Credit ‘Wear’ Credit is Due (and even where not) – Michelle Yeoh

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

OK, I know you’re used to seeing this column titled, Credit ‘Wear’ Credit is Due, so what’s up with this (and even where not) thing?

It means, while this column recognizes and praises those special celebrities who almost always can be counted on to wear pantyhose in all the right situations and venues, when it comes to Michelle Yeoh, well, she can do whatever she wants and I’ll still always love her.

There is a very special place in my heart for Michelle Yeoh.  As a huge Bruce Lee fan, I had stopped watching martial arts movies in the 1990s because they just didn’t measure up in any way, especially in realism when it came to fight scenes.  It had been more than 15 years since I watched a kung fu movie, when in 2007 I stumbled across an old Jackie Chan movie, I hadn’t seen before, “Police Story III, Supercop” (1992), and couldn’t resist its co-star, Michelle Yeoh, whom I had never heard of before.  I thought she was very charming and a great fighter, too.  Turns out she actually studied Wing Chun, the first style Bruce Lee learned.  Hmmmmm.

A great movie for showcasing her beautiful legs in sheer nude pantyhose, Michelle Yeoh poses as the title character in "Silver Hawk."

Not long after that, I watched a James Bond movie I had not seen before, “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), starring Pierce Brosnan, whom I love, and one Michelle Yeoh.  OK, now this was getting interesting.  I searched my DVR for movies she’s in.  Of course, I found “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000), and “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005), but it wasn’t until I saw “Silver Hawk” (2004) that I became a full-fledged Michelle Yeoh fan.  She’s done some great movies, but “Silver Hawk” remains my favorite because, silly as it is, it’s the one that best features her personality, her sense of humor, her glamorous side, and was the first one I saw that showed off her legs in sheer pantyhose a lot.  And, wow, did she look amazing.

Michelle Yeoh during premiere of "Tomorrow Never Dies."

While I started ActSensuous back in 2001, it wasn’t until 2009 that I began The ActSensuous Blog, and in only my second post, June 16, 2009, “Calling out Professional Entertainers,” after I had just learned how to post a photo in the blog, the first-ever picture I used was this one, at left, of Michelle Yeoh.

I was using it as an example of the beauty and elegance she displayed during her appearance at the premiere event for “Tomorrow Never Dies,” in contrast to all the other celebrities who were appearing at similar events, wearing spectacular dresses and high heels, but with bear legs.

How gorgeous Michelle Yeoh looked in that dress with the slit up the side and sheer nude pantyhose.

Since that time, I was able to find (and post in this blog) other pics of her in pantyhose, particularly, at the premiere of “Supercop,” wearing a short dress and sheer nude pantyhose.

At the time, I wasn’t thinking that the event likely took place in 1992, before the “bear” legs movement had its origin.

Michelle Yeoh attending the "Supercop" premiere.

I never dreamed in 2009 that those pics from the 1990s would be about the last time we’d see Michelle Yeoh wearing pantyhose in public.

I never dreamed she would be someone who would follow a fashion trend instigated by Hollywood, but that’s exactly what happened.

No, I imagined that someone of her professionalism, class, elegance and sheer beauty – to say nothing of the fact that she’s Malaysian of Chinese ethnicity – would have the conviction to do her own thing, especially when it comes to how she presents herself in the public eye.

For years now, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Michelle Yeoh, and time after time after time, she’s done the bear legs thing no matter how formal the occasion.

Director Luc Besson and a bare-legged Michelle Yeoh attend a press conference about their new movie, "The Lady," on Oct. 12, 2011 during the Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany.

Seeing this was very disheartening to me.  This was my new hero after all.

How could Michelle Yeoh be a devoted bear-legger?
Fortunately, in her movie roles that weren’t period pieces set in ancient China, she does wear pantyhose whenever she’s in a dress.

Of course, this made me love her even more, but I couldn’t justify the disconnect between her being so professional in her movies, but way too casual during awards shows or other public appearances.

I grew so frustrated that I actually considered making her the next recipient of The ActSensuous Grizzly Awards.  But I just couldn’t pull the trigger on that, as evidenced by the title of this post, and its subject.

I find Michelle Yeoh to be so professional and classy that she just can’t do any wrong by me.  I decided I could live with it if she never wore pantyhose again because she is such a wonderful person in real life.  She sponsors several global charities, speaks out against social injustices but always with a positive and uplifting slant, and apparently is nothing but kind, caring and extremely gracious.   Of course, secretly, I held out hope that one day she’d glam it up again the next time a situation or venue called for it.  And that time has come.

The Lady

Michelle Yeoh stars as Aung San Suu Kyi in "The Lady," the true story of the Burmese pro-democracy leader's life, opening in select theaters in the U.S. April 13, 2012.

While she’s made a great many popular and successful martial arts movies, dramas and documentaries, ultimately, nothing may be more compelling and more significant than her latest work, which opens in select U.S. theaters on Friday.

