BEHAVE
COME AS YOU ARE FASHION AND FEMINIST PUBLICATION PHOTOGRAPHER_KATIE MCCHILLIN/MODEL_EMILY MELLOR ISSUE 1
#BEHAVEfashion
EDITORS PAGE
Fashion and Feminism? can we really take this seriously from the industry that gave us underweight models, Terry Richardson and Kate Moss posing for playboy? I wanted to create a publication open to the public, to gain their views on what I BELIEVE in, to bring the ‘issues’ of feminism that this world now has to its surface but not as an ‘issue’. I want to portray that feminism is not a bad word, that it is a power women hold of all ages in all countries. I want women to talk and be proud of what gentitals they hold. This publication covers all areas not just fashion based, we approach ageism and womens rights all over the spectrum and how a woman is beautiful and strong even if she wants to dress in a football kit, we shouldnt be judged, and we are our own worst enemies at times. And of corse a whole lot of fashion Your editor MELISSA CAMPBELL
ALICE HUREL
ABOUT THE GIRL MEET THE FACE OF THE BEAUTY PROJECT INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
PHOTOGRAPHER_JACOB SCHUHLE MODEL_ALICE HUREL STYLING_NICK BYAM MAKE UP ARTIST_NATASHA FRENCH
Firstly, what is the beauty project about? The beauty project is about exploring different types of beauty. In the fashion industry that we see everyday I don’t think we get to see many variations of beauty, but this project was about redefining beauty and also discover many beauty treats! What was your involvement within the project itself? I was chosen to be shown all over London and other cities in the UK to promote this campaign for Selfridges! Why do you think you were chosen to be the face of the beauty project for Selfridges? Because I think hair is not all that defines beauty in a woman/girl. Some people chose to go bald for aesthetic reasons, others don’t have a choice but either way you can be beautiful with hair or without!
Have you found the project to be a success? And did you gain positive feedback on being involved within the project? Big success for me anyway! Such a dream come true to be part of a campaign, especially for such project! To see myself everywhere and people seeing me in this context is so great. I did get lots of feedback and compliments from my friends and family who saw me around and from artists I was lucky to work with after that.
What does the word beauty mean to you within a woman? Like I said, beauty is what is natural. Not forcing something to fit right in someone else’s perception. None of us should change our looks to please anyone else. How do you think the use of retouching has influenced society’s definition of beauty? It has become so superficial and I feel it has influenced people in thinking about how they’re “supposed to look” to be beautiful. I think this influences people to look the same... that’s no fun!
What is your take on feminism? Feminism is about gender equality, and I believe it’s important for many reasons; to assure women that they should have equal rights in working environments and in politics, but for me its most important for women to be equal at home. I come from Japan, where in the culture, women must tend to their husbands and children at all times. I’m not saying that having a family is a burden, but I know I will not be doing more for my family than my husband for example. All jobs should be shared between man and woman equally. Being a woman shouldn’t mean that only you can do the housework and be a driver hahahaa I can’t really think of any other way to relate to feminism because I’m not hard headed about politics and the line of work I want to go into is not one that suffers from gender inequality. But all I can say is, I will stand my ground! All women should. I don’t consider anyone to be above me, but I don’t consider anyone to be below me either.
IMAGE TAKEN BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
Are you a strong believer in powerful women? This is a difficult question... I don’t believe in powerful women anymore than I believe in powerful men. I think how much a person has earned their power and how they will use it for a greater good is what defines how much I believe they deserve it, in-despite of gender. I believe in good women having power, as well as good men having power, so long as they use it in an appropriate and selfless way, as I think if we are in a position to help others, we are also responsible to do so. As a fashion student in London who most inspires your designs and which designer/company do you look up to? Oh I hate this question hahaha. People ask this all the time to artists... and I can’t really give you an answer. If I like something I use it as an inspiration and nothing ever comes from only one thing. I don’t follow one thing like a bible (one style, artist or designer.. ). I find beauty in almost anything and I will use that as an inspiration, so it really comes from everywhere. Everything helps me in my research. Finally what do you see as your fashion future? Or just general future for yourself? I see myself as a designer, and most importantly offering something unique to individuals with my designs. Whether it means creating unique pieces by hand or leaving a secret message inside my designs. I’m a very ambitious person but I am also very realistic and so what I have in mind for the future now will most definitely change over the course of the next coming years depending on my success and depending on which path this success takes me.
