In India, citizens are facing horrific realities as hospitals become completely overwhelmed and supplies such as vaccines, oxygen, and beds are in high demand but very short supply during the country’s second wave of coronavirus. 

An outcry for help from many citizens can be seen across social media channels as they have nowhere else to turn. Last Thursday, India reported 314,835 new Covid-19 infections which is the highest daily increase in cases worldwide since the pandemic began.   

The outbreak has resulted in India’s cases alone comprising almost 28 percent of new cases worldwide in the previous week. India is also dealing with a new variant, resulting in a more overwhelming state for the country as scientists attempt to calculate the risks of the new variant. 

Why is this happening?

It’s obvious that actions (or lack thereof) taken by the government have massively contributed to India’s current state of emergency, but not alone. Wealthy western countries are hoarding supplies of the vaccine; less than two weeks ago Vox reported that the limitations to vaccine exportations that both the UK and the US put into place were seriously affecting India.  https://www.vox.com/2021/4/18/22390493/india-vaccine-shortage-export-ban-covid-19 

Rich countries with 14% of the world’s population have secured 53% of the best vaccines. Almost all of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines will go to rich countries. The Moderna vaccine will go to rich countries exclusively; it is not even being offered to the poor. In fact, nine out of 10 people in poor countries may never be vaccinated at all. – Fatima Bhutto for The Guardian

India’s vaccination rollout plan aimed to vaccinate 300 million by September 2021, yet a study by John Hopkins University Data found that only just over one percent have been given full doses. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/region/india

Whilst events being allowed to continue such as the BJP election rallies contributed to this rise in cases, exportation limitations put in place by the UK, US, and European Union have all been a factor in this with the UK holding enough vaccines to vaccinate its population five times over.

What can I do to help?

Social media is being used as an outpour of cries for help from citizens, many documenting the horrific realities they’re facing in regards to their friends and family members. But social media should not just be used for documenting the emergency state India is operating in, it can be used to help.

Use Your Platforms

Use your social media platforms to spread awareness of the current situation in India to alert your friends, family, and followers who may not keep up to date with the latest news. Just one person learning from your shared posts is enough.

Follow this through with talking to those around you about the situation, discuss, don’t ignore. This horrific situation and the role that western countries have played in it can lead to helpful discussions better informing your choices of who to support in upcoming elections.

Donate 

Give India is taking donations for specific reliefs, such as helping with oxygen supplies, donating food, and providing sanitary products.

Action Aid is taking donations to provide money to those seeking food and healthcare as well as organising vaccination camps that target smaller communities that could potentially be otherwise forgotten.

This Google Document contains a vast amount of links to help in many ways with the ongoing crisis.

Words By Megan Selway

The post India’s Humanitarian Crisis: What’s Happening and How You Can Help appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Only last month we republished an article on racism against East Asians since this pandemic started, a matter sweeping across nations, spouting hatred and stupidity. Within a month matters have grown exponentially, as attacks on Asian men and women have escalated in numbers and degree: yesterday, a gunman opened fire and killed 8 people in an anti-asian shooting in an Atlanta spa.

As the number of hate crimes rises, so does the number of protests and online posts fighting back, as the hashtag #StopAsianHate is spreading solidarity and awareness for the vicious mistreatment happening across Europe and North America, but much like the beginning of BLM activism last year, action has to be pushed to extend beyond a yellow square and an Instagram story share. So what can we do to help? 

Stop AAPI Hate is a GoFundMe page supporting the American Asian and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community fund aimed to support and protect the community in the face of this violence. The page also has links to funeral and medical bill fundraisers for the victims of this senseless attack in Atlanta yesterday.

ImReadyMovement.org is a site and movement that supports AAPI women in all social issues, from equality in the workplace as women to these Covid-related discriminations. A good source for information and a good site to support, share and donate to.

Especially in the UK, where racism and hate crimes seem to be so downplayed, it’s important to see this increase in anti-Asian attacks since the beginning of Covid and find ways to support and protect our own East and South East Asian (ESEA) communities. Here are petitions, fundraisers and support communities to share and contribute to, to make a change during this horrible time of malice and hostility.

CARG Against Covid Racism is a petition to the government calling for a declaration condemning the hate crimes against the British Chinese and East Asian heritage people of the UK.

