Mind, is a mental health charity, providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Their mission is to offer support and respect to everyone experiencing mental health problems. The organisation also has an online mental health community Elefriends. A safe space where anyone aged 18 and over with experience of a mental health problem can share their story, connect with others, access Mind’s more extensive information, resources and give support in return. Find out more at mind.org.uk/community.

Voir has spoken to Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind, to shed some light on the situation and how we can cope with life after the lockdown.

We spoke to Stephen on the cause of rise in stress and anxiety in returning to the workplace, and how to remedy this. He acknowledges that ‘change and uncertainty are difficult for most of us to deal especially now when we don’t know what the future looks like. He continues to state that “The coronavirus outbreak will have a long-term impact on our economy – we’re likely to see another recession as the nation attempts to get back on its feet. We know there is a strong link between issues like debt, unemployment and poor housing to poor mental health. So, it stands to reason that factors like job insecurity, unemployment, low paid work and redundancy could have a knock-on impact on mental health.” Stephen also emphasises on the efforts of the organisation to campaign on issues like housing and benefits as these kinds of factors, disproportionately affect people who have existing mental health problems.

If you’re really feeling stressed, Stephen recommends many yoga and meditation. You can find many yoga and meditation classes centred on anxiety and stress online and look to incorporate these practices in your daily life. Here are a couple of YouTube videos of meditation and yoga to ease anxiety and stress.

Meditation for Anxiety by Yoga With Adriene

Meditation for Inner Peace by Yoga With Adriene

The best way to keep your anxiety in check according to Stephen, especially regarding this crisis is to stay well informed. Seek only reliable information and not rumours to keep you updated. Also, avoid dwelling on the issue his advice is that we should take a break from it and only check when necessary.

Another trick that helps is to focus on the positive What has been beneficial for you during this lockdown. Have you finally watched that Netflix show you didn’t have time for? if you haven’t here is Voir’s top picks of Netflix shows to watch. What about that book you have always wanted to read?

Voir’s Recommends;

1). https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/a-netflix-guide-to-quarantine-chill

2). https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/8-books-to-read-before-watching-the-movie-version

Also, focus on what you look forward to once we are outside, be it dinners at restaurants, the hair appointment you plan to make as soon as they will let you or even getting to see your friends in person and not through a screen.

Feeling worried is normal from time to time, but if it starts to impact your day-to-day life, Mind encourages you to speak to someone you trust and contact your GP (many can do a consultation over the phone or by video).

You can also head to these pages on the Mind website for more information:

1). www.mind.org.uk/coronavirus

2). www.mind.org.uk/stress

3). www.mind.org.uk/anxiety

Mind has confidential information and support line:

• Mind Infoline- 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am – 6pm, Monday – Friday)

• Contact Mind’s Media Team for interviews or further information on 0208 522 1743.

• For out of hours support, call 07850 788 514 or email media@mind.org.uk.

We need your help to support people with mental health problems right now. To donate to Mind’s emergency appeal, visit www.mind.org.uk/donate

To access a range of free images to accompany mental health news stories, visit:

time-to-change.org.uk/getthepicture

These images have been developed by Time to Change, a campaign to change how we all think and act about mental health problems. Time to Change is led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund.

Words by Camila Karalyte

Graphics by Georgia Walters

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The post Avoiding The Lows Of Life After Lockdown According To The Professionals appeared first on Voir Fashion.

It’s safe to say Covid-19 has been the ultimate cock block. Thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who had *just* met someone before this lockdown was announced, hope you guys are holding up. But whilst this global pandemic has caused us to put away that Friday night date dress and reach for WhatsApp, there are still plenty of ways to have successful dates and the best part? It won’t cost you £10 a cocktail. Read on to find out how you can make the best out of a bad situation, and still keep that spark alive…

Disclaimer: wearing a nice top, on-point make-up and date-worthy hair whilst sporting some joggers is something we 100% approve of and encourage, comfort is key.

1. Truth Or Dare

Keep it as tame or as risqué as you want, this is a great one for those early days of a new fling where you’re still feeling each other out…not literally, unfortunately. Want to know how tidy they are? Dare them to show you their sock drawer, always a good indicator. Want to know when their last relationship was without looking too keen? Ask them in the form of a Truth, hey, it’s all good fun and you’ll know sooner rather than later whether it’s worth pursuing PL (post lockdown).

2. Couples Cooking

Sharing culinary similarities is always a plus in any relationship. Decide on a basic recipe for you to both follow, use your one outing of the day to get the ingredients, crack open a bottle of vino and voila! You have a romantic evening for two sorted. Maybe even push the boat out and light some candles, ambience is key, even if you are hundreds of miles away from each other.

