union unless otherwise stated. Front Cover: Illustration and Design by Emily Forrester and Liam David Hopley
Editorials 04 Editorial News 06 Donald Trump: The First Weeks in Office 07 Should Tobacco Be in Plain Packaging? 08 Barack Obama: The Legacy 09 Does Fake News Have a Place in Society? Features 10 One Night Stand Horror Stories 11 Dos and Don'ts in the Bedroom 12 Sexual Health 14 Freshers and the Pull | Student Debt 15 Tweets | Loughborough Overheard Why You Should Love Yourself First 18 Totty Spotted Culture 20 Top 5 Netflix and Chill Picks 21 Romantic Date Spots in Loughborough 22 Fifty Shades of Grey, Worth the Hype? 23 All That Glitters Comment 24 Getting Over Exes 25 Isolation, Anxiety and Loneliness Music 26 Ten Tracks To Get Down To 28 Music and Sex: Why are They so Synonymous? 29 Flouting the Stereotype Design 30 Competitions Style 31 Label Visits Tarboush 32 Style Shoot 34 Anonymous Fashion Column 35 Why is Lingerie Such a Big Deal? 36 Sheer Tops and Lace, Scandalous or Tasteful 37 What to Wear, Where Sport 38 Shining a Light on Action Sport 39 Running a Marathon: The Inside Story 40 Body Image in Sport Exec Focus 42 Interview with Union Affairs: Matt Gill 43 Interview with Finance: Hersh Patel 3
Jennifer Taylor Media EO & Editor-in-Chief So here we go, another issue of Label, and yet more articles to indulge in. This theme is beyond anything Label has ever done before, so take a look and see what you think.
“beyond anything Label has ever done before”
Leanna Kightley Label Editor
Hello all and welcome to this somewhat different issue of Label! We’ve shaken off the rather conservative image we keep this month and gone for something a little special… Not only are we embracing the revival of New Romanticism, the concept formed in the 1980s which embraced new forms of sexuality, pastel shades and chiffon shirts to name but a few things, but we are also embracing sex in all its marvellous forms.
Design by Jessie Foxford
EDITORIAL
Odeon have also hooked us up with a beautiful £4 ticket price, so check that out, and go see what's on at the pictures. At the back of the magazine you can also take a look at what Matt, our Union Affairs EO, and Hersh, our Finance and Commercial Services EO, are up to at the moment. Let's make it interesting and make a new game... drink (water obvs) every time Matt says constitution... Anyway, enjoy this next issue of Label, and don't forget to tweet us your thoughts to @labelonline!
It’s hard for me to pick out my favourite articles this time as, I know I always say it, this really is a cracking issue! There’s a really important article on sexual health, which I would urge you all to read, some sexy Style articles covering everything from lace to lingerie, and a very sensual Label Music playlist to take your weekend to the next level… And sex aside, News Editor Ellie Mackenzie explains (in I think the best way I’ve ever seen this crazy phenomenon explained) just what ‘fake news’ is and how it could really have a negative affect on our lives, while Sport feature an article we can all resonate with about that jealousy we feel in the gym when we don’t feel quite a strong/fit/unphased-by-exercise as the next person. So, without further ado, let’s welcome in springtime with this beautiful issue of Label magazine! Enjoy!
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Illustration by Emily Forrester
As usual, there are loads of ace articles to take a look through, including; the best date spots in Looga, an insight into Action Sport, and of course, still my favourite segment, Loughborough Overheard.
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Design by Sharika Tayub
NEWS
DONALD TRUMP: the first weeks in office
For many people, Trump’s travel ban has been called unconstitutional- this is basically saying it goes against the Constitution, which is the foundation of the American legal system. In other words, his travel ban has been called illegal, and there are many arguments proving such; for example, the fact there was no national emergency or threat justifying a ban. For many critics, such bold moves by the President so early into his tenure is worrying as it creates doubt about just how radical Trump will be. Trump’s first executive orders will certainly be associated with a darker time in the humanitarian image of America. Although now being sent to the Supreme Court to judge its legality, no doubt the ‘Muslim ban’ will definitely go down as one of the biggest upsets of the first 100 days of Trump power. The global gag ban, which is related to abortions, family planning and HIV/Aids is devastating, and 6
is also being declared as unconstitutional as it attempts to violate the landmark law of 2013 that protects women’s rights to their bodies. The gag ban prevents pro-choice organisations and groups from promoting their help, which goes against the First Amendment and freedom of speech. Trump’s first few weeks in office have been distressing to several social groups, and women and the LGBTQ+ community are suffering heavily. Assessing the legality of it is surely simple, but with the wider sexist and homophobic perspectives that Trump holds, it is concerning to consider what other damaging (and unconstitutional) acts will follow these first few weeks. The right-wing agenda Trump is pedalling out is backwards in every sense in the word, yet the conservative nature of the White House today is speaking to millions of Americans and Brits alike. When asked about the controversial wall - dividing America and Mexico and all the families, relationships and culture that come with the border – one quarter of Britons said that they agree with the antiimmigration measure. A surprising statistic to me, but this is perhaps my problem. Alike to Brexit - which Trump has deemed a ‘beautiful thing’ - the extent of right-wing feeling seems to have completely bypassed me. Why this is, I can’t help but wonder. I didn’t, in my wildest nightmares, predict Brexit would actually happen; but I was a little more aware of the right-wing mania by the morning of November 9th. If Trump’s first weeks offer a glimpse into what his government will be remembered for, then the future is looking very uncertain indeed. Harriet Stocker
Illustration by Hinal Makwana
Trump’s election as President of the United States (POTUS) has sent shockwaves throughout liberal political circles and has attracted both delight and devastation across the world. Judging on Trump’s first weeks in office, the next four years are set to be as temperamental and unpredictable as expected. From the (embarrassing and pitiful) turnout to his inauguration, to the protests that took place all over America and in other capital cities in Europe - I know several people who attended the anti-Trump protest in London - Trump’s opening weeks as the most powerful man in the world have offered some worrying predictions for the future and raised some serious questions about the legality of his government and their policies.
Should tobacco be in plain packaging?
Illustration by Hinal Makwana
We’re a society obsessed with what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and we’re always trying to make dietary and lifestyle changes to lengthen our life expectancy. So, when it comes to determining whether tobacco should be in plain packaging the obvious answer is yes, as it would highlight the dangers of smoking whilst appearing aesthetically unattractive. With smoking being the leading cause of preventable death, killing around 100,000 people per year in the UK, tobacco is definitely a product which we want to limit the use of. By selling tobacco in dull packaging with 65% of it dominated by graphic health warnings, the government hopes to discourage some of the 200,000 children that start smoking every year from picking up this habit.
Through the execution of several experiments, surveys and focus groups, results highlighted that attitudes and beliefs associated with smoking have drastically changed. Many became less attracted to the idea of smoking because of the striking health warnings present on the packaging. Whilst others felt that the packaging was less misleading about the health risks of different brands (in the past, people wrongly assumed that cigarette packets in lighter colours meant they had lower tar content and darker packs contained high tar). This evidence alone cannot determine the long-term outcome of selling tobacco in plain packaging in the UK, however, it does suggest that this radical overhaul of UK tobacco laws will in some way affect our views towards smoking. Australia adopted this idea in 2012 and figures imply that the popularity of smoking dropped. But let’s be realistic, today's cigarette packets already say “smoking kills” and if that doesn’t deter a smoker then I don’t know what will! Avelina Joseph
3 relatable memes for Luff students Design and Illustration by Sharika Tayub
2. We’ve all been there - one
1. Yes, what would any self
respecting Loughborough student be without at least once adhering to the infamous pairing of flip flops and stash trackies; a staple styling combo synonymous with university, but mastered by LE11. Risking gangrenous digits, the bobble gym-rat braves the February chill in attire fit only for their inevitable gap yah to Burma.
minute you’re making progress on an imminent deadline, knee deep in subject specific rhetoric; the next you’re on your 4th compilation video of sloths falling out of trees, with no clue of how you got there. Or perhaps you’ve fallen into the abyss of Wikipedia searches, suddenly curious of the career statistics of Emile Heskey. Ultimately, recalling his record of 10 goals in 39 games in 1997/98 isn’t going to help you get that 2:1.
