ALL INCLUSIVE
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C H A R M
SPRING 2020
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
3
T I M E ' S
de CODE FREE
Self Portrait Natalia Kaluza @nkkaluza @palenmoody
@deCODE_mag
If it's your first time reading deCODE welcome stranger, excited to have you here! This is the space full of creativity and individuality that will hopefully inspire you. If you are a regular, hello again my friend. During this weird time art forms are a great escape from everyday life and struggles. This issue is yet another collective of thought provoking stories and visuals. Created by talented people from all over the world, including my close friends. I am excited to share it with you. In '3 Time's a Charm' issue we are focusing on courage, confidence and overcoming your insecurities and fears. Happy reading!
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T I M E ' S
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C H A R M
Here we are again! A little sooner than expected.
founder
Natalia Kaluza @nkkaluza
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Cover photo Photographer Billie Harrison @bfhuk Model Neish @neish.h
CONTENTS
1. Where We Were p. 10-11 2. How to Master Your Self-Confidence p.18-19 3. Scar Lines, My Lines p.24-25 4. Woman, Thou Art Fierce p. 26-27 5. Meet the Artist: Emilio Javier Pias Diaz p.28-33 6. Dance p.42-49 7. Untitled p.50-53 8. A Piece of Advice from a Tattooed Lady p.54-55
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Photographer Kyle Bickley @__kb.photography__ Stylist Emily Bowden @emilyiscoolest Model Lil Degg @lildegg_ (left) Rose Degg @rosedeggx (right)
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Photographer Kyle Bickley @__kb.photography__ Stylist Emily Bowden @emilyiscoolest Model Shelley Sumner @shelley91sumner
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Where We Were by Faith Miyoba @faithm820 Foreign That’s what we’ve become on our own planet We live a superficial life Surrounded by artificial beings Consumed by machines Do we even remember our past So blinded by the future And what we could be That we never saw the present coming She cried for our help We didn’t listen We craved to be closer But settled to a life of loneliness Social creatures we say Perhaps that’s why she drove us back Back to collectives Back to reality Before the corruption The capitalism Together again Social again
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Photographer Natalia Kaluza @palenmoody Model Faith Miyoba @faithm820
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Photographer Joseph Noll @josephnollphotography Model Slater Brock @slaterbrock
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Photographer Joseph Noll @josephnollphotography Model Jordan Donovan @jordandonovaan
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How to Master Your Self-Confidence We always hear so much about the idea of being confident. We want to be confident and act as our best selves. In our pursuit, we desire to become a fully radiant light that's bold, beautiful and brave. Society has put somewhat a pressure to monitor or measure the confidence levels we have.
by Amena Aphsori @coachamenpshori For a number of reasons, whether it is lack of selflove, self-esteem, self-worth or self-acceptance, many people find it difficult to build their selfconfidence. This often goes back to our roots. It takes us back along a journey to our childhood. Back when we were perhaps unwanted, didn’t receive attention or affection as much as we’d like, maybe didn’t get the reciprocation of being loved by the ones we loved, and faced a lot of shame and embarrassment when it came to our body. Perhaps we didn’t love ourselves the way our soul desired and deserved. Perhaps we couldn’t give ourselves the approval and validation that we have been aching to receive from others. It is crucial to know that self-confidence is an inside job. It is about learning to value and honor yourself, bringing out the best in you and trusting yourself. In order to boost your self-confidence, it is extremely important to acknowledge and reflect upon yourself as an individual and know that you too are worthy of all that you are. You too are valuable for what you bring to the table and not just by your performance, but also by your being. Believe and recognise your worth and abilities. Know that you are good enough and you do not need to listen to those negative voices which tell you otherwise. Do not fall into the trap of comparison or insecurity. Rather choose to remember and have faith that you are valuable and precious in what you have to say, to stand for and to be. In short: believe in your worth. Establish a core of self-confidence from the inside out and tell yourself ‘ I can do amazing things. I am doing something awesome. I will be going through beautiful experiences.’ Believe that you are wonderful and magnetic.
