'Let's talk about Vulvas'

The fashion brand Lucy and Yak launched their capsule collection 'Let's talk about Vulvas' in collaboration with fashion design student Sanna Suvi, supporting 4 female empowerment charities across the UK.

On the 19th February 2020, Lucy and Yak launched the capsule collection by Sanna Suvi, announcing a campaign to talk about vulvas, in light of supporting women nationally and reducing the taboo surrounding women's genitals.

Lucy & Yak partnered with Hey Girls UK, Freedom 4 Girls, Homeless Period Brighton and Eve Appeal all of whom are organisations that are tackling different aspects of the topics surrounding gender inequalities, female empowerment and menstruation.

Sanna Suvi is a final year Fashion and Textile Design student at The University of Portsmouth, she had written her dissertation on “the lack of vulva diversity in art and media” and the idea snowballed into this collection. Sanna contacted Lucy & Yak through an Instagram tag and the collaboration “has been a dream come true! Lucy & Yak’s ethical values align perfectly” with Sanna’s and she adores that the collection isn’t just about raising awareness but “actively supporting charities working towards ending vulva shame and period poverty.”

The capsule collection consists of unisex dungarees and trousers in burnt orange, burgundy, pale pinks and mint green printed with a plethora of illustrated vulvas. Alongside a series of events to discuss "all things vaginas"; panel talks and celebrations including DJs, food and drinks.

Lucy and Yak will also be campaigning the collection across social media, sharing facts and statistics surrounding vulvas and periods to raise awareness to the beauty of the female anatomy.

Sanna Suvi shared with me that "the response has been overwhelmingly positive which only shows that people are keen to normalise vulvas they are ready to cover themselves in them!" Vaginas have been a taboo for decades; women are often ashamed to speak freely about them which has led to stigmas protruding our everyday lives.

There have been a plethora of occasions where I or women I know have felt embarrassed about discussing their vaginal health, and somewhat scared to seek medical advice which often leads to the problems becoming worse. Similarly, menstruation shame is a huge problem with young girls because, at an early age, girls learn that talking about periods is 'gross' and they opt to stay silent even when they are worried about these changes to their bodies.

Sanna told me that "In 2017, over 137,700 of girls in the UK missed school because they couldn't afford menstrual products, and people with vaginas are missing their smear appointments due to being embarrassed about their vulvas." A survey by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust revealed that the reasons behind women avoiding smear tests are the embarrassment of their body shape, the appearance of the vulva and vaginal odour.

The outlawed ideology of the vagina is a heavily damaging health problem, women are being socially conditioned to keep their vagina business a secret and it is having a growing damaging effect on women’s health conditions. Cervical cancer is easier to treat in the early stages but if women are afraid to do a simple check-up then this puts them at a major risk.

It is important that projects like the Vulva collection are celebrated and supported, because unless we promote healthier relationships with women and their vaginas then women will continue to feel isolated and ashamed.

'Let's talk about vulvas' is a collection that we all need to get on board with, not only is it spreading awareness and supporting local organisations, but it was created by an empowering and inspiring fashion designer and an equally amazing fashion brand. AND the 'vulvarees' are super cute too!

This collection will hopefully be a catalyst to the ongoing battle for female empowerment, let's be confident and proud of our vaginas because they are a beautifully amazing part of who we are.