3. Studying on a campus that
can take half an hour to navigate across has its pros and cons. On one hand, we have unique opportunities to utilise sports pitches and equipment that few other unis provide. However, after a frozen forty-minute walk from Holywell back to your flat, you’ll inevitably find yourself contemplating the corporate benefits of that vacancy driving the Sprint buses. Adam Thompson 7
The Legacy of President
According to the Telegraph, by the end of his two terms in office, 57% of Americans viewed Obama favourably, however, only 27% believe that the USA is more united as a result of his Presidency. Furthermore, two-thirds of Americans believe that Obama did not succeed in fulfilling the promises he made, although nearly half would agree that he tried. It would appear that the majority of Republicans were very against Obama, which led to obvious difficulties when attempting to pass certain acts and policies. According to Dale Plath: “He acted very presidential, but he just couldn’t get things done.” In terms of foreign policy, whilst the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that were started under President Bush have ended, the removal of American troops has led to a new wave of terrorism in the form of ISIS which has plagued both America and the World. The threat of Putin also became a pressing issue for Obama. In terms of the economy, Obama successfully managed to avoid the depression which many thought was imminent, however growth has been relatively stagnant.
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Obama
It would appear that whilst Obama has avoided a number of economic and political incidents that many politicians predicted, he has not actually achieved a huge amount. Furthermore, although Obama was seen to be supporting the Black Lives Matter campaign that was particularly prominent in the summer of 2016 after a number of police shootings, many campaigners have admitted they were disappointed with the President’s contribution. One thing that Obama should be heralded for is his introduction of Obamacare, which has implemented a number of provisions in order to lower the cost of healthcare, thus aiming to provide for the millions of Americans who currently are without insurance. Although many Republicans are against Obamacare, the BBC have estimated that it has helped over 22 million people, and that is something Obama should be remembered for. Barack Obama and his family captured the hearts of many all over the world. Perhaps his popularity and importance as a President does not lie in what he achieved during office, but in the family values he portrayed and the symbol of diversity he became. That America elected their first black president is a big step towards equality for the country. Whilst Obama may not always be remembered for the policies he made, for that he will always be heralded. Ellie MacKenzie News Editor
Photography, Illustration and Design by Alice Weil
The news that Donald Trump has recently been elected the new President of the United States has made many of us pine even more for Obama. Whilst he’s looking great in the pictures released of him at Palm Springs, we’re feeling very nostalgic and missing the Obama/ Biden bromance that has been part of our lives for the past eight years. However, whilst Obama comes across great in his speeches, photographs and on social media, what did the 44th President of the United States of America actually achieve?
Does Fake News Have a Place in Our Society? NEWS
Fake news appears to have been mentioned prolifically in recent news, but what is it? As reported by the Guardian, fake news has been defined as “disinformation and hoaxes published on websites for political purposes or to drive web traffic” with “the incorrect information being passed along by social media”. Fake news should not be confused with websites such as The Daily Mash, which comes under the category of satirical news. Satirical news is supposed to be comical and make a point, whereas fake news is deliberately deceitful. Satirical fake news stories aside, actual fake news is often extremely damaging to both countries and individuals. The most recent scandal involves the US election when, during the run up to the voting, numerous fake news reports were spread around attempting to paint both candidates in an unforgiving light. Fake news reporters played on Trump’s well known prejudiced views towards immigrants
and claimed that at a rally in Manhattan, thousands of Trump supporters were chanting: “We hate Muslims, we hate blacks, we want our great country back.” The most prevalent piece of fake news reported was a scandal called ‘Pizzagate.’ This was an intricate story, which supposedly linked multiple members of the Democrat party, including Clinton, to a child sex ring that was being run out of a pizza shop. Similar attempts to further discredit Clinton included the ‘fact’ that she provided ISIS with weapons, and that the Pope was backing Donald Trump. Although it has now been disproved, a couple of months ago it was believed that fake news could have actually swung the election in favour of Donald Trump. Indeed, according to Buzzfeed, in the three months leading up to the US election, fake news articles were shared more times than news reports from credible sources such as the New York Times.
What is being done about fake news? There does not currently seem to be any foolproof method of eradicating fake news, however Facebook and Google are planning on creating a pop-up message to inform readers that stories from certain websites may not necessarily be factually correct. Furthermore, a list is being drawn up which details known fake news websites. However, this will not necessarily be enough. In an article by the Guardian, it was suggested that the public can help fight the war against fake news by not sharing news articles from unknown websites. Although fake news has been around for years, it has become far more prevalent in the past year. A clear distinction needs to be made between malicious fake news and satirical news, with steps being implemented to eradicate the former. Fake news holds a toxic place within our society, and can be detrimental to both the public and specific individuals. Ellie MacKenzie News Editor 9
FEATURES
One Night Stand HORROR Stories A True One Night Stand Horror Story It was one of those FND nights in the union when I got really drunk off four Jägerbombs and a fish bowl. Experiencing a bit of a dry spell throughout the week, I was determined to pull and, by 2am, I was ready to go for anyone. Then a fit guy with the face of Ryan Reynolds captured my attention. “You’d be stupid not to try,” I told myself.
Numbed with shock, I put my clothes on as soon as possible and dashed out of his room. I didn’t, or to be honest was afraid to, look back at him. I covered my face with my hands and let out muffled screaming sounds on my way back to my own flat. Back in my room, not bothering to take my makeup off, I jumped into bed and wished everything that just happened was a dream. Then I felt something strange in my knickers. Next thing I knew I was pulling out a condom from 15 minutes ago, yuck! I laughed so hard, my stomach started to hurt. “Greatest” one night stand ever! Many more stories to be told tomorrow… Vivian Lee
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Illustration by Lisa Remy
I couldn’t remember how I ended up at his, although this is how things usually work I suppose. As soon as we went upstairs, we couldn’t hold back any more. We did the deed, you can imagine, and I even gave his shoulder a naughty bite. This was followed by the realisation of my worst nightmare - his friends burst into the room. It was a total shock for both of us. I can still recall them screaming the words “Oh”, “my”, “freaking”, “God!” Immediately, I jumped off his body and covered mine with the sheet. Flushed with embarrassment, I lowered my head. I could hear his friends laughing as they closed the door. “Tomorrow’s going to be a day of gossip...”, because we were living in the same hall!
Design by Shameel Batavia
I approached him with a flirty smile, or at least what I thought was a flirty smile, as one can never truly control their expressions when trashed. Somehow, it worked. We sloppily kissed the night away to various High School Musical and Justin Bieber songs.
DOS AND DON'TS IN THE BEDROOM For some, sex at university is an essential. It’s something that you simply cannot avoid when you set foot on campus to begin your adult life. For others, sex can be a daunting prospect. It is something that you may lack experience in and find yourself getting anxious over, particularly if you are not in a committed relationship. Read below to find out 3 well-researched DOs and DONT’S:
PLEASE DO... Foreplay
Definitely aim to seduce your partner prior to intercourse. There is nothing worse than a guy trying to dive straight in when a girl is not physically ready. MEN SHOULDN’T BE NEGLECTED HERE EITHER (especially after a night out and a few drinks as men can need as much help ‘getting ready’ as girls…) Neck kisses, thigh strokes… putting more time in to getting warmed up will inevitably lead to a higher sex drive and hence a better overall performance.
PLEASE DON'T... Mention your Ex
Horror story alert! Calling your sexual partner by your ex’s name. No No No. It is apparent that what works for some doesn’t necessarily work for others but don’t be afraid to try something new, especially if you’re in a long-term relationship and sex is predictable. To be honest, if you actually love the person then nothing that they can do could possibly turn you off, she says confidently…
Role-play Most lads imagine girls dressed up as sexy policewomen or naughty nurses when role-play is mentioned. But, just to let you know lads, it works both ways! Women love a hunky fireman straddling them around the waist after they’ve had a hard day of work. Don’t be afraid to use those handcuffs…
Engage in positive feedback This encourages your partner to continue whatever it is they’re doing. Promoting positivity in the bedroom correlates to higher self-esteem, meaning that your sexual partner is more likely to perform and you are more likely to sleep contented.
Go over the top with noises Not good for housemates to hear. Everyone likes it when someone shows appreciation but over the top squealing before you’re even at the climax is proven to be a huge turn off.
