MilliOnAir Magazine July/August | Page 282

Antonia Mariconda

MilliOnAir | SAFETY IN BEAUTY

By Beauty Contributor Steven  Smith

 

I

had the pleasure in meeting the inspiring woman campaigning to make the cosmetic, aesthetic and beauty industry safe for everyone. On the 6th of July, Antonia Mariconda will host the prestigious Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards.

Antonia is an author, beauty writer, and TV presenter who is also known as the Cosmetic Coach. Antonia has fought to make the industry safer for the last five years, and was invited to the House of Commons to talk to MPs about the challenges she faces.

You have decided to move this year’s awards away from the Dorchester Hotel, why is this?

Being the founder of The UK’s Safety in Beauty Campaign, while booking the venue I had no idea that such atrocious news about the owner would surface months later. I simply cannot fathom the idea of endorsing a dictator who is capable of violating human rights to such a degree that the words ‘death’ and ‘gay’ sit alongside each other in one sentence.

I naturally felt compelled to cancel our annual awards ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel and move it to another venue. Naturally this wasn't easy, and it was quite exhausting fighting our case with the hotel chain, but when something inside you feels right, you find the strength to see it through and I am glad I did. The Safety in Beauty Campaigndoes not tolerate any kind of prejudice; I could not have contemplated setting foot in that place and it would not have been something I could sleep easy with at night. We embrace the LGBT community and kindness, compassion, and tolerance are what we all need right now in the world, not antiquated, outrageous, and immoral dictators.