In the role she was born to play, Michelle Yeoh stars in “The Lady” – the true story about the life of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who, in reality, just last week hailed a “new era” for Myanmar (Burma) after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party claimed a major victory in landmark by-elections.

The movie’s limited U.S. release comes not even two weeks after the vote in Burma that will fill just 45 vacant seats in the country’s 664-seat Parliament, yet, took on historic significance because of Suu Kyi’s presence.  After 20 years as a political prisoner, Suu Kyi won a victory that marked a turn in her political career and for the country, as it emerges from a half-century of military rule.

Even bare-legged, Michelle Yeoh still can turn some heads, as she does during the 63rd annual Cannes Film Festival in 2010 in Cannes, France.

Michelle Yeoh looks perfect in this outfit with sheer nude pantyhose during the premiere of "The Lady" on Feb. 12, 2012 in Berlin, Germany.

Of course, this movie is so meaningful and historically important, I don’t really care if Michelle Yeoh wears pantyhose or not in her role as Suu Kyi, especially because it might not be an accurate portrayal from a costume design point of view.

Nevertheless, it never stops surprising me that someone who looks so amazing in pantyhose would settle for looking – OK, in Michelle Yeoh’s case,  still pretty awesome bear-legged – during awards ceremonies and publicity appearances.  Still, the difference when she is wearing pantyhose is astounding.

I’m so happy to see any situation today in which Michelle Yeoh shows up in public, dressed professionally and formally again, wearing sheer pantyhose with her outfits.  Perhaps, it’s the significance of the role she’s playing that has made her more aware of how she presents herself to the media, her peers and the public.

Michelle Yeoh and director Luc Besson speak durig a special screening of "The Lady" recently at an Asia Society event.

“The Lady” tells the stuggle of Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi, who had been detained by the government of Myanmar and held under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years (ending on Nov. 13, 2010), and the tragedy of her 10-year separation from her Western husband, who remained in England, rearing their two sons and campaigning behind the scenes for her release.

The story’s heart-wrenching reality is felt as Suu Kyi’s husband is diagnosed with terminal cancer and the Burmese authorities refuse permission for him to visit her – offering instead that she could leave and return to Oxford, but would never be allowed back into Burma. Suu Kyi is confronted with a terrible choice – the consequences of which are irrevocable – her husband and children, or her country.

Said one of the film’s producers, Andy Harries:

“It’s not just a political story – it’s a tragic love story. This is a woman educated at Oxford, married to an Englishman, and who has two sons. She goes to her homeland to help for a few months and it turns into a 20-year house arrest.

“It’s a love triangle. She is torn between her love of her country, which looks to her as a symbol of hope, and her family … We are talking about someone who is the Nelson Mandela of Asia.”

At the helm of “The Lady” is French director Luc Besson who gave us “The Professional” (the assassin movie starring Jean Reno and Natalie Portman), and “The Fifth Element” (starring Milla Jovovich and Bruce Willis.)

While she is a veteran of action films, in which she has received much praise and fame for performing her own stunts, Michelle Yeoh has said the lead role in “The Lady” was very challenging, as she had to learn to speak Burmese to play Suu Kyi, and had to lose nearly 20 pounds (quite a sacrifice for someone who probably didn’t weigh a buck-twenty to begin with) to make herself look more like her character.

And during the months leading up to the filming of “The Lady,” Michelle Yeoh got a taste of Burma’s tight military/government control, as she was deported several times by the government when she tried to meet Suu Kyi in person for research.

Michelle Yeoh said she considers “The Lady” one of her most important works to date, calling Suu Kyi “an extraordinary role model for every woman in Asia.”

I’m not a film critic, and this blog post isn’t about my reviewing “The Lady” for you.  There have been and will continue to be many great articles that will do that.  All I know is that it’s based on a true story that needed to be told, and it stars Michelle Yeoh.  Of course it’s going to be great.

So far, I haven’t found a theater in my area that is showing “The Lady,”  but I will see it at my first opportunity.  I hope you see it, too, and, if you haven’t already, will fall in love with Michelle Yeoh.

Here are some reactions from film industry and other dignitaries who’ve seen the premiere of “The Lady:”

Michelle and director Ang Lee.

“I always thought Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was the pinnacle of Michelle’s career.  In fact, it is The Lady.” – Director Ang Lee

“I watched the movie several times and I could not hold back my tears. She scarified so much for democracy in her country.” – Sanlih TV host Isabella Chen

“I can feel the pain in her heart. But she continued to do what she needed to do.” – Jui-Ling Chang, Formosa TV News anchorwoman

“She is emaciated, but she is brave. She is soft, yet very strong. I am really touched.” – Lin Cheng-sheng, movie director

Michelle Yeoh and Aung San Suu Kyi together during their meeting Dec. 7, 2010 at Yangon International Airport for Michelle's role research.

