Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2017 i Marie Claire Australia

Do you remember where you were when the unfathomable news of Diana’s death first filtered through? For me, it wasn’t just a memory; I literally flew into the eye of the storm. In the wee hours of August 31, 1997, I arrived in Paris to spend a few days with my sister before heading south for a photojournalism festival as marie claire’s then-features director. During the cab ride in, I recall hearing sirens ricocheting across the city and wondered what drama was unfolding. Oblivious, I dropped my bag at the hotel and headed to the local marché to meet my sister for an obligatory croissant. It was high summer and, despite the early hour, a large group had gathered outside a newsagency, papers in hand, voraciously reading the sad news…

STYLE TIP Playing with texture and tone is key: florals, fringing and flannel make a perfect combo.…

In the 1940s Constantino and Mario Bulgari created the first spiralling Serpenti watch, which wrapped around the wrist in a series of gold coils and played with the snake’s symbolic powers of seduction, strength, and reinvention. It soon became synonymous with the Italian fashion house: in 1962 Elizabeth Taylor famously wore one of the serpent-shaped watches (with a gemencrusted head of pavé diamonds and gleaming emerald eyes) on the set of Cleopatra in Rome, and models from Marisa Berenson to Veruschka have wrapped themselves in the brand’s striking gold bracelets and colourful enamelled scales ever since. This month marks the debut of Serpenti Skin, a new collection that uses karung (snakeskin) and calfskin straps to mimic the double twirl of the original timepiece. The bands, as well as the buckles,…

FROM LADY TO PRINCESS She was the awkward beauty who became a global fashion forerunner. Her style evolved over time, beginning with the chaste pale pink blouse by David and Elizabeth Emanuel that she wore in her official engagement portrait. By the time she wore Victor Edelstein’s glamorous midnight-blue dress to dance with John Travolta in 1985, Diana’s taste had become far more sophisticated, ushering in an era of big gowns and shoulder pads. It morphed again post-divorce, with Gianni Versace becoming her go-to for sleek column dresses and pastel suits. While she didn’t always get it right, Diana’s style continues to fascinate. Alexa Chung revived the princess’s pie-crust blouses for her Marks & Spencer collection last year, while the oversized sweatshirts she wore post-gym in the ’90s resonate with…

JUDE KELLY Founder of the Women of the World festival THE BEGINNING Eight years ago, Jude Kelly felt the West was becoming complacent about the battle for gender equality. “My grandmother left school at 12, so I knew we’d achieved a lot since then, but the job was not done,” says Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Centre in London. “I felt like we’d dropped the ball. I wanted young women to feel the joy of changing the world for the better.” THE FESTIVAL In 2010, Kelly launched the Women of the World (WOW) festival in London as a way of reviving the women’s movement – celebrating our achievements while tackling the obstacles we still face. More than a million people have taken part in WOW to date (including Emma…

In 2015, Canadian writer Rupi Kaur made international headlines when she ’grammed herself in bed with menstrual blood on her pyjamas and sheets as a way of demystifying the taboos around periods. The image was flagged as inappropriate and removed from the social media platform. The ban revealed Instagram’s double standards: sexualised pictures of women in their underwear are fine, but not if that underwear has period stains. When Kaur called out the misogyny, she was met with both support and death threats. The 24-year-old admits the immediate fallout from the post had her second-guessing her bold move. “When I first started getting the negative feedback, I thought ‘Oh no. I’ve made a terrible mistake.’ There was a lot of regret,” she says. “But it was the positive feedback that…

TIN MAN by Sarah Winman (Hachette, $29.99) Ellis and Michael have been best friends since they were 12 – and then, one day, they became more. An emotionally devastating novel from the acclaimed British author. Out now THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE FAIRVALE LADIES BOOK CLUB by Sophie Green (Hachette, $29.99) A love of reading unites five very different women in the remote Northern Territory. Out now THE TWILIGHT WIFE by A.J. Banner (Simon & Schuster, $29.99) Kyra has no memory of the past four years – the result of a diving accident. But what if her memory loss has a more sinister cause? A truly thrilling novel. Out now TABOO by Kim Scott (Picador, $32.99) In this novel by the two-time Miles Franklin Literary awardwinner, a group of Noongar…

