Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 i Attitude Magazine

Jamie Tabberer, web reporter As well as countless depressing Jeff Buckley lyrics, I’m always moved by the surprising profundity ofthe Spice Girls’ 2 Become 1... especially Mel B’s line: “Free your mind of doubt and danger. Be for real, don’t be a stranger. We can achieve it, we can achieve it.” No, this is not (solely) an excuse to print my picture with her. James Barr, music columnist The Saturdays’ “Whatcha doing Saturday, girl? I’m doing nothing” from Higher, the Flo Rida remix, natch. They predicted lockdown — psychic! John Dunning, journalist “What else could I say? Everyone is gay” from All Apologies by Nirvana. These lyrics changed the way I thought about myself as a gay teenager living in Africa. This song, together with Cobain’s portrait on the cover…

GANT X LUKE EDWARD HALL For their latest collection, GANT have taken a stroll in a picturesque English garden, teaming up with master of vintage design, Luke Edward Hall. Featuring floral prints and embroidered animals, the range embraces nature to its fullest, with a pretty palette of clays, warm pinks and spring greens. The collaboration also incorporates GANT’s statement sporty touches, with long-sleeved polo shirts and sweatshirts sitting alongside 1970s-inspired corduroy suits. It all adds up to a charming fusion of modern and vintage. gant.co.uk FOCAL FOR BENTLEY RADIANCE HEADPHONES Bentley Motors is changing lanes with the launch of a new headphones range — and we’re totally revved up for them. Joining forces with sound experts Focal, the Bentley Radiance Headphones combine impeccable design and refinement (as you’d expect from…

Sex is an important part of life and, even during the challenges of the current pandemic, it should, as much as possible, stay that way. With COVID-19 unlikely to vanish from our lives any time soon, we all have to find ways that balance our need for intimacy with actions that could further spread the virus. Our core advice that we’ve issued from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is to follow government guidance and that your safest sexual partner is yourself or another consenting adult within your household. Expecting people to abstain from sex indefinitely is not realistic. This approach to sex and sexual health promotion has never worked, and the recent confusion about what counts as an ‘established relationship’ and what doesn’t certainly hasn’t helped matters. It’s also…

Before Michael Dankwah started making luxury teddy bears he planned to move into women’s fashion. But he traded in a lifetime of skirts and stilettos after he made a teddy bear for a friend. Now, the 33-year-old’s handmade bears are flying off the shelves of Liberty. When did you start Grin & Bear? The first bear I made was a last-minute Christmas present for a friend of mine who I hadn’t seen for a little while — I just wanted to do something special for Christmas. I sent her the teddy bear, and she absolutely loved it and she ended up posting pictures of it on Facebook. Out of the blue, I started getting all these messages. I thought I’d see where I could take it and that’s how Grin…

I’m sorry to hear you haven’t been able to make an appointment with your doctor. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has meant that face-to-face appointments aren’t always possible, but you should be able to get a phone or video consultation, so be persistent. The good news is that an itchy crotch is unlikely to be serious. First, think about what is in contact with that area: have you recently changed your type of underwear, shower gel, or started using anything new down there? If so, perhaps change back, or try something else. Contact dermatitis is a reaction to anything touching the skin and the easy way to sort it is to stop using the offending item — otherwise, a steroid cream should do the trick. The next possibility to consider is infection…

Having already made sporting history with two Olympic gold medals and her WBO flyweight championship belt, retired British boxer Nicola Adams continues to blaze trails as one half of the first same-sex couple on Strictly Come Dancing. The announcement predictably triggered a wave of Ofcom complaints – but, rolling with the punches, Nicola, 37, refuses to tango with trolls. “I’ve been through so much in my life, people’s comments really don’t affect me now,” she says. “Keep it coming.” Nicola, who lives with her girlfriend, Ella Baig, and their beloved pooch, Brooklyn, is sure to put in a knockout performance on the show – we’ve put money on it. Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturdays on BBC One MY MUM COULDN’T GET A BABYSITTER ONE NIGHT FOR ME AND MY BROTHER.…