@DearAsianYouthLondon is the UK chapter of worldwide community DearAsianYouth. Empowering British Asian communities, it’s a hotspot for support and information if you’re part of the British Asian community, or an ally.

Besea.n is a grassroots community organisation aiming to champion ESEA voices in the UK, working to support and inform about ESEA culture and issues and constantly providing the petitions and fundraisers for the community.

The #WeAreNotAVirus petition is standing up to the depiction of East and South East Asians in Covid-related media, something that triggered, and still perpetuates, this Covid-related hate crime on East Asian communities. It takes just a few seconds of signing to place these large publications at the centre of their responsibility.

Words By Daisy Greetham

The post #StopAsianHate: How To Get Support And Show Solidarity appeared first on Voir Fashion.

We have all been impacted by COVID-19. Our sense of normality is shattered, and our life likely no longer exists within its familiar contours. The impact of the pandemic has ricocheted to all corners and crevices of the globe. Subsequently, our mental health exists within new realms. Regardless of the pandemic our mental state naturally fluctuates, our emotions – worry, sadness, happiness, and anger – form the compass which navigates our days. A change in this, following COVID-19s outbreak, is completely normal: according to data from a study by Mental Health Foundation, this panic (generated by the Pandemic’s outbreak) was felt by one in five adults (22%), three in ten (30%) associating this directly to COVID-19. Furthermore, more than six in ten adults (62%) reported feeling anxious or worried.

However, beyond this psychological cause-and-effect development lies the question: is COVID-19 paranoia likely to become the next pandemic?

Paranoia is experienced by up to one-third of people in their life, in varying degrees. In the words of Dr. David Crepaz-Keay, FRSPH, from Mental Health Foundation, Paranoia is ‘the belief that you are being persecuted … a belief that harm will occur and that others intend this harm’. Although an essential trait of humanity – in fact, one that evolved as a survival beneficiary – when excessively present and/or controlling, Paranoia is disabling. The link between Paranoia and the outbreak of the Pandemic is that we are currently living in continuous caution, life is throwing reasons at us to be cautious and concerned.

As explained by Dr. David Crepaz-Keay, ‘the current pandemic has characteristics that make paranoia more likely’. Hand sanitizers are our new best friend, the mask is the new accessory, and what even is care-free socialising? As a result of COVID-19 our lifestyle changed; consequently, so too has our mental disposition.

But this is all relative. Paranoia is a scary, life-changing, and unfathomably difficult experience but a paranoia/fear surrounding safety and dying, an obsession with hygiene and protection is purely a by-product of the provisions we now follow. We are adapting to the times. It is important to remember that, for the most, we are rational beings. Our life has become unpredictably and uncomfortably dystopian, so it goes without saying that our helplessness will create concern. A study by the NatCen Social Research and U. of L, The Department of Health Sciences, found that statistically, paranoid thinking may affect nearly one in five of the UK population (18.6%) in a year, but fewer than one hundred (0.4%-0.7%) will receive a psychiatric diagnosis with paranoia as a symptom over the same time. In this light, our concerns regarding paranoia, the question of if it will become the next pandemic, seems irrational.

Do not panic, it is ok. There is a line between having rational emotional responses and fears and developing Paranoia. Slowly we are heading towards the light, the motors of the world (for the moment) are beginning to turn again and our wonderful minds are getting to grips with adapting to this new way of life. This is shown statistically too, a later study taken by Mental Health Foundation in late May revealing the number of people feeling anxious and panicked had decreased by 9%. Now is an extremely difficult time for everyone and although we may not all be in the same boat, we are certainly in the same storm. Sadly, there is no magic wand to fix this Pandemic, nor a crystal ball to predict the future, but perhaps this is not what we need or want. As a species, our way of coping is so deeply rooted in our way of thinking: to make the best of a situation, we first have to come to terms with it ourselves. Although easier said than done, we must try and search for light.

By no means are we underestimating or oversimplifying mental illness, and if you find yourself struggling more than you deem personally ‘normal’ or expected, it is advisable to seek help from a professional. But beyond this, if you find yourself worrying, if you feel overwhelmed by the vastness of your emotions: it is ok. Try to take a little bit of the pressure off yourself, give yourself some space to think and feel. Everything around us has taken a break, and so should you. There is still hope and freedom in the way you are feeling right now, and just because you don’t feel your normal self does not mean there is reason to worry.