FEMINISM IS BACK IN FASHION
Fashion and feminism- they’re like two people who only hang out together becuase they have a mutual friend. Its awkward and its prickly, neither wants to be left alone together. In some ways this discomfort is understandable- the fashion industry, at times, seemd to do its best to isolate its target demographic. PHOTOGRAPHER_MELISSA CAMPBELL MODEL_CHARLIE CROSBY
There’s the fact it really shouldnt matter what we look like, we should decide what femininity is ourselves- yet a whole industry exists to tell us how to dress like a woman.
There’s the clothes you just know are designed for women with mens approval in mind. YES fashion and feminism is a hard couple to square
ILLUSTRATIONS BY LAUREN WALKER
Then there are the women recently promoted to some of the top jobs in retail. Marigay McKee is now president of SAKS fifth avenue, Stacey Cartwright is chief executive of Harvey Nichols and Alannah Weston has just been made deputy chairman of Selfridges. Women are returning to their natural ‘boss’ role in the world, portraying strenght and respect for all women. Fashion today is not about it all hanging out and how tight can this dress fit, its about power dressing, female suits and shirts are the key to the coming seaon along with black, everything is black. YES you women gather your black fashion items and hold on tight, just because you are female you dont have to wear pinks and yellows and detail flower printed dresses, its the time to relax and wear black- its simple and classy and no man can tell you otherwise.
The issue is that while 21st century feminists no longer wear boiler suits, todays teens and 20 somethings, male and female, have such a hyper=sexualised idea of how women should look, that anything less than a full on Kardashian commitment to false eye-lashes and push-emup-and-over bras makes some of them feel as though they have handed in their female genes.
Its very easy to blame fashion for what has happened to perceptions of femininity in the years since power suits were the female amour rather than tit-tape and bum lifts. Maybe that blame is even justified. Shoving young girls out onto the catwals in random states of nudity or cynically explicit clothes is frossly exploitative. Some fashion magazines classed as the ‘edgy ones’ may get away with displaying borderline pornographic images but not the catwalk.
JOURNALISM BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
INSERT_ http://www.pinterest.com/missleeleelee/old-couple-love/
OUR
CULTURE
IS
FE
EARFUL
OF
AGEING
THATS NOT MY AGE As women enter the twighlight zone, the spanx come off and the smelling salts come out, they become:
PHOTOGRAPHER_ MODEL_
desexualised,dehumanised, tired and bored/boring- or at least thats how they’re portrayed in the media. But this shouldnt be the case.
JOURNALISM_MELISSA CAMPBELL
Older models have been more acceptable a whole lot more now in fashion, we see them in adverts and campaigns for the likes of Marks & Spencers and Viveen Westwood. One of the most influential women in the industray, journalist and co-founder of All Walks on the Catwalk, Caryn Franklin quote: “Our culture is fearfull of ageing and especially ageing women. I say ‘Stop apologising for gett8ing older, embrace it’ I want young women to see that beauty ages beautifully and there is no need to feel that getting older is something that has to be medicated, managed with surgery or obsessed about’
Fashion has always been fixed with youth. The pressure to stay eternally young is why ageism in the fashion industry is an issue, the need to see more older models, more wrinkles, more diversuty and less ageism in fashion. We know we are not alone, there are tons of fabulous bloggers of a certain age out there and by promoting older models we are doing our bit to help shift the attitude. Grey is just a colour, colour doesnt define your existance in this world, you do. It seems to be more of an issue when i women begins to grow old rather then a man, a woman shouldnt feel like she has to keep on top of her apperance and fake the colour of her hair just to still be seen as a living woman. A man doesnt feel this need as much so why do we women.