“Michelle Yeoh looks almost identical to the real (Aung San Suu Kyi) character from body to soul. The several sad scenes are extremely touching.” – Director Nelson Yeh

“This is a film which stirs the deepest desire in your heart.” – Tammy Darshana Lai, singer and TV host

“She brought us the glory of humanity.” – Lee Yong-ping, chair of Taipei Culture Foundation

“This is the best movie I have seen in recent years. It has a very deep meaning for me.” – Tsai Ing-wen, former leader of the Democratic Progressive Party

“This is a very touching movie and I strongly recommend it!” – Director Feng Kai

“This is a movie that no one should miss!” – Jason Hu, Taichung City Mayoriss!” – Jason

Historical facts

In 1988, Aung San Suu Kyi returned to her native Burma from Oxford, where she had lived for many years. Her visit was prompted by news of her mother’s deteriorating health, but the country was in an uproar. Burma’s military leader, General Ne Win, stepped down, and protestors quickly filled the streets of Naypyidaw to demand democratic reform. Those protestors were beaten and their message suppressed. The charismatic and politically engaged Suu Kyi, whose father was a martyr for Burmese independence, found herself called upon to lead Burma out from under the shadow of military dictatorship as the General Secretary of the newly formed National League for Democracy. In 1990, a general election was held and the NLD won, but Suu Kyi was held under house arrest by the military junta. She remained a prisoner in her own home for most of the next 15 years.

Suu Kyi is the first Asian woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On Dec. 10, 1991, Suu Kyi’s two sons, Alexander Aris and Kim Aris (ages 18 and 14 at the time), accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in Oslo, Norway, while she was serving a house arrest term in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar).

The title of the movie, “The Lady,” is the name by which Aung San Suu Kiy is known to the people of Burma, who see her as a beacon of grace and courage against the odds, and who risk incurring the wrath of the authorities for publicly uttering her name.

Valentine’s Day the perfect occasion for pantyhose

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

The other day, the topic of this blog came up during a meeting with our vice president.  Kelly Linh said “All you ever write about is celebrities.”  To which I responded (in my ever-endearing style) with something like: “ ‘F’ you, beeeeeatch!”  (I can say that to her because she’s not just an employee, but also my dear little BFF.)

Besides, I like writing about celebrites.  Who else am I gonna write about, the girl in the department store not wearing pantyhose?  C’mon.

It’s celebrities who instigated the “bear” legs movement, and it’s celebrities who most influence fashion in everyday life.  I feel it’s my duty to recognize and heap loads of praise on those special entertainers who set a good and postive example by wearing pantyhose, and “dis” and sling tons of criticism at those who don’t.

And another thing … since it was Kelly Linh who pointed out that all I ever write about is celebrities, she’ll just have to understand that since this post isn’t about them, meaning I can’t include any pics of hot entertainers wearing pantyhose, she has forced me to look elsewhere for a source of photos for this post.

So, without her permission (but since I’m the boss), and since this post would look kind of “bear” without pics of a lovely lady in pantyhose, the photos you’ll see here are some candids I just happened to find among my private files.

Kelly Linh preparing to leave for work (well, "work" is too strong a word, actually).

OK, this post is for you, Kelly Linh.

Oh, and for Lester and Crystal, a married couple who each have written comments on this blog about their love and devotion to one another, and how Crystal’s wearing of pantyhose is a major factor in their happy and healthy relationship.  Was it them, or another reader who suggested I write a piece about what ideas men could come up with to try to get the women in their lives to wear pantyhose for them?

That was a great suggestion, and I was a bit surprised that more readers didn’t comment on that comment with their suggestions.

Kelly Linh in Act III Pink.

In any event, I have always believed that a loving relationship should be a 50-50 deal.  I mean a relationship is a partnership, a give and take, a yin and a yang.  And that means husbands and wives, or bfs and gfs, should make sacrifices for each other.  Whether the thermostat gets adjusted, a different TV show gets watched, or whatever, sacrifices always should be made.

I’m surprised that women today seem so unwilling to make the simplest sacrifice that 99 percent of the male population wants – them to wear pantyhose.  Actually, to even call such a thing a sacrifice is ridiculous.  It’s not as if men are asking their women to wear 6-inch heels every day.

There was a time (seems like a long time ago) when women wanted men to notice and appreciate little things about them, including how they dressed.  Of course, there has long been the notion that women dress for other women – not for men.  Today, I think women just dress for themselves and don’t care what anyone thinks.

Kelly Linh napping instead of working.

It’s sad that some women don’t take notice, or just don’t care, that men love them in pantyhose.  But when you’re in a relationship, I think you shouldn’t have to deny yourself the pleasure of seeing the one you love in pantyhose.

The key is communication.  You have to find the right time and have a heart-to-heart talk with your girl.  Then, you have to be sincere.  Don’t complain, don’t demand.  Just let her know that you think she is beautiful but that she would absolutely rock your world if once in a while she would wear pantyhose.  Tell her that to you it has nothing to do with what’s in style or not in style, what’s fashionable or not.  Rather, it’s something you have always loved and there’s no one you’d rather see in pantyhose than your wife (or gf).  Ask her to do this for you.

Kelly Linh puts her best foot forward in Act III Beige.