FRESH AND NEW There’s a reason the September issue is fabled – each year it marks our annual style special showcasing the coolest spring collections, the hottest high-street finds and our most spectacular shoots. File this under #fashioninspo.…

SHOP IT! Head to StyledBymarieclaire.com.au for more bright buys. STYLE TIP Forget navy and black; your new neutral – khaki – works with even the most unexpected shades. Visit StyledBymarieclaire.com.au to shop these looks now. STYLE TIP Take your cues from the international runways and try a contrasting stocking/ shoe combo.…

STYLE TIP High heel, low heel, no heel – anything goes with this new footwear favourite.…

No offence Kermit, but when it comes to beauty, it’s actually quite easy being green. The latest batch of products look to the garden for ingredients that tighten, brighten and detoxify skin. Take tea tree: its purifying properties have long been used in anti-blemish skincare, but The Body Shop takes things one step further by sourcing organic tea tree oil from the mineral-rich volcanic soil on the foothills of Mount Kenya. The trade provides the local farmer’s association – half of whose members are women – with a steady income. Look good, feel good, do good.…

SPRING FEVER With the new season comes sunlit days and flowers in bloom, but also: hay fever. Fortify yourself with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (sold as Kyo-Dophilus 9), a specific combination of probiotics that can ease allergies according to research by the University of Florida. Scientists believe it works by boosting the body’s number of regulatory T cells, which in turn improves tolerance to pesky hay fever symptoms. Get your hit from some yoghurts, or in supplement form.*…

You know that moment after a long day, when you shut the door and home is your long-awaited haven? Think back to the last time you felt that way – did you breathe a sigh of relief? Hold that breath and contemplate this: according to the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, air pollution inside a home can be up to five times worse than outside. Case in point – the sweet smell inside fibreboard cabinets? It’s actually formaldehyde, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies as a human carcinogen. Meanwhile, that “lemon-fresh” scent in cleaning products is limonene, a chemical that converts to formaldehyde when it hits the ozone.* Smoke, mould and the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from paints, varnishes and carpets are all linked…

STYLE TIP Berry is the new black! A classically shaped bag in this chic shade won’t go out of style.…

WE LOVE Melbourne designer and maker Abby Seymour has launched a diffusion line of affordable homewares and jewellery, including this Moon Diamond brass wall hanging, $360 – statement jewellery for interiors. Visit Abby For Abby Seymour at etsy.com. GOLD RUSH In the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, The Star Gold Coast Garden Kitchen & Bar is repositioning the surf-side city as one of Australia’s hippest haunts. Next up for the former Jupiters site is a six-star luxury hotel tower, due to open before the Games kick off in April. Visit star.com.au. THE NEW CLASSIC Good news for modernists: 60 years after prolific Australian architect Robin Boyd designed his family home in Melbourne’s South Yarra, re-creations of his furniture are now in production thanks to a collaboration between KFive +…

3 OF THE BEST PINK SATIN SNEAKERS ROADTRIPPIN... CAR: MG GS ROUTE: Hawkesbury River, NSW REVIEW: The tiny town of Brooklyn, nestled between Sydney and the Central Coast, couldn’t be more different from its New York-borough namesake. For most of the 750-strong population, conversation is less hip-hop and more hip replacements, but this town on the banks of the Hawkesbury River is one of the state’s hidden gems. It is also home to what might be Australia’s finest fish and chips, with Lifeboat Seafoods offering up perfectly grilled fillets that have been luring travellers off the neighbouring freeway for a generation. And what better way to get there than in an MG GS (from $23,990), the now Chinese-owned brand’s first-ever SUV. A sports car this ain’t, but this is the…

Thank you marie claire! Your article on working women taking LSD [May] mentioned Ayelet Waldman’s battle with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), something I’ve struggled with. But it was the reference to her hitting perimenopause that caused me to look into this further. Lo and behold, my 44-year-old self has had the symptoms for six months. It explains my irregular periods and why I wake up hot and nauseous, and feel depressed. It’s a relief to know what’s going on and what I can do about it. I don’t think it will involve microdosing, but there are other things I can do. And I will be buying Ayelet’s book and continuing to purchase your wonderfully informative magazine! Cilla de Lacy, Nedlands, WA I’m on the taxing journey of breast cancer therapy…