ERYKAH BADU
IMAGE BY KARLA STEVENS
Personally, I don’t choose any particular religion or symbol or group of words or teachings to define me. That’s between me and the most high. You know, my higher self. The Creator. --ERYKAH BADU
IMAGE BY KARLA STEVENS
Emily Rose Smith is a graduate fashion designer from the Leeds College of art, she has worked with the likes of Peter Pilotto at London Fashion Week and has had her work exhibited within Louis Vuitton. For her finals she based her concept on unisex and unisex clothing. When working with Emily we wanted to create the same objective in the shoots, her garments were truly fascinating and the ideas behind every single piece are very strong.
MEET EMILY ROSE SMITH
PHOTOGRAPHER_TOM MARTIN DESIGNER_EMILY ROSE SMITH MODELS_JAKE CHATTERTON/FLORA MACDONALD MAKE UP ARTIST_JESSICA AUTY STLYIST_MELISSA CAMPBELL
*If so why? Because I wanted to portray a feel to my collection portraying that men and women are equal in what they wear, that there is no limits.
* Did you base your designs on creating a strong image for women? Yes I wanted to create clothing that both women and men could wear and feel equal, not too feminine and not to masculine. I have used belts and drawstrings so that the garments can be altered to size/fit and alter the shape of the garment.
*Hi Emily, what was the concept idea behind your COP project and why did you want to study this concept? My concept behind my COP project was to bridge the gap between womenswear and menswear and by showing the positive effect that second wave feminism had on fashion. I wanted to not only show that women are able to dress more like men but that women shouldn’t want to dress like men but want to dress equal, on another level in unisex clothing designed for both men and women.
*Do you take into consideration how your fabrics are manufactured and where they are manufactured? Not really as I am at the start of my career, I would rather gain the best fabrics and materials I can get to really show my ideas. Maybe in time I will take more consideration into where and how my fabrics are manufactured. *Do you think designers now a days work around the female body? Yes I think some designers design to enhance the female body. *Are you a feminist? I am unsure, even after creating this collection I still do not see the issue with feminism so that’s why my collection is based around the unisex clothing subject. I am all for powerful women but at the moment I do not have an issue with it. *When designing do you think about feminist issues at all and how your designs may be portrayed to viewers? It really depends on my concept to each piece, I previously created a luxury item to be shown in a Louis Vuitton exhibition in Leeds and that was a beautiful luxury item for women so they feel amazing in my garment. *If you could describe your creative flair in three words what would they be? Unique, Unisex, Functional
*What has been the best experience you have had throughout your university experience within your degree? Becoming a Finalist for ASBCI Professional clothing awards for my RNLI Lifeguard wear. *What do you have to give to the fashion world once you have finished your degree? To produce a modern take on unisex clothing with a sport apparel twist. *Finally you’re a woman, what makes you proud of being a woman in the fashion industry? It makes me proud to be a woman in the fashion industry because we are able to make a difference.
INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
PHOTOGRAPHER_KATIE MCCHILLIN MODEL_EMILY MELLOR MAKE UP ARTIST_HARVEER G DIRECTOR_MELISSA CAMPBELL
IMAGE_CHARLIE MAY
IMAGE_CHARLIE MAY
CHARLIE MAY LONDON BASED FASHION DESIGNER
*Hi Charlie, what was the concept idea behind your latest collection? My SS14 collection was inspired by my childhood growing up in Devon, being a tomboy farmers daughter but listening to the spice girls and wearing questionable late 90s fashion. *Do you base your Yes of course, I am women that I look up well as projecting a
designs on creating a strong image for women? hugely inspired by women for my designs. Strong to, such as Natalie Masenet and Phoebe Philo. As healthy image for younger girls that will become my customers one day.
*If so why? It’s important to me that my clothes empower women and make them feel comfortable in their own skin. Fashion and just culture in general project such an unhealthy image. I hope to think I am more approachable than that, using my blog as a tool to show that my clothes are for real women, including me. *Do you take into consideration how your fabrics are manufactured and where they are manufactured? I am friendly with all the mills I do business with in the UK and europe. I know where they are from and how they are manufactured, which to me is just good business. *Do you think designers now a days work around the female body? Not really, I think designers work towards a models body. I’ve got a semi curvy figure and find it a nightmare to buy designer trousers that fit. *Are you a feminist? Absolutely.
