Lotus April 2015
News
The Truth behind Tailoring Fashion Flats Mirror Image...
Contributors
Content
Editor
Letter from the President
Nada Louw
Invite 4
2
3
Editorial 5
Graphic Design / Layout
CAC Updates 6
Nadezhda Gerdes
Letters 8 Circle Activities 10
Articles
Art & Culture
Vanessa De Carvalho
Feature Articles
Rasa Flay
Paulina Pineda
Fashion Flats 18
Michele Spencer
Mirror Image 22
Kay Wood
In the Kitchen
Fiona Scott
Travel 30
The Truth behind Tailoring
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16
26
What’s On? 32
Artwork Design Akiko Tominaga What's On Katrin Talwart
Social 33
Letter
from the President “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” Gloria Steinem
March is Women’s History Month, and last March 8th HIWC also joined the celebrations with our second Family Fun Run. It was great to see so many of our member participating along with their families, especially since all the funds raised during the day went to help breast cancer patients here in Hanoi. This year International Women’s Day theme was “Make it Happen”, aiming at encouraging effective action to advance in women’s rights. While there are considerable achievements to celebrate so far, as women ourselves we have the responsibility to remember that there is still a great deal to be done and many challenges that women around the world, their families, and all of society are still facing. I have been lucky enough to meet quite a few amazing women that are daily striving to make this a better world, with many of them here in Vietnam. Using every resource within their reach to innovate and improve some of today’s most pressing issues or realizing wonderful opportunities to change the shape of our world. It is inspiring to see them speak up, proudly using their voices to join or initiate a conversation. They share, they debate. Whether they are male or female, their concern is about reaching out and ideas being adopted. They follow their passion and they find a seat at the right tables to bring it to life. “Make it happen” will ideally encourage us all to actively pursue our goals and aspirations. Hanoi definitely offers so many opportunities to do so. We can all make it happen. We can network, work together, share our skills as mentors or find one, get more involved in our local community, volunteer to help woman in need, here in our host country. There is so much more out there that we can get involved in. It is up to us. Paulina Pineda HIWC President
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Invite
April Coffee Morning
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Tucked away from busy city streets in Lang Nhi Tam behind the Sheraton hotel, is Maison de TET Decor – a casual spot to eat that won’t break the bank, yet is big on fresh flavours delivered with a friendly neighbourly smile.
When: 9th April Where: Le Maison de TET Villa 36 Tu Hoa, Nghi Tam Village Time: 10am to 12 noon - 9.30am for registration Cost: VND100,000 for guests, free for members. Please register TET Coffee Morning link
Letter
from our Editor
As the weather changes from a wonderfully mild winter to a moldy spring we are bracing ourselves for a summer that is probably as relentless as the previous ones. With this change in season our theme for the month is fashion - we are relooking our wardrobes and doing a spring cleaning, not only in our cupboards but also in the kitchen. Michele has given us some pointers in her article “Fashion Flats” on how to examine what we have in the closet and to toss items that we have been clinging onto and will never wear. Cameron takes a look at our kitchen and gives advice on cleaning out and organizing the pantry. Rasa explores new and upcoming designers and gives every newcomer to Hanoi some valuable advice in her article “Uniquely Hanoi” while Vanessa discusses the “The truth behind tailoring” This month we introduce Fiona Scott to our team of inspiring writers. In her article “The mirror image” she looks at our children, how the media influences them and their perception of their body image. With this new season comes a few changes in the Lotus news as well. I have stepped up to take on Michele’s position as editor and am honored to be involved and be afforded this great opportunity. Michele has done a splendid job on building the Lotus News to what it is now, her energy and talent clearly seen in the previous editions of our magazine but her travelling with her full time position as geologist no longer allows her the free time she previously had. Thank you Michele. We would love to hear from our diverse group of members of the HIWC, what they would like to see in future publications and perhaps even have a few members submitting and article or two. Nada Louw
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CAC
REACH for the future
Helping to empower young women in Vietnam by Marian Devine, Community Aid Committee Vice Chair
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Thanks to the community’s support and donations, a HIWC grant will assist 40 young women between the ages of 16 - 30 to have access to formal vocational training which will help change their future. REACH is a local non-government, non-profit organization which specializes in providing vocational training, career advice, and job placement for Vietnam’s most disadvantaged youth. REACH opened a Hairdressing and Nail Painting class specifically to help young women from disadvantaged backgrounds. The REACH hairdressing and Nail Painting classes are a special female-only class given at the REACH Hanoi center. The hairdressing students tend to be the group that stands out the most because they have the most fashionable hair styles and are beautifully made-up. Unfortunately, behind the fashionable and glamorous look, there are many sad stories. The Hairdressing class and Nail Painting students are from varied backgrounds. Some of the girls are young (16 years old) and while it is hard to imagine, they have experienced many difficulties in their short lives. Some of these girls are victims of human trafficking or domestic violence. They have experienced many “gloomy days” while being kept against their will over the border. For many of these girls, those who they trusted the most are the very people who hurt them the most. These experiences have made it very difficult for them to trust people and many of them are fearful and depressed. Some of the other girls, because of the lack of hope and the need for an income had to put aside their dignity and
CAC REACH for the future Helping to empower young women in Vietnam by Marian Devine, Community Aid Committee Vice Chair
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work in the sex trade. The REACH program is offering these young women an opportunity to change their lives and become more independent and therefore helping them to become empowered. REACH helps these women improve their quality of life by training them and helping them attain the necessary skills to join the work force. The training program is free and lasts for 3.5 months with a focus on the most needed skills in the beauty service sector. After graduation, REACH continues to support their students by helping them secure employment. It has been proven that having job skills and a job is essential to help young disadvantaged women gain confidence in themselves, which then permits them to help themselves, their families and in the long run help the Vietnamese community. The good news is that the program is working, the statistics indicate that 80% of REACH women graduates find jobs and are still working 6 months after graduation. The students at REACH want to thank you for your generous support and wish each member all the very best. Check out this link for more information about REACH. http://reach.org.vn
