© Lef Efimov; Image courtesy of Lef Efimov

When a Ralph Lauren advertisement was released in December 2009, protesters held a rally outside the brand’s NYC flagship store. They weren’t objecting to the plaid blouse and patchwork; they were disputing the Photoshopped image of model Filippa Hamilton, whose waist appeared smaller than her head.

It’s no secret that we are often adversely affected by airbrushed images in the media. It’s all too easy to deem oneself as not being tall enough, attractive enough or indeed, good enough. Psychological Medicine estimates that 1% – 2% of the world’s population is so obsessed with perceived imperfections that they develop Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), though the disorder often remains undiagnosed.

According to K.A. Phillips, M.D., author of The Broken Mirror, it is unlikely that BDD is caused by media pressure as it exists where media influence is virtually non-existent. However, most psychologists agree the disorder can be triggered by unrealistic media representations.

Some magazines have begun to tackle the airbrushed ideal by featuring models that resemble the average woman. V Magazine’s January Size Issue featured clothed and nude plus-size models, while Glamour’s September issue featured a nude model that let it all hang out.

Even celebrities – the ones who seem to have it all – are not immune to BDD. Uma Thurman admitted symptoms following the birth of her daughter, while Lily Allen declares she sees “someone who is more overweight than they actually are” in Q Magazine’s December Issue. It is also widely suspected that Michael Jackson suffered from the psychological disorder. The Professional Guide to Diseases states that a person with BDD thinks about perceived imperfections for at least an hour a day.

But despite advances to lower the beauty status quo – including efforts in France and the United Kingdom to stamp warnings on digitally doctored images – the media continues to attack and correct celebrity imperfections. From Tyra Bank’s cellulite to Cameron Diaz’s acne-prone skin, stars are criticised for bare faces in supermarkets and thunder thighs in bikinis. If such criticism is demoralising for the average woman, can you imagine the potentially devastating effects of one’s imperfections being magnified and broadcasted globally?

It’s not just the media that needs to take a stand, but readers who empower the tabloids and negative portrayals of beauty. The trick is to change our mindsets, challenge stereotypes, and support the evolution of an industry that doesn’t treat size 10 women as the exception to the rule. Perhaps then the issue of BDD in relation to celebrities will be exposed in all its ugly glory and eventually, become obsolete.

Provocative as they are, these chest-revealing pieces are extremely versatile, may be layered with sexy camisoles and bandeaus, or worn bare if you dare.

Update your wardrobe with contemporary twists on classic styles. MCQ’s tuxedo jumpsuit and Issa’s kimono-style dress will take you from office to cocktails – simply switch the tote for a clutch.

For a more formal occasion, RM by Roland Mouret’s body skimming wrap dress is equally sexy paired with a camisole or held together with a bejewelled Erickson Beamon brooch.

Choose accessories that entice the eye and keep the focal point low with long necklaces from Isharya and Stella McCartney. Alternatively, skip the jewellery and channel minimalist chic with RM by Roland Mouret’s latticed belt or YSL’s corset-style belt.

With boundless possibilities at hand, take a cue from the runway and invest in ensembles with deep V necklines for show-stopping style.

The Buzz: The first CHI spa in Australia located in Sydney’s plush Shangri-La hotel, CHI has garnered numerous awards since its launch in 2004. The spa concept draws inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend and traditional Chinese philosophy, which referes to chi or Qi as the universal life force that governs our wellness.  Treatments therefore aim to clear blockages, increase energy flow, and balance opposing yin and yang forces. The six suites feature Asian artefacts and ambient lighting, cocooning you from the chaos of the outside world.

Must-Do: The unique Sense of Place experiences feature indigenous treatments inspired by Australia’s natural ingredients such as lemon myrtle and eucalyptus. In addition, a host of Asian wellness massages, body therapies, facials and CHI journeys are available,  including the Du Mai Back Therapy and CHI Healing Stone Massage.

Icing on the Cake: All treatments are based on natural Asian healing methods and oils are customised to your element sign – metal, water, wood, earth and fire.

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; T: (61 2) 9250 6000. For further information, visit www.shangri-la.com/sydney

© seanmcgrath/Flickr Creative Commons License

Communicating in relationships can be tedious. People worry about being too open, looking foolish or getting hurt. So wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just read people’s minds?

The concept of telepathy as mind-reading in the way that it is portrayed on television is in fact, a misconception. Most people are telepathic to some degree, but anyone expecting to hear somebody else’s voice in their head may never notice the ways in which they are already telepathic.

The word “telepathy” means “feeling at a distance”, which is a brilliant description. It is the ability to tune in to the feelings of another. We are often most comfortable communicating verbally as speech is a sophisticated means of communication and less likely to be misinterpreted. Yet, when we communicate, most of the information being exchanged is non-verbal and some of it is non-physical. The levels at which we exchange non-verbal and non-physical information are beyond the range of the five sensory detectors and could be described as picking up vibes.

These are translated into thoughts, words and images through a “feeling vibration”, which attracts from your mind the words that are in closest vibrational alignment with the feeling behind the words. Most of us think thoughts are the words inside our heads, but the words themselves are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of thought as a vibrational entity in its own right.

To understand telepathy, you must understand that it is a thought’s pre-verbalised vibrational state that is transmitted and received. You can telepathically know when your partner is close to orgasm, where they want to be touched and how. We can even tune into them to experience the same fantasy and feelings simultaneously.

Being a great lover involves communicating effectively and being sensitive to your partner’s needs, even when they are not explicitly expressed. Let your feelings guide you and learn to read between the lines. You don’t have to be psychic to be a great lover – just telepathic.

