Alexandra Shulman, in her latest notebook, offers a multi-faceted perspective on contemporary life, touching upon personal milestones, societal trends, and policy issues.
Shulman begins by addressing Taylor Swift's recent marriage, drawing parallels and contrasts with her own experience. "I can't claim there are many similarities in our approach to weddings – my husband and I took the plunge ten weeks ago with 12 guests, rather than her somewhat larger bash on Friday," Shulman writes. She notes that while the scale of the events may differ, the personal experience of being newly married holds common ground. Shulman reflects that the primary change after marriage is the cessation of the question of whether to marry, which she describes as a "total nonsense" societal assumption that "hovers around you, either spoken – 'so are you two ever going to get married?' – or silently." She concludes this section with congratulations to Swift, suggesting it is "a great thing to have done."
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Sports and Fashion
Shulman then shifts to the world of sports, highlighting a comment made by American tennis player Taylor Fritz. Fritz reportedly questioned the wisdom of his on-court attire for a match, a Hugo Boss ensemble inspired by Roger Federer's 2007 outfit. Shulman commends Fritz for his honesty, stating, "In speaking out, Fritz shifted the terms of engagement. With that comment, he demonstrated a welcome honesty, which I'd argue makes him an even better ambassador for the brand."
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Wimbledon and Equality
The article also touches upon an advancement in gender equality at Wimbledon, which has introduced baby-changing facilities in the men's restrooms. Shulman views this as a positive development, noting that "men, or some at least, now do a much larger proportion of childcare." She expresses a preference for separate facilities over gender-neutral ones.
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Regional Inequality and Urban Policy
In a discussion concerning regional disparities, Shulman recounts a fundraising trip to Margate with Macmillan Cancer Support. She observes that despite the town being hailed as a regeneration success, the streets showed signs of neglect, and the population appeared deprived. Gemma Peters, CEO of Macmillan, reportedly highlighted the significant difference in cancer outcomes between London and areas like Margate. Shulman expresses hope that Andy Burnham, should he reach Number 10, will not overlook the urgent needs of the South East while focusing on the North.
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Shulman also comments on urban policy in Manchester, where she is writing from. She draws a parallel between Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and London mayor Sadiq Khan, citing a "determination to make driving around close to impossible." According to Shulman, changes to road layouts in Manchester have negatively impacted businesses by deterring potential customers from driving into the city, which she argues is "not a great way to boost economic growth."
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Finally, Shulman expresses reluctance to watch England's late-night football match, citing the stress experienced during a previous game and the prospect of sleepless hours as deterrents.