de1162 meganbackhouse-b- a survivor

-B-A SURVIVOR

Editor In Chief Megan Backhouse

The December IssueEditor In Chief Megan Backhouse

BCONTENTS DECEMBER 2013

ON THE COVER Zoe Furniss

Editors Letter -2

See Me, Touch Me, Feel Me, -B- Me 5-12

Pure Bald Beauty 15-20

Rachel Hunter 21-22

We Are Now

25-40

PAGE 1

EDITORS LETTER

In this months issue of -B-, Identity, ideals and diversity are all key. We have searched and questioned the ideals of the stereotypical street style image, the identity of people who are coping with sensitive issues, and the diversity of race within fashion magazines.

The December issue concentrates on the aspect of survival. Surviving life, surviving the catwalk, surviving fashion.

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“FASHION IS THE ARMOUR TO SURVIVE EVERYDAY LIFE.”

- BILL CUNNINGHAM

“FASHION IS THE ARMOUR TO SURVIVE EVERYDAY LIFE.”

- BILL CUNNINGHAM

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FEEL ME -B- ME

SEE ME TOUCH ME

An Interesting approach to the street style craze. Photographer Megan Backhouse takes on a new approach and focuses on the latest colours, prints and textures seen on the streets of Newcastle.

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“DON’T COUNT THE DAYS, MAKE THE DAYS COUNT.”

- MUHAMMAD ALI

“DON’T COUNT THE DAYS, MAKE THE DAYS COUNT.”

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- MUHAMMAD ALI

PURE BALD BEAUTYBy Megan Backhouse

Who are we to question people’s identity, making people feel they have to look ’'normal’' to be accepted?

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PURE BALD BEAUTY

I decided I wanted to do something different with my make-up, something more dramatic. Searching the YouTube nation for make-up tutorials, I came across young teenager Talia Castellano. Talia is a bright thirteen-year-old, with an addictive personality. A natural beauty, big brown eyes, a strong bone structure, fabulous nails and hairless. Talia has cancer.

Drawn to her optimistic character and fierce make-up; her baldness did not make me question her health once. Having 2,037,031 hits on one video and 2.5 million Instagram followers, you can see how inspiring Talia is to many women around the world. The Cover Girl and fashion designer - with her collection, ’That Bald Chick’ - embraced her illnesses, as she battled Stage Four Neuroblastoma and Leukaemia.

Talia accomplished more in thirteen years than some people could only dream of. Her fighting spirit, always on display, she talks of her journey and expresses, "Make-up is my wig’ I don’t like wearing wigs so I wear make-up to feel good and pretty inside - and I guess outside," stating on the Ellen DeGeneres show " ’If someone’s looking at me, they’re looking at my make-up, not looking at my bald head." ’

Talia had a purpose, but this brave young girl, who matured before her years, unfortunately died on the 16th July 2013. When asked how she stayed so positive, she responded, "A little fish once told me, just keep swimming, just keep swimming!" ’

Talia’s story gave me the motivation to discover more inspiring, strong women who are experiencing or have battled cancer.

The mind challenging and physically demanding side effects of cancer can cause patients confidence and self-esteem to deplete. Having spoken to a nurse on the Hematology and Bone Marrow transplant unit at St James’s Hospital Leeds, she felt fashion and beauty improved the patient’s confidence, "Patients are often feeling low about the way they will look once the treatment has started. Once you have provided them options, for example a wig, they experiment and have fun with a different hairstyle every week!"

Searching the Instagram platform, I discovered sixteen year-old cancer sufferer, Emma Thurling. She owns four wigs; two blonde and two pink, she uses these so people do not treat her differently. " ’I feel it helps me to live a normal life as I can look in the mirror with make-up on and a wig and I look completely fine. It takes my mind off what I'm going through and other people don’t notice what's really going on." ’However, I spoke to Margaret who survived cancer twice yet revealed, "When I lost my hair I felt suicidal’ As crazy as it sounds, I was more affected by the loss of my hair than I was of the cancer. I wore wigs and scarves both of which I hated. When talking to anyone I felt they were looking more at my wig, ’I managed to wear two scarves of different colours and it looked quite effective." ’

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Fashion cannot make everyone feel positive. Twenty-two year old Alma states that she didn’t feel any happier in herself, "I had no energy to put make-up on or to dress up nice, and I would spend my days in pyjamas." ’

Speaking to many inspirational people, I have learnt how important fashion and beauty really is, but also how judgmental we can be. Margaret declares, " ’I truly envy those who can walk in freedom of paranoid thoughts when faced with the loss of something. My hair never looks anything special but it is what helps to make me." ’ Who are we to question people’s identity, making these people feel they have to look 'normal' ’ to be accepted? These women do not let cancer take control over their identity; they only allow themselves to be them.

