Greetings, World! I am a French explorer of Sacred Femininity living in China, who translates her quest and findings into dance and fashion designs. In this blog, I will essentially talk about these two topics, and share with you my inspirations, thought process and final creations!
Dance
A Fast Learning Process
During a year-long teaching stint in Brittany back in 2010, fate led me to stumble upon a flyer of a tribal belly dance class. Instantly, I knew I had found the dance form I had been searching for all my life. There was something about the mystical yet modern aura of the graphic that hooked me and deeply resonated with what I wanted to express through movement. I took around three months of classes before returning to Beijing in 2011. Thanks to Amy Sigil, I found there a solid training in ATS (American Tribal Style).
Honestly, I wanted nothing but remain on my tribal fusion track, but there was no offering in town at that time, and I sensed that ATS was actually the best entry in the style. I learned fast, absorbed all the vocabulary, performed very soon at quite advanced level and It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this collective improvisation style. In the meanwhile, I took all the tribal fusion belly dance workshops that was given by American masters around China and in 2012, I started teaching ATS and tribal fusion to an international audience in Beijing.
Show Direction and Production
In October 2014, I founded the Lunatic Moires dance company, embarking on a journey that would see me direct and produce a myriad of art fusion shows from 2015 onwards. Blending tribal belly dance, live music, acting and interactive rituals with the audience, some notable productions include Hecate’s Birds, Full Moon Hafla, Gypsy Fever, The Odd Cabaret, Djinns, Voodoo, Ashes, The Feathered Night, Under the Shadow of the Blossoming Plum Tree, Narcosis, Black Snake, Earth Breath, among others.
Lasting 60 minutes each, these shows were predominantly based on the choreographies taught in my classes. As a result, students not only learned dance technique and combinations but also honed stage presence and costuming tricks. Over the years, my teaching experiences have shaped a clear vision of the style, inspiring me to create a structured format to guide practitioners of all levels in mastering the genre.
Online School
However, navigating the Beijing performing scene with my students felt like dancing on shifting sands. Given the transient nature of the capital, people come and go frequently. I realized that creating a digital version of my courses was essential to sustain our sister community across boarders! Moreover, online classes offer numerous advantages and complement traditional in-person training in various interesting ways. I have dedicated several years to developing this project, and I have dreamed of it for twice longer!
Within this ever-evolving space, you’ll discover my extensive repertoire of tribal and oriental belly dance choreography, in-depth warm-up routine, technique breakdowns, follow-along practice videos and more! This intangible sanctuary has finally opened its gates and I’m truly thrilled to welcome you on board of my Online Tribal Belly Dance School! By the way, you can try it out for free for 7 days!
The Art of Tribal Belly Dance
Technique, Choreography and Fitness Classes!
Fashion
A Family Trend
Fabrics, colors, patterns, and cuts have always fascinated me. When selecting an outfit for the day, you have the choice: to either conceal or radiate. Although it wasn’t explicitly discussed, this penchant for styling seems to run in the family. Whether it’s men or women, elegance has always been a natural inclination among my relatives. And it’s not about wearing designer labels or expensive clothing! It’s about the pleasure of matching colors, shapes, looks and accessories that fit you best. It’s truly a playful endeavour!
In this aspect, my paternal grandmother has undoubtedly been my greatest inspiration. She possessed the refined beauty of a movie star and the virtue of an angel. With long, slender legs, a sculpted face, deep blue eyes, and naturally aristocratic demeanour, she was pure grace. She never took pride in her attributes, as if she were unaware of them. She was simply elegance personified. Occasionally, she would show me the details of her capes, pearls and leather handbags. Despite its exquisite quality, her wardrobe remained remarkably minimal.
One day, I found myself lost in the contemplation of her favourite handbag at the time. It was of a deep emerald green, strikingly precious and enchanting. Moments later, she had to step out. As I watched her move softly toward the car, I suddenly gasped… Her bag perfectly matched the colour of her vehicle!
Necessity is Mother of Invention…
When I arrived in China, I couldn’t find anything that fit me. Trousers always presented the same issues: the waistline was way too wide and the hips were too narrow! So I started to design, choose fabrics, and ask tailors to make clothes for me to wear in my daily life. Over years of trial and error, I learned how to train my tailors toward extremely precise execution.
Also, I developed a preference for exquisite fabrics. Once you start wearing silk, leather, or cashmere, you just can’t go back to cheap synthetic stuff! Clothing cut in silk or leather molds to your body like a glove and gains flexibility and patina as time goes by. They feel as wonderful as they look! Really, quality speaks volumes and doesn’t lie. Also, a specific style defined itself, at the crossroad of Asian and French influences. Enjoying how empowering this self-relooking was, from this time, I knew I could help other women unlock their confidence and express their unique personalities through style.
…And Practice makes Perfect!
In parallel, I was also constantly designing dance costumes for my students. Through this experience, I studied the lines that flatter various body shapes, aiming for them to look and feel fabulous without compromising their movements!
This magic equation transferred to the clothes of my collection without my noticing! After all, I was designing these pieces primarily for myself. Yet, tops, skirts, belts – everything – looks absolutely brilliant on women with very different curves and sizes than mine! And nothing compares with the joy I feel when I see the surprise, glory and pleasure on these women’s faces as they try my clothes on and see their reflection in the mirror!
Since my clients are moving all around the world, I wanted my collection to remain accessible no matter their location. So, here we are! You can find my boutique online as well now, and we offer worldwide shipping! Check it out and let me know in comment below which model, color or pattern is your favorite!
Primal and Imperial
A French-Asian Fashion Collection
Art Projects
Since 2020, I’ve been dedicated to solo performances and cinematic video production, with works like Wild Orchid and Progress serving as milestones in my artistic evolution. These endeavors will be showcased on my YouTube channel, providing a window into my universe!
PROGRESS
A Fusion Art Movie
This introduction offers a glimpse into my personal experiences and passions, setting the stage for the diverse content you’ll find on this blog. From belly dance practice to fashion insights and art projects, I’m excited to share my creative world with you and see where this journey leads us! Thank you for joining me on this adventure!