Davinia was kind enough to take some time off her busy schedule to answer some questions for us, so we can get to know a little bit more about her, and why she created this short film. Read on…

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

My name is Davinia. I am originally from Malta, but moved to Dublin, Ireland, five months ago to do my Masters degree in Applied Digital Media. I am also a blogger (you can read my blog at http://www.daviniahamilton.com), freelance writer, editor and graphic designer.

What’s your passion in life?

There are many! My philosophy of life is that you have to try and experience and learn as much as you can while you’re here, so in my pursuits I end up loving a lot of things I do, but if I had to pick three, they would be music, the written word and film and photography.

What inspired you to create this short film?

I was a teenage girl once. I remember very clearly what it is like to look in the mirror and not feel good enough; to open magazines, turn on the TV and be bombarded with images of women I would never look like. I think that you have to choose to have a positive self-image. You can’t just expect it to happen because the odds are against it, unfortunately. It is a decision you make when you realise that you cannot go through life constantly feeling inadequate. When we were assigned the task of creating a short film in college, I decided I had to put this message across. I am friends with a group of bellydancers here and I realised this would be the perfect subject to focus on. Bellydance is all about owning your body and unlike some other forms of dance does not place importance on the way you look. Anybody can do it and look amazing as long as they feel comfortable in their own skin.

Do you bellydance yourself? If so, how has bellydancing affected you?

I did bellydance for about three years. I’ve had to stop since moving because of time and financial constraints but bellydance helped me understand my body and connect with muscles that other forms of dance and exercise did not. Bellydance is a fantastic workout both physically and emotionally because when you see what your body is actually capable of doing, then you realise you are far from inadequate. Furthermore, bellydance helps you meet other women and be creative together in a space without men, where you are not in danger of feeling sexualised or objectified.

What message would you like to convey with all women reading this?

You are enough. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like: you are exactly who you are supposed to be. Instead of picking an idol or role model and trying to be more like them, you should try to be more like yourself.

Thank you so much Davinia for creating this film! We truly hope it will help inspire every woman who watches it to start loving her body the way it is, and perhaps why not, encourage some women to take up bellydancing too!

Guest post by by Jamie Simpson

Every woman knows that the right pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. This is especially true for Christmas parties. Women must dress to impress as there are bound to be countless old friends and acquaintances in attendance. And let’s face it, we want other women to envy our style.

There are several factors to keep in mind when selecting a pair of shoes for a holiday party. The first thing to consider is the time of day. Is the party to take place during the day or in the evening? A daytime party is often less formal and may not require the same calibre of attire as would an evening party.

Glittery heels won’t do for the daytime, but a pair of satin pumps would be perfect. Also, lower heels are more appropriate for daytime functions. Opt for a block heel instead of sky high heels, which could look a bit out of place in the daytime. However, once the sun goes down your heels can be as sky high, colourful and glittery as you like!

A perfect party pump should flatter a woman’s leg. Avoid wearing sling backs with skirts and dresses, as sling backs can make even dainty ankles look thick and bulky. Ankle strap heels are a much better option, as they define the ankles and have a slimming effect. Mid-calf length boots tend to divide the lower leg at the widest point, which will make even the longest legs appear short and chunky. Opt for a fitted knee length or thigh high boot instead, as it will elongate the calf and legs will look longer as a result.

A classic heeled shoe can do wonders for a woman’s physique, especially her legs and derriere. A tall heel can define the calf muscles and accentuates curves. Being tall can also make you feel more confident.

However, comfort is another important variable in selecting party shoes. Ill-fitting heels will negatively affect your posture and stride, and may even result in injuries such as blisters or twisted ankles. So, make sure they’re not too high that they will compromise your fun!

Don’t be afraid to make a statement by pairing a bold heel colour with a plain dress. Try bright red heels with a black dress or leopard print pumps with a red dress. If the dress is more detailed, select a plainer shoe, instead. For instance, a glittery or sequined dress would look great with a solid colour velvet or satin shoe.

This article was written by Jamie Simpson on behalf of ASOS.com where you can find a wide range of shoes; including party shoes, high heels, boots from a variety of brands.