Remember, we may be powerless in the pandemic’s development and its consequences, but we are not powerless in our reaction to it. There are a few things that you can do to help your mental health.

When we asked Dr. David Crepaz-Keay, FRSPH, this is what he said: ‘Start by looking after your sleep, make time to relax and build some exercise into your day. Keep up your social connections with friends and family (either face to face or by phone or online as appropriate). If you have serious concerns about your own mental health or that of someone you’re close to, talk to your GP or a respectable support line (more details of all of these can be found on the Mental Health Foundation’s dedicated coronavirus resource here. Finally, manage your social media intake and make sure you are getting your information from reliable sources’.

Remember, there is always help and guidance available. You are never alone.

Words by Hannah Emery

Image by @sarashakeel

The post How to Cope With Paranoid Thoughts During COVID, According to the Experts appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Lockdown 2.0 is here. Instead of panicking and starting to count the days why not make a list of all the movies and shows you haven’t had time to watch in these past months. Netflix is always there for us and this is the perfect time to take advantage of its wide array of shows, take a break from your remote routine and make your days a bit more entertaining without the necessity of going out.

Maybe you’re not in the mood to navigate its extensive list or watch shows based on its recommendations, which is why we’ve come up with a list of our own. A list with all our favourite latest shows, classic movies, awarded documentaries and much more. Check it out:

1. Ratched

Ratched, Netflix

Ryan Murphy’s latest series that’s got everyone’s attention. The story revolves around the infamous nurse Ratched interpreted by Sarah Paulson and taking inspiration from the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The medical villain was once again immortalized in the mediatic scene by Paulson’s acting and ‘Murphy-esque’ style. An intriguing watch and unpredictable story to add to your list.

2. Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes, Netflix

A fun and engaging spin to the usual Sherlock Holmes stories. Enola Holmes, interpreted by Millie Bobby Brown and directed by Harry Bradbeer, takes us on the journey of a strong and independent girl. A girl who’s willing to do anything to find her mother and prove herself not only to her brothers but the world.Daring, charming and witty are some of the characteristics that will make you love this character and get lost in her anecdotes and adventures.

3. American Murder: The Family Next Door

American Murder: The Family Next Door

The Netflix documentary tells the infuriating and heart-breaking story of the 2018 Watts family murders. It explores the disappearance of Shannan Watts and her children and everything that encompassed the after-math of this tragic event. With the use of social media posts, recordings, messages and even home videos it delves into the lives of the victims and role of the father and husband of the family. It’s worth a watch and will also helps us understand the superficiality of social media and how it can often make us create and believe in false realities…

4. Grand Army

Grand Army, Netflix

Based on the theatre play SLUT, the series created by Katie Cappiello is everything but your typical teenage drama. We live the story of five teenagers from the Grand Army High School and go through their reality of living and studying in Brooklyn in this modern era. Racism, prejudice, religion, inequality and privilege are just a few of the many topics you’ll hear about in the story of their chaotic world.

5. The Last Dance

The Last Dance, Netflix

A docuseries produced by ESPN that chronicles the career of Michael Jordan, considered the best basketball player in history. It focuses on the 1997/98 Chicago Bulls season, Michael Jordan’s last renown season in Chicago, as well as on Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and coach Phil Jackson, the four people behind the strength and fame of the Bulls in the 90s making it one of the strongest teams in the NBA history. NO, you don’t need to be a basketball aficionado in order to watch the series, we can assure you that anyone will enjoy learning about the path and challenges of one of the most acclaimed athletes in the world. So why not give it a try?

6. The Holiday

The Holiday, classic trailers

A classic light-hearted rom-com to brighten up the upcoming cold days. With the incredible cast of Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black and many more you can’t but add it to your must-watch list. It’s ideal to take your mind off the lockdown days that may feel lonely. It focuses on women’s struggles and the challenging interdependence of professional and personal lives. From failed love experiences to workaholic habits and the importance of taking some time off, perfect for this season don’t you think?

