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YOUR MAIL
Send your letter to marieclaire@assocmags.co.za.
If we don’t have space to feature it in the mag, we’ll post it here.
ALL-ROUNDER
I love the fact that you tackle controversial issues and that there is a women’s glossy that not only represents the latest fashion trends, but also gives readers some great content to chew on. I was horrified by the article on Chinese women and forced fertilization (February 2011) – in a world where half my friends have struggled to conceive, this is akin to genocide. So many of your February issue’s articles jumped out at me especially the features on the ‘The Oscar love curse’, ‘Meet the porn queens’ and my favourite – ‘This thing called love’. The latter feature resonated with me because I’ve always been an avid fan of the National Geographic pictorials and how they portray real people so artistically, and I loved the global exploration on love and marriage. I was also incredibly proud to see one of my homeboys and friends, Mokena Makeka, celebrated in the ‘The Enrich List’. What an incredibly gifted group of individuals! I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting Dr Kopano Matlwa at her first book signing for Coconut and she is a personal inspiration to me because she is a young, beautiful and hardworking. I’m glad that Gareth Cliff opened the door about having ‘the uncomfortable discussions now’ on race issues. Growing up in a mixed-race family (Dutch and Sesotho), I am often asked by my friends who are getting into to mixed-race relationships about my experiences growing up in South Africa and my sense of race identity. I feel that if we talk about it in the context of our family and romantic relationships, we are forced to focus on overcoming our prejudices, because, as one of my close friends says – ‘One day the whole world will be brown.’ – Anonymous
MC TO THE RESCUE
I left home on a crisp Monday morning with a heavy heart and swollen eyes from endless tears the night before. ‘Man Trouble’ was the headline and all I could manage was to rehearse the same darn speech over and over in my head of how our love could have ‘no limits’ if we both could put in the effort to keep it alive! But the hardest part of this day was the fact that I was going away on a country trip for two days with me, myself and my broken heart. When I finally reached my destination I was ready to collapse in a heap of emotional retardedness, so I headed for the local grocer to stock up on all the things you ‘shouldn’t’ have when you can’t think straight, only to get stuck at the magazine counter. I found myself zombified, but desperate to clear my head with some visual inspiration and thought-provoking cover stories. After a moment of clarity I walked out with a Marie Claire, water and fat free yoghurt. With the DSTV fried by lightning, I was left with no TV and a pounding head full of thoughts. But it was your good ol’ March 2011 issue that saved me that night. It had me intrigued from front to back page, reading each article, I swear I didn’t skip a word. Aspasia’s letter was quirky and funny while stories like ‘One-of-a-kind retirement home’, Monica’s ‘I was unprepared for death on my own doorstep’ and ‘Tainted love’ had me in deep thought with moments of sadness. This made me realize once again what an excellent magazine Marie Claire is in its diversity and character. Your fashion and beauty spreads were a visual feast and the ‘Moroccan affair’ inspired my next dinner party – hopefully to celebrate my 10-month anniversary. So thank you to the team at Marie Claire for being my saviour on that lonely night. – Charlotte Schoeman
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
I bought your magazine for the first time today – it is so very interesting. Usually I page through a magazine and look at the recipes, because the articles are so every day. But then I read ‘This thing called love’ (February 2011), and was so sad for all the people that marry just to get a better life. How many women must endure marrying for security? Will they ever be in a position to decide for themselves? I then read the article on Portia de Rossi and was overwhelmed with joy by how happy and in love she is now with Ellen. We all deserve that kind of marriage. Is that love not the love that life is about? To truly adore your partner and respect each other in all ways is what most people want. And yet there are so many unhappy married couples, but they stay together for the society or for their children. And in the process they put their own happiness aside for the sake of others. Are we then not the same as the girls who willingly marry for security? I suppose the saying ‘rather the devil you know than the devil you don’t’ is true after all… – Corlia
TWIST OF FATE