It’s not just girls however, young boys and men also turn to fashion, whether it is wearing different hats, or embracing the fantasy world as five year old Charlie does. Charlie’s uncle Matt explained, "He loved to feel like a super hero and this kept him smiling throughout his treatment." ’His mother adding, " ’fashion was important to us at that time, it made him feel that he fitted in a bit better and made him feel more confident. It made me feel I was a bit more in control at a time when I had no control over anything else." ’

There are services available to cancer patients, including Macmillan’s collaboration with national chemist Boots. Boots recognises the visible side effects of cancer treatments, which effect over three quartersof women, resulting in a negative impact on their confidence, "While more than two thirds said they didn’t know how to disguise

them," announced the Macmillan website. There are make-up advisors provided through No7 in Boots stores, offering support to those with cancer. Unfortunately, people I spoke to seem to be unaware of this service. Margaret notified me that during her treatment no one informed her of how to make the most of what she had, "I would have paid anything to have that person." ’ An inspiring end to Nicola Hook’s interview (Charlie’s mother) she acknowledged, ’"Although appearance is not a priority when fighting cancer, the psychological effects are enormous. Cancer awareness is everywhere, but people still find it soul destroying to walk around with a bald head and a fragile body. There should be more focus on appearance, encouraging people not to fear what others think. The bald head, pale skin, and fatigued body is a sign of one hell of a brave fight, and people should be proud." ’

"Cancer is the best thingthat has happened to me,"

stated Emma, powerful words you would never think you would hear from someone with cancer. The people I have spoken to, understand the importance of fashion, creating an influential and conventional beauty that helps to relieve their pain. Nevertheless, is it right that the ideals of beauty are used to make them feel better? It is fair to say, if the industry does help, then why question what they are doing. I certainty didn’t think that fashion and beauty would have an impact on people with terminal illnesses, I was proven wrong. ’

PAGE 18

RACHEL

Looking into beauty services provided to women suffering with cancer, I came across worldwide charity, Look Good Feel Better. The volunteers focus on improving womens self esteem and confidence, of all ages,allowing them to gain a sense of control again.

Represented in twenty five countries, Look Good Feel Better began in the United Kingdom in 1993, over the years they have catered for over 100,000 patients, and is supported by over forty business, including: Boots and John Lewis. Additionally, the charity works extremely close with Macmillan cancer support. With an Informative website -www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk- I was intrigued to find out more.

I took a trip to John Lewis and spoke to a young woman on the Clinique counter. She has personally been apart of the charity, offering make up advice. Here is what she had to say.

HUNTER"If you want to understand how these sessions work and what is involved, you need

to go and be a part of one. I guarentee it will change your perspective on life."

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Q - Firstly please could you tell me a bit about your self, and who you work for.

A - I am 21, and a full time design student in my final year, also working part time as a skincare & makeup consultant.

Q - Please could you tell me about the service Look Good Feel Better provides, what do you do? What is your aim?

A - Look Good Feel Better offers women who are suffering the effects of cancer; a morning or afternoon totally devoted to them, surrounded by friends going through the same ordeal, the sessions aren’t all about makeup although that is the basis of it, its about showing them how to be more confident in their own skin.

Q - How do people find out about this service?

A - As far as I know, the nurses at the hospitals give every lady an information leaflet when they are admitted for treatment, volunteers like myself do try to spread the word as much as possible as well.

Q - People with cancer, and professionals who work with cancer patients that I have spoken to, have not heard about the NO7 collaboration Macmillan offers with Boots, why do you think this is? And why do you think the service you provide differs from theirs?

A - To be honest, I too had no idea that boots did this. I assume it is a very similar thing, but as far as having to differentiate, I do not know enough to do so! However, anything positive that any industry can do to help fight against cancer is good in my eyes, the more exposure the better!

Q - What made you want to be apart of Look Good Feel Better?

A - My grandma sadly passed away in 2008 and she was so well treated by all the nurses and doctors, and everyone involved in her treatment journey from start to finish. Therefore, when I was asked by a contact through work to volunteer at the charity I knew it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to give back something and hopefully give a little bit of happiness to every lady I spoke with who - just like my grandma - was going through such a terrible, frightening time.

Q - How do you feel being able to provide this service and advice to people with terminal illnesses?

A - It makes me feel very privileged and extremely lucky for everything in life. Just spending an afternoon with some of these ladies is so inspiring and touching on so many levels.

Q - Do you see the difference in the way clients represent themselves when you have finished doing their make up?

A - they usually come into the room smiling politely, but then once they have relaxed, put their lipsticks on and eyebrows, theyalways leave laughing and full of life! Which is just amazing to see and be a part of.

Q - Why do you think this is?

A- These ladies find their confidence because of a little makeup, but being surrounded by people just like them, going through the same ordeal I think is comforting for them. These sessions are not about cancer; they are about so much more.

Q - How does this make you feel?

A - Indescribable really’ but it leaves you feeling very satisfied that you might have made a difference to their day.

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“THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.”

- MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

WE ARE NOW

WE ARE NOW PAGE 26

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“IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT’S DONE.”

- NELSON MANDELLA

de1162 meganbackhouse-b- a survivor

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