For this episode, your host, Fashion Psychologist, Shakaila Forbes-Bell is speaking with a marvellous guest Ashley Chew, an artist, diversity activist and model. The pair giggle about their shared obsession with colour psychology, and Ashley shares her experience of what life looks like as a 5 ft 8 Black model. ‘We’re always told we’re too much, we’re too big, we’re too small…’ can you relate?

Plus, discover a clothing ritual to lift your mood and explore the concept of Dopamine Dressing. Ashley Chew’s (@ash-chew) paintings focus on the resilience, rest, regality and visibility of marginalized groups. This is a direct contrast of the trauma depicted across mass media.

In 2015, Chew started the viral movement #BlackModelsMatter, an aim to push diversity on the runways during New York Fashion Week. From 2016-2018 she served as an Advisory Board Member for The Model Alliance. She continues using her platform by writing Culture pieces for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan.

Illustrations by MartineMbala.com