PARLONSULIP Student Magazine

Issue 2- January 2020

CONTENTS

Fast fashion

EDitor’s Letter Editorial Team 10

4 5

the generalelection

6Street art

in Paris

12

recette du mois

18la vie

urbaine

16new year’s resolutions

22

Alumni interview

29

personal style

24

Refreshersdate

guess the ulip baby

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30

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Editorial TeamEditor-in-Chief

Sasha Hampshire

Deputy Editor Nadia Cusack

Creative DirectorEllie Agar-Brennan

PhotographyChloe Limitsios Chloe HeatherHarry Garlick

Phoebe BlythinSasha Hampshire

Abbie Oliver

IllustrationsJen Digman

Ellie Agar-Brennan

ContributorsAbby Doherty

Beatrice KessedjianAlyx BearmanEmma JordanFran CullaneySonia Yazidi

Editor’s letterHappy New Year ULIP!

I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas break, have rested well and are looking forward to the upcoming semester. It’s a new year, a new decade, and plenty more exciting opportunities, events around Paris and at ULIP – flip over to the back cover of this issue for the details of the refreshers events happen-ing this month.

The theme of this issue is ‘Urban Life’, chosen to celebrate diversity and showcase the people, places and communities in Paris. Head to page 12 to discover the best spots for street art in the city.

The new year equally reminds us of our current political, so-cial and environmental unrest. In the aftermath of the general election, Sonia’s opinion article (page 10) questions how we got to where we are. Whereas, the piece on fast fashion (page 6) looks to our future and the urgent need for sustainability.

This year, I’m aiming to work hard on my studies, make the most of the time I have left in Paris and take up as many op-portunities and experiences as I can. We’re halfway through the academic year, keep that motivation going. Whatever your goals are for this year, let’s make it a good one!

All the best,Sasha Hampshire

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how to avoid fast fashion in Paris

Investopedia defines “fast fashion” as “a term used by fashion retailers to describe inexpensive designs that move quickly from the catwalk to stores to meet new trends. As

a result of this trend, the tradition of introducing new fashion lines on a seasonal basis is being challenged. Today, it is not uncommon for fast-fashion retailers to introduce new products multiple times in a single week to stay on-trend”. Previously, fashion was something that was reserved for the elite and followed the four seasons in which designers had to work many months ahead to prepare for each season (The Good Trade, 2019). However, an increasingly globalised world is not satisfied with the inconvenience of the slow-paced fashion industry. Although the fashion climate picked up the pace in the 1960s, it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that companies adopted a “produce fast and cheap” method. While this meant that you could buy +the latest trends from your favourite high-street stores, it also meant that the environment was taking a huge hit and human rights violations were happening across the globe to keep up with the demand.

The Environmental Impacts

1. 1. It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. That’s enough for one person to drink eight cups per day for three-and-a-half years.

2. 2. It takes about 2,000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans.That’s more than enough for one person to drink eight cups per day for 10 years

3. 3. For example, in Uzbekistan, cotton farming used so much water from the Aral Sea that it dried up after 50 years. The Aral Sea was once one of the world’s four largest lakes and it is now no more than a desert with a few small ponds

And that’s just using cotton.

The Human Cost

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“It is ironic that in our increasingly interconnected world, it has become so easy to disconnect from the people who pay the price for

our luxuries”

According to Vox, apparel and footwear production accounts for 8.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions or as much as the total climate impact of the entire European Union. Due to companies like Zara producing around 840 million garments every year for its 6,000 stores worldwide, rivers in China, India and Bangladesh are destroyed by wastewater from factories; infecting them with cancer-causing chemicals (Vox, 2019). Additionally, Business Insider has outlined a few hard-hitting facts that may change the way you think about how clothing is produced:

When asked by Vox: “How did we, as a civilisation, become so inured to these levels of destruction?”, journalist and author of Fashionopolis:

