Friday, February 24, 2006

Dirk Bikkemberg - Fashion Designer Review

At 47, Dirk Bikkembergs who hails from Germany started studying fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium. After his studies, Bikkembergs started working for Belgian fashion designers to earn himself some experience. 1985 was the year of Bikkembergs' breakthrough as he won the influential Golden Spindle award for Best Young Designer in Fashion.



Dirk Bikkemberg, spring summer collection 2005-6 - pret-o-porter held in Milan.

During the same year, Dirk Bikkembergs received the opportunity by a Belgian shoe company named Monarca to create his own shoe line for men. His first shoe collection was launched a year later. In 1989 his first ready-to-wear mens collection arose, followed four years later by the female equivalent. This collection was the first Italian produced Bikkembergs' Collection. Dirk's quality collections and rising popularity gave him the opportunity to become more and more self-reliant. The partnership helped Dirk successfully establish in 1992 his women’s line to illustrate that the masculine strength in men also exists in women. The women stripped away any macho elements from the mens collection and illustrated that the men’s strength becomes one of sexiness, power and confidence when translated for women. For the first shows the women joined the man on the stage and walked together, even wearing essentially the same garment but with a fit for women. Macho strength manifests itself into sexy power for women with their identity and femininity maintained, indeed strengthened. Since then, Dirk Bikkemberg’s career as one of the finest designers grew year after year.

Monday, February 20, 2006

cha cha slide - DJ Casper

If you are a fan of hussle dance or fond of the YMCA by the Village People or the Macarena, then the cha cha slide is your cuppa tea.

As the name implies the cha cha slide is a type of cha cha cha dance equivalent to modern hip hop, choreographed by following the instruction in the lyric of the song. Quite an easy dance comprising the clapping of hands, jumping forward and backward and stomping the foot once or twice, basic cha cha cha step (front and backward moves), sliding to the left/right with wide open arms in the air, Charlie Brown's move and chicken dance.

The song comes in various version from latin/miami sound to fast track tempo disco typed remix. I will slot in the music in due course. In the mean time, if you are interested, here the lyric of the song for your scrutiny. Happy trying folks!!

Cha Cha Slide

Clap your hands everybody
Slide to the left
take it back now yal
One hop this time
Right foot lets stomp
Left foot lets stomp
Cha Cha now yal
To the left
Take it back now yal
Two hops this time
Two on the left
Two on the right
Cha Cha now yal
Slide to the right
Slide to the left
Take it back now yal
One hop this time
Right foot lets stomp
Left foot lets stomp
Charlie Brown
Cha Cha now yal
Five hops this time
Touch your knees
how low can you go
can go down low
All the way to floor
Can you bring it the top
like you never never stop
One hop this time
Right foot lets stomp
Left lets stomp
Reverse Reverse
Reverse Reverse
Cha Cha now y'all

Monday, February 13, 2006

Project Runway Season 1 - A Brief Review

I think it is timely to put pen on paper on the Project Runway which is another reality TV where fashion designer wannabes putting up their design works materialised and recognised, eventually becoming a successful designer in the fashion industry.

The Project Season 1 is hosted none other than top supermodel Heidi Klum, noted one of the world's best leg in the modelling profession. Air on Channel 11, ASTRO every Saturday at 11 pm as well as on Channel 8TV (Channel 18, ASTRO) every Sunday at 10.30 pm. The program recruited 12 wannabes from different background, e.g. lawyer and so forth. Each of the wannabes is required to come up with a prototype design based on themes as part of the challenges which will be worn by models on the runway. Judged by fashion designers and critiques, the best design aka, the winner will be exempted from being eliminated in the coming week challenges while the worst design aka the loser will be eliminated.

