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Capturing the black experience: Jamel Shabazz and Gordon Parks



Malcolm X by Gordon Parks

This week is all about taking time to think about the troubles in America and consider our individual parts in the Black Lives Matter narrative. For once there is no excuse not to do something. If you’re on Instagram you will have seen all the black square posts for #blackouttuesday designed to create a pause for us to think about how we can actively support anti-racism. Whether that’s donating to Black Lives Matter causes, reading up on the everyday racism experienced by black people, well, every day, or buying from black owned businesses, it all helps.

Culturally, two important sources of information for me are Jamel Shabazz and Gordon Parks. Both photographers have documented black lives in America, with Shabazz’s street photography of the early hip-hop era immortalised in the cult photo book, Back In The Days. His Instagram is a lesson in New York social history told through nostalgia-inducing street snaps.

Gordon Parks was the humanitarian photographer who made it his mission to document race relations, poverty, urban life and injustice. He was the first African-American to work as a Life magazine staff photographer and his colour photo essay,The Atmosphere of Crime 1957 has just made its way into a new book published by Steidl. Sensitively portraying inner city crime in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the photos have a cinematic quality that renders them timeless. The Gordon Parks Foundation on Instagram is a vital source of historical storytelling worth a follow.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGE: Malcolm X Holding Up Black Muslim Newspaper, Chicago, Illinois, 1963/Gordon Parks Foundation
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

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Acqua di Parma’s new Roman townhouse



New Acqua di Parma Boutique Rome

Something to celebrate – the shops are opening in Rome!

And what could be more Italian or uplifting than Acqua Di Parma, who has opened a new yellow and cane wood townhouse boutique at Piazza di Spagna 27?

To celebrate, Acqua di Parma has also released a special edition of its signature Colonia fragrance (my all time favourite cologne) as Colonia Edizione Speciale Roma in a hand painted bottle, limited to 300 bottles and available exclusively in the new boutique (below).

Acqua di Parma Colonia Edizione Speciale Roma

I suspect we’re going to see a lot more of these in-store only special ‘drops’ as luxury retailers try to entice their customers back in. As the UK aims to re-open non-essential stores in mid-June, it will be interesting to see how keen people really are to get their hands on exclusive product. I imagine the role of the personal shopping suite will come into its own in the immediate New Normal era…

Closer to home, Acqua di Parma has launched two new home fragrances ‘inspired by Italian living’, Aperitivo in Terrazza and Profumi dell’Orto. These are both available in a 200g glass candle (£54) and a 180ml diffuser (£62) from John Lewis. Father’s Day, anyone…?

Quick links here…
Aperitivo in Terrazza diffuser*

Profumi dell’Orto diffuser*

Aperitivo in Terrazza candle*

Profumi dell’Orto candle*

OR CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST. (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Acqua di Parma
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

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Quote of the day: Jim Jarmusch on Steve Buscemi



Steve Buscemi for GQ by Fanny Latour Lambert

“We used to joke that he was our generation’s Don Knotts, but he’s more Jimmy Stewart in a way. He portrays humanity.”
Jim Jarmusch on Steve Buscemi, GQ

This is the sweetest GQ profile on my favourite actor, Steve Buscemi, I just want to give him a cuddle. (It’s pronounced ‘boo-sem-ee’, by the way.) (And if you haven’t seen Living In Oblivion, please make it your top priority!)

Steve Buscemi for GQ by Fanny Latour Lambert
Steve Buscemi for GQ by Fanny Latour Lambert
Steve Buscemi for GQ by Fanny Latour Lambert

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Steve Buscemi for GQ by Fanny Latour Lambert
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

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Positive beauty: Typology skincare



Typology skincare

I love the sound (and look) of the new-to-the-UK ingredient-lite skincare brand, Typology. Anyone tried it?

Founded by the guy behind Made.com furniture, it specialises in simplifying skincare products by using as few ingredients as possible. Here’s his explainer on the merits of the minimalist approach from The Telegraph (paywall). “The more ingredients you add, the more unstable the formulation becomes, so then you have to add anti-fungal and anti-bacterial stuff…and because it starts to look unappealing, you add colouring. And you keep upping the claims, and the list of ingredients gets longer. Some of it may be harmless, bur frankly haven’t been researched, and some may have a negative impact on our bodies. For sure a lot don’t seem to be there for any good reason.”

Typology skincare prickly pear oil

I’m a facial oil fiend, so the face and body oils are speaking to me, but there are a number of problem solving serums around the £10-£30 mark that look like they’re worth a try if you have skincare issues. Being direct to consumer cuts down overheads and is just as well in the current circs (they offer contactless delivery).

Buy Typology skincare here.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Typology skincare
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

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