What is the "New Style Oriental"?

Thanks to Sophia STEEL, oriental dancer and teacher, for answering our interview concerning the New Style Oriental, one she imagined, initiated, developed and passed on.

What's the "New Style Oriental"?

The New Style Oriental® (NSO) was born about 10 years ago following long reflections during my artistic career where I questioned my style. On one hand, I had a lot of ideas I didn't dare to put forward because it was "different" from what you could see in the world of Bellydance and on the other hand, because just like in life, I believe that everyone is unique.
Looking for my artistic identity and shared between 2 universes: Hip hop where I was seen as a "belly dancer" and oriental dance where there, I was "too modern" or even "too jazzy", I didn't want my proposal to fall into the clichés of fusion. You may have understood, I did not want to be in a "box" because my state of mind is open to the world and dance in general.
NSO is a contemporary expression, an oriental dance base tinged with hip hop and jazzy moves. I dance to what inspires and resonates with me whether it's soul, rnb, hip hop, funk, current music or any sound that makes me vibrate. My expression looks like me, a mix of strength and gentleness that allowed me to find my balance.
Beyond the technique, it helps students, above all, to take ownership of their bodies and love themselves: Feel and work on their musicality, interpret without copying and develop their personality. Convinced that the art of dance is a real tool for personal development, this concept also highlights a state of mind: Positivity, determination, team spirit and self-confidence. For this, I offer the "ANA" program ("me" in Arabic) which is open to every woman who wishes to learn, understand, or evolve in dance.
Elegance is a major foundation of the New Style Oriental. In a society where hypersexualization and crude images are put forward and create lots of damage (especially among young girls), I aspire to give an example of a dance between tradition and modernity that would allow them to blossom personally. As an artist, we have the opportunity to send messages that can have a major impact on the public and that is how I feel useful in this world.
I also find important to promote the oriental dance's art and allow the public to become aware of the sporting aspect through my classes, which could sometimes be neglected or even non-existent in the domain. Moreover, this is what pushed me several years ago to include in the annual membership fee the cost of a fitting dance training outfit like the one you offer in your shop. So, no more students coming to my classes in jeans or suits!
For several years, I wore classic Bellydance costumes. Today, my outfits reflect my personality and my artistic approach, I do not want to highlight my body but my message and expression. Also, by refining my style, I realized that I was a modest woman and I think that in the end no one "has to" wear the same outfits although in Bellydance, each style has its own costume. So I dare to be me and hope to inspire other women. The Bellydance outfits of the New Style Oriental reflect this, originality in simplicity, modernity with an oriental touch.

Oriental dance is characterized by history and traditions. How is your modern and innovative style seen by your students on the one hand, but also by the community of oriental dancers on the other hand?

My students support me enormously, I think they appreciate my ideas, style as much as my pedagogy and it is very motivating. I have great feedback and I take this opportunity to thank them once again. Regarding the bellydancers' community, some have let me know that they greatly appreciate my work considered original. Moreover, these are the same types of feedback I also get from dancers from the contemporary, jazz & hip hop world.
I'll always happy to get feedback and connect with other dancers in the community!

Where do you get your creativity to imagine your oriental dance choreographies and stagings?

Life inspires me. In my opinion the situations I can see and the human exchanges are very rich. I'm very curious. I often leave to discover different worlds. I think a lot. I sometimes imagine unlikely scenes, I say to myself "and why not?" then I mix it all up and here you go! The most important is that the result looks like me. I often have sudden ideas that I write down and will come out... or not. It is when I found the subject of creation that I write according to my inspiration and state of mind at that time, then I can imagine stagings.

What's your background as a dancer?

With a modern jazz background, I started dancing at the age of 7 with Cathy Mora/Rick Odums then I discovered the hip hop culture. First the rap writing then the hip hop dance with Zouhair (Casa Musicale), Amar (Art of Dance) and Renald Leclerc before joining the company 6 STEP.
I started Bellydancing around 17 with Rajaa Dussart and it was a real heart-stopper because her interpretation and stage presence dazzled me.
In search of new knowledge, I then went to Paris to discover Leila Haddad and Assia Guemra who are among the oriental dance's pioneers in France and succeeded in introducing this art into theatres. There was also Djamila Henni Chebra who I unfortunately have never met. I actually ordered her book on belly dancing and can't wait to devour it!
Self-taught, I also attended a few targeted masterclasses and then I trained a lot in order to pass on this acquired teaching.
I was a ballet oriental dancer with the Jillina Carlano company for the Miles Coppeland's "Dark Side Of the Crown" production in Vienna and Madrid. This experience supported my ideas as well as my vision of a scenic creation and all it covers.
Beyond the scenes presented at festivals and various events, I was able to collaborate with cosmetic brands such as Make Up For Ever and Sephora during European tours for a few years.
At the same time, I taught in Perpignan where my dance school had no less than 180 students, as well as in the city's sensitive areas within youth structures.
Choreographer, I presented during the National Dance Confederation Competition students ranked 1st National Solo and 3rd Regional Group. Bellydance was represented there for the first time in all-style competitions.
I also train semi-pro dancers for competitions but also those wishing to develop professionally or simply have additional keys to evolve artistically.
So I've been giving Bellydance lessons to children, teens and adults from all walks of life for more than 15 years and I never get tired of it.

What do you like to wear during your oriental dance's lessons and workshops? What is your "favorite" outfit in our store?

I like comfortable outfits because being comfortable is important to me! Other than being a flirtatious woman, I think it's important to take care of yourself and get ready to come to class. This is what I tell my students: Be yourself and get in the character!
My "favorite" outfit is this black dance suit which combines femininity and originality and I imagine wearing it with a stylish little bolero and a light and colorful Bellydance belt which would give the extra touch!

Let's talk accessories, what is your favorite Bellydance accessory? Also, what other accessory offered in the store are you unfamiliar with and would you like to experiment with?

My favorite accessory is the Saïdi cane! I really enjoy this style of oriental dance which combines power and charisma!
I know all the accessories that you offer in your Bellydance shop, but the one I would like to try in a show is the LED umbrella, because it reminds me of the end of a choreographic scene inspired by Asian ballets that I staged with umbrellas and was very successful. I now imagine it with LEDs for even more magic!

Discover Sophia STEEL in a video: