Hello beautiful

Iska, 21, Model/Designer “My definition of beauty is being confident in your appearance and not being afraid to stand out from the crowd.”

Jill, 71, Model “My definition of beauty is ageless, natural and authentic, a spirit that shines from within.”

Alice, 20, Fashion Design Student “My definition of beauty is natural and personal. Not forcing something to fit under someone else’s perception.”

Monique “Minnie Riperton”, 26,Theatre Director/Scriptwriter”My definition of beauty has a space for everyone.”

Richard, 29, Body Piercer “My definition of beauty is being yourself and looking the way you want to.”

Sophie, 22, Make-up Artist “My definition of beauty is a combination of qualities, some seen, some felt – though not all that is beautiful can be redeemed by the eyes.”

Suren, 27, DJ/Musician/Artist “My definition of beauty is someone who shares love, compassion and happiness in the face of adversity.”

Suzanne, 40, Mother/Milliner “My definition of beauty is an attractive quality from within a person, it’s not just skin deep.”

These are the eight stars of Selfridge’s new campaign ‘Hello beautiful’, part of The Beauty Project, a programme Selfridge’s is running during 8 weeks. What’s your definition of beauty? they would like to know.

In the interview with the man behind the camera, Norbert Schroerner talks about the ‘edited reality’ of beauty photography in magazines and media, fed by a celebrity culture.

Photoshop has changed a lot, and is omnipresent. Re-shaping the physiognomy of the models is often a standard procedure nowadays, he proclaims. A reality he steered away from, selecting his models.

Outside the retouched magazine world, Schroerner says, most people still have an idea of what they would define as ‘beautiful’ in their daily lives.

{Brings a song to my mind}