The Prices of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, Dana Thomas, responded: “Because it all went offshore, so it’s not in our face… We don’t see the landfills, we don’t see where all those clothes that we donate go, we don’t see the poor people and how miserable they are in the places where they’re sewing these clothes”. It is ironic that in our increasingly interconnected world, it has become so easy to disconnect from the people who pay the price for our luxuries. Consumerism has meant that the desire to have everything that we don’t need means that, in the global North, we can have an affordable version of the top Louis Vuitton just showcased at Paris Fashion Week last Monday in our nearest H&M store on Friday, at the same time a factory worker in Bangladesh sits down to start a 12-hour shift. According to the director of FEMNET, an NGO that works for women’s rights in the garment industry in

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Asia, female workers are sexually harassed and need to work overtime due to the wage being so low (about 60-85 euros a month). With the exception of Pakistan, about 80% of the clothing workforce are women because “they are seen as docile and […] might not be able to go to trade union meeting because they have so much to do”. War On Want reported in 2010 that workers at some factories in Bangladesh worked up to 140 hours of overtime each month and 60% of workers were unable to meet production targets – in one factory the target for each worker was to produce 20 shirts every hour. This is what we don’t see.

How to Avoid Fast fashion in Paris

yourself these 3 questions: include Espace Kiliwatch (Réaumur), Fanny Miami (Porte de Clingnancourt), Episode (Réaumur).

If you want to donate old clothes, check out the best places to do it here:

Written by Abby Doherty8

https://bit.ly/35vRlMd

1. Do I really need it? If yes…2. Does it need to be new?

If yes…3. Can I buy it ethically? If

yes…make sure you buy it to last; spending extra money on a higher quality item will save you more money in the long run as you will not to replace it as quickly as a cheaper item.

In Paris, there are many second-hand shops, for called the Guerrisol chain, where you can find items ranging from 1 euro to 25 euros. My favourites are in Place de Clichy where I have found some pretty good vintage items for under 10 euros. Areas like Montmartre and the Marais also have loads of vintage clothes emporiums sprinkled around. Some of the best vintage shops in Paris, according to timeout.com,Before you go shopping ask

You can also contact ULIP STAR (Student Action for Refugees) on their Facebook page or chat to Billie Dibb and Sophie Weston who can tell you more about how you can donate your clothes to refugees in Paris.

Be aware of where your clothes are coming from and always think twice before you make a purchase.

As Vivienne Westwood said, “Buy less, choose well and make it last”.

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A turning point for britonsFriday the 13th. The

Conservative Party has won a historic majority

of 78-80. The leader of the Liberal Democrats has lost her seat to the Scottish National Party. It’s the worst result for the Labour Party since 1935. The extent to which the political landscape in the UK has shifted overnight cannot be overstated. With all prior predictions having pointed to a small Conservative majority, or perhaps even a hung parliament, many of us are stunned to the core. Now we ask ourselves, what happened? The ‘Brexit effect’

Brexit Done” and vowing to implement his “oven-ready Brexit” by the end of January. This simple message, targeting Jeremy Corbyn’s Red Wall, may have been particularly attractive to working-class Leave voters in the Labour heartlands of the North. It was a gamble that paid off for Johnson. Gaining seats such as Vale of Clywd and Bishop Auckland, the Prime Minister has transformed the political geography of England as we know it. The desire to implement Brexit in Leave-voting constituencies seemingly overrides the wider issues that the country is facing, notably a declining NHS and the rise in income inequalities. Not only was Brexit one of

the major factors in this election, but we can observe a clear rejection of the Labour Party by the public as it currently stands. You may argue that Corbyn, undoubtedly popular amongst young voters, offered a manifesto that targeted the wealthiest 5%, constituting an agenda of tax reform and nationalisation that would ultimately aim to prioritise the country’s public services after years of austerity. Yet, Labour’s extremely heavy defeat at the hands of an already controversial Prime Minister was a dismissal of such an agenda. Whether this defeat is due to the economic uncertainty of a socialist government, a weak leader or his vague position on Brexit

there is no doubt that the Labour Party needs to radically reform itself and reassess its vision for the country.

of the media to influence public opinion is at an all-time high, whilst trust in our politicians is rapidly decreasing. Johnson, lacking integrity, fought a campaign that many condemn to be based on lies and won by a landslide. An uncertain future

be facing years, probably decades, of negotiations to obtain what we already have as full members of the EU. He will face opposition from the Remainers whose voices have been silenced since 2016. The Labour Party, which is now likely to elect a moderate leader, will prove to be a more effective opposition. In a nutshell - the political future of our country is undetermined. In this time of division, anxiety and deceit, open-minded and tolerant Britons must unify to make our voices heard. The best attribute of democracy is that it is always an ongoing process. Nothing is set in stone.