Letters
Through the eyes of a child Xuy Xá Orphanage
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My name is Anna Westhauser and I am 11 years old. I am adopted from Ethiopia, I have a Swiss passport and I speak German. I have a twin sister, Thea, and two older brothers. Their names are Marius and Valentin. My parent’s names are Martina and Juergen. When I came to Vietnam I wanted to something for orphans. We asked Father Alphonsus at our church and he showed us an orphanage in Xuy Xá. We have to drive 1.5 hours to get there. When we go there the nuns are always friendly and hug us. It is very poor there. Many children are sick. Some cannot move, some are blind, some are deaf. We go there at least every three months and bring food, things for cleaning and gifts. Of course we go there before Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays. We try to make the children happy and bring gifts like a swimming pool, play dough and homemade cake. We enjoy playing with the kids. Right now there is a new, cute little baby girl. Mami drove there to bring some milk for her because she needed to eat! e like to share this experience with others as well. We have taken other people along with us so they could meet the orphans. When my brother Valentin was here he came along as well. We will always support the orphanage with all we have and can. Maybe someday you will join as well and have fun playing with the children. We also collect money from the cans we have used. So maybe you can do the same and spend some money for the orphanage. And if you want to take a step further then adopt one and make them feel safe and give them a new home and a new family!!! Think about that. By Anna Westhauser, Hanoi February 18th 2015
Letters Through the eyes of a child Xuy Xá Orphanage
My name is Thea Westhauser. I was adopted from an orphanage in Addis Ababa. Sometimes I think to myself. I am actually really lucky to be adopted and have such a nice, thoughtful and adventurous family. However on the other hand some children in that orphanage are still there and they are still not adopted. So as I began thinking of the word orphanage, I thought maybe there is an orphanage in Hanoi where we can help the children. After some time we found a Vietnamese orphanage. The first day I felt frightened and nervous and on the other hand I felt grown up. I felt like we really are helping a whole orphanage. When we arrived there after a 1,5 hour car ride I heard a scream of a Vietnamese nun. She came clapping her hands walking towards us. It actually surprised me that she was so healthy looking and well cared. She gently smiled at us and shook mama’s and papa’s hand. I smiled back at her as she looked at me. Then we carried all the things in the orphanage. We bought a lot of things like: Cleaning things, food, clothes….. Sometimes I was difficult to give away some of my things. But I noticed that I have enough and they don’t. Most of all we brought food and playing things. The kids enjoyed every time we came and so did I. I LOVED watching and playing with the kids. It is something I don’t do every day. Many of the children are handicapped. All the children had sad and heartbreaking stories in their life. The leader of the orphanage has cancer and things are not easy when she is in a hospital. All I hope is that she won’t die. I’m sure all of the children and nuns are going to pray for her. Sometimes it’s hard to hear such terrifying stories about some of the children. Christmas is one of the best seasons in a year. You get presents, go to church and spend a lot of time with your family. Of course I had a spectacular Christmas. All I was thinking is how they were going to celebrate Christmas in the orphanage. Do they celebrate it at all? The answer is YES!!! They celebrate it with us. We brought a Christmas tree which Dad decorated. Then Papa was carrying a brown and heavy bag into the room where the handicapped children were. As he slowly opened the bag the children clapped their hands with excitement. And I just watched the kids how they enjoyed Christmas and the presents. I liked celebrating Christmas with them and Anna {my sister} and me played some songs on the violin and the guitar. Anna=violin Thea in other words me=guitar. My mom sang along. Right now there is a new born baby in the orphanage. Sometimes I get fed up with the baby because she always cries when I enter the room. Her hair is very long. Maybe she is setting a record!!! I put some pictures of my dad carrying the baby.{That’s when they already cut her hair!!!} If you want to help the orphanage that would be wonderful. I think this work is very rewarding. By Thea Westhauser February 18th 2015
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HIWC Newcomers Welcome HIWC Art/Culture Group First Thursday of the month
Meets several times per month This activity is held once per month
Newcomers to Hanoi are welcome for a friendly informal get together. This is an opportunity to meet others who are new to Hanoi as well as longer term residents. Come along and learn about HIWC activities,the expatriate community and facilities in Hanoi. Contact Lia Garcia and Penny McDonald at newcomers@hanoi-iwc.com for more information. 10
This Group meets to view art exhibitions, meet local artists and go on heritage walks through different cultural areas of the city and beyond. The dates and times change each month and can be found listed under the "Whats on in the HIWC". Please look out for specific emails to register for the activities or contact Rasa at rasaflay@gmail.com with suggestions and comments.
HIWC Afternoon Book Club
HIWC Non Native English Reading Group
Second Wednesday of each month Third Monday of the month at 2pm. This Group meets at 11am. Contact Dorothy Looney at dorothylooney8899@yahoo.com for more information.
HIWC Film Club
This is a multi national group of ladies who enjoy some guided discussion in a friendly and supportive circle. Contact Heather at laranati718@gmail.com
We get together to view and discuss a film. Venue, genre and cost will vary. Contact Dorothy or Suchi at deracine.hanoi@gmail.com for more information.
Circles Activities
for more information.
HIWC Roller Skating Group HIWC English Conversation HIWC Lunchtime Literary Discussion Group I am running Roller Derby & Roller Skating This Group meets on the last Monday lessons (free) at Patin Thu Le (next to the zoo) on Sundays 10am -11am. of the month from 11am to 1.30pm,
with lunch (either hosted by a member or agreed upon venue). This Group has essential agreements the members follow - primarily that the novel chosen will be read to completion by the next meeting time; level of proficiency in English is at least at university level; the membership is kept to a minimum of 10-12 persons; and members will abide by the ground rules of common courtesy. Contact Lillian Canada at
canada.lp@gmail.com for more information.