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Pamper yourself. Recognize your value. Place yourself as someone truly expensive and honourable. Start with self-belief. Make a list of all the good things you admire about yourself and read it from time to time. Get really comfortable with your body. I cannot stress this enough. Love every bit of it. You might feel tensed in some particular areas such as the shoulders, back, waist. Breathe in and tap into those areas by relaxing and letting loose of the muscles. Let go of the stiffness and the rigidity while embracing the flow and fluidity throughout your body. Check in very often to see if you are in a comfortable position physically. Your posture, laidback spine, alignment in your shoulders would be a boost to your confidence. You can practice this in any and every situation. Look at yourself multiple times a day and tell yourself ‘I love you, with all the imperfection, flaws and marks. You are gorgeous. You are radiant. You are light.’ Practice this positive self-talk. If you do this consistently your brain will condition your mindset to develop self-confidence faster. Your image will rise above and beyond & so will your self-confidence.
Be excited, happy, joyful and abundant so that when you speak, your energy is in high vibration and that would boost your confidence level. Smile. Use eyecontact. Create a natural flow and tune into your voice. When we consciously and deliberately practice being enthusiastic intentionally we start gradually making ‘FUN’ a daily part of our lives. It becomes the new norm. Our energy is everything. When we learn to tune in to our energy and vibrate it to higher levels of activation, we release our potent self-confidence.
Try not to overthink. It might be very easy to fall into the trap of adding on too many things to your ‘To-Do List’ but don’t get yourself too hung upon it. Rather break it down into fine outlines and consider what you can say or do and work at it specifically. Learn to prioritise your tasks according to categories which could include what you must do right now and what you can do a bit later. Focus on one thing at a time. Write down things to get a better and clearer perspective. Focus on small bits, pay attention to details, and proceed with one thing at a time. This will build your efficiency hence your belief would be rewired and you will feel much more accomplished.
Do something that scares you. Fear wants to keep us down and stuck. If you give in to your fears you will feel like you cannot move forward. So face your fears by doing something challenging for yourself. For example, if you are scared of water, try learning how to swim (by all means use all safety precautions in every way possible!).
Get really clear on your passions. Think about the things that make you feel good and you just want to do more of if you had more time in your day. Think of the things that make you feel productive and valuable. This develops the confidence by enhancing your skills, challenging your abilities and leads you towards growth and expansion as a human. Find something creative and colourful to do everyday in your life. Do something which is meaningful and fruitful to you.
Allow yourself to make mistakes. Building selfconfidence is a marathon, not a sprint. Know that a little bit of nervousness is okay. Accept it. Embrace it and learn from it and do better next time. It’s the growth and valuable lessons we pick up each time that help us be masters at what we want to accomplish. It’s the consistency and practice which will get you there.
Connecting to our passions and our inner calling really builds our self-esteem as it gives us something worthwhile to do. It makes us feel like we add value through our passions and hobbies. Instead of putting other people on a pedestal or seeing someone as your competition, put yourself on that pedestal! Don't compare yourself to others. The challenge is to love yourself more and more with every passing day. Make yourself a priority and be unapologetic about it. Raise your standards and boundaries by knowing how and when to say 'no' and be sure to embody those standards. Don’t let other people’s success get to you. Someone else’s success isn't your failure! You will get much higher in your goals if you don’t compare yourself to others and stay in your lane. The grass isn’t necessarily greener on the other side. It’s greener where it is watered most.
Get to a point where you can be open-minded to try out new dishes, new hobbies etc. Build your life with variety and diversity and use that to explore yourself. A journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step and so does a journey to selfexploration.
Self-confidence is an inside job. Build that belief in yourself that you are worthy. You are capable. You are honourable and valuable. You have importance and significance in other’s lives and you can create an impact. Take better care of yourself. Focus on forgiving yourself and loving yourself more. Give yourself time and compassion and care. Allow yourself grace and let yourself relax. Be open and receptive. Embrace every part of you that you had previously neglected or didn’t like. Embrace every emotion that you perhaps hadn’t welcomed before because you had perhaps associated some shame or guilt or fear around it. When we can absolutely embrace our imperfect selves and own all our flaws and everything that we are and truly accept the entire spectrum of all feelings and emotions and qualities, that’s when we master our core inner self-confidence.
