Cynthia Green. “The Surprising History of the Kimono.” JSTOR Daily. December 8, 2017.  

https://daily.jstor.org/the-surprising-history-of-the-kimono/

Ellis, Claire, and Global Directions, Inc. "Ao Dai: The National Costume." Razor Tie Artery Foundation Announce New Joint Venture Recordings | Razor & Tie. Accessed January 25, 2019.

https://web.archive.org/web/20080705105011/http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/1083

This article is also about the Ao dai itself, bringing in some historical background. Overall mentioning how the to pronounce the outfit name, as well as the difference in regions. It mentions a lot about the how the ao dai is seen as a national costume and how it is perceived from the citizens of Vietnam. The article has stuff on the comfort of the outfit, how it’s shaped, cut and also how it looks physically, from the fabric choices to the neck cut choices. The ao dai is perceived now to the Vietnamese citizens as “elegant, demure and yet sexy outfit, that suits Vietnamese women of all ages.”

Huyen. "The History of Ao Dai – Vietnam’s National Dress." Discover Halong. December 28, 2016. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://discover-halong.com/featured/the-history-of-ao-dai-vietnams-national-dress.html.

https://discover-halong.com/featured/the-history-of-ao-dai-vietnams-national-dress.html

I chose to use this link/website as it is very difficult to find information on the ao dai when in the states. It breaks up the history of the ao dai by time period of change, how it looked, what it was called and how society viewed it. Starting from the original design, ao tu than. It ends with the now more modernized version of the ao dai, seen with leggings or skinny jeans. It shows the changes with style, who was either first shown with the change or created the change. As well as photo evidence of those designs during those periods.

Thuy Design House. "CO BA SAI GON." Thuy Design House. Accessed January 25, 2019. http://www.thuydesignhouse.com/album/co-ba-sai-gon-45.

This is the collection of the outfits created in partnership with the movie Co Ba Saigon. I’m using this collection and a few other collections from Thuy Design House to take inspiration for my sketches of the Ao dai. This collection shows the different ao dais and dresses inspired by the 60s era in Vietnam. Where it started to modernize a bit more. The owner of Thuy Design House has an emanicd love for the ao dais, this she created this company. As well as an ao dai museum. To show citizens of Vietnam and foreigners the beauty of our nation’s costume.

Week, Vietnam International Fashion. "THUY DESIGN HOUSE | VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK FALL WINTER 2017." YouTube. November 02, 2017. Accessed January 25, 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLppGeBp4oE

This is a video the walk from the Vietnam International Fashion show in 2017. Clothes created in partnership with the film Co Ba Saigon. The ao dais are the 60s twist on the ao dai, made by the Thuy Design house. Thuy Design House is dedicated to the ao dai and it’s timeless beauty. This presents the fashions used within the movie and not with the movie, just using it as inspiration. The movie wouldn’t have been made without the partnership and love for the ao dai by the director and Thuy Design house. In the end the love for the ao dai create a beautiful show.

Here I am, all dressed in an uncomfortable black outfit. The weather is fitting for the day. It’s raining, really heavily might I add. My father with a slightly stone cold face. Trying to pretend like he isn’t hurting right now. The surrounding people dressed in black, holding umbrellas and tissues. The man standing next to Dimitri is giving a speech, his words, along with the sobs of others began to grow fuzzy. He’s a cruel, cruel man. My cruel brother. Leaving me all alone.

Outside, I was forced outside. His shouts could be heard by the neighbors. Tears rolling down my face, as I crouched to the ground, hands covering my ears. My eyes were tightly shut. A curdling scream released. In the distance I could see my father frantically trying to call someone. Help.

