Hair-llo! (Get it?)

Hair-llo Dashionistas!

Well, as you may have read T's previous post about her lovely vacation in Malaysia, my summer vacation kicked off with a *bang* as well!

You know, dancing and floor-work and all that.

I was thinking about what I should post this week as the cycle is on a little break and I thought to myself: "Oh why not! Hair!"

It's not much, to be honest - it just occurred to me that it is summer time now (well, Hong Kong is boiling hot now anyways!) and the few hair styles that I randomly conjured up during dance could be quite Dashion-y! (Get it? lol)

Oh! I will also be ending this post with a video - it's a new, little, personal dance project of mine and... I loved the skirt I used in it - AND it would be a nice summer piece as well! (Dashion! Hurray!)

So first off, the hair-dos... (Please note, it is just very common hair-dos, but I like to give it names!)

As you can see, my hair is fairly long and extremely thick. It can be very bothersome at times, especially during the summer as my hair acts as a 'scarf' (and wool-like, that is) which makes it VERY, VERY hot for me. Also, I can't really dance properly with my hair down - I will always have to flip it, or find some way to move it. Really...

A) "The Dancer's Rose" - My most common do when I'm dancing, simply because I've always naturally tied it this way (especially since my hair is really long and tying it in a ponytail can sometimes become quite a task, especially when I'm sweating from dancing!) Also, it does not sway about when moving/dancing!

A worthy summer do and could fit casual to evening events!

B) "The Dynasty" - Well, the name actually was inspired by my dance teacher. I tied it this way during class (subconsciously) and it was actually higher up at the crown of my head. My teacher then commented that I looked like those ladies from the ancient dynasties. For the rest of the class, he called me by one of the maiden's names.

This is perfect for a day out, casual, but spiking it with a little difference! A shopping trip or even beach-fun!

C) "The Doorknob-tail" - This hairdo was actually a result of not having enough time to finish tying my full ponytail, prior to a 'run-through' of a choreography. I ended up really liking it very much and is one of my favourite hairdo selection for my dance videos! (One of them is coming up, soon...)

A cheeky and different look - it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but a good cup of summer tea nonetheless! ;) It holds better than a ponytail and, if you have long hair like me, since it does not sway as much, it would not stick to you (if you live in a hot, humid place like I do) as much!

D) "The Helicoponytail" - There is a reason I called my ponytail that. It started off when I was in England and I was also working as a dancer then. My hair was actually even longer at the time and I could not let it down and dance (thick and long = can't see!) So I started tying my ponytail on the crown of my head, allowing for the length to be shortened. Soon, I started using it as one of my dancing tools whereby I swing it like a helicopter rotor!

Despite it being fussy at times, it remains to be my favourite 'performing' hairdo!

E) "The Anchor" - Quite a bold name for a delicate-looking hairdo right? But besides this hairdo reminding me of an anchor, it does work as an anchor as well! (lol) It is one of my 'dainty'-like styles and I do use it at times. As you may have realised, the above few hairdos are all taut and tight - which isn't good for our hairline in the long run! So this hairdo (which by far, is the quickest to do during dance rehearsals!) comes in handy... and to save my hairline.

Perfect if you are looking to have a more feminine look, yet not want to put your hair down as the heat might melt you. It could become quite flayed at times, and can be quite immovable if you tie it too tight - but since it's so easy to re-tie, it's very convenient!

F) "The Maiden" - I have actually used this hairdo the least, especially in dancing - only because the rose/bun at the nape of my neck can become quite bothersome when I'm doing floorwork! However, it is a very nice style to use for summer - again, it saves the hairline from being tugged at constantly and I love how the shorter bits of hair would naturally fall out (which won't happen when you tie it high up and taut!)

This could act as a more matured, lady-like look as well. Maybe for a summer date? Or when touring around during your summer vacation trip? ;)

So after all those hairdos, here is the video! :) Ironically, my hair is down here. (Ha!) I wanted to create a paranormal/haunting effect. I hope you enjoy this video! Thank you for reading my blog this week!

