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We’re celebrating International Women’s Day by teaming up with the British Red Cross to support the amazing work that they do. As a leading charity offering aid in a variety of ways, the Red Cross support people not only in the UK, but around the world, too.
Formed in 1863, the Red Cross has since offered relief during the First and Second World Wars, supported global vaccination programs and have been involved in aid during more recent crises such as the Afghanistan war and the current crisis in Ukraine, striving to protect people in armed conflict. Their work close to home includes emotional and financial support, mobility aids services, refugee services and support at home, whilst their international work helps people and countries in crisis.
We wanted to get involved with a cause that helps so many people through extraordinarily difficult periods in their lives. We hosted a workshop offering a makeup masterclass to a group of refugee women, giving them the tools and confidence to find a look that makes them feel their most powerful self. Our makeup artist Katy Jane talked them through the fundamentals of applying makeup and showed these incredible women how to find shades that work best for them.
The Emolyne x British Red Cross photoshoot captured incredible imagery and stories from a range of models and personalities which we can’t wait to share with you throughout the month. We spoke to each of our models to find out why they wanted to get involved in such a fantastic cause, and spread awareness for a charity changing the world.
Juliette Foxx - @romeosfashionfix
– Fashion & lifestyle creator and designer, founder of ‘Romeo’s Fashion Fix’
The Red Cross is so important and vital because what they do is so necessary. And I think the thing that strikes me the most with them is that there’s no hierarchy in terms of who needs help. There is no trauma that’s more sad than someone else’s. They know everyone’s pain and suffering is real to them – the Red Cross recognises that. And for me personally, they’ve helped my family. It’s something that’s close to my heart as a refugee; my dad’s worked with them before, so there’s a personal connection there, but I think what strikes me the most as impressive about the red cross is that no one’s pain is too small to be important. And I think that’s the message that we should spread as much as we can.
Follow Juliette @romeosfashionfix
MoJo - @_queenmojo
– TV personality, dancer, mental health advocate.
I’ve not worked with many charities before, so I was super excited to get involved in this campaign. I think in this line of work, you get used to the glossy side of the industry, and sometimes forget to make the time to do things to give back – I want to give back. The chance to meet with other women and work with a black owned brand really means a lot to me and I think it’s super important. To see that the shade of the nail varnish is called Nigeria. I was like, oh, was that a misprint? Was this a gift? No, this is what the brand is about, and I appreciate the representation. It feels like something I can relate to my culture and that’s something that’s not really there in the mass market. It’s close but we’re still a little
way off. So much progress has been made, which I’m grateful for, but not where we can actually identify. We are just scratching the surface, I guess, over here. So something like this feels profound and new.
Follow MoJo @_queenmojo
Chizoba - @chizoba_emmanuel_
– Fashion model.
Personally, I have always wanted to work with a charity. Growing up, my mum was a single parent, a widow. So when I was growing up, I got a scholarship to go to high school thanks to organisations such as this one. When I was in high school, I was like, wow! Someone is trying to make my life better and give me opportunities I would have otherwise had. This made me realise I want to do the same one day – to improve the quality of someone else’s life and give back.
Follow Chizoba @chizoba_emmanuel_
Sophie Piper - @sophpiper_
– Ex-Love Island contestant, influencer & founder of Presence Hats.
It’s amazing doing work for charity and supporting an organisation like the Red Cross – it warms your heart. It’s nice to do something to give back and spread awareness aside from your day to day, because it’s not something you always get to do, but it’s something that is really important to do. It’s a good feeling. I’m aware that a lot of my following are younger girls as well so it’s important to show them that it’s so valuable to help where you can.
Follow Sophie @sophpiper_
Felicity Hayward - @felicityhayward
– Curve model, social media influencer & activist.
I’ve worked with the Red Cross for a few years now. I donated half my wardrobe to one of the charity shops in Portobello Road because I felt within the high street plus size women don’t have enough spaces to shop. So, if I could donate half of my wardrobe, then there would be a specific store, with an eccentric cluster of clothes where women could shop. Everything that I stand for within my brand is all about women, confidence, kindness and empowerment and every campaign that I’ve worked on with the Red Cross has embodied that. It just aligned, and so I want to continue to support them in other projects.
Follow Felicity @felicityhayward
Find out more about the Red Cross and how you can get involved at redcross.org.uk