If there were ever a time for men to do this, it’s got to be this month.   What occasion could be better than Valentine’s Day for men to ask their women to wear pantyhose for them?  It’s the most romantic day of the year, and fortunately, women still want that to be a special day.  Yes, if there were ever a day when men could ask their wives or girlfriends to put on pantyhose for them, Valentine’s Day would have to be it.

Kelly Linh's tasty toes in pantyhose (Act III Suntan).

And so, we decided to help.  In honor of Valentine’s Day, and for the first time in our 11 years in business, ActSensuous offered our world-renowned beautiful and sexy pantyhose at half price.

I have to say I was thrilled with the response.  Many of our longtime customers stocked up on their favorite colors, and a record number of new customers for one month decided to give us a try.  In fact, we’ve more than tripled our usual numbers for orders in February, and half the month remains.

For those of you who bought ActSensuous to give as a gift to your special someone on Valentine’s Day, I’d love to hear from you.  Gentlemen, did you give your lady ActSensuous and ask her to wear them for you?  Did she oblige you, and was it fun for both of you?   And to the ladies who ordered ActSensuous, did you take my advice and wrap them up as a gift to give him to give to you?  Did he love it?  Did it make for the exciting night you anticipated?  If you want to share your stories, please feel free to write to Kelly at kellylinh@actsensuous.com

Kelly Linh looking awesome in Act III Suntan pantyhose.

Now back to our Kelly Linh.  Maybe you can tell from her last name she’s Vietnamese.   And she’s no Twinkie (yellow on the outside but white on the inside) either.  Well, OK, she actually is pretty Americanized,  but ethnicity-wise, she’s 100 percent Asian.  And, as such, she grew up constantly being told that she’s worthless because she’s female (sons are very important and highly valued in Asian culture; daughters, not so much).

Now, this is a girl who has not one, but two bachelor’s degrees and a small aircraft pilot’s license. (AND SHE ENDED UP WORKING HERE!!!  )

She’s an amazing person, but to this day, Kelly has no idea how incredible she looks in pantyhose.  I’ve tried to convince her, but she aint buying what I’m selling for a minute.  She says I’m biased.  Well, yeah, she’s got me there.

Nevertheless, I’m trying to convince her to become the next model on our website’s gallery.  Wish me luck.

I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine’s Day.

A Treat when Pantyhose show up unexpectedly

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

Frequent readers of this blog know that I  think pantyhose should be worn for the right reasons, during the right occasions and at the right places.  OK, so pretty much, always.  

Obviously, I want pantyhose at the office, the courthouse, the wedding, the funeral, the party, the stage, the TV studio, the movie set ….. you get the idea.  When this happens, I am so proud and very happy.

Today, it’s hard enough to see pantyhose worn in movies where the occasion and venues would seem to warrant it.   I like it a lot when it does happen.  So imagine the thrill I get when pantyhose show up on an actress in a role and a venue where one not only wouldn’t expect them, but in which one would actually forgive the character/actress for not wearing them.

This weekend, I watched one such movie, “Blood: The Last Vampire.”  

Beauty and the beasts

Now, I like a good vampire-killer movie, but throw in a Japanese setting, karate fights and samurai swords, and I’m all in, baby! 

So, I was excited to watch “Blood: The Last Vampire,” but I certainly didn’t expect to see the young heroine, Saya, wearing a traditional Japanese schoolgirl uniform, complete with pantyhose so sheer, even I didn’t realize she was wearing until almost halfway through the film. 

One-girl wrecking crew

I just wanted to check out the martial arts action sequences more closely, and when I put the DVR in slow motion to enjoy Saya’s beautiful spinning wheel kicks, I realized she was wearing pantyhose.  Wow! 

I was digging the movie anyway, but the fact that the actress, or the costume designer, chose to put the actress in pantyhose, even for the samurai sword and karate fight sequences, well, you had me at Japanese vampire.  

Dishing out demon destruction

Like the “Resident Evil” movies being based on a video game, “Blood: The Last Vampire” movie is based on the wildly popular and multiple award-winning Japanese anime cult classic series.  

I’ve read different accounts of the timeframe in which the live action movie version takes place, but most say it’s around 1966, during a period when the U.S.military is preparing to enter the Vietnam War.  The setting is an American Air Force base in Tokyo.  But while the base is on edge about the war, there’s already an unseen battle going on; a 400 years long fight waged by vampires and their monstrous bat-like creatures who feed on human blood.  

Soaring into action

Enter Saya, the lone execution arm of a covert government agency that has been hunting  demons for centuries.  She is installed as a would-be student at a military school on the base to discover which of her classmates are demons in disguise, and to force a confrontation against the most powerful demon of them all, Onigen, who murdered Saya’s father when she was a young girl.  

Sad soul

While Saya has the appearance of a 17-year-old student, she really is a 400-year-old samurai of extraordinary ability.  Saya is a half-human, half-vampire, who preys on the demons who feast on human blood.  