SAVE THE DUCK! Fashion that uses sustainable and eco-friendly materials is the future, and brands like Save The Duck are leading the way. Founded in 2012, the 100% animal-free and cruelty-free outerwear brand is running a new campaign, Stand Up and Quack, promoting animal welfare and environment protection. They’ve enlisted five changemakers to wear duck face masks as a symbol of the company’s commitment to their activism (they’ve saved 20 million ducks over the years!). Save The Duck’s padded outerwear is made with recycled materials, without using any goose down or other animal-derived components, so you can stay stylish without ruffling any feathers. savetheduck.it BLAZE A TRAIL Forget the bag of the season, the new holy grail of fashion is wearing the trainer of the moment. Dior are stepping into…

BEAM ME UP! Moon water… soon to appear atop the rider requests of all self-respecting divas! POPE FRANCIS COMES OUT… …in support of same-sex civil unions. Make your mind up, bruv RUDY BEHAVIOUR Donald Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani’s dirty laundry exposed in new Borat film THE LIBRARY IS BACK OPEN! Drag Race UK has Ru-sumed filming and suddenly we have hope to get through another day LITERAL PEOPLE Literally, like ones that literally use ‘literally’ in every sentence they say PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PEOPLE Say what you’re thinking or just fuck off CAN’T EAT, WON’T HELP OUT Tory scrooges against free meals for vulnerable children END CREDITS? Cinemas are facing a tough time… support the arts, people! GUEST-LIST ISSUES 30 friends at a funeral? Only 15 mates at a wedding? We’re literally…

Gentleman Urbane eau de parfum, £19.99, by Yardley yardleylondon.co.uk Iridescent alcohol-free herbal toner, £35, by Kiehl’s kiehls.co.uk Keep water chilled with this cool bottle, £26, by Ted Baker tedbaker.com Check it out! Checkered condom, £5, by Saint Laurent ysl.com The stylish Harris Cèilidh gin bottle, £45, by Isle of Harris Distillery harrisdistillery.com Men’s energy elevating body wash, £25, by James & Jake jamesandjake.com Soothe those lips with the Butterstick, £19.50, by Kiehl’s kiehls.co.uk Apple Watch Series 6, £27 per month (£19 upfront cost), by Apple vodafone.co.uk Soothing almond milk & honey gift bag, £45, by The Body Shop bodyshop.co.uk Cosy yellow merino wool beanie, £24.99, by Topman topman.com Under £50 Hand-dipped taper candles, £9.50 for 2, by Fairholme etsy.com/uk/shop/fairholme Rock around the Xmas tree in these socks, £12, by Burlington…

Performing live in drag heals me. During a pandemic that has all but annihilated the live arts sector, I’ve felt the loss of live performance more deeply than I could ever have anticipated. As someone who suffers with OCD, it’s hard for me to feel truly present in any given situation. A calm walk in a park will be interrupted by outlandish fears that have no basis in reality; a long-overdue conversation with a friend will be ruined by the bully in my head, screaming at me for whatever I have just said. “In drag, I am able to access my most vulnerable side” As I write this column, I’ve had to wrestle with my mental dictators, who try to pull me away from the task at hand to ruminate…

Things can get really hairy for pop stars – just ask The Vamps’ Bradley Simpson, Connor Ball, James McVey and Tristan Evans, as they reminisce about/visibly recoil from some of the bespoke, erm, ‘gifts’ they’ve received from fans over the years. “We did get a bag of pubes in the early days… that was quite bad,” 25-year-old Brad recalls. But that wasn’t the worst of it. “We had to stop fan mail because we [also] got a used tampon in the post,” Tristan, 26, grimaces. Bandmate Connor, 24, adds: “It was in a nicely wrapped envelope and it had ‘YOLO’ [written] on the side of it.” Gross. Ironically, though, that sentiment — you only live once — rings true on the group’s newly released number-one album, Cherry Blossom (out now),…