When I read the article ‘I was unprepared for death on my own doorstep’ (March 2011), I could resonate Monica’s pain as I had experienced such a profound loss that I became like a zombie. On a fateful night in June, I never could have imagined that fate would deal such a severe blow in my life. I was transformed overnight from a young, carefree law student to a recluse who just wanted to die. I lost the love of my life in a car accident, where I was the driver. The person whom I regarded as my soul mate died that night, and so did all my dreams for the future. I felt that God had been cruel to me for the second time as I was still recovering from the heartache of losing my father. Fast-forward three years and I find myself at Jewel of India restaurant on the eve of the accident. My best friend begged me to go out on that night and I finally agreed, oblivious to the fact that fate was going to change my life forever yet again. I made eye contact with a tall dark and handsome stranger who turned out to be her date! The rest, they say, is history as we have been together for eight years and have been blessed with two amazing children. My take on life is that sometimes when you lose something in life, God always gives you something better in return. So yes, my anniversary with my husband and the death of the person who meant the world to me happens to fall on the same day, but I feel thankful for all the good that life has given me. I feel even more inclined to give off my best every day and to cherish every moment with my best friend, my husband. I have realized that even after the heartaches of my life, I have every reason to smile again. Thanks for an amazing read! – Anonymous
MULTIFACETED MARIE CLAIRE
I should give Marie Claire all the deserved accolades for being a well-rounded magazine. I love how you touch on all aspects of life. I would like to rename it ‘multifaceted’, but MC is just perfect. I’m a young fashion blogger and get inspiration from various sources and Marie Claire is one of those I can confidently search through with the expectation of finding something great and out of the norm. Cosidering that I’m a die-hard vintage and antique lover, I normally have difficulty with finding true inspiration from fashion magazines for my blog. However, I always have MC at my rescue. Your creativity is amazing and you continue to break frontiers. Check out my blog Vintage Spillage at vintagespillage@blogspot.com. – Lebohang Likhoeli
Thank you so much for another succulent, intellectually stimulating, and forward-thinking issue (February 2011). I’ve recently decided to change my career path as a 26-year-old marketing manager and have been in a quandary as to what step to take next. However, after reading the article on forced sterilization in southern China, a familiar fire began to burn inside of me. This is yet another injustice that women are dealing with, which is suppressing the realization of our true nature – that we are sacred, powerful, life-bearing beings who should experience the utmost reverence, honour and protection within the home and society at large. This article reminded me, whilst at a crossroads, of my passion for wanting to uplift and help women across the world. So I am proud to say that this year I will be starting studying my degree in law to one day defend and build the rights of women. In the meantime, I will also be starting an NGO with a friend (who is already a practising lawyer) to support pregnant women, new/single mothers and educate young women throughout South Africa. Thank you for the inspiration. And viva femme power! – Katharine Thomas
I just wanted to drop you a line to say how strange a decision I think it was to allow the inclusion of the ‘talking’ Cell C advert in your February 2011 issue. I am a subscriber to Marie Claire an avid follower and supporter of your mag. I share your values and passions (be it fashion, food or social attitudes). However, our generation does not appreciate having to see yet another battery thrown into the waste, and on such a large scale. What a silly idea from Cell C and a poor decision from you for including it. Puzzled and disappointed – Lee McAuley
Please, dear Marie Claire – no more talking adverts! The Cell C one in the February 2011 issue shouted off at me in a crowded waiting room, much to my embarrassment! Apart from that, thanks for a great mag. – Hazel Trittner
I’m a big fan of your magazine, so hence some feedback: I seriously dislike the Cell C audible advertisement in the February 2011 issue. It is almost like an invasion of privacy: everytime I pick up my mag the damn thing makes this loud noise, waking my sleeping toddler and irritating the hell out of me. I tore out the relevant pages after day one. – Yolanda