"A Haunted Heart" - J. J'ng

An experimental, digital project of contemporary dance and improvisational movement.

P.S. Wardrobe essential!

This is the skirt I was talking about! It has been with me for YEARS now! From bellydance, to contemporary dance! 

It is light, floaty, summer-y and versatile! Like the saying of how every girl should have at least one little, black dress in their wardrobe - well, we all should have at least one skirt of this kind as well! *wink* 

♥ "It's all about how you put it together" - J x

Fun, fun, fun - here, there and anywhere!

HELLO dear Dashionistas!

I do apologise greatly for the delay in my post - I've recently been completely taken out by rehearsals for last weekend's performance (like, literally - you know like in Pokemon when the life bar just goes red and continuously blinks? Yeh, that.)

Dancing Angels at rehearsals :)

(Photography credits: HK Littlears)

But I did prepare something to post for your enjoyment. So take a look below. This is what T and I tend to do on a random night, when we have nothing to do after work and just... have fun - here, there and anywhere!

There's more to come further down this post! But first, we're going to have a quick look in photos on what we were wearing for our little rendezvous at Causeway Bay.

As you can see, we opted for casual-wear (and at that time, I've literally just finished work!). 

I wore one of my favourite stripey, long-sleeved top and black, 'lai-si' (which literally means 'expel poo', lol - the crotch lining design of the trousers is very long, no poo was harmed in the making of this post) trousers. Of course, I paired it with  my red Ked's. 

For T, she was actually having a night out as well after, so she dressed up with a nice, light and patterned top, with black leggings (and as you may have heard in the video - leather-like texture) and boots. 

So as promised (and forced!), here is the video snippet of me dancing on the streets! (lol, technically I was on a nice, elevated platform...)

So, dear Dashionistas, what is your idea of fun and what is your 'fun-time fashion' like? We would love to hear from you! Tweet us or Instagram us on @dashionhime or comment in the comment section below to let us know! 

Lots of love from D-h! :) x 

P.S. I will try and keep up to date more now! So sorry once again for the wait!

 

♥ "It's all about how you put it together" - J x

Centre Stage

William Shakespeare once wrote in his monologue,‘As You Like It’:

“All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages.”

We would all have different opinions towards this phrase. Some may deem this as looking at life as superficial, or fake; some may find this viewpoint as an obscure notion, or a dreamer’s speech; some may wholly understand and relate tothe metaphorical gesture; or some may disagree yet acknowledge these words.

However thine or mine perception shalt be casted upon this phrase, it does not really matter – we are only going to touch on this on a very literal level; we are actually going to create an imaginary scene now: there is a seemingly limitless, physical stage and we are to place the world onto it. You are the lead of this cast, you are to play yourself and all you have to do and say in each scene is one thing: Accidentally bump into someone and say: “I’m sorry.”

*CURTAIN RISES*

First scene: you are at home.

*Bump*

You bumped into a family member, you say your line:

“I’m sorry.”

Second scene: you are hanging out with your friends.

*Bump*

This time you bumped into one of your close friends.

“I’m sorry.”

Third scene: you are at work.

*Bump*

Uh-oh, it was your boss you bumped into.

“I’m sorry.” 

Final scene: you are at the zebra crossing, the lights are flashing, a flurry of people and… *Bump*

“I’m sorry.”

Who did you bump into? Did you actually manage to see their face?

*CURTAIN CLOSES* (Audience applause)

Now the question is: who were you at each scene? Yes, yourself, but what exact role of yourself were you?

What did those words mean to you?

What did those words mean to those that you bumped into?

The point here is, albeit being ourselves at any given time, we have derivatives of ourselves that are ‘oncall’ as according to our surroundings. It is all the same, from a mother or afather, to Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn – and not everyone will see each and every of these derivatives.

There comes a time when we all wonder who we really are. Who’s the real me? Audrey Hepburn starred a magnificent role in “Breakfastat Tiffany’s”.  Holly Golightly,spontaneous, glamorous and fun-loving New York party girl turns out to be a small town married young wife name Lula Mae Burnes. Lula Mae Burnes wanted a different life, a different role to play and became Holly Golightly.