It's 15.000 dong for skate rink entry, and skate hire is available.
Women should bring protective knee, elbow & wrist pads, available at Sportmart and other sports stores on Trinh Hoai Duc. Heidi can provide anyone interested with further details and instructions on how to get there. Contact Heidi at heidi.hendry@gmail.com
Every Tuesday from 10am to 11.30am at 1B 31/28 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho
A morning of lively talk and laughter. This is a great way to spend some time with fellow expats where English is not their first language. New Members and Native English speakers are most welcome to join the group. A fun way to meet people. Often members go to lunch afterwards. Contact Nada at nada.offner@gmail.com OR Martina at j.m.westhauser@bluewin.ch for more information.
HIWC Vietnamese HIWC Beginners Quilting Group HIWC Cooking Classes Conversation Group AND Needle Crafters Group Every Friday at 2pm
A set meeting day is still being decided upon, but presently the NEEDLE Crafters meet This Group has restarted and on Monday mornings at alternating venue, has shown good interest. We like to encourage each other and and the QUILTING lessons are held on Friday try and learn or improve our Vietnamese. mornings in Ciputra at Lillian Canada’ s home. The venue changes from time to time. Classes and meetings are held from 9.30am to noon. Contact Lillian Canada at Contact Nikita at canada.lp@gmail.com nikita24480@gmail.com for more information about either for more information. Quilting or Needle Activities.
HIWC Poetry Lovers Society 3rd Thursday of each month at 6 to 8pm
HIWC Bridge
HIWC Mahjong
welcome - Teacher Angela in on hand to teach beginners and help you discover the fun. Contact Reiko at rfunakoshi39@gmail.com for information
Always very popular. It is important to register for this activity. Contact
cooking@hanoi-iwc.com for more information. 11
Every Monday and Friday 9am to 11am Informal group that meets occasionally
What matters most is that you love poetry. That you have some favorite poems you’ d like to share with others ...and that you hold some poets dear to your heart and you’ d love to introduce them to others of like mind. Contact Lillian Canada at canada.lp@gmail.com
Beginners and all levels are always
organised throughout the month.
HIWC Tennis (Intermediate) HIWC Cycling Group We play doubles games for two hours, two days per week. Intermediate or high level players are welcome. We play at No. 41 Tay Ho Street, Tay Ho District, (the end of Tay Ho Street). Bring your racquet, water and energy and come and play!! Contact Yuko Kanetaka at yukojody0204@yahoo.co.jp for more information.
Thursdays 1pm Hanoi Club
A variety of cooking classes
during the cooler months to cycle through the quieter side of Hanoi. We usually meet at Joma on To Ngoc Van at 9am/ Bring along your hat, water and enthusiasm to cycle. All levels are welcome. Contact Willie at willievroege@gmail.com for more information.
HIWC Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu
This Group meets twice a week from 10am to 12noon and from 1pm to 3pm Tuesday at 11am at Zenith Yoga It would be a Reiki Share/JSJ-Self On Wednesdays at Jaspas Hanoi Tower and Friday at Al Frescos Tay Ho. Help Healing Circle. A very social group, we play in the morning The idea is to offer Reiki Share 2 weeks stop for lunch and a chat and then have a in a row followed by Jin Shin Jyustu Self few games in the afternoon. Help also 2 weeks consecutively. You can come one day, Participants do not need to have any both days or half day, it does not matter. experience with either healing modality. Contact Fran Compton at fransteady@hotmail.com If interested, Please contact Karen at for more information. Karen@a-roamingbodyworker.com
Art &Culture Uniquely Hanoi by Rasa Flay
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Asian fashion. The concept is as vast as the range of manifestations in ideas, styles, trends, and applications. Pinterest has a separate column dedicated to Asian Fashion style, there are around two hundred bloggers writing exclusively about fashion trends in China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and a few hundred more fashion magazines being published every month. The fashion trends prevalent in a particular country can tell us a lot about its cultural preferences, societal complexities, and aesthetic language. Fashion in Vietnam after the Doi Moi period has been going through accelerated changes due to rapid socio-economic development of the country, impetuous growth of the urban population, and connectivity of the young generation to the rest of the world through digital communications. Influences of the Western fashion and brands, popularity of K-Pop phenomenon, influx of Japanese aesthetics, local clothing market avalanched by cheap clothes from China – those additives are just a few shaping the fashion culture in Vietnam. Only as far back as 5 to 7 years, there was not a lot of creatives working in a local fashion community who would have said that one day clothing inspired by indigenous cultures and local ethnic minorities would be called “fashionable” or “latest trend”. Now more and more designers get their inspiration from traditional Vietnamese textiles and clothing construction techniques. “Future Traditions”, “Chula”, and “Kilomet 109” are very well known fashion labels among the expat community, featuring traditional textiles or aesthetic elements of indigenous cultures in their collections. What attracts designers to the elements of indigenous cultures is its uniqueness of the aesthetics of each ethnic group juxtaposed with universal appeal expressed through the common visual language among various cultures via condensed symbolism of the cultural archetypes. A growing number of young fashion designers working in a large urban metropolis like Hanoi strive to create, to reproduce in their creations the same combination of the uniqueness of their own traditional culture (patriotism) and universality (internationalism of the urbanity). I would like to introduce to our readers three independent, young, undeniably talented fashion designers, founding themselves at different stages of developing their own brands, but all together contributing to a formation of the “Uniquely Hanoi” style.