Just as I click onto my video call with Viggo Mortensen, I hear the front door burst open downstairs and my niece and nephew crash, bang, wallop through the house. I apologise to Viggo in case he can hear the explosion of noise his end – fortunately, he is oblivious to the chaos that has erupted. “If you have to step away to care for them, that’s fine,” he insists. The Danish-American actor also keeps his cool when my rasping internet connection repeatedly cuts out. FML. Slicing and dicing his way into our fantasies as lusciously locked warrior Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, Viggo, 61, is now looking to cut it as a filmmaker with his directorial debut, Falling, which stars Lance Henriksen, Laura Linney and,…

EAST TO WES Instagram account ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ is a collection of images that reflects the whimsical aesthetic of the director’s films. The account, a colourful assortment of buildings popping with pastels and venues that are pleasingly symmetrical, has accumulated more than a million followers. Now Wally Koval, its creator, has produced a companion book containing more than 200 locations in every continent, with the unique story of each. The book, published by Trapeze, has been authorised by Anderson himself and the hard cover is sewn bound so it lays flat – perfect for encouraging you to go out and discover your own Moonrise Kingdom or Grand Budapest Hotel. accidentallywesanderson.com A FORCE OF NATURE Nature has been calling us hither this year as we all seek to escape overcrowded city…

After a whirlwind rise to fame on The X Factor in 2012, Josh Cuthbert and his bandmates in Union J went on to have a series of hits, including top ten singles Carry You and You Got It All and bestselling album, Union J. But Josh’s music career ended on a sour note when the band was suddenly let go by their label. Now 28, Josh took the opportunity to refocus on himself and started modelling for brands such as The Kooples, Hugo Boss and Jimmy Choo, and becoming an ambassador for Givenchy earlier this year. He has also amassed a loyal following on social media where he shares his fitness and grooming tips. Beyond that, he has been outspoken about his struggles with mental health in a bid to…

Don’t forget flu As most health news at the moment seems to be about COVID-19, you’d be forgiven if flu isn’t at the forefront of your mind right now. However, Public Health England has issued a warning this winter, as evidence shows that catching flu and COVID at the same time could be especially bad news, particularly for people with underlying health problems. If you fall into one of the eligible groups, make sure you get your vaccine without delay. PrEP now on the high street Following the decision for PrEP to finally be made available for free via sexual health clinics across England, high-street pharmacy Superdrug has started to provide the medication through its online service. Although accessing PrEP from an online platform is nothing new, this is the…

BOOK OF THE MONTH Retracing Oscar’s footsteps The actor’s mesmerising, beautifully written third autobiography TO THE END OF THE WORLD: TRAVELS WITH OSCAR WILDE Rupert Everett/Little, Brown Part-memoir, part-travelogue, part-filmmaking diary, this is the exceptionally well-written third autobiography from actor Rupert Everett. It tells how he set out to make The Happy Prince — about Oscar Wilde’s last days — a 10-year quest that summoned every last atom of determination he had. It is impossible to overstate just how brilliant this book is; fearless, soulful and so articulate that every single page mesmerises. Travelling across Europe for the film, Rupert weaves together beautifully rendered tales from his past, remembering wild times, freak encounters and lost friends. Yes, there are celebrities, but there are also deliciously real, eccentric characters: glamorous but…

GANT have ventured into the idyllic wildflower meadows of the English countryside to create their latest collaboration, with London artist Luke Edward Hall. Blending their heritage sportswear with Hall’s beloved traditional English style, the collection includes 1970s corduroy suits, rugby shirts and sweaters adorned with beautiful embroidered flowers. Sketched by Luke himself, the prints and patterns were inspired by everything from Italian Renaissance painter Filipino Lippi, to the daffodils that grow outside Luke’s cottage. GANT’s artistic director, Christopher Bastin says, “We’ve taken ideas from vintage pieces and the GANT archive, and merged them with modern silhouettes.” The results, we think you’ll agree, are blooming marvellous. GANT x Luke Edward Hall collection, available from 5 November, gant.co.uk…

