Taiwanese dancer and choreographer Xu Fangyi covers the January 2023 issue of Vogue Taiwan. The internationally-renowned dancer wrote on Facebook: "If it is important to be seen by the world, I will not spend my energy waiting for the eyes of the world. I will try my best to polish myself so that it is difficult for people not to see."

The writing translations on Vogue Taiwan are always so expressive and well-written. AOC didn’t know until today that uber-talented Zhong Lin [IG] is a self-taught photographer — as if our respect for her intuitive talent could grow any larger.

There’s an undercurrent of expression in Vogue Taiwan that consistently stresses 1) issues that matter — sustainability runs much deeper in Vogue Taiwan than US Vogue, for example, and 2) the pursuit of excellence as an important and worthy goal. Intellectual and emotional horsepower are highly valued in Taiwan, and Anne knows this truth from many trips to Taiwan on business.

Xu Fangyi is another of those inspiring to AOC women with backbone. She comes from the earnest group of ‘never let them see you sweat’ creatives, while she puts herself relentlessly through the paces of pursuing her best self.

Photographer Zhong Lin's lens has become her opponent today, both an enemy and a friend. Her eyes are firm, revealing her determination not to be outdone. "Have you captured the photo you want?" "Is this okay? I can kick my feet higher." "Maybe I can try another angle?" She frequently asked the photographer what she thought about the body, and even counted After she didn't know how many times she tried unsatisfactorily, Xu Fangyi wore high heels and gave that almost perfect movement. It was a beautiful moment where the two artists mingle.

The artist and photographer emote together in a unified experience. The excellence of one inspires the other.

The goal bar goes higher and higher and suddenly we are looking at images far better than most published in fashion magazines. They are filled with layers of visual interest and subtlety.

We come close to ‘seeing’ Xu Fangyi’s brain at work if we study her face, fully engaged with Zhong Lin. It’s very impressive and inspiring creative work, ladies.

Joey Lin styles the fashion story, choosing Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Fendi, Gucci and always Panthère de Cartier jewelry worn by the former Martha Graham dancer.

There is much discussion devoted to the challenge that every dancer faces — the aging body. Xu Fangyi wanted to break through the four walls of the theater, and launched the movie "My Heart, My Way", declaring the next stage of her life in her 50s [before it declares her]. The film won three Golden Horse awards at the 2022 Taipei Film Festival.

Any Martha Graham principal dancer is a bastion of excellent form and perfectly-executed dance moves as emotional release. So filter Xu Fangyi’s goodbye words through that lens to us creatives: