Riding dreams.

   Although I was in Milan last week for the fashion week, I was still working on my new book project. Most of the paintings are fixed, changed and augmented in one fashion or another. Over the years my skill and the quality expected of me has gone higher and higher, this is of course, what makes you in your profession a constant flow of improvement and change. It felt great to be so involved again in a book project like this, something personal with a more of a "Nancy" touch. It is amazing when I see over the years how many pictures I have created, sometimes it feels as if I work too much or constantly create new things. 

This is how it should be no? To always keep pushing your own boundaries in your chosen profession. If you are an artists you strive to break your limits and become a different and better artist which you were yesterday. If you were a designer you wish to design new things and be creative and original, the same applies to fashion and any other visual field. 

Do I have a point? Well, it would be that change can be slow, progress is hard, but it is worth the effort and the patience.  So what ever you do, do it because you love, and have patience for it. "There is no substitute for hard work" ...... I agree with this.  

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Mishima.

  Perhaps you already knew since long ago that the name of my blog was inspired by Yokio Mishima's four novel collection"The Sea of Fertility"("Spring Snow", "Runaway Horse", "The Temple of Dawn"," The Decay of the Angel".) , not because I am really eager to have babies...As one of the most famous Japanese authors in the history of literature, Mishima was very good at describing scenes and character's inmost thinkings, his emotions and imaginations made his stories so moving and disturbing. So was his entire life. He is such a controversial legend, and he always will be. His philosophy of life, aesthetics of beauty directed the way for his death. In other words, He used a very extreme way to end his dramatic life.

    This theme was inspired by Mishima's daily style to present a strong dandy author's image during 60s. For my opinion, I adore his writing talents, like his style and taste, but not include his individual "ideals".

Hat/Shirt/Tie/Flats from Vintage Store

Inner jacket by Marc Jacobs

Belt by Burberry

Outwear and pants by MarcCain

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Yokio Mishima and The novel collection"The Sea of Fertlity"

The working desk of Mishima

The style of HanShan.

   Since I had written something about the topic of "Yin and Yang, eight Symbols" , I decided to talk about Ancient Chinese Buddhism and Taoism traditional cultures continually.

   Actually this theme was inspired by the poem texture on the vintage bag I bought recently. Once in a while I went to my favorite boutique to have a look, then I found a black leather bag with old Chinese poem textures. After read it properly, I recognized it was the poem which comes from a portrait of two Buddhist Monks" HanShan,Shi De" by an Artisan during Qing dynasty. It was quite amazing to find a vintage bag with an ancient chinese buddhist poem.

   The name of poem is called"Two Saints befall the world. " It suppose to pay tribute to two poet monks who were named Han Shan, Shi De in the late of Tang dynasty. Since that era these two monks' original poems and quotes influenced many cultures such as Japanese  traditions and Hippie cultures during 70s in US.

   They presented a culture which everything is all one,  our mind and our physical body are all one; The nature and us are all one. We are the world, we are universe.  the work is one of the most important symbols of Buddhist literature cultures.

   During Qing Emperor Yong Zheng named them as"Two Saints", the artisan Luo Pin created this drawing with the poem" Two Saints befall the world".Currently the original edition of this drawing was collected by American museum.

Jacket by Marc Jacobs

Belt by Marc Cain

Scarf by Sheng Hua Ji

Bag from Vintage Store

Chinese tunic suit and flats by Comme des Garcons

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

The Aviator jacket.

   Happy Snake year everyone, hope you had a great weekend.  The theme this time is called" The Aviator Jacket", this old jacket I collected since many years ago, but I never had a chance to wear it properly because the winter of Berlin is too cold. Sometimes you find a great old piece that you have forgotten for a very long time, the feeling is like a lost present  that you find all over again.

Jumper and Jacket from Vintage Shop

Shorts by A.P.C

Shoes by Topshop

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Spring Snow.

   Tomorrow it will be Chinese Snake New year Eve, in the traditional words they say, "The Festival of Spring"(It is already Spring in the old calendar since this Monday ). It is snowing quite heavily in Berlin currently, usually this will be a great sign for whole year, the plenty of snow means health, wealth, and fertility. 

   Spring snow could be full of endless sorrow in Yukio Mishima's romantic story, but actually snow is the purest , the most emotional way to pay tribute to the coming Spring. 

Blouse by Ms Min

Brooch and Skirt is Vintage

Heels by Manolo Blahnik

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Rebirth.

    Currently I am adjusting my old works of these years for publishing. It feels like giving these old works rebirths, but it is absolutely wonderful. Finally I get a chance to fix the details and colors of these works which I am not satisfied enough. The new versions are so much more original and cleaner than before, it totally deserve to work hard for it. From my old works I also realized how much I have changed in these years, they like mirrors to reflect my growing up process from a childish person to a mature one.

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Lady Dandy.

  Since 2 years ago I realized a neutral style suits my character the most. Most of my close friends know that I am a Tomboy in my daily life. I like the way I am, there is no secret of it. To be honest it is not necessary to dress in men's wear to show women's tough side, the reason I like neutral style is because women could dress them in different ways: gentle, independent and somehow very sexy. 

  The theme of this time is called" Lady Dandy", I think it is great to show a positive dandy lady's image, peaceful, gentle and attractive. 

Blouse by Ms Min,

Vest and Brooch from Vintage store

Jacket by Marc Jacobs

Pants by Comme des Garcons

Heels by Topshop

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B

Inspirations: Annie Hall(1977)

              The Le Smoking tuxedo suit,1966 

Ann Demeulemeester Men 2013 FW

Winter grace.

   Although it was unbelievably freezing and snowy during Berlin fashion week, it couldn't cool down people's passion for the fashion events. MarcCain's show presented in the Hotel de Rome during one of the most freezing days that week, but it made people feel warm and sweet. The youth elegance of urban lady's style always could show modern women's character.  They sketched out a process of a lively youth girl to a mature lady's process in the ice cold winter, but colorful and modern are the main theme of it. The sudden "snow" for ending was absolutely sweet and beautiful. Remembering that I said before, every period of women's age is great, we always could find the best style at our different time period.  

Black cat addiction.

 I am so obsessed with different types of cats, especially addict to black short hair cat. Any type of black cat theme designs always remind me of my Stupsi, a chubby, funny black cat.  He is a close friend, a playmate and a family member for me. And he always stays with me and comforts me when I feel upset. It is amazing that animal could understand human's feeling better than humans themselves,  having him in my life make me never feel bored.    

Shirt by MarcCain

Jumper by Opening Ceremony

Skirt and Coat by COS

Flats by Charlotte Olympia

Illustration by Nancy.Z

Photography by Dean.B