STYLE TIP Rethink pearls in a modern sense and adorn your blouse with their charm.…

It took me a long time to admit that I was in a modern-day harem. I already had enough shame shoved upon me by anyone I told about [my boyfriend] Adnan. My friends were troubled about the fact that he was 24 years older than me. Whenever I tried to explain the situation they’d say, “So, you were in a harem?” I’d respond, “No! It isn’t a harem. Are you thinking it’s like the movies with a bunch of girls lying around on velvet pillows in bellydancing outfits?” Admitting it was a harem would have added yet another, even worse layer of scandal and humiliation, and I wasn’t able to be honest with myself about that. I tried to focus on our love and relationship – not the fact Adnan…

1. CLEAR THE AIR The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link purifier has been designed to be used all year round, intelligently purifying the air while heating or cooling you in any weather. Now available in White/Silver and Black/Nickel. RRP $799. Go to dyson.com.au/dysonpure 2. GET A SUPER BLOWDRY The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer won’t subject your hair to excessive temperatures, to protect hair’s natural shine. The Dyson digital motor is engineered for balance; fast, light and placed in the handle. RRP $599. Stockists: David Jones, Myer and dyson.com.au 3. BEAUTY AND BRAINS The Seiko Premier watch features a stainless steel case, is solar powered (no battery required), water resistant, has a calendar and sapphire glass. Perfect for every occasion. RRP $625. seiko.com.au 4. CAPSULE COLLECTION These newly formulated capsules deliver a…

AMY SHARK We haven’t stopped singing Shark’s hit “Adore” since it took out the second spot in Triple J’s Hottest 100 last year. She kicks off her Australian tour on August 17; amyshark.com. KEHLANI You know her voice from the Suicide Squad soundtrack, and now the American is bringing her R&B hits to Oz. Her tour starts in Brisbane on August 25; kehlanimusic.com. MONTAIGNE Last year’s ARIA award-winner for best breakthrough artist knows how to put on a show. See her play Sydney on August 12; montaignemusic.com.au. IF YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY LEAVE THE COUCH… Get your girl-power fix from Krysten Ritter in The Defenders on Netflix from August 18. Ritter plays Jessica Jones, a private investigator who teams up with Marvel heroes Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist to save…

ON THE GO Everything moves so quickly in the digital space, so it’s important to stay connected. MORNING RITUAL I start my day by getting up to speed with what’s happening around me. I check social media, reply to any urgent emails and see how the site’s analytics went overnight (with readers all around the world, it’s vital to keep track of what happens while I’m sleeping!). I also look at my calendar and make sure my goals for the day are set before I roll out of bed. CREATIVE EDGE Visual content is such a big part of my business, so I always equip myself with the best tools to create inspiring images and videos. I made the switch to the Samsung Galaxy S8 because I’d heard the camera…

The wrap jacket $190, by COS, 02-9231 3944. The polished playsuit $239, by Veronika Maine, veronikamaine.com.au. The lightweight trench $249.95, by Witchery, witchery.com.au. The corseted shirt $199, by Saba, saba.com.au. The plaid mini $50, by ASOS, asos.com.au. The architectural dress $299, by Country Road, countryroad.com.au. The gingham top Cropped, $190, and off-the-shoulder, $235, both by Cue, cue.cc. The bold print skirt $119, by H&M Studio, hm.com/au.…

MONICA RUSSELL MARKET EDITOR HOW I’LL WEAR IT: “The tie-side detail on these jeans is a fun update – cute with a slogan tee, or something silky after dark” CHLOE BUTTENSHAW FASHION EDITOR HOW I’LL WEAR IT: “This neat blazer gives denim polish for day, and sharpens up a cotton dress for the evening” BREE MCDONALD FASHION & NEWS EDITOR HOW I’LL WEAR IT: “I like the modernity of this dress – I’ll layer a tee under for day, then allow a little peekaboo in the PM” JANA POKORNY FASHION DIRECTOR HOW I’LL WEAR IT: “By day, this kimono is best worn nonchalantly with a sneaker. Then add chic accessories and it’s PM-perfect!” TARA MORRIS JUNIOR FASHION EDITOR HOW I’LL WEAR IT: “This long-line denim jacket is so versatile. I’ll…

