Tutorial: Chinese Inspired Headpiece

 The last dance I created was a chinese inspired ribbon dance -  I made it for a dance show of my dear friend and colleague Claudina; she just launched her fabulous veil dance instuctional DVD (view the trailer here!) and so I decided to do something that could match the program.
So the dance and the costume were more or less ready, and I wanted to add some more 'bling' to the quite simple dress. I did some research how to make the base for the headpiece; it has to look somehow like this:

So cut out the plastic base and bond it together with masking tape. Sometimes you can even use a tennis cap turned upside down. As you will cover it with fabric later it doesn't matter if the masking tape is visible.
After that cut the fabric generously in the shape of the base and glue it on the surface. Then fold the fabric along the edges and glue the overlap on the back side. Keep the fabric in place with pins and let dry.

 

Now the most tricky part is done and you just have to glue or stitch the decoration on the base. The pieces dangeling from the temples are made of earrings with some red tassels. The golden lace balls are a part of christmas decoration. I made Kanzashi flowers with fabric scarps from the costume and added also some fabric orchids and severy jewellery pieces. I can only recommend the Kanzashi flower makers from Clover. They are cheap and so easy to use, you can't go wrong! Fabric yoyos are also very easy to make and look gorgeous in the ensemble.

A broad elastic strap holds the crown on the head. If you do backbends make sure that you secure it additionally with bobby pins.

Sa Ding Ding: Upcoming CD release °Harmony° - Music of freedom and honesty

Sa Dingding is superstar in China! Born to a Mongolian mother and Han Chinese father, she sings in Mandarin, Tibetan, Sanskrit, and even in her own language. She uses electronic beats as well as floaty instrumentation played on traditional instuments like zither, horse head fiddle and bamboo flute.
If you like ethnic fusion with chill-out beats, this one is for you. In the song "Ha Ha Li Li" Dingding combines the powerful music from the region of Yunnan with influences from all over the world creating a contemporary, New Age inspired oriental fusion that trancends nations and borders.
























But besides from composing and arranging her songs her stage presence is marvelous. Singing and dancing at the same time she creates a magical atmosphere of sheer spirituality. Her fan-dance is really unique! And have a look at the pictures of mindblowing costumes at her Chinese blog.

The new album "Harmony" has been released in Asia on February 1st, and will be released in Europe and elswhere on March 8th.
Watch a very interesting interview on CNN about Dingding's musical background here.
Picture credits: here.