When Denim is Flexible Enough for a Contortionist
One young girl is getting bent out of shape over denim with TENCEL® branded lyocell fibers.
In fact, as a contortionist, Liu Teng gets bent out of shape for a living—and she’s setting records doing it in denim made with TENCEL® fibers.
Dubbed the most flexible woman in China, the 25-year-old just broke a Guinness World Record earlier this month for fastest time to travel 20 meters in a contortion roll, clocking 15.54 seconds.
Liu makes the moves look easy, but more than that, she gives denim a different perception as the fabric has long been known for being rigid, and even with the influx of stretch, denim has still never been considered activewear. Though for Liu, that’s precisely the purpose it serves.
Carved in Blue caught up with Liu to get a look inside her bendy life and figure out what’s making her want to wear denim to do what she does.
Carved in Blue: How did you become a contortionist and what made you decide to do it?
Liu: Since my childhood, I like extreme sports very much. So later on, I joined a professional group and followed professional contortion training.
Carved in Blue: Can you tell us a little about the Guinness World Record you’re receiving? How do you feel about it?
Liu: From 2014 to 2017, I have been breaking the Guinness World Records for four consecutive years. I really like to challenge the Guinness Records, which makes me full of energy. It digs our deep potential. For me, it is more than a challenge. I think it is something spiritual, because in life, our biggest opponent is our self, so I am challenging myself constantly.
Carved in Blue: What made you decide to perform your moves wearing denim?
Liu: I really like fashion stuff. In 2013, I wore a jean during a filming. At that time, I was greatly surprised by many netizens’ praise. For many people, jean is fashionable, it is made of a strong fabric, if you combine it with contortion, it can make the ordinary people feel amazing and give them a different visual impact.
Carved in Blue: What is it about denim with TENCEL® fibers that allows you to do what you do?
Liu: My personal experience of TENCEL® fibers in jeans: it is really comfortable and very soft. Think you can perceive it through my body motion directly.
Carved in Blue: Do you wear these jeans with TENCEL® fibers in your regular life too, when you’re not being contortionist?
Liu: I really like to wear jeans and I have many in my wardrobe. Whenever I wear them, I feel more dynamic, younger and shining. I wasn’t aware the fabric content is so important before.
Carved in Blue: In your opinion, what’s the most important quality in a jean?
Liu: In my opinion, apart from being fashionable, jeans also need to be very comfortable and healthy!
Carved in Blue: If you could make your perfect jean, what would it include?
Liu: First of all, I will choose the one which is healthy, comfortable and fashionable. I always want to create my own clothing brand which links to contortion. The products in my brand must be elegant and soft. I hope whenever people mention my brand, they may think of “softness.” I can display and define clothing in a very unique and different way. Meanwhile, I hope I’m able to cooperate with a clothing brand to make it come true together.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Liu: The color I most like is blue, just like the blue sky, because it symbolizes broadness, freedom and will make me feel joyful.