Change: feel the fear and do it anyway …
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Main image; Photographed by Ben Watts at Art Department. Styled by Luis Rodriguez at Carolyn Bodner, assisted by Seoul Choi and Nate Woodruff. Hair and make-up by Moiz Alladina at The Wall Group using Oribe and Chanel. Digital Tech: Andrei Lucien, assisted by Sidney Gomes, Vasilios Smaragdas and Andres Norwood. Model: Kylie Vonnahme at Industry
Change, big or small, can feel intimidating – we are scared of the unknown, the uncertain, the uncomfortable. But as Albert Einstein said, “the measure of intelligence is the ability to change”.
Embracing change is a vital part of growth, and throughout history, countless women have demonstrated how to pivot and adapt, whether by choice or circumstance, proving reinvention is not only possible but often essential.
Xuân Phuong, 94, Vietnamese writer, film director, and gallery owner, has lived through tumultuous times – two wars, the fight for independence, and the fall of Saigon. Rather than slow down in her later years, she took a bold step by founding the Lotus Gallery in Ho Chi Minh City at the age of 62. Shifting from a career in medicine and media to becoming a vital force in promoting Vietnamese art on the global stage, her gallery has helped emerging artists gain international recognition, and stands as a testament to the power of embracing new ventures, even later in life.
Former fashion stylist Jan Brierton started her poetry career during lockdown and is now a celebrated poet whose performances fill the prestigious Ambassador Theatre in London, among other venues. Jan’s journey reflects her belief in the mantra: “You’re never too old and it’s never too late.”
Change may feel uncomfortable at first but in a world that is constantly shifting where nothing stays the same forever, change is the force that propels us forward. It may be scary at first, we may resist it like mad, but when we learn to embrace it, the possibilities are limitless.
Change isn’t always about grand reinventions – it can be as simple as updating your appearance. Victoria Beckham ditched her long hair extensions for a chic shoulderlength bob last year. A small, personal change like this can lead to a fresh, renewed sense of self and can be a powerful way to shed the constraints of the past. As a new year begins, you might feel the need to update your wardrobe to suit your new ’do, give your home a good spring clean, change career, change gears – we hope you find some inspiration. Happy New Year!
THIS MONTH WE’RE …
REINVENTING: Xuân Phuong, 94, Vietnamese writer, film director, and gallery owner.
RHYMING: Jan Brierton, from fashion stylist to published poet.
READING: Everybody Is a Poem, Midlife in Rhymes, by Jan Brierton (New Island Books, €9.95)
LOOKING AHEAD: To a pretty fashion season. Carolina Herrera’s resort show in Mexico City featured bold, bright colour on a pink runway.
BRIGHTENING: At the sight of Philip Moss’s Lemon sherbet sistine chapel kisses that almost create history, one of the paintings in the Winter Show at The Molesworth Gallery Dublin 2, until January 31. www.molesworthgallery.com.
BOOKING: Women In Business: Take Centre Stage at the Abbey on January 23. This full-day workshop helps women discover an authentic, confident speaking style for presentations, pitches, board meetings and conferences. www.abbeytheatre.ie.
BEING IN NATURE: In a sweet eco-cabin in the woods at Mount Congreve Gardens, Kilmeaden, Co Waterford. Every season brings a fresh reason to visit these incredible gardens – January means snowdrops … www.mountcongreve.com.
BALANCING THE BOOKS: Let’s support our lovely local cafés, pubs and restaurants this January, the leanest month of their year, as many are struggling to stay open – we’d be sorry if they closed! Balance the budget by cooking like Kitty Coles, as seen in the January issue.
SEE MORE: The Trends That Are In And Out This year