IMTAC Issue No.03 by imtacmag

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ISSUE 03

ALYSHA LAI

MATERIAL GIRL POWERS THROUGH CHALLENGES

Harmony Diversifies Modelling in Hong Kong

INSIDE ARABESQUES & FEATHERS: A SHOWGIRL STORY THE SERIOUS BUSINESS OF BEING A FEMALE COMEDIAN VISIONS OF INK & COLOR

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Our Purpose To be the voice for and from girls and young women, to: •

Create a safe space for girls and young women.

•

Hear from other girls and women on their journeys.

•

Understand how to deal with the pressures placed on them by peers, adults, the fashion and personal care industries.

•

Learn how to navigate a male-dominated society.

•

Talk about subjects they feel too embarrassed or ashamed to raise.

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

I’M MORE THAN A COVER MAGA ZINE

A New Year, A New Resolve We’re a month into 2021, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting one, to say the least! I know this is cliched, but I’m here to confirm that life is what you make of it. 2020 hit us in all kinds of ways, but it was a watershed year for me and the IMTAC team! We started IMTAC, which brings us no end of joy and fulfilment… we know we’re making a difference, and it’s thrilling to discuss and reflect on what goes into the magazine and which new inspirational woman we can profile for our young readers. That, and unearthing our creative muscle all over again for each issue is so much fun! In this edition our cover girl is Harmony… a real-life cover girl, but of course She is Most Certainly More than a Cover! Read all about her fight against discrimination in the modelling world in Hong Kong, and what she’s done about it. And then we have Alysha, a high school student who designs her own material and has triumphed over Dyslexia to even have her own blog. Then we have Corinne, who pursued a showgirl career and now is a Pilates instructor, and a tatoo artist who just won her stripes! Young ladies, what is your resolution as we begin our new year? Our IMTAC team and contributors decided to share our resolutions and lead the way. Write in and tell us yours in the comments and on our Instagram and FB pages, and don’t forget to play our little game of success! I hope you enjoy this, our third issue, as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

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IN THIS

02 _ 2021

IMTAC TEAM

Deborah Mannas EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Q Gonzales

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & LAYOUT

features

Duane Girton MARKETING DIRECTOR

Kimberley Kleczka EDITOR, STYLIST & PHOTO JOURNALIST

ISSUE 14

HARMONY

Loulou Von Spiel

Harmony Diversifies Hong Kong

EDITOR, WRITER, & ILLUSTRATOR CONTRIBUTORS:

Aesha Nair Anja Este Cecilia Ao Denise Patel Latitia Kung

SPECIAL THANKS:

Kids4kids ALT Team Haylee Tam Kanaan Kan ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Angela Bellas

CORINNE

Arabesques & Feathers: A Showgirl Story

ALYSHA

FIND YOUR MOJO

On Our Cover

Dreams Start Young

It’s our third edition, just in time to celebrate Chinese New Year and hear from our contributors how they resolved challenges head on. We also got a little playful in this issue to hopefully inspire you to find your mojo in the unlikeliest of places! Enjoy!

YOU!

RIKA

Visions of Ink & Color

The IMTAC Team wants you to find your fortune for 2021!

We’ll collect all of them and have them published in the coming issues of IMTAC! So keep sending in your questions, stories, and photos!

05 social media and body image

26 a is for authenticity

07 Dreams start young

30 arabesques & feathers: a showgirl story

12 Qua-Run-Tine

34 the serious business of being a female comedian

14 harmony diversifies hong kong

37 visions of ink & color

by aesha nair

by deborah mannas by anja este

by kimberley kleczka

sections

If you have any questions, ideas, stories you want to share, people you want us to feature, or photos of your joy send them all to info@morethanacover.com

articles

We want to hear from

03 20 23

editorial by deborah mannas

New year, new resolve

what's your style by kimberley kleczka

easy style with sustainable bodysuits

Health, nutrition and you by denise patel

protein: important at any age

by latitia kung

by loulou von spiel

by deborah mannas by q gonzales

new year special by imtac team

how will you find your mojo in 2021? 44 46 48 50

creativity corner ask ceci find your resolution in the next issue

DISCLAIMER | The views expressed in "IMTAC | I’m More Than A Cover Magazine" are not necessarily those of the editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors, or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without expressed permission from the IMTAC team.

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SOCIAL MEDIA AND BODY IMAGE

by Aesha Nair

Social media, a thing we all use every single day. I can’t remember the last time I spent a day without it. It’s a big part of our life. It’s how we connect with the world, socialise with our friends and learn new things. With this being said, I think many of us underestimate the power of social media. Social media has become a tool for brands and influencers to create a false reality of what lifestyle and beauty should be. I distributed a survey to my social media following, asking them questions about social media in regard to their body image. The survey was targeted at people between the ages of 18 to 22. Out of the 100 people who took the survey, 94% of them stated that they have felt insecure about their looks due to social media. Additionally, I found that the 6% of people

who do not get affected by the media beauty standard don’t spend more than 2 hours on social media a day. This could possibly conclude that the length of time you spend online could negatively affect your mental health. The most dangerous thing about Instagram is when you believe that influencers are ‘real people’ and that they are your peers, because it creates a perceived normality that is completely unachievable. We as young adults are vulnerable to the message that says, “we will be better people if we look a certain way”, and from that we associate a certain appearance with being happy. So, when we can’t attain these standards of beauty, we become unhappy. I remember when the first wave of Instagram models came about, they were so beautiful

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94 OUT OF 100

reported that they spend over 5 hours on social media every day *Data based of f of 18 to 22 year olds

and perfect. I would ask myself, “why don’t I look like that?”, being completely oblivious to the unrealistic dream they were promoting. Due to this, I even thought I was fat when I was at my smallest weight. It took me till the age of 18 to realise the excessive editing, posing and enhancing that influencers do to distort their image. Following accounts like @celebface on Instagram have been vastly beneficial to my mental health, as they reveal the excessive editing and enhancing that influencers do to the content they post. Social media is making people uncomfortable with their own bodies, but organizations like the Be Real Campaign are striving to change that. They strive to educate young people on body positivity and healthy living. Additionally, the BBC have recommended some beneficial advice. Instead of following

influencers and celebrities with heavily edited photos, “finding inspiring landscapes, delicious food, and cute dogs to fill your Instagram feed might just help you remember there’s more to life than what you look like.” Remember that someone else’s beauty does not diminish your own. At the end of the day, your personality is the reason that people stick around and it’s the reason that people want to spend time with you. |

Aesha Nair, a Twitter and Instagram influencer, talks to us about the impact of social media on girls' psyche. Aesha is a graduate student from Nottingham Trent University, whose passions lie in creative writing and content creation. She works as a Content Executive for a direct selling company.

Follow her on IG @aeshanair

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DREAMS START YOUNG by Deborah Mannas

et’s meet our youngest interviewee in this issue, Alysha Lai, who grew up in Hong Kong, and is currently a 10th Grade student in New Hampshire, USA. She loves all arts and design, including theatre, visual arts, sculpture and more. Alysha designs and produces her own material and founded Project Eden (projectedenyouth.com) a sustainability blog which she started after winning a HKD5000 (USD400) seed grant, competing in the Kids4Kids 2019 AFAC project pitching competition. I interviewed Alysha to learn more about her accomplishments.