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Photographer Billie Harrison @bfhuk Models Neish @neish.h and Aimee @a.imxx (left photo) Reece @_dandymott (right photo)
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Photographer Natalia Kaluza @palenmoody Model Hazel @earthymarvels
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Scar Lines, My Lines
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by Chloe Bailey @chloebaileypics A huge insecurity of mine is my scar across my back which I got when I was a baby after a serious heart operation. Of course, I am so happy to still be here, however, throughout my life, my scar has always bothered me and has always been an insecurity of mine, I didn't like it on show in photographs and I've always been self-conscious about people seeing it. Over the past year my mental health has improved and with this came growing confidence in myself. I found the confidence in accepting the way my scar looked and wanted to create a photograph to showcase the scar and build up my confidence further. There are 18 dots on the photograph as that’s how long it has taken me to accept that it’s part of my body and skin and I’m happy with it. The roses to me symbolise love and that's what I am learning to do with my scar.
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Woman, Thou Art Fierce Being brave and bold in the face of insecurity
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Dear Ms Anonymous, Mama said there’d be days like this. Days when your insides don’t match your outsides. On the outside you’re brave and bold, and on the inside you feel shrunken and small. Or maybe for you it’s the opposite - you’re confident on the inside, but you portray a wounded animal as your shell. Whichever one is the real you - I want to tell you that, woman - thou art fierce! Yes, you. Have you ever thought about using your insecurity as a superpower? Probably not! You didn’t even know that was a thing! That insecure part of you... you can use that to build yourself and other people up! Your insecurity makes you beautiful. It makes you unique. It makes you, YOU! It’s time we stopped using our insecurity as a blanket, and started holding it out as our shield. Superheroes don’t carry blankets! We can’t just hide our head underneath and pretend to be invisible. Although, being invisible would be cool! Pull out your insecurity, and use it as a shield, because you are a brave warrior! Everyday you are facing battles that no one even knows about. And every day you manage to survive the fight. You do not get eaten by the lion. You may come out a little bit battered or bruised, but you survive. You are brave, girlfriend. You’re also bold… but you probably are still hiding behind the fact that you are not perfect. No one is perfect. Get over it. In your life you’ve accomplished a great many things that people either don’t know about, or never thought you would. It takes a courageous person to make things happen in their lives. And the sheer fact that you get up every day and strive to do your best, is a win! Today, feel empowered! Know that you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to. You can step out of a crowd and be your authentic self. You don’t have to live in the shadow of anyone else because you think that they’re better, smarter, funnier, prettier, or more whatever than you. Your bravery and boldness set you apart from everyone else. Your insecurity gives you an opportunity to shine every single day. So, don’t see it as a weakness. Choose to see it as your strength. You are fierce, and you should stay that way. With love,
@
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Meet the artist: Emilio Javier Pias Diaz @emiliordiaz
My name is Emilio Javier Pias Diaz and I'm an aspiring British-Latino, LGBTQ+ artist, born and raised in London. My focus is illustration, animation and anything that helps me express my creative vision. I see art as a way to change our perception of the world and let the crazy, weird sparks of inspiration take over. Art is not only an escape from the chaotic reality of today but also an opportunity to embrace fantasy and imagination as truth. My art enables me to do this while also spreading positivity and sharing a piece of who I am.
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Meet the artist
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Meet the artist
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Meet the artist
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Photographer Natalia Kaluza @palenmoody Model Chloe @chloee_lavender
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Photographer Lilian Li @lilianli729 Model Akeem Fabian Adams @akeem_adams
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Photographer Billie Harrison @bfhuk Model Rafia @ra.fi.a
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Photographer Joseph Noll @josephnollphotography Model Katie Huston @mkhuston
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Photographer Anastasia Jobson @anajobson Model Aitor Galende @aitorgalende
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Dance by Anastasia Jobson @anajobson I'm a portrait and dance photographer based in Birmingham. I am passionate about incorporating movement in my fashion and lifestyle portrait because I’m a dancer myself and I absolutely love how dance and movement help people express themselves. For instance, when I ask my models to do some movement, their focus changes from “how do I look” to the task they are doing. This way, I can capture the most authentic facial expression: real smiles, laughter… I love it! Sometimes I feel like static portraits are boring and I want to add something extra to my images, to make them more interesting and dynamic.
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Megan Ingram @meganingram25
Dance
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Brandon Hall @_bran01_
Dance
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Symone @symoneforever
Dance
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Sophie Woodall @sophwoodall_dance
Dance
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Riana Desager @balleriana_
Dance
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Rebecca McCormack @becky_.mac
Dance
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@itsandrewchristian
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Untitled by Julia Alexandra @iamjulialexandra ‘Untitled’ is an ongoing project that celebrates young fashion designers, encapsulating their own style and personalities through a series of both editorial and portrait photography. The designers have an opportunity to wear and pose in their own creations, creating and delivering this way a strong message: ‘Always follow your dreams and be original’.
