“There’s an expectation that an African designer somehow has to create pieces that ‘look African’”: Eva Omaghomi on Bringing African Design Talent to Harrods

https://ift.tt/vzqAZLY

Eva Omaghomi's Instagram bio reads "cultural architect". It's a job description which does justice to an impressive (and ever-expanding) CV, one that includes a stint of 17 years in the Royal Household (Omaghomi's title was director of community engagement for the household of King Charles III and the Queen Consort, and she now serves as an official advisor), as well as founding her own consultancy business, Forster Jones & Associates. Just as important is her latest venture, Brand63Africa, a social enterprise that spotlights the immense breadth of design talent coming out of Africa and its diaspora. Here, Omaghomi speaks to Marie Claire for our latest Women Who Win about what inspired Brand63Africa (hint: the seed was planted on the occasion of the King's Coronation) and why she will always believe in putting community over competition.

(Image credit: Silvia Olsen)

Brand63Africa really began with something very unusual. Ahead of the King's Coronation, I wanted to wear something that reflected my African heritage and felt authentic to who I am. I knew there were extraordinary designers creating beautiful clothes across Africa and the diaspora, but I found it surprisingly difficult to actually buy from them in the UK. I persuaded Nelly from the brand Duaba Serwa in Ghana to make something for me. It arrived a few days before the Coronation in a DHL bag and it was wonderful. I wore a Gele (headwrap) and jewellery from Nigeria, an Aspinal bag and put on some Manolo Blahniks and the outfit was perfect; African and European luxury blended beautifully together.

Abiola Olusola (Image credit: Silvia Olsen)

I love fashion and discovering new designers, and I started asking why, with so much incredible creative talent coming out of Africa, it wasn't easier for consumers, like me, to access these brands. I began researching and speaking to designers and people within the industry, and it became clear that talent and creativity weren't the problem. What was often missing was access—to international retailers, industry expertise, mentorship, investment and the networks that can help turn an extraordinary creative business into a sustainable global one. I've spent much of my career bringing people together and opening doors, so I started thinking about what I could do to help change that and Brand63Africa grew from there.

It was important to me that it was established as a social enterprise because I never wanted to create something that generated a moment of attention and then disappeared. I'm always thinking about longevity and legacy: what happens after the showcase, after the first retail opportunity? If they need it, how do we help these designers build businesses that are still thriving in five, ten or twenty years? We launched at London Fashion Week and now, just months later, our first designer cohort is launching at Harrods. It's incredibly exciting, but I still feel as though we're at the beginning of what Brand63Africa can become.

Our five designers are incredibly different, each with their own distinctive creative identity, demonstrating that African fashion cannot be defined by a single aesthetic or point of view.

Eva Omaghomi

(Image credit: Silvia Olsen)

We wanted the cohort to showcase the breadth and diversity of design talent coming from Africa and its diaspora. Our five designers are incredibly different, each with their own distinctive creative identity, demonstrating that African fashion cannot be defined by a single aesthetic or point of view.

Our curator and creative committee of fashion experts were looking for beautiful design—a strong creative identity, exceptional quality and craftsmanship, and a designer who really knows who they are. But we looked beyond the clothes. Sustainable, responsible production and social impact were important considerations too. Many of our designers work closely with local artisans and communities, preserve specialist skills or create employment through their businesses. We wanted to understand not only what they were making, but how they were making it and the impact their businesses could have.

We were also looking for ambition and the potential to grow internationally. Brand63Africa isn't simply about celebrating creativity; it's about helping designers build sustainable, long-term businesses.

I want someone to discover one of them and simply think: "That's beautiful. I want to wear it." That's when perceptions really start to change.

Eva Omaghomi

I wouldn't say that African designers are here to fill something that was "missing" creatively from the UK market. I think they're bringing another incredibly rich and exciting perspective to it. That's why the partnership with Harrods is so important. These designers are being presented within one of the world's most prestigious luxury retail environments and considered alongside internationally renowned luxury brands. I want someone to discover one of them and simply think: "That's beautiful. I want to wear it." That's when perceptions really start to change.

The Cloth (Image credit: Silvia Olsen)

[There's an] expectation that an African designer somehow has to create pieces that "look African" based on a very limited view and construct of Africa. Africa isn't one aesthetic, one culture or one story. Heritage can be incredibly powerful when it's authentic to the designer, but it shouldn't become something they feel obliged to perform for an international audience. Our designers draw on their backgrounds in completely different ways. For some it might be a traditional technique, for another a textile, silhouette, memory or way of working. For others it may be much more subtle. I want them to have the freedom to decide what their heritage means within their own creative language. The designer has to remain at the centre of their own story. Global success shouldn't require them to dilute where they come from, but equally their heritage shouldn't become the only thing the industry sees when it looks at their work.

