Staff Picks: Marie France Asia’s favourite female icons
updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:16
To celebrate International Women’s Day, the team has picked their favourite female role models who have inspired them – from actresses to activists.
While we don’t need a specific day to celebrate the strength of women – we’re basically an all-women editorial team after all – but seeing that International Women’s Day is drawing closer, this is the perfect time to highlight some of our favourite female icons. So beyond our mothers, the team at Marie France Asia has picked their one female figure who has inspired them in one point or another – from painters, activists to actresses and models.
Do tell us, who’s your favourite female role model?
Rana – Editor-in-Chief
Frida Kahlo
“It’s no secret that I admire the Mexican painter and activist – so much so that I had teary eyes the first time I saw one of her emotionally profound paintings at a museum in Buenos Aires. But I don’t just admire her as an artist. To me, Frida is a great example on how a woman’s many struggles and pain (both physical and emotional) can never crush her soul, or her will to enjoy life and still see its beauty despite the hardship.
Tarandip – Fashion & Beauty Writer
Maya Angelou
“As one of the strongest activists for racial and gender equality, Maya held an exceptionally strong footing during the civil rights movement, fighting for everything that would change society for the better. And above all, her knack for writing and literature has pulled on all of my heart strings at one point or the other. If you need a book to read, I suggest picking up one of her 7 autobiographical fiction novels – as she likes to call them. ”
Natasha – Editorial Intern
Marion Cotillard
“Marion Cotillard is one of the only actresses to win an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and César awards. She can sing, she can act, she can model and the best thing is, she is a beauty with brains (She’s a spokesperson for Greenpeace!). Everytime she appears on the red carpet, she looks elegant in her faultless choices of gowns. In photo shoots, she is effervescent and super sexy no matter who the photographer or what the setting is.”
Cheryl – Lifestyle & Beauty Writer
Fran Drescher
“My favourite female icon is definitely Fran Drescher. Apart from being an activist, an animal lover and a survivor of rape, cervical cancer and the breakdown of her marriage (where her husband eventually came out of the closet), she was The Nanny. Oh the amount of time I spent in front of the television/Youtube catching up on episodes of The Nanny. I loved her bright and daring outfits and of course that nasally: ‘Oh Mr Sheffield….'”
Annabelle – Fashion & Beauty Writer
Anna Kendrick
Rebekah – Features Writer
Shailene Woodley
“Offbeat and down-to-earth, Shailene isn’t the kind of person one will immediately think of when talking about icons. It is precisely this quality that I love about her, that she is s good role model and continuously motivates her fans through her Twitter, but flies under the radar for the positivity that she’s spreading. The young star is honest about her no-frills lifestyle and that aligns with my personal motto of less is more.”
Lindsay – Fashion Tech & Lifestyle Writer/ Translator
Anina Trepte
“At this point in time, Anina Trepte, also known as Anina.net is my role model! She is an international supermodel who then became a successful and brilliant entrepreneur, and is the first foreigner that has been given an award at the China Fashion Awards in December 2009. Besides that, she is an incredible and vibrant speaker!”