3. Movie Marathon

The eyes may be the window to the soul but we think films are a good substitute. Take it in turns to pick a genre or theme and then decide between the two of you which film to watch, even though it’s Netflix without the Chill it’s still a good idea for a chilled evening. Heads up though, if their first suggestion is Shutter Island maybe bow out unless that’s your thing, we don’t judge.

4. Sweat It Out

Normally the last place we’d want our date to see us is post HIIT class looking like a wheezing, asthmatic tomato but in the comfort of your own home, you can do a fun workout together with minimal embarrassment. Just make sure you place your phone at your best angle and hit the workout. You’ll both be sweaty messes at the end and there will be no need to worry about that post-workout look.

5. Play an Online Game

If you’re like us you’re low-key obsessed with Animal Crossing, so why not join up and catch some fish together before getting shouted at by Tom Nook? Or if that’s not your style, download the Houseparty app and play Heads Up or Pictionary for some light-hearted entertainment. Not everything has to be super romantic.

Words by Grace Dembowicz

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The post 5 Virtual Date Ideas for You to Try This Lockdown appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Fashion always has been, and always will be, a mirror of the world we live in.

Fast forward five weeks and two days since what we now know as ‘COVID-19’ was first reported from Wuhan as ‘a pneumonia of an unknown cause’, to China’s office of the World Health Organisation. It’s February 6th and fashion month begins as it normally does; with the creme de la creme of New York’s fashion scene kicking it off.

As the future of our 2020 Autumn/Winter wardrobes sashays down the catwalk, 7,140 miles away, Wuhan and the other cities in the Hubei province of China have been on lockdown for 2 weeks in an emergency effort by the Chinese authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 – the death toll in China has risen to 563, with more than 28,000 cases confirmed.

Lack of knowledge about the virus keeps the majority of the rest of the world’s population happily sedated from the impending panic. The word ‘Coronavirus’ to most of us is merely another distant problem across the world that we spare an empathetic thought to should we hear something about it – but are reassured by medical professionals on the news that ‘this is nothing for us to worry about’.

It is now the 14th of February and, on the surface, London Fashion Week follows suit and goes ahead as usual. However, as COVID-19 rapidly spreads from China to Thailand… to Japan… to South Korea… to the US… to Europe, it’s now inescapable impact becomes visibly noticeable with the sanitisation of the benches and rooms after every show and the face masks being worn by those in attendance being dubbed ‘fashion week’s must-have accessory’.

By the time Fashion Week reaches Milan on the 18th of February, followed by Paris on the 24th, COVID-19 has proven that it isn’t about to ‘blow over’ any time soon. The fashion industry reflects the wave of uncertainty, fear and confusion beyond the runway that, with this virus, began in China and has now spread right across the globe. The majority of the designers take a ‘the show must go on’ approach – typical to fashion – whereas other designers take a more vigilant approach.

Giorgio Armani cancels his public runway show in Milan and opts for an ‘isolated’ catwalk show. The eerie empty theatre setting without press or buyers was not a creative vision conducted in the name of art; but a considered safety precaution.

Following the final day of Milan’s fashion week dissolving into its country’s lockdown, the sobering reality had firmly set in. In Paris, masks are no longer the (almost) novelty fashion accessory they had been at the previous fashion weeks – but are now being handed out upon arrival at shows such as Dries Van Noten and Paco Rabanne. Five Chinese brands; Shiatzy Chen, Masha Ma, Uma Wang, Calvin Luo and Maison Mai cancelled their shows, as well as the French brand Agnes B’s cancelled their shows. LVMH, the luxury powerhouse that fathers the fashion houses of Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Dior, Celine and Fendi cancelled its prestigious ‘LVMH Prize’ cocktail event.

COVID-19 had started to break down the well-oiled, resilient machine that is the fashion industry.

The new trend: Survival

The Chinese market makes up 1/3 of the luxury fashion market. With an unsurprising decline in current demand for luxury goods, stores, showrooms and factories have gone from being the beating heart of fashion to being shut for the foreseeable future and ‘Cruise’ or ‘Resort’ season being cancelled – the fashion industry as we know it has ground to a hauntingly abrupt halt.

However; only as we know it.

American designers such as Christian Siriano, Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss, Rachel Comey, and Canadian designer Dov Charney have offered their studios and sewing teams in full force to make face masks due to the shortage.

LVMH’s factories that up until now have churned out luxury perfumes and cosmetics are now going to produce free sanitising gel for hospitals and authorities in France.

The British Fashion Council has called ‘all designers with production capacity’ to get in contact with the British government so they can begin the production of essential products.

The factories of Inditex – the world’s biggest fashion retailer and owner of High Street giants such as Zara and Bershka – have been made available to the Spanish government to create and donate surgical masks for medical workers and patients. Meanwhile, its textile manufacturing capacity has been handed over to the production of health materials.

Millions have been donated by Kering, the owner of the likes of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander Mcqueen, to China and Italy. Their efforts continue with the donation of their Balenciaga and Saint Laurent workshops to begin to manufacture masks.