Certainly the show provides an opportunity for amateur fashion designer to be known and perhaps recognised for their design talent in the fashion industry.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Salsa Basic

I am putting this video on salsa basic dance step (sideways basic) as a trial. I just wanna make sure that the video is running smoothly and what nots. Check this one out.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Introduction to Modelling

I guess I was lucky enough to get involved in modelling since 6 years ago. However the modelling scene in KK is not vibrant and promising, hence modelling for fun (on and off)and not full time is okay. Beside getting some $$ you will also get to know many people and thus extend your circle of friends. Most of the models I come to know are those of freelancers which mean they are not tied to a particular modelling agency. He or she can therefore, can model for a modelling agency, event or individual organisers. It make sense then that each model must have a good PR to enable them to be known to event organisers. Words of mouth and recommendations from fellow models normally make a model being called by prospect event organisers.

As a rule of thumb, most people are normally confused with the various terms of the word 'modelling' actually means. Here, I will basically introduce the types of modelling and their requirements. These maybe true for the Western market there are however,similarly applied to the modelling scenes in Malaysia and that of Sabah.

High Fashion Modelling - is the modelling of designer clothes, either at fashion shows or in publications. Sometimes the modelling of jewellery and cosmetics falls into this category. Usually modelling agencies have the following requirements for new models. Age under 26, height 5'8" for women and 5'11" to 6'2" for men, weight proportional to height, long legs, especially from floor to knee, women with long neck preferred, and a good complexion.

Editorial Modelling - similar to high fashion modelling, except that the model works for a particular publication. The readers of that publication make up a target audience for the photograps taken. Images in the non-advertisement sections of the fashion magazines, such as Glamour, Vogue or Seventeen are good examples of this type
of modelling.

Glamour Modelling - attractive women/men have always been featured by manufacturers in their advertisements in order to draw attention to their products. Such advertisements often contain photographs seen in magazines, newspapers, posters, billboards, calenders, or TV commercials.

Catalogue Modelling - involves posing with products, most is done wearing store-brand clothes. Even though pay rates are considerably lower than for high fashion modelling, it is desirable to get booked as a catalogue model, because hours are consistent and repeat-modelling opportunities are high. Physical requirements are not stringent.

Runway Modelling - runway models must have measurement that fit an actual standard clothing size. There are many different kinds of runway modelling. Many modelling aganecies specialise in runway modelling bookings. Two of the opportunities for runway models are:- designer fashion shows, where clothes designers present their upcoming designs; and fashion shows, run by a store or by a designer in a store, mall, hotel, or club.

Specialty Modelling - models with long fingers and well-manicured nails have opportunities to display their hands demonstrating domestic products. For men, a demand exists for husky, masculine hand or alternatively the more elegant, long fingered hand. Women with well-proportioned feet are needed for shoe advertisement.

Character Modelling - some jobs require models with an everyday look, such as truck driver, mechanic, grocery clerk, schoolteacher, cleaning person, appliance repair person and so on.

Convention and trade show modelling - these shows use many female models to demonstrate products and answer questions.

Modelling in TV Commercials - TV commercials offer a growing area of oportunities to models with some acting background. Many modelling agencies now include a TV Commercial Department.

Hopefully these have enlightened you on the types of modelling, who knows you might be 'the one' the jewel of the ocean. *wink* *wink*

Story Line for a Short Musical Number

This is just a short Christmas Musical Score done by a friend of mine for the HF Dance & Theatre Company. I simply put it here for all the effort and time spent on the musical.

Storyline – A son of a poor family who recently returned from overseas after completing his study adapted his English way of lifestyles, opposed by his family. His way of thinking and socialising is very much influenced by the Western yellow culture.

1. Musical Number – Western Jazz Dance
Song: To be identified.

Son: *Sia now lebih kurang macam orang putih, kalau buli sia mau hamburgers,potatoes atau omelettes. No more hinava, noonsom atau nasi putih.*

Ina: *son,* (pronounced as ‘sont’) tanak ko boh doh kadazan, au buli miaga dino.