EYE-DO A fuller flutter makes for a great eye upgrade – it widens, defines, and can take you from desk to date in a flash. Here we round up the latest mascara launches to help your lashes steal the spotlight ……

THE IT-CUT “The bob is making a comeback,” declares Justine Marjan, TRESemmé’s global ambassador and A-list stylist. “Celebrities [like Karlie Kloss, pictured] are ditching ultra long strands for short, blunt ends that leave the hair feeling healthy and looking shiny.” Heart, oval and round face shapes work best with this cut, and rigorous maintenance (both athome care and regular trims) is essential. FRINGES THE UPDATE: “This season’s bangs sit above the eyebrows for a bold statement that makes the eyes pop,” says Marjan. STYLE NOTE: Those with oval or heart-shaped faces and straight or wavy hair can pull this off – Marjan suggests spritzing hairspray at the roots then using a fine-tooth comb (plus lots of tension) to flatten any cowlicks. SHOULDER-LENGTH THE UPDATE: Lobs still rule, but now “we’re…

When I was 11, I used to sneak out and put mascara on before school. Mum would catch me, of course! My blonde lashes have always been a big deal for me – you can barely see them without mascara. I tint them every three weeks and curl them, too. I’m always working on my butt. That’s why I love Barre so much. The combination of Pilates and cardio is so good for toning, and you can target specific areas like your thighs or bum. A Korean spa treatment is the best thing to do before the red carpet. I’ll have an all-over skin buff and then go straight into the sauna afterwards – it’s a nice way to get rid of toxins. When I like a scent, I stick…

After training for a marathon and sustaining an injury to my sesamoid – a part of my body I never knew I had (it’s a pea-shaped bone in the ball of the foot) – I was advised to do “moderate” exercise. This meant that my go-to High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions, which involved working at maximum capacity for a minute then resting for 30 seconds in between bursts, had to go. I wondered if it was worth exercising at all if I couldn’t give 100 per cent. Thankfully, according to a new wave of thinking, it is. The latest buzz-acronym in the fitness world is LISS (Low Intensity Steady State), the antithesis of the “go hard or go home” philosophy. Experts are purporting the value of exercise with less…

ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND CHAMOMILE WITH RICOTTA SERVES 4 20 asparagus spears (2–3 bunches), trimmed extra virgin olive oil 100g podded peas, or 200g unpodded 2 handfuls snow pea (mangetout) tendrils chamomile flowers and chamomile greens or dandelion leaves, to serve (optional) 200g baked ricotta, regular ricotta or salted ricotta (a firm, white cheese you can thinly shave over the salad) CHAMOMILE DRESSING 190ml grapeseed oil 112 tbsps loose-leaf chamomile tea 2 tsps honey 1 small lemon, juiced 1. Preheat oven to 230°C. 2. For the chamomile dressing, warm the oil, tea and honey in a small saucepan to 60°C, using a thermometer to check the temperature. Transfer mixture to a blender, blitz for 1 minute. Strain through a sieve lined with muslin into a bowl. Add lemon juice for acidity,…

The struggling English actor was despondent. At 23, Roger Moore was broke, out of work, and his marriage was on the rocks. His wife, Doorn Van Steyn, an actress and ice skater he’d married five years earlier, was fed up with his inability to land a major part. “You’ll never be an actor!” Van Steyn, six years Moore’s senior, snapped at the part-time knitwear model. “Your face is too weak, your jaw is too big and your mouth’s too small!” The marriage soon ended – but Moore’s acting career went on to flourish. At one stage, he was the world’s top-paid actor, his good looks and smooth English charm amassing fans across the globe. Had Van Steyn waited just a couple more years, she’d have watched her husband land a…

STYLE TIP Looking for an investment piece? You’ll wear a smart suit season after season.…

Eloise* had hated her vagina since she was eight years old. She was in the bath with her step-sisters one summer’s day when her step-mum pointed out she had an “outie” while they all had “innies”. Her sisters began teasing her incessantly. “I realise now that it’s not such an irregular occurrence, but back then I only wanted to look like my sisters,” says Eloise, now 23. “I was so unhappy and broken about it, from that point onwards I literally didn’t let anyone see me naked.” High school was a constant battle to avoid change rooms and intimate encounters. After puberty, it became uncomfortable to wear a swimsuit and participate in sports because of chafing. Sex education classes only made things worse when they showed labelled diagrams of supposedly…