“Bastard! This is your fault!” His voice was filled with hatred. It wasn’t… It wasn’t my fault! I had nothing to do with this! I need to help him… I was like trying to reach out, yet he wouldn’t grab my hand. I can’t hold onto him any longer. The window now shattered out of rage. My heart was beating fast, my breathing was labored. My eyes forced open, taking one good look at Dimitri. My eyes locked with his, never leaving the brown eyes that once shined. Dimitri wouldn’t listen, he kept screaming. Placing all blame on us. Guilt… It was eating at my stomach. I knew, I knew I shouldn’t be guilty. Yet, with him screaming at me. Taunting me. I couldn’t help it. Time went slower than normal. The screams stopped. My body shot up. Dimitri could no longer be seen from the window and I didn’t hear footsteps on the stairs. Dimitri… The only person I cared about. Feet running as fast as possible to the door. Not caring if I stepped on glass and bleed.

“Dimitri! Dimitri! Open the door! Please! Please, let me know you’re okay!” I dryly shouted, pounding on the door. Fresh tears running down my face once more. No answer.

A Tale of Love and Deception

Comparing "Taming of the Shrew" to "Love Love You"

As "The Taming of the Shrew" brings the idea of expectations on relationships that the women or women role in a relationship should be obedient to the male role. Petruchio sets the expectations for Katherine, that since he is the husband/man the wife/lady should be obedient to them. Katherine ends up being obedient to Petruchio’s every call. Unlike Bianca and the widow to their respected husbands, Lucentio and Hortensio. Love Love You is a Thai film about a Gump and Nai’s relationship with new complications coming into their lives. Gump moves into a new apartment with a guy and Nai’s old flame comes back from China. In the movie Gump is seen as the women role in the relationship, while Nai takes up the man role based off of actions. Gump follows Nai like a lost puppy in love most of the time, too shy to do anything or say something when it’s needed to be said. Nai on the other hand does what he wants eventually causing problems within their relationship.

In both Love Love You and Taming of the Shrew, relationship expectations are known. With the Taming of the Shrew, both Katherine and Petruchio the relationship expectations are more pronounced. Gump and Nai’s relationship is more flip-flopped, but still noticeable by the character’s actions. Katherine and Petruchio’s relationship sort of started with dishonesty and deception leading to obedience, meanwhile Gump and Nai’s relationship started with obedience but along came dishonesty and deception. In the Taming of the Shrew, relationship expectations are more pronounced and in modern times it’s not as pronounced but obedience still lingers in the air. Relationship expectations go hand and hand with dishonesty or deception.

"Katherine, I charge thee tell these headstrong women. What duty they do owe their lords and husbands."

(Act V, Scene II, 144-146)

In this scene the husbands were making a bet to see who’s wife is more obedient to them. The widow and Bianca didn’t go to their husbands call, while Katherine did. The wives, widow and Bianca disagreed with needed to be obedient to their call. So Petruchio ends up demanding Katherine to tell Bianca and the widow that the wives duty to their husbands. Dusty meaning how obedient they really are. Petruchio forces Katherine onto his ideal marriage and obedience since he’s the man of the relationship. He makes their relationship expectations known to the other newlywed couples surrounding him. Petruchio wants it all be pronounced.

A scene in Love Love You follows the similar obedience ways as the Shrew. Only this time it’s not a demand and out of guilt.

Within this scene, Nai finds out Gump is moving in with a fairly attractive man and complains that he doesn’t want Gump to live there. Out of guilt and obedience, Gump ends up apologizing to Nai about moving in with Sunz for a while. Gump and Katherine are similar yet different, both of them are obedient to the male role yet they do it in different ways. Katherine started lashing out at first and eventually gives into to Petruchio, causing her to be more obedient towards him. While Gump is shy and doesn’t speak up, naturally being obedient to the male role. The relationship expectations on the two relationships take different tolls on the characters lives.

"Be patient, gentlemen. I choose her for myself. If she and I be pleased, what’s that to you? ‘Tis bargained ‘twixt us twain, being alone, That she shall still be curst in company… Give me thy hand, Kate. I will unto Venice to buy apparel ‘gainst the wedding day. --- Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests. I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine."