Alysha plays as Roxie Hart in her school's production of "Chicago the Musical"

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Alysha, I’ve never met someone who designed and created their own material before! It’s so inspiring and interesting! When did you decide that you want to create and design your own material? I first started designing my own material when I realised that sustainability in fashion comes from all aspects of the design, which includes the fabrics and materials used to make each garment.I love to make prints and patterns, because they are simple and easy to quickly design. It wasn’t till I decided to make a 6 part collection, titled “unspoken”, which tackles the issue of fast fashion and body positivity in the fashion industry, that I decided to design my own material. I knew

Above: the Patchwork Hat Behind left: "Do I look Ok?" (Pattern)

that I could communicate a message though my patterns, and wanted to make sure that the fabric was ethically sourced. How long does it take to do each creative project? The longest part of the process is coming up with the concept. I spend many days thinking about what kind of project I would like to start, sketching and planning all my ideas. But once I have a clear plan, the actual process of making the project come to life is fast. I get excited and enjoy seeing my ideas come to life. Do you actually “make” the cloth/ material? For the most part I don’t actually make the material. I focus more on the sewing and construction aspect of

garment design, and making my own fabric was something that I tried for one of my most recent collections. I do weave tapestries, using yarn I’ve collected over the years.I design all the patterns on Adobe Illustrator, and then upload my designs onto a website called Spoonflower, which allows me to choose the fabric on which I want the designs printed, and then ships it to me. I’m concerned the harmful manufacturing processes and textile waste and generated by fast fashion. With Spoonflower, I can custom print on demand only what I need, using eco-friendly processes, and sustainable operational practices which use water-based pigment inks and dyes.I also try to

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purchase, whenever possible, off-cuts and remnant pieces and then I create patchwork fabric to sew my pieces. I have also repurposed old clothing and materials, saving scrap pieces over the years. You can see some of my work here: The Patchwork Top (https:// www.alyshalai.com/fashion-collection-2018) Do you sell your materials wholesale or do you sell direct to retail? I currently don’t sell my materials, as they are personal and specific to the garments they are designed for. Some of the finished garments are for sale on my website, and I also make commission pieces with the leftover material. Do you need fashion experience to make your own materials? I think that anyone can design a pattern and print it onto their materials. After a lot of research and exploration, I found that some patterns and colors are more suited for specific fabrics and silhouettes. Left: Alysha as the squirrel in her school production of "The Short Tree and the Bird That Could Not Sing"

Opposite: Alysha's planning sketches and notes for her wearable art piece (2020); Right: The Patchwork Top; Behind right: "Purple Flowers" (Pattern)

And, pattern and fabric manipulation can greatly change the garment, making it more flattering. There are many resources and designers who focus on pattern and fabric design, and it’s great to learn and be inspired by others. On that note, what inspires your designs? In my most recent fabric collection, I designed my own floral patterns, and used a company to help me print my patterns using ecofriendly dyes onto organic cotton, which is biodegradable. The inspiration for this specific piece was environmental sustainability, but I am greatly influenced by the issues and movements I want to raise awareness about too. What was your best subject in school? Are you using it? My favorite subject is science, especially biology and chemistry. I use my knowledge of environmental science to help research and understand more about environmental sustainability. I enjoy finding beauty in nature and preserving the beauty of our natural world. I use my love for all arts, from performing art to visual arts, to visually express solutions and raise awareness about our world. I believe that sustainability can be implemented into anyone’s life. Did you battle with any learning challenges in school? I love to learn and particularly love to work with my hands and have been involved in all aspects of art – visual arts and also performing arts with dance and theatre. But when I was young, I had a speech impediment when I first started talking, and when my mum realized it was no longer baby talk at 4 years, she took me to a speech therapist; after about one year, I was speaking without any issues; the therapist said that I was lucky to have it spotted early when it was easier to correct. However, I always had difficulty reading

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and when I was around 7 years old, my school recommended a child educational psychologist to test me for dyslexia. The professional did not conclude I had dyslexia, so I silently continued my reading struggles and while I continued to do well at school, I had to work much harder than all my peers.

I enjoy finding beauty in nature and preserving the beauty of our natural world. I use my love for all arts, from performing art to visual arts, to visually express solutions and raise awareness about our world. At 15 years old, I was experiencing anxiety and my mum took me to another educational psychologist, where I was then diagnosed as dyslexic. He explained that sometimes people are better at hiding their dyslexia, as they relied on using other senses and their EQ to get by. Can you share with our readers how you overcame your dyslexia and managed to accomplish so much? After being diagnosed with dyslexia, I felt a heavy burden lift off me. I am also getting extra support from school and my teachers, who understand that dyslexia is not a disease

or something to be ashamed of, but that it’s like someone who is shortsighted and needs to wear glasses. For me, expression and communication doesn’t just come from reading and writing; I am passionate about visual arts and theatre, expressing myself physically and verbally with acting, and through fashion and art which came easily and naturally for me than reading and writing. I wasn’t ever ashamed of my disability. I managed to overcome my dyslexic challenges by feeding my love of learning, focusing on what I was good at, and not being afraid, too proud or ashamed to ask for help when needed. As I was used to always working twice as hard as my peers, I believe that my work habits will continue to stay with me

Right: Alysha makes a collage of different patterns and inspirations for her projects; Center: A dress half-way done

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always.One of my fabric artwork pieces is using the American Sign Language and it reads “Do I look Ok’’ which is about body positivity. When you look at this fabric design, it is not immediately obvious there is a hidden meaning, just like how my dyslexia was hidden for so many years.Now, I have even started being passionate about writing, which gave birth to Project Eden. Who would have thought someone like me with a writing disability would be able to launch a blog? So when you ask how I can accomplish so much, well, I just try to not let things be a problem for me. | Look up Alysha at alyshalai.com

Left and right: Her trusty sewing machine; work-in-progress shots of a dress she's sewn midway through

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by Aximporpost

QUA RUN TINE or why I ran a triple marathon in Resorts World Sentosa Singapore during my 14-day quarantine by Anja Este

ears ago, I participated in Asia’s largest night race, the Sundown Marathon in Singapore. My motivation was a self-experiment. Can I complete it? The run started well. At kilometer 32 a huge thunderstorm with heavy rain came in the way. It was tempting to stop and just go home, I was drenched, totally wet, tired and exhausted.

I completed it, holding the “finisher” shirt proudly in my hands. I ticked it off my bucket list and decided, I will never run a marathon again. WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN AND WHAT HAPPENED? Let me start from the beginning of this whole story. End of July 2019, I relocated back from Hong Kong to Singapore. “If not now, then when”, I decided to take a break in order to travel the world, it was my dream for many years. By mid-March 2020 I flew back from the Caribbean to Germany, planning to visit my parents in Germany for a week and continue my trip. That week everything changed, the whole world shut down due to Covid-19. My original flight back to Singapore in early June was canceled. I had a new ticket for end of August. Upon arrival in Singapore I had to be quarantined in a hotel for 14 days. I was up for the challenge, what an end to my “year around the world” trip. Starting 14 days of quarantine I had created a quarantine countdown calendar; I like being creative and create memorable experiences for myself and others. This was part of it. It was only day two of fourteen, I was getting itchy. I needed to move and started running in the room back and forth for one hour. What could I do now? Sit in the room for 14 days. I would get crazy. Have you been in a similar situation before, what would you have done?In the evening I shared this with my friend on the phone and she said that people were running marathons during quarantine. Really? I googled it. The next morning, I woke up and decided to try this. If not now then when and I just did it and started right away. Have you ever done something crazy like this?From the entry door to the window I measured 8 meters. I just went running back and forth

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time, I did it, because I needed to move again. I had recovered. The last time, well, if you can do two, you might as Art by Loulou von Spiel well do three. for 8 hours, calculating roughly that I could do 5.5 to 6 km per hour, I ran for 8 hours. It was not easy, it’s all in your head. I was determined, I just wanted to do it. The scenery didn’t change, I ran past the sofa and bed every few seconds, it was tempting to stop and just continue watching Netflix. The indoor marathon also had advantages. It rained outside heavily during the day; I didn’t get wet. I had a constant temperature of 23° degrees without rain and thunder Why have you done it three times? How did you manage to do it? The first time I did it as a self-experiment. Playing the right music on my phone motivated me to continue. By coincidence, 5 minutes before my finishing line at 4.25 pm my parents called from Germany to check how I was doing. I told them that I’m at the end of my first marathon. You can’t imagine the look on their faces: “The daughter is getting crazy already and it’s not even half way through the quarantine” kind-of-look. The second

How about food & drinks? Did you eat anything in between? Did you get any injuries? I had all kind of snacks as two days before my friends surprised me with a Quarantine Care Packet. It was excellent timing with healthy marathon snacks inside. Another friend had delivered freshly homemade brownies which was my treat after completing the last run. It’s important to have good friends which support you during these times. Did you ever support a friend in a tough situation?