Start yawning Studies show that a lad’s confidence is easily knocked if their partner is looking bored. Watching TV over his shoulder, texting your friend to ask her what she’s wearing for FND… not a good look. Livv Ferris
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University is seen by most as a time to meet new friends, experience independence and an opportunity to experiment and find out who you really are. Most of this is done through excessive drinking on nights out in the Union. For some this partying ends with sex, whether it is part of a newly formed relationship or with multiple partners. To a student this might sound like fun, but one drunk decision could leave you struggling with a stinking STI or even worse! I’m sure most students are aware of what an STI actually is (Sexually Transmitted Infection), but I’m even more convinced that students need to understand the seriousness behind the infections. Students also need to know that it is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. With the support that is available now, its easily sorted if you act fast, so that your future health can be saved! STI’s, such as Chlamydia, Gonnorhea and Genital Herpes are commonly caught through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with an individual who is already infected. With 70% of women and 90% of men not noticing any symptoms, you just can’t trust what your partner said about their sexual health. So get checked! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain; Sexual Health Clinics provide confidentiality to all patients, no one has to know. They deal with young individuals all day; I guarantee that everything has been seen before so there is no need to be embarrassed. With Loughborough Sexual Health Clinic (Pinfold Gate) only being a short 25-minute walk from where you met your intimate partner on Fusion dance floor, there is no excuse. Open Monday- Friday (9am-7: 30pm) and Saturday (9am-2pm), with no appointment required, Could it be any better?
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But if you do notice anything unusual after that cheeky bedroom experience, here are some symptoms that should prompt you to get checked. Was the sex painful? Are you noticing flu or fever like symptoms? Have you come out in a rash? Have you noticed that you’re tired? I know it’s hard to imagine being any more tired than you already are, but these are all symptoms. Why would you risk anything? The longer you leave a check up or an infection the less curable it will become. This could even lead to becoming infertile! Is that worth the silly worrying about being embarrassed? I didn’t think so either.
Illustration and Design by Carla Borkmann
KEEP ON TOP
FEATURES
OF SEXUAL HEALTH A common misconception among students is that if a woman is on the contraceptive pill then she can’t be infected with an STI. This is false. The pill only protects against pregnancy and it is not even 100% definitely going to that. Condoms should be used along with the pill to prevent any unwanted illness. If you have your pulling pants on when heading to Hey Ewe or FND, take a condom in your purse or wallet just in case you get lucky. No hassle, no stress and no infection.
So, how to avoid the dreaded infections? Use your brain! Don’t believe in the misconceptions that STI’s can only be caught through ejaculation. No. If bodily fluid comes into contact then it can be spread. So that means unprotected oral sex as well as vaginal/ anal, and you’re definitely not protected if you’re a believer in the ‘Pull Out’ method. What do I advise? It’s simple, condoms. You even get them free if you take a trip to the clinic so there is no excuse about being a poor student! For oral sex, an example of how it would be spread is if your partner has a cold sore on the mouth (oral Herpes) and then performs oral sex. The Herpes of the mouth could be passed to your genitals and therefore an STI is spread. So how to avoid this? You could just take a good look at your partner before you take them to the bedroom! This is a free option. But you can also buy barriers that prevent any bodily fluid mixing. Dental Dams work to provide a strong barrier and can even come in flavours. You can purchase these from Amazon, so no embarrassment at the till - perfect. So that’s my advice on Sexual Health at University. Remember even if your partner says they’re clean, it is impossible to know for sure. Get checked at Pinfold Gate and you wont regret it. Whilst you’re there, pick up some free condoms - preventing an STI costs nothing. Finally, don’t believe all the false statements; you can get an STI if you’re on the pill and it is not just through penetration that an infection can be transmitted. So keep safe, be smart and act fast. Lucy George
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‘THE PULL’?
From experience, I’ve found a lot of people put pressure on themselves to find a partner at university, to the point where it actually becomes a mission. This isn’t just secluded to people I’ve met either. When you type in to Google ‘finding a boyfriend/ girlfriend at university’ over 18,000,000 results come up all advising on how to do this; it seems to be a recurring theme and desire for many freshers. Generally people are interested in just ‘pulling’ too, whether for the same or different reasons. It’s certainly a key aspect of Freshers’ for many; alcohol fuelled pulls, regrets and conquests. It’s no surprise really, considering university is a place where you become suddenly immersed in a newfound independence, inundated with ridiculous levels of alcohol and sent in to a club filled with only inebriated people of the same age group. There’s nothing quite like it, especially for those who have grown up in villages/towns with fewer people. It’s only natural to take a fancy to and pull more people, and to do so is definitely an exciting part of Freshers for a lot of people. But to say it’s ‘just about the pull’ is wrong, I believe. Yes, pulling is an undeniable part of Freshers’ for a lot of people, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But alongside this is so much more. Getting to know the people you live with, meeting new people, hungover introductions to your course and essentially just getting to grips with living in the bubble that is Loughborough is what Freshers’ is all about - maybe with a few awkward pulls along the way. Jess Vincent 14
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO
SELL OFF STUDENT DEBT TO PRIVATE COMPANIES
The government has announced plans to sell off (pre-2012) student debt to private companies in the hopes of raising £12 billion. The decision has drawn a considerable amount of criticism and disapproval due to the uncertain and ambiguous terms. The sale means that the government will be able to obtain the cash now with the commercial companies benefitting when the loans are being repaid in the future. However, in more practical terms it is still unclear exactly how the sale will affect the students – will interest rates increase; will repayment terms be changed? Many students worry that private sector will be more ruthless and aggressive in pursuing loan repayments and will negatively impact their financial circumstances. This is not the first time student debts were sold off to private sector with the previous sale of (pre-1998) students loans being marked with problems and inconsistencies. Selling off student loans represents a change in relationship, with the state acting as an example of aberration; a case where a captain would be first to abandon the ship. However, the government will provide some safeguards to protect the students: the Student Loans Company will continue to administer loans and collections; student loan repayments will not go on credit files and will not affect credit reports. The news is the latest in the saga of higher education controversies. In recent years the tuition fees have trebled from about £3000 to £9000 and then again have risen (and will continue to rise in the subsequent years) due to inflation. University is consistently becoming an even greater financial risk not worth taking and the latest news may spur even more students to look for alternatives to higher education. Aldas Krūminis
Design by Jessie Foxford
RETROSPECTIVELY, IS FRESHERS’ JUST ABOUT
Illustration by Emily Forrester and Ciuperca Cosmina
COLUMN
Loughborough Overheard Girl: “I’ve had a dry January” Boy: “I’ve had a very wet January” “Do flowers drink water?” “I’m not hunting down a bloody maggot!” “Even though he’s a moron I still quite like him.”