I need to find ways to celebrate success more. I tend to look to the next achievement, which is not the healthiest approach. Sometimes it's great to bask in the moment. When my family say they're proud, that never gets old.

Launching my consultancy, Forster Jones & Associates, and seeing it thrive has made me incredibly proud. It's tough to decide to bet on yourself, especially after 17 years in the Royal Household, but it was worth it. Launching Brand63Africa at London Fashion Week was also very emotional because suddenly something that had existed as an idea became real.

Seeing the designers launch at Harrods is another extraordinary moment. To go from recognising how difficult it could be for consumers to discover and access exceptional African design, to seeing our inaugural cohort presented within one of the world’s most recognised luxury retailers feels incredibly special. I think what makes me proudest is seeing what it means to the designers. This was never about me.

If I'm working, I give it everything, but when I'm with the people I love, I try to genuinely be with them rather than mentally remaining in the next meeting or email.

Eva Omaghomi

When you're building something you care deeply about, there are inevitably periods when work takes over. What I've learnt is the importance of being present wherever I am. If I'm working, I give it everything, but when I'm with the people I love, I try to genuinely be with them rather than mentally remaining in the next meeting or email. It's a daily challenge. I also listen to my body. It has a great way of giving you small hints to rest or step away or pray or exercise. I try to listen quickly.

Abiola Olusola (Image credit: Silvia Olsen)

I go where you’re celebrated not tolerated. As a black woman founder, it’s important to prioritise your joy and mental health because building isn’t easy. Lean on your community and allies, mind your business and value yourself.

Talent is everywhere, opportunity isn't. Whether we're talking about fashion, business or any other industry, access to the right room, introduction, investment or a mentor can completely alter someone's trajectory. I've benefited throughout my career from extraordinary relationships and from people who have opened doors. I think there's a responsibility, once you find yourself in those rooms, to hold the door open for somebody else.

I'm a great believer in community over competition. Supporting somebody else's success doesn't diminish your own. If we stop thinking only about how I succeed and start thinking about how we create an environment in which more people can succeed, the impact becomes much bigger than any individual achievement. That's how you can create lasting change.

My favourite shop has to be Harrods, of course! And you can shop Brand63Africa on the 5th floor from [now] to 27 October. I’m excited about the upcoming 1-54 African Art Fair and really loved The Music is Black: A British Story exhibition at the new V&A East Museum. Restaurants I love are Gaia in Mayfair and Chishuru and my favourite place for coffee or breakfast is Kensington Roof Gardens.

Visit Brand63Africa at Harrods, 5th Floor, until the 27th of October.

from Latest from Marie Claire UK https://ift.tt/6Evrz8e
via IFTTT

I've Discovered the Luxury Milan Hideaway That’s Perfect for Shopping, Sightseeing and Feeling Like You've Been Gone a Week in Just Two Days

https://ift.tt/M8Sj1TH

My husband and I both have very busy jobs, which means carving out alone time throughout the year can be a challenge. Whilst we may not have time (or childcare) for regular nights out together, what I’ve come to realise is that quality matters far more than quantity. Instead of trying to squeeze in rushed dinners after work, when we’re both tired, or racing home to relieve our babysitter of her duties, we prioritise special moments together, however brief they may be. Enter Portrait Milano, one of Milan’s most luxurious hotels, arguably with an unbeatable location right in the heart of the city.

Part of the Lungarno Collection, the luxury hotel chain owned by the Ferragamo family, Portrait Milano is the perfect bolthole for a short city break or a special weekend away. If you’re looking for a hotel that feels as much like a destination as a place to sleep, Portrait Milano is hard to beat. Set within a beautifully restored 16th-century former archbishop’s seminary, and just a stone’s throw from Via Montenapoleone, Milan’s most iconic shopping street, it was the perfect base for our two-night stay, mixing design, culture and, of course, some shopping.

The Vibe

(Image credit: Portrait Milano )

With its impressive courtyard, retro-inspired interiors and incredible service, Portrait Milano manages to feel both grand and surprisingly relaxed at the same time.

When you walk through the historic loggia and you arrive in the Piazza del Quadrilatero, with the impressive architecture and scale of the former seminary, rather than feeling imposing, the hotel has been designed to feel like an impossibly elegant Milanese home, with lots of areas to eat, drink and relax.

The interiors, by designer Michele Bönan, channel mid-century Milan with walnut, brass, rich red velvet and plenty of Italian craftsmanship. There are subtle references to the Ferragamo family heritage throughout, but nothing feels overly branded. Instead, the atmosphere is quietly glamorous and unmistakably Italian.