Joining forces with a secret government agency known as the Council, Saya is tormented at being a half-breed creature with the soul of her human father and the powers (and need of blood to survive) of her vampire mother.  

She is obsessed about finally facing the most powerful of demons – the one that killed her father – and, en route to the confrontation she seeks with Onigen, Saya wages a one-girl series of battles in which she dispatches with her samurai sword hundreds of lower level demons. 

Not so dark

Saya is played by beautiful Korean model/actress Jeon Ji-hyeon. (Remember, traditionally, Asian people say and write their family names first, and their given names second.  Because she’s young, I am going to call her by her first name here.)   By the way, don’t be confused: For an English audience, Ji-hyeon changed her named to Gianna Jun, and the film credits list her as only Gianna.   To complicate things further, some Internet sources list her name as Jeon Ji Hyun and Jun Ji-hyun.  I thought Jun Ji-hyun was accurate, but a  Korean movie data base site that I trust has her name listed exclusively as Jeon Ji-hyeon.  My feelings about these things is that one should always believe the way the country of origin spells and pronounces a name.   You’d have to think the Koreans know how one of their own spells and says her name. 

Whoever cast her in “Blood: The Last Vampire” is brilliant.  Ji-hyeon is one of Korea’s most popular young actresses, beloved for her starring roles in romantic comedies.  Who could have imagined she could pull off such an impressive performance in an action thriller, relying on martial arts fight sequences throughout?  In an interview, Ji-hyeon said she never imagined she’d play a part in an action movie, but that she had a lot of fun doing it and is hooked. 

While I haven’t seen any of Ji-hyeon other movies, I am extremely impressed at the transformation she makes of herself from a romantic comedy legend to a role in which her very dark character doesn’t smile once throughout the movie.

Always lovely

I am so glad I saw ‘Blood: The Last Vampire” because I am now a Jeon Ji-hyeon fan. 

I am so extremely impressed with her.   For a 27-year-old, she is very professional and classy, almost always wearing dresses, high heels and pantyhose during public appearances and in fashion photo shoots. 

It is so heartwarming to see a young professional displaying good taste and showing such grace and elegance in her young career.  I am looking forward to seeing more of  her. 

“Blood: The Last Vampire” is done by one of the producers of “Hero” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”   An extremely good story with wonderful acting and martial arts fights, “Hero” stars Jet Li, Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi.  It is one of my favorite martial arts movies because the story is so beautifully told (and I love Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi).  And, of course, you know all about “Crouching Tiger …”    

While “Blood: The Last Vampire” might not win any prestigious film awards, it is definitely worth checking out.  It often runs on the Encore channels.   

Pantyhose in other Action Settings

In some of my earlier blog posts, I’ve gloated over how often pantyhose are  worn by some of the female contestants and most of the female audience members at the site of the hit Japanese game show, “Ninja Warrior,” known as “the world’s toughest obstacle course.”    

Talk about pantyhose in unexpected places!    I so love the Japanese.   How many female athletes competing in a brutal obstacle course would be wearing pantyhose in Western countries?  And how many spectators sitting on bleachers at such a venue would be dressed in skirts, high heels and pantyhose anywhere except in Japan or other Asian countries? 

Resident goddess

Back to pantyhose showing up in movies in which you wouldn’t expect them,  I’ve often praised Milla Jovovich (and/or the costume designer) of the “Resident Evil” movies for dressing Milla’s character, Alice, in pantyhose for many of the scenes in which  she’s shooting and kicking the crud out of zombies. 

These rare cases are so impressive to me.   While today, so many movies that are set in business or formal scenes feature lead characters who dress up, except for the awful bare legs look, it’s so rewarding to see that some actresses (and/or costume designers) have so much class that they dress their star characters in pantyhose.   They truly get what so many others don’t – legs look so much better in pantyhose.

Delicate beauty, but ...

A couple of my other favorite action movies are “Beyond Hypothermia,” about a beautiful Chinese professional hit woman, who dispatches countless dudes, while dressed in lovely outfits, including high heels and pantyhose.  There’s just something about a delicately beautiful and petite woman (Wu Chen-Lien at right) dressed all femininely, while toting a high-power rifle that’s bigger than she is, and wielding assorted semi-automatic handguns.  Maybe it’s the juxtapositioning of the whole thing – pretty but deadly women, kicking butt, while wearing the most feminine thing in the world – pantyhose.  

And, you’ve read before how much I love “Princess Aurora.”  Don’t let the title fool you.  This is a Korean movie, starring the immensely popular Korean singer/actress Uhm Jung-hwa, who plays a heartbroken mother out to avenge the kidnap/murder of her young daughter (who loved the character, Princess Aurora.)  

Taking a stand

Despite the fact that this movie is pretty violent, it is a heart-wrenching, beautiful story, incredibly well-written and superbly acted.   I love Uhm Jung-hwa and will buy anything I can find that she’s done. 

Unfortunately, “Princess Aurora” is not available on DVD, but it is shown on IFC (Independent Film Channel) from time to time. 