& Other Stories at ASOS asos.com A Absolute Collagen absolutecollagen.com Acne Studios at Selfridges selfridges.com Alan Crocetti alancrocetti.com Alexander McQueen alexandermcqueen.com Allies of Skin at Space NK spacenk.com Amina Muaddi aminamuaddi.com ASOS asos.com B Balenciaga at Matches Fashion matchesfashion.com Billy Ruffian billyruffianshoes.co.uk Boss hugoboss.com C Cartiercartier Colmar colmar.it Connolly connollyengland.com D David Koma davidkoma.com Dior dior.com Dries Van Noten at Browns brownsfashion.com Dunhill dunhill.com E Estee Lauder esteelauder.com Eton etonshirts.com G Gantgant Givenchy givenchy.com H Hotlips by Solange hotlipsbysolange.co.uk HUDA Beauty Wishful at Selfridges selfridges.com J JWAndersonjwanderson K Kate Somerville katesomerville.co.uk Kiehl’s kiehls.co.uk L Lacostelacoste Lacoste x National Geographic lacoste.com Laura Lombardi lauralombardi.com Liberty London libertylondon.com Louboutin at Selfridges selfridges.com Louis Vuitton uk.louisvuitton.com Lush uk.lush.com M Maiummaium Marcelo Burlon marceloburlon.eu MCQ at MR PORTER mrporter.com Miu Miu miumiu.com Moschino moschino.com…

AVOID THE NEWS. Miss Rona? I don’t know her. Stick to funny cat memes instead — did you see the one with the wet ass pussy? KEEP WARM by cosying up to a hotblooded man. Yes, Matt Hancock, we’re in an established relationship, look how far he’s established his dick inside our ass! STAY ACTIVE. Exercise is super important — endorphins and all that. Start small by occasionally flexing your index finger as you flick through Netflix. SEE THE LIGHT. Make the most of the sun when it is out. Great opportunity, too, to scare little kids with your new wintry wardrobe! USE YOUR TIME PRODUCTIVELY. As the dark nights draw in, organise that spice rack, sort out your sock drawer, open the Pandora’s box containing your repressed childhood memories……

“The best pick-up line someone has said to me is, ‘You’re hot. Wanna smash?’” What were your rejected drag names? This rude AF drag queen used to call me Scarlett Herpes and it drove me absolutely insane! Describe yourself in three emojis. Describe your drag style in five words. Powerful. Defiant. Loud. Unapologetic. Supportive. Best pick-up line someone has said to you? “You’re hot. Wanna smash?” Not gonna lie, I was like, “OK, that’s forward… I just might!” What’s the worst thing someone could say to you in bed? “Do you smell that?” How would (or does) your Grindr profile read? Don’t be an asshole, don’t be mean, don’t be one of those toxic ‘masc’ dudes. Be kind ’cos it’s the best! Biggest turn-on? A great smile, nice arms and…

Brandon Taylor is a master of quiet intimacies — of their transactions and their economies, of what lies beneath the words chosen and the gestures traded. He understands our barbed words masqueraded as love, and the love felt, obscured by our barbed words. His debut novel, Real Life, is undeniable evidence of such. Released in February to critical adoration, and most recently a Booker Prize nomination, Real Life follows Wallace, a gay, black, grad student (perhaps the first protagonist of his kind) in a gorgeous, quotidian, campus-set exploration of queerness, boundaries, race, and connection. Like many of us, Brandon spent his formative years searching for mirror images in the written word — the reassuring salve that only art and literature which sees us can provide — and coming up short.…

Muscle-bound men in form-hugging outfits struggling with their secret identities… this is at the very heart of what it is to be a superhero, so it’s hardly surprising that there’s always been a gay reading of the genre. The Marvel film franchise is expected to up the ante on LGBTQ representation next year with its film, Eternals, which will feature its first gay kiss between the character Phastos and his husband. Then there’s the rumoured gay romance of female warrior Valkyrie in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder. The move to put gay characters in the foreground is relatively recent, particularly in the inherently more conservative arena of big-budget franchise cinema, but it has been present throughout the history of superhero movies. One of the more forthright and oldest representations…

Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, I honestly thought that I was the only black, gay person in the world. I had family members and friends making comments like, “Black people aren’t gay,” or, “Homosexuality is the white-man disease.” You grow up thinking, who do I identify with? Who can I look up to and aspire to? Do I — and can I — fit in? Is this world for me, as no one looks like me? I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I subconsciously brainwashed myself into not liking black men because I thought they [weren’t] gay or welcoming to gays. Then I went to bars in my twenties to be told, “I don’t date black guys,” and, “I don’t find black people attractive.” It diminished my self-worth.…

If this year has shown us anything it’s that access to the gym is no longer guaranteed. It’s time for us to take back control over our fitness. You don’t need to wait for an Amazon delivery of dumbbells to stay in shape. The one piece of equipment we all have at our disposal — quarantine or not — is our bodies. Bodyweight workouts are fierce. They can be done anywhere, any time. Using just your own mass you can work an array of muscle groups in ways you’ve never dreamed of. “Watch a routine all the way through” If you’re not currently locked down, it’s worth taking this time to build up a portfolio of workouts that you can do at home, for times when you might need to…

Arlo Parks Swooping in to save 2020 are some major pop comebacks: Ariana, Kylie and Sam Smith are set to wipe away our ‘tiers’. Sam is back to their breakup-bop best on new album, Love Goes, which they’ve described as magical, therapeutic and, above all, fun. It is what we need; the distance COVIDtina has caused us to have from our community and LGBTQ spaces feel all too real right now. That is why I want to introduce you to 19-year-old singer/songwriter Arlo Parks. Like Sam, Arlo makes music that breaks our hearts, and then fills them up again with queer love. Parks’ stunning single, Hurts, finds the positive in the temporary sadness of an ending, while Black Dog dives deep into depression and the cruel games our minds play…

POSSESSOR Christopher Abbott, Andrea Riseborough, Jennifer Jason Leigh Brandon Cronenberg, son of body-horror maestro David, writes and directs this riveting, violent and subversively queer sci-fi thriller, where hired gun Andrea Riseborough inhabits other people’s bodies and gets them to do the bloody work for her. Knotty gender conflicts ensue when her latest target (Christopher Abbott) resists her invasion. Wildly original and unnerving. 27 November UNCLE FRANK Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, Judy Greer, Peter Macdissi Alan Ball, of American Beauty and Six Feet Under fame, writes and directs this later-life coming-out drama. A mixture of melancholy and 1970s nostalgia, it follows a gay literature professor (Bettany) in New York as he travels back to his Southern hometown for a reunion with his estranged family. It’s a mellow, likeable ramble, with Bettany…

With their signature crocodile logo, Lacoste have always had an affinity with the animal kingdom. So it’s only natural that their latest clothing line ties into the ambitious National Geographic Ark project, which aims to photograph every living species in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries. The new Lacoste x National Geographic range takes inspiration from the Grévy’s zebra, the green-and-black poison dart frog, the Halloween pennant dragonfly and the jaguar, with vibrant prints bringing animal magic to everything from jackets, tees, sweaters and polo shirts to underwear, trainers and accessories. Naturally, each piece has been created with the environment in mind — the bags are made from recycled polyester, the polo shirts are organic cotton, and the footwear features natural rubber outsoles — all materials have been certified…

Is there a sound more infectious than Amanda Holden’s glorious cackle? If so, we haven’t heard it. Best known as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, Amanda might surprise fans with her golden buzzer-worthy vocals on debut album, Songs from My Heart. “People think they know who I am because they see me being loud and outrageous on the television,” she says. “That is a part of me, but really, I’m all about my family — this album is all the songs I’ve loved in my life, sung for the people who mean the most to me.” Amanda, 49 — who was named ‘Honorary Gay’ at the 2017 Attitude Awards — was previously nominated for a Laurence Olivier award for her title role in 2004 musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Here…