Florence Given: The 20-Year-Old Putting The ‘F’ In Feminism
Florence Given is a best-selling author, illustrator and social activist changing the the world with one sassy slogan tee at a time.
The 20-year-old British feminist queer illustrator, declared as Cosmopolitan’s 2019 Influencer of the Year, has a huge fan base on Instagram with her popular, retro slogan designs that address social issues surrounding misogyny, female sexuality and body image.
The rising activist has been interviewed by Maya Jama and designed merchandise for Rita Ora, who has called her an ‘incredibly empowering artist’.
Florence Given: ‘I want to encourage women to question the world they were born into’
This year, she released her first novel which she both wrote and illustrated, Women Don’t Owe You Pretty – a book she hopes will provide lessons and advice for women that she wished she had had when she was younger.
She told The Independent:
‘I want to encourage women to question the world that they were born into. I want them to find their power and realise that they should never settle for less than they deserve.’
Image Source: /divingbellgroup.com
The Influencer Has Created A Number Of Retro, Statement Illustrations
The activist uses social media to raise awareness of issues surrounding sexuality, race and gender by creating a number of retro, eye-catching illustrations, each attached with a bold statement.
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
Florence Given First Gained Attention After Petitioning For The Cancellation Of Netflix Series Insatiable
Florence Given first began to rise to prominence after launching a petition to cancel ‘fat shaming’ series Insatiable, which tells the story of a teenager who, after a dramatic weight loss, suddenly becomes popular.
The petition gained over 300,000 signatures.
Image Source: /The Mighty
Florence Brings A Hot 1970s Vibe To Her Fashion And Illustrations
Channelling 70s icon Farrah Fawcett, indeed, Floss is certainly not shy when it comes to a bold outfit choice.
She says:
‘The more dramatic and bold the outfit, the better’.
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
She Studied At The London College of Fashion, Where She Learnt To Develop Her Artistic Abilities
After studying at the Plymouth College of Art as a teen, Florence moved to London to begin studying at the London College of Fashion. It was there that she learned how to develop her drawing, with the mentorship of fashion illustrator Julie Verhoeven.
She went on to host her own exhibition in 2018. Last year, she decided to leave her studies in order to pursue her passions in art and writing.
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
Florence Given: ‘I dumped my boyfriend and realised that I had been pouring so much of my time and energy into someone who had no intention of giving it back’
That break-up glow up did wonders for Floss, who has since become an international success:
‘I was running on empty, and for what? I had been constantly trying to ‘fix’ and ‘grow’ someone when I could have been putting that energy into myself.’
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
‘Stop Raising Him, He’s Not Your Son’
The influencer strives to push women to leave their ‘arhaic gender roles’ in the past and to stop ‘mothering’ their ‘man-child’ boyfriends and husbands:
‘I realised that this was a role women so readily accept and take on in relationships without questioning it.’
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
‘You are the love of your own life, and everything else is a distraction’
To illustrate, she says:
‘We just do it for the validation that someone loves us. I wanted to use my experience to hopefully lead other young women to the same liberating realisation; that you don’t have to settle, you are the love of your own life, and everything else is a distraction.’
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
Florence’s Designs Have Inspired Celebs To Stand Up And Take Action
Florence Given also fights for women’s rights to stop being judged on their sexual history and against the sexualisation of women’s bodies.
As a result, her messages inspired Love Island contestant Megan Barton to appear on Good Morning Brtain wearing one of Floss’ slogan tees.
Florence has said:
‘When I think about what fires me up inside and what really angers me, it’s the entitlement to women’s bodies.
‘It’s the way we are viewed as existing for male consumption in the media, which in turn reflects in how men treat women’s bodies in real life.’
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
You Can Buy Florence Given’s Book On Amazon
She is currently promoting her first book; a detailed insight into unpinning the patriarchal society and a woman’s journey towards self-empowerment and self-fulfilment.
‘I want to keep spreading my message through the mediums of speaking, creating artwork and writing – this book is going to enable me to do just that.’
You can buy Women Don’t Owe You Pretty on Amazon. However, for international shipping, Florence provides links for customers wanting to purchase the book from all across the world in her Instagram bio.
Image Source: /Instagram @florencegiven
