DOT + LINE

The story starts like this:

One day at gym, few members were talking about their kids. One is saying that she allows her daughter to wear polka dot and stripes at the same time now. I was thinking to myself, why not? They are two perfect patterns together.

Polka dot is a patter of filled circles - random space in-between, size and colour. 

Traditionally polka dots are used in the clothing of flamenco dancers and performers.

 Polka dots became common on clothing in the late nineteenth century in the United Kingdom. Famous users are Carolina Herrera and Yayoi Kusama. 

Stripe is a line/band that differs in colour or tone from an adjacent area. 

For hundreds of years, stripes have been used in clothing.

Designers like Missoni and Paul Smith have dedicated their pieces with stripes. 

Inspired looks from a Disney princess - Mulan

Mulan, a Chinese warrior, emerged from 《木兰辞》 that everyone learns from school in China. She symbolizes bravery and independency of Asian women, even when facing the cruel and tough enemies. 

“雄兔脚扑朔，雌兔眼迷离。双兔傍地走，安能辨我是雄雌。” is a famous phrase to praise Mulan by comparing her to rabbits. 

She was my childhood role model. The first animation DVD my parents ever gave me is Mulan. I remember the days that I re-played and re-played the film. I dislike the Western’s “China Doll” image towards Asian ladies. We are not delicate and dependent. I truly admire Mulan’s determination of her own fate and bravery of taking upon the family duty. 

Mulan was created under the influence of both traditional Chinese and Japanese artwork by Disney. The animation reminds people the simplicities of Asian art.

Theory+ - cropped top + Bodyism - leggings + Nike - sneakers

Mulan is an athletic and mobile lady. She is gifted as a fighter comparing to many other colleague warriors. These activewears are vivid like her character and well crafted to allow flexible activities. 

I discovered this wonderful workout swipe to freshen you up after a sweaty work-out. 

First Day of School

Glasses

My friends know that I like cute guys with glasses on. To me, glasses symbolize knowledge and intelligence. 

Hat

This is the easiest accessary to upgrade your look. 

Oxford flats

A comfortable pair of shoes is a must for the first day as you probably will be mobile between classes.

Socks

People tend to underestimate the importance of socks. A pair of fun print of socks reflects your efforts in looking refresh for the new start.

Canvas bag

This drives an eco-friendly look. Plus, everything fits into a canvas bag.

Stationaries

Back in Asia, there are so many stores for stationaries. Not so common in London Ontario though. Colour pencils, vintage notebooks and polaroid are a must.

Visiting Andy Warhol in Toronto

After my condensed two terms were finally wrapped up, I escaped to Toronto. I have lots of things on my list, a haircut with Kaori, a Wilfred top, opera tickets … and Andy Warhol Revisited exhibition @ Revolver Gallery.

You may not know the name, Andy Warhol (actually a lot of people don’t). However, you have probably seen the famous Marilyn piece many times of your life. 

Born in 1928 from a family of first generation in Pittsburgh, Andy Warhol’s childhood was harsh and suffered from poorness and the Great Depression. 

Andy Warhol at the age of 17

In third grade, Warhol suffered Sydenham’s chorea which is believed to be a complication of scarlet fever which causes skin pigmentation blotchiness. But made him the master of makeovers.

This contributed to Warhol’s shyness. He stayed home for a year. His mother, Julia, brought him radio to listen to and pictures of movie starts to play with. These formed Andy Warhol’s preferences in the future and raised an interest in celebrity as a form of escapism.

After graduating from Commercial Art at Carnegie Institute of Technology, Andy Warhol packed himself to New York. He first started a job as magazine illustrator. 

In the 1950s, Andy earned credits for his blotted-ink style shoe advertisements. To remember his old shoe advertising days, he made the Diamond Dust Shoe series.

Sunset and Evening Shoe

© 2014 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London

In 1952, Julia moved to New York to be with Andy. They raised over 20 Siamese cats, all named Sam, at 1342 Lexington Avenue. The location was later named The Warhol. 

Serendipity 3 is a coffee and ice cream shop on the Upper East Side. Andy Warhol was obsessed with watching his weight. However, the frrrozen hot chocolate was one of his favourites. The Kettle of Fish is bar on MacDougal Street back then. 

The materialism and idealism were booming in America. Pop Art, an art movement to worship the mass culture and to employ images of popular, fit well with America. Andy Warhol joined with the Pop Art stream with his Campbell’s soup can. He is now known as the “Pope of Pop”.

His childhood interest lead to his love in celebrates. He painted them. After Marilyn Monroe passed away in August 1962, Warhol made more than 20 silkscreen paintings of her. They are all based on the “Niagara” photograph. 

The “Marilyn Diptych” (1962) piece perfectly reflects Andy Warhol’s interests in celebrity and death.