The Rooms

(Image credit: @lilyrussobah)

There are 73 rooms and suites - think warm lacquered woods, marble bathrooms, beautifully rich furnishings and cinematic lighting rather than the stark minimalism you sometimes find in modern five-star hotels. Bathrooms have ample surface space, several mirrors and ample wardrobe space.

The details are particularly good: handcrafted leather handles, Carrara marble, rich fabrics and beautifully crafted large wooden wardrobes. Guests can choose from seven different pillow types and rooms overlook the internal gardens and courtyard, which is a welcomed break from the heat and the busy energy of the city.

The Location

(Image credit: Portrait Milano )

This is where Portrait Milano is unbeatable. Set on Corso Venezia, it sits right in the Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan’s legendary fashion district, with the city’s best shopping, restaurants and cultural sights on its doorstep. We were only in Milan for 3 days which meant having everything within walking distance was a real bonus.

The hotel’s own courtyard is also part of the experience. Piazza del Quadrilatero has become a destination in its own right, with regular art installations or fashion events for brands including Moncler, Max Mara and Ferragamo. If you’re feeling lazy you can spend an afternoon shopping, stop for lunch and an aperitivo, then head to the spa with barely any need to venture beyond the hotel’s walls.

The Facilities

(Image credit: @lilyrussobah)

For somewhere so centrally located, Portrait Milano offers an impressive amount of reasons to stay in. Set in the basement, the hotel features a relaxing swimming pool and longevity spa which was perfect after a morning of sightseeing in the heat. I tried the Cryosuite and Dry Float Therapy, a treatment that is used to improve circulation and relieve muscle and joint pain. The treatment allows the body and mind to regain energy, strengthen the immune system, stimulate new collagen growth and improve skin elasticity - perfect after a long-haul flight or busy working week.

For food and drink, 10_11 is the hotel's all-day Italian restaurant, while the Beefbar Milano is a more glamorous dinner option. The hotel also has Rumore, a retro-inspired cocktail bar, that is open to the public and is a popular destination after dark.

And then there’s the service. Staff are polished without being stiff, with a warm, personal approach that makes the hotel feel considerably more relaxed than its grand surroundings might suggest. The concierge can also help arrange everything from restaurant reservations to cultural experiences around the city should you wish.

The Verdict

Portrait Milano is a hotel that understands exactly what makes Milan special: impeccable design, incredible architecture, the very best fashion brands on your doorstep and delicious food. It’s undeniably expensive, but unlike some ultra-luxury hotels, it feels like you are absolutely getting your moneys worth, and for a short 2 night stay it feels like its worth every penny.

It won’t be the right choice if you’re looking for a small, intimate boutique hotel or somewhere removed from the city buzz. But if shopping, design and eating well are high on the agenda, Portrait Milano is the ultimate destination.

Marie Claire verdict: A seriously chic Milanese escape that turns a historic landmark into one of the city’s most desirable places to stay – book a room overlooking the garden for a more relaxing view.

Book via lungarnocollection.com.

from Latest from Marie Claire UK https://ift.tt/j4niXER
via IFTTT

The 10 Autumn/Winter Fashion Trends Worth Your Attention, According to a Fashion Director

https://ift.tt/fypWDMT

After a summer of heatwave after heatwave, it feels like we’re not just ready for Autumn/Winter 26—we’ve earned it. Of course, ironically, Marie Claire’s editors first saw these collections in February, dreaming of warmer temperatures and yet beadily eyeing the coats, boots, trends and styling tricks unfolding in the fashion capitals of New York, London, Milan and Paris.

It was a season of two halves in some ways, with a lot of “maxxing” in terms of fabrics (velvet!) and colours (red!), but also plenty of polish that spoke to a wardrobe that rises above anything flash in the pan. Instead, the goal is discernment—and having the confidence to dress like yourself for yourself. Whether you’re feeling drawn for the first time in ages to a classic print, or want to switch up your waistline or tailoring or silhouette (or all three!), keep reading as we visit some of the key moments of this season.

Hot Sauce

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

If you think red isn’t your colour, prepare to be convinced otherwise as designers double down on the colour this season. It was everywhere for AW26, largely chilli-hot but with a few shakes of slightly darker Ketchup. In his last collection for Alaïa, Pieter Mulier designed a long-sleeved column dress that draped its wearer, Mariacarla Boscono, in the primary colour from clavicle to ankle. At Bottega Veneta, the catwalk was a plush vermillion carpet, which provided the perfect surface for one particular dress—a mohair number that resembled fiery strands of saffron. Gucci, meanwhile, created an outfit for the 2026 “femme fatale”, a polo shirt paired with very tight pants, both in hot-sauce red. A dollop might not be enough this season. Instead, dare to wear a red dress, trousers or pair of knee-high boots. Trust us, you’ll raise the temperature of every outfit.