Written by: Sonia Yazidi

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Head of Politics Society

Boris Johnson has led a remarkably effective campaign promising to “Get

The Sun, the Daily Mail and the Daily Express-these best-selling newspapers have consistently rallied behind Johnson and provided its readership, notably made up of working-class Leave voters, with headlines that hammered the same messages: leave the EU, vote for Johnson. The power

“When the British working class stop reading right-wing news, we will see progressive change”

With the SNP’s huge increase in its vote share in this election, gone are the days of a unified United Kingdom. What Leave voters may be asking themselves hereafter is whether Scotland is the price to pay for Brexit, whatever form it may come in. Johnson may have decisively won this election but he is fighting an uphill battle. The government will

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in defending temporary structures from graffiti, even during the construction of the Louvre’s pyramid the perimeter fence was constantly being covered by emerging young artists’ work. These sites allowed groups of young artists to come together and share the creative experience. The most wonderful thing about street art is that it’s meaningful but transient. The artist put their soul into creating something that they then display in an area often open to the elements where it will eventually be worn away or be covered by other artists. This may seem unfortunate, especially if you’ve fallen in love with a certain piece, but it also lends a personal quality to the experience;

in ParisStreet Art

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Miss.Tic @missticofficiel Seth @seth_globepainter RAFUrban @raf_urban Jef Aérosol @jefaerosol Invader

Street art is widely accepted to have been born in New York in the 80s. The art

form took some time to gain popularity in Paris but by the 90s a group of disaffected young people, often young black men, from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds had begun to use street art to express themselves. During this time the undersides of the bridges between Pont de la Concorde and Pont Neuf provided a stark contrast to Paris’ straitlaced art galleries. The bridges served as canvases adorned with fresh images and new ideas. Building sites became popular places to display art as the police were less interested

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you have to be in Paris at a particular moment to experience the piece of art in the way it was intended that makes street art different from a lot of other forms of contemporary art. Although most street artists receive very little to no money, some artists such as Seth and Miss.Tic (arguably the most influential French female street artist) have gained commercial success. That said, most of the street art in Paris today has been made not for money or fame but, instead, to make a political statement or simply to inspire or fascinate others. Despite a rocky start in France, street art is now widely accepted in Paris (the Mairie of the 13th even provides a map of their favourite works with a suggested walking route) and you can even experience the magic of making it yourself legally by taking advantage of some street art designated areas. Why not get inspired by a walk around the Butte-aux-Cailles and get inspired to create your own masterpiece?

form differs from the others as it allows the artwork to be intricately detailed. The fact that it takes mere seconds to apply to a wall means that it’s popular in areas where street art is less well received by residents. Wheatpaste comes from the paste used by artists to stick their works to walls. This practice seems to be becoming less common with the rise of stickers.

Yarn Bombing: Sometimes referred to as granny-graffiti, this bizarre form of street art involves covering public places with yarn. The movement is female-led and aims to counterbalance the masculine world of street art.

Where is the best place to see street art in Paris?

simply wander around at your own pace soaking in the creative atmosphere. There’s enough art to keep you busy for a whole morning if not longer, so make sure to wear comfy shoes and stay hydrated. If you’re still not satisfied after that, you can try the areas around Oberkampf, Belleville, Ménilmontant or rue de l’Ourcq, Rue d’Aubervilliers, Beaubourg, Rue de Verneuil and Les Halles, which are all home to a rich mix of street art. If you’re looking for more traditional graffiti-style art, then Vitry-sur-Seine is the place for you. Located a

little way out of Paris and accessible by the RER C, Vitry has seen an influx of street art as its town leaders support and encourage artists to come and show off their talent all around the idyllic town. What about if it’s raining outside and you don’t want to get your feet wet? You can still experience the magic of street art in Paris with a visit to Art42, the urban art collection located in the 17th arrondissement featuring works from the biggest names in international street art including Banksy, JR and Bault. The saying “Always look

UP in Paris” is notably accurate when it comes to street art; La Butte-aux-Cailles might have the largest collection of street art in Paris but it’s far from being the only place that it can be found. Next time you’re walking to university or out shopping, make sure to look up and look out for some spectacular street art.

Written by: Emma Jordan

Graffiti: Usually created with spray and/or markers, graffiti and tagging are the most traditional types of street art. They are the type that you are most likely to see every day on metro trains or under bridges. Graffiti may be either images or words and often has political undertones.

Tagging: Tagging is a form of graffiti - the artist creates a stylised version of their name or tag, usually freehand with sprays or markers. These artists are known as writers or bombers.

Stencil: As the name suggests stencil street art is made by creating one stencil from firm paper or cardboard that can be used multiple times to create the same work of art in multiple locations. Stencils are commonly used in cities and countries where street art if heavily penalised because it’s quick and easy.

Sticker art & Wheatpaste: Another modern form of street art, sticker art is becoming more and more popular in Paris. This art

La Butte-aux-Cailles in the 13th arrondissement is the number one place to see street art from famous artists. The 13th, in general, has become known as Paris’ open-air museum. Starting from the station Corvisart on line 6 you can follow any number of walking routes accessible for free online, join a paid tour, or.Types of Street Art

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Sweet, salty, fresh, crunchy - this is one of my favourite pasta dishes! Feel free to ditch the sausages and swap the salty prosciutto for olives for a yummy vegan alternative.

recette du mois

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Serves 4. Ingredients - 250g Penne Pasta - 4 Sausages with apple (not essential but it adds a certain sweetness!) - 1 bunch Asparagus - 1 Garlic clove - Pine nuts - Prosciutto

Method 1. Into a large frying pan, add the sausages, chopped into about 5

pieces per sausage, along with a little olive oil. 2. Meanwhile, slice the asparagus stalks into quarters and crush one

garlic clove. 3. Once the sausages have developed a browned exterior, add the

asparagus, turn down the heat and begin to boil the pasta in a pot of salted water.

4. While the pasta is cooking and the asparagus is softening, tear the prosciutto, roughly chop a handful of pine nuts and break off some sprigs of parsley. 5. Add half the pine nuts and parsley into the frying pan and combine with the sausage and asparagus.

5. Once the pasta is fully cooked, add it to the pan and mix thoroughly. Use a slotted spoon to add the pasta (don’t waste the pasta water), as the starchy pasta water will help to homogenise the flavours and coat the pasta. If there is too much water in the pan, turn on the heat and toss until the excess water has evaporated.

6. Plate the pasta, add pieces of prosciutto, and top with the remaining pine nuts and parsley.

Enjoy! Written by Alyx Bearman

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LA V IE URBAINE

Written by:Beatrice Kessedjian

18 19Harry GarlicknHarry Garlick

Chloe Limitsios

20 21Harry Garlick Harry Garlick Abbie Oliver

Chloe Heather

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Sick of New Year’s resolutions? Fran Cullaney cuts to the chase and gives you her frank, definitive guide to her most important life lessons and tips

on surviving as an adult.

Have the self-confidence of a straight white man. Unless of course you are already a straight white man who is particularly self-deprecating, then have the self-confidence of Beyoncé.

Love your parents, they won’t be around forever.+ Date yourself. The longest relationship

you will ever have will be with yourself. Take the time to figure out who you really are, what your aspirations are and what you have to offer the world. Knowing what you stand for and what your principles are will make you more decisive, self-assured and comfortable.

Don’t worry, we’re all only one step away from f***ing up. It isn’t just you. But, on a lighter note, we’re also all only one step away from success.

Never make an important decision when you are hungry, tired or horny.

Stay open minded to the opinions and the views of others. Even if you’re telling them to stfu in your head. Let them have their moment, you might learn something. Following on, your own views on the world will change over time. Embrace this.

It’s ok to dislike someone or be disliked by others. We can’t all appreciate the same things. I hate cheese whereas most people seem to like it. I believe brown sauce is a gift from God but the general consensus is that it’s gross. Point is, who cares?

If you appreciate someone, tell them. They definitely need to hear it.