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WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE YOURSELF
FIRST
Body confidence is an issue which is becoming increasingly worrying, thanks to social media among other things. Celebrities – no matter their size – are body-shamed left, right and centre and this brings to the forefront the biggest issue of all – the lack of self-love on huge platforms that are exposed to millions of people. Depreciation of the self is incredibly destructive and can become a vicious cycle if you keep feeding ‘the monster’, I.E.: the little gremlin that’s sitting in your brain and suffocating your self-esteem. It’s not only epitomised by the physical hatred and lack of self-respect, but it can also manifest deeply in the relationships we choose. There’s the old saying that you only accept the love you think you deserve, and it couldn’t be more true. When we get into destructive relationships, we’re often blinded by the fact that because we aren’t lonely, that’s fine. It’s even harder to leave said toxic relationship when you think you don’t deserve anything better. The thing that should be at the forefront of your mind is that you ultimately are beautiful, and that no one else’s opinion actually matters when it comes to your life. It’s incredibly easy to reject this concept, but learning to love and respect yourself in all aspects of life is something that could ultimately change your life. Whether this comes to how you treat others, how you treat yourself and even boiling it down to safe sex – put yourself and your happiness first! And without things getting too heavy, the most important thing to remember is that basically, you deserve to be treated like you walk on water (sorry, couldn’t resist). Alice Priestley Assistant Editor 15
Kong: Skull Island (12A)
Fast & Furious 8 (TBC)
Beauty And The Beast (TBC) Guardians Of The Galaxy (TBC)
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student tickets
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CASH+
Take your staff or student ID card and load it up at the Parcels Office next to Student Accommodation Centre or visit www.lboro.ac.uk/food-drink/cashplus
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions *10% discount applies to freshly produced food listed on individual outlet menus ^10% off hot drinks excludes COSTA in Martin Hall and EHB BAR Offers can be withdrawn at any time, excludes Student Union shops, cafés and bars
10%
DISCOUNT* off all freshly produced food in campus cafés, shops and bars Now including 10% off all campus hot drinks^ in shops, cafés and bars
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Photography by Lens Volunteers
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Design by Liam David Hopley
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CULTURE
Whether you’re a singleton, in a relationship, or it’s complicated; it’s impossible not to indulge, albeit often reluctantly, in a ‘romantic movie’. Label brings you five alternative options for that night in with your laptop and partner (or cats). Moonrise Kingdom Moonrise Kingdom is the unopposed embodiment of Wes Anderson’s work as an auteur. It’s dazzling, inch-perfect cinematography and idyllic colours and lighting throughout is summative of all that is good about the quirky director’s canon. These stylistic features add to a plot that centres around a young boy and girl that run away together after falling in love. Before Sunrise Before Sunrise is shot over one day, chronicling the chance encounter of two strangers on a train to Vienna. They disembark and spend the night walking around the streets talking for hours, their limited time together is always on their minds and adds a subtle morbidity to their casual discussions. As the night continues both are more open and revealing as they feel they will never see each other again. Mallrats The story follows two suburban slackers who have just been dumped by their girlfriends and seek solace in the local mall. Witty dialogue and a sense 20
of realism enforced by the young, inexperienced teen actors gives the film a candid, everyday feel that is relatable. The cameo of a certain Marvel co-creator is a personal highlight and a memorable and worthy addition to the plot, unlike his usual random, ‘Where’s Wally’-like appearances in recent Marvel adaptations. True Romance Quentin Tarantino’s epic screenplay was transformed and bought to life by Oliver Stone in 1993 and the result is an underrated 90’s gem. Despite the often brutal images on screen and action throughout, the real pull of the film is the relationship between Clarence and Alabama. Their love affair throughout is an iconic sight to behold, on par with, if not exceeding any mainstream rom-com’s romantic allure. Drive Drive follows Ryan Gosling as an enigmatic getaway driver who we really know little about throughout the film. His relationship with a new neighbour and her son forces him to step outside of his own isolation as he grows fond of the two, despite his consistent lack of dialogue. However, when her husband arrives home from prison the story quickly escalates, resulting in a brutal and violent climax that is shaped by faultless cinematography, 80s-esque neon lighting and a virtuoso soundtrack. Adam Thomson
Illustration and Design by Vincent Lau
NETFLIX AND CHILL Picks
LOUGHBOROUGH’S romantic getaways Whether you’re with your long-term partner, meeting up with someone from Tinder or just trying to impress someone new, Loughborough can seem like a bit of a boring place when it comes to dating. Although we boast one of the best campuses in the UK and we are well known for our excellent uni facilities, a walk through the campus we all love complete with a view of Towers is not the most romantic thing that springs to my mind when thinking of date ideas. A lot of people are quick to head to Leicester or Nottingham for a snapchat worthy date location but fear not, if sharing a booth in Pilks or taking a romantic stroll to the PO together isn’t cutting it for you and you don’t want to venture too far away - look no further. The Basin Just strolling past The Basin on Valentine’s Day highlighted how popular of a date spot this is. The perfect mix of smart casual and a Loughborough exclusive which is a favourite among many makes this the perfect place to take a date you really want to impress. Plus the food is incredible, which is a definite bonus.
The Kelso Although I love food, the best dates always involve alcohol and if you fancy a cocktail and Spoons isn’t quite what you had in mind when you agreed to go for drinks, pop over to The Kelso. With happy hour starting at 5pm, an extensive drinks menu and a swanky roof garden this is one of Loughborough’s finest bars and is sure to impress your date. An old-school trip to the pictures… If you don’t fancy a big meal out or a heavy drink, why not pop down to your local cinema. Cinema student prices are ever cheaper in Loughborough, so won’t dent your student loans too much. And with two cinemas and Flix Student Cinema conveniently located in and around town you can always keep the night alive at new Nando’s, Bella Italia and Pizza Express or a Loughborough classic like Tarboush, in case your date’s going especially well and you want an excuse not to leave yet. Queen's Park Massively weather-dependent so maybe give this one a miss in the colder months, but as it’s warming up why not head over to Queen’s Park right in the heart of Loughborough. You can use your imagination here, bring a picnic or a few drinks and take in the picturesque scenery and see a different angle of Loughborough, one that doesn’t involve Towers. Lydia Kah-Pavlou Culture Editor
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50Shades of
Once upon a time, I understood the fascination with 50 Shades. It was based on Twilight, the shame of every 20something and therefore fascinating to everyone else; it had kinky sex and a sexy-ish protagonist. On the other hand, there is a good reason why anti-domestic abuse protesters invaded the London premiere. 50 Shades of Grey isn’t problematic from a good or bad literature viewpoint. It’s pretty bad writing, it’s repetitive and one of the most common phrases is “I murmured”. Gripping stuff right there. The problem is seeing their relationship as a love story. In my opinion, the only hype 50 Shades deserves is for how bad it actually is. My inner goddess was not impressed and gave up after book one. She knew better. Let’s jump into the domestic abuse side, then! Christian is controlling and has a deep need for physically punishing women for his mother’s behaviour, at least that’s how he justifies his BDSM tendencies (that are executed wrongly according to the actual BDSM community).
He also tells her to eat when she is not hungry. Sounds stupid, but he uses it to assert dominant behaviour. Ana isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but even then is she perfectly capable of making the decision when to eat. Or what to eat for that matter. Not that Mr. Grey cares, he already ordered without considering her preferences. He is also a stalker in his free time and likes to use the gift of technology to keep track of Ana’s whereabouts in case he needs to follow her after she asked him not to. His lavish gift giving is just another way to control his extremely susceptible “girlfriend”. Selling your partner’s beloved car without their consent is (illegal) not cool at all, even if you “know better”. Personally, I like to pretend that the sequels don’t exist. It makes a great point when Ana leaves him. We don’t even need the continuation; the story is complete. Her moment of revelation shouldn’t be a pit stop in a creepy romance, but the end. She broke the bounds of an abusive relationship. Some people don’t have that luxury. If you wish to have more reasons why Christian Grey is the worst, check out 50 Shades is Domestic Abuse website. Anamarija Krassnig
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Illustration and Design by Phoebe Logan
NO
All ThatGlitters CULTURE
Ruby caressed the ivory powder with her forefinger. Sometimes she would lay in bed for hours, as she were doing now, just watching the light bounce off the crystals. The small window was partly blocked by rigid steel fire-escape steps, which threw black shadows into her room as if it were a prison cell.