MAKING THE 14 DAY QUARANTINE A MEMORABLE PART OF MY LIFE’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE MARATHON Completing this self-experiment and crazy task was really uplifting. It gave me energy. If I can do this, I can achieve many other things, which look very difficult or impossible in the beginning. I did not want to waste this time in quarantine. I wanted to make it memorable and special, a unique part of my life journey.I would like to leave you with these words. “If not now then when, just do it, don’t give up.” | “If not now then when” is the motto of Anja Este, German traveler and adventurer, who works as a global procurement professional in Singapore. She has lived in Sao Paulo, Mumbai, Hongkong and Cairo and has traveled to over 140 countries. Read her empowering story about making the most of her time in quarantine. A lesson for all of us, no matter the hand we’re dealt.

What kept you motivated? I’m not even sure what kept me motivated, I guess it’s a mix of self-determination and proving to myself that I can do it. Even in quarantine you can achieve something special, something positive for your health and mind. You can inspire your family and friends by staying strong and making the best out of the circumstances. If I can do it, so can you. What could you do to inspire your friends?

Left: Getting on top of it all with smiley magnets Right: On your marks, get set go!

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Style Spotlight Kimberley Chats with

Harmony AnneMarie Ilunga

Eternal Woman is the name of this meaningful scarf designed by our own in-house designer and stylist Kimberley Kleczka. The circle represents endless strength, completeness, timelessness and without limitations.

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HARMONY

DIVERSIFIES HONG KONG by Kimberley Kleczka

ast year I was asked to choreograph a fund-raising fashion show event with the American Women’s Association called, ‘East meets West.’ That is when my path crossed with Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga, a beautiful energetic Congolese model. She was great to work with and moved with the grace of a cat down the runway. I could see her passion and love for modelling. Later we met up and I did a radio interview about her life as an asylum seeker and refugee in Hong Kong. Harmony has a powerful inspiring story that I would like to share with you. Harmony is originally from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She moved to Hong Kong in 2011 as a refugee with her family. While she was in high school, Harmony was introduced to the world of modeling by doing her first fashion show. This was the beginning of her journey as a model and little did she know that it would be so difficult.Her first experience was trying to find a modelling agent in Hong Kong, who would represent her. It was

a horribly humiliating experience, as Harmony was discriminated against because of the colour of her skin. But this did not faze Harmony. She was not ready to give up on her dreams, and kept knocking on doors in hopes that one would open. She was told several times that modelling agencies preferred white models. In desperation, Harmony tried lightening her skin, so that she could fit Hong Kong modelling expectations, but this still did not work. This gutsy resilient young woman then decided: if you cannot beat them, join them. She decided it was time to challenge the face of fashion in Asia and make it more diversified. So, this sassy 22-year-old powerhouse created her own modelling agency, ‘Harmony HK’ to represent a diverse group of female and male models. Harmony also celebrates diversity through art, music, and fashion with her bi-annual Harmony Fashion Shows.

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While putting so many things in motion, Harmony also completed her psychology degree, mentors other young refugees and asylum seekers, and has cofounded Learning Together. Harmony graciously answered my curious questions about her journey and fortitude against discrimination. What has life been like for you in Hong Kong? Challenging, but I am very grateful for everything that has happened in my life. I have met a lot of very nice people, that helped me integrate into the Hong Kong society. Life is good and I am grateful to be in Hong Kong at this stage of my life, rather than anywhere else. What words of wisdom would you give to other asylum seekers that are moving away from an unstable country? To always remember where they come from and make good use of every opportunity that comes their way. As well as focus on their school and studies and always be grateful.

Farfalla d’Oro is a wearable piece of art of luminous enriched butterfly women is designed by Kimberley Kleczka. It was inspired by love. The gold butterfly woman has a deep understanding of who she is. She radiates with the sun, strives for personal achievements, ideals, and wisdom.

Can you tell me about a setback you personally experienced and how you recovered from it? What life lessons have you learned along the way? There have been a lot of setbacks, but what I have learned is to take every single mistake and problem that

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Always be grateful for what I have around me and try not to compare my life with others.

occurs, and use it as a lesson, making sure not to repeat the same mistake twice. Life presents a lot of challenges and we need to stay strong. How and where do you find inspiration in life? Do you have any special mentors that influenced you personally? Inspiration comes from the people around me, the mistakes we make and dealing with heartbreak. Chantal, Akshay and Floyd and both of my parents are individuals whom I am so blessed to have in my life. They have known me for a long time. They support and trust whatever decisions I make. How do you stay positive? Always be grateful for what I have around me and try not to compare my life with others. You always look fabulous; do you have a special skin care routine? Not really, nothing seems to work. I just wash my face, use scrub and a normal moisturizer. That’s it.

have less social life.

What professional organizations are you currently associated with? I am the Co-Founder of Learning Together, which is a charity that helps refugees in Hong Kong and I also work with Replead, a refugee NGO. When you first started working as a model, did you foresee that you would be opening your own boutique Harmony HK modelling agency? Yes, I did, since day one, but I did not know when or where that would be. But I always knew I would have something of my own. Why did you start up a modelling agency in Hong Kong? Because I wanted to promote diversity and inclusion and to promote the lack of diversity. It was important to me to raise awareness about the refugees and ethnic minority situation in Hong Kong.

Do you have any time to exercise?

How do you help package your current models at Harmony HK?

Yes, I exercise 3-4 times a week. It is one of my favourite things to do.

By listening to them and observing their potential.

How do you balance your psychology degree, NGO’s, Harmony HK agency and social life? Good time management helps me a lot, but I

How do you find clients for your modeling agency? Mostly by talking to people, but I find that most clients reach out to the Harmony HK agency.

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What are your proudest accomplishments? Setting up Harmony HK What’s next, special lady? Any goals and aspirations for 2021? Next is to graduate from University and focus on Harmony HK and in 2021, to launch a production house and start working on my online shops. Do you have any last words of wisdom for all the young women out there? Follow your heart and your passion. | Learn more about Harmony HK at http://harmonyhk.co/

Harmony is fashioning Annibody’s comfortable vanilla bodysuit. This is styled with one of Kimberley Kleczka’s Designs, a soft sustainable modal scarf, called The Leopard Lady. Ella bodysuit is designed to be a practical yet flattering body that you can wear every day and everywhere, Ella comes with a body-hugging cutting that looks great with any bottom pieces, when you wear Ella, you can finally dance and jump and move and run freely with no “worry” in wardrobe malfunctions.

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Angel Yeung When did you get into modelling and how did you meet Harmony? A good friend of mine encouraged me to try out for the Harmony show lll. Without her support I would still be the Angel that is too shy to try out for anything, hahaha. This was first time that I ever tried modeling. That is also where I first met Harmony. Shortly after the show Harmony started her own modelling agency, Harmony HK. Harmony approached me and asked if I was interested in continuing with modelling. So, I signed up. Angel, how did you like the Annibody bodysuits that you were modelling, and have you ever worn one before? I’ve bought several different types of bodysuits in the past. But I have never felt comfortable wearing them, as they were either too tight or too loose. But when I modelled with the Annibody brand, I found it super comfortable with the fit and the material. It fitted me like a glove. The material was stretchy enough to fit but also not too loose to fit like a bodycon top.

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EASY STYLE WITH SUSTAINABLE BODYSUITS by Kimberley Kleczka

The elasticized neckline is gold. The concept was boundless creativity, you can wear the piece however you want, while staying stylish and charming.

n the mid-1800’s a Parisian trapeze performer, Jules Leotard, designed and created the famous leotard. Over the years, this garment has become the fabulously comfy body suit that we are all familiar with today. This life-saving, figure-flattering, one-piece delight stays in place with crotch fasteners. It is flexible, functionable and forgiving with the advantage of not bunching up around your waist or untucking itself, at the most inappropriate moments.