ZARA

Zw Collection Long Trench Coat

Brighten damp and chilly mornings with this

Jigsaw

Lola Suede Ballerina

These luxurious suede pumps suit a darker shade of burgundy.

Hush

Aria Cotton Poplin Bracelet-Length Shirt

Swap your classic white shirt for a bold tomato button-down.

Polished Folk

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

Folk-singer-turned-glamazon seemed to be the mood at many houses, offering a new wardrobe for the bohemian soul. At Dior, this included a dressing-gown style coat, louche in proportion with a rug-like pattern and pile, worn over a white shirt, indigo jeans and flat suede boots, as well as a pair of balloon pants whose surface was made of individual flowerheads. The polished folk theme continued at Givenchy, where a black gown was stitched with poppies but also given a metre-long fringe of loose threads. Finally, Gucci presented not the ingénue but the doyenne version of folk, where a floral knee-length skirt was given the “sciura” treatment with a faux-fur coat, monogrammed tights, horsebit mules and bug-eyed sunglasses.

Rixo

Viktoria Velvet Jacket

Rixo's appliqué jacket couldn't be a better partner for slightly kick-flare jeans.

ZARA

Zw Collection Embroidered Fringe Dress

Boho is all grown up this season with muted shades and delicate embroidery.

Veronica Beard

Lisa Suede Knee-High Boots in Brown

Suede knee-high boots will give a suble nod to this season's folk aesthetic.

Spotted

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

Just like a leopard can’t change its spots, the print will always be a commanding presence on the catwalk. When Meryll Rogge made her debut at Marni, she lent into the brand’s wearable eclecticism; clashing prints, colours and textures in one look that was topped with a single-breasted, just-above-knee-length, leopard-print coat that immediately went on many an editor’s wish list (ditto the leopard pencil skirt paired with snowy tights at Jil Sander). At the more fantastical end, meanwhile, was Givenchy, who combined the classic spot with corsetry to brilliant effect (psst: Sandra Bullock has already worn it).

NEOUS

Moriah 65 Leopard-Print Calf Hair Pumps

Smarter footwear need not be boring. These leopard print slingbacks with comfortable 65mm heel will seamlessly take you from desk to dinner.

Mint Velvet

Leopard-Print Velvet Straight Trousers

These leopard-print velvet trousers just need a black cashmere jumper to look sharp.

Massimo Dutti

Medium Leather Tote Bag With Fur

For the women juggling their way through life, a chic carry-all will make your every day outfits feel decidedly chicer.

Mod(ern) Suits

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

Retro suiting was given a modern flavour at Acne Studios, Celine and Louis Vuitton, with details such as split-hem (and skin-tight) trousers, kick flares that swung above the ankles and blown-up buttons. Fresh takes on tried-and-tested silhouettes were also spotted at Prada (whose trouser suit was androgynous in cut) and Proenza Schouler (whose blazer was cinch-waisted and fastened with two single buttons). Last but not least Emilia Wickstead. The label might be known for swoon-worthy dresses, not to mention bridalwear, but one of the collection’s most thrilling looks was nothing more, nothing less than a trouser suit, with perfectly cool proportions that made us yearn for back-to-school September.

COS

Double-Breasted Peplum Blazer

COS' peplum blazer can be styled with the matching suit trousers or, alternatively, a smart pair of straight-leg jeans.

COS

Cropped Flared Trousers

Switching a straight leg for a cropped flare will subtly change your new-season tailoring.

TOVE

Viva Crepe Skinny Pants

Balance longline jackets, by switching out your wide-leg trousers for a pair of skinny tailored pants.

Drop It

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

The waistline on many catwalks wasn’t in the usual spot but several centrimetres—or maybe even inches—south. That’s right, the drop waist hasn’t been this popular since the early 20th century. Lanvin presented a new-gen flapper dress—a delicately beaded sheath that one could quite easily pair with jeans in 2026 (a year after the centenary of The Great Gatsby). At Marni and Chanel, meanwhile, a belt fastened around the hips gave an extra point of interest to looks that could easily be workwear (Chanel’s drop-waisted skirt feels like a particularly fresh take on the pleated office midi). It might not be as classically “flattering” as the hourglass, but why not throw your waistline a curveball this season?

CO

Crinoline Double Layer Dress in Cotton Silk Voile

This CO dress proves that a drop-waist silhouette doesn't have to be fitted—it can also be diaphanous.

Albaray

Denim Drop Waist Pleat Skirt

Albaray's skirt has a double waist—one at the navel and one at the hips, making it the perfect gateway piece if you're just starting to explore the drop waist.

JACQUEMUS

La Robe Maille Pina Knitted Midi Dress

Drop hemlines give traditional evening wear, a modern feel.

