Alturus

4 Life Lessons from the first Women’s Sport Film Festival

•••

A women’s soccer team in Zanzibar. The first all female Palestinian race-car team. A world record holder swimming from Cuba to Florida in shark-infested waters. What do these firsts have in common? They’re all part of the world’s first ever Women’s Sports Film Festival. The atmosphere was electric as audience members were transported around the globe throug[...]

How to find Hope in a Difficult World

•••

People.. We're living through some intense times. Between attacks of terror, conflict, terrifying political leaders and police brutality, the world can seem anything but hopeful. I don't know about you, but event after event brings me anger, confusion and a continuous state of wondering how we got to this point. In much need of a little light, a little happy[...]

The Beginning: A word on starting over

•••

You right now, exhausted and a little shaken, are at the start of an incredible journey. This journey can and will be whatever you make it. Embrace it, start over. Embrace that which comes your way with open arms. Challenge your negative thoughts, when your mind says 'You aren't good enough', or you've 'Never done that before'. Say YES to life. Say yes t[...]

Creating a new nude - Ade Hassan, Queen of Hosiery

•••

Creating a company from scratch, changing the game in women’s lingerie and receiving Kerry Washington’s blessing - all in a days work right? Ade Hassan is the founder and CEO of Nubian Skin, a women’s lingerie company created with women of colour in mind. We catch up with Ade to talk business, Kerry Washington and underwear at her office in Bloomsbury, Londo[...]

Finding Myself on the Mountain

•••

It was three miles before I realized my many mistakes. I was sweating through my cotton T-shirt and a breeze was picking up, sending shivers across my body. My overnight pack was too long for my small frame and jammed with items no longer worth their weight on my back. I hadn’t brought my own map so I kept looking ahead, searching for the spot where we’d [...]

How to Change the Face of The Outdoors: An American Ascent

•••

As a traveller and lover of the outdoors, be it hiking, camping, (attempting badly) to surf, running, wakeboarding etc, I love being outside. Along the way, I have noticed that the media's depiction of the great outdoors is often.. somewhat limited. There is a trend right now (with Instagram being a serial offender) of slim, caucasian women with long flowing[...]

'Embrace Everyone' Winning Work Strategy

•••

I would be lying if I said that Marcie Goodman, the Executive Director of the Cleveland International Film Festival, didn’t intimidate me. Not the "eggshell walking" kind of intimidation, just the milder, "God, don't let me say anything stupid around her" kind. Like any other self respecting writer, I use my irrational fears as a source of hyperbolic humo[...]

Behind the Veil: Sara Shamsavari

•••

Upon meeting Sara Shamsavari, one can tell that fear isn’t often an emotion she publically conveys. Confident but kind, her demeanor holds a strength and wisdom seen through the fearless work she creates. A multidisciplinary artist, Sara was born in Iran in the midst of the Islamic Revolution, fleeing the country before settling in London. Her emotiv[...]

Starting up: Phoenix - Ethical Creativity for all

•••

Fashion meets food Meet Helen Brown, a fashion designer and owner of Kecks clothing, based in Bristol, UK. Helen had experience of running a bar and café at an arts centre but it was fashion that Helen always loved. Kecks clothing is an established fashion line which upcycle clothes (taking old or vintage clothes and making changes to create a new garment)[...]

Guest Post: A Media Manifesto

•••

It seems like everywhere I go, there’s some form of media telling me something about women. Whether it’s the larger-than-life posters of Victoria’s Secret models smiling down at me as I walk through the mall, the lyrics to music that comes on my radio driving home from school, or the magazine covers on display at the supermarket, I am constantly being told w[...]

Inspire Me