7. Chewing Gum

Chewing Gum, Netflix

The comedic story of Tracey, a young black woman living in London in order to accomplish her goals, and honestly, also escaping the reality of her highly religious Christian family. A hilarious and maybe controversial watch that will make you reflect on the different realities that surround us and the importance of following your own dreams. Cheesy, we know, but at times that’s exactly what we need.

8. ‘David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet’

‘David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet’ , Netflix

The acclaimed documentary has been said to be the most important one of the year according to Forbes, and we can’t help but agree. David Attenborough’s latest documentary collects testimonies of experts and helps us understand the fight we’re currently undertaking for our future, or at least the one we should undertake. It may seem discouraging at first, but it’s completely the opposite. It’s an encouraging lesson, through this project the 93 years old naturalist is trying to teach us something and help us re-evaluate our role in this plane through explaining his.

9. Mindhunter

Mindhunter, Netflix

The series is based in the 1970s and tells the story of two FBI agents in their mission to understand the human mind, but any mind, the one of serial killers in order to get through them in a manner that had never been considered before. It’s based on the begging of profiling and the many challenges along the way for the method to be recognised. The perfect series for a lover of psychology and mystery.

10. Explained

Explained, Netflix

A good alternative if you’re looking for something more informative yet entertaining. A docuseries with short episodes focusing on different topics relevant to our contemporary society, from the wealth gap to monogamy. With episodes ranging from 16 to 25 minutes each making it the perfect option for someone with a short attention span, or someone with a busy schedule that wants to take a break without taking their mind completely off ongoing social issues. And if you happen to watch it and love it, there are a few spin-offs that will entertain you just as much, such as The Mind Explained or Sex Explained.

Words by Chiara Ferrari

Graphics by Victoria Zhao

The post Let the Netflix Binge Begin: Series and Movies to Get You Through the Month appeared first on Voir Fashion.

How do you host Fashion Week during a pandemic? Milan was the first city to adapt. From 14th to 17th July 2020, the autumn/ winter shows moved online and brought a breath of fresh creativity to Italy – a much-needed boost after a severe and lengthy lockdown.

Some brands flourished despite the changed circumstances. Ermenegildo Zegna XXX combined a live show with pre-recorded segments, providing a perfect showcase for Alessandro Sartori’s designs. In unfamiliar times, versatility pays off; Business of Fashion praised the collection as “light, desirable and uncontrived, sartorially-savvy and progressive”.

New York will face a similar challenge in the next few days, as designers showcase their work across digital and physical platforms from 13th to 17th September 2020. Then (finally!) the excitement will come to London; Fashion Week will run – with some alterations – from 17th to 22nd September 2020.

It suddenly feels like a luxury to have such a high-profile, international event go ahead. The first months of the pandemic threw cold water over almost all the large-scale events which normally pepper spring and summer: the London Marathon was called off, the Chelsea Flower Show was snipped from the schedule, countless art fairs were cancelled.

But London Fashion Week is strutting ahead in style, displaying ranges of womenswear, menswear and accessories from over 80 designers. Like New York the week before, London will host events both digitally and in person, with the physical catwalks and exhibitions adapted to accommodate the government’s guidelines on social distancing.

LFW isn’t about aesthetic relief alone – it’s the flagship event for fashion businesses across the UK. In 2019, the British fashion industry contributed £35 billion to the UK economy, and the latest figures suggest it employs over 890,000 people. While the uneasiness of the current news cycle includes economic concerns, London Fashion Week represents a step towards countering the financial difficulties caused by a worldwide pandemic. Dress up to help out, anyone?

The exact arrangements for each event will vary according to the brand. Some famous labels – including Christopher Kane, ERDEM, and Victoria Beckham – will host across digital and physical platforms. Other brands will showcase exclusively online, and a small minority (three designers) will continue with physical events only.

Victoria Beckham AW2020/21 via FF Channel

Perhaps the most thrilling aspect of the new LFW schedule is its accessibility. Digital content can be viewed by anyone through www.londonfashionweek.co.uk. And even aside from the main events, there’s a range of content to dip into; the British Fashion Council’s podcast ‘Fashion Forum’ brings leading figures from the UK’s fashion industry together to chat about their careers and experiences. Recent guests include London-based photographer Campbell Addy in conversation with Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, the Fashion Director of Garage Magazine.