The body suit comes in many different styles as well as sustainable materials, like modal, which is a plant-based, semi synthetic textile made from the beech tree pulp, as well as Peace silk, which is also known as Ahimsa silk. Silk does not emit toxins and is considered to have very low water footprint. Ahimsa silk also

has great natural

hypoallergenic qualities. This attractive piece of clothing is a combination of chic and "athleisurely". That is why the likes of renowned designers, Andre Courreges, Azzedine Alaia and Donna Karan helped put the body suit on the fashion map for both men and women. Tina Leung and I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting at a pop-up shop in downtown Hong Kong. She is the owner of Annibody, a rare bodysuit-focused clothing brand in Asia. Her bodysuits are constructed for comfort and longevity with womens' bodies and happiness in mind. “Our

A timeless spaghetti-strap tank bodysuit perfect for sans bra styling— a go-to piece for a special occasion or everyday use. If you love clean lines and a tucked-in look, you will love ANNA.

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designs explore the beauty of women’s curves with textiles that are timeless and practical” says Tina. Here's how the rest of the interview went! Tina, how did you come up with the name of your brand? Annibody is named after the word “any body”— I wanted to build a brand to celebrate beauty and freedom of female bodies, regardless of shape and size. Everything we create is about your body. With that intent, I started with bodysuits which are made to elevate the curves of our bodies comfortably. What is the most important aspect of your company? High quality fabrics and materials, exceptional craftsmanship and thoughtfully designed details.

confident in their body. What was your biggest fear starting up Annibody? It would be the failure to make what I visualized into something tangible. Self-love is difficult. Growing up, I have seen countless women who are constantly struggling to embrace their natural beauty. Annibody is about learning to love your body unconditionally. I could tell from the beginning that it would not be easy to communicate these values without a solid foundation. That’s why I put a lot of effort and time in finessing the designs and the visual identity of Annibody. I constantly educate and encourage my team to create with our core values in mind. All products and designs are rooted in the same belief.

core values

Where did you find the inspiration to create your own body suits? Mother Nature and the lifestyle of the modern women surrounding me. Tina, what has been your proudest moment with Annibody? It was when I heard from our customers, that my products have made them feel more

Versatile and convenient Pull-and-go magic Light, and fits to your body What advice would you personally give to entrepreneurs and young designers starting off in their own business? Stay authentic and develop your own style. Be patient and keep up with the good work, your effort will pay-off eventually. How would you like women

to feel when wearing your Annibody body suits? Comfortable, well taken care of, good, beautiful, and free. What are your thoughts on sustainability in clothing? I believe that brands, big or small, can take initiatives to improve their entire supply chain to minimize their carbon footprint and production of waste. Every step counts.

Recycled material Organic cotton Sustainability Fair Trade What materials are your body suits made from? We prioritize usage of biodegradable, sustainably grown or recycled materials using low-impact processes, such as modal, organic cotton and peace silk. We upcycle fabrics from our production to create new styles to reduce waste to the environment. What does fashion styling mean to you? Fashion styling is selfexpression. It represents your core values and identity. What projects are you currently working on with Annibody? We are working on our 2021 collections with more variety in products that all share the same purpose. Which

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Three ways to master the QUIN bodysuit Rose- off shoulder, asymmetric, or with cap sleeves. This beautiful design is a fashion go-to made of a luxe soft modal blend rib for absolute comfort.

is to bring comfort and confidence to all our customers. We are also developing more ecofriendly fabrics to support our sustainability objectives as a slow fashion brand. Do you have any lasting tips to give our teens about how to wear bodysuits? Wearing a bodysuit is much simpler than most think. Our bodysuits are engineered for comfort and everyday use. All comes with snap closures for a hassle-free wearing experience. Start with styles or colours that you would normally wear,

so that you can get used to the feeling of a bodysuit. You will then be ready to go! Annibody has a wonderful community of women who share stories, support, and empower each other. We are all about self-loving and embracing a better sustainable lifestyle. Annibody also offers handson advice on styling and personal growth. Their goal is to help support body positivity and how you can become a better version of yourself. | https://annibody.com/

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PROTEIN: HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND YOU

IMPORTANT AT ANY AGE by Denise, Clinical Nutrition

’ve recently been hearing so much talk about protein! Protein shakes, bars, balls, supplements, what brand is best, where from and how much?!

I, for one, have never spared a thought about this macronutrient, until I studied nutrition. You’ve possibly discussed this in food science class or at your local fitness centre with teachers or friends, but even so, let’s cover a few facts on protein. The first thing is that it’s an important macronutrient, equally or more important than carbohydrates and fats in your everyday diet. When the body is running low on fuel, due to unavailable carbohydrate and fats, it draws energy from muscles and this repeated action can lead to malnutrition, sadly a prominent feature with young children in

underdeveloped countries and low socio-economic groups. A protein deficiency can also result in a condition called sarcopenia, or loss of muscle mass and strength, which may be due to illness or a natural consequence of ageing. Protein gives structure and form to nails and hair (keratin) and skin (collagen), is essential for muscle health and is the body’s back up source of energy when carbohydrates and fat storage are low. Enzymes are made from amino acids, which is protein, and is needed to catalyse several metabolic activities. For example, lipase aids the digestion of fats. Can you imagine if the fats we ate were not broken down? We’d have all these pockets of fats just sitting around in our bodies making us super unhealthy. It’s important to know that some

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amino acids are organic and produced by our bodies, while others are essentially from our diet. Sources of protein? Protein can be found from animal sources, such as red meat, fish, chicken and eggs or from plant sources such as nuts, seeds and legumes (all varieties of lentils, green peas, chick peas, etc). You remember the nursery rhyme about good little Miss Muffet, “eating her curds and whey”, until the spider chased her away? Protein is made up of casein and whey, and whey is the watery layer that sits just above the casein or curd, also a bi-product in cheese making. Whey is considered an ideal source of protein because it contains 9 essential amino acids and is also low in lactose. Whey protein is the main component in protein shakes, used as supplementation to support endurance athletes and body builders, but it may also be supplemented in nutrition drinks for the elderly. There are many vegan protein options made from peas,

nuts or grains available in the market, so your job is to check the ingredient list and make use of free samples offered to you before purchasing, as not all protein shakes taste that great. But our eagerness to “grab and go” protein shakes should not become a habit; real, unprocessed foods are better for our bodies (this is called “clean eating”), so prepare a meal, sit down, chew your food, and aid digestion. How much do we need? About 30% of your daily energy requirements must come from protein. The recommended adult dietary intake is 0.8 gram per kilo of body weight per day, but you’d require more if you exercise frequently, as you are gaining muscle. Protein sources are comprised of both calories and protein content, and if ingredients like butter, ghee or olive oils are added, the calorie content will increase. Protein will get denatured or lose its nutrition factor with some methods of cooking, something to consider when adding lemon juice to marinate or barbecuing/ char-grilling your favourite piece of meat or fish.

Protein content in some every day foods Eggs:

1 large egg has 6g of protein, 78kcal

Chicken:

1 roasted breast of chicken has 53g of protein, 284kcal

Quinoa:

1 cup of cooked quinoa has 8g of protein, 222kcal

Greek yoghurt: 1 tub (6oz.) has 17g of protein, 100kcal Lentils:

1 cup of cooked lentils contains 18g, 230kcal

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MY PROTEIN-RICH “GO TO” RECIPE

Ingredients

Method

1 level cup brown and red lentils, soaked in 500ml of water overnight. Thoroughly rinse after soaking.

Sauté fresh garlic and ginger in a tablespoon of olive oil till light brown, then add red chillies, cumin, and turmeric powder, stir a bit till aromas are released.

1 cup bone broth, low salt chicken stock or vegetarian broth (homemade or good quality store bought) 500ml water 1 cup of celery, carrots, zucchini, frozen peas and red capsicum (cleaned and diced) 2 cloves garlic Few slices of fresh ginger 1 tsp cumin powder & seeds ½ tsp turmeric powder2 small red chillies Sea Salt & freshly cracked pepper to taste 1 tbsp Greek yoghurt, coconut yoghurt or sour cream Fresh coriander to decorate.