Hold yourself to account. It’s ok to screw up, just recognise when it happens and expect better from yourself next time. It can never be too late to say sorry.

You don’t always have to buy crappy €3 bottles of wine. Occasionally treat yourself to a good bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you deserve it. You probably spend more on ASOS buying sh*t you know you don’t need.

Saying no is fine. So is telling someone to f*** off.

Never compare yourself to anyone. There will always be somebody who is more intelligent/ funny/ talented/ charming/ beautiful than you are. But that’s ok because you might be the only person who can make one particular person’s day or the only person in the room who can dislocate their kneecap when drunk.

You are a 10/10. If someone ever asks you to rate yourself, you’re a 10/10. When you wake up, you’re a 10/10. When you look in the mirror, you’re a 10/10. Even when you have just vomited on a passing stranger’s shoulder in a nightclub you are still a 10/10. Why? Because if you’re not comparing yourself to anyone else then there is no scale to rate yourself on.

Love yourself and look after yourself. Don’t fall asleep at 3am, eat only pizza for two weeks straight and then wonder why you feel like sh*t. Oh, and on the subject of self-care, oil your ends before you sleep; coconut oil works wonders. Your hair will thank you.

“A problem shared is a problem halved”. It’s ok to struggle. But never be too proud or too ashamed to ask for help. When things get difficult, most people are often more than happy to help. Relying on others is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

Don’t try to plan your whole life out. You just need to figure out what the next stage is and go from there. How many of us could have guessed that we’d be living in Paris, baguette-comfort eating and judging the French for televising/ normalising Miss France?

Anyone you date is replaceable, but you are not. Know your value and know your worth. If someone doesn’t appreciate you, f*** them.

Keep going, you’ve come so far and you’re doing great. We’re all rooting for you.

Realise that people can and will surprise you.

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5.6.

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8.9.10.

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16. 17.

18.19.20.

tipsI learnt inmy 20s

for 2020

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meet claire chelsea bondzanga

Welcome back to Bea’s alumni corner. Enjoy the second rendition of what past ULIPpers are getting up to after graduating.

Tell me a bit about yourself, Claire.

being an actress since I was a child but I grew into this sort of cynical character during my pre-teens and figured that it was most likely that I would become an actress in a fever dream as opposed to in real life. When I grew up, I realised that it was best I live without regrets and started auditioning for Drama school from 2017. I have been unsuccessful thus far (still, I was lucky enough to consistently pass onto second rounds) but since graduating I have now dubbed myself as an aspiring actress. Although to call it a drastic change would be an exaggeration, I’m still an enthusiastic writer and right now I’m starting to personally delve into the world of critiquing and theatre.

What memories stand out for you from your time in Paris and at ULIP?

to describe it.

What advice you would you give your younger self/current students at ULIP?

Written by: Bea Kessedjian

I currently live just outside of London and I turned 22 at the beginning of November. Reading, writing and acting are among the things I love to do and have loved to do since I was young. These days my newfound hobbies are fangirling over BTS and watching the evening glow just before the sun sets. I found out about the University of London Institute in Paris through my own research when I was looking for a course to study; this was before I’d even made my UCAS application. In the end, I enrolled in ULIP through clearing and chose the BA French with History as my course.

Career-wise did you have a vision of what direction you wanted to take before/during your time at ULIP?Though I have always been slightly unsure of the specifics of what I wanted to do in life, I was determined that it would have to do with freelance writing. Whether that would be a journalist, an author, a copywriter or a translator. Preferring to major in a general degree, I wanted to ensure that I was still free to follow whatever path I wanted whilst gaining essential writing skills.