I have a one-year-old son. As a result, I have a vague memory of what it’s like to live a normal life. Surely then you can appreciate the sacredness of my evenings, when baby has gone to sleep, dinner has been cooked and hubby is updating his results on Fantasy League Football. This time is the Holy Grail of my day, the TV is off, my phone is on silent and I lie back on the couch to open my all-time favourite magazine in the world, Marie Claire. The house is beautifully silent, only the soft shush of the turning pages until it happens: an offensive, attention-grabbing, nasal recording of Trevor Noah’s voice shouts at me from within the magazine. Did that just happen? It’s enough that we are exposed to advertising 24/7 from every conceivable medium known to man, yes, even in print, but at least in magazines they don’t shout at us! At least we can simply turn the page and not read the ad if we so desire. At least we can enjoy the pause in our day, the glass of wine by our side, and for once not be preached to. Yes, perhaps I am a bit more sensitive than your average Joe when it comes to being advertised to, but come on, talking magazine ads? Really? – Natalie Martyn
INSPIRATION
As a now middle age woman I have always had to beat the odds to keep my weight in check. Growing up was difficult because I was a fat baby that grew up into a fat teenager and then into an obese adult. The names I was called all those years have stuck. But I was determined after I married that I was going to have children and promised myself that I would be there to play with them. I was on many occasions tempted to try a diet pill, but was strong enough to resist. This was until I met a long lost friend who took it upon herself to help me into a walking/running programme, and I have not looked back. Today I can walk with my head high as I have run numerous marathons. The fat I carried for so many years seemed to literally fall off me. Together with eating small, regular nutritious meals I have achieved my goal. I could not have done it without my friend Reshma. To people battling with their weight, do not lose hope. I am now a grandmother who is able to do whatever my three-year-old granddaughter does. Life is what you make of it. – Singh L
SAME FACE, DIFFERENT RACE
It was very clever to digitally transform celebrities to different races (‘What if your face were a different race?’, October 2010), and interesting to see what they had to say about it. I always get the sense that I’m expected to accept racism because of ‘what we did during apartheid’. I was a child when apartheid was abolished. I didn’t even know it existed – I thought we were all in separate schools due to us speeaking different languages. I noticed something (I can’t remember what) at about the age of seven, and asked my mother about it. She explained apartheid to me and I was shocked. Apartheid has been over for years now and we have all, as South Africans, come a long way since then. None of us should be made to feel as though we should accept racism. No matter what the colour of our skin. – Anonymous
YOUR CHOICE
Reading ‘I caused my friend’s wife to have a stroke’ in your October 2010 issue I thought, ‘You say that with dignity?’ All people make choices, whether it is good or bad for you, like making a choice on a menu in a restaurant. For every decision, there is a price to pay. We control the outcome in our bodies, mind and soul. You can search much deeper than this choice, for example: decide if you can benefit by achieving your goal. We have to learn from each choice we make; our choices form and shape us. I use to be a very soft, naive and innocent girl. At the age of 41, I look back at my life and my choices and it’s quite a change for the better now. My outlook on this life is: do to others, what you want done for yourself. You will get it. To forgive others, is like setting a prisoner free, just to realize that the prisoner was you. – Marlène van Tonder
SOCIAL SCENE
I enjoy keeping up with new trends, particularly social networks, due to my career in the on-line marketing and communication industry. Usually I enjoy experimenting with new social networks; however, I am glad that I didn’t have to go and see what all the buzz about Chat Roulette was about. I have to thank Marie Claire for covering the story so I wouldn’t have to! I was shocked to see the lengths that people are going through just for some social interaction, albeit most of it is dirty social interaction. I wonder if the internet and all these popular social networks are to blame for somewhat disconnecting our social lives in a way. It has certainly made socializing quick and convenient, but it may be just the thing to blame for the social awkwardness that so many people face. – Hulya
WAKE-UP CALL
I cant describe how shocked I was when I read your article ‘Good night, sleep tight’ (September 2010). I do realize every culture is different and there is poverty and wealth in every corner, but what James Mollison did was something different and amazing – the pictures vividly show how extreme the circumstances are. I realized how fortunate I am having a decent home and bedroom to grow up in. It completely inspired me to start helping under-privileged children. I think everyone has the power to help others. We can all start now with something small and hope it gets others to start thinking, too. Thank you for publishing this article to show us a different aspect of life rather than just beautiful side of world. – Samantha Lin