Much will be missed – not least the flashiness of a crowded front row, where celebrities literally rub shoulders with up-and-coming actors and glamorous muses. But now that crowds are a thing of the past, we can treasure the other elements of a Fashion Week: the colors, cuts, and creativity of new collections and fresh pieces.

Words by Jaleh Brazell

The post What To Expect from September 2020 London Fashion Week During A Global Pandemic appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Lockdown treated us all to endless days of going make-up free and a chance to focus on our skincare needs. If you’re not quite ready to jump back into the time-consuming full face glam, these looks will pair beautifully with a face-mask and a 10-minute ‘get ready’ window. Especially, in the sweltering heat, it’s all about the eyes. So, here’s a list of 5 takes on iconic eye looks to refresh your post-lockdown make-up routine and to keep that creativity blossoming.

The Marilyn Wing

Marilyn’s iconic image is, of course, her red lipstick – but her classic winged liner is nothing to be underestimated. Her make-up artist, Allan “Whitey” Snyder, used Vaseline on her eyelids for a dewy effect, and to make her eyeshadow appear more pigmented. This created the perfect base for a thick swoop of liner and a half strip of lashes on her outer corners. Our retake of this is a bit simpler: keeping that classic winged liner, and the rest of the lid bare – bar some Vaseline for some extra shine if you wanted!

A Wash of Colour

Our next iconic look is as simple as it sounds – take a colour and sweep it evenly over the lid. For a more intense effect, you can choose a liquid eyeshadow, or use an eye primer. From a rosy glow to an intense matte copper wash – this look will only take moments to achieve but gives you an effortless look all day.

The Neutral Flick

For a softer take on the winged liner – swap out your black liquid liner for a neutral alternative. This can be achieved with an eyeliner – liquid, gel or pencil, a liquid eyeshadow, or even a liquid lipstick – just pop a bit on a brush and sweep out your wing. Elongating your lash line without any harsh tones, this is beautiful for a natural, glowing look – night or day!

Pop of Colour

For those days when you are truly pushed for time but don’t want to compromise on style – pop some colour into your inner corners. No brush necessary – just take some eyeshadow, matte or shimmery, on your finger and dab it into your inner corners. This will really make your eyes pop while staying subtle enough for every day – it’s only a small amount so you have the freedom to play around with different colours.

Colourful Eyeliner

Colourful eyeliner often falls to the bottom of make-up bags – but on top of a bare lid, a quick sweep across the lash line can add a playful edge to your look. Keeping it simple with the rest of the eye allows the focus to fall on the colour of the eyeliner – giving you the perfect opportunity to match it to your outfit – or your mask.

Words by Allegra Campbell Boreham

Graphics by Georgia Walters

The post Masks Have Reshaped the Face of Make-Up: Here are 5 Iconic Eye Looks to Keep Inspiration Flowing appeared first on Voir Fashion.

As we all know the ongoing pandemic has drastically changed our everyday lives. And although it seems we are taking slow steps down the path to normality one of the biggest industries to be affected by this is the music industry.

We don’t think anyone could envisage a situation where there would be a ban on all live shows. Gigs and festivals offer such a unique and memorable experience and often are what we’re all looking forward to throughout the year. On the other hand, for artists, this is arguably the worst possible scenario and one that none of them were ready for. Live Nation, who were one of the first organisations to postpone all of their gigs, have stated they hope to resume concerts at “full scale” in the third and fourth quarter of 2021. Which will be a torturous wait for any musician.

With all concerts and festivals being canceled for the foreseeable future it’s beginning to take a toll on the up-coming artists over the world who rely on touring meticulously to make most of their money. Independent artists who don’t have the machine of a major label behind them are starting to struggle, this pandemic could throw away huge amounts of potential due to the fact that without touring it’s difficult for artists to stay financially afloat. Given that The Music Industry Investigative report revealed that just 17% of musicians said that they were not always able to pay their bills every month even before COVID-19, it’s quite startling to think about what those numbers maybe today.

Live Nation, who were one of the first organisations to postpone all of their gigs, have stated they hope to resume concerts at “full scale” in the third and fourth quarter of 2021. Which will be a torturous wait for any musician.

