#Interview #Firsthand
Hong Kong Female Frontliner's Look Appears in Top Model UK 2020: "Every small efforts will eventually come together and make a big impact"

On June 26, 2021, the Top Model UK 2020 was staged in the Royal Horseguard Hotel in London.

A Hong Kong model, Catherine (thereafter C), took to the stage as the Lady Liberty of Hong Kong. After the contest, Catherine spoke to us in an interview.

1）What makes you show up on the stage as a female warrior, the Lady Liberty of Hong Kong?

C: When pondering for an appropriate outfit for the self-style session of the contest, I reckon any fashion piece that connects with the pro-democracy protest in 2019 would well represent Hong Kong.

I remember this common protester symbol which was well-recognized in Hong Kong and easy to execute. Under time pressure, we made this protest-inspired outfit without even seeking consent from the designer of the art piece.

We want to bring Hongkongers’ efforts in the pro-democracy movement to global attention and showcase Hong Kong local culture on international platforms. I wish to let Hong Kong people know that we can always find ways to continue our fight under escalating oppression.

2）How do other countries respond to this female warrior outfit, and what does this outfit actually embody?

C: Some contestants were able to tell the difference between Hong Kong and China. They are keen to share their opinions on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong with me. I am grateful for their encouragement.

The master of ceremony said that they like this outfit. Some dressers showed thumbs up while some make-up artists found it a unique and stunning design.

3）What do you think this Lady Liberty design is symbolizing?

C: I found much resonance in this protest design, probably because I am a woman. Females are no longer the weaker sex nowadays. We can walk on to the front-line to battle and fight for our beliefs. A fully-geared female shows the determination to fight on, even when she realizes that the journey will be covered in sweat, blood and tears.

I think I am not slim enough to fit into the outfit and bring the best out of it. I am not the female protester on the poster in Hong Kong, but an ordinary Hongkonger. I have yet given up, and I wish other Hongkongers to continue their fight as well.

I can take this protest-inspired outfit to the stage which everyone else can also continue the protest in their own ways. The costume is heavy in its memory of the pro-democracy movement in 2019, symbolizing every unyielding Hongkonger and the memories back then.

4）What do you want to do the most when going back to Hong Kong?

C: Hum... I want to eat local dishes like barbecue pork and chicken rice with lemon tea. I want to see pop singer Hins Cheung’s concert (Cheung is always #1 for me) and see live shows of some popular local bands and movie stars. I want to show my support to Hong Kong movies too.

Hong Kong is always the best, no matter where I am. I will utter my best effort to defend and guard Hong Kong culture because “I fxxking love Hong Kong” (Catherine cited a well-known protest slogan).

5）What do you want to say to those still in Hong Kong?

C: Hang on! Hong Kong needs every one of us to continue the fight in our own ways. Every small efforts will eventually come together and make a big impact. We have to keep on fighting. I believe we can take on any roles comfortable to ourselves and fight.

Wrapping up the interview, Catherine cited lyrics of a popular canton pop, “In fact, learning to live in desperation is an unending life-long training.”

I hate losing. But until now, we have nothing else to lose, Hongkongers.

#ProtestArt #Fashion
#HKCulture #AntiELAB #TopModel #LadyLiberty #FemaleWarrior #Catherine #UK

Source: First Hand #Aug6

**Photos are provided by the interviewee

Former District Councillors Participated in Demonstration in the UK

Oct 1 is the China National Day. More than 100 HKers gathered for an assembly at Piccadilly Gardens in #Manchester, #UK. Event organisers included former Tuen Mun #DistrictCouncillor (DC) Chris Tsang Chun-Hing and Former Wan Chai DC Clara Cheung. They both mentioned that #HKers should promote our local culture in the UK.

The event lasted for half an hour and was hosted by Abingo, Social Media Page #ManchesteHongKong administrator. Aged 30, he arrived UK half a year ago with a BN(O) visa. He explained that the assembly's theme is "#WeUnion", as the speakers combined with #valiant and #PRN, hoping that HKers would not be easily separated.

Former DC: Build the culture and identity from daily to arts

Chris Tang, former Tuen Mun DC, was one of the organisers. He arrived UK a few months ago with BN(O). He used "#MIRROR", a Hong Kong Cantopop boy group, as an example that there were cheering events in London which stated that HKers could export the culture in daily life in the UK. He also hoped to become a bridge between people in the UK and HKers, building up linkage with them and letting people in the UK to understand the Hong Kong situation.

Clara Cheung, Former Wan Chai DC, was also one of the organisers. She was previously an art curator and she actively integrated art into community while at the position. She indicated that the Hong Kong cultural sector was discussing how to bring Hong Kong cultural art to the world. And that "HKers are now scattered across the world". As long as we proactively create artworks, it will build HKers identity. She also believed that HKers should communicate with other exile people who have similar ideas and share cultural assets such as Cantopop, Hong Kong food as well as stories. Throughout the interaction, HKers can build their own culture.

Editor note: In the #AntiELAB movement in 2019, Hong Kong protesters are classified into 2 groups - "the valiant" and "the PRN". "Valiant" refers to people in the frontline who clash directly with the police. "PRN" means "peaceful, rational, nonviolent" people who support peaceful rallies and marches.

#ChinaNationalDay #SelfIdentity #HKculture #BNO

Source: Stand News, HKU #Oct02

https://bit.ly/3H0uL1l https://www.interpreting.hku.hk/glossary/?p=71706