Grazia

welcome to the issue

THE SOOTHING voice of Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson on the Couch To 5K app motivated me to do something I’ve not achieved in years – run for 30 minutes straight. And I’m not the only one who’s taken up a new form of exercise over this period. From running, to Zoom Pilates and Insta lives, it has felt like we’ve all turned to fitness, not least because of its mood-boosting power at a time of mass uncertainty. If there is anyone who knows about resilience and how to stay motivated, it’s our cover star – Britain’s fastest woman, Dina Asher-Smith – who talks powerfully on page 26 about her lockdown challenges and how she has come to terms with the Olympics being cancelled. Enjoy the issue. PS: To get Grazia…

over to you...

REVISING THE CURRICULUM I read We need more Black history in the school curriculum (27 July) and couldn’t help agreeing that Black history, which focuses on the contributions that African Americans made in the past and continue to make, should be taught in schools. Children will come home and share what they have learned with their parents. This benefits society as a whole because it means that race issues will be talked about. I am heartened by the fact that teachers have been discussing lesson ideas on social media, and that thousands of people have signed petitions to make teaching Britain’s colonial past a compulsory part of the curriculum. I do so hope change is coming – because change is sorely needed. B J Webb CHOICE WORDS Thank you so much for featuring…

grazia view

“More must be done to protect women’s mental health We see it time and again: in times of crisis, women are often hit harder than men. True to form, a study last week in The Lancet Psychiatry found a 33% rise among women experiencing significant mental distress in April, 32% among parents with children under five and 37% among young people aged 18 to 24. As Sally McManus, joint senior author of the study, said, ‘Overall, pre-existing inequalities in mental health for women and young people have widened.’ We have to work even harder, then, to close these gaps so women don’t constantly bear the brunt of emergencies – and new inequalities don’t keep arising.”…

why you should be wearing a face mask (clue: it’s not just about subduing covid-19)

I DID NOT see the Face Mask Wars coming. Brexit and Remain, sure! Territorial disputes, Twitter’s ideology feuds, Blur v Oasis, Tottenham v Arsenal, yup, yup, yup, yup! I mean, I never subscribe. I think this sort of thing silly at best, deadly at worse, uniformly frustrating… But I can see how each triggers primal urges about protecting our tribe against perceived aggression from other tribes, and in doing so, creates assorted crises of identity, because: if someone believes as passionately in their tribe, as we do, in ours, then what ? The idea people could be torn asunder according to whether they wear a slither of fabric across their mouths and nostrils, though? Nope. Sorry. No. I do not understand how anyone extrapolates that into a bigger row about Who…

chart of lust

1. Up CATE F *** ING BLANCHETT Wherein, the ‘f*** ing’ denotes awe for her performance in Mrs America K Here in a sentenceW ‘Cate F*** ing Blanchett, tho!’ (ResponseW ‘I know, right?’) 2. Up UZO ADUBA Formerly Crazy Eyes in OITNB K Currently Shirley Chisholm in Mrs America WHICH WE WILL KEEP MENTIONING, YES, because it’s exceptionalK AlsoW Rose Byrne’s Gloria Steinem shades! 3. Up BEN STOKES We are no great fans of cricket, but we do have a soft spot for him, especially when he spontaneously wears a hairbandK 4. Up LEO PUMPKIN-HEAD DICAPRIO While Johnny Depp’s libel trial is a desperate, messy, distressing affair by any measure, his nicknames for Amber Heard’s coJstars did provide brief light reliefK 5. New in DEVON T E R R E L L Ref Netflix’s Cursed , a retelling of the Merlin legendK Had we…

what’s new keeping us going now!

FASHION ASSISTANT CHARLOTTE PAVITT ON THE PIECES AIDING HER RE-ENTRY INTO THE WORLD Get yourself on the waiting list for these Smile Mugs – not only will they bring joy to your morning, but they’re handmade and hand-painted in Texas by founder Coy, who is just as adorable as her creations. £54, The Coy Collection SEVEN SEAS Inspired by the wonders of the ocean, this lagoon blue candle holder is the perfect addition to my summer tablescape. £29.99, Anna + Nina SANDAL SEASON Now I’m finally allowed to get a pedicure, I’m seeking out new season sandal styles. These top-stitched Zara flip-flops will help me show of my new nails. £29.99, Zara IN THE BAG This checked tote from Zara Home will allow me to commute in style while carrying everything I need. £25.99, Zara Home During lockdown I’ve…