The one thing artists have been able to do more of is make music. With this excess of time on their hands, there has been a surge of users on music distribution services such as TuneCore and United Masters uploading music at a never before seen rate. It may seem obvious but the best thing an up-coming artist can do right now is to keep on releasing music, and try to reach as big of an audience as possible while they have the time to do so.

Looking on the bright side, many independent artists tried to make the most of the circumstances and began doing live performances via streaming. Although it’s not the colossal moneymaker that is live touring, it’s given artists a great way to interact with their fan bases without having to be directly in front of them. It’s clear that the smaller artists using this tool are really trying to keep a strong connection with their fanbase and cultivate it even further which in turn will hopefully support them during these unprecedented times.

Luckily, there are still ways to support your favourite artists in these dire times, one of the best ways to help out is buying their merch. Many artists who had tours planned will have made huge orders on tour merch which they would have expected to sell at their upcoming shows. However, due to their cancellation, they are now stuck with endless amounts of merch and a huge financial loss. Buying a t-shirt from an artist you love could go a long way in ensuring they continue to make music and remain in a financially stable situation to do so.

Although it would be understandable for any musician to take a break right now in favour of financial stability, equally we have every hope that emerging artists will bounce back and be able to show their talents in the flesh, as we slowly return to normality.

Words by Chris Saunders

Graphics by Georgia Walters

The post How the Pandemic is Affecting Emerging Musicians appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Over the last few months, the unexpected introduction of loungewear into our wardrobes has made it the ultimate staple this season. Despite Covid-19 putting a pause button on us attending the Autumn/Winter 2020 shows, we surely didn’t miss out and still got our digital dose of creativity and culture. All to get a feel for this season’s latest collections, even if it was from the comfort of our own sofas.

With designers stepping out of Corona blues and inspiring us with collections that aren’t inspired by tracksuit sets and baggy jumpers, Fashion Week motivated us to get creative and hopeful with our post-lockdown looks for next season. So, here are our favourite trends from this season to inject a bit of fun and innovation into your wardrobe.

Suit Sets

For the past few seasons, suits have dominated the runway. They give off a girl boss ambience, making them chic and sophisticated. Burberry brought back waistcoats and used multiple checked patterns to bring dimension to the look. However, Stella McCartney created blazers with asymmetric detail. Having a block-coloured suit and adding a twist can help bring out a whole new side to the look. Wearing a three-piece suit can really make you stand out from a crowd and mixing patterns alongside that can make it a look to remember.

Statements Sleeves

Puffy sleeves can be a daring yet, elegant look for both day and night. Emilia Wickstead and Alexander McQueen are just two of the many designers that brought back puffy sleeves for Autumn/Winter 2020. Combining puffy sleeves with different materials and patterns can help elevate an outfit as well bringing drama to the look. The sleeves have been a cult item to own since Spring/Summer 2019 and have been a staple ever since. The trend can coincide with a satin skirt or any bottoms that are fitted close to the body to really bring out the puffiness of the sleeve.

Ruffles

When done wrong, ruffles can look old fashioned and can swallow you up. However, this year, ruffles have made a come-back with the likes of Erdem, Edeline Lee and Roksanda. Erdem used ruffles on a subtle print to intensify a look, whilst Roksanda layered the ruffles and used the detail on block colours for emphasis and exaggeration. In order to get more creative with your style, pair a dramatic ruffled piece with more subdued accessory to make them pop.

Checked Print

Check has conquered the runway this season with designers from Burberry to Victoria Beckham adopting the print for their Autumn/Winter 2020 shows. Stella McCartney incorporated check in to their oversized coats and co-ordinated knitwear and used darker tones such as blacks, navy blue and red for the colder season. On the other hand, Victoria Beckham used a mixture of cool and warm tones as a contrast for her looks. Check is a staple print to use in Autumn/Winter and having a good quality piece that can be styled in different ways can really enhance your look.

Stripes

The Spring/Summer 2020 runway was all about stripes so, there is no surprise they made a comeback this season. Exchanging pretty pastels for varsity stripes, Burberry has nailed the Harry Potter look coming up next season. Henry Holland’s S/S20 collection had a mixture of strong, theatrical and intense stripes which was adopted by Burberry however, with a more colourful and back to school style. Pairing a striped dress with patterned/lace tights can really amplify a look.

