Jessica Diner, Vogue beauty & lifestyle director, on how motherhood empowered her to understand the impact and strength of her voice
“I love to talk (as anyone who knows me can confirm). But there is, as I have been discovering more recently, a distinct difference between using your voice to talk and using your voice to communicate. And it wasn’t until I became a mother that I truly found my voice – my real voice. When you have a small person – or in my case, two small people – who rely on you for their every drop of information, and who need you to communicate on their behalf, you realise the power of your voice as a woman and as a parent. On a granular level, your voice teaches children the spoken word, which will be among their greatest tools in life. But, on a wider, more conceptual level, being able to be a voice for good with hopes to positively impact the world that children will be growing up in, is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. As someone who writes, talks and constantly communicates for a living, I always knew the power of words, but becoming a mother remains my most important life lesson for the simple reason that it taught me the power of my voice and how to use it for good in the home – and beyond.”
“Communication through scent has also always been something that I am acutely aware of. The final step in getting ready to go out and face the world, it’s an important, empowering moment in the morning routine that says, “This is me”. Each of the notes of Valentino’s Voce Viva has a powerful message to translate: bergamot to uplift, orange blossom and gardenia to inspire, and crystal moss to embolden.”
Funmi Fetto, Vogue contributing editor, on why the written word is her most powerful means of expression
“Sigmund Freud famously pointed out that ‘Words have a magical power’, and I agree. I love words. They are magic. They have the power to shape our thoughts, our lives, our hopes, our dreams, our worlds, our future. My tryst with words began early. As a young girl, reading was my favourite pastime. Words on the page literally came alive to me, transporting me to a fantastical dream or bringing about a sense of comfort by beautifully articulating my own experiences in a way that I couldn’t. At that young age, I didn’t know the power of my voice. That’s changed. As a writer who, like all of us, is living through a defining era, I see it as my privilege and responsibility to use my voice to draw conversation and effect change on issues such as social justice, equality, diversity, and our perception of beauty.”
“I recently found myself thinking about the unlikely correlation between words and scent. They both tell stories, are thought-provoking and have a very particular way of conveying powerful messages that draw people in. This, I hope, as one who uses her voice through the written word, is exactly what I do.”
Twiggy Jalloh, Vogue beauty & lifestyle assistant, on the importance of communication and knowing your worth
“I would be lost without my voice. But, in all honesty, it took me years to find it – and now that I have, the feeling is indescribable. I have got to thank my community and, surprisingly, social media for this. Growing up in the age of instant messaging, I, along with many other millennials, have learned that our voices can be used to educate, encourage and uplift others, whether they are in close proximity or 5,000 miles away. Life – with its many blessings and obstacles – has gifted me with priceless knowledge and the intangible tools I’ve needed to help grow and find my own voice. It hasn’t been easy coming out of my comfort zone, but knowing that I have an affirming and loving community behind me has helped so much. I am never alone.
“Communication with intention and authenticity has an unparalleled ripple effect – you never know who will be touched or inspired by your words. I hope to encourage young people like myself to express themselves freely and to share their findings in whatever way feels most comfortable to them. We could all do with affirming words – when they come at the right moment, they can truly make all the difference.”
“When it comes to fragrance, I choose scents that positively reflect my confidence and my bright outlook on life. They need to be uplifting, sparkling and warm – to lift the spirits of those around me and to mirror the effect that I hope my words have.
To purchase the Valentino Voce Viva fragrance visit Valentino.com