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@munasheashlyn
@whotfis.alice
Untitled
@ioanaenicolau
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@nadeja104
@teodora.chiorean
Untitled
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A Piece of Advice from a Tattooed Lady I don’t think there should be a difference when it comes to who do I identify myself as. Unfortunately, there is. And it’s massive. I’m a tattooed lady. Believe me or not but that’s probably how most of the people would describe me, maybe along with the colour of my hair.
by Marysia Adamczyk @choopboop At the moment I have over 20 tattoos. Few of them are visible on daily basis. Those are not that big though. It gets more complicated whenever I decide to show my legs. I do believe that the perception of the appereance and how the society reacts to others comes with the upbringing and standards - not so much on where you live in particular. It might be as hard for anyone everywhere. So how does it affect me you may ask? In my experience tattooed women might be sexualised. Especially that a part of tattoo culture in fact is the influence of suicide girls. I’ve even experienced people who were using having tattoos as a pick up line. It's up to you what you like but we are finally living in times that there is more than your appearance. Yes, there are people inside of this culture who can be offensive and shallow - nothing new, eh? The thing is that especially being a woman, tattoos can serve as your weapon to fight. Fight for what you believe in. And that’s mainly the reason why I have mine. I believe in art. There is this mysterious power behind it. It remembers - like Berlin Wall during Cold War. It celebrates diversity like my favourite subtle one - Moonlight. It can provoke, inspire and what's best - you need no skill to derive from it. Art is absolutely everywhere. It depends on you how you see it and when - and I am living for that exact feeling.
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Thinking about tattoos, for me is an art itself. That kind of art that follows you everywhere. It moves with you, inspires others, and it ages with you. The most exciting thing: it can help you explore and express yourself if you feel the need to. The fact that tattoos are permanent excites me even more! It's rock and roll babe! Sometimes you shouldn't take your skin too seriously! It’s like a memory, the heat of the moment, and there you go - 2 hours later you have some extra ink under your skin. It connects me to my mortality. Hold on, let me explain... Even that fact that the process of tattooing is painful gives me that glimpse of reality and grounds me in me. Who are we to deflate someone else's expression? It’s a lovely celebration of diversity. There are many styles and even within a certain style the tattoo artist may choose to interpret the piece in their own way. So how to choose yours since it seems like there's an ocean of artists and styles? Do a consultation! Even if you already have tattoos! I trust that when you vibe with the person it’s a strikingly different experience. Make sure that you like the artist, feel comfortable and, the most crucial thing, that you feel seen by them. I hate seeing when, no matter in which craft, people are treating each other like strangers or just another “client”.
Ask about the placement. Please for the love of art, maybe think in advance if you would like to have a whole sleeve in the future, even if you don’t really have a specific plan yet. I have tattoos on my arm, I don’t regret them, the placement is just flawed. My all time favourite tip – feel comfortable! Wear shorts if you are getting a tattoo on your legs. Don’t ever take fancy clothes, believe me, no one cares. No white anywhere. That's a big no no. Even though tattoo studios are extra clean, there is blood and ink going on. You don’t want waste your best lingerie on that. ;) One of the most common questions I get: Do you regret any of them? The truth is… yup. There is a beauty in it though. I have been getting tattoos since I was 16. And even to my surprise I love my first tattoo to this day! I do regret my choices in selecting certain artists though. I remember not feeling comfortable or even judged sadly sometimes when you’re not visibly tattooed that feeling can happen. I only have one tattoo that I really don’t like anymore. And you know what? I already have an appointment to cover it. We all make mistakes and the best thing is that you can cover or remove your tattoos. In my opinion though, you should not imply that idea when you consider tattooing. Removal or cover up are an option, yes. But it does take time to be sure if you want to cover something. I consider it an another level for that tattoo, it’s not that I’m ashamed that I am no longer comfortable with it on my skin. I look at it as a transformation for it. We make mistakes and let our tattoos be a celebration of it. You can probably tell know that having my skin tattoed is a fun activity for me. It’s a tool that allows me to transform and bloom. It’s beautiful. But so are other things, trust me- you can find that feeling in many things, just search for it. Who knows maybe ink and needles are your thing as well. Have fun!
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