Son: NO, my name is Son (English pronunciation), not *son*. Kau sebut bagus-bagus, OK… ! Chow!

Ina: Tanak tiih, *Kau jangan pura-pura.*

2. Musical Number – Beat of Tagong and
Original Sumazau Steps
Song: Jestie Alexius

Son: Look, this dance is so easy, just not for me. *Talampau boring.*

Friends: Oh yeah …. *Ours lebih bagus, lebih siok* ha, ha, ha, ….

Son: Let’s get out from here …..

3. Musical Number – Western Hip Hop or Alternative Breakdance
Song: To be identified.

4. Musical Number – Any Contemporary Malaysian Folk Dances
Song: Jelingan Manja

5. Musical Number – Christmas Carol Choir
Feeling: Joyous
Song: Joy to the World

Son: (to his friends) I don’t know what had happened to me. I don’t know what has got into me. This is wrong!! Now I am back here I should be adapting to the lifestyles here. Although I have studied in overseas, I should be grateful to experience the way of life there and take with me what is good and rewarding and not the bad and bogus.I need to see Ina now.

Son: Ina, ina, ina ,,, and Son nakasadus, aduhhhhhhh .. oruallll, tampangi kuuu.
Ina: Isai eeehh, ….

Son: Morrison tih … natuh zou.

Ina: *Oh My Goddddd…. You *Pell* down On the Tangga, my Son.*

Son: oooh boh Ina. Siou no Ina, siou no. Itih noh kantakan do au mokinongou boos do mohing. Siou no Ina, mokimaaf zou diau. Siou noh.

Ina: suda noh *son*, kanou mugad tokou monombului totopinai tokou. Klismas boh tih. Kanou ….

Song: Instrumental/Aquostic Guitar

6. Musical Number – Combination of Western and Local Dances
Feeling: Party Mood and Celebration
Song: Jestie Alexius – Id tangah Tuwong, Twist, Bunyi guitar, Silat Sumazau, Papar, etc.

7. Musical Number – Christmas/Season Holiday Songs
Feeling: Realisation, Actors Leaving the Stage

- FADE OUT
Song: Instrumental Song

Irama dan Gerak Iysharat/Gesture

Waktu kitorang mula-mula belajar tarian tradisi kat KK dulu, jurutari dari Lembaga Kebudayaan Sabah pernah menyuruh kitorang memahami pergertian irama dan gesture terutama sekali tarian tarian yang melibatkan pergerakan keseluruhan badan .. saja la ni nak share share dengan korang .... baca jak la kalu interested. Aku translate directly dari bahasa omputih ... sori tatabahasa tak berapa elok sikit!

Irama yang sesuai adalah diperlukan oleh setiap penari, walaubagaimanapun bukan susah untuk mendapatinya. Pada dasarnya kita beranggapan bahawa setiap manusia yang lahir mempunyai irama tersendiri, tetapi sebenarnya irama merupakan sesuatu ilmu yang dipelajari. Kaum-kaum yang berpuak-puak biasanya dipercayai mempunyai irama tersendiri yang berkaitan dengan alam semulajadi, tetapi sekiranya seseorang itu melihat secara dekatnya akan kaum-kaum yang berpuak ini, anak-anak puak ini sebenarnya mempelajari irama puak mereka seperti menari dan memukul drum.

Irama biasanya dipelajari sejak pada peringkat muda lagi. Budak-budak yang didedahkan dengan musik dengan galakkan menyahut irama dan menari semasa kecil banyak membantu mereka mendekati irama pada peringkat umur seterusnya. Sebaliknya, seseorang itu tidak sepatutnya merasa tertinggal sekiranya pada peringkat muda tidak mempelajari musik kerana irama dan musik sentiasa ada. Mempelajari irama pada dasarnya hanya menumpukan perhatian tentang irama yang akan dipelajari. Memdengar sekeping musik yang terkenal terutamanya irama berentak latin adalah paling senang dipelajari. Sambil memdegar akan musik itu, cari ‘beat’ yang paling ketara – biasanya ‘beat’ ini diikuti dengan pukulan drum. Selepas itu, dengar lah pulak ‘beat’ yang lebih berat dimana ‘beat’ ini lebih menonjol dari ‘beat’ yang lain dalam musik itu. Kira berapa banyaknya ‘beat’ yang lebih ringan ini di antara ‘beat’ yang lebih berat tadi dengan menepuk tangan pada irama lagu tersebut.

