At Refinery29, we will remember 2017 for myriad reasons, many of them very painful and unpleasant because of what was happening in the world around us. But there were also plenty of moments that will stick with us in a good way, because they revealed how powerful art and culture can be in difficult times.
As women across the world took part in the Women's March in January, we worked with some of the most talented designers and illustrators we know (including many R29 staffers) to create original artwork for protest signs and posters. We saw our handiwork show up in photos from across the world — and even got a retweet from Hillary Clinton.
As the year continued, we doubled down on our efforts to resist through creativity. We decided to make 2017 the year of imagination and to showcase the ability art has to spark ideas and bring positivity and inspiration to people's lives. We wanted to engage with our audience on a deeply personal level, telling stories through visuals as well as words. We want all of you to see yourselves when you come here; this meant not only pushing for even more diversity and inclusivity in our casting, but a commitment to focusing on who's behind the lens, too. Working with and supporting more female photographers is in our DNA, and we're happy to report that around four in every five R29 shoots were photographed by women.
Scroll on to see our edit of 2017's best, and click through to read the stories that they inspired.
Can Tattoos Help With Body Image? We Asked 7 Women
Photographed by Flora Maclean.
Celebrating 6 Of Our Favourite Female Designers Ruling London Fashion Week
Photographed by Rosaline Shahnavaz.
3 Wearable Winter Beauty Trends You'll Want To Try Now
Photographed by Luke & Nik.
This Is What Sisterly Love Looks Like
Photographed by Lauren Maccabee.
These Brands Prove Sustainable Fashion Isn't Boring
Photographed by Luke & Nik.
17 Photographs Of Women, By Women
This image photographed by Pia Riverola.
The Object That Symbolises My Ordeal With OCD
Photographed by Flora Maclean.
6 Photographers On What Their Period Means To Them
This image photographed by Steph Wilson.
The Weirdest Places We've Removed Hair From (NSFW)
Photographed by Ana Cuba.
Meet The Lionesses: The England Women's Football Team Are Going For Gold
Photographed by Luke & Nik.
The Stories Behind Grace Neutral's Tattoos
Photographed by Ana Cuba.
6 Of Our Favourite SS17 Looks On 3 Of Our Favourite New Faces
Photographed by Rebecca Naen.
How I #MadeIt: Anissa Kermiche
Photographed by Jonny Cochrane & Morgane Lay.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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