Has this vision changed since graduation?My vision changed not even a year into my degree at ULIP. My passion for acting intensified when I was no longer partaking in

I made so many memories during my time as a student in Paris, it all kind of melts together into one big ball. In retrospect, it felt like flying. To be part of a close-knit University like ULIP; intimate, simple and tucked away on some big street in the 7th, there’s this warmth you feel. You feel it in the classrooms, in the library, in the staff, as you enter or leave the building- it feels homely. But then you only have to look out the window during class, see Mr Eiffel’s creation and remember you’re in one of the greatest cities in the world. How can your feet possibly stay firmly on the ground? Rather than skim through half-remembered memories, I tend to reminisce about my uni years through how I felt. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but I’m not sure how else

It’s so easy to feel lost when you enter something foreign like university, especially somewhere far away from family. At times it can be quite isolating. Communication - that’s one thing that I would tell my undergraduate self to work on more. I think I would’ve been surprised to know that I wasn’t as alone as I thought. I would advise new students to communicate, trust me when I say sharing isn’t only caring for others, but also for yourself. And remain positive. Hope can seem stupid sometimes because society doesn’t classify it as logical or realistic, so in turn we call things ‘hopeless’ but I think having hope is therapeutic. When you have hope and you start to work towards it, you feel good. We all need a little light to guide us when it’s dark.

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In an increasingly globalised world, how we view fashion is constantly changing. Whilst the most discernible shift lies in how trends have changed from era to era, it is evident that fashion is becoming more and more entangled with politics, evolving due to the changes around us. Topics like climate change and fast-fashion are developing

leopard print trousers. These items were purchased due to my admiration for certain fashion trends. Trends that have circulated within pop culture and have been shared on social media platforms like Instagram and popular high-street stores, namely Urban Outfitters. Style, to me, is fashion’s eccentric Aunty who, with experience, can blend fashion trends and personal creativity to produce unique outfits, hairstyles, make-up looks, etc. For example, I relate my personal sense of style to my ability and desire to fuse popular items with old hand-me-downs from my sister, charity shop treasures, thrift and kilo store items as well as band t-shirts that derive from artists who I have met and whose music and vibe resonates with me, such as Lowkey, Benjamin Zephonia and The Revolutionary Minds as well as Mama Rosin (a Swiss-French band who are no longer together).

[AD]: Do you think fashion is political?

into hot topics on social media. Brands such as CHNGE are selling t-shirts with politized prints “no human is illegal on stolen land” and “protect kids not guns”, with proceeds going to various charities, creating somewhat of an “activist-style”. As a generation, we are becoming more aware of what our consumption means and what it is doing to the planet. With young activists such as Greta Thunberg heading the climate change movement, it is not surprising that more young people are being encouraged to follow suit.

Part 1: A conversation with Bea Kessedjian.

[Abby Doherty]: What does fashion mean to you in general?[Bea Kessedjian]: It is worth noting the nuance between fashion and style. As Coco Chanel once said, “fashion changes, but style endures”. Fashion to me is my hoop earrings, my platform white trainers, my bum-bags, my diamante matching hair clips, my beige fluffy fleece and my bootleg

[BK]: Absolutely. A concept that springs to mind when I think of fashion and politics is cultural appropriation. We are all familiar with Bo Derek and Kim Kardashian’s insensitive attitudes of regarding wearing cornrows. After feeling inspired by Bo, Kim mimicked the hairstyle coining the highly problematic phrase “Bo Derek braids”. She was called out on social media by a host of critics, including Evette Wells, who tweeted

fStudying in what is considered the fashion capital of the world, I wanted to know what fashion means to ULIP. By interviewing two third-year students, Bea Kessedjian and Sean Young, I got an insight to their opinions on the link between fashion and politics, conscious consumerism, what fashion means to them and how their style has altered since moving to Paris.

ashion, what does it mean to you?

“@KimKardashian don’t wear hair that black people get shamed for daily as an accessory! Acknowledge your privilege - while it looks amazing, please understand many black people are oppressed for wearing hairstyles such as this”. So, to answer your question, yes, I do think fashion has a strong political aspect to it and that it is so important to educate oneself on the difference between cultural appreciation vs. appropriation. I continue to learn more and more about this subject, holding myself accountable and remaining open to criticism and correction if I am speaking incorrectly or in an offensive manner.

[AD]: How has your fashion sense changed since you’ve moved to Paris?