Ruby’s place did not exactly qualify as an apartment. It had only two rooms, one being a bathroom, the other, a space for a mattress, fridge and small round table and camping chair. It was fine, because to Ruby, it was hidden and it was hers. She lived on Hudson Avenue of Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn, and cleaned hotel rooms for a living. Vinegar Hill was the shadow of Brooklyn, in that it held no prominence, only darkness. It was a dangerous place to be, but this excited Ruby. She was an aggressively private person, and though her occupation was one thing she couldn’t avoid telling people, they didn’t need to know where she lived. After her shift two days ago, she couldn’t be more relieved that this was true. Her life was mundane and quiet, but her work was important to her. She lived for fictionalising other people’s lives, the faceless people who came to stay in this hotel. She was always very meticulous and always put possessions back where she found them, mostly. Her curiosity was one of the things that gave her purpose, but many times it had almost cost her more than she could ever afford. Every hotel room and character alike was always unique. Sometimes she would just find ruffled sheets and underwear buried beneath them, clothes thrown on the floor, empty pizza boxes. Sometimes she would find pocket knives strategically tucked under mattresses, used needles abandoned in the sink or sometimes even cash, which she always slipped into her apron. If they were stupid enough to leave it here, it didn’t mean enough to them. The needles intrigued her more than they should have. While wiping smears off the mirrors, vacuuming or replacing toilet paper, she would get lost in who these people were and most importantly, what they were doing here. This part of Brooklyn was a rotten place and people came here to avoid one of two things; their marriage or the law. This was not a place of leisure, this was a house of lies. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for Ruby to be staring out the window, perhaps while changing a pillowcase, and see someone get mugged or stabbed on the street. Sometimes the guy in the balaclava would look around, look up, and she would stare back wondering if they could see her dark, narrow frame through the grainy, linen curtain. Alice Priestley 23
GOODBYE TO MY EX
Thirdly, why not take some time off after the break up rather than becoming involved in another relationship on the rebound, as per the advice frequently given: ‘get over someone by getting under someone else’? If this rebound relationship results in a break up, you can then feel considerably worse about yourself and could end up developing your feelings for your ex again. The best advice is to give yourself a break and be single, enjoy your freedom and most importantly, spend time with and appreciate your friends. Whatever approach you adopt, life is to be lived and the key to that is self-respect. Always remember to treat people as you would like to be treated. Anonymous
Design by Seonni Patel
An alternative approach is to literally put the memories behind you and consider them as nothing special, which then helps with the wound healing. It is important to believe that there are more suitable people out there. This is very difficult to do, but it
means you can love someone else and therefore be able to move on. If you write a list of the qualities that you admired about your ex-partner, use the list to help you find these in others. Similarly, use a list of negative qualities to stay clear of people who retain similar negativity. Illustration by Simran Takhar
Getting over your ex is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. However, there are many things that can help with the healing process, no matter how long it takes. The wound will eventually be healed as you progress through the five stages of the emotional grieving process: denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and finally acceptance. It can take time and it’s good to recognise the different emotions that you will experience. As many of you will have had, I for one had a long-term relationship and so this grieving and subsequent healing process may apply to many of you readers. If you are accepting of what has happened and can appreciate that you’ll never get over him or her; look at the past as a happy memory and ‘box it’ as part of the experience of life. This is the first unknown strategy: acceptance of how you feel.
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COMMENT
Isolation, Anxiety and Loneliness
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
If you surveyed the annual influx of freshers at any university about their biggest fears when leaving home, making friends is likely to be the most common response. I was no exception: I expected to arrive at halls, meet my flatmates, instantly become best friends and the rest would be history. I had fallen victim to believing all of the posed promotional shots of students wandering the campus and the Facebook posts of clichéd flat Christmas dinners and girls ‘squad’ nights out. Expectation is a dangerous thing. The temptation to head home in the first few weeks or to cling to your home friends can be strong when you’re feeling lonely. By far, the best decision I made was joining a society. This is the place where you meet people from outside your course that you’ll have common interests with. You join because of the shared passion but stay because of the people you meet. The way I ended up combating the loneliness was by reaching out to these people and arranging to go to an event together: turns out you’re not the only lonely one. Personally, I also know that suffering from anxiety can make the university experience much harder. Loughborough is home to many services which dedicate their time to supporting the physical and mental health of students. These include a range of facilities within the Bridgeman Building such as counselling services, dyslexia support and the Careers Network. The Students Union Welfare and Diversity department, which encompasses a variety of different campaigns and runs events around the exam periods such as ‘Keep Calm Week’ and ‘Health and Wellbeing Week’, is also invaluable. One of these campaigns is ‘Heads Up’, our student led mental health association which gives support and raises awareness of positive mental health. Another is ‘Nightline’, a confidential phone line which you can ring between 8pm and 8am on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays during term time. It offers free anonymous advice and a friendly ear to listen to your problems. Loneliness is an integral part of the transition to university life - no one will hand you friends on a plate. My advice would be to be open to any opportunity that comes your way and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. You’ll quickly find that we’re all in the same boat, some are just better at hiding it than others. Hannah Timson 25
TOP 10 :
Let ’s Get It On
Music and sex are synonymous, especially in today’s society. With current stats boasting that around 90% of music in the charts is about sex, it’s unsurprising that the two go hand in hand. It’s true too that music has allowed artists over the years to express feelings and emotions about sex in various creative ways (some creative ways are best left alone, but I digress), however it’s through R&B music (think Marvin Gaye, Prince, Beyoncé and R. Kelly) that the real tracks to ‘get down to’ have come about. In fact, its pretty clear R&B has by far given us the best songs about sex, so in honour of Label’s Sex Issue, here is a definitive list of the best songs out there that are perfect for setting the mood. Grab the candles, pour the wine and give the playlist a whirl.
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D’Angelo – ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ Everything D’Angelo does is sexy, but he turns it all the way up here. This 90s smooth groove oozes sexuality from the first beat, with the sensual acoustics and D’Angelo’s soaring falsetto guaranteed to make you feel some type of way (and if it doesn’t, watch the video - TRUST me).
R. Kelly – ‘Your Body’s Callin’ R. Kelly is the undisputed king of the slow jam, so it would be an insult to not have him on this list. I’ve gone with a lesserknown song of his, but nonetheless, ‘Your Body’s Callin’ showcases his talent for producing suave slow jams with trademark silky vocals that make all the girls’ knees weak.
Partynextdoor – ‘Persian Rugs’ PND is one of the leaders in new-era slow jams that fuse traditional smooth R&B with deep, heavy hip-hop beats. ‘Persian Rugs’ is taken from Party’s earlier work, where the intimate and passionate atmosphere he creates affirms his reputation as a lady’s man, both in and out of his music.
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Jodeci – ‘Freek’n You’ One of the greatest R&B boy bands produced one the greatest ever slow jams in ‘Freek’n You’. It’s got everything you need; sensual lyrics, smooth vocals, rich harmonies, an intense, slow beat there’s a reason this song was one of the soundtracks to the 90’s and it has featured on pretty much every baby-making music playlist since.
Syd – ‘Body’ An artist only a few have probably heard of, Syd’s ethereal, breathless melody paired with sensual lyrics and a deep beat creates an intimacy that only music can produce. Prepare to get lost in the vibe and have your senses tingling when you listen to this one.
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MUSIC
Trey Songz – ‘Neighbours Know My Name’ I think it’s pretty universally known that all Trey Songz sings about is sex, so naturally he makes an appearance on this list. Unlike artists who prefer to use imagery and innuendos to explore the theme of sex in their music, Trey doesn’t sugar coat what he’s singing about, it’s straight up and unapologetically sexual. ‘Neighbours Know My Name’ is dripping with passion, from the vocals to the water drop sound effects. But you know, it’s Trey Songz, so it works.
Beyoncé – ‘Rocket’ Queen Bey’s x5 platinum self-titled album saw her fully embrace and explore her sexuality. It produced ‘Rocket’, a song that directly yet tastefully explores sex. With beautiful flowing melodies and metaphors throughout, ‘Rocket’ shows that modern love isn’t just about sex, but intimacy and a real connection between two people that goes deeper than the physical.
Miguel – ‘Use Me’ Miguel is another artist who is very in touch with his sexuality; with his dark rock influenced R&B making him the bad boy every girl wished they had met. ‘Use Me’ is intense and deep with gritty, passionate vocals reminiscent of Prince. The record, while radiating sexuality also recognises the softer, more innocent side to sex that isn’t always portrayed in R&B music.
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Destiny’s Child – ‘T-Shirt’ Okay back to the old school a little, ‘T-Shirt’ is a true R&B love song. It captures the private, wistful atmosphere of late night pillow talk, with the silky vocals and sensual ad libs making the song a real smooth groove. Plus, it’s Destiny’s Child, so it’s a win win.