*What are your views on the current feminism issues we have? I find it really strange that there’s an issue about feminism being really uncool right now.. like I have friends that exclaim ‘oh no! I’m not a feminist!’ Thinking it’s all down with men, and hairy armpits. We need to move past this already, we don’t have equal rights and there’s a long way to go yet before it’s even remotely ok. *When designing do you think about feminist issues at all and how your designs may be portrayed to viewers? Yes definitely, but I think it’s more because that’s the way I feel, my ethos that comes through in the designs than making an actually statement. I just want to create clothes for the modern woman, and the modern woman to me is confident, inspirational and a feminist. *If you could describe your creative flair in three words what would they be? Passionate, thoughtful and delicate. *Giving advice to young designers, what would you tell them from experience? Social media, get yourself out there. The internet makes it so easy now to be seen, I don’t think it’s possible to make it now without it.
IMAGE_CHARLIE MAY
CHARLIE MAY INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL 12/04/05
*How do you find being a young designer based in London, is London to you the place of culture? Yes, definitely. I actually love living in London. Food is a big passion of mine, so there’s great eats popping up all the time. As well as weekends in the park with my husky, Kobi. It’s the perfect place for me right now.
MEET THE GRADUATES OF LCA
PHOTOGRAPHER_BRITT LLOYD MODEL_CLAIRE GOLDSMITH STLIST_SONIA SOHAL
AKIN BOLAJI GRADUATE FASHION DESIGNER LCA PHOTOGRAPHER_BRITT LLOYD MODEL_AKIN BOLAJI
t? *What do you do and why do you do it it? sin ing i ng g my m sk s ki ill ll ll Fashion design, I enjoy being creative and using skill the h s. hes . to create beauty in the form of clothes. *3 words to describe yurself? ve e hardworking, ambitious and creative mome ome en nt nt, t, what t, wh w ha at t *The topic of feminism is everywhere at the moment, f hio h io on n? ? is your view on the subject when relating to fas fashion? y men en n. Fashion is equal ran by woman as it is by men. ndiv vidu iduali ali al l ty li ty? y? *Is it just another way of portraying your individuality? reat a ive el ly. ly y. No, not really. It’s a platform of for my cr creatively. en? *What rules are there to be broken? t designers desig de sig si gn ner ne ers Diversity in fashion, not just on the runway but uses es. . of colour working in big fashion houses. ar ar? r *What designers do you like to wear? Don’t wear designer clothes hat t expresses exp exp x re res esses es ses se s *Is there a particular designer for you that esi signs gns? gns ? some sort of feminism within their designs? y or or another. ano ot the th er r. . Majority of designer already do. in some way ?? That’s why they design for women. ?? ondo d n fashion fas as sh hion ion n *What was your favourite show this AW14 London week and why? Givenchy, Mary K
INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
*What’s your fashion future? I wouldn’t know. *What is your main inspiration and concept for your current FMP project? The main focus is a painting of the Madonna by Jean Fouquet. The idea of a divine woman, in the form of a Morden Madonna. (Madonna being the biblical term for the Virgin Mary.) *What would you change about the world? A lot *What’s been your proudest moment of your career so far? Designing a collection to promote wool week. My work featured in the window display of Harvey Nichols. *Finally do you have any tattoos? And what do they mean? None. My skin is too precious.
PHOTOGRAPHER_BRITT LLODY MODEL_AKIN BOLAJI
IMAGE_AISLINN PRICE
AISLINN PRICE FASHION COMMUINICATION GRADUATE LCA
*Is there a particular designer for you that expresses some sort of feminism within their designs? No not really within their designs. I admire Mary Katrantzou, not only for her designs but for her views on female designers and the up-and-coming reign of female designers breaking into the fashion industry. She makes the point that nowadays you see more and more independent female designers making it on their own and being very successful too.
*What designers do you like to wear? I don’t really wear any high-end designers, but prefer high-street stores and vintage shops were you can purchase garments to customise/wear in your own ways. Not that this cannot be done with designer brands, I just feel sometimes they try to sell you a lifestyle if you purchase or follow a brand. I prefer to dictate my own style/lifestyle.
*What rules are there to be broken? There should be no rules, Fashion is not a set of laws or regulations, it is independent to the individual.