(Act II, Scene I, 321-336)

Petruchio’s whole spiel was pretty much a lie to Baptista and everyone else. He was only willing to marry Kate for the money and the dowry he gets for marrying her. This all started the deception and dishonesty between Katherine and Petruchio.  Katherine at first was reluctant to listen to Petruchio’s wish to marry her, as most men revolted her due to bad temperment. During the spiel Petruchio was spitting, he said, “She hung about my neck, and kiss on kiss, she vied so fast. Protesting oath on oath, that in a twink she won me to her love.” Earlier on in Shrew Petruchio’s character was basically established that he liked money and only did things for himself. He was dishonest in his feelings towards Katherine, eventually leading him to place the relationship expectations.

Nai’s old flame came back from China, causing Nai to rekindle with him. On the other hand, Gump has no idea about their past relationship together.  

Bon went to visit Nai while Gump was over. Nai introduced them to each other, while lying to Gump in the process saying Bon was just his high school classmate, when in reality Bon was Nai’s old flame. Since Gump was deceived he went along with Nai’s lie. Believe Bon was only a classmate, but later on realizing how close the two were. Nai was worried to tell Gump the truth about Bon, so he lied. In the end breaking the trust of their relationship slowly. Petruchio on the other hand lied to Katherine in the first place, deceiving her into being an obedient wife. Both Nai and Petruchio lied to their significant other for their ow2n good, ending in two different results in their relationship.

Thus, in the end the obedient Gump stopped talking to Nai for a while after spotting an unforgivable scene while Bon and Nai were completely drunk. Being deceived once more thinking Nai was shot at a party, just to get Gump to confess his true feelings. Gump’s obedience lead to dishonesty and deception within their relationship, while Petruchio and Katherine’s honesty and deception lead to obedience eventually. Thus creating the three things, dishonesty, deception and obedience in relationship expectations to go hand in hand. Modern day romantic comedies sometimes lay on the same principle, just in a different formation.

Moomintrolls or commonly known as Moomin is a Finnish-Swedish cartoon creation by Tove Jansson. Her first Moomin family book was published in 1945. After many books were create it became a comic strip in the British newspaper, then an animation series (Moomin.com). Moomintrolls became a popular overseas franchise. Moomintrolls live in Moominvalley, they are white troll like creatures with long snouts and tails. The Moomin animations follow around the Moomins and other characters in Moominvalley. The success of Moomintrolls is due to the fact that it serves as a connection builder between people of all ages.

Moomin’s name expanded over the years. Not only did they have an animation series, comics and books, they also had puppet plays, an opening at an art museum, an opera, cafés and a theme-park. Moomin doesn’t only have popularity in Finland and Sweden. They gained popularity in Britain, Singapore, China, Japan, Korea and many other countries. With a colorful pallet and endearing characters, Moomin became  Finland’s most famous family. With all of the talk and expansion more people can get into the Moomins. This can create a connection from citizens all over bonding due to Moomins. It creates different reasons to how everyone fell into the appeal of Moomins. Maybe they grew up with it, liked the hidden message or liked the cute appeal and colors.

According to Katariina Benedetti whom is the director of project SF100SG, a Moomin project in Singapore, “The Moomin characters are a vivid representation of the wide range of human emotions, but they are mostly kind and good natured and keen on helping and promoting a message of peace and forgiveness. This message perfectly fits the needs of today’s world.” (Moomin.com) Here she is saying that the message that the Moomin’s are giving and expressing are good for anyone of any age. The Moomins are about kindness and peace, which is something everyone needs more of. This world has a lot of negative emotions surrounding it, so positivity could help little by little. Though the Moomin’s were set for younger audiences, adults and teens can still enjoy Moomin regardless.

