Hoop Lovers is launching a new range of hula hoops and to celebrate I have dedicated the range to hoopers in Tokyo who excite and inspire! Each of the hoopers that I adore have had a hoop named after them (or their alter ego), they have chosen the colors and we are shooting fun filled and fabulous photos of them and their hoops. The full range will be revealed soon.
I asked Melissa (Trixie Maru) to write a little something about the process. When I received this today, I tried to read it out load to Masao and got so choked up that I couldn’t even see the words on the screen. I am so over joyed that this creative explosion is as empowering for the models as it is for me.
by Trixie Maru
I recently celebrated a major milestone in my life. No, I didn’t get engaged, I’m not pregnant, and my birthday isn’t until December, so I still have more than half a year until I turn “21” again. This milestone was one that I didn’t even know was possible until very recently. It may not be widely celebrated or acknowledged by the world at large, but I would certainly put it up there with some of the happiest moments in my life. D, my hoop guru and all-around source of light in my life, decided to create a line of hoops named after Tokyo hoopers, and invited me to choose my colors and do a photo shoot under the cherry blossoms. Here is a little account of the entire experience.
Saturday, 1pm: Take a lunch break (I’m teaching English on a sunny Saturday when the cherry blossoms are at their peak – the universe hates me). There’s a message from D. She wants to name a hoop after me?!!?? She wants me to be the model for it, too?!??! And she wants to do it under the cherry blossoms?!??! The universe loves me!!
Saturday, 1:10pm: This is too much information to write with my thumb. Send a quick message to say, “OMG, yes, yes, yes!! Tomorrow is perfect.”
Saturday, 1:40pm-4pm: Yes, students, you are talking to me, but no, I’m not listening, because I’m just daydreaming about what the Trixie Maru hoop will look like and what costume I’ll be wearing tomorrow.
Saturday, 10pm: Call D. Yes, it’s on for tomorrow. We decide it makes the most sense to meet at her place since that’s where all the costumes are. We’re not sure how the weather is going to be, so we make plans to catch up in the morning to finalize.
Saturday, wee hours of the morning: Can. Not. Sleep. Too. Friggin’. Excited.
Sunday, 9:30am: Awake, buzzing with excitement, head to computer. What?! D is awake?? I thought she always slept until at least noon!! 
Although it’s cloudy and cold, we decide that we’re on.
Sunday 9:30am–11am: Where does the time go? I speed things along by not putting on any makeup, but use up about 20 minutes making raw vegan cookie dough balls, figuring I can’t show up empty handed to such an important event.
Sunday, 12:30pm: We’re at D’s place, and the real fun begins. She shows me the hoop. It’s gorgeous and has me thinking of She-Ra, one of my childhood idols. The kitchen counter is littered with makeup, smoothies, and raw cookie dough balls. The heated floor (love!) is covered with tutus, eyelashes, and sequined halter tops. D invites me to look through everything and put together a look.
Sunday, 12:40pm: Wow. In my childhood I always loved playing dress-up and this brings back memories of many afternoons spent imagining I was a glamorous adult. It’s amazing, but also a lot of pressure. I want to find the perfect look…
Sunday, 12:50pm: Inspiration is coming from so many different places – Cyber chic, geisha hair accessories, hot pink and bright purple, cascading cherry blossoms…
Sunday, 1pm: Okay, I think I’ve found it. White Dracula-esque shirt from Cyberdog, black tutu, pink cherry blossom patterned obi, diamond-patterned lace tights layered over purple, hot pink furries. Now it’s time for makeup.
Sunday, 1pm-2:30pm: Makeup is intense. I notice D’s Hoop Star makeup has a funny German name. We laugh about this for a few minutes. I start by applying a normal layer of foundation and powder, plus my usual purple eye makeup. I let D take the driver’s seat and sit back while my eyes and lips get covered up by Hoop Star hot pink, glitter, and teeny tiny sakura. My adorable honey, mister Surfing Chef, arrives somewhere in the midst of all this. D asks him to videotape and he kindly obliges.
Sunday, 2:40pm: Look in the mirror. Before doing so, D warns me, “Now don’t be alarmed.” Ummmm….. OMG!! That’s me?! For some reason the part that surprises me the most is the lips. I’m not used to seeing them quite so… plump. So this is what Angelina Jolie must feel like. Quickly put my hair up into buns and add the geisha hair accessories. I feel my look is almost complete.
Sunday, 2:40-2:50pm: Last-minute faffing about with costumes, shoes, shimmery makeup, and final touches (including a “hat” that is actually intended for an entirely different part of the body – hey, the tassles look cute!). We’re ready to go mobile.
Sunday, 3pm: We head to the canal behind D’s house where a few weeping cherry trees are bursting with pink and get the party started. Mr. SC is filming the entire process with intensity. Just call him the next Martin Scorsese.
Sunday, 3:15pm: Oh, um, that small building behind us? That would be a toilet. And that tinkling sound? Yeah, a man attending to his “business.” Oh dear. Uncontrollable laughter ensues. Is this caught on videotape? I sure hope so!
Sunday, 3:30pm: We move a bit further down the canal (away from the toilets, thankfully), try out some other poses and angles. Try to remember any of the lessons I’ve learned from religiously watching America’s Next Top Model. Other than “find the light” nothing comes to mind. Oh well. Also, it is intensely cold, but that’s okay, because I’m a model, dahhhhling.
Sunday, 3:45pm: Move to third and final location, in front of some vending machines. D asks me to give her “big eyes, big mouth.” These turn out to be some of my favorite photos.
Sunday, 3:50pm: Return to D’s place, photo shoot over. Feeling both exhilarated and exhausted. Have to scrub several layers of makeup off my face. This takes a good 20 minutes. Intense.
Sunday, 4pm: Ladies and Gentlemen, Trixie Maru has now left the building. What a day it’s been. I’m totally drained, but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
Thanks Trixie, I absolutely love the photos (you can check the whole series out here)! After taking them I simply could not stop looking at them – half in shock that I actually did a pretty good point and click job and half because I think Trixie is the spitting image of the stunning Kylie in many of these pics.
Thanks also to the SC for his handy camera work!