The Weeknd – ‘What You Need’ Before the Can’t Feel My Face era, Abel Tesfaye pioneered moody, sensual late night R&B, and ‘What You Need’, taken from his album Trilogy, is just that. The song creates a hazy, moonlit atmosphere with The Weeknd’s almost haunting, yet silky vocals over the melancholic, hollow beat. Henna Amin
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As early as Darwin the idea of music and sex has been linked; Darwin’s study of birds and their songs to attract mates created a theory that music is simply a device for reproduction across all species. Whilst this may be the case for birds, it is definitely not that simple in the case of humans. Our music spans genres, bringing in romance, sadness and childhood memories. Unlike other species, we use music not just as mating call but also as a pivotal part of our society, for dancing, for bonding and just for pure enjoyment. However, despite the range of music that is definitely not linked to sex, the music that is often at the forefront of our culture is undeniably rife with songs about sex; Jessie J’s ‘Bang Bang’, Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Push It’ or Nicki Minaj’s ‘Anaconda’ to name just a few. Exploring this idea further, music and sex go hand in hand for various reasons not least because of the lyrical content. We associate music with sex a lot because of generational influences. Take nights out for example; you get drunk, go out, dance in a crowded room with loud music playing to thumping beat and inevitably at least two people there will hook up at the end of the night (it's probably been you at some point, don’t lie). It has become intrinsic to the culture of our generation. 28
Then you have it as a way, as Darwin first suggested, to attract lovers. This isn’t just applicable to current music; each generation had their own version from 1950’s crooners (Elvis and his hips anyone?) to current day idols. They can span genres and genders; artists and musicians are sexualised, whether by their clothes or their songs or their appearance and as such we are taught to view them as sex objects and thus automatically link their music with sex. Of course there are plenty of exceptions but, inevitably, it comes back round to the inescapable conclusion; music and sex, at least in current culture, do go hand in hand. We have playlists, we have films, we have idolised artists all of it leading to the idea that the music is supposed to be viewed as sexual, whether to incite romance or to socially critique the cultural prominence of one of our basest instincts. Don’t read this as an entirely negative thing though; there’s nothing wrong with music and sex being synonymous so long as it doesn’t become a straight out of Hollywood cliché. Kathryn Cockrill
Photography courtesy of LSU Media
Music and Sex: Why are they so synonymous?
MUSIC
Flouting the Stereotype: Musicians challenging gender norms
There’s something magical about an androgynous vocal: one that makes you stop in your tracks and ask - who’s that singing? ‘Androgynous’ is a word often used to describe the sound of Cigarettes After Sex, the four-piece behind ‘Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby’: a beautifully melancholy track which has captured global attention over the past few months. Design Designand andIllustration Illustrationby byMeiyu MeiyuChen Chen
Androgyny, the idea of possessing both masculine and feminine characteristics, is nothing new. Two stars who died in 2016 were praised for blurring the edges of the traditional gender binary: Prince’s vocals soared across an enormous range, and his outfits could be just as flamboyant as those worn by David Bowie, whose use of make-up in the 1970s planted the idea of it being an option for people of all genders. While sex can be defined as what’s between your legs, gender is all about who you are. Transgender people identify with a gender role which is different to the one assigned to them at birth. It’s fair to say that Anohni is a trans icon. Her haunting album Hopelessness was nominated for 2016’s Mercury Prize, 11 years after she won the prestigious gong for I Am A Bird Now, which is an absolute must-listen. Last year, Jordan Raskopoulos, of Australian band Axis of Awesome (who you may remember from the viral ‘Four Chords Song’) told the world that she identifies as transgender. The band’s follow-up track, ‘The Elephant in the Room’, dispelled myths about the trans community in a predictably humorous style, though if you only have chance to listen to one of their songs, their acoustic cover of Against Me!’s ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’ is not to be missed! I referred earlier to the ‘traditional gender binary’, a construct which is better thought of as a scale encompassing numerous gender identities. If you only listen to one artist that I’ve mentioned, make sure it’s Shamir Bailey, who says that he has “no gender, no sexuality and no f***s to give”. His agender identity is evident in both his quirky videos and flawless vocals. The Las Vegas native’s unique voice lends an edge to tracks ranging from upbeat single ‘On the Regular’ to impossibly tender covers of ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ and ‘Lived and Died Alone’. Here’s hoping that we’ll be hearing plenty more from Shamir before too long. Liam David Hopley Head of Design 29
DESIGN
Creative Competitions (Illustration & Photography)
Illustration… Congratulations to Becky Gibbs, winner of last month’s contest!
The theme for our next competition will be ‘the animal kingdom’.
Photography… Well done to Maurice Yip, who's won his second Label competition in a row! Next issue, the theme will be ‘scenes around Loughborough’.
Enter Now…
for the chance to have your work featured in our next issue! To get involved, send your entries to either competition to labelcompetitions@lsu.co.uk by midnight on Wednesday 12th April.
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Label visits ... Design by Liam David Hopley
Tarboush
Located in the heart of Loughborough, Tarboush is a traditional yet modern Middle Eastern café and restaurant that provides both a cultural and culinary experience like no other. With a Middle Eastern inspired menu — with dishes from Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey and Greece — the restaurant provides a dining experience that will transport you to a magical ancient world and allow you to break free from your ‘typical’ dining experience. Aside from a wide range of enticing flavours, created with incredibly fresh and high quality ingredients, Tarboush presents a unique ambiance in which to enjoy them. With both an indoor and outdoor seating area, colourful and striking ornamentation, a prominent open charcoal grill (on which you can watch food being prepared as you wait), and beguiling music to top it all off, atmosphere is abundant.
Boasting an impressive 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor, reviewers have described their experiences with many positive review titles, including: “Unexpected pleasure!!”, “Lovely service, delicious food”, “Best place Worldwide”, “What an experience”, and “Tarboush serve fabulous dishes in a superb friendly atmosphere”. Additionally, if you’re craving a delicious meal but don't feel like leaving the house, Tarboush is registered on JustEat.com, so you can enjoy their food in the comfort of your home. So, whether it be from home or within the restaurant’s unique setting, if you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Loughborough Tarboush is definitely the place for you! Arianna Rossi
Address: 12A Market St, Loughborough LE11 3EP Hours: 9am - 10pm (Monday to Saturday)
Phone: 01509 264470 Website: tarboushcafe.com
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Tarboush offers a selection of flavoured Shisha — over 20 flavours — which can be enjoyed in their front garden. Furthermore, if you’re a lover of music and dancing, the establishment also hosts popular live music and bellydancing events on weekends. You can book a table for these exciting events on their website (tarboushcafe.com).
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Design by Hui Yi Hang
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ROMANCE STYLE
STYLE
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“Maternity clothing is SO flattering”, said no one ever. “Chlamydia, makes me feel so sexy”, said no one ever. “Pregnancy cankles look great with my Louboutins”, said no one ever. I think you get the drift… pregnancy and STI’s are not stylish, especially at this age, however, safe sex is. We’ve all seen MTV’s '16 and Pregnant', which sensationalises pregnancy in youths, capitalising on the scandalous nature of this ‘phenomenon’ to fuel reality TV viewings; after all sex sells. What the show does not reveal, however, are the negatives and pitfalls of young pregnancies — such as the expense of a child, the time you need to spend on the child instead of yourself and the responsibility for another life. Not only are children expensive, leaving you with less money to spend on shoes, but also time consuming and life changing, and there’s nothing stylish about abandoning your dreams because of a silly mistake. So don’t be silly wrap your willy, it only takes a few seconds to prevent a big mistake. If you want to maintain extra style while tumbling in the sheets with your bae, don’t worry because designers such as Marc Jacobs and Chanel have branded condoms. You can still be safe in style. Safe sex isn’t only stylish because it prevents pregnancy, but also because it prevents the spreading of sexually transmitted infections. Those are definitely not glamorous. Not only do some of them actually hurt, but they limit who you can be as a person and how you can live your life. With a sexually transmitted infection you are responsible for preventing its spreading further and informing those around you (if they’re at risk of acquiring them from you) about them. Hence, they can change who you are as a person and your ability to show and manifest your personality — and because being yourself is just about the most stylish and fashionable thing you can do that’s a setback nobody wants.