BLACK AND WHITE ISSUE
I just had to write and congratulate you on your incredibly classy black and white feature on photographer David Goldblatt (page 46) and the Fifties-inspired ‘When in Roma’ fashion spread (page 94). I was also grateful for the heads up on the photographer George Logan’s book Translocation in Eye on the World (page 56). I will definitely be taking my mum to the Goldblatt exhibition at the Goodman Gallery when she visits later this month and am going to try and get hold of a copy of that book for my dad’s upcoming birthday. Keep up the great work. – Paula Gruben
I am an avid Marie Claire reader (okay, so it is a monthly addiction!) – I relish every edition and devour it from cover to cover. I would like to congratulate you and your team on your superb black and white issue. The articles are excellent and thought provoking and the shoots so beautiful that this edition could happily pass for a coffee-table book. I look forward to seeing what surprises are in store next month. – Rolene Marks
FAN TALK
I’m 16 and fashion-obsessed. I love everything about it: the trends, the seasons, vintage comebacks, runways and, of course, the designers; I dream of one day joining this everchanging industry. Marie Claire encompasses all that is fashion. I love the Trendbook, and the styling in your fashion spreads is impeccable. Some may say fashion is materialistic, but I say it is a way of life and it surrounds us all the time. It is a form of self-expression that will never be lost. Fashion will never be ‘so last season’ (excuse the pun). – Diandra De Canha
Thank you for your article on Blake Lively (July 2010). She’s a great actress and fashion icon. I love watching Gossip Girl and I never miss an episode. I must admit the only reason I purchased Marie Claire was because Blake was on the cover but, after reading it, I am officially a fan! I loved the amazing make-up and fashion tips as well as the informative articles like ‘Celebrities untouched’. I think that Jessica Simpson still looks beautiful without any make-up on. I now feel confident enough to leave the house without any make-up on myself. Marie Claire is a great all-round magazine – something women of all ages can enjoy. – Melissa Mahabeer
SUPER SATISFIED
How awesome to open you magazine this month (‘Who are you calling fat?’, August 2010) and see voluptuous, sexy women just like me. I found the article very interesting, and I must say it’s so refreshing to open a fashion magazine and see people who look normal and relatable. I too am curvy and I have spent the last 30 years obsessing about my body, but this year I chose an exercise programme and have made it a lifestyle. I accept that I will never be stick thin. But I am not fat, I am FABULOUS. – Samantha Adkins
The reason why I never bought your magazine (or any of the other magazines with skinny women on the cover) is because I am a curvy lady and it doesn’t really relate to my industry (or so I tell myself). What a pleasure it was when I came across the article ‘Who are you calling fat?’ (August 2010). I was torn apart at school for being slightly overweight and in high school I starved myself to become skinny, but I don’t have the smallest of frames so even at my skinniest I was only a size 28. So after gaining 15kg since the end of school I have been so depressed; especially now with a wedding on the horizon. I have tried every diet pill and fad diet. I even tried to do some exercise, but with no luck. Thanks to your article I think I can rather grow to love my bum, the roundness of my hips and my big knockers! I look at the images in that article regularly and maybe soon I will be able to start believing that I am beautiful, too. – Gerda le Roux
FINDERS KEEPERS
I always thought Marie Claire was a magazine for the older woman until I found a copy in the fitting room in the store I worked in, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was the March 2009 issue and it had everything any fashion-savvy, intelligent woman would want in a mag. I started reading and couldn’t stop. To no surprise, the customer who left it there came back for it and I wasn’t ready to give it up. I still have that March 2009 issue and cherish it dearly. I’ve been buying Marie Claire religiously ever since. To the woman who carelessly forgot her mag that day, I’m sorry but thank you. – Mariyam
FOR LOVE OF GINGERS