Besides that I love this actress and this movie, one of the reasons I am recommending you see this is because Jung-hwa wears stunningly beautiful outfits, complete with high heels and pantyhose throughout the movie.  

While not quite as powerful or well done, another two movies I like are “Black Angel” and “Black Angel 2,” about a young Japanese woman who, years after witnessing the murder of her yakuza boss father, becomes an accomplished hit woman, who eventually extracts great vengeance on the new yakuza clan. 

Real-life angel?

The beautiful star who plays Black Angel is Riona Hizuki, who wears all black (naturally) dresses and pantyhose throughout the entire movie.

Seeing a trend with me here?  I guess I like movies in which women assassins extol the virtues of dressing femininely while blowing (mostly men) away.   Hey, I’m sure men would rather be done-in by a beautiful babe in pantyhose, than killed a little bit each day by women who go bare-legged.   Guys, am I right here?

Recently, I watched the movie “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie as a CIA spy (or Soviet Union double-agent?).  In the beginning of the movie, her character wears a skirt suit with high heels, but sadly, no pantyhose.  Too bad.  I thought it would have been very attractive and sexy if she had been wearing pantyhose when she kicked off her heels to fight and flee once her cover was compromised.  

How about you?   Do you love it when you see pantyhose in unexpected places?   What’s your favorite action (or otherwise) movie, in which the lead actress wears pantyhose throughout?   Or, do you have a favorite pantyhose scene during a movie?   Please share so that we all can enjoy!

A Good Time to be Asian II

 

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     Last year, in one of my first-ever blog posts, I wrote that I was going crazy for all things Asian – especially because Asian women appear to be much more prolific wearers of pantyhose than their Western counterparts. 

     I say it’s A Good Time to be Asian because it seems as if the whole world is discovering their selling power.  Today, Asian women are highly visible and they’re everywhere:  

     They’re on television shows and in major motion pictures.  All over the world, they are the face of every huge cosmetics company.  They have at least a bit part in almost every TV commercial. They’re in every magazine, they’re on billboards, on staff at every news organization.     

     Why?  Because they are practically perfect.  They are beautiful, glamorous, sexy.  They are the epitome of what’s female.  They are classy, graceful, elegant.  They are delicately beautiful, yet physically, mentally and emotionally powerful.  They are awesome. 

      My best friend is Vietnamese.  She is extremely intelligent (she has two bachelors degrees and a pilot’s license); she has a wonderful sense of humor, she is tons of fun to be around, and she is beautiful (although she doesn’t know it).  She’s also totally devoted to her family.  She gives and gives and never asks for anything for herself. 

      I have read about and seen documentaries about Asian culture, and I admire their work ethic, positive attitudes and commitment to values. 

      Mostly, I love their devotion to femininity.  I’ve read that it is considered rude in Korea for women not to wear pantyhose in public.  In Japan, women apparently embrace pantyhose not only at the office and during formal events, but (and I love this), also in everyday settings.   Those of you who’ve read my blog know how I love watching Ninja Warrior because some of the female contestants wear pantyhose even though they know they are likely to fall into the muddy waters beneath the toughest obstacle course known to man.  And even the female spectators sitting in the bleachers at the outdoors event can be seen in dresses or skirts and pantyhose.  

     But of all the Asian cultures, my heart still is owned by the Chinese.  I’ve read more and seen more documentaries about China than any other Asian country.  For me, it began a long time ago with my becoming a Bruce Lee fan, but that’s a whole other story.   

     I set my DVR to record anything starring Asian actresses.  There are at least 30 Asian actresses (mostly Chinese) I regularly follow.  Of course, I love Asian-American actresses like Lucy Liu, Michelle Yeoh, Bai Ling, Sandra Oh and Joan Chen, but I also love many who are popular mostly in their own countries. 

     Below, I’ve put together a photo gallery for you of a few of the more famous Asian actresses wearing  pantyhose.  In the captions, which you can read by expanding the pictures, I’ve written a note about the movies you can see them in. 

     I’m sure I’ve left out a few of your favorites Asian actresses because of space issues.  I would love to know who your favorite Asian actresses are.  

(Have pictures of Asian actresses wearing pantyhose?  If so, please email them to me at Robin@ActSensuous.com and I’ll use them in a future blog/gallery.) 

     What do you think?  Is it A Good Time to be Asian?

So lovely

Cute and sassy

Sitting pretty

Flawless

Star power

Lounging legs

In control

Dressed to kill

High marks

High rise

High blood pressure

Class dismissed

Too cute

To die for

So sweet

Such a doll

Luscious legs

Feminine fighter

Most perfect?

Powerful presence

Boss lady

Captivating

I’ll Bai

Beautiful Bai

Image conscious?

Dressed up doll

She can do girlie

Pretty toes, too

A goddess

Belongs in nylon

I Love Lucy

Formal femme

Classy look

How lovely

Like a dream

Very professional

So sophisticated

Killer legs

Picture perfect legs

Three Times a Lady

Who knew?

Lonely walk

Last call

Need a ride?

