“Spring. Is it a season? A beginning? Or a feeling?” These are the questions Michelle Yeoh asks as she pushes open a pair of old wooden doors and steps out into the cool air, gazing into a spectacular view of the mountains of Jingning and Xiandu. What follows is a meditative rumination on the true meaning of spring, interpreted through graceful movements demonstrated by a cast of dancers from the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre and Yeoh herself—dressed head-to-toe in lululemon’s most season-appropriate offerings.
Aptly titled Be Spring, the short film heralds the arrival of spring just in time for Lunar New Year, signifying rebirth and new beginnings. As they move effortlessly through the hypnotic choreography inspired by the revered martial art of Wing Chun, Yeoh and the dancers poetically represent the meeting of the mind and body, exploring the idea of wellbeing through the lens of Eastern culture.
Yeoh’s partnership with lululemon is a natural fit, given the actor’s long history with the sporting and dance worlds. Trained in ballet as a child, she then excelled in squash in her youth, winning junior championships in her hometown of Malaysia. Eventually, she would go on to become proficient in a number of different martial arts, kickstarting her storied screen career in action and martial arts films. The rest, of course, is history.
As a big believer in the importance of finding balance in life, Yeoh places great emphasis on integrating physical movement as a means to align the mind, body and spirit. She echoes lululemon’s ethos of wellbeing for all: “I am delighted to be partnering with lululemon. Sports have always been an important element of my life, and I am committed to helping more people, especially younger generations, benefit from sport.”
Beyond embodying the cultural confluence of East and West—a synergy reflected in Yeoh’s own journey—Be Spring holds even greater meaning for the actor since it references one of her early films.
She says: “In 1994, I starred in the movie Wing Chun. Thirty years later, I’m honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with these professional dancers to reinterpret Wing Chun through the short film Be Spring. This is a concept that resonates with me deeply. Having our own inner spring all year round is our superpower.”
In tandem with the short film, lululemon is also unveiling a limited edition Lunar New Year capsule collection. Well-loved lululemon staples like the Align tank and the Wunder Puff jacket are reimagined in the season’s festive colour palette.
Meanwhile, brand new designs draw inspiration from Eastern culture—like a sueded terry pullover inspired by the unique shapes and curves formed by