Sailor Tattoos.

  Tattoos are the people's marks which show their unique characters and tastes from my opinion, it feels like you use your body as the art carrier  and let people paint more or less. Each style of tattoo has special story behind, so this time, let's talk about some old school style, sailors and their tattoo style.

     What things remind you sailor style immediately? Navy collar top(hat)? Stripe shirt? White uniforms? Don't forget their unique tattoos style. They really have traditionally favored tattooing of their arms or chest, such as swallows, rose, stars, sexy girls with sailor hat in sailor Jerry alcohol style. All above them built a special part of culture of sailor's life, for me it is quite fascinating. Of course interesting things always spread so quickly, then these type of tattoos became incredibly popular among the sailors and others. It also became a inspiration of fashion, such as Jean Paul Gaultier used these type elements to create many great designs. The elements of these tattoos are like a big collections of navy's experiences: Boat,girls,hope,love, exotic things. Tattoo can be really tough, but navies give them more lovely characters.

    Sometimes tattoos could be great accessories on your body. Well it doesn't matter you dare to tattoo yourself or not, there are a lot of different ways to make a short time tattoo on your body. If you don't want to suffer the pain, why don't you try it?          

    

Top by COS

Skirt by A.F.Vandevorst

Tattoo tights by Bebaroque

Heels by ASOS

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean

Goodbye Sliver Bird.

   Once I was reading an introduction of a movie, the story's background was set in Finland. It said"Finland, is the nearest European country to East Asia." Really? I thought it is Russia. Although I was dubious about that introduction,  since then I really wanted to visit Finland.  The country which is well known because of the Myth of Santa Claus and modern designs that continuously push boundaries. When invited me for their Retro Flight anniversary last month, I was quite happy Finnair about it, finally I had time to visit.

   As a flight company, Finnair always had many crossover cooperation anniversaries to feature the their culture.  It is very precious and respectful in these intense business competitions. Apart from the famous "Angry Bird flight", "Retro flight" is the other very well known one for each year.  To celebrate their 88th anniversary and Finnair great design heritage, the theme of retro fight for this year is" Goodbye Sliver Bird", We took the retro-painted Airbus A319 on its final flight to Milan. The cabin crew will naturally be dressed in 1950′s style and some of the passengers are playing along too. Since Finnair start more lines in Asian country, now Finnair could fly to Chongqing only by several hours. Now I do believe Finland is the country that is becoming the nearer and nearer to East Asia.  It was impressive indeed! That day I felt like travel back in time as a witness to see the change of a flight's history. Dressing like a lady in the 50s, behaving as such as well. I couldn't believe it was me  after all the styling! (Make up is a truly magician!) 

   After 50 years,  two pictures, similar compositions, similar poses. Maybe the age changed, but people's smiles never change.

   Helsinki had some interesting experiences for me. It is a beautiful and sleepless city during summer, but it somehow looks quite different from other traditional European cities, from architectures to sculptures, everything is so laconic.  To explore this city you will find a lot of interesting design pieces. How was the food? It is amazing~I love the seafoods!

   It was a pity I didn't take my camera for the journey. (But I have taken a lot of pictures by instagram...) Thanks every photographer's lovely works. 

References picture from Finnair and Jolie Luo

Traveling picture from my Instagram(Xiaoxi_Nancy_Zhang)

Black bird.

 Have finished this painting for few days now,  many of my friends said to me，"Your style is changing." Maybe the style of my recent works are getting more morose or temperance, but I think it is just one of my explorations. I still like those sweet styles I drew before and I will insisted on drawing them as well. Everyone changes, just like  everyone's mood and emotion is changing all the time.

   "Black Bird" this title reminds me the song of Beatles, like the lyric singing " black birds fly into the light of the dark black night." Beyond our body, beyond our mind, the inmost souls come out from our shell as those flying birds.  In other words, it is a kind of "detachment".

    Detaching from the objective reality, detaching self from the spirit of bondage, detachment is the liberation and enlightenment from the difficult situation. But detachment is relative as well, it is how to be selective to give up something lightly. All the troubles we face , all the things we bear, all the patience we had, All above of them are the experiences and witness of relative freedom that we try to get from those massive constraints. 

    

    

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Vitality green in Berlin.

    For me Berlin feels like a city that has grown so much in these 20years as a child would, it becomes a place which is full of energy and young creativity there are numerous artists living in this city of all types and sorts of background, skill, and vision. That's the reason I love it so much. This city is improving with incredible speed, the same as Berlin fashion week. Since BFW support a great stage for European young designers, a lot of well known German brands also start to join BFW. 

   During BFW, Marc Cain took their models and their new collection to travel around Berlin. From Alexander Platz to East side Gallery, From Brandenburger gate to previous Berlin Wall, girl's young power rocked Berlin.(Actually don't you think their bright outfits are quite outstanding in the the surrounding?)  

  Let's go back to the show. Was inspired by natural trees, Marc Cain new collection used a lot of bright greenish colors to represent vitality, fresh feelings. The birds that models carrying are quite interesting decorations, it somehow made the outfits more lively indeed.

  Why designers love using natural elements the most? Our life was given birth by this natural, to see this world by our eyes, to create more beautiful things based on it, this is the best gift we could give back to this lovely nature.           

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Potsdame.

   How many times have you gone on a weekend trip to some place expecting the weather to be perfect?  Bringing with you excitement and a sense of adventure, only to have you soaking and wet in the rain and suffering the annoyance of thunder. For me this was Postdam. What a shame, the rain ruined the day in part. Yet it was still a fun experience and will go there very soon. 

   I was stuck in a restaurant that looked something from the 50s with it's old pictures on the walls and dull red color, a mixture of people (visitors or holidaymakers) drinking red wine. There was no one there I saw without a glass of wine or beer, the best way to pass the time in the torrential rain fall. 

    Obviously the pictures were taken before the thunder storm, in retrospect, it would have been good to take pictures of the thunderstorm also? 

    Potsdam, usually known for it's Royal summer palace that day how ever it was not the case. One thing that struck me before the the thunder came bearing a torrent of rainfall is how calm and peaceful this place is. Atmosphere was very relaxing, people rowing boats in groups on the river, how clean the place is and how much I want to return. Expect Part 2! 

Shirt by Mary Katranzou X Topshop

Belt by Kenzo

Shorts by Zara

Heels by ALDO

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean

Sculpture of Love.

Sculpture of Love-2

To hold your hand , to grow old with you.