*Is it just another way of portraying your individuality? Individuality, no. opinion and thoughts yes. Fashion can be used as a way of communicating your feminist views certainly.
*The topic of feminism is everywhere at the moment, what is your view on the subject when relating to fashion? It is a difficult topic that effects fashion in a variety of ways; I have no definitive opinion on the topic as I fell my opinion changes depending on the case.
*3 words to describe yourself? Independent, individual and caring
*What do you do and why do you do it? I create bespoke fashion products from personal memories and experiences in order to capture these important moments and evoke emotional responses from the influences that impact and affect an individual.
INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
*Finally do you have any tattoos? And what do they mean? No, but I hope to soon. Some very considered well drawn and very personal tattoos.
*What’s your fashion future? Uncertain, I hope to work within a Fashion company that has a strong textile print element within their designs.
*What’s been your proudest moment of your career so far? My determination and skill set that I have developed throughout university. Also, the changes to myself as an individual, I have become more independent, confident and mature since moving away from home. As my career is yet to exist these would be the aspects I am most proud of.
*What would you change about the world? That is a big Question! With far too many possible answers. Probably the answer that springs to mind is the economical imbalance throughout the world.
*What is your main inspiration and concept for your current FMP project? My Heritage. It is extremely important to me. The why? And Where? We come from and the reasons behind our creative nature. Why I am influenced by what I am? My work portrays my interpretation of Scotland, the scenery and the experiences I have valued since childhood and thus their effect on my current creative practice.
PHOTOGRAPHY_AISLINN PRICE MODEL_ERIN BRADLEY-SCOTT DESIGNER_ASLINN PRICE
PHOTOGRAPHER_MELISSA CAMPBELL MODEL_BRITTANY LLODY
BRITTANY LLOYD FASHION COMMUNICATION STUDENT LCA
*What’s your fashion future? Working in the industry hopefully *What is your main inspiration and concept for your current FMP project? Preparing myself to work as a freelance creative director by doing as much different work I can possibly do *What would you change about the world? The weather in London *What’s been your proudest moment of your career so far? Working at SHOWstudio *Do you have any tattoos? And what do they mean? No
*What do you do and why do you do it? Fashion Film, because I find it the best way to present fashion. *3 words to describe yourself? Intense, indecisive, caring
*The topic of feminism is everywhere at the moment, what is your view on the subject when relating to fashion? I think in the modern world, women are strong enough, and in high enough positions to make their own decisions, henceforth I think all women in fashion have made that decision to be portrayed in a particular way *Is it just another way of portraying your individuality? If it is something you believe in, then I don’t think there is anything wrong with using it in your work, everybody wants to say something different through their work *What rules are there to be broken? Ones that you don’t agree with
*What designers do you like to wear? My favourite high street store is COS, but I also like particular brands who focus on good design in specific items, such as if I wanted a pair of denim shorts or a denim jacket, I would look in Gap or Levi’s. *Is there a particular designer for you that expresses some sort of feminism within their designs? I like the way Vivienne westwood features herself in her campaigns, and doesn’t opt for the standard skinny, beautiful, standard looking model, but maybe that is just a marketing tool *What was your favourite show this AW14 London fashion week and why? Christopher Kane
INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
KARLA STEVENS FASHION COMMINICATION STUDENTS * 3 words to describe yourself? Decisive, opinionated, generous * The topic of feminism is everywhere at the moment, what is your view on the subject when relating to fashion? As a woman anything we say or do can be measured against an ideal of ‘feminism’. But you either believe in equal rights or you don’t, there’s no scale. I consider myself a feminist yet my work doesn’t explicitly illustrate this- I design with a clean yet feminine aesthetic; because that’s what I like, because you can dress however you please being a feminist is about your mind-set and your actions. * Is it just another way of portraying your individuality? I’m more than happy to be perceived as a group or collective, looking/designing something individual isn’t my main focus when expressing myself. * What rules are there to be broken? Any rule that stops you doing something you want to do (within reason) *What designers do you like to wear? I would love to wear anything Acne, Chloe, Missoni and APC. But at the moment I have to make do with the high street options H&M, &Other Stories, Zara and Whistles * Is there a particular designer for you that expresses some sort of feminism within their designs? Luella was the first woman designer who really inspired me, her looks were pink, pretty but so strong and unapologetic * What was your favourite show this AW14 London fashion week and why? I really loved the whistles exhibition/ show, this format is coming up more and more- they had a live stream which made it so accessible and democratic, which is something new for Fashion Week