The National Hotel Infinity Pool, Miami Beach, Florida. © Siv Haugvaldsta

Flying over the Atlantic coast of South Eastern Florida, you see blue skies, white sand and towering skyscrapers. Welcome to Miami, the most populous county in Florida.

Known for its Art Deco architecture, Miami was developed as a tropical playground but remains an important financial and cultural centre. A melting pot for film, music and fashion, Miami remains one of the hottest tourist destinations in North America. Whether you are sunbathing or on a celebrity look-out, get the most out of your stay with a few insider tips.

Sleep

The National Hotel on Collins Ave is an Art Deco building dating back to 1939. Conveniently located right on the beach, the hotel also boasts a stunning infinity pool for leisurely fun in the sun. Alternatively, Opera Suites and Marina offers the comforts of home with luxurious resort facilities including an outdoor pool, spa, tub and sauna – everything you need to sit back and relax.

Eat

Enjoy a hearty brunch or keep it light with a Western omelette, fruit salad and fresh orange juice at local favourite Front Porch on Ocean Drive. If you’re craving an all American burger and fries, 11th Street Diner is the real deal and remains open 24 hours to satisfy those late night cravings after an evening out on the town.

See

Miami is known for its beautiful white beaches and South Beach is a veritable tourist mecca. If you like to divide your time between sunbathing and shopping, Lincoln Road is a fashionista’s dream with a string of trendy designer boutiques and quaint cafés that are perfect for people watching.

Don’t leave without exploring the colourful Art Deco District, where the buildings capture the vibrant energy and history of Miami.

For more information, visit www.miami.com

© Iván Loire. Courtesy of Momaboma.

Maurizio Longati is a true creative genius – brimming with ideas, inspired by everything he sees and everyone he meets on his travels. Longati is also the founder of bespoke Italian accessories brand Momaboma, conceived in 2003 to offer a unique alternative to mass produced bags.

Momaboma creations are not only 100% recycled, but open “drawers of memory” with people, places, magazines and fabrics that represent the history of contemporary pop culture and fashion. According to Longati, “Momaboma’s creations are little bits and pieces of history that customers are able to carry all the time.”

Indeed, products are carefully chosen to create connections and appeal to buyers’ emotions. Longati says, “Images and materials featured on the same bag must have something in common as we don’t want to pollute the communication process.”

Taking the personalisation process one step further, MyMomaboma allows customers to create their own bag from personal mementos.

Longati said, “MyMomaboma gives everybody the possibility to send us whatever they want from old report cards to love letters, vintage movie tickets to photos and drawings.”

All these and more are then painstakingly crafted into one-of-a-kind accessories, personalised with memories and carried with confidence in true Momaboma style.

For more information, please visit www.momaboma.it



Beauty used to be a zero-sum game. Not so long ago, the ideals of beauty were so clearly etched in our psyche that instinctively, we would judge what was aesthetically pleasing based on stereotypes. A certain skin colour, body size, height, hair length – you either measured up or fell short of the mark. We were dictated by a rigid set of rules that defined our idea of beauty. And everything outside that box, well, it just wasn’t beautiful.

Just as after a bleak winter must come a hopeful spring, it’s time to embrace the unique features that make us who we are. In a world that sees beauty as black and white, celebrate the red in you. What could be more beautiful than that?

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Whilst the safest option is to play within the neutral palette and inject a pop of colour, spin the colour wheel to get more creative with monochromatic, analogue and complementary combinations.

Monochromatic colours are different shades of the same colour. Max Azria’s viridian green dress is stylish and understated, most suited to reserved and stable personalities like Michelle Obama.

Analogues, on the other hand, are placed next to each other on the colour wheel. Roberto Cavalli’s wrap dress is sophisticated and fashion forward, most suited to elegant and poised fashionistas like Thandie Newton.

In contrast, complementary colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel and represent creative and extroverted personalities like Joy Bryant. You’re sure to be the life of the party in a multi-coloured dress from Marc by Marc Jacobs!

With basic guidelines in place and a colour wheel at hand, throw caution to the wind and mix it up with colour combinations that match your mood and personality.

© seanmcgrath/Flickr Creative Commons License

When it comes to being in a relationship, people often say, “just be yourself”. As long as you are comfortable with whom you are, this is good advice. However, we often feel that if we are single, we must be lacking something, and automatically initiate a vicious cycle of self-doubt. After all, if we were enough, we would be in the ideal relationship and not have a string of perceived “failed” liaisons behind us. 

How can we change this perception? By being more than yourself! Because you are much more then you realise. You are made up of your body, thoughts, emotions, and past experiences. Yet, you are far more than the sum of these parts and you have a choice about how you view them. 

Embrace Your Body

If we all looked the same, life would be dull. What we love about a person are the quirks that make them unique, whether it’s the way they crinkle their nose or how their eyes sparkle with mischief. Likewise, some people like long legs, whilst others prefer voluptuous figures. Remember, variety is the spice of life.

Think Positive 

If you think positively about yourself, so will others. If you see yourself as part of a divine force deserving of love and respect, that is what you will manifest in your life. You are the thinker of your thoughts. 

Live and Love 

The common excuse: “I’m scared of getting hurt.” We cannot truly love if we live in fear. Don’t view hurt as a measure of love; use laughter. When you think of love, don’t think of pain; think of joy. When we feel hurt, we understand love. Avoiding pain is avoiding life itself. 

Accept the Past

You might have witnessed your parents’ relationship break down, had a string of difficult relationships or meant some awful people. Learn your lessons and move forward. Believe in the transformational power of love; it can heal everything, even your perception of the past. 

By reframing your view of yourself and your experiences, you will see yourself as you are: an amazing, complex being, with the capacity to create and transform your world.