Transport this

So adorable

Legs that can kill

Wow

So glamorous

Oh, those legs

OMG!

OMG again

Mesmorizing

Super sexy

She’s got legs

What a doll

Super sweet

Dynamic Duo

Super fabulous

So adorable

The babe is bad

Flying wonder

Leggie lady

Lethal legs

Warrior women

Grace and elegance

Absolutely perfect

Giving back

So gorgeous

Looks can kill

Good taste

Simply irresistable

She’s perfect

The best

Carrie Ann, how could you?

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     “The judges have (get) their scores!

Carrie Ann Inaba  . . . . .  4!”

     I don’t watch the Tonight Show.  I like Jay Leno OK, but I’m more of a Late Show with David Letterman fan.  But for the first time ever, I watched the Tonight Show last night.  

     Why?  Because I wanted to see if Carrie Ann Inaba would make me proud, or disappoint me.  I fully expected to be disappointed, and I wasn’t disappointed, because she did disappoint me, as I expected. 

     See, I figured she’d wear some kind of short black dress during her appearance along with fellow judge Bruno Tonioli from the hit TV series Dancing with the Stars.  A small part of me had held out hope that Carrie Ann would wear pantyhose, but I knew I was kidding myself.  

     Carrie Ann gets to hide behind long gowns and a desk as a judge on DWTS, so I suppose she’s pretty much off the hook with whether to wear pantyhose on the show.  But I’ve seen a few photos of her during public appearances, and never have I seen her wearing pantyhose.  So, as I feared, she is one of those brainwashed celebs who’ve jumped on the bare legs bandwagon. 

     Now, I hate to be judgmental.  I mean she is a beautiful woman and she has tons of charm and personality.  But her legs looked perfectly AWFUL last night. 

     And those shoes!   I can never understand how so many women don’t seem to realize that big, cloddy shoes make their legs look so dumpy.  Sheer pantyhose and pumps would have been so much more attractive, not to mention appropriate.

      There are so many reasons I am bothered by Carrie Ann’s choosing to do the bare legs things:  

• Lack of judgment, misplaced values, missed opportunity, no self awareness, no sense of pride in how she looks, or maybe she just doesn’t care
• She could have/should have been an ambassador for the No. 1 rated TV show she represents had she bothered to dress for the occasion.  (She represents ballroom, which is a classy thing, yet, she must not think it deserves to be held in such a lofty place)
• Her willingness to follow the pack when she must have had better sense. (Didn’t her mother tell her she should wear pantyhose for the occasion?)
• She’s Asian, so I’d hoped she would know better

      Those of you who’ve read my blogs know that I hold Asian women in the highest esteem.  For one thing, Asian women appear to be more committed to femininity and have a higher sense of values than most of their Western counterparts.  And Asian women are far more prolific wearers of pantyhose – in the office, on screen and in everyday life.  Especially, Japanese women. 

      But, of course, I am speaking of “real” Asian women.  Carrie Ann Inaba, of Chinese, Japanese and Irish descent, is too Westernized.  She’s similar in that respect to Lucy Liu, whom I adore.  And it pains me to have to say this but Lucy Liu, a Chinese-American woman who was born and grew up in New York, almost never wears pantyhose during the many charity events, awards ceremonies and other high profile venues she attends.  At least, Lucy Liu wears pantyhose when it counts the most – her TV and movies appearances.

      I think it’s sad that Carrie Ann doesn’t seem to care about her image.  I really want to like Carrie Ann, but I’ve lost some respect for her. 

      Am I being too harsh?  I welcome your comments.  Meanwhile, check out the photo gallery from the Tonight Show:

Casual corner

No laughing matter

Help wanted

Help from above

Not exactly a 10

Outdone

Dancing with the Slobs a huge bust

     UPDATE:  Tuesday March 30, 2010 -

     You know that (annoying) TV commercial in which everyday people take credit for the new Microsoft Windows 7: “It was my idea.” ?

     Well obviously, DWTS listened to me, or read my blog, because more of the pro dancers and celebrity dancers wore pantyhose during Monday’s second episode and tonight’s Results Show of the 2010 season.  

     But not my favorite from the first show last Monday night, Nicole Scherzinger.  Bimbo.  I knew it was too good to be true!

Monday March 22, 2010 -    

Celeb dancer Nicole Scherzinger practices with pro partner Derek Hough, but unfortunately, was almost never seen in pantyhose during her actual performances.

I had stopped watching Dancing with the Stars many seasons and many reasons ago.  But you had to know I’d at least watch Monday night’s (March 22, 2010) opening episode to see if, by some miracle, any of the female celebrity and pro dancers wore pantyhose.   Would any of them show any class, or like during the Oscars, would most of them  wear fabulous costumes, jewelry and heels but go bare-legged? 

     Helloooo … this is ballroom, people!  Where’s the grace and elegance?  