“You’re wrong. She is a phony. But on the other hand you’re right. She isn’t a phony because she’s a real phony. She believes all this crap she believes. You can’t talk her out of it.”

This quote from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" really makes one think about it. Holly Golightly is a typical example for our theme today. When we play a role in our own lives, and we really believe in it, does it become who we really are? A lot of the times our lives forces us to play a certain role, whether it’s to be someone’s mother, lover or daughter. We always act accordingly because there are expectations, but does it make it any less us?  I think whatever we do, there is always an element of us in it. Just like how Audrey Hepburn plays the role of Holly Golightly. 

 

Every girl loves her in the movie, despite the factthat she really is a gold digger and a high end prostitute, she’s still an icon. Why? Of course Audrey Hepburn is beautiful, but a lot of women are beautiful. Personally I feel the most special feature about her is her classy elegance. It just stays with her no matter what role she does. This is also the reason why I picked to recreate her style for this blog.  I have always love Audrey Hepburn because elegance is not something you can mimic. Ever since I was young, my grandmother has taught me that beauty is not just from how you look, but also how you act. In her “when I was young” stories, she told us how men was not attracted because of beauty but because of elegance and how classy one is.

“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with passing years.”  – Audrey Hepburn

The dress chosen with an exaggerated detail on the shoulder is to create the glamorous look that Audrey Hepburn had in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Although instead of the typical black dress, a bold, bright orange was selected to add a bit of spice to it. The dress was bought from a local store in Hong Kong that is not branded.  We don't have to wear expensive clothes to look expensive. It all depends on how you carry it and you can look like a million dollars. The shoes and thin belt worn was showcased in T's previous blog Enchant Me. 

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." - Audrey Hepburn 

"If I'd observe all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere." - Marilyn Monroe 

Marilyn Monroe was chosen because of her symbolism during the height of her career. She was perceived largely as a 'sex symbol', but also, this correlated to a number of other perceptions: her independence/success as an individual female; her somewhat 'rebellion' against societal norms; her sweet yet sexy charisma (she was once described as symbolising what is the 'grey' area - she is neither an angel nor a devil; she is angelic-looking, yet she has her underlying rebellion).

 

She also signified the womanly body - her curves, charisma and atmosphere. Her logic, intellect and spoken words established her further in her calibre as, not just a woman, but also as a person; an icon; an inspiration. Hence the reason for the outfit selection of a ruffles-sleeved top and a tight-fitting, pencil skirt:

a) it embodies the embrace of a woman's curve, regardless of what 'amount' we have on our bodies, a woman was naturally created with small/big/eminent/subtle curves.

 

b) Ruffles. They are classical, beautiful, yet unconventional. No one set of ruffles and curves will be the same as the next; there is always a surprise. Like Marilyn's quote, she does not follow the rules; the 'straight line. Ruffles, then, can somewhat depict individuality yet also, the many different aspects of it. It also adds a grandeur aura to the watchful eye. :)

 

"I have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to be loved, for myself and my talent." - Marilyn Monroe

Like a performer, we ‘perform’ variations of ourselves. If you noticed, the terms ‘perform’ and ‘performer’ are used instead of ‘act’ or ‘actor/actress.’ In this somehow philosophical context, there is a fine distinction between the two sets of words. We are all given roles throughout the stages in life, i.e. from birth, school, work etc. However, an actor reenacts a given role - a performer portrays a given role. (Think about it. It took me awhile as well, to word this properly!)

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – OscarWilde 

Are you going to let people decide what role you are to play in your own life or are you going to regain control and take the lead. Remember this: you are the leading roles in your lives and if you are not happy with it, change the story - change the plot! You have that power to do so and the most important thing is for you to live happy. 

Fun fact: Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was originally casted for the role of Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"?

Cycle two comes to an end and next week and we have T's individual blog coming up. Follow us on Twitter: @dashionhime and Instagram: @dashion_hime for updates! If you have recreated your favourite styles, hashtag us #dashionhime and we can give you a shoutout! :) 

♥ "It's all about how you put it together" - T & J.