Subconsciously even from a young age, my most loved conceptions of beauty all had a slightly otherworldly element to them, which was a foreshadowing of things to come.
Besides just physical manifestations of beauty, it was also always important to me to surround myself with other incarnations of it like lovely music, captivating words, and interesting decor.
No life is perfect, but romanticising it can be a wonderful way to help yourself see the beauty in the everyday. Through the years, the mermaid world has blossomed to become a place that celebrates beauty in diversity.
Race, gender, body—all those things that make you unique are things that are upheld and celebrated. In my mermaid form, I have different looks to play with. Two of my favourite mermaid looks involve koi-inspired tails, and lots of luminescent whites paired with warm blush pinks and rose golds, or cooler, ethereal purples.
Below, Syrena shares her beauty inspirations.
Cultural Consciousness
When I first started, the idea of an Asian mermaid didn’t exist in the cultural consciousness but I was resolute about promoting who I was, as an Asian and Singaporean mermaid. I turned that into my brand identity and refused to compromise on it.
Photo Credit: Joshfather Photography
Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra
I think that the scene of Elizabeth Taylor’s entrance as Cleopatra is probably why I commission large mermaid crowns. It’s the idea of beauty as a symbol of authority, desirability, and even divinity.
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox
Freedom Of Expression
There’s a freedom for self-definition in the liminality and otherworldliness that mermaids represent. We do not exist for others to project their fantasies or prejudices on.
Photo Credit: Emily Flip Photography
The Mythological
My favourite beauty inspirations are a motley mix of the otherworldly and mythological, like Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Or, a book that’s high up on my list for its ability to inspire emotion and imagination is Donna Tartt’s The Secret History.
Photo Credit: Uffizi Gallery
The Ocean
I don’t know if I succeed in conveying what I have in mind all the time, but I love the image of gleaming sunlight against ocean water.
Photo Credit: Mourad Saad / Unsplash