Sekarang, lihat sekiranya anda dapat mengira irama yang penuh ini – 1, 2, 3, 4, 2, 2, 3, 4 atau apa-apa kiraan yang lain. Bila anda depat mendengar ‘beat’ ini dengan terang, cubaCuba mengikutinya dengan gerakan tarian. Bergerak pada setiap ‘beat’ dengan mengagihkan berat badan dari satu pinggang ke satu pinggang tanpa mengerakkan kedua-dua kaki anda. mendengar ‘beat’-‘beat’ lagu sahaja bukan keselurahan musik lagu itu. Selepas anda dapat menari pada setiap ‘beat’ dengan jayannya, bukan sebelum dan selepas, cuba menari pada 3 ‘beat’ yang pertama dan berhenti pada ‘beat’ keempat. (Sekiranya musik itu mempunyai lebih atau kurang dari 4 ‘beat’ ubah tarian anda). Pada pergerakkan tarian yang seterusnya, menari pada ‘beat’ 1 dan ‘beat’ 4 manakala bagi ‘beat’ 2 dan 3, anda harus berdiam (berhenti menari buat seketika). Kemudiannya, cuba menari pada ‘beat’ 1 atau 4 sahaja; dan akhirnya menari pada apa-apa ‘beat’ sahaja yang anda suka dengan tanpa ganggu dari keselurahan irama.

Pada peringkat mempelajari irama, satu perkara penting yang harus diingati adalah memastikan ANDA menari dengan irama yang betul, yakni tidak ketinggalan. Kesemua kerja untuk membuat ‘beat’ telah pun selesai pada peringkat pembuatan musik sebelum anda mendengarnya di radio atau alat rakaman musik. Drum telahpun dipukul dan bunyi yang menyelusuri alam dan bergetar di telinga anda, telahpun menembusi otak anda sebagai ‘beat’. Dengan itu, menari dengan ‘beat’ yang betul memerlukan kesemua organ dalaman anda bergerak dalam masa yang sesuai dan tepat dengan ‘beat’. Sebenarnya, pergerakkan badan dengan menari yang bersesuaian dengan ‘beat’ anda harus menjangka dengan ‘beat’-‘beat’ yang sedang dimainkan itu. Anda harus merasa bahawa anda sedang membuat ‘beat’ tersebut dengan badan sambil memdengarnya. Anda haruslah merasa seperti di dalam ‘beat’ dan bukannya menari untuk ‘beat’ tersebut.

Selepas anda mempelajari akan gerak-geri tarian, anda akan mendapati bahawa irama dan ‘beat’ tarian itu lah yang merupakan benda paling penting untuk membolehkan anda menghafal struktur tarian tersebut.

