Latest news with #selfExpression
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Pinkie Rings Go Big
The pinkie ring has had a long, aristocratic history. Embraced by many, especially the ancient Egyptians, the rings quickly became accepted as visual status symbols. By the 19th century, the most popular style in Europe was the signet, which traditionally highlighted a family coat of arms and represented power, prestige and wealth — King Charles III, for example, has worn one since 1969. Though pinkie rings were once reserved for men, today, women have become big buyers. (Yes, Kim Kardashian and Rihanna, we have recently seen your pinkies shine.) And what once had been an important visual on that often-overlooked final finger has turned into another opportunity to display a personal style. 'The pinkie ring has always been a male-dominated idea, an expression of heritage and lineage,' said Jessie Thomas, a goldsmith and fine jewelry designer in Britain. 'But women are taking it back.' The Pinkie Space Ms. Thomas, now 37, began her career working with her father, David Thomas of Thomas Goldsmiths. Since going solo in 2018, she has primarily worked with 18-karat yellow gold and diamonds to create rings that are 'tiny, weighty, sculptural pieces that feel slightly organic,' she said, adding that 'it's become quite cool and fashionable to have something on your little finger. It's a movement towards caring less about gender definitions and more about self-expression.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Arab News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Drama therapy workshop in Jeddah explores healing power of expression
JEDDAH: A drama therapy workshop was recently organized under the theme: 'In drama we find the power to express, and in expression we find the power to heal,' at Cinema Al-Balad in Jeddah. Led by Lujain Faqerah, senior psychologist and creative arts supervisor, in collaboration with actor and screenwriter Abdul Al-Shareef, the workshop explored the use of drama therapy in daily life and creative work. Participants, including therapists, creatives, and others, learned how drama can support emotional awareness, healing, and connection. The workshop showed how drama-based therapeutic techniques can help people access unconscious behaviors, foster self-expression, and improve creative practices such as screenwriting and acting. Faqerah told Arab News: 'Drama is integrated naturally in our daily responses and situations. In a therapeutic setting, it helps us observe these interactions and reflect on a deeper level of our unconscious body gestures and movements that might reveal a lot about our personalities.' She made it clear that drama therapy is not about performing but about expressing what lies beneath — emotions, memories, or internal conflicts. Faqerah said: 'The word drama has a negative connotation to the extent that people reject it before trying. Drama therapy does not depend on acting skills or previous experience, but more on your self-expression and the challenges you experience.' Her discovery of drama therapy was transformative. 'It surprised me with the appearance of a hidden part of me that is more bold and confident. When this part emerged and I saw the benefits myself, I started incorporating it in my profession.' Al-Shareef brought a creative perspective as an actor and screenwriter new to drama therapy but interested in its techniques. 'As an actor and a writer, I found this experiment with drama supervision and therapy fascinating. It's a tool that I am willing to explore and learn more about to enhance my life and practice,' he said. 'Some people may think drama therapy is exclusively for artists, but it's not. The techniques can be integrated into everyday routines, varying from person to person depending on their challenges.'
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Top 10: How would you change a spot in Hong Kong for teens, and why?
This week's question: What skill should every teen master before 18, and how can it be fun to learn? To take part, drop us a line via this form by 12pm on Wednesday, June 4 Jasmine Chau Tsz-ching, 15, Stewards Pooi Kei College: In Cheung Chau, we have a wire fence filled with love locks for couples. I would like to change this practice to a way for teens to express their anger. Teens could write down their dissatisfaction on the locks which allows them to release their troubles. Chan Hau-yin, 12, Immaculate Heart of Mary College: I would transform Kwun Tong Promenade into a combination of a food court and a library. Given its fantastic view, it is a perfect spot for teens to hang out, especially if there are free snacks like fish balls and spring rolls available. In the library area, people could enjoy reading novels or manga. Wong Pui-ho, 15, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College: I will design a museum dedicated to the history of game consoles. This museum will not only showcase the evolution of game consoles but will also allow teenagers to try them out for free, helping them deepen their understanding of these gaming devices. Teens would enjoy learning about different video game consoles, one reader says. Photo: Shutterstock Lloyd Tse Chi-loi, 13, Stewards Pooi Kei College: All convenience stores could benefit from adding study corners. Since they sell food, I'm sure teens would enjoy studying while munching on snacks. Who knows? Maybe hard work can be paired with tasty treats and drinks. What would be your go-to snack while studying in that corner?
National Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Canadian drag queen superstar Brooke Lynn Hytes debuts Pride collection with Joe Fresh
The launch: Joe Fresh Pride Collection. Article content What to know about it: Canadian drag queen and TV personality Brooke Lynn Hytes is bringing Pride to Joe Fresh with a limited-edition collection. Article content Hytes collaborated with the Canadian fashion brand to co-design a collection of gender-free T-shirts, as well as a tank top and sunglasses. Most pieces are available in adult and kids sizes, as well as toddler and baby. Article content The celebratory designs feature colourful illustrations of hearts and rainbows, meant to underscore 'self-expression and leading with your heart,' according to the brand. Article content Article content 'Drag has allowed me to explore all sides of who I am,' Hytes, who is the host of Canada's Drag Race, says of the inspiration. 'It's a celebration, a statement and an act of fearless self expression.' A portion of the proceeds, up to a total of $25,000, from the sale of the Pride collection designs will be donated to Pflag Canada. The national charitable organization provides 'peer support, education, and advocacy for families and allies of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.' Article content June is Pride Month around the world, with many businesses and organizations celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA community during this time. Toronto's Pride event, which happens this year June 26-29 is said to be among the largest Pride celebrations in North America. Vancouver's Pride events happen in August. Article content 'Supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community isn't just for June. Show up in March, September and every month in between,' Hytes says. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brooke Lynn Hytes (@bhytes) Article content
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
DSpace: The Ukrainian theatre company bringing community to the fore
When Dara Klymenko arrived in Yorkshire after escaping the war in Ukraine she had no idea whether she'd have to give up her love for the 26-year-old professional actress moved in with a host family in Malton in 2022 and began working at a nursery, but found she "couldn't live" without the creative Ms Klymenko is the founder and director of DSpace, a Ukrainian theatre group which performed at this year's York International Shakespeare Festival."I was amazed at how many people were interested. The main goal is to create a safe and inspiring space for self-expression. I call it a space of inspiration," she said. DSpace members span a wide range of ages - from primary school children to adults - and all are Klymenko had previously taught drama workshops to children, and decided to launch a similar venture in York, teaching classes in her native said she was "amazed" by the uptake and by the amount of Ukrainian nationals living around her, but struggled to find a suitable venue to host the the same time, she was invited to take part in Working Title, a project which united actors from national theatre companies in Ukraine with UK artistThrough this, she was introduced to David Richmond, senior lecturer of drama and theatre at York St John University, who offered a free space to rehearse at the city centre Richmond said: "The university has a policy of social justice and the creative arts have led on that for many years."We want to the support the Ukrainian community's creativity and expression and feeling of security and belonging."Dara is doing such good work in her community and in theatre so it seemed [providing space was] the ideal thing we could do to help, the ideal thing they need which is space and time to tell their stories in the way they want to tell them." The group rehearses for three hours each Monday evening and members travel from York, Selby and the surrounding area to some members are beginners, others have previous acting experience, often from their life in Ukraine before the 25, had completed his theatre degree at university and had started to secure some jobs before he moved to the UK. He explained that finding a theatre company that spoke his native language was important as it helped him find common interest in shared experiences."Because we are all people from one country, we have the same traditions, the same culture so it's easy to communicate so I'm happy to do this with Ukrainian people," he said."Sometimes it's difficult because of language. Most projects are looking for native speakers. But the York Shakespeare Festival was a new experience for me in theatre, and I was happy in the same way to act with Ukrainian and English people, and it was easy to connect."The play DSpace performed at the festival was called There's No Clock in The Forest, an original blend of Shakespeare texts and the Ukrainian play Mavka (the Forest Song). "For us it was a huge success – we had lots of audience members, from Ukraine and also from England as well," Ms Klymenko explained."Some people from the audience told me they started crying during the performance. Not because of the show but because they heard Ukrainian language, Ukrainian songs and it was so sensitive for them."The theatre group will be tackling another deeply personal project next - a new play, partially inspired by the Hollywood film La La Land, written by Ms Klymenko hope is that the theme can resonate, particularly with Ukrainian people, "to never give up" on their dreams."It was very important to me when I created [DSpace] that it was a safe space – it's about mental health as well, a place to express your feelings," she added."I realised I've got to keep doing this, because I need it, my team need it and the audience needs it." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