PHOTOGRAPHER_KARLA STEVENS/MODEL_LIZZY KNIGHT/DESIGNER_KARLA STEVENS
* What’s your fashion future? I’d love to work for big brand which I admire; anywhere I can be surrounded by inspiration and able to be visually artistic * What is your main inspiration and concept for your current FMP project? I’m creating a middle market brand embodying natural beauty & simple aesthetics tying together printed textile, garments, photography and design for print to create a brand identity and visual story * What would you change about the world? Our sense of entitlement and expectation that the world owes us something * What’s been your proudest moment of your career so far? Being involved in live projects with HIP, Louis Vuitton, I-D magazine and Harvey Nichols * Finally do you have any tattoos? And what do they mean? No, there’s nothing I like enough to have forever
KARLA STEVENS FOR LOUIS VUITTON
INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHER_ANNA JAKOBSON/STYLIST_KARLA STEVENS MODEL_BETH JONES/MAKE UP ARTIST_KATE SPRECKLEY
BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL
MEET RIA SHARMAN MEET THE GIRL WHO HAS TRAVELLED HALF WAY ACROSS THE WORLD TO HELP A CERTAIN GROUP OF WOMEN. HER AMAZING CHARITY HAS TOUCHED HEARTS AND MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE TO THESE WOMENS LIFES. I HAVE KNOW RIA FOR 3 YEARS AND HERE IS HER STORY...
HER INTERVIEW WITH NGO
ALL IMAGES_FROM THE MAKE LOVE NOT SCARS CHARITY OWNR_RIA SHARMAN
#MAKELOVENOTSCARS How did Make Love Not Scars start? What was the inspiration/idea behind it and what aspect of the plight of acid victims’ resonates personally with the organisers? Make love not scars started off as just an idea for my college project. I was going to originally just make a documentary on the subject and when I started getting more involved with victims, it didn’t seem fit to JUST make a documentary. I had to help. The courage that these victims portrayed in the face of a life that they relate to the “living dead” was what resonated personally with me. Even after all the hardships that they had face, their ability to smile, believe, hope and dream inspired me to work with them.
How have they so far manage to raise awareness on the issue? How important has social media been in this? What has the response of young people been like? We have managed to rise quite a bit of awareness so far. We have a great following on Facebook through which we get people to participate in the movement. Social media has been extremely important as without it, we would not have been able to raise funds for Rekha. Rekha is our first successful initiative who we raised funds for only via social media and insured she get proper treatment in a private hospital. The youth has been an active part of this movement. We have volunteers who are extremely enthusiastic and helpful. Various college students get involved by addressing the issue in their own manner through creative mediums.
What are some of the other issues they are looking to highlight through this initiative? Where does domestic abuse, violence against women factor in? MakeLoveNotScars started off with helping acid attack survivors but we do try and look into other aspects of gender-based violence. With the limited funds that we currently posses, branching out into a broader spectrum is proving to be difficult but we do aim at looking into domestic and gender based violence in the future. Is there a difference in the stories of male and female acid attack victims, given that acid attacks are largely seen within the contextual discourse of patriarchal power structures? Or are victims, victims irrespective? Victims are victims at the end of the day. Male or female is irrelevant. The amount of women that get attacked compared to men though is much higher. Most acid attacks are caused to due spurned advances. This could swing both ways, though I believe that women find it harder to commit such crimes.
Many victims are not provided with the monetary relief of Rs. 3 lakh (Rs. 1 lakh in the first 15 day of the incident) as guided by the Supreme Court to the State Governments. Do you plan to work towards that cause? If yes, how? We do currently work for that cause as well. When a new victim is brought to us, the first thing we aim at doing is getting them their compensation from the government. These funds are what are primarily used for their treatment. In most cases the victims are not even aware of the fact that they are entitled to this money, our role is also to try and get them this money and help them go about it. We try and find lawyers to sponsor legal help, through which obtaining this money is our first priority in a fresh case.