Countryfile

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

The kind of coat you can wear in the city, sure, but more importantly in the countryside—on morning trudges, afternoon walks and any ramble in between—got an impressive showing on the catwalks, with many designers bringing their customers to pastures new (or as yet unexplored). The Burberry trench coat, for example, was "Countryfile-d", with a heavy wool check in burgundy, plum and black, not to mention leather epaulettes, wrist straps and a waist belt. Chloé’s boho-goddess will be trading diaphanous chiffon layers for a more practical alternative in autumn—a plaid cape that wouldn’t look out of place on a moor. Argyle appeared at Khaite, houndstooth at Dior, tartan at Acne Studios, Fair Isle at Marni. In short—and not forgetting a gorgeous duffle at Dries Van Noten—clothes made to be worn in a green and pleasant land are what’s in season.

The White Company

Relaxed cape

Switch up your look for the school run with a functional yet stylish cape.

Baukjen

Vicky Pleated Wrap Skirt

This puppytooth-check skirt would look on-point with a pumps-and-socks combo.

Miista

Sanne Boots

Bound with raw-leather laces, and constructed in oily black-brown leather, Miista's boots are just as appropriate for the city as they are for the countryside.

Layer Up

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

There was a pile-it-on approach to AW26, with outfit configurations that weren’t one-dimensional but multilayered. Prada delivered one of the best “aha!” moments of recent seasons when it sent out the same models only to have them walk again with an item of clothing removed to expose what had been lying underneath the whole time. We know that genius lies in the styling, which made this collection a breath of fresh air, not to mention evidence that you can layer your way to a great wardrobe. Elsewhere at Erdem, sequinned bralets were fitted over sheer turtlenecks. Lanvin posited a solution to autumn workwear, providing sophisticated coverage in the form of a tomato polo neck layered under a grey shirt, finishing the look with long suede gloves that disappeared up the sleeves. A different version of more is more that we can get on board with.

H&M

Bow-Collar Denim Shirt

Take inspiration from British designer Emilia Wickstead and layer a denim shirt under your favourite sleeveless shift dress.

By Malene Birger

By Malene Birger Esta Silk and Organic Cotton Blend Maxi Skirt

Sheer skirts aren't just for warm weather. Look to Miuccia Prada, and layer over sheer tights and chunky knits.

MANGO

Fitted High-Neck T-Shirt

A fine knit in a bright colour is an easy layering piece under shirts, blazers and dresses. Layer to your heart's content.

Very Demure

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

After a “hot girl summer” in the UK—no seriously, it’s expected to be declared as the hottest since records began in 1884, according to the BBC—September is already embracing the kind of hemlines, not to mention waist-cinched silhouettes, that are suited to cooler temperatures (thank goodness!). Is it the advent of “sensible woman autumn”? Or is it part of the return to a ladylike form of dress that we saw at labels such as Chanel, Dior and Gucci, all of which sent out their version of a two-piece that doesn’t get as much air-time in office wardrobes as it should: the skirt suit. It was new-gen tweed at Chanel; single-breasted ‘90s at Gucci, but both skirts, incidentally, hit the centre line of the knee cap, meaning that a heel is almost mandatory (and the hyper-feminine, boss-lady appeal is in-built).

Reiss

Wool Double-Breasted Pinstripe Blazer in Grey

Single-breasted and somewhat '90s in silhouette, J.Crew's suit jacket is the definition of "back to school".

Reiss

Wool Pinstripe Belted Pencil Skirt in Grey

J.Crew's knee-length pencil skirt could be teamed with the matching jacket or a butter-wouldn't-melt twinset.

Aeyde

Zandra Black Pump

Aeyde's slant heel puts a twist on the classic stiletto.

Soft Power

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

This season was plush for want of a better word—and nothing encapsulates those five letters more than velvet, a fabric whose hand-feel is fabulousness personified. The colour palette added richness—gemstone shades like citrine (Alaïa) and garnet (Balenciaga). Having said that, the most elegant way to wear velvet might be in black or and midnight blue (shoutout to Conner Ives, whose collection included a velvet gown in an inky shade). Calvin Klein’s black velvet trouser suit played with proportions—wide shoulders and straight-up-and-down pants—to thoroughly modernise the fabric. The velvet sofa might have been and gone but the suit still has legs.

Soeur

Jacket Lutetia

Soeur's velvet jacket can be dressed up or down and worn day to night.

Dries Van Noten

Printed Cotton-Blend Wide-Leg Pants

Dries Van Noten's printed velvet trousers are the definition of "statement".

Les Vacances D'Irina

The Little Velvet Sack Cotton Pouch

Add a hint of "soft power" to your outfit via a velvet pouch bag.

