Mine Truly: Six Fashion Journal readers write love letters to themselves
ART DIRECTOR AND STYLIST – CARLOS MANGUBAT
PRODUCER – RUBY STALEY
PHOTOGRAPHER – SAM WONG
PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT – NATHAN STOLZ
HAIR AND MAKEUP – LILY SWAN AT DUVAL AGENCY
HAIR AND MAKEUP FOR KAIIT – ROSIE KALINA
TALENT – KAIIT, BEL, JASON CLYMO AT WINK MODELS, LAKSHAY DHIMAN, MADDY LYONS, MADDIE LATHAM
Love fearlessly.
When was the last time you liked your own post?
In an age when we preach self-care, it’s a little strange we’ve not yet cleared this hurdle. Liking your own post seems ‘wrong’ for some reason, but as we grow to better embrace self-love, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why.
For its new Love Fearlessly campaign, Converse has therefore asked the question, ‘What if your own like is all you need?’ Through it, the brand is asking people globally to take the first step to fearless self-love by liking their own posts.
It’s a small yet radical act.
In the spirit of the campaign, we asked six people – including three FJ readers scouted via Instagram – to write a love letter to themselves, taking one step closer to loving themselves fearlessly.
Kaiit, Musician, 22
Thank you body.
Thank you 4 holding me.
Thank you 4 loving me unconditionally.
I’m sorry 4 the times I view & speak to you negatively.
I’m sorry there’s not enough positive representation of you.
I’m sorry for not always seeing the things you do for me whilst I fixate about how you look & fit underneath clothes.
You’re making it possible for me to see in 20/20 vision, for me to be able to hear music that inspires my music, for me to be able to remember things I learnt in rehearsals for my show next week.
Thank you for giving me space to mess up. Thank you for picking me up when I fall & thank you for being able to be the positive representation YOU NEEDED!
Jason Clymo, Model & Activist, 22
Some days, I hate my scars – and that’s okay.
Other days, I appreciate them as they symbolise what my amazing body does for me and allows me to do.
Some days I am my own harshest critic and my fear of failure is overwhelming.
However, most days, I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved and the person I am becoming.
It is valid for me to feel these insecurities, but they do not define me or make me any less worthy of happiness and success.
Bel, Musician, 24
Dearest Bel,
I admire your resilience and individuality. You remain true to yourself even when the world tried to sway you otherwise.
You are, however, far too critical of yourself, to the point of ridiculous.
It’s okay though, because you want a miraculous life for yourself. You know hard work will get you there.
I do however promise to honour myself the way I would another – all of myself, even the parts I wish were different/better.
I’m the only one who loves you…
Bel xo
Maddy Lyons, Fashion Journal Reader, 23
To me, ?
I love the curious imagination inside of me. I love that I am silly, sensitive and sarcastic. I am proud of the mental strength I have built up, possess and continue to grow with.
I’m challenged by my insecurities around learning impairment, my self-identity and good old social anxiety, but I am so grateful for my heightened energy and ability to nurture my body and mind.
I hope to grow out of negative self-talk patterns and embrace my own fucking authenticisty. LOL! xxx
Lurrve from Maddy 🙂
Lakshay Dhiman, Fashion Journal Reader, 23
Things that I love about myself are my cultural background, I was born in India, moved to Aus 10 years ago.
Having an ethnic background has helped me appreciate different cultures and people in general.
One thing I am working towards is being more patient.
I am not perfect, but I promise to embrace my flaws, learn and grow to become a better person every day.
Lakshay
Maddie Latham, Fashion Journal Reader, 25
I love myself because I am unapologetically me, always.
I am an out and proud woman striving to always celebrate my sexuality. Since cutting my hair short when I was 6 years old, I have frequently struggled with being mistaken for a boy.
I am still growing into my identity and learning that it’s okay if I present myself physically in a way other people make assumptions about.
This article was originally published in Fashion Journal 194. You can read it here.
Styling credits
LOOK ONE
KAIIT WEARS / NOW BASIC CARDIGAN IN BLACK $10, ZARA OVERSIZED DENIM JACKET $69.95, SZN UPCYCLED DENIM RAW WIDE LEG PANTS $340, CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR LOVE FEARLESSLY CANVAS LIFT LOW TOP IN BLACK $120, TALENT’S OWN CORSET, SOCKS AND ACCESSORIES
LOOK TWO
JASON WEARS / ABRAND A DROP SKINNY TURN UP JEANS $139.95, NICCE LOGO WHITE T-SHIRT $60, ELWOOD PAXTON NAVY WORK SHIRT $99.99, LEVI’S HOODED TRUCKER CAMPFIRE JACKET $219.95, NORTHSKULL GOLD CHAIN NECKLACE $140, CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR HIGH TOP IN BLACK $110, TALENT’S OWN RINGS
LOOK THREE
BEL WEARS / TARGET ORGANIC COTTON TANK $8 AND CREW SOCKS $6 (PART OF SET), CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR LOVE FEARLESSLY CANVAS LIFT LOW TOP IN BLACK $120, MODEL’S OWN SKIRT, SHIRT AND JEWELLERY
LOOK FOUR
MADDY WEARS / ABRAND LOVE WAVES BONNIE DENIM JACKET $159.95 AND LOVE WAVES HIGH RELAXED DENIM SHORT $99.95, CONVERSE CREW SOCKS IN WHITE $7, CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR 70 LOVE FEARLESSLY HIGH TOP IN THUNDER GREY $120, TALENT’S OWN JEWELLERY
LOOK FIVE
LAKSHAY WEARS / COTTON ON BG ESSENTIAL SKATE T-SHIRT $14.95, LEVI’S VINTAGE SHORTALL FREE RIDE DUNGAREES $129.95, CONVERSE CREW SOCKS IN WHITE $7, TALENT’S OWN DENIM JACKET AND ACCESSORIES
MADDIE WEARS / CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR LOVE FEARLESSLY CANVAS HIGH TOP IN WHITE $100, STYLIST’S OWN JEANS, TALENT’S OWN SOCKS
LOOK SIX
MADDIE WEARS / FACTORIE RAINBOW T-SHIRT $19.95, ADINA’S JEWELS ROSE GOLD LINK NECKLACE $119, CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR LOVE FEARLESSLY CANVAS HIGH TOP IN WHITE $100, STYLIST”S OWN JEANS, TALENT’S OWN DENIM JACKET AND SOCKS
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