As a ginger about to celebrate my 35th birthday this August, I am absolutely thrilled by your article ‘Simply red’ (August 2010). Yes, I was called all those names (‘Rusty Roof’ being my favourite) while at school, but I always knew that my hair was different, and special. My mother constantly reminded me of its loveliness. In fact, when experimenting with very dark lashes and brows in my teens, she was concerned that others would think that it was actually my hair that was dyed, as redheads don’t naturally have blue-black eyelashes. I soon learnt that girls weren’t threatened by me, boys were intrigued by me, and yes, sunscreen just has to be my best friend. I can blame a bad temper on my titian roots, and I have never felt the need to dye it, change it or shave it off. There’s no way we could all be extinct by 2060 – we are far too feisty to just lie down and die out! – Kate Robinson
As an ex-model I understand all too well the unrealistic pressures the fashion industry places not only on the models who work in it, but also on young women and girls all over the world who aspire to be like them. For years I struggled with my body image and an eating disorder, and I alternated between determination to make a life-long dream come true and rebellion against the industry, which I had come to love and hate in equal measure. I went from being a confident and healthy teenager who loved her body, to thinking that going without food for days at a time was an accomplishment of which to be proud. While I agree it may not be necessary to go to the other extreme, I applaud pioneers like Gary Dakin and Crystal Renn. I hope that showing the world that fuller-figured women are also, if not more, beautiful will have a lasting impact on the fashion and entertainment industries. – Raine Dunn
After reading this article I was shocked. If this is a plus size then what am I? I certainly don’t consider myself to be modelesque, but I do believe that, as a size 34/36, I represent many women in South Africa and I don’t think I am plus-sized or fat. Isn’t is the essence of women to possess curves and breasts? I say to the designers out there who only design for lollipops, get real and realize that a true woman is a woman who looks great in clothes because of her curves. – Elizabeth Mangold
PROUD REDHEADS
I have rarely felt so good about myself , and it’s all thanks to Marie Claire. I have red hair, and also happen to be voluptuous – two things that I’ve never been particularly proud of, yet reading your August articles ‘Simply red’ and ‘Who are you calling fat?’ made me feel so much better within myself. It’s so refreshing to find a magazine that makes one feel happy after reading it… and for this I thank you! – Michelle Treyer
I was absolutely delighted to read your article about redheads. Being a redhead myself, I could really relate to it. My school years were also filled with the inevitable nicknames all redheads are associated with and I was very shy and withdrawn. With both my parents being dark-haired, I grew up with my mother lovingly telling all and sundry that when I was presented to her after my birth, with a mass of carrot-orange hair, she screeched at the nurses, ‘Take it away!’ No matter how many people told me how beautiful the red was, I simply hated it. Only in my twenties did I grow to love my hair colour. I thought the redheads in your article were absolutely beautiful and I sincerely hope teenage redheads read the article and are inspired to embrace their hair and realize the uniqueness and magic of being a rooikop! Thanks for a fabulously awesome magazine. I never miss an issue! – Shirley Allen
What a surprise! It is the first time that I have read an article about redheads and I feel quite ‘homaged’. Thank you for this wonderful article. I experienced all those things mentioned in your article, and more. Most of all the unbelievable attitude of two teachers, one in standard four, the other one in high school. In spite of knowing my name, I was called by my hair colour in an offending manner. Thank you Jenny Wicks and Marie Claire, for making us redheads part of a ‘rainbow’ population! Justice at last. – Anonymous
CONFESSION SESSION
I have a confession to make. Until very recently I have been a cosmetics snob, and even resisted my excellent dermatologist’s advice to use a gentle, inexpensive skin-care range since developing a sensitive skin condition. I was convinced that a more renowned skin-care range for very sensitive skin would be a far better option, and that ‘cheap’ products would not do the job of taking care of my skin as well. This was my mindset until I read your June issue, which advertised not only one, but two of the affordable products my dermatologist had recommended four months earlier. Feeling excited that I had actually seen the products in a glamorous magazine, I made a detour at the chemist and bought both the products (Cetaphil gentle cleanser and Nutraderm moisture cream). I am so impressed that your magazine does not only promote expensive and well known brands, and that you consider the budget of many women in this country who cannot afford top ranges. My response also proved to me that I take your beauty advice to heart, and that the combination of my dermatologist and your magazine is indeed a winning one. – Jodie Mackay
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