Moomin’s characters are all different yet similar in a way. All of them have very expressive emotions that humans have.  The main Moomin characters are Little My, Moomin, Moominmama, Moominpapa,  Snorkmaiden, Snufkin and Sniff. Other characters here and there will pop up during the shows and books. Snufkin and Moominmamma brings more of the peaceful and collected aspect of emotions due to their nature and actions. The tone of their voice is very calming to the ears. Sniff is timid and cowardly and Moominpappa is philosophical, he tends to think more. Little My is fiery and irritable yet honest and reliable. Sorkmaiden is more of a daydreamer who is similar to Moomin in lots of ways. Both of them are typically happy and energetic. Though since Moomin is the main character, therefore he has more of an emotional range than the others. In the Moomin animation, episode 13, titled ‘The Last Dragon on Earth’ Moomin in a sad tone says to Snufkin, “I think he likes you more then me.” Moomin had caught a tiny dragon in that episode but the dragons seems more calm around Snufkin. While the dragon was around Moomin it would behave rashly, thus causing Moomin to say that line. The Moomin’s different personality can help immerse people into the story, they feel more relatable that way. These characters bring more peace and positive emotions to children, while still bring in what is to be called negative emotions.

Moomin’s merchandise skyrocketed along with Moomin’s popularity. Sophia Jansson, Tove’s niece had said to the UK’s Daily Mail, “A lot of it goes over the heads of children. Those expensive mugs flying off the shelves are not being bought by or for children! There are themes Tove expresses that are eternal – family versus loneliness, adventure, how to handle a hard time – all set against storms and mountains. People find a sense of belonging in the Moomins. They allow them to pick up on feelings they maybe didn’t know they had – such as missing someone.” Not everyone is connected to all the emotions and feelings. Some might push away certain emotions or not think about it. Creating them to not know that one might feel it. While watching Moomin, people can try to place and pick up these missing emotions that are laid down throughout the animation.

Children aren’t the only ones in love with the Moomins. Adults purchase the merchandise with flying ease. More Moomin cafés and exhibits are popping up in Asia, Sweden and Finland. Allowing adults to be more excited about this adorable and loving franchise. Not only can adults get excited with merchandise and new Moomin themed areas, the show and the Moomins themselves create a connection to emotions that children may brush over. Children will feel all of the emotions, but not really understand them as an adult would. One emotion that may be brushed over by a child may not be brushed over to an adult. Children tend to be happy all the time which can get more difficult as they grow up. Stress and pride may brush over child as they don’t tend to do much with these emotions.

Sophia Jansson did lots of interviews about the Moomins and her aunt Tove. She likes to bring the realness and emotions that she shares with the Moomin’s story. “Tove never set out to document. She was a storyteller. The book is about the relationship between someone very old and someone very young – the mutual disregard but very great respect and friendship” (The Guardian)  An underlying story like this can appeal to all ages due to the fact that they can all relate to it in some way.  Adults find it enjoyable and can get attached the the lovable hippo-like trolls. The Moomin family became a Jansson family business that brought all ages together. It’s like Finland’s Disney.

Although people who aren’t Moomin fans, might think that the characters are just superficial and cute, its influence goes beyond the children’s cartoon to emotional connector and inspiration. Tove’s work on the Moomins were based on people and actual events in her life. She brought things she loves, such as her family, friends and her childhood into a creation that could inspire younger audiences.  

Troung Minh Tam o Catherine Long

Soy yo

Vengo desde muy lejos

Una inmigrante

Cansada de estar corriendo

Adoptada de Vietnam

Veo latas de cerveza

Oigo la voz poderosa de mi familia

Huelo cigarrillo de mi tíos

Saboreo papa de mi abuela y mi madre

Toco la pequeña ao dai

Duermo bajo el azul del cielo

Dibujo mi familia desconocida

Como arroz, pato, pescado y pho

Estudio mi cultura

Somos productos de Vietnam, China y América

Hablamos inglés

La lengua de fideos y hamburguesa

Como uno se aferra a una pedazo de tierra

Pero allí no tengo hogar

Y

Somos completos