When Sienna Miller was 11 years old, on holiday with her father in New York, she spotted Steven Spielberg buying a hat. Bounding up to the legendary director of Jaws and E.T. she asked for his autograph – the only time in her whole life she’s ever requested a famous signature. “He looked at me like I was very cheeky,” she says, blushing. “I told him I wanted to be an actress and he wrote, ‘Work hard for your dreams.’” Now 35, Miller lives by these words. They hang, framed, on her bathroom wall, serving as a daily reminder of just what it takes to realise your ambitions. “I think that’s probably the key – the key to success,” she nods. “Certainly to gratification. Some people can be successful without…

“Sex is a part of life. We all do it. It’s how we were born into this world,” says Elisa Lasowski, strolling the streets of Paris while talking to marie claire on the phone. She’s addressing the hype around Versailles – the lavish 17th-century drama in which she plays Queen Marie-Thérèse, the wife (and cousin) of King Louis XIV. Now in its second season, Versailles has been called “porn in cravats and tights”. Lasowski, 30, who made her acting debut in the 2007 film Eastern Promises, finds the pearl-clutching amusing. “People like to be outraged,” she explains. “In France, the journalists were outraged that we were doing the history of King Louis XIV in English. And in England, they were outraged about the sex.” Versailles’ success has cemented Lasowski’s place…

Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig in LOGAN LUCKY Out August 17 They’re both bona fide heartthrobs for very different reasons; Tatum for gyrating in Magic Mike and Craig for saving the world as James Bond. In Logan Lucky, Tatum enlists the help of a platinum blond Craig to pull off a heist. If anyone can do it, it’s Bond. Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson in THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD Out August 31 If you thought no-one could swear as much as Reynolds in Deadpool, you were wrong. A foul-mouthed Jackson plays a hitman alongside Reynolds (his bodyguard) in this action comedy. Together, they’re a profanity power couple. Charlize Theron and James McAvoy in ATOMIC BLONDE Out August 3 They’ve kicked ass individually (Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road and McAvoy…

At first glance, it strikes me that the Lexus LC 500 is clearly a beast, waiting to be unleashed upon the road. One thing that sets the LC 500 apart from any other car I’ve driven is its almost surreal connection to the driver. I don’t sit in an LC 500; I get immersed in it. I’m impressed beyond words, by how this exquisite machine has been engineered for – somehow bespoke – tailored to – the driver. I feel as close to this engine as a jockey to a thoroughbred. Just, much more comfortably so. Deep, lush leather seats, contoured shifter, an elliptical steering wheel – this keeps getting better… One of the most surprising and memorable aspects of the LC 500 driving experience is the sound – the…

TOTAL STUD Want a chic winter shoe suggestion? How about our new obsession by Sergio Rossi. Buttersoft ivory leather finished with a smattering of silver studs? We thought so. CHILD’S PLAY The new-season Marni Bambina/ Bambino collection couldn’t get any cuter. Inspired by the label’s men and women’s ready-to-wear, vibrant prints and floral motifs adorn skirts, knits, T-shirts and trunks. MIDAS TOUCH At once grand and intricate, this necklace from Louis Vuitton comes courtesy of the brand’s autumn/winter 2017 runway collection. Its statement scale and filigree detailing make it perfect for very special occasions. MOVING HOUSE Acne Studios is set to open the doors to its fourth shopfront in Australia – this time the acclaimed Swedish fashion brand is coming to the heart of Sydney. X MARKS THE SPOT When…

1 THE DRESS Opt for a vintage V-neck style cut from a sweet floral fabrication. 2 THE ACCESSORIES To keep the look light, try navy leathers and suedes for boots and bags. 3 THE TURTLENECK Don’t be afraid to mix prints. This runway look from Topshop Unique (above) pairs florals with bold stripes to strikingly chic effect. STYLE TIP An ankle boot works wonders with a dress of the right length. Mid-calf and longer is the sartorial sweet spot. WAYS TO WEAR 5 METALLIC SHOES…