Countries like Bangladesh and Iran have very stringent laws and extreme punishments, including death penalty, for acid attack culprits. They seem to have seen a downfall in the number of cases after passing out these laws. Do you think India should go the same way to curb such incidents? Or a maximum punishment of 10 years is enough? In my opinion, the death sentence is a risky subject. As much as I want to lean in and stand up for its implementation, I know that the Indian judicial system is sometimes unfair and keeping in mind that wrong judgements may be passed at times, we should refrain from getting into the death sentence. 10 years, on the other hand is far too little and with good behaviour, the accused normally ends up roaming the streets way before his time. Before we even get into discussing how much time the culprit should receive, another thing we need to keep in mind is that even with the current laws, implementation is what is usually our downfall. In most cases that I have come across the accused is still yet to receive jail time. Before discussing the laws, we need to make sure that at least the current laws are implemented. If there is no implementation, a new law will hardly make a difference. Most of the victims that I work with think retribution is the way to go but realistically speaking we all know that is out of the question, though I think that would seem to be a fit enough punishment for this cruel, cowardly crime.
What is your take on total ban on retail sale of acid? It just doesn’t matter. It is irrelevant. We live in a community where even a traffic fine can be bought, what is acid? There is no difficulty in finding banned substances in India, “where there is a will, there is a way” applies directly to our country. Battery acid on the other hand is easily obtainable from any and every vehicle, how can we stop that? It’s as easy as getting into a brawl, walking to your car with a plastic cup and returning to ruin your enemies life with a simple act of throwing a glass full of liquid on someone. Acid is the fastest, simplest and easiest way to ruin someone’s life.
What set of activities do you plan to build for the victims? Confidence building is very important and we are working on having workshops to increase the victim’s confidence. We also try and sort out activities on the basses of the victim’s interests. We try and provide them with activities that will keep them busy and distracted and also activities that they will benefit from. Eg- Sapna loves the beauty field, hence we have successfully enrolled her in a beautician course. This keeps her busy doing something she enjoys and she can benefit from this is the future by getting a job in the field. Through that job she can then earn a steady income and be independent.
What do you hope the government will do for victims of not just acid attacks, but violence - whether gender related violence or other forms? I would urge the government to shed more light on this issue. I don’t think they are doing enough to educate people on the graveness of this issue. The government needs to take a stand and do more to enlighten the public on the repercussions of these attacks. Harsher punishments, fast track courts and implementation of the law would be a good start.
MELISSA HARRIS FASHION BLOGGER WE LOVE HER .what made you want to set up a fashion and life style blog? I have had a keen interest in fashion and photography for a long time, so this initially made me want to have my own creative outlet. I also follow a lot of bloggers on social media - especially Instagram - which has fuelled my desire to do it myself! INTERVIEWED BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
What can we expect to see on a daily basis on your blog? Most of my posts are fashion related and what I have recently been wearing/buying. Most of my looks are casual daywear and you can definitely expect to see a few hats! My writing is usually just a summary of what I have been up to and why wearing what I am wearing what I am!
How would you describe your style? My day to day style can frequently change and go from two extremes. Very often I will be in my nikes and leather jacket with a shirt tied around my waist – but some days I wake up and put a little bit more effort in, which can also depend on what my plans are for that day. My leather jacket is my absolute go-to item of clothing, so I wear that with most things! A casual dress/leather jacket/hat/ boots is my favourite daytime outfit combo. When going out I love to get dressed up so I definitely adopt a feminine style – high heels and dresses are a definite.
Which has been your fave blog post so far and why? I like each post for different reasons but my favourite would be “Missing Mexico” which was done in two parts (day/night). Styling for holidays abroad is my favourite thing to do so being in such an idyllic location made this even more exciting for me! I loved each outfit that I included in the post and being able to write about it and the activities that I did while I was away was very enjoyable!
MODEL_MELISSA HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHER_LINDA HARRIS
@BEHAVEFASHIION #BEHAVEFASHION http://melcampbell14.wix.com/behavefashion