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Hannah Stein

1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

When I leave ballet class, looking sweaty in my comfiest clothes and feeling accomplished, both physically and mentally.

2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?

The ones with style. I think style is not as shallow or simple a trait as it's sometimes made up to be. Its definition is complex, and often I stumble to identify what makes it prevalent in a person. Style can stand out to me in the clothes that someone's wearing, but more often does by the way they wear them. A woman walking with a certain aplomb, as we say in ballet, can strike me as very stylish, no matter what she has chosen to wear.

3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?

I admire women who are not afraid to be comfortable with themselves in the presence of others; both, strangers and associates. In fact, I feel this way about men and women alike. There's something beautiful and very stylish about a person who approaches and interacts with other people without restriction, or thinking too much about their presentation. I admire the ease and confidence of women who's encounters with others feel intimate, warm and genuine, rather than too professional or presentation oriented. I think this shows that this type of woman is not afraid to reveal herself in an emotionally vulnerable way.

4. Was there a moment in your life when something “clicked” for you about fashion or dressing or make-up or hair? What? Why did it happen then, do you think?

Yes!! Actually, there was a moment like this for me, last year, in high school. There was a girl that was just, you know, a teenage girl. She was ultra hilarious, kind and smart but also very approachable. We had english together and I was always in awe at the way she dressed and pulled of each unique look with a perfect finesse. She dyed her hair cool colours and wore a signature dark purple (almost black, but not quite) lipstick everyday. She had a shoe collection that every girl envied, though it wasn't obnoxiously extravagant, just 3 or 4 beautiful pairs, that complemented each of her outfits perfectly. Anyways, the point is, she made me realize that no matter where you are, or how small you feel, you can always dress to be the person that you want to be. And I don't mean to encourage disguising your true colours under a well planned outfit, I mean presenting the ideal version of yourself, through the way you dress and groom yourself. This is a major aspect of style, and I carry it with me to this day thanks to that style queen of english class.

5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?

Less is more. Always follow the three "R's" of thoughtful consumption; reduce, reuse, and recycle.

6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?

There are no rules, lol.

7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?

Ahhh there are too many. This is an ever-changing subject.

9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?

Leotards. I have so many, but not one too much. I use them for ballet, which I do four hours everyday, so they don't go wasted.

11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why? 

Body trends, like thigh gaps. This is not style, or a trend you should try to adopt, because it most often a product of genetics or unhealthy dieting. I believe that it says nothing admirable about someone's fashion to aspire towards such a basic and often unattainable thing. I happen to have a thigh gap, and have had people comment on it. This doesn't make me feel proud, as I feel that this recognition is so shallow, and I've never considered this random aspect of my physical build to be reflective of my aesthetic or style.

12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?

I wear lots of my mom's old clothes. Mostly because I like finding uses for retro items of clothing, but It is cool to find myself wearing outfits, now, that she would have worn when she was my age. I get my legs from my mom too, which come in handy for ballet.

13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?

I have a friend who's always taking my clothes and never remembers to give them back. I'm pretty good at avoiding this.

14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?

I subconsciously decided, once, in middle school that I would always where 2 shirts at once. Usually a tank top over a long sleeve. I got a lot of complements on that look - god knows why.

15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?

Yes! In light of the "slut shaming" that has recently been addressed in society, I feel that what I wear is always a political statement of dressing for myself, and assuming my freedom to look as I choose, without the fear or expectancy to fear sexual harassment or prejudice.

16. Please describe your body.

My body is my greatest gift. Like any girl (or most) I go through periods of self-consciousness, but I am always alleviated of these feelings of insecurity, when I realize the extent to which my body serves me, everyday. Not only giving me the miracle of life, my body allows me to partake in the very thing that gives me happiness and a means of self-expression, my greatest passion; ballet. The things that my body allows me to do in ballet never cease to surprise me. It is constantly improving, moving farther, longer and stronger than it did the day before. Dancing fills me with pure happiness from my toes to my bun and without it, I'm not sure where I would go next. Yes - there will be a time where I can no longer dance to the extent that I do now, and then I will have to explore deeper into my self, finding another passion that my body can fulfil. Until then, thanks the the body that serves me now, I live everyday at my happiest, at my maximum potential and beyond, pushing my limits and constantly building upon myself, both mentally and physically.

18. Please describe your emotions.

On the edge; heightened, but satisfied.

19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?

Hair in a ponytail, no makeup, an old black dress with a pattern that I think might be acorns (but I'm really not sure), black thigh-highs and blundstones.

20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?

I put it on. Without it, I'd be naked in the hallway of my school right now.

What’s your birth date? 
Where were you born and where do you live now?

September 28th 1997 Toronto. I still live in Toronto, Canada.

Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.

I like being German, I visit Berlin a lot and I eat plenty of schnitzel.

What kind of work do you do?

School work, writing, and Ballet.

Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?

Single.

Please say anything you like about yourself that might put this survey into some sort of context.

I like that I work hard, I feel unsatisfied If I don't accomplish or do anything significant in an average day.

How do you feel after filling out this survey?

I don't think I've every written, or felt so comfortable writing, about myself so much before.

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