Add the soaked lentils and broth plus an additional half a litre of water, cover and simmer till lentils are tender. Add the vegetables and continue to simmer till cooked through. Add the sea salt and fresh pepper. To serve add a tablespoon of yoghurt or sour cream and dress with fresh coriander. A cup of cooked quinoa with this dish will complete your high protein meal (approximately 28 grams of protein - half your daily need). Another option for non-vegetarians is to make this ahead, then add a boned piece of beef or lamb (as in shanks) with a cup of tomato puree and pressure cook till meat falls off the bone. A hearty winter’s meal served with fresh crusty bread, which can be refrigerated for a few days.

If you have a protein recipe you wish to share, please forward to the IMTAC team! Till then, learn about food and why you need it. Eat right and stay active! |

AUTHENTICITY

A IS FOR

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by Latitia Kung

On purpose, Not On Trend

ne of my mentees phoned me before Christmas to update me on her job search. She didn’t sound her usual self, and when I asked her what was wrong, she seemed full of self doubt, questioning all of her life’s choices. She is an intelligent and driven young woman whose dream had been brand management in the luxury world. She had studied in London and France, and landed a dream internship in Paris before she moved to Shanghai, China (forecast to be the biggest luxury consumer market by 2025). But here she was, exploring a new opportunity, after having career conversations with her HR Director.

“The HR Director told me that they don’t have the position of brand manager because it isn’t ‘trending’ anymore. She advised me to catch the wave of eCommerce, and pursue something “On Trend”.” This young woman was left wondering if she had been wrong all her life. When a 25-year-old young woman doubts her passion and all the decisions in her career right at what should be the beginning of unlimited opportunities in her life, it’s quite heartbreaking to see. Social approval-seeking will never end Research published by Anandi Mani and Charles H. Mullin

on the relationship of Social Approval and Occupational Choice, shows that more and more people will choose careers based on the social approval factor rather than their skills and passion. Of course, in the digital era, there are more opportunities available for digitally savvy candidates, but as we see with all trends, they come and go. Remember how the Dotcom Bubble burst in 2002? But now Digital is everything. But how long will that last before it becomes business as usual and the market is saturated? “No one achieves great things by following the crowd. Have a spine. Strike your own path.” - Robert Kiyosaki If J.K. Rowling had stuck to her stable government job, she’d never have written the Harry Potter series. If Julia Child had stayed in advertising and media, she would never have become a celebrity chef. If Vera Wang had pursued her figure skating career, her gorgeous wedding gowns would have not been designed. If Jeff Bezos had stayed at his Wallstreet executive role he’d have never launched Amazon. If you are too busy catching the next wave or changing your path based on what the trend is, you will have no time to discover what your true talent and passions are. Your talent will only be unleashed when you are true to yourself and align your values with action.

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Stop performing, start living “I am not what I think I am. I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.” - Charles Horton Cooley. I’ve been there before. I thought my goal was to develop a career that would make my parents proud, my boss value me and my peers respect me. I loved my job because it was trendy, and I thought that people perceived me as young, bright talent and an important asset. But the sad fact is, it wasn’t because I enjoyed it. All the stars I reached did not contribute to my happiness. “Darling, we will always love you. We want you to be happy”, “It doesn’t make you less intelligent if you now quit your corporate job. I think you will be able to succeed in whatever path you make efforts on.” “You are the most adventurous person I have ever met, you just bring energy and light up the room.” These were the messages from my mom, my boss and my friends when I decided to drop everything and move to London. I realised that people loved me for my personality, my vibe, my uniqueness and quirkiness. It had nothing to do with my career. I had assumed that people valued me for my career, but it was all in my own mind. I felt a weight lift. I realised I was trying to be the avatar I had created. These days, people put their avatars on different platforms digitally – Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Youtube. They spend so much energy trying to catch the trend on “Tiktok’ than living in their reality, not realising how fleeting it all is.

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“To be on trend” and “Fake it to make it” will not serve you in the long term. It’s hard to pursue mental freedom if you need to constantly be a totally different person. “The biggest prison is in your own mind,and in your pocket you already hold the key: the willingness to risk;the willingness to release yourself from judgment and reclaim your innocence, accepting and loving yourself for who you really are — human, imperfect, and whole.” - Edith Eva Eger You are good enough Your uniqueness and quirkiness is your biggest asset. They represent you!

They differentiate you! “Every person is a world to explore.” - Thích Nhat Hanh It’s only possible to create real connection, deep thought and meaningful conservation by authenticity. Don’t be afraid to bring your personality and authentic self to school, work and the conversation. Live, learn, work, breathe with purpose Do not spend your whole life chasing something that others value instead of what truly makes you happy. Build something by yourself for yourself, not for others. Build your legacy. Picture your

80 year old self sitting on a bench on a sunny afternoon, proudly smiling from your heart to your eyes, while you think back on your life. I have coached thousands of women from varied backgrounds and found that no matter what stage of life they’re in, their biggest challenge isn’t about not getting the next promotion, it’s that they feel like they have lost their way or don’t know what their purpose is.

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So here is a Japanese framework that has helped millions of people in the world find their purpose. It’s called Ikigai, and is based on four simple principles. “Your ikigai is at the intersection of what you are good at and what you love doing,” says Hector Garcia, the co-author of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. 1. What you LOVE (Passion) 2. What you are GOOD AT (Profession) 3. What world NEEDS (Mission) 4. What you can be PAID for (Vocation)

Want to find your Ikigai? Answer the following four questions: 1. What do I love? What makes me feel genuinely happy and make me smile from my heart when I do it? 2. What am I good at? What do others call on me for when they need an expert? 3. What can I be paid for now — or something that could transform into my future hustle? 4. What does the world need? What can I do to make the world a better place?

May I invite you to start 2021 with an open mind, open heart and open arms? The first step, to love yourself for who you are. The second step, to make every small daily decision that aligns with your value and purpose. And last but not least, to crystalise your purpose with the help of this Ikigai tool.

Latitia Kung Head of Strategic Partnerships / Certified Purposeful Business and Career Coach

May your New Year flourish with new discoveries, wonderful inspirations, and happiness to fill your heart. |

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nce upon a time, there was a little girl from Essex named Corinne, who would religiously dress up every Thursday night to watch Top of the Pops, mimicking the choreographies in front of the TV. Her parents never doubted their daughter was a born performer, so when aged seven, she begged them to join her friend at ballet classes, they supported her. Despite early stage fright, she was a natural in all dance styles: ballet, jazz, tap, disco and ballroom. But she had to settle for ballet, due to the financial strain from her parents’ divorce. At barely twelve, she was delivering the daily gazette before school to help with her dance fees, and by thirteen, waitressing for a local restaurant.

At school, PE was her strongest subject. And even when her teacher told her mother she had “one chance in a million of becoming a professional dancer”, Corinne’s ambitions remained unabated. “I always wanted to be a dancer” she says. “my dance teacher told me I’d have to enter the Royal Ballet Academy to become a ballerina...it was my goal! Ballet was everything,” She dreamt of joining a prestigious dance school, but while many of her peers did, she faced several obstacles, not least of which was her humble background. At fifteen, her body’s curvy evolution made her ballet dreams slip further away, and teenage Corinne starting having eating disorders for a while. When she was sixteen, and with no high school qualification, Corinne enrolled in a local dance college. There, she danced every day, from 9 to 5, followed by classroom syllabus till 9pm. She waitressed on her days off and often returned home at midnight. But she loved it. However, after one year of such an unforgiving routine, her body and spirit were affected and her hard earned cash had been swallowed up by school fees. She was seventeen,

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broke and exhausted. Paid dance work seemed the only solution. Despite having no agent, Corinne pored through the Entertainment industry newspaper looking for dancing opportunities and auditioned relentlessly. She managed to keep herself employed until adulthood.

English suburbia, and knew her skills could get her paid for indulging her passions, dance and travel, simultaneously. Empowered by the fearlessness of youth, she signed her first contract for a cabaret show in Japan, the first of many travelling opportunities, such as Malaysia, Portugal, Italy, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and Macau, her final career stop.

Where it all started: Corinne (#1) with the friend who got her to join ballet classes

ARABESQUES & FEATHERS:

She couldn’t wait to escape

A SHOWGIRL STORY by Loulou Von Spiel

Above: Corinne says she never minded the sexy attires as they were often less revealing than they appeared on the stage.

Over the course of her career, Corinne would bag-pack between contracts. Not even a brush with death in 1997, after contracting Dengue fever in the Thai jungle, dampened her enthusiasm for exotic locations. In 2001, a job opportunity as a Showgirl presented itself in Macau, and having danced in Hong Kong before its handover and being familiar

with the region, she jumped at the chance. At the time, Macau was not the vibrant Casino hub it currently is, with only Stanley Ho’s “The Lisboa” existing. There, Corinne remained for 8 years, earning enough to save for a property. The outfits she wore could have been considered risque; they were optional but better paid than the more

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conventional attire. Such costumes never bothered Corinne; they had rhinestones, feathers, bodypainting, and she enjoyed the freedom of movement they provided. But the showgirls’ attire did mark them as fair game for sexual harassment from both audience and fellow entertainers. Describing being “open minded” as key to her resilience, Corinne brushed off the comments and misbehaviour, and never let it affect her personally. More upsetting to her was the way people assumed dancers were stupid, showing little respect for their years of training, hard work, skills and dedication; as if anyone could just walk on stage and perform with such

graceful perfection. A showgirl’s career is short. One might expect ageism and loss of looks to be the reason but in reality, with a schedule of non-stop rehearsing and performing, the job takes a physical toll, and by their 30s, showgirls are already looking for new professional paths. By 2009, sustained injuries made Corinne transition to managing performers for Casinos.

Above: Corinne, like many showgirls, is a classically trained dancer.

Showgirls often form very strong friendships as they share their work and play over a long period of time (Corinne front row, 2nd from the left)

Left: Getting ready can take a long time: make up must be perfect and many accessories go into the outfits. Help is needed

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However, while still dancing at night, she was training in the day for a Pilates qualification in Hong Kong, and soon, with a teaching certificate under her diamante belt, began working as an instructor in Macau, drawing the curtain on her showgirl adventures. As Corinne relates her story to IMTAC, her nostalgic walk down memory lane is one of gratitude “I was lucky to have had such a long career” she says. Though she had always hoped to perform as a backing dancer in a concert, or on TV… “they are ‘commercial dancers’ who don’t get to travel and must be available at all times”, she reasons. As for missing out on the high profile dance schools, regrets dissipated a long time ago when she found herself on stage with some of their former pupils! What she cherishes the most is the closeness and camaraderie showgirls experience - sharing everything, rehearsing, living, eating,

Dance was Corinne's passion and she feels lucky to have been able to make it a career. Long term injuries forced her, like many, to retire in her 30's

shopping together - creating a bond so strong, it’s like family. She has retained her friendships and her closest friend is a girl she met on her very first show in Japan.

Corinne is positive but pragmatic about her vocation: ”it’s very hard physically and mentally. At 16, you can’t go to parties, or have a boyfriend... but, when you start to work, it’s the best job ever, you travel the world, you experience amazing places, meet people from all nationalities… but you never spend Christmas with your family, you miss friends’ weddings. Sometimes, someone close to you may have died; your body physically shuts down; you have a cold, but you still need to go on stage!... The adrenaline rush is amazing though!” She is glad to see dancing finally being recognised as a career and even being linked to the health and fitness industry.

Today, Corinne Clifford lives happily with her 4 dogs in a quiet village in Hong Kong; a bubbly blonde in her 40’s, whose good looks and upright posture serve as a reminder of her former, fascinating yet misunderstood, profession. | Corinne is a Pilates instructor in HK Contact her @Tohipilates or Facebook.com/cors.cl

THE SERIOUS BUSINESS OF BEING A FEMALE COMEDIAN by Deborah Mannas

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t’s not often that you see a female live stand-up comedian, and certainly, they’re few and far between in Hong Kong. The success of The Marvelous Mrs Maizel shows that there is a market for women who burst through restraints and say what they might otherwise fear to say in “polite” company.

I first saw Maitreyi Karanth perform live when she opened for a visiting comedian in Hong Kong, about 5 years ago. Since then, she has continued to make her mark. An actor and producer, she saw the possibilities of extending her real life persona to comedy at the age of 44. I actually met Maitreyi at, of all things, an HR event, where she and I were both guest speakers, and we’ve stayed in touch since. I thought that she’d have some valuable things to share about her journey into stand-up, starting with how she discovered her passion for comedy. Maitreyi says she had no idea what it was about, until she’d been invited to give an open mic a shot by a friend. Her love of the stage and writing leapt into the fore, et voila, a comedy star was born! Being married and having lived outside India for 22 years allowed Maitreyi to bank a host of anecdotes as fodder; all her own experiences, with of course, loads of embellishment, as expected of comedy. “How much and where do you practice?”

I ask. Maitreyi says she practices in her room, but not often. “I just need to get the flow in my head. Which joke in which order, and I’m good to go”, says the intrepid Ms. Karanth. Having a natural flow between ready material and spontaneity is necessary, it would seem. She mixes her act up for the element of surprise, taking aim at her husband (a lovely man and her biggest supporter) and moving into cultural differences, politics or women’s issues, to name a few. After her very second open mic Maitreyi was spotted by famous comedian, Saurabh Pant, and asked to open for him twice. She has headlined in Bangkok, Singapore and India, and has also opened for Tom Cotter, Gina Yashere, Atul Khatri, Amit Tandon, Tom Rhodes, Sean Patton and Zakir Khan. Entertainers thrive on audience participation and enjoyment, and Maitreyi is no exception. She joyfully relayed her most memorable moment at the Zakir Khan show, “the amount of applause and laughter was deafening. I absolutely loved it”, she says. Curious as to her most embarrassing moment, Maitreyi’s honest response was, “I once went totally blank during a competition. I was doing so well and suddenly out of nowhere I went completely blank. I had to dig deep and bring something out but it was a very surreal experience”. Don’t we know the feeling! The trick it seems is to keep going, regardless!

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Her favourite comedians? “Ricky Gervais, Sarah Silverman and Billy Connelly. Personally I love very non-PC comedies. My best friend Allan is the best comedian in the world. The guy comes up with some brilliant stuff, but most things you would not be able to say on stage unfortunately.”

Go out there on the stage and let the audience decide if you need to keep going or not, don’t let back stage drama or gender politics get to you. Just do your thing!

A 2017 study shows that there is an enormous disparity with respect to gender representation in comedy. There is a 70:30 ratio in the proud to see a female comic. UK and an 80:20 ratio in New All these responses made me York, though this is a vast think about representation. improvement over the 97:3 ratio This is perhaps why I also back in 1989. I asked Maitreyi became more sensitive to what about her first hand experience goes on backstage as well.” of being a woman in comedy, “You do have to work much It gives her a secret thrill to see harder to earn respect and be peoples’ expressions when she a part of the ‘team’.” She says, tells them she’s a comedian. ruefully. “Sometimes the bias “Definitely better than when comes from the audience too. I used to tell them I was a Especially if you have “adult” math’s teacher!” she grins. content… I have never done or not done anything because I Some words of advice from am a woman, and have in the our star Comedian to girls past found it difficult to answer desiring to explore a career in questions about representing comedy: “I would say put your women in whatever it was I was head down and do your thing. doing. But comedy changed Go out there on the stage that for me, and not because I and let the audience decide was asked about it more (I was), if you need to keep going but because of the response or not, don’t let back stage I got from female audiences. I drama or gender politics get had women coming to me after to you. Just do your thing!” and telling me how happy they Maitreyi is currently producing were to see a woman come on her own shows and is a regular stage after a string of men. One at the Takeout Comedy Club, lady said “I love that you are so she is always exploring and open about making fun of your on the look out for exciting husband and saying things we new opportunities. | all secretly want to say”. I had another lady that came up to Check out Maitreyi on me and said she watched me Facebook: www.facebook. live in Singapore and was so com/maitreyicomic/

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INK& COLOR VISIONS OF

by Q Gonzales

ika was at one of those weekend artisan bazaars, selling merchandise in the form of stickers, stamps, and art prints, when I first met her. Later I learn that she’s trying to pursue a career in the tattoo industry. Being someone who has not really been exposed to that sort of thing, I was rather curious. My general impression of tattoos is that it’s painful, infectious, and extreme. Sure, the art was cool, but that stigma is always present in my mind. Regardless, my creative instinct is piqued and so I decide to explore the world of the Tattoo Artist.