MAGIC WANDS The curved brush on Covergirl Easy Breezy Brow Shape & Define Mascara (1), $12.95, allows easy application. With a rose-gold hue, Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand (2), $60, gives skin a red-carpet glow. Applied pre-mascara, Givenchy Base Mascara Perfecto (3), $49, nourishes and boosts lashes with soya bean extract and keratin. MC LOVES Polish your pout with Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Shine Lipstick in (from top) Smile, Naked and Four Hundred, $56 each. ORANGE CRUSH Make your next mani pop with YSL Beauté Solar Pop La Laque Couture in Jungle Orange, $42. ROSES ONLY Sisley expands its Black Rose collection with Skin Infusion Cream (1), $230, a water-in-oil formula that transforms into micro-droplets upon application for deeper penetration, while Natio Rosewater Antioxidant Serum (2), $22.95, delivers an instant…

1. THE BEAUTY OF NATURE L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream is where nature meets the expertise of science, combining organic Immortelle essential oil with a new complex of seven plant-derived active ingredients. Just like the flower that never fades, your skin will glow from deep within, radiating youth and preventing further damage to mature skin. RRP $147, 50ml. 2. LINE AND DEFINE LIKE A PRO Revlon ColorStay 2 in 1 Angled Kajal combines a soft, waterproof kajal with a pro liner brush. It’s so simple to achieve an on-trend smoky eye that lasts. The angled tip is easy to use, so you can define a straight line like a pro. Then use the smudge brush to create a sultry, smoky look. Available in four shades: Onyx, Fig, Evergreen and Graphite. RRP…

From shoe shopping to paying bills and making restaurant reservations, so much of our life admin is now sorted in just a few clicks. Taking time out of your busy day to visit a doctor’s surgery and wait for an appointment (that’s inevitably running behind schedule) seems archaic in comparison. It’s no wonder that an online search now offers up a wealth of time-saving health tools – making it quicker and easier than ever to see a GP. Sick notes, referrals, prescriptions and video consults are some of the services you can access in cyberspace via sites such as DoctorsOnDemand.com.au, Qoctor.com and GP2U.com.au. It’s convenient: think punctual appointments and not having to leave your sick bed for a simple medical certificate, with the quality controls you’d expect from a doctor.…

YOUR GET-REAL GUIDE TO CAREER & FINANCIAL SUCCESS HOW TO DEAL WITH A POOR PERFORMANCE REVIEW Performance reviews can be tricky at the best of times, but a negative one can really knock your confidence and bring out defensiveness in even the most placid of us. Here’s how to handle a bad review with professionalism and grace – and come out the other side as unscarred as possible. Crippled by self-doubt? “Every time I’m nervous or anxious about something, I tell myself I’m growing” – Franziska Iseli, co-author of Perception 1 . S TAY CALM “Having an emotional reaction is normal – but feeding unproductive emotions is dangerous,” warns author of Fixing Feedback, Georgia Murch. “When we are stressed, we go into fight-or-flight mode. When we fight we become defensive,…

It’s reassuring to learn that even award-winning interior designers like Melissa Bonney of The Designory have moments of panic after buying a house that’s ripe for renovation. When she and her builder partner, Brendon Bott of B2 Construction, first spotted the three-bedroom home in Sydney’s Bronte, they swooped in to secure their piece of the coast for a steal – after convincing themselves they could deal with the awkward block and ridiculously dated interior. Then reality set in. “We bought the house really quickly,” says Bonney of the act that quickly threw their lives into chaos, uprooting her two tween girls and toddler son. “Immediately afterwards we thought: ‘What have we done?’” The home had its saving graces though, with the original ornate ceilings in good condition and beautiful wide…

MY MOTHER Some of my earliest memories as a young girl are of baking scones in the kitchen with my mother, Pat. She loved to cook, but didn’t enjoy domestic work at all. I can’t sew because she couldn’t sew – she didn’t ever want to. My mother was a very independent woman. She was a stay-at-home mum, but she hated to be called a housewife. Mum’s biggest regret was not completing her schooling. She made sure my brother and I had equal access to the best education. She encouraged me to go to university, follow my dreams and be the best I could be in my chosen field. Growing up in the 1960s in South Africa – a time when people were ground in gender stereotypes – she was…