SAFE SEX IS
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Overall, the key is to remember that it’s better being safe than sorry. Think about how a fleeting moment, no matter how impassioned or picturesque, can affect you in the long run. Being smart is sexy. Being knowledgeable is trendy. Be that and spare yourself regret and the chance of changing your life, your individuality, and your style. Safe sex is stylish and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Anonymous
STYLE THE SENSATIONALISM OF
VALENTINE’S DAY LINGERIE
Design and Illustration by Emily Simmons
It may have been a month ago, but it’s never too late to reflect on Valentine’s Day, which celebrates the feelings of intimacy, love, affection and even friendship. It is a perfect time to demonstrate and express affectionate feelings to that special someone. What would be a better way to showcase your affection and dedication to your partner than alluring lingerie? After all, it has the ability to (re-)ignite the spark and strengthen the (sexual and emotional) bond between the two people. However, it is obvious that Valentine’s Day lingerie is a marketing opportunity for the companies to make a substantial profit. Valentine’s Day, specifically, summons plenty of new lingerie lines in the hopes that customers will give in to the expectation of celebrating this day. This trend applies to other holidays and events and businesses use every opportunity they can to sell their products. Personally, I don’t view Valentine’s Day as an important date and the need for the marketed (Valentine’s Day) lingerie is over-emphasised. As a result, this trend of sensationalising Valentine’s Day lingerie is somewhat normal and expected and also applies to numerous other occasions and holidays. Valentine’s Day is purposefully presented as the most romantic
and intimate holiday of the year that calls for ‘special’ lingerie. On one hand, it is merely a marketing opportunity that aims to fascinate women and girls with fancy lingerie through sexualised and appealing images and ideas. On the other hand, it also is an invitation to add more excitement to the relationship and purchase sexy underwear for the benefit of yourself and your partner. In truth, while Valentine’s Day lingerie is not that relevant, the lingerie, in general, is. It is truly safe to claim that there is no debate about the importance and necessity of lingerie in all of our lives (especially for the benefit of the partners) regardless of the occasion or the celebration. Moreover, lingerie is unique, in the sense, that it can transcend different holidays and occasions, because it, in itself, is a special, erotic and luxurious clothing. Lingerie represents passion, fun, boldness and is the ultimate form of sexual appeal. The main issue with the sensationalism of lingerie on Valentine’s Day is the fact that it is marketed for this specific date. Lingerie should not be confined to special occasions or specific dates, because it is like sex – it never gets boring. We should look at Valentine’s Day as a reminder of importance of lingerie in relationships and/or lives and not an item that is limited to certain dates or celebrations. Lingerie should not be just about Valentine’s Day just like Valentine’s Day should not be reduced to a cheap marketing opportunity for a specific product. Lingerie has to be essential in every relationship (and not just relationships), but not solely on this specific day in the year. Aldas Krūminis
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STYLE
Sheer
Sheer tops on the other hand have always been seen as risqué and something taboo. Women are often told to hide their bodies and if they go against this they are often labeled with looking like a ‘whore’ or dressing ‘slutty’ simply for their fashion choices. Since 2015 the sheer top trend has been on the rise within celebrity culture, women in the industry can be seen pairing either lace bralettes underneath a typical black sheer top or going bra free
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completely. Celebrities are often condemned for doing so and are told they should have expected these ‘blunders’ to occur with the presence of the paparazzi invading their everyday lives. Many of these women are fighting against this and are using sheer tops to highlight the ‘free the nipple’ campaign, deciding to go bra-free in order to get gain equality for women’s bodies. Kendall Jenner is an example of one of these women and can often been seen sporting sheer tops in her Instagram posts. But what if people began to explore these controversial fabrics to experiment and broadcast their freedom within their sexuality? I believe that whilst having a history of being scandalous, both sheer tops and lace can be tasteful. People can wear clothing whatever way they want and for whatever reason they like, but it is my opinion that clothing is just fabric. We shouldn’t let it wear us but on the contrary – we should wear it, regardless of what anyone thinks. Whoever wears sheer tops is prone to be judged for it – if a male decides to wear one then society has already labelled him as ‘gay’, if a woman decides to wear one she is more often than not seen as being trashy. But sheer tops and lace can be both scandalous and tasteful and whatever way you choose to dress you will be judged for it anyway, so why not dress how you feel comfortable and have a little fun with it! Rebecca Gibbs
Illustration by Lisa Remy
When posed with the question ‘which fabric do you find most iconic?’ lace is an answer many people wouldn’t think twice to give. Lace is an iconic fabric; it has the ability to represent innocence and class as well as debauchery. It has remained tied to this image since its rise in popularity in the 16th century. Not only has lace been a main staple throughout history, with the bodice of Duchess Kate Middleton’s wedding dress being crafted from the fabric, but also is worn by us ‘little people’ who find that our New Look lace top goes lovely paired with our favourite Topshop jeans, while having the ability to also boost sex appeal when used for the likes of lingerie.
lace.
Design by Holly Rowlands-Hempel
Scandalous or tasteful?
tops and
Outfit ideas for your next first date It’s nearly Spring, romance is in the air, and this means dates, dates and more dates. Nerves on a first date stem mostly from the excitement of meeting someone new and discovering how far each other’s interest can go. Nerves stem from fear of the unknown. What will they be like when we’re one on one? Will we hit it off? Will they like me? Hence, it’s only natural to want to impress your date through your actions, words and appearance; because, though many frown upon the notion, first impressions make a difference. To help ease the nerves, wearing an outfit that is both comfortable and makes you feel your best is key.
What to wear where If you’re going on a casual date — such as a drinks at The Orange Tree or a walk in the park — opt for a leisurely look that says “Oh this old thing, I just pulled it on last minute,” when in reality you’ve perfectly coordinated it. For the gals keep it flirty and relaxed with a cute printed skirt and top with stylish sneakers or flats. If you want a flirtier look throw on a crop top or bralette under a sheer top. For the guys, pick out a flattering pair of jeans or trousers with a casual t-shirt — maybe with a humorous print on it or something that interests you, as a conversation starter. If you want a more stylish look, pull on some chinos and a white shirt for a casual yet classy date look.
you can simply slip off the accessories and voila you’ve got a less dressy look. Men, think suave and charming. Dress up the casual chinos and shirt mentioned above with a blazer and some leather shoes. Pop on a nice watch and a leather bracelet to really finalise the look. Lastly if you’re going all out — and by all out I mean attending an event like a ball — opt for glamour and seductiveness. Men, obviously you’ll be wearing a black suit or a tux (depending on the kind of ball you’re attending), so to make it different add a colourful bowtie — maybe even coordinate it with your date’s dress. Ladies, this is your chance to go all out so think glitter, floor length and Bond Girl. Balls are fantastic events to look your best and make a good first impression on your date. Arianna Rossi Style Editor
If you’re going on a more upmarket date — such as dinner at Brown’s Lane or a restaurant in Nottingham — opt for a more dressy and smart look. Ladies, think class and grace. A plain dress in a solid colour is always easier to dress up than prints, so pull on a trusty LBD or your favourite red dress for a pop of colour and accessorise with simple understated jewellery. The benefit of a plain dress and simple accessories is that if you find you’re overdressed
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SPORT
Shining a Light On: Sports Action
InTandem is a local cycling group that allows disabled people to enjoy a bicycle ride in the countryside with the use of tandems and specially adapted bicycles. Volunteers learn to ride the front of the tandem and are in control of the bike. It’s a great way to escape the campus bubble and see a bit of the fantastic countryside that surrounds Loughborough. Don’t panic if you’re not a regular cyclist, it’s a social ride rather than a race so the pace is nice and relaxed so we don’t leave anyone behind and routes avoid really hilly areas and always include at least one stop for lunch.
All of our projects require great leaders and this year’s Project Leaders are exceptionally motivated to make the projects the best they can be. Becoming a project leader is a great way to gain leadership and organisational skills that look great on a CV so find out how you can become part of LSU Action. We also work with the CVA to reward their volunteer coaches with Action hours so if you’re looking to gain coaching qualifications and experience, then the CVA is for you. For more information on any of our projects contact your Sports Action Officer, Kim Clark, or head to the LSU website to find contact details for project leaders. Kim Clark
Photography courtesy of LSU Action
If you’re looking for experience working with young people, then Kids Olympics and After School Sports Club are well worth a look. Working as a team, you’ll help to run a mini sports day for school children and inspire them to stay active in the future. The children love being able to compete and work with people that aren’t their teachers! After School Sports Club
offers volunteers the opportunity to lead multi-sport sessions for primary school children on a weekly basis. It’s a great first step towards coaching and with training supported by the Coach and Volunteer Academy, it’s a great taster if you’re thinking about gaining coaching qualifications. Both projects are excellent experience if you are considering working with young people in the future as well as being a lot of fun to be part of. Design by Carla Borkmann
Loughborough is renowned for BUCS success and sporting prowess but you don’t need to be an AU player to be part of it. LSU Action has a number of sporting volunteering opportunities for those of us that don’t aspire to be Olympic medallists!
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Running a Marathon: The Inside Story
Photography courtesy of Hannah Pearce
What does it take to run a marathon?
Why should you consider a marathon?
Marathons are an extremely tough challenge to complete and success is about a combination of mental strength and physical attributes. As a result of the challenge, many marathons have different training plans, lasting around 14-16 weeks. In the week, training sessions include small runs consisting of around 45 minutes to an hour. These two to three sessions include training runs such as fartlek (a form of interval session), uphill and downhill training, and marathon paced runs.