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Background: A ghost pirate ship crashes through the waves

Rika starts with a sketch before creating a new design.

Lucky 6 I am lucky enough to visit Rika at her workplace on a notso-busy day. “It’s not usually like this,” she says. “It’s just that the pandemic has affected a lot of businesses, so we just try to cope, adjust, and focuson what we can do in the meantime, like focusing on how to make our visitors’ trip to this part of the city worthwhile, so they won’t mind traveling.”

Above: Tattoo artists usually practice on oranges and pigskin as it is quite close to the texture of their intended canvas

The tattoo studio is located in Kwai Hing, an industrial area in Hong Kong, and a 10-minute walk from the nearest subway station. The first thing that catches your eye as you enter is “Lucky 6 Tattoo” in bright neon. The walls are lined with paintings, sketches, doodles, graffiti, photography, stickers, and everything in between. There are six tables, each assigned to a different artist. Stacks of paper, books, more artwork, concepts, hardware, and all sorts of bits and bobs fill the empty spaces. Rika started drawing when she was really young, but it was at about 19 when she

decided to pursue a career in art. I asked how her parents reacted to the career choice, “I’m sure my parents wanted me to be a dentist — I don’t know where that came from — but they kind of figured I’d end up doing something creative,” she said with a chuckle. “But, living in Hong Kong, it’s hard to support yourself and pursue tattooing. It’s time-consuming and it’s expensive to live here, and I had to find ways to do art on my own. So I needed to sort of kill the tattoo dream just because I had to work full-time.” She worked as a painter on the side, and eventually did exhibits. That led to painting murals - and even graffiti. And soon enough, the road led back to tattoos. I asked her, “of all the art genres, why tattoos?” She replied, “I had a lot of friends who were in the music scene and most of them had tattoos, so I thought it’d be pretty cool if I could put my drawings on people.” Learning and getting good at art was the priority. It wasn’t until almost ten years later that

Sailor Jerry study 1 of 4: Sunset girl

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Rika was able to land a tattoo apprenticeship. “Tattooing has always been the dream,” she added. Apprentice She met artist Jacob Tang, her mentor, through common friends and other artists in the Philippines. “Our artist friends would often come visit Hong Kong to check out the different art events. In 2019, I had a small exhibit and I invited people I knew to come over — and the only ones who showed up are my mentor and his brother,” she reminisced. “We spoke about art and found that there was a lot of similarity with how we view the work.” Jacob invited her to the studio, and that’s what kickstarted her journey. “At the time I was just freelancing and getting started, so everything for me was so

overwhelmingly cool,” she said. “I was literally fangirling.” Rika wasn’t expecting to be offered an apprenticeship. She just wanted to come by to learn more about art and what it might lead to. Rika continues “And so after talking for some time, he was like, ‘Do you want to learn how to tattoo?’ and of course I was like, ‘Yes. OK. Let’s do it’.”

Below: tools of the trade Bottom: some of Rikakorp's art on the many surfaces of Lucky6

Rika’s journey to becoming a tattooer required her to adjust to the craft. “I look at my work from when I started this, and it’s totally different from what I do now,” she commented, looking at her older pieces hanging on the wall. “At that time, my mentor was just telling me to create designs. I realize now that a lot of them aren’t necessarily translatable into a tattoo. I had to really adjust my thinking to design for that specific intent.”

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"The very basis of a tattoo is a drawing, but executing a tattoo correctly is what we train for. There are no erasers, no undos. You can't really afford an "oops" moment, but mistakes are all part of learning too. There are many techniques and skills to learn about and you learn them through experience, which is done under proper training and practice," she explains. (Living) Loving the dream

It’s about the work you put in. Your art. That’s what matters.

Being a woman in the tattoo industry, there are a few things Rika has noticed so far: “Sometimes there’s a type of attention or reaction you do get when you say you’re a tattoo artist. There’s an excitement, eyebrows are raised, that kind of thing,” Rika explains. “Of course it’s not about that, but it’s there. At times it can be overwhelming especially at the start, and you get used to it after some time, but it’s important to know how to navigate that.” Currently, the tattoo industry is male-dominated, but in her experience she never felt like it ever mattered. “In our studio, there are three dudes and three girls, so ever since I started I never felt like

Left: The mentor Jacob Tang's table sits right below the neon sign.

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Sailor Jerry study 3 of 4: Anchor

there was a misbalance. Generally though, no one really cares what your gender or orientation is, cause once you’re in, people look at your work,” she remarks. “It’s about the work you put in. You art. That’s what matters.” For her aesthetic, Rika told that she leans toward a more traditional style “I focus in a specific style, so if someone comes to me with a style that I don’t really do, I’d make a referral instead. I’d rather concentrate on developing my style than do something with which I don’t have experience.” As of 2021, her quest to become a full-fledged tattoo artist is still underway. Her experience has made her apply ink to paper, canvas, orange peels, pigskin, and recently, people. Finding a mentor and developing a style is a never-ending process. “Tattooing is a very traditional craft that you can’t just apply for and learn overnight. It’s a lifetime vocation, a lifestyle. It takes a certain type of diligence to pursue a career in tattooing.” Before I left the studio, I asked Rika what's her advice for someone who wants to take up the craft: “Practice. Draw. A lot. Learn different styles, talk and hang out with other artists. And then draw some more,” she chuckles. “But understand that learning how to draw is barely the start of it. There’s a whole culture and community that you have to learn from as well, so it’s important to be open, and dedicated.”

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Doing what you love doesn’t make it easy. It means you still do it even if it’s not. Rika’s tattoo journey has only just begun, and it’s going to be worth it. | Left: Rika's first tattoo - a swallow and flowers; Right: a naughty mouse sits on a colleague's arm; Bottom: inked arms and roses

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how will you find

your MOJO in 2021? 2021? Our team at IMTAC Magazine just wanted you to be on the lookout for all kinds of magic in all kinds of places, so we came up with some ideas for finding your mojo! We hope you have fun with it and share it with all your friends!

Jan feb mar apr may jun

YOUR BIRTH MONTH Painting Flying Having a foot massage Walking Moonwalking Swimming

jul aug sep oct nov dec

Kite-flying Dancing Having a teaparty Blowing bubbles Brushing your teeth Hiding

FIRST LETTER OF YOUR FIRST NAME

a b c d e f g h i j k l m

in paris in the school gym on your uni-cycle under the boardwalk on mount everest in the jungle at a music festival at the fair at a flea market lying in bed in the loo at the cinema on a motorbike

SHARE ON SOCIAL! 42

n o p q r s t u v w x y z

backwards on a horse on the beach under the dinnertable on the balcony in the garden behind the curtains in a well in a cupboard in the bathtub in a sauna on a plane in a hot air balloon on a yacht

I’M MORE THAN A COVER MAGA ZINE

YOU WILL FIND YOUR MOJO WHILE... ( BIRTH MONTH ) ( FIRST LETTER OF YOUR FIRST NAME ) WITH ( LAST LETTER OF YOUR LAST NAME ) WEARING ( FAVORITE COLOR ) !

LAST LETTER OF YOUR LAST NAME

a b c d e f g h i j k l m

your lawyer Albert Einstein Bill Gates BTS Cardi B the Kardashians the White Rabbit the Cheshire Cat an imaginary friend the mad hatter Audrey Hepburn Madonna Russel brand

n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Justin Bieber Coco Chanel Gandhi George R. Martin David Beckham Lady Gaga Elon Musk Black Pink Pink Panther James Bond Peter Pan Will Smith The Rock

SILVER WHITE BLACK GOLD BEIGE TAUPE BURGUNDY GRAY

suncream Chanel #5 pajamas Victoria's Secret Axe body spray sombrero a dragon tattoo holey socks

YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR

RED GREEN PURPLE BLUE YELLOW ORANGE TEAL PINK

a tyre a face-kini wellington boots spurs a poncho gym shorts goggles tribal jeans

#FINDINGMYMOJO2021 #STARTMYEAR

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We want to see your works! If you made poems, short stories, artwork, photography, or anything creative that you want to be featured in IMTAC's Creativity Corner that you want to share, send them to info@morethanacover.com We’ll collect all of them and have them published in the coming issues of IMTAC!

