The Tragic Loss of Liam Payne: A Heartfelt Reflection and Call for Kindness

photo credits:abcnews.com

Today, we mourn the loss of a beloved artist, Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction, whose sudden and tragic passing has left many of us shocked and heartbroken. At just 31 years old, Liam fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His death has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and millions of fans around the world.

photo credits: skynews.com

Liam's life in the public eye was not without its challenges. In recent years, he struggled with personal battles, including well-documented issues with alcoholism in 2023. In 2024, before his tragic death, his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of obsessive contact. These struggles were compounded by the pain of divorce from Cheryl Cole, the mother of his son, Bear, who is now seven years old. Liam’s life, once filled with the glitz and glamour of fame, slowly unraveled as he faced a whirlwind of allegations and public scrutiny.

photo credits: usatoday.com

The police report from October 16th revealed that Liam may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he fell to his death. The weight of his struggles seems to have finally taken its toll on him, and it is heartbreaking to think about the pain he must have been carrying in his final moments.

photo credits: gmanews.com

It’s hard not to feel a deep sadness for Liam, knowing all that he endured before his passing— the divorce, the abuse allegations, and the backlash surrounding his plastic surgery. These things, though public knowledge, should remind us of the human being behind the headlines. His story is a poignant reminder that even those who seem to have it all can be struggling with unimaginable burdens.

As we reflect on Liam’s life and the tragic circumstances of his passing, I urge everyone online to take a step back and reflect on the power of their words. In a world where social media allows us to comment and criticize so easily, we sometimes forget that our words can hurt. Liam’s struggles, like those of so many others, were amplified by the intense pressure and judgment he faced from the public.

photo credits: ca-times.com

Let this be a call for kindness. We never truly know what someone is going through behind the scenes. The celebrities we admire, the people we work with, the friends we chat with online—all of them deserve our compassion, not judgment. In a time where negativity can spread so easily, let us choose to spread kindness instead. Let's be more mindful of how we speak about others, especially when they are no longer with us to defend themselves.

photo credits: apnews.com

Rest in peace, Liam Payne. May we all learn from the struggles you faced and strive to make the world a little more compassionate for everyone.

- FASHION DOOHICKEy

The Victoria’s Secret 2024 Show: It’s Not About Objectification, It’s About Perspective

photo credits: people.com

The Victoria’s Secret show has been a point of contention for years, especially in light of movements like #MeToo and the evolving discussions surrounding female empowerment and representation. However, critiques often miss an essential point: the show does not objectify women—how you think about it might be the problem.

photo credits: tatlerasia.com

The Power of Expression

Let’s begin with what the show actually represents. The Victoria’s Secret show, in its recent iterations, has gone beyond the traditional beauty standards that dominated fashion runways for decades. We saw supermodels of different body types, ages, and identities, including transgender models and older women. These models weren’t just walking to sell lingerie—they were reclaiming their spaces, expressing their individuality, and celebrating their bodies on their terms. If a woman chooses to express herself in lace, wings, or feathers, who are we to call that objectification? The real issue may be in the perception that women wearing lingerie is inherently degrading.

photo credits: fashionweekdaily.com

The Fantasy Isn’t Universal, and That’s Okay

The argument that women "playacting" as presents to be unwrapped feeds into the narrative that women are dressing or acting for the male gaze. This line of thinking assumes that all lingerie or runway shows involving scantily-clad women are primarily designed for men, which erases the agency of the women involved. The truth is that many women enjoy wearing lingerie not to fulfill anyone else’s fantasies but to express their own sense of empowerment and confidence. It's a form of self-expression, not an invitation for objectification.

In fact, the VS show explicitly stated that “the women hold the reins.” This new chapter is about offering models and women a space to be celebrated on their terms, not the terms of male fantasy. If someone interprets these displays as objectification, it’s a reflection of their own ingrained biases rather than the intentions of the show.

photo credits: cnn.com

Representation Matters

It’s been noted that the latest show included more diverse body types and showcased a range of women, including trans models and older women. This is progress. This is representation. But the critique continues to undermine this effort, claiming that it is still about objectification. Why? Just because a woman is wearing lingerie doesn’t mean she’s a vehicle for male fantasy. It means she’s confident enough to own her body, no matter its size, shape, or age. Celebrating that is not regressive; it’s empowering.

What some critics fail to realize is that being empowered looks different for everyone. For some women, strutting down a runway in lingerie may feel like the pinnacle of empowerment—an assertion that they are comfortable in their skin and proud of their bodies. For others, it might look entirely different. But no one has the right to dictate what empowerment should look like for anyone else.

photo credits: hearstapps.com

It’s About More Than Clothing

The argument that the Victoria’s Secret show should be “retired” because it’s a “relic of another time” entirely dismisses the importance of progress in reclaiming spaces that were once considered problematic. The show has evolved, and so has its message. By featuring a variety of models and body types, it acknowledges the mistakes of the past and shows a commitment to growth.

Sure, the wings and the feathers may look like fantasy, but let’s not pretend that the fashion world isn’t built on fantasy and spectacle. Just because there’s a "giant bow" or "feathers" doesn’t mean it’s about men’s fantasies. Women, too, can dream in glitter and sequins, and women, too, deserve to revel in their own idea of beauty.

photo credits: eonline.com

Empowerment Is Subjective

Finally, let’s address the claim that "parading scantily clad bodies... down a runway is simply not about empowerment." This statement reveals more about the viewer than the show itself. Empowerment isn’t something that can be boiled down to one definition. For some women, wearing lingerie and walking down a runway might be objectifying; for others, it’s liberating. Who are we to say that their choice is invalid?

The real problem isn’t the lingerie or the wings—it’s the assumption that women can’t express themselves in certain ways without being sexualized or objectified. The Victoria’s Secret show has made strides toward inclusivity and diversity, but until we change the way we view these displays, we’ll keep circling back to the same tired argument.

photo credits: immediate.co.uk

Conclusion

At its core, the Victoria’s Secret show isn’t about objectifying women; it’s about celebrating them in all their diverse beauty. It’s about reclaiming spaces once tainted by narrow beauty standards and offering a platform where different body types, ages, and identities can shine. It’s not the lingerie, the wings, or the runway that’s the issue—it’s how we, as viewers, interpret these displays. If you see objectification, perhaps it’s time to rethink how you perceive women and their choices. Empowerment comes in many forms, and it’s time we respected all of them.

- FASHION DOOHICKEy