Outside of Time Issue Two

A little corner of the Internet where past, present and future co-exist, "Outside of Time" spotlights culture both old and new

A little corner of the Internet, where past, present and future co-exist, "Outside of Time" spotlights culture both old and new and I share some of the things across art, politics, music and style, that have caught my attention during the week.

Personally, (re)discovering things that have been forgotten or overlooked is more exciting to me than trying to keep up with the newest everything. I favour style -which is enduring- over fashion, which indubitably goes out of style. Moreover I believe we can achieve a far richer, fuller engagement with the now if we understand the then.

September has started full throttle ! Tuesday night saw the ELLE Style Awards at London landmark Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly Circus . Under the leadership of Editor-In-Chief Kenya Hunt, the culture of the magazine truly represents a range of broad, distinct, and radical voices. I’m proud to be a commissioning editor.

The ceremony was incredibly moving and I found the words of award winners, ranging from Munroe Bergdorf (Changemaker) to Malala Yousafzai (Inspirational Icon) and presenters such as Kai-Isaiah Jamal, particularly poignant and galvanising.

Riz Ahmed who won Modern Pioneer Award presented by the people’s hero Stormzy had me in tears, bringing the assembled guests attention back to Gaza and elsewhere in the world where humans are facing annihilation…Ahmed reminded the audience that as artists and creatives, our mission (one of them at least ) is to stretch the scope of who and what is considered human, and that “we are in the business of challenging narratives that try to shrink the scope of what it is to be human”. Such a charge couldn’t feel more pressing.

Arriving to the event circumstances conspired in such a way that my carefully laid plans went awry, and (not for the first time) I found myself doing my make up in the back of a dark uber with no mirror. Not exactly how you want to arrive event with some of the world’s most beautiful women – but we move! I have started to sport a few visible white hairs, which I noticed in the pictures from the night. I can’t lie I had a moments panic before I remembered who the fuck I am! Once I had a word with myself and moments reflection, rather than reaching for the hair dye, I’m remembered that I’m delighted to be getting older ! Fear of aging feels counterintuitive, for is it not in truth a fear of living ?! White hairs and all, the night was BEAUTIFUL and I left with a renewed sense of the value that our creative endeavours can bring to the world, and the responsibility (that I feel) comes with any artistic talents and skills that we have been blessed with.