Gerak iysharat/gesture - Sebagai satu sepsis, makluk manusia yang dijumpai pada suatu masa yang lampau dipercayai dapat meneruskan kehidupan dalam satu kumpulan sosial berbanding dengan bersendirian. Penerusan kehidupan itu, manusia tidak dicipta dengan kuku panjang, gigi bertaring atau kulit tubuh yang keras, tetapi manusia dicipta dengan bergantung sepenuhnya pada akal atau otak dan keupayaan manusia beriteraksi antara satu dengan yang lain dan bukannya melalui pergaduhan untuk terus hidup di bumi ini. Sejak dari itu, kita terus membangun terutamanya melakukan pergerakan-pergerakan yang memberi pengertian yang kita sedang berfikir. Dengan greak iysharat yang lemah-lembut dan postur badan kita membawa pengertian yang kita akan bekerjasama, memberi keyakinan pada kawan taupun memaparkan kejahatan kepada mush-musuh kita. Tentu sekali kita boleh bercakap antara satu sama lain tanpa gerak iysharat , tetapi di dalam suasana dimana terdapatnya banyak bahasa di dunia ini, greak iysharat memainkan satu perkara penting. Dengan ini, untuk meneruskan kehidupan adalah pentingnya untuk mewujudkan satu bahasa gerak iysharat yang biasa dilakukan (common).

Syarikat-syarikat tari antarabangsa mengadakan persembahan di merata-rata dunia tetapi bukan semuanya dan hanya sebilangan kecil sahaja dimana tarian-tarian itu dapat difahami. Pengecualian kepada beberapa tarian dimana ia telahpun bertapak secara formal dan berfahaman agama seperti beberapa tarian jepun, dimana ianya berasaskan mime bercampur dengan unsure-unsur agama, ataupun beberapa jenis tarian India yang diadakan di sekolah-sekolah tarian dimana mime merupakan satu bahasa yang dipalajari. Dalam tarian ini, kita boleh memahaminya secara penuh, tetapi kita akan lebih memahaminya secara emndalam sekiranya pergerakan-pergerakan tarian berkaitan dengan gerak iysharat -gerak iysharat yang biasa (common).

Kedua-dua tangan yang disilang dan diletak pada dada bererti perlindungan dinding (satu perlindungan kepada sesuatu). Tangan pada pinggang bermaksud – tunjukkan kepada saya, manakala tangan yang menggengam pada pinggang memberi erti – buktikan pada saya!. Tangan yang membuka untuk menyambut bermakna – saya sedia menerima atau memberi. Megipas tangan kanan pada asasnya bermaksud bahawa seseorang itu tidak membawa senjata yang merbahaya.

Mengangkat kepala ke depan menunjukkan seseorang itu menanti sesuatu manakala memiringkan kepala ke tepi menunjukkan seseorang itu berminat. Perasaan sayu atau simpati dilakukan dengan meletakkan tangan di dagu/muka. Mengankat bahu sedikit pula bermaksud tidak peduli atau tidak ambil tahu, manakala mendangkap bahu bermakna seseorang itu mengalami kesakitan. Sekiranya anda berdiri dengan satu kaki sahaja dengan berat diagihkan ke atas satu pinggang sahaja – menbnyikan tapak kan menunjukkan seseorang itu dalam kebosanan.

Perhatikan diri anda sendiri and juga orang di sekeliling anda dan pelajari apa tubuh anda sedang buat melalui gerak iysharat. Setiap pergerakkan yang kita buat medefinasikan satu pemikiran, perasaan atau kelakuan. Ini merupakan satu alat tarian dan oleh yang demikian digunakan untuk menghasilkan pergerakan-pergerakan tarian yang menceritakan satu babak kehidupan manusia sejagat.


Ballroom Dance - Cha cha cha Basic

The ballroom cha cha cha perhaps is one of my favourite dances of all time. The cha cha cha is quite challenging and the right techniques are required for the shoulder, hip and legs movements. I am giving the basic steps for beginner in case you are interested.

Men's Steps

(This step is done with the woman in front of the man face to face)
1.
Step forward with the LF
2. Rock back onto the RF
3 and 4. Starting with the LF take 3 short steps back (Cha-Cha-Cha)
5. Step back with the RF
6. Rock forward onto the LF
7 and 8. Starting with the RF take 3 short steps forward (Cha-Cha-Cha)

Women's Steps

(This step is done with the man in front of the woman face to face)
1.
Step back with the RF
2. Rock forward onto the LF
3 and 4. Starting with the RF take 3 short steps forward (Cha-Cha-Cha)
5. Step forward with the LF
6. Rock back onto the RF
7 and 8. Starting with the LF take 3 short steps back (Cha-Cha-Cha)

RF Right Foot
LF Left Foot
Each number represents a beat of music


Untuk Versi Melayu bagi tarian cha cha cha seperti gambarajah diatas, sila patuhi gerak tari seperti yang tertera di bawah ini (untuk gerak perempuan dan lelaki).