     Two places, actually:

• First, as usual, the women in the audience looked better than the celebs and pros, as almost everyone of them wore pantyhose.  After all, these ordinary people have the class and good sense to realize they’ll be seen on national TV.  When the audience members dress better than the stars, the costumer associated with the show should be ashamed. 
• Second, toward the end of the show, there was a wonderful commercial for L’eggs pantyhose, featuring an absolutely gorgeous Asian girl wearing a variety of pretty outfits and pantyhose.  Wow!  A pantyhose commercial.  Haven’t seen one of those since, what, the 1970s?  

      In all fairness, celebs Niecy Nash and Nicole Scherzinger (photo above), and pro dancers Chelsie Hightower and Anna Trebunskaya did wear pantyhose. 

    But celebs Shannen Doherty, Erin Andrews, Kate Gosselin and Pamela Anderson, and pro dancers Cheryl Burke, Ashly Costa (too bad because she’s very cute and sweet), and Edyta Sliwinska (whom I’ve NEVER seen in pantyhose ever) went with the bare legs look. 

     Here’s what I don’t get:  Dancing with the Stars does an elaborate job and must spend an enormous amount of money on the set.   On the surface, the overall look and atmosphere is one of class, elegance and glamour.  The orchestra is first rate.  The concept is well conceived.  So what is with the costumer for this show?   Hellooooo.  This is ballroom! 

     You don’t see professional or even amateur figure skaters going bare-legged just because pantyhose “aren’t in fashion” right now.  And cheerleaders of professional sports teams (and some college teams) wear pantyhose (or at least tights).    

     And who cast these celebs, anyway?   It seems that the show thinks it has to feature women with huge busts (hence my title for this post) to pull in viewers.  Pamela Anderson?   “The most downloaded celebrity of all time?”  Huh?  And all the male cast members and celebs just went ga-ga over this?  Ugh, I must belong on a completely different planet. 

Insert (June 2010): OK, I must admit, I had never really given Pamela Anderson a chance.  She actually grew on me during the course of the show, which I did monitor (only to see who wore and who didn’t).  I have to give Pamela credit.  She isn’t the bimbo I’d expected.  She was funny, she can dance, she maintained a professional attitude and she brought character to each of her performances.  AND she often wore pantyhose.  So, I am now admitting that I prejudged her, and for that, I am sorry.   

      Am I wrong here?   Too hard on this show?   Is it OK for celebs and pro dancers of the ballroom to allow their wardrobe to drop to the depths of what we can expect to see on late night talk shows and award shows?  Does anyone care?

Please let me know your thoughts:  Dancing with the Stars — or Dancing with the Slobs?

A good time to be Asian

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

That’s what I tell my best friend/employee.  She’s Vietnamese-American, and an absolute doll.

You see, Asian women today are showing up everywhere in the world on TV, TV commericals, movies, magazines.  Why? First, Asians are probably the world’s most beautiful women.  Second, it seems they are much more prolific wearers of pantyhose than Westerners and all other nationalities.

Maybe it’s just part of the Asian culture – they seem to do everything elegantly and gracefully – and they appear to be much more professional-minded in the workplace, always wearing business suits, high heels and pantyhose.  I read on the Internet that it’s considered rude in Korean culture for girls to show bare legs in public.  I think I love Korea.

So, it’s a good time to be Asian because it seems like the whole world is discovering Asia.  Not since the superhuman Bruce Lee revolutionized martial arts and introduced it to movie audiences throughout the world and brought global attention and pride to China, has there been such an explosion of Asian talent in the mainstream media of today.

I admit, I am hooked.  I can name 20 major Asian actresses off the top of my head.  I’m sure I could think of many more if I really tried, but the ones I’m counting are well known (including Lucy Liu (love her), Sandra Oh, Joan Chen, Michelle Yeoh (OMG), Maggie Cheung, Gong Li (gorgeous is not enough of a compliment), Ziyi Zhang (the most perfect woman in the world), Bai Ling (wow), Shu Qi (adorable) and Maggie Q).  Wow, all of them except Maggie Q (mostly Vietnamese) are Chinese.  OK, so there’s Devin Aoki (Japanese) who starred in “D.E.B.S.,” and Jet Li’s “War.” And, one of my faves, Uhm Jung-hwa  (Korean) who starred in “Princess Aurora” (an exciting, heartwrenching mystery/drama, which also is beautifully written and acted).

I’m trying to get our little Asian employee to model for us because she looks absolutely awesome in ActSensuous pantyhose, but she is so modest.

Quick Question: Would you like to see a gallery of pics of our lovely little Vietnamese girl modeling ActSensuous pantyhose?  If so, please leave a comment below.

We have a few Asian customers, but I’d love to have many, many more.  Please tell your Asian friends about ActSensuous.  Also, I am pleading with our Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai customers out there: Send us photos of you wearing our beautiful, sexy and decidedly feminine pantyhose.  I’d like to start an all-Asian models category of the gallery on our website.  Please honor us with your beauty and grace.

What do you think, readers?  Are you Asian crazy yet?  Please click on the comment link below this post and tell us your thoughts.  It’s completely anonymous to participate. Only the name you provide will appear along with your comment.