Leather

Leather is a staple material everyone should have in their wardrobe. From jackets to trousers, it has been a recurring trend that will never go out of style. Alexander McQueen used a lot of leather in the upcoming season. Using leather with a mixture of lace to create a delicate look and mixing black leather with red and purple to create drama. Mixing materials can elevate a look and make it seem new, fresh, and interesting. Mithridate used leather in a lot of pieces this season, using neutral tones such as browns and pale pinks to look more effortless.

Words by Manisha Sodera

Graphics by Latisha Fleckenstien

The post London Fashion Week Trends That Have Inspired Us To Get Creative appeared first on Voir Fashion.

For many, Glastonbury is the event of the year- music, fun, and a lifetime of memories all in one weekend. As the Glastonbury period is upon us, festivalgoers are in mourning of what could’ve been. Due to Covid-19, festivals across the world have been cancelled or postponed, and each new end brings people contemplating what this year could have been like.

In lieu is this, the organisers have put together a campaign on Twitter- people are pitching their own tents in their backyard, pouring drinks, and even setting up their own pyramid stages. The hashtag is full of people trying their best to celebrate Glastonbury and the amazing weather we had last week!

Sadly, the cancellation also means that Glastonbury was unable to celebrate their 50th birthday. Organisers have promised us that 2021 will bring two line-ups in one, in order to ensure that the 50th celebration can still go ahead.

Fortunately, the organisers haven’t completely left their fans starved of content. Since Thursday, Glastonbury have been streaming past sets on BBC iPlayer. From Coldplay to Lewis Capaldi, people are reliving the best moments of the past 50 years. BBC have even made a separate webpage featuring these videos, and people are loving them. While it can’t compare to what it’s like to be there in the flesh, the fans are embracing this chance to still celebrate and have fun. These shows are still available online, giving fans a month to relive these memories.

However, the cancellation hasn’t stopped the organisers from the philanthropic work they do every year. Anyone who goes to the festival knows that there’s a heavy influence of charity during the event. Charities like Shelter play a large part of the weekend. In lieu of that, Glastonbury is selling limited edition prints of Bruce Springsteen’s legendary 2009 performance at the Pyramid stage. Each print will be hand-signed by Jill Furmanovsky- a highly respected and beloved photographer in the music and art industry, who has photographed the likes of Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, and more. Announcing the sale on Twitter, they mention that all profits will go to Oxfam, Greenpeace, and WaterAid. The prints are available online.

While we know that the festivals are cancelled for the safety of the people, it’s hard to not feel sad about what will be missed. But, seeing people on social media make the best with what they have is inspiring. And we can’t wait to see what Glastonbury has in store for us next year!

Words by Abigail Forrest

Graphics by Georgia Walters

The post Glasto Cancelled? Well Not Fully appeared first on Voir Fashion.

So that is day one complete of the first-ever digital London Fashion Week and it’s fair to say we have been amazed. Yes, the catwalk has gone, (COVID-19, we’re looking at you) but it did not stop the LFW festivities. Well, put it like this, to say we were spoilt rotten is an understatement!

Well, here you have it. A round-up on all the events, coming to you straight from the comfort of your sofa. Earlier in the year, the British Fashion Council announced that its biannual London Fashion Week Men’s would make history by becoming a digital-only and gender-neutral mix of both men’s and women’s wear.

