Recently, national goddess Gao Yuanyuan and renowned rock singer Wang Feng appeared in Beijing’s Sanlitun to attend the launch event of the “Brave & Shining Transformation SHINE 2015 Journey” held by their endorsed brand Explorer, as well as the launch ceremony of “Searching for Tmall Goddess”. They were joined by Li Shujun, General Manager of Tmall Fashion, Liu Xiuyun, Director, and Peng Xin, President of Explorer, who jointly announced the itinerary for the Nepal Transformation Journey by Explorer and kicked off the large-scale “Searching for Tmall Goddess”
What impressions and thoughts do you have about the brand Explore? Have there been any changes before and after becoming its spokesperson?
Gao Yuanyuan: Explore is a very professional outdoor brand that I also really like. In recent years, the outdoor industry has actually developed very rapidly, and we can clearly feel that there are more and more choices of outdoor brands around us. In such an environment, Explore has not stuck rigidly to its existing achievements but has actively improved and enhanced itself in response to consumer needs. The most intuitive change is that Explore’s clothing has become increasingly fashionable. In the past, older people around me preferred Explore more, but now look at the windbreaker I’m wearing—it’s very stylish and more suitable for young people. Also, during our collaboration, we had deeper interactions and found more common ground. For example, Explore’s themes like “Brave Heart” and “Shine Through Transformation” are things I personally pursue and really love.
The theme of this launch event is “Shine Through Transformation,” and Explore’s brand theme for this year is also “Shine Through Transformation.” What does “transformation” mean to you?
Gao Yuanyuan: I think no change can happen suddenly; quantitative change leads to qualitative change. For myself, I hope to change, and I see “transformation” as a form of progress. Whether in any aspect, I hope to challenge things I’ve never done before, including discovering new things or feelings I haven’t experienced. I think it’s really important to let go of a so-called sense of security and step into a relatively unfamiliar environment to allow yourself to “transform” and improve.
Every woman experiences a beautiful transformation like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Over the nearly 20 years since your debut, how have you beautifully transformed?
Gao Yuanyuan: I think it’s actually related to my personality. When everyone else was very young, very unrestrained, and freely enjoying youth and expressing themselves, I was relatively introverted. As a child, I was somewhat shy and was always seeking a sense of security, not brave enough. Then one day, I found myself getting a bit tired of it, feeling like my world was just too small, and I wanted more change. Actually, I can’t be sure that every change will be good or beneficial in the future, but when I want to change, if I don’t seize the opportunity, I think I might regret it later. When there’s a chance to break through myself, I still hope to grasp it—I pursue the process of “transformation.”
This time you collaborated with Explore to release a new 2015 Nepal Shine Through Transformation journey. What are your thoughts on Nepal and this transformation journey route?
Gao Yuanyuan: Nepal is a very special place. It is favored by outdoor enthusiasts for its rich terrain and is a paradise for hikers, a place of pilgrimage for outdoor lovers. Whether it’s the design of the route itself, the natural scenery along the way, or the significance of challenging oneself, it’s definitely worth going. I’m going to Nepal for the Shine Through Transformation journey again in June, and I’m very happy to have the opportunity to experience such a professionally designed route.
In this collaboration with Explore, which style or color of the skin jacket you’re endorsing do you like the most?
Gao Yuanyuan: Like the orange-red one I was wearing on stage just now—I really like it. The color is very vibrant, and although it’s such a bold color, it’s actually very easy to match with other clothes. It goes very well with lighter colors, like white. Also, I’ve specifically changed into this white and red combo today, and I’m quite satisfied with how it looks.
As a national “goddess,” what advice do you have on sun protection, skincare, and clothing coordination? For example, what sun protection methods do you choose?
Gao Yuanyuan: I pay special attention to sun protection because I’m very afraid of UV rays, yet I also love going outdoors. Everyone knows that UV rays are very harmful to the skin. Although they have their benefits, it’s also important to avoid their damage to your skin. So, besides applying sunscreen, it becomes very important to prevent UV damage in other ways. Of course, when you go outdoors, you’ll have all kinds of gear, but if you live in the city, like me—I ride a bike outside—then a skin jacket is actually a great way to protect against the sun. Because applying sunscreen has a time limit and you also have to wash it off, but just wearing a skin jacket makes things much easier. In terms of daily clothing coordination, I prefer comfort. I also think that in daily life, clothes are here to serve us—we don’t have to be dictated by so-called fashion trends.
The Explore 2015 Nepal Shine Through Transformation Journey will set off this June. It is now open for registration via its official service account, Weibo, the official Tmall store of Explore, and will also launch recruitment on the Green Field Network. Users will join the national goddess Gao Yuanyuan in Nepal, trek the Annapurna and Poon Hill loops, experience the charm of the Nepal Shine Through Transformation Journey, and get to try out the full range of the 2015 Gao Yuanyuan Edition TiEF SKIN windbreakers (UPF>40+) throughout the trip.