Art by Haylee Tam, 15

My Dreams

Poem by Kanaan Kan 17, from Hong Kong

Dear dreamers I’m never great at anything, only decent I didn’t ask to be born this way 30% minus from my grades My rockstar dreams are green lights at bay I’m not a speaker nor a writer Words are foaming at the mouth But non is written down I had dreams, now that I’m older it started going south

Dream, ideas and unfinished sentences Are all I am Imperfect cadences and dried up paint They’re dead, so what’s my future plan? I’m staring at my phone again At someone with the same goal as me Achieve my dreams by all means Please be the best you can be Sincerely, The girl who lost her dreams

I’M MORE THAN A COVER MAGA ZINE

Okoro Mercy 15, is ethnically both Nigerian and Hong Kong

Tea Party for One Art by Okoro Mercy Udunma John Obasi

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company of your friend. 3. Don’t care too much about what other people think. Sometimes, we feel self-conscious because we think people are observing and judging us. However, most of the time, they are too busy paying attention to themselves. Dear Ceci, I’m 14-years old and I feel very awkward and selfconscious around guys. I have no problem talking to adults. What am I doing wrong?

4. Be yourself. We are all unique and precious in our own ways. When you stop worrying about how you should act and simply be yourself, you radiate naturally.

Don’t worry, it is common to feel awkward in social interactions we are not familiar with. In your situation, is it because you usually hang out with girls instead of guys? If it is the case, I may have a few tips for you to interact naturally with guys. 1. Be ready with several conversation starters. Asking people questions and listening to their answers will give you time to relax. 2. Bring a friend with you. The feelings of awkwardness may fade away when you feel safe in the

Dear Ceci, During the lockdown I have been getting really bad headaches, as I am so stressed and concerned about my education and whether I am going to pass my exams. What should I do? - Worry Wart

- Careful Susie Dear Careful Susie,

not the least, when you feel the help you offer is beyond your limits, seek advice directly from social workers or other professionals who have experience in this field.

Dear Ceci,

Dear Worry Wart,

I work hard at school and am a good student. My best two friends enjoy drinking and sometimes do drugs. I do not want to get into trouble hanging out with them. What should I do, as they mean a lot to me?

We are together in an unprecedented scenario that nobody knows exactly what to do. When you worry about your education, remember other people feel the same way too, so you are not alone in this struggle. In this case, people who learn to de-stress and maintain a healthy mindset are more capable in combating challenges. When you feel more relaxed, sit down and break down your learning obligations into separate tasks, make a to-do list and complete the tasks one by one. Though it is not easy to meet each other face-to-face during the pandemic, keep in touch with your friends and teachers online to share your learning experience. Remember, there is nothing we cannot resolve together. Seek help whenever necessary.

- Concerned Friend Dear Concerned Friend, I am sorry you are caught in this dilemma. I am sure you care for your friends very much and do not want to see them go astray by abusing alcohol and drugs. However, we may have to help one step at a time as it is not easy for someone to seek guidance and admit that he/she has problems with alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, do not expect your friends to heal by themselves but be ready to listen, share and show support so that they may be encouraged to receive the right treatment. Last but

I’M MORE THAN A COVER MAGA ZINE

Dear Ceci I have a very close friend whom I have known ever since childhood. I treasure our friendship a lot yet I am not happy about her always criticizing me no matter what I do. I don’t mean she is a bad influence and I am not ready to break up with her, but I hope she can respect me more and show support. What can I do? - Hate to be Criticized Dear Hate to be Criticized, It is a blessing to have a long-lasting friendship so I understand how much you would like to develop it in a fruitful way. Sometimes, it is easy to give a compliment but it takes courage to stand up to a friend. Though your close friend has been criticizing you, is it possible that she has been trying to give you advice but does not know how to put it in a comfortable way? She may speak in such a manner not because of what you have done but because of some issues she has experienced in life. On your side, just try to grasp the constructive message within her criticism and ignore any mean words she uses. Moreover, gather within yourself how you want your friend to treat you, organize your ideas in a polite way and try to convey these to her when you have the opportunity. With a gentle

reminder, she may realize how much her behaviors have hurt you and will work to change.

Dear Ceci I am furious because my parents are always invading my privacy by checking my cell phone. I don’t understand why they do this to me when I have always respected their privacy. Surely, if I ask to check their cell phones, they will not agree to this too. What can I do to stop them from doing this to me? - Privacy Matters Dear Privacy Matters, I am sorry about what is happening to you. We are born to be individuals with privacy, this applies between parents and children too. Before we think about how we may talk your parents out of checking your cell phone, perhaps we can reflect upon the possible reasons why they have started in the first place. The fundamental question here is about trust. If there is enough trust between parents and children, they will not invade your privacy. One way to comfort them is to keep them posted on what is happening in your life. When they see you are willing to share your ups and downs with them, they will feel secure and may stop checking your cell phone. However, if the situation persists, explain your feelings to anther trusted family member or a family friend and request him/her to talk your parents out of doing this.

Do you have questions that you’re too embarrassed to ask? Is there a topic or story that you want to share but find it awkward to talk to others about? Ceci is here to discuss and try to answer all your questions about life, friendship, family, relationships, and growing up. She is the big sister that you can always ask questions to!

Cecilia Ao is a lifelong learner who enjoys exploring life through the lens of Psychology, History and Philosophy. She welcomes the silence of a starry night to write in her journal. She is always ready to listen, share stories, and offer her wise counsel to all comers! |

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"2021 is the first year following the start of the pandemic. As we begin to get used to masks, work-from-home and lockdowns, let us not forget the smiles, helping hands and closeness we have been embracing long before that. May 2021 be a year of peace, joy and love." - Ceci

"To launch a production house and start working on the online shops." - Harmony

to keep "My passion for this year is iles, joy, and learning new things, bring sm radio show, peace to others through my pirational podcast, other people’s ins Challenge stories, quotes and puppetry. comfort zone. myself by stepping out of my t sustainable Help reduce waste, suppor businesses, clothing brands, grass root as a Publicity and continue helping others berley Peace Ambassador." - Kim

"Slow down. Learn a new skill. Laugh more!" - Q

Find your RESOLUTION "Be better and worry less :)" - Rika

21 "My word for 20 y is curiosity... m be resolution is to e th curious about ery future, take ev es, day as it com ent, be in the mom w go with the flo and never stop nja exploring" - A

It's February 2021 but we're still for improving! So we asked the team and our friends what their resolutions are "Get fitter b y resuming daily yoga , and turn my passio ns into a financially rewarding occupatio n... looking for my "ikigai" - L oulou

"Same me, better mindset - living in the present with mindfulness" - Latitia

"Wishing fo r no anima l to be harmed at the han d of humans, p ersonally, to educate people thro ugh socia l media on how the y can tran sition to Veganis m." - Corin ne

Share "Continue my wellnes s journey: Stay drama free, don’t sweat the small things. Eat healt hy, exercise, and drink at least 3 liters of water every day" - Debbie

Love & Gratitude

this Valentine's Write a note to someone you're thankful for this Valentine's. Your unique message will be shared anonymously (or not!) on Kids4Kids Youth Website to create a Wall of Gratitude from 14 Feb till 28 Feb. Each card will require a minimum donation of HKD10 to support the work of Kids4Kids in empowering children and youth in Hong Kong. Share love by writing your message today! Click here to Share the Love with Kids4Kids! Visit the Kids4Kids website for more information: kids4kidsyouth.org.hk/valentines-day-with-kids4kids

NEXT ISSUE IN THE

• Singer-songwriter producer talks to us

• Young activist shares her journey • Choosing the course that's right for you!

...and other stories!

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