[BK]: This question makes me smile because I do feel my fashion and sense of style have changed over the last few years. Naturally, fashion changes over time and moves with the seasons. Style doesn’t necessarily change but certainly develops the more you feel comfortable within your own skin and are exposed to new artistic means. Personally, I feel my sense of style and fashion has shifted from fluffy jumpers, jeans and leggings and skirts into a more sophisticated aesthetic if you will: think monochrome outfits, polo necks, button-up shirts, blazers, simple hairstyles and minimal jewellery and makeup. Notably, I rarely wear dresses and skirts anymore. I think some of the changes derive from a maturity that ageing lends itself to as well as an increase in confidence

“Style, to me, is fashion’s eccentric Aunty who, with experience, can blend fashion trends and personal creativity to produce unique outfits”

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guess the ulip baby1. Isabel Brenner (BA2)2. Sean Young (BA3)3. Maki Al-Hassani (BA2)

7. Alyx Bearman(BA3)8. Nadia Cusack(BA3)

4. India Peart-Bear (BA2)5.Sasha Hampshire (BA3)6.Eleanor Pearson(BA3)

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plays ‘Casey’. With an autistic protagonist, an ethnically diverse cast, a queer storyline an emphasis on challenging family relationships and mental health issues - the series spreads a message of embracing uniqueness. I highly recommend it!

[AD]: How different is fashion in Paris compared to back home?

Written by: Abby Doherty

[BK]: I have noticed a few differences between British and Parisian fashion. However, Birmingham, my home city, and Paris are both large, cosmopolitan cities, increasingly affected by the globalisation of the fashion industry. That said, Parisians seem to effortlessly create smart-casual looks that you could wear to an ‘after-work apéro’ straight from the office. I appreciate this versatility and now try to have most of my outfits as ones that can be dressed up or down with accessories or layers. Similarly, there seems to be a disparity between the dress code and postcode regarding nightlife. It seems much more common in the UK to be rejected from a bar or club for not wearing heels or the ‘right type’ of clothing. This still occurs in Paris, but it seems to be to a lesser extent - wearing jeans and converse in lieu of short skirts and heels seems to be more widely accepted. I realise this view may simply reflect the spaces I prefer to frequent, where dress codes rarely exist and the vibe is created by the people themselves, the music, the aesthetic of the space and the sometimes political edge to the space, namely ‘La Mutinerie’ a feminist queer bar by night which opens its doors to political, self-defence, literary, musical and artistic workshops in the day time.

A big shoutout to Bea for her creative input and her intriguing and thought-provoking answers. Look out for part two of this series in the next issue of Parlons where I interview Sean Young.

Disclaimer: due to scheduling issues, I was only able to interview Sean in person therefore his responses will be from a transcript written from our recorded interview whilst Bea provided written responses.

and performance of my queer identity.

[AD]: Is fashion performative?[BK]: Bearing in mind the concepts of queer and gender theory and performativity deriving from scholarly voices, namely Judith Butler, I do believe fashion can be performative. It seems to make sense to me that the clothes, hair and makeup we choose to wear either expose or conceal parts of us we either want to express or hide from ourselves and largely from society. This act of expression or repression for the benefit of any given audience suggests performance behaviour. This behaviour may happen more consciously for some and subconsciously for others, but I think in the society we live in today, it is near impossible to escape performativity. That is not to say that one does not have the autonomy, but rather, that one’s autonomous actions when it comes to dressing and visually presenting oneself are constructed to enhance one’s performance of the character, they play on the stage that is society.

[AD]: Who do you admire in the fashion industry and why?[BK]: I love androgynous fashion icons. The late legend David Bowie inspired me from a young age to embrace all the eccentricities that make me who I am. Aged fourteen, I opened a school Fashion Show with a hula hoop performance to his track ‘Fashion’. The lyrics suggest a rejection of mainstream fashion and a compelling desire to remain original, authentic and meaningful. For example, “There’s a brand-new dance but I don’t know its name”, “There’s a brand-new talk, but it’s not very clear”, “fashion it’s loud and it’s tasteless and I’ve heard it before”. Recently I have become increasingly inspired by contemporary artists, musicians and personalities, like Brigette Lundie-Pane, who challenge the dichotomy view of gender through a binary lens. Brigette Lundie-Pane identifies as non-binary and is an incredible actor, musician, writer and fashion magazine producer. Her fashion sense is elegant, androgynous and modern. I first came across them when watching a brilliant series on Netflix called Atypical, in which she

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20th January 2020