Italy’s fashion elite; Donatella Versace, Prada, Armani, Sergio Rossi and Moncler have all made huge donations to scientific research and hospitals across the country.

The fashion industry has rapidly adapted itself; going from being a luxury to one that is necessary for the survival of the human race. Despite each individual part of the billion-dollar industry taking a more than severe hit, designers and fashion houses have repurposed themselves in our war against our invisible enemy.

Not so vapid after all

In the relatively short period of time between December 31st and today, the feeling of self-importance that is pre-disposed in human nature has swiftly evaporated. COVID-19 has forced humankind into survival mode, leaving the majority of the world’s population feeling helpless and hopeless.

With every individual and every industry trying to do their bit in this unprecedented war, the fashion industry has re-defined its purpose and its worth.

For an industry that is adored by many, yet to its critics could be seen as shallow and heavily based on face-value, the fashion industry as a collective has proved that – underneath the thick skin of glamour – at its core is a warm heart of human empathy and tenacity.

Like the rest of the world, the fashion industry has shown its determination and ability to adapt for survival, not just for itself, but for humankind. In these times of uncertainty, where the future of the world as we know it, let alone the fashion industry, is uncertain, one thing is definite; the show must and will eventually go on. We will not give up.

Your NHS needs you. https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS

Words by Ella Winfield

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post The Pandemic That Changed the Face of Fashion appeared first on Voir Fashion.

With everyone inside it is a perfect time to not grab some popcorn, Netflix and chill, or so we thought, but with not even that distract us maybe it’s finally time to finish that one series you never get to or finally make use of your Netflix subscription. Here is Voir’s complied list of TV shows that can entertain you, separated by time investment of each TV show. Sit back and enjoy this Netflix and chill (It takes less energy)

Love Is Blind

This show has taken Netflix by storm. The show hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey is designed to test the theory is that love is blind. The show brings single people looking for love and tests them to fall in love and get engaged without seeing each other. After the engagement, the couples are sent into the real world to see if their love survives. This show is premium guilty pleasure material with only one season out the time investment of this show is less than a week

Queer Eye

Netflix queer eye is a spin-off show of a television series called Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that was originally about a team of gay professionals in fields performing makeovers on straight men. Now, the show Makes over people of all genders and backgrounds. Unlike other makeover shows the makeover covers a person’s entire lifestyle from fashion, food grooming to their surroundings. This show will have you laughing and crying with 4 seasons the time investment of this show is 4 weeks.

Next In Fashion

Next in fashion is a fashion design competition hosted by Tan France and Alexa Chung the show is based around eighteen designers competing for $250,000 cash price and an opportunity to debut their collection with Net-a-Porter. The show similar to project runway but with a social media feel, a soundtrack that slaps and awesome runway reveals with only one season out the time investment is less than a week.

YOU

If you haven’t watched this show by know we honestly don’t know what you have been up to luckily there is no time like the present. YOU the show we hate to love was one of the highest-rated shows on Netflix with only 2 seasons out the showtime investment is 1 week but realistically you will binge-watch this show in half the time.

Good Girls

Good girls a tale of single mums fed up of the struggle who turn into criminals. This show will keep you at the edge of your seat as you watch the women jump through hurdles and push their boundaries. With 2 seasons available on Netflix the time investment of this show is 1 week.

Elite

Elite is a Spanish teen drama show about teens in a luxury school. The best way to describe this show is, think gossip girl but with murder. This show has tackle teen identity and is perfect for a good binge-watch so grab your snacks and be prepared to invest 1 week into the 3 seasons of Elite.

Money Heist

Although there is nothing like the perfect crime money heist comes close. The Spanish tv show centred around a bank robbery orchestrated in Spain the show will have you glued to your screen as you anticipate what the professor will do next with 3 seasons out the time investment of this show is 1 week. Trust.

The Crown

The life of the royals has always been fascinating. The ups and downs of the royal family like you have never seen them before. The crown tells the story of Queen Elizabeth the II. The show has 3 seasons, so the time investment is 3 weeks realistically 2 weeks it’s that good.

Stranger Things

Stranger Things is an American science fiction, drama-horror web television series created by the Duffer Brothers and released on Netflix. … The Duffer Brothers developed the series as a mix of investigative drama alongside supernatural elements portrayed with horror, science fiction and childlike sensibilities.

Jane The Virgin

Jane the virgin is a satirical tv series about a girl named Jane who happens to be a virgin who gets accidentally inseminated. The show is set to the theme of a telenovela and often mocks the genre cliché characters and crazy plots. Besides the impossible storyline, this show is guaranteed to keep you interested with 5 seasons and time investment of 4 weeks.

Words by Precious Njoki

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post A Netflix Guide to ‘Quarantine & Chill’ appeared first on Voir Fashion.