Checked In

(Image credit: Future/Launchmetrics)

The check print has a rigid formation but, trust us, there’s nothing square about its appearance for Autumn/Winter 26. Tolu Coker’s checked skirt suit—sculpted and cropped—was an excellent case in point. Loewe’s yellow-and-red shift dress had the naughty but nice flavour of Cher Horowitz. Chanel took a maximalist approach, updating its tweed jacket with a grid pattern made of a luminous weave in shades of black, yellow, pink and red. It shouldn’t have worked on paper but it couldn’t have been more successful, proving that, when it comes to checks, there’s no need to think too closely about balances.

M&S

Checked Ruched Long Sleeve Mini Waisted Dress

This checked dress shows how autumn's check's are anything but dull.

Dior

Dior Bow Heeled Slingback Sandal

The Dior Bow heels are comfortable and delightful in equal measure.

PS Paul Smith

Green and Brown Check Cotton Shirt

Checked shirts don't come more chipper than Paul Smith's.

from Latest from Marie Claire UK https://ift.tt/DMldcUQ
via IFTTT

I Lived By An Optimist Expert's Attitude Adjustment Tips For A Month—and Felt Happier, Braver and More Resilient

https://ift.tt/XnjFBKi

Earlier this year, I came across a headline: ‘Put on a happy face! Being optimistic lowers dementia risk by 15%’. The article, reporting on a newly published study linking higher optimism with slower cognitive decline in more than 9000 people, seemed to equate a sunny attitude with a longer life.

For a good while afterwards, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. While the sentiment of the article, and the study behind it, was undeniably positive, I couldn’t help but feel there was something off about the headline’s delivery. Looking on the bright side, finding the silver linings and keeping your cup half full are all nice in theory, but do they risk dismissing difficult, yet important, emotions? Do these worldviews require a certain amount of privilege? And does relentless optimism leave any room for admitting when something is actually just really hard?

As it turns out, I was wrong on all three counts. As psychologist and optimism expert Dr Deepika Chopra and health and social psychologist Professor Fuschia Sirios explained to me, optimism isn’t about denying life’s hardships. It’s far more about whether we see positive and negative experiences as temporary and external, or as permanent reflections of who we are.

And that means we all have the capacity to shift the way we think about the world, regardless of the circumstances we’re facing. It doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, but it can offer a different, and potentially more manageable, way of moving through them.

Ahead, I followed Dr Chopra’s seven tips for building real optimism to see how much they could actually shift my worldview. A month later, I’ve been impressed by the results.

If your mind is searching for a bit of TLC right now, I’d also recommend checking out these daily habits a neuroscientist uses to boost brain function, as well as these 10 simple ways to tailor your nutrition. We also have expert advice on training your brain to enjoy exercise and the mental reframe that soothed one writer’s overthinking brain.

What I Learnt Trying An Optimist Expert's Attitude Adjustment Tips For A Month

What is optimism?

Optimism is a funny thing. Though we all recognise it when we see it, actually being able to define and separate it from other positive mindsets such as hope and gratitude is surprisingly difficult.

“We tend to equate optimism with positive thinking,” says health psychologist and optimism doctor Dr Deepika Chopra, “but that’s not what optimism means. Real optimism is the belief that even when things are difficult or uncertain, possibilities still exist. It’s the belief that our actions can influence what happens next and that whatever we are met with, we are capable of responding to it.”

Professor Fuschia Sirois, a social and health psychologist at Durham University, agrees with Dr Chopra. “Optimists don’t just sit there waiting for it all to work out,” she says. “They put a lot of energy and effort into achieving the outcome they want. They’re persistent precisely because they believe they can achieve a positive result.”

@melrobbins

♬ original sound - Mel Robbins

What are the benefits of being optimistic?

Most of us can probably guess that optimism is linked with feeling better psychologically. But what you may not realise is that research has actually linked it with a far wider range of positive health outcomes, from better cardiovascular health, stronger social relationships and even improved longevity.

“One of the most useful ways to understand why optimism matters is through behaviour,” says Dr Chopra. “If I believe my actions might make a difference, I’m more likely to act. I’m more likely to problem-solve, seek support, persist after a setback, make the doctor’s appointment, move my body, have the difficult conversation or try again.”

It’s this resilience that makes an optimistic outlook so beneficial. “Optimism doesn’t magically create a good outcome, but it does change how we act in the space between uncertainty and outcome,” says Dr Chopra. “Over a lifetime, that makes a difference.”

But just like optimism doesn’t guarantee we’ll achieve our goals, pessimism doesn’t automatically mean we’ll fail at them. The difference is how we experience the process of working towards them. “Pessimists may still achieve their goals,” confirms Professor Sirois. “But they have a far less positive journey towards them than an optimist.”