Gerak Tarian - Perempuan

  • Kiraan 4 dalam 1 bar musik
  • Kiraan 1,2, 3 dan 4 (1,2, cha cha cha)
  • Gerak bermula dari kaki kanan
  • Kaki kanan ke belakang – (1)
  • Kaki kiri di tempat asal, berat disini – (2)
  • Kaki kanan ke tepi – cha (3)
  • Kaki kiri menutup ke kaki kanan – cha (4)
  • Kaki kanan – gerak sedikit ke tepi kanan – cha (5)
  • Kaki kiri ke depan – (1) atau (6)
  • Kaki kanan ke tempat asal, berat disini – (2) atau (7)
  • Kaki kiri ke tepi – cha (8)
  • Kaki kanan menutuo ke kaki kiri – cha (9)
  • Kaki kiri – gerak sedikit ke tepi kiri - cha (10)

Gerak Tarian - Lelaki

  • Kiraan 4 dalam 1 bar musik
  • Kiraan 1,2, 3 dan 4 (1,2, cha cha cha)
  • Gerak bermula dari kaki kiri
  • Kaki kiri ke depan – (1)
  • Kaki kanan tempat asal, berat disini – (2)
  • Kaki kiri ke tep1 – cha (3)
  • Kaki kanan menutup kaki kiri – cha (4)
  • Kaki kiri – gerak sedikit ke tepi kiri – cha (5)
  • Kaki kanan ke belakang – (1) atau (6)
  • Kaki kiri tempat asal, berat disini – (2) atau (7)
  • Kaki kanan ke tepi – cha (8)
  • Kaki kiri menutup kaki kanan – cha (9)
  • Kaki kanan – gerak sedikit ke tepi kanan – cha (10)



How It All Started

I started to have interest in dancing when I was about 5-6 years old. It all rooted from everytime my uncles came to visit us we were required to show our talent in order to bag a box of chocholate or a bunch of sweets or candies. On my part I put up a show on dancing, my sisters on the other hands they have to walk parading their gowns (even though how torn there were .. ekkekekek) aka beauty contest. My two sister always won the top 2 positions and I have to resort for a 3rd place, hence getting the sweets all the time!! ... I don't mind really as sweets made me more active at that point of time. And I was hyperactive then .....

Growing up, I knew it that dancing for me personnally is just a hobby ... not a profession that I will pursue as career. So, it was kinna on and off and everytime there were opportunities for dance performances I was always a part of it. Mainly for fun and perhaps an excuse to gain self confidence and the thrill of performing in front of other people. But the 'fun' part is particularly the main reason.

Coming from a not so rich background, I've never taken any dance lessons from dancing schools apart from the ones thaught in schools and dance gig at a friend's house. Opportunity only arises when I went off to Scotland to pursue my study that I enrolled in dance classess conducted by the university's recreation class. Again I took dance lessons when I further my study back in the UK (in Wales). Learning dancing is quite expensive in the UK as the dance lessons run by the recreation club is fall under the Faculty of Performing Art of the University itself. Since I only took a part time classes I only got to spend an hour and a half a day for my dance lessons. These include Latin and Ballroom, and Jazz. The latter required my to dance basic ballet for two weeks just to get essence of basic pliers and piruvet. Of which I never got it perfect until now. The former - Latin include salsa, murengue, cha cha cha, rhumba, etc whilst the ballroom include, waltz, cha cha cha, jive, quickstep, tango etc.