Art & Culture Uniquely Hanoi by Rasa Flay
Tucked deep in the heart of the Old Quarter, at the end of one of ten thousand skinny alleys penetrating Hanoi’s center, one can find a small, charming courtyard surrounded by structures of all shapes and sizes, with the main house, built around 1930’s, serving as an anchor and unifying element to bring all those shapes to order. A small shop with two big windows adorned in French style shutters overlooks the courtyard, where its owner Chi sits down to share a cup of tea with the shop’s visitors. Chi's Shop, called Xuan Cham Bi, is a young accessories designer, and her cozy shop is filled with scarfs, shawls, and pelerines of her own designs. Her inspiration comes from a variety of sources: traditional Vietnamese attires from historical periods, contemporary aesthetics of minimalism, coziness and expressivity of color. The fabrics she chooses for her creations come mainly from Korea, and at the moment Chi is satisfied with the balance of the price and quality it has to offer. The shapes of the scarfs and pelerines she designs are based on versatility in usage, when one piece of accessory can be worn in a more than several ways depending on the whole outfit. Chi is constantly inventing, working with new combinations of colors and shapes, and her shop’s assortment gets frequent updates to deliver a surprise to a new visitor or returning customer alike. Xuan Cham Bi shop is located at the No 19, alley 21 Hàng Trống, Hoan Kiem. www.facebook.com/xuongchambi
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Art & Culture Uniquely Hanoi by Rasa Flay
14 A creative force of the fashion label MONO is a graduate of the Hanoi Architectural University, Nguyen Thu Hien. Hien started MONO nearly two years ago. Since then she has gathered a dedicated, supportive team, closely working on new designs and expanding the business. Their clothes are sophisticated yet playful, executed using unexpected shapes or fabric combinations. MONO label carries clothes made from organic, natural materials, with a prevalent use of linens, cottons, and wools. The cuts of the shirts, pants, vests, jackets, or coats show quality craftsmanship and a profound understanding of how clothing can become an expression of one’s individuality using different elements from other mediums of arts, like architecture, sculpture, painting or product design. These qualities of MONO designs can explain the fact why many creative personalities in Hanoi, i.e., artists, architects, musicians and design professionals wear MONO clothes to feel special and unique, yet comfortable in a fast-paced rhythm of life in Hanoi. MONO clothing. 14 Quang Trung. Hoan Kiem. Ha Noi www.facebook.com/mono.hanoi
Art & Culture Uniquely Hanoi by Rasa Flay
Around the corner from the Press Club, on Ly Dao Thanh street there is a tiny window display that cannot escape unnoticed. It stands in such a sharp contrast to the mobile phone shop next to it, transferring a viewer to a place where time slows down, to a place full of calmness and sensibility. The deep, rich textures of wooden window frames serve as a perfect backdrop for a woolen shawl exuding coziness and warmth, stark shapes of the round black metal lamps with exposed lightbulbs enhance the softness of the fabric and organic qualities of the time worn wood. A few steps inside the shop and a subtle smell of leather and coffee invites a visitor to explore more, to look and touch the items created or selected by Nguyen Mai Phuong, owner and designer of aN Boutique. Phuong has been working in the field of interior design for a number of years before venturing into the fashion world. She presents her shop as a lifestyle boutique, where every piece displayed carries a story about its origins and creators. Phuong’s inspiration to create her latest clothing line came from studying clothes made by ethnic minorities in Vietnam’s North. Her jackets and coats are cut not by following a conventional construction of the Western jackets, but using rather relaxed, seamless construction in the shoulder line of the jackets worn by Hmong or Dao ethnic communities. Phuong says she never takes measurements of her clients, it is enough for her to take a look at client’s figure and she already knows how to cut the garment for the best fit. Phuong also designs leather bags and shoes, produced using quality leathers and hardware. At her shop, she also carries ceramic home wares, decorative textiles, specialty coffee, and honey from Thailand. aN Boutique is located at No 8 Ly Dao Thanh street, next to Starbucks coffee. https://www.facebook.com/aN1708
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Feature
The Truth behind Tailoring By Vanessa De Carvalho
“I’m going to see my tailor. She’s going to make my wedding dress,” a friend told me shortly after I first moved to Hanoi. 16
At first, I thought I had misunderstood. Surely, she meant that the tailor was going to alter her wedding dress, not make it from nothing. My friend quickly corrected me. Yes, her tailor was going to make her wedding dress from fabrics she chose. In fact, her tailor had made her many things before this dress. The idea that I could get absolutely anything made in my choice of fabric was one that took me by surprise, a very pleasant surprise. I’m not what some would call a shopaholic. My clothing shopping sprees happen once, maybe twice a year, when I have enough energy to brave the busy malls and buy all the things I like/want/need (within reason of course). I’m also not someone I would consider to be extremely fashionable as I would much rather spend my weekend wearing a comfortable pair of jeans, sneakers, and a cozy sweatshirt. However, this idea seemed a lot more pleasant than falling in love with how something looked on a mannequin in the shop only to leave the changing room disappointed at how it actually fit. I loved the idea that a tailor could make me something that would fit in just the right way. I loved the option of looking for a picture (or trying to sketch) the exact item I wanted rather than settle for something on the rack, which wasn’t quite what I was looking for but would do. So, I decided I would accompany my friend on her next trip to her tailor. In preparation for this meeting, I started saving pictures of women’s fashion. These were the items I would love to have made, but slightly differently: in a different colour, a bit longer, with a different sleeve, etc. Equipped with a few favourite pictures, I went to the Old Quarter joined by a few other girls new to Hanoi. We met the tailor, talked about what we wanted, and then headed to the fabric market. I shopped around for various fabrics to make summer dresses as well as an Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese dress). I left the Old Quarter feeling excited and anxiously awaiting the moment my items would be ready. The Ao Dai, which I urgently needed, came back within a week and was beautiful. However, a few weeks later, my dreams of a “just-for-me” closet went down the drain. Out of the two dresses I had ordered, one dress wasn’t quite what I had wanted, but would do, which was exactly what would sometimes happen when I shopped in malls. The other however, was something I could never wear. It was far from fitting the way it should. After this ex-
