A night with Fude
Tucked away from London’s busy financial district, a group of strangers gathered to spend an evening together naked. Far, far away from home, Fude founder, Charlie Ann Max, treated us to a final date of her European adventure before heading back to LA. In collaboration with mythology expert, Cosi’s Odyssey, the pair hosted an evening of nudity and plant based food centred around rebirth and renaissance. Although I’d made the booking less than 48 hours prior, I felt strangely calm about what was to come as if I’d skipped ahead a few days and all was over and well. As I caught my train, the heavens opened and, for 15 minutes, the entirety of the South East was plunged into darkness. We got as far as Catford Bridge before inevitably a tree fell, forcing everybody out and up to greet the blood red sky. Still in South London and praying my card wouldn’t get declined, I booked an Uber to Liverpool Street reasoning that it was still cheaper than a flight to LA. Forty minutes later, I arrived at my destination.
And so began one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I was directed to a space where I could undress and go to the bathroom for a final pep talk. It was my last chance at escape and I joyfully realised there wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to. With nothing underneath my trench coat, I peeked down to the main hall of St Ethelburgas and saw the safe space Charlie had promised and the precious souls who had placed their trust in her. Leaving my coat (and inhibitions) behind, I ran down to join the group of people who were brave enough to show strangers their purest, most vulnerable selves. There was no danger here, no judgement, just complete clarity and unconditional acceptance.
We started with a mirroring exercise and then moved on to breathwork. One minute you’ve paid £40 for an Uber, the next minute you’re lying like a naked sardine on the floor of a church next to a high rise Sushi Samba having an intense emotional release. Breathing in for 4, holding for 7 and out for 8 tends to have that effect. Next up, was life drawing and finally, we sat around a gorgeously laid table for a three course plant based meal prepared by Charlie herself.
The food was impeccable, the company was divine and the conversation was, as expected, raw. No awkward chit chat, just straight into analysing Renaissance nudes - as you do. Courtesy of Cosi, we each had a different painting depicting nudity placed in front of us from Modligiani’s Seated Nude to Titian’s Diana and Actaeon. While Charlie busied herself in the kitchen, we dissected the sexism and objectification of women throughout art history and the subsequent sexualisation of the body (particularly female presenting) in real life. Discussion ranged from the paintings specifically to intimate examples from real life. There’s something about being naked in a safe space that strips away all internal inhibitions of ‘shoulds’, ‘what if’s’ and comparison. For me, it was an exercise in taking up space and using my voice whilst being fully seen. If you find honest communication difficult, take your clothes off*. It’s an equaliser like nothing else. Baring your Self really facilitates baring your soul.
*In a safe space and with consent.
The precious few hours of receiving each other exactly as we were, offering the same safety that we’d been given all evening long was truly transformative. An unspoken understanding of our shared bravery palpably filled the room, reginiting after each and every personal anecdote. There was no agenda or motive, just a deep desire for true connection. At around 11pm, we said our goodbyes and I’ve never been so unhappy to get dressed in all my life. Thank you to Charlie and Cosi. I’m forever grateful that you do what you do. And if I’m ever in LA, save me a seat.