@erif.ili

♬ original sound - Erifili Gounari ★⋆｡°꩜

Can we learn to be more optimistic?

Ok, so things seem fairly simple so far. But if optimism is so beneficial to our health and wellbeing, why does it seem to come less naturally to some than others? And if we feel we’re lacking in the optimism department, is there anything we can do to change it?

To make sense of this, we need to first understand where optimism comes from. “Research suggests that up to 50% of personality traits are biological,” says Professor Sirois. That might sound like a lot, but as she points out, “that also means that 50% is determined by our environment.”

It’s why she says surrounding yourself with optimistic people is so important. “Optimism is infectious that way,” she says. “Surrounding yourself with people who think in a certain way makes it easier for you to do the same.”

On the flipside, we can’t ignore that certain environments and circumstances make optimism somewhat harder to build. “Context matters enormously,” says Dr Chopra. “Your history, your current circumstances, any chronic stress and the amount of control you actually have over your environment all matter. It’s why someone experiencing grief, financial insecurity, discrimination, illness or repeated adversity shouldn’t be told they simply need a better mindset.”

Instead, she prefers to focus on something she calls real optimism. “This is about acknowledging reality before we try to reframe it,” she says. “It recognises that two people won’t begin from the same starting point.”

Once we have taken stock of our starting point, Dr Chopra recommends asking yourself these three questions.

• What remains possible?
• What do I have influence over?
• What is my next move?

The answers to these questions help you to start assessing how you can reasonably move towards achieving your goals. One thing Dr Chopra is very clear on is this. “You may have a natural optimism set point, but you are not sentenced to it. An optimistic explanatory style is trainable.”

@lillyhoogenberg

♬ Wes Anderson-esque Cute Acoustic - Kenji Ueda

I lived by these 7 optimism tips for a month - my mind felt infinitely better for it

When I first discovered Dr Chopra’s optimism checklist via Kourtney Kardashian’s wellness platform, Poosh, I was struck by how manageable her tips seemed. Where I expected to find vague, sweeping statements about thinking positively, instead I was met with small, practical activities which Dr Chopra said would, over time and with consistency, start to shift my way of thinking. There were no promises of things magically falling into place; just that the process of existing day to day might begin to feel that bit more enjoyable.

So, without further ado, the seven daily attitude adjustments which, after a month, have genuinely changed how I show up in the world.

The tips

• Savour something you have to look forward to
• Check in with your body before reacting
• Imagine the ‘other-case scenarios’
• Swap resistance for curiosity
• Attach optimism to existing habits
• Question your thoughts
• Build tolerance for discomfort

Tips one to three

Dr Chopra’s optimism checklist begins from the moment you wake up. Before you check your phone in the morning, she encourages us to think about something we’re looking forward to that day. It could be your morning coffee, your lunchtime walk, a phone call with a friend, or the twenty minutes you’ll spend reading a book that night.

When I ask her why it matters that I do this before I check my phone, she’s quick to explain. “We want to give your brain a future of your own to anticipate before someone else’s priorities get your attention,” she says. “Before the news, emails and social media get to tell your brain what matters, ask yourself what you are looking forward to.”

It sounds simple, but this tiny moment completely changes the trajectory of my day. I’m naturally quite anxious, so I tend to wake up with the weight of the world on my shoulders, flooded with a mental to-do list built of things people need from me. Taking a short pause to think about something small and positive that’s just for me - often something tasty I’ll make for dinner, a friend I’m seeing, or my daily swim - noticeably dislodges the dread that’s building inside me, and I find that it makes it easier to get up without so much procrastination.

Her second tip comes into play once that first stressful moment of the day hits. Whether it’s a blunt email, a difficult conversation or a missed meeting, Dr Chopra asks us to check in with how tension shows up in our body.

I’ll be honest; this is something I’ve already been practising in my own therapy, so I have a head start. But for those new to somatics, it stems from the idea that experiences don’t just get processed in our minds; they’re processed by our bodies, too. When we’re stressed, scared, angry or anxious, we might clench our fists, tighten our jaw, and our hearts might race. These reactions are all designed to protect us, but they can cloud our judgement and attention. Simply noticing what’s happening in our bodies can create that pause between situation and response, giving us the opportunity to choose what happens next.

It’s not easy, and I still don’t do it consistently. Sometimes the moment gets the best of me, the panic sets in, and my mind spirals towards disaster. But when I am able to notice what’s happening in my body, I do notice how much emotional distance I’m able to put between me and the situation.

Which brings me nicely to tip three. Instead of imagining the worst-case scenario every time, Dr Chopra encourages us to also consider various neutral-case and best-case scenarios that could come from a particular situation.