The Fabric Market Photo by Vanessa De Carvalho
Napping at the Fabric Market Photo by Vanessa De Carvalho
Feature The Truth behind Tailoring By Vanessa De Carvalho
perience, I decided to stay away from tailoring for a while. However, my friend kept going back for various successful items of clothing or even decorative pieces for the wedding. So I decided to give it another try. A few months later, I was now the one telling someone who had recently moved to Hanoi that I was going to see my tailor in town. The conversation we had was similar to the one I had had with my friend a year before, but my role had been reversed. I was the one explaining the truth behind tailoring, according to my experience with a few different tailors, as well as tips I gathered from friends over my time here. First of all, manage your expectations. The first few items will not come out looking exactly like the picture. Also, as your tailor gets to know you and your body, they might not fit exactly right and you might have to go back for a few fittings. Secondly, be as precise as you can. A picture is the best way to show your thinking. Also, you might want to consider going to the fabric market to choose your pattern and material. If not, you will have to instill ultimate trust in your tailor’s judgment. This can be a disappointment, especially if you still don’t have a relationship with the tailor. Also, you want to make sure that your tailor knows fabric well and will help you choose the right fabric for the item you want. (On a side note, going to the fabric market is one of my favourite things to do: it’s the essence of Hanoi trapped in a building. It’s loud, busy, and colourful. There are things I don’t understand, and after a while, I’m exhausted and need a break somewhere less crowded and a lot quieter! However, while I’m there, I always manage to experience and see something new.) A last tip: allow plenty of time. I find that asking for things to be made on short notice is almost always asking for trouble. You’ll never know just how many other people have ordered things. Your order will still be accepted, but might be done in a rush, not be ready on time, or not quite as you imagined with no time to touch it up.
Oh The Choices Photo by Vanessa De Carvalho
In my opinion, tailoring can be a great experience and with time, you can also begin to build a relationship with your tailor. For example, my tailor will invite me to events that allow me to experience Vietnamese culture in a different way. However, it is not as easy as what it first sounds like. It requires a lot more time and effort than simply having a fairy godmother waving around her wand and draping you in a beautiful gown. I know that some people prefer waiting until they are home and stocking up on coveted items. I know that I myself sometimes would love the option of running to a nearby mall, going to my favourite shop, and buying what they have. Other times, when I really like something someone else is wearing, it’s good to know that I can get that item copied to fit me and have it in my favourite colour too. Furthermore, while in Hoi An recently, the tailoring capital of Vietnam, I realized that getting things made in Hanoi was actually a lot easier and cheaper in some ways, all because I now have an established relationship with someone I trust. So if tailoring is something you haven’t tried yet but would like to, I would recommend you start by asking around. Your friends might have names and numbers of tailors in Hanoi whom they have come to trust. They can give you helpful tips regarding that specific tailor. Then, just start saving pictures and noticing your friends’ amazing outfits. Before you know it, you will find out whether or not tailoring is truly for you. And if it is, you can have a “justfor-you” closet full of clothes.
Feature
Fashion Flats By Michele Spencer
It’s been said that women have two problems – nothing to wear and nowhere to hang all the clothes! “It’s funny because it’s true!” (Leslie Chow – The Hangover)
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I think it’s easy to have a ‘fashion flat’ here in Vietnam. It’s like a bad hair day for your wardrobe. I have them a lot. I wake up, go to my closet to get dressed and find nothing to wear, nothing is comfortable and nothing fits right (did I gain 10 pounds in my sleep??). Normally in my home country I am constantly replenishing and updating my wardrobe, here however, the fashion is very classic… which is not my style and although there are a few contemporary Vietnamese designers who make great statement pieces, my size 12 Aussie butt just won’t squeeze into them. That said, in Australia, even though clothes shopping was such a joy, I sometimes had these ‘fashion flats’ – here is how I rectified them… Start with a wardrobe cleanout. This is imperative. It creates a space to start your new, fashionable life. You will need girlfriends and wine and at least 3 hours. Try everything on. Create three piles: keep, bin and recycle (i.e give to a charity). Throw out everything that doesn’t fit properly, yes especially that gorgeous little green top that cost you a million dollars (and never fit you) that you’ve been holding onto for years just in case you lost 10 pounds. Actually make that four piles – one pile for tailoring. In this pile put anything that needs adjusting or copying (we are in Asia after all) – maybe the green top can go here to be remade in an appropriate size? In the cleanout don’t forget to include underwear, shoes, bags and any accessories.
