What is beauty? Eight champions of beauty on their perspective

The Price Of Beauty – Emer Lenihan, professional ballet dancer

“The ballerina is the personification of beauty. She’s the embodiment of beauty according to society and the standard that many women out there can never ever achieve. They put their bodies put through a gruelling process from years of seeking perfection which is just unattainable and a grave price that has to be paid to achieve this level of perfectionism.”– Lawson Mpame and Itchey Drew

“With the stress of image in the dance world I have found physical beauty hard to find in myself. However, I have learnt to not let other people’s views of me define me and continue to love what I do. I find beauty in dancing, I see beauty in choreography and the way that lets people express themselves. Dancing allows me to express how I feel without the need to use words, it is such a beautiful and physical art form. I would tell my younger self to be more confident – in ability, in dancing, in friendships and all relationships. I would tell myself to always stand up for what I believe in and always chase my dreams. For me, the word beauty means the way you deal with and treat situations and people. Beauty is the choice to make others happy and feel worthy.” – Emer Lenihan

Creative direction Lawson Mpame. Director Itchey Drew. Photography by Wiktoria Bialas and Mark Sosiak. Art Director: Lawson Mpame, Director of photography: Itchey Drew. Lighting: Mark Sosiak, lighting assistants: Denise Kavunov and Fabiola Melo. Stylist: Lorna Spaine. Hair: Maria Whiting. Make-up: Jessy Malone. Choreographer: Jessie Thompson. Runner: Max Korol. Location: D-Light Studios. Set: Ten Four and We Are Platinum. Clothing: French Connection and Primark. Special thanks to Camerakit.ie.

IMAGE Winter 2023

The Winter issue of IMAGE is here, and festive sparkles are on our mind, from our fashion shoot full of party-ready pieces to the home of jeweller Chupi Sweetman-Durney which is full of glinting gold. Plus, we learn how to make the most of festive leftovers, and are planning a winter break to remember. Plus: * Big knits * Cool corduroy * In studio with Pearl Reddington * Audrey Hepburn’s Irish connections * Confidence at work * A Kilimanjaro adventure * Beauty gifts to give yourself * Practical magic * A ski retreat with a difference * Weekend escapes *  and so much more…

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