What I loved so much about this tip was that it didn’t demand that I imagine a perfect world every time, nor that I had to deny any negative thoughts. To me, this often seems unrealistic when things are imploding. In contrast, just imagining a slightly better, alternative scenario than the one my mind has automatically run to felt like a gentler stepping stone to a more optimistic outlook.

A recent trip to Greece’s Central Peloponnese region provided the perfect opportunity for Ash to pause and consider her goals and what she’s most looking forward to in the coming months. (Image credit: Ashleigh Spiliopoulou - shot on Fujifilm X100V)

Tips four to seven

Tip four is all about asking yourself how a situation is asking you to adapt.

Change, even if you’re someone who enjoys it, often comes tinged with fear. I know for me at least, I often end up hanging onto the past instead of looking ahead to what’s next.

“You don’t have to like what’s happening,” Dr Chopra previously told Poosh. “It means staying open enough to grow because of it.”

Thankfully, this month, I haven’t had any major u-turns show up in my life, but even small plan changes, such as work trips being cancelled and rearranged, have given me the chance to try this little reframe. Instead of looking at them as losses, I’ve tried to think about the opportunities they’ve created, such as giving me more time to work on other projects or catch up with friends.

Ash found that being out in nature was a great time to practice optimism (Image credit: Ashleigh Spiliopoulou - shot on Insta360 Luna Ultra)

Then there’s habit stacking. This tip isn’t so much a practice itself, but is the idea that by attaching our new optimistic behaviours to existing daily cues, we increase the likelihood we’ll stick to them. Instead of creating whole new routines, I practised saying the thing I was looking forward to whilst drinking my morning coffee, and imagined alternative case scenarios to things that were worrying me before bed. Anchoring my optimism to these things I already do (and enjoy) undoubtedly contributed to my consistency this month.

And just as she encourages us to check in with our body before reacting, Dr Chopra also suggests that we question our thoughts before taking them as gospel. That’s because our thoughts, of which we have hundreds, if not thousands, every day, aren’t always facts. Instead, they’re often predictions designed to keep us safe.

When I was younger, I had a real tendency to catastrophise and, though I’ve got better at managing it, I can still slip into panic when I think about the future. I’ve found the process of asking myself whether something is fact or assumption to be helpful for a couple of reasons. First, it’s given me more compassion for my (sometimes borderline unhinged) thinking, and second, it’s given me the time to distance myself from acting on it.

Finally, my favourite of Dr Chopra’s reminders. “Optimism doesn’t always feel good,” she tells me.

It’s this which I’ve always got wrong, and which tends to make me feel I’m failing at optimism. I’ve assumed I’m supposed to feel unwaveringly positive; when I don’t, I think I must be a pessimist. But in fact, according to Dr Chopra, a real optimist has to tolerate discomfort. “If your version of optimism requires you to immediately transform every painful feeling into something positive, that’s not optimism - that’s avoidance,” she says. “Sometimes the healthiest response is simply: This hurts. I’m disappointed. I’m scared. I don’t know how this ends.”

To me, this is the most reassuring of all her advice. I have a tendency to run away from negative emotions, to push them down and ignore them. To tell everyone I’m fine when really, I’m not. And that makes the negative feelings linger a lot longer than they need to. What’s changed this month is that, instead of pretending things don’t hurt, I’ve allowed them to exist without making them permanent. I feel them whilst knowing they aren’t where things end. I consider them bad moments, bad days, even bad weeks, without them making me a bad person with a bad life.

None of this is easy, nor does it shift overnight. I’m practising every day, some more successfully than others. But I’ve noticed within just four weeks that I’m feeling more hopeful, more able to be honest about my emotions, and more confident to make decisions knowing that I’m capable of adapting to what happens next.

Shop MC-UK self-help essentials:

The Power of Real Optimism by Dr Deepika Chopra

If what you’ve read here has resonated, I’d highly recommend reading more about the theory of real optimism. Linking the science with practical techniques and a 33-day optimism challenge, it’s a toolkit for shifting your mindset wherever you're starting from.

One Line a Day: a Five-Year Memory Book

I first completed the one line a day journal in 2024, and it completely transformed my perspective. It does what it says on the tin - instead of journaling for hours a night, you just write one line to sum up the day. Just like Dr Chopra’s idea to state one thing you’re looking forward to, it’s a tiny conscious reminder to see the good in every day.

Acupressure Mat Set

If you’re looking to carve out some headspace in your day, I’d really suggest investing in an acupressure mat. Relieving pain and tension whilst promoting sleep and relaxation, it’s my favourite way to bookend a day. It’s the perfect time to practice optimism, too. Without the distraction of screens or to-do lists, it creates a mindful ritual that can allow you to ground yourself amidst the hectic-ness of life.

from Latest from Marie Claire UK https://ift.tt/EQdJz0L
via IFTTT