Rules for the cleanout are: a. If you haven’t worn it for more than 12 months – chances are you won’t wear it again, it’s seen its day and should go. b. If it has holes (and wasn’t bought that way), stains or is threadbare – it should go. c. If your girlfriends think it adds 10 pounds to you (no-one told you this until the wardrobe cleanout!) – again, bin it! d. If you have had it for more than 10 years and it isn’t a vintage item or cyclic (i.e. flare jeans, ‘decades’ style dresses i.e. 20’s, 50’s and 70’s) – please (please) get rid of it. The exception is obviously your wedding dress, other mementos or fancy dress clothing. e. Keep nothing from the 90’s (it’s all bad!) f. Underwear has a 12 month shelve life – if you have it longer than this it is very likely that one day your girl bits will
Feature Fashion Flats By Michele Spencer
disintegrate (just kidding) – but seriously 12 months is it… your husband will back me up here. g. Shoes also have a shelf life, unless they are incredibly well made (read expensive). It’s definitely longer than 12 months but probably less than a few years. You’ll know when it’s time, the shoe fixing guys in the old Quarter will stop pointing at your feet and simply shake their head and offer you the sandals off their feet (at an enormously inflated price of course!) h. As a general rule - if in doubt, put it in a bag and store it in your cupboard, if you haven’t missed it in a month (…or 2, and it’s not a seasonal item) – ditch it. Next step is to go through each of the ‘keep’ items and see what pieces in your wardrobe can be worn together. You’ll need paper and a pen to write down any new items of clothing you will need. Here are some basic ‘tips’ to help you decide how to style and what to wear and buy. 1. Every girl should own a pair of jeans (preferably straight leg or skinny jeans), a little black dress, a white shirt, a great blazer (or leather motorcycle jacket), a pair of black and a pair of nude heels (not sure what style to buy - pumps go with almost any outfit), an oversized bag, a statement clutch (quirky and colourful) and a stylish pair of flats. 2. Basics are essential (black ,white or neutral tops etc). Buy good quality and if you love it buy two. 3. Buying something you already own (i.e. a second black pair of pants only slightly different from the first) is ‘wardrobe competition’ and chances are you will always opt for your favourite pair. Except for your basics, each item in your wardrobe should be individual. This increases the variety and lessens the chances of a ‘fashion flat’. 4. Skinny jeans are for every shape! If you are 20 years old wear a short fitted top, if you are 50 wear a looser style that half covers your butt or wear a long cardigan - with boots ankle or long. It doesn’t matter.
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Feature Fashion Flats By Michele Spencer
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5. Black and Navy (or brown) are fine together – classic even. I recently heard the ‘bruise’ rule – it’s hilarious (again because it’s true) but I think it’s an old fashioned sentiment. 6. Red and green can definitely be seen without a colour in between. 7. You can wear your hair long after 40. 8. You should never match your shoes, bag and belt… unless you are the Queen (or going to the races) 9. You can mix prints, but do it with care (you don’t want to look like a kaleidoscope or like you got dressed in the dark). Try a muted colour teamed with a bold, and something plain in between. 10. As you get older your hemlines need not get longer. From 3 inches above the knee to just below it is the thinnest and most flattering part of your leg… at any age. 11. You can wear tights with an open toe shoe – only peep toe and no reinforced toes (or toe seams) allowed. It’s modern and looks great. 12. Mixing metals for your accessories is not only acceptable, it’s eclectic and funky. (i.e. put gold with silver or rose gold) 13. If you are an apple shape (i.e. carry weight in your tummy) loose waistlines generally look best (think floaty capes and tops). Tummy weight is the easiest to disguise and shapewear is your friend. Wear clothing to accentuate your shoulders or legs. 14. For pear shapes, wear styles fitted to the waist and keep the pattern and fuss to the top half of your body.
Feature Fashion Flats By Vanessa De Carvalho
15. For pencils or column shaped girls (i.e. supermodels) - wear whatever the hell you want it will look great! 16. If you are a wine glass (big bust and small hips and legs), keep it plain up top and minimise pattern and volume in this area (no frills or fluff). 17. Hour glass shapes – accentuate your waist and avoid really loose floaty clothing. The V neckline is perfect for your shape. 18. Avoid a uniform (i.e. wearing the same style pant and shirt etc. Every. Single. Day!) 19. If you are stuck in a fashion rut or short on ideas, check out the internet. Fashion blogs are huge and have lots of fantastic pictures and images to get ideas from. Create a wish list from here to either have made or to buy when you are in a country where you can shop. 20. Lastly and most importantly, wear what makes you feel good. Most of the ‘fashion’ rules of bygone eras are no longer valid. Fashion now is about your personality and how you feel in your clothing. The key to personal styling is understanding your body shape and wearing only what makes you feel a million dollars. Getting dressed in the morning should not be a chore or something you do automatically and out of necessity. It should be fun!
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Feature
Mirror Image By Fiona Scott
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This face in the mirror stares at me Demanding, Who are you? What will you become? And taunting, You don’t even know!. Chastened, I cringe and agree And then Because I’m still young, I stick out my tongue! Eve Merriam, ‘Conversation with myself’
I’m too short! I’m too tall! My nose is too big, my eyes are too small! We are all familiar with this well –known ‘drama stage’ of adolescence. Teenagers and teenagers-to-be, grapple with issues and questions related to Body Image due to the changes experienced during puberty. Body Image can be defined as a person’s concept of and attitude towards his or her physical appearance. What influences the image we have of ourselves? A combination of factors are responsible- what we tell ourselves, the opinion of parents, siblings, peers’ and of course the media. This inner voice or body image keeps changing its opinion as we grow from adolescents to adults. Social media these days plays a major role in the formation of body image. Digital profiles, selfies, online beauty contests, Apps that can remove imperfections and even change the contours of your face…the list is extensive. Kids these days not only struggle with their physical body images but their digital body images as well. Sensitive teenagers have even been known to post videos of themselves asking the online community to judge their attractiveness. What results is, a fragile narcissism based only on the opinion of others. Flip through the pages of a teen magazine, the concept of beauty is characterised by a slim girl with perfect hair and perfect skin. Males are depicted as tall, muscular and broad shouldered. It is no wonder then that our children are developing unrealistic body images, failing to realise that it took an army of make- up artists, hairdressers, fashion stylists and off course digital airbrushing to produce these final images. When does negative body image become a concern and how can we distinguish normal teenage drama from an unhealthy body -image problem? Following are a few indicators that may help to shed some light: 1. When Body image becomes an obsession and interferes with daily life. 2. Withdrawal from activities that were once a source of enjoyment. 3. Excessive withdrawal from social interaction. 4. Obsession with surgery to change undesirable body parts like the nose, lips, chest or stomach 5. Excessive withdrawal from food in order to lose body weight.
Feature Mirror Image By Fiona Scott
6. Binge eating followed by purging. It is important to remember, that body image issues affect both boys and girls. Unchecked, the above symptoms can lead to disorders like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Seeking the advice of a mental health professional is crucial to dealing with the above body image disorders. How then, can we as parents perform the delicate balancing act of raising our children’s self-esteem, praising them to the skies yet keeping them grounded in reality? 1. Just as there is no perfect parent, there is no perfect child. Embrace your child with all his failures and shortcomings. This unconditional acceptance goes a long way to aid in the understanding that a perfectionist attitude leads to stress and anxiety. 2. Encourage your child to push his boundaries, accept academic and physical challenges. This will reinforce the concept that learning is incremental. 3. Avoid harsh criticism, unrealistic goals and a narrow focus on evaluation. Discuss realistic goals and how they can be reached with sustained effort. This gives them an insight into what can and cannot be changed. 4. Insist on regular grooming and hygiene as essential to a positive body image. Exercise and healthy eating to reach weight goals. 5. Encourage participation in team sport, performance and literary arts. This will help them to find peers with similar interests. 6. Just as too much criticism can damage self- esteem, too much praise can lead to arrogance and over confidence. Keep your praise genuine constructive. 7. Last but not least…avoid comparison. Each child is unique and precious. Comparison only robs them of their individuality. Check whether your over-criticism stems from your own insecurities and negative body image. Finally, trust your instincts as a parent, be well informed but also be aware that you know more about what is best for your child than anyone else. Keep the lines of communication open and relax…remember… you were once a teenager. This too, shall pass.
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Feature
Holi
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Holi, the festival of colors, is a traditional festival celebrated by Hindus in India and a few other countries. The most popular activity in this festival is people throwing colored powder at each other. It was celebrated on the 10th of March in Hanoi at the Waterpark in Hanoi.
Feature Holi
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Project Sprouts
Making Eduction Possible
Launches Crowdfunding Campaign to Help Children in Son La By Rachel Rogers
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As a response to the needs observed in Vietnam, Project Sprouts was formed last year as a local non-profit dedicated to facilitating educational opportunities by providing school supplies and other necessities to disadvantaged students. After delivering supplies to three deserving schools in December, Project Sprouts wanted to continue its efforts by launching a crowdfunding campaign on March 11, to provide new backpacks and school supplies to 300 children in the rural province of Son La. Crowdfunding is a new fundraising method that utilizes the power and reach of the internet to raise money and awareness for noteworthy causes. The idea is that if many people donate a little, funds can be raised quickly and efficiently. Within 12 days of Project Sprouts’ 31-day campaign, $5,000 was raised to provide 300 children with the educational tools they need to be successful at school. However, Project Sprouts’ intention is to also promote sustainability. “We started this campaign with the aim to go a step further if we were to reach our Phase I goal of $5,000,” said Justin Rogers, a founding member of Project Sprouts. The non-profit’s objective is to raise an additional $6,000 for construction of a four-toilet restroom facility with septic for a school lacking such infrastructure. “This would help establish a safe and clean environment conducive to learning,” Rogers added.
Project Sprouts Making Eduction Possible Launches Crowdfunding Campaign to Help Children in Son La By Rachel Rogers
Most of the families in the Son La hillside community, approximately 280 km west of Hanoi, live on less than a $1 a day and often lack even the most basic of necessities, let alone tools for learning. “We are just trying to give a helping hand and encouraging others to do the same, said Rogers. The campaign ends on April 10 and to date, Project Spouts has raised over $5,300. If you would like to contribute to the effort please visit Project Sprouts’ website at www.project-sprouts.com and click on the Support Our Campaign on Indiegogo link.
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In the Kitchen... With Chef Cameron By Chef Cameron Stauch
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Leaving a post and packing up your house is a fantastic opportunity to sort through items that don’t leave you asking upon your arrival “now why exactly did I bring this with us”? A quick look through your kitchen cabinets gives you first hand evidence of how unnecessary kitchen gadgets are collected and continually moved from home to home. Having taken a look through the recipes of many popular cookbooks I share with you my list of essential kitchen equipment to assist you in deciding what to pack for your upcoming move and provide you with tips of where to purchase kitchen equipment when moving overseas.
A Fresh Start
Sometimes it’s simply easier to start with a blank slate. Upon learning that her family was moving from Mozambique to New York City, and to a much smaller apartment, a friend decided to sell the entire contents of her kitchen. Pots, pans, muffin tins, crockery and silverware. Even her beloved red Kitchen Aid mixer. Arriving in New York she walked into the housewares department at Macy’s and said to the saleswoman “I need you to help me set up my kitchen. I have nothing.” Needless to say the saleswoman made a hefty commission that day. Sadly, in many places it’s not that simple to purchase and equip an entire kitchen. But if you find yourself in this position an affordable place to start is at the local wholesale market or street that specializes in cooking equipment and crockery. You’ll be able to find many of the items on the list, however, some may not be of the quality you are used to and you may end up purchasing a new one fairly soon as they break.
General Cooking Equipment
The items below can be purchased affordably at a local market kitchen shop. Stainless steel (and wooden) spoons, bowls, tongs are relatively widespread. Avoid any plastic cooking tools as they with either break or melt. Even plastic colanders and bowls are economically useful if you plan on getting rid of them after your time in your new home. Look for pots and pans that are stainless steel and heavy bottomed. The markets are flooded with thin aluminum pans that are harder to control cooking temperatures and will easily, and regularly, burn your meals. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
1 Metal spoon and 1 slotted spoon Ladle Asian spider A flip spatula Metal tongs Whisk (size) 2 Wooden spoons 3 cutting boards (one for vegetables; one for fruits/ bread; another for meat/seafood) Colander strainer Metal bowls (2 or 3 different sizes) 1 quart heavy bottomed pot (ALL with lids) 4 quart heavy bottomed pot 6 quart heavy bottomed pot 1 10 inch frying pan (oven proof handles) Plastic reusable containers various sizes Manual citrus juicer Black pepper grinder
In the Kitchen... With Chef Cameron By Chef Cameron Stauch
Knives, Scissors and Peelers If you consider cooking to be a serious hobby, do not like people using your knives, and plan on hiring a local cook buy some separate knives for them to use so that the knives are not accidentally ruined. And don’t forget a sharpener to keep them well honed. Typically I find the vegetable peelers to be of poor quality and impossible to find a microplane zester. • • • • • • •
Solid 20 cm (8 inch) chef’s knife 2 small paring knives Serrated bread knife Knife sharpener or steel or whetstone Pair of multi purpose scissors Vegetable peeler (I really like Swiss vegetable peelers) A microplane zester
Small Electronic Appliances For small appliances it’s best to head to a large department or electronics store to get a sense of the brands that are sold. If you plan on bringing some of your own small appliances (Kitchen Aid mixer; Vita Mix blender; bread maker) you may need to invest in a heavy-duty electric current converter to make sure the appliance works. • • • • • • • • •
Blender or Hand Immersion Blender Hand held mixer beaters (or Kitchen Aid mixer for baking diehards) Mini Food Processor Toaster Tea Kettle (electric or for stove) Coffee Maker Espresso/ Cappuccino machine (optional) Coffee or spice grinder Rice Cooker
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In the Kitchen... With Chef Cameron By Chef Cameron Stauch
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Measuring Tools I highly recommend that you purchase all of these (except maybe the scale) in your home country. Not only will your recipe books refer to these measurements but, again, I find it a challenge to find many stores that carry these important tools, particularly for baking. If you have a cook you may want to leave them the sets of measuring tools for them to continue using and making the recipes they learned from you. • • • •
Set of measuring spoons Set of measuring cups 1 Litre (1 quart) liquid measuring cup Electric kitchen scale (optional)
Non-Essential Essentials Your choice for these items in the local market may be limited. A salad spinner is a great tool, for leafy greens and herbs, to have in your kitchen especially in places where you need to sanitize, wash and dry your vegetables. • • • • • • • •
Strong can opener Wine Bottle Corkscrew and Beer Cap Opener Salad spinner Heat resistant silicone spatula Potato Masher or food mill Four in one box Cheese Grater 1 X inch cast iron pan Roasting Pan
Basic Baking Equipment In the kitchens of many non-western countries ovens are still a rarity, as is good quality bakeware. If you have an oven in your kitchen there’s a good chance it will be smaller than the one you’re used to. If you, or someone in your family is a serious baker, I suggest bringing these with you as they may be quite expensive. Consider buying a smaller sized baking sheets and roasting pan to fit a potential smaller sized oven. • 2 baking sheets 11 by 16.5 • Casserole pan (ie 9 X 13) (23 X 33cm) • 23 cm (9 inch) round pie pan (I like to substitute tart tin with removable base) • 23 cm (9 inch) square baking pan • 23 by 13 cm (9 X 5 inch) loaf pan • Spring Form round baking pan (9 or 10 inch) • One 12 cup muffin pan • Rolling Pin • Pastry brush • 2 silicon mats
In the Kitchen... With Chef Cameron By Chef Cameron Stauch
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What’s on
in Hanoi in April? Sat 4rd Apr Trio Vivo from Denmark plays Music of the Romanticism, 8pm, Goethe Institute
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Tue 7th Apr Movie “Elena (2011)” Thu 9th Apr Coffee Morning at La Maison de TET Until Thu 9th Apr Exhibition “Hanoi Design. Now”, at Work Room Four Hanoi Design. Now is the first locally focused Product, Interior, Graphic and Architectural design exhibition. The designs on display will all be created by artisans and designers currently working in Vietnam. For more information Fri 10thApr Berlin Clubnacht c/o Hanoi Sound Stuff Festival 2015, 4pm-10.30pm Sat 11th Apr Thylacine (Festival Hanoi Sound Stuff), 8pm, L’Espace Until Sun 12th Apr Exhibition “PONG-PING” by Plonk and Replonkat at L’Espace For more information Tue 14th Apr Exhibition “Reporters de guerre”, L’Espace. For more information Click Here Sun 18th Apr - HIF Garage Sale - Australiana Ball, 7pm, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake - Hanoi Vertical Run @ Landmark 72 Observatory, 3pm - The AmCham Gala at JW Marriott Hanoi, 6pm - Jazz Music with “The Drops”, 8pm, L’Espace Thu Mon 23h Apr Auction Lunch Until Thu 30h Apr Solo Exhibition “The Land of Energy” of Ngoc Nau at CUC Gallery. For more information
Social
March Coffee Morning
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Social
HIWC 2nd Family Fun Run On March the 8th, to celebrate Women’s International Day, the HIWC held their second Family Fun Run. The event was held at the Ciputra Estate and was generously sponsored by the Ciputra Club and Vinmec International Hospital.
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It was a cool morning with a drizzle which did not deter more than 100 entries to join in on the fun with their families. There was an amazing atmosphere where, men, women, children and dogs enjoyed the morning, from the warm up by Tania right through to the raffle prizes that were drawn all in aid of cancer. It is great to see a community get together for this worthy cause and it is sure to become a highlight on the social calendar. Thanks to Vinmec and Ciputra Club for your wonderful support!
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