Today we experienced a jam-packed day of all kinds of multi-media content including virtual showrooms, interviews, mini-films and podcasts to bring the fashion, culture and technology worlds together. Giving the chance for designers to share their experiences and thoughts over the last few months. James Massiah: Clio Corset To kick things off James Massiah, spoken word artist, opened up LFW with a poem to reminisce on the manic few months we’ve all been through and to get us excited for the future. “Looking forward to a lot of things when this thing is done. Bless those that I know I won’t see in the summer sun”, he said. In the two-minute poem he also made reference to the current BLM protests in response to the death of George Floyd in saying “Couple statutes in the sea, and then some statutes they got wrong and when that’s all said and done, let’s throw a party or two.” If one thing is for sure, he gave us a boost of optimism for romance, partying and hope for the rest of the year to come. What a way to kick off the show. Check out the full video Nicholas Daley: ‘The Abstract Truth Film’Showing off his Fall 2020 Menswear, Nicolas Daley really has a knack for leaving you speechless. And boy he did just that. His real panache for fashion combined with his taste in music gave us a live performance to kick start the show with three young musicians- Rago Foot, Kwake Bass and Wu-Lu- experimenting with jazz with psychedelic rock. The energy was second to none. Daley’s collection took inspiration from the 1970s, black abstract art movement and Afrofuturism with a line featuring kaki kimonos, layered tartan jackets and 70’s shades. We really didn’t know where to look but were quite amazed. Check out our favourite pieces from the collection here Lou Dalton English menswear fashion designer, Lou Dalton was joined on a Zoom chat by Gordon Richardson (designer and co-founder of LFW Men’s), Stewart Williamson (stylist of Lou Dalton) and Mark Neville (photographer) to discuss her latest collection and her lockdown motivations.

Lou’s LMFW AW202 collection is summed up by her as “quiet noise”. Her clothing is described as contemporary yet timeless. The simplicity to her designs are eye-catching but versatile to wear as experiments with layers, tweedy jackets double-faced wool and checked patterns. Now that’s officially stepping into Autumn. Check out the collection here Ahluwalia ‘Jalebi’ Moving swiftly on, we were taken to ‘Jalebi’, Priya Ahluwalia’s 3D VR photography exhibition and name of the designer’s latest book. For AW20, Priya designed a 360-degree exhibition, photographed by Laurence Ellis, which explored what it’s like to be a young, mixed heritage person living in Britain in 1965. It allowed us to see through Ahluwalia’s eyes to understand her experiences of visiting Southall, Britain’s first Punjabi community. See some of our favourite pieces from the exhibition hereWhy Are We Compelled to Create? We don’t want to give anything away. But we were absolutely inspired listening to the voices of designers and creators talk about what London Fashion Week means to them. With designer Matteo Bigliardi simply and rightly putting it: “it’s all about freedom of expression, and freedom to create.” They also spoke up to share how they’re making their mark on the world; whether that be supporting efforts in sustainability, refugees or diversity. This event really was a much-needed breath of fresh air and optimism. Take a listen for yourself University of Westminster 2020 MA Menswear For this LFW this year’s graduates ‘show an eclectic mix of influences and approaches to the discipline of menswear.’ The pieces channelled everything from spacesuit vibes to full-on glitz and glamour to detailed and colourful patchworking. They really explored different dynamics of menswear fashion and we were not left disappointed. A real exciting sight for the eyes. Check out our favourite pieces from their collection here Robyn Lynch supported by Rapha We all got a little bit emotional watching Robyn Lynch’s ‘time capsule’ home movie, which documents how life has changed since the COVID-19 lockdown, definitely something to show your grandchildren. “As a nation, our physical health has been attacked, our mental health eroded, our economy battered, and our society put to the ultimate test.” She recognised the struggle but was very quick to acknowledge the good in how times like these can be used to our advantage. The short film documents the making of her latest 7 look collection. Head to Lynch’s website to check out the collection. DANIEL w. FLETCHERWe joined in with an Instagram live with fashion designer and Menswear Artistic Director for Fiorucci, Daniel Fletcher who spoke to British Vogues Miss Vogue Editor Naomi Pike about his new AW20 collection and what’s up next for him in fashion. In his latest collection, Fletcher really came through with the pastels, panelling, clean tailoring and a lot of flares. You really think fashion-forward with this collection and we are all for it. Take a look and shop the collection here. Chalayan Cyprus born fashion designer Hussein Chalayan is best known for his uses of film, installations, dance and forms. But his latest collection featured a mix of quilt, monochrome and simplistic printed pieces. The collection still featured classic Chalayan signature looks including strapping and heavy shouldered coats and jackets. He really experimented with block colours and contrasts. Certainly a bold collection. Here are some of our favourite looks. And the day doesn’t end there. Upcoming we’ve got conversations with Fashion Director Bruce Pask, a chat with gentleman blogger and creative consultant Matthew Zorpas and ending the day in a discussion with ICEBERG and River Island. It’s been a lot of fun but not to worry. There are still two more fashion packed days of conversations with designers and collection releases to come. Words Clare Stephenson

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