There are many different reasons. To state the obvious, it is an amazing achievement as the feeling of running 26.2 miles provides great pleasure and pride once you step over the finishing line. On top of this are the health benefits as your muscles tone up, you feel better about yourself and you lose weight. Another reason is to fundraise for charity. Many people run for a charity close to their heart if, for example, they lost a loved one or have experienced a critical incident and want to repay their thanks through raising money and support. This is a very effective way as you are fully dedicated and immersed. Only 1% of the world’s population has endured this challenge so running a marathon puts you in an elite group with the ability to inspire others to challenge themselves.
On the weekend, Sunday is seen as the best day to have the weekly long run. To avoid injury this is meant to build up by 10% on the previous weekend run. Approximately two months before the main event you should try and race a half-marathon to get used to the apprehension, structure, and pace. In the last month of the programme you’ll need to taper your training by gradually decreasing your mileage to let your body recover in time. This is also when you adapt your diet to consist of large amounts of protein and carbohydrates. Finally, the race day arrives.
Lastly, the training and connections allows you to make many more friends. Whether this be, for example, through the London Marathon training day or with all the people running for the same charity. You also make friends during the day as you all bond through supporting one another and pushing each other to the maximum. Hannah Pearce
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body image in sport “DON’T EAT THE CHEESE…THE TEMPTATION TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO OTHERS, IS VERY DANGEROUS” This was the focus of a Sports Motivation Podcast, ‘The Deadliest Temptation of the “Successful Athlete”’, I recently listened to and it really hit home…I know all too well the dangers of comparison and competitiveness. Playing for a county, club, and school team in both netball and lacrosse was a massive achievement for me, which kept me healthy and happy…for a while. Sport begun to overtake all other aspects of life and slowly but surely my main focus was on being the best I could be; which I expected was better than anyone else. Playing team sports is great for motivation, making friends, and of course, keeping fit, but when you’re lacking self-esteem it’s easy to obsess about others around you.
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“Why am I not as good as her?”, “Surely I’m better than him?”, “Why don’t I look like her?”, “How can I play like him?”. When questions like these circulate in an athlete’s head they lead you to base your successes or failures on those around you rather than yourself. Focusing on what others can do and what you can’t, or raising your expectations to match others, removes the ability to make yourself feel good. Many people have role models and icons but if you’re relying on these people to help you meet your goals then you’ll never be satisfied. Watching the world’s sporting legends achieve their dreams and reach new records is exciting for us all but social media can have a very negative impact on how we perceive ourselves and our bodies. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) refers to people who don’t see themselves as they are; either too big or too small, and it’s much more common than expected. Those aiming to gain muscle and look lean for bodybuilding can become obsessed with getting bigger, often leading to dissatisfaction regardless of their size. Similarly long distance runners are in the limelight for longer than other sports and may therefore feel the pressure of others on their body and self-perception. Swimmers have big shoulders, long distance runners are tall and skinny whilst sprinters are lean and muscular, rugby boys are ‘massive’ whilst rugby girls are ‘stocky’, cardio makes you lose weight and weights make you ‘bulky’… these are just a few common misconceptions about sports and exercise, affecting both elite athletes and the everyday recreational exerciser. These stereotypes
SPORT make people hesitant about their body image before they even first participate in a sport. Where did these myths come from? Who exactly are they based on? Where’s the proof that they’re true? Such beliefs stem from social norms and expectations, yet have no root in reality but a vastly negative impact on body image and self-confidence. It’s easy to lack selfesteem after hearing comments like these because you begin to believe people are constantly looking at, and possibly judging, your body. This prohibits involvement in certain sports due to fear of ‘getting bulky’, being ‘too fat’, or not looking the same as others.
Illustration and Design by Vincent Lau
All I ever wanted to do was play sport all day, every day, because I loved it and everything I gained from it. Little did I know about the influence it had on my mental wellbeing. Yes, the endorphins brought me happiness and satisfaction, being selected for county teams gave me a sense of achievement, all the hours on my feet kept me fit and active, and all the friendships made it more enjoyable and worthwhile. The comparisons and competitiveness, however, were far from helping a healthy mind-set. I remember thinking I was ‘too big’ to be a ‘nifty netball player’ but too small to be a solid lacrosse defender, which resulted in hours spent obsessing over food and workouts trying to be like others in both sports. In hindsight, the day I got subbed after ten minutes of playing my last A team Lancashire lacrosse game, as captain, not to be put on again, should have been the day I realised negative body image and low mental health really does affect physical performance. It’s easy for people to compare themselves to others in the same sport, in the gym, or on social media, but it isn’t easy to overcome the detriment this can have on self-esteem. ‘Comparison is a killer’. Every person is unique, no matter how hard you try to look, or act, like someone else. Allowing comparison to overcome your enjoyment of sport will inevitably hinder the balance of exercise and lifestyle. More time will be spent trying to achieve unattainable standards, while less time will be spent doing other things that matter most. Focusing on what others think of you won’t improve your body image or ability to exercise; it’ll only improve your negative self-talk. As I said before, everyone is unique. We all exercise and play sport for individual reasons, and we all experience different mental and physical health. Don’t look at someone and aim to perform like them, and don’t look at someone and question what they’re doing. Focus on yourself. Aim to achieve what’s attainable for you and you’ll feel 10x better for it. Sarah Loftus 41
Exec Focus Interview with
Matt Gill
Union Affairs EO What are your predictions for this year’s Exec Elections? Readers will see this post-election so make them good! I think this year’s elections are going to be a BIG event. With 21 candidates ready to go through the 10-day campaigning process, commitment, effort and tension is going to be running high. I reckon students will be more engaged in the process and with any luck, match last years voting turnout or get more! By the end of the election though, I have a strong feeling that the most suitable candidates will be elected. How do you think changes to your position, back to VP, will make positive changes to the Union in future? I think the position changing back to Vice President is a good one. With the current progression of Executive streamlining and the sub-sectors of the Executive team, the different sectors can tackle their own issues for the best outcome. The fact that a key part of the role is now the implementation of strategic development also means that there is a set position on the Executive team who is committed to see the success and progress of our brand new strategic plan! Which other Union section would you say you’ve been working closest with this year? It’s an interesting question, because my job entails working across all the sections with the constitutional amendments and making sure everyone is working within the boundaries of our own precedents. I would say I’ve actually worked with Media and JT more than other sections, with Freshers’ and obviously the build up to the Elections needing a big involvement from them. I would say I’ve done a fair bit with the President and HSF, with the new mass hall election scheme being a success this year!
What are your plans post-Elections? After the Elections, I’m planning to sit down with the newly elected hall chairs and going through their own constitutions to make sure they’re all up to date and functioning, because they’re by no means an easy issue to tackle. I’ll also be in the process of re-writing all of the main LSU constitution, so it’s a very governance based summer term! Alongside providing the best possible handover I can for my successor. Describe your section in three words… Progressive. Intuitive. Expansive.
Contact me Twitter: @UAffairsEO_LSU Facebook: /UAffairsEOLSU Email: UAffairsEO@lsu.co.uk 42
Interview with
Hersh Patel
Illustration by Emily Forrester
Finance & Commercial Services EO
Do you have any exciting plans already in place for the end of the year that you can let us in on? If I restrict myself to one thing, we have a big act lined up for Grad Ball... Of course, I can’t say much more but I believe Loughborough students will be very happy about it! How do you think the year has gone so far? We’ve seen some big acts in the Union!
Design by Liam David Hopley
Yeah it's been a big year so far, especially some of the external events which never disappoint. It has also been fantastic to see John Coopers become more commonly used, with people enjoying a drink in there on a night out. Have you got any plans to work alongside other sections for the remainder of the year? Soundclash along with DJ Society is looking to be an interesting one, this sort of collaboration always produces a fabulous event with a lot of hype and phenomenal talent. Doing it differently this year will also add some anticipation. What is your ultimate favourite thing about your job? I enjoy the team-based activities the most, such as when we go away and do an Exec Away Day to look at long-term, bigger picture ideas. The debates are always very constructive for creative solutions . Favourite Union night and why? Easy, FND. Everyone you know is there, less so these days but back in the day!
Contact me Twitter: @FinanceEO_LSU Facebook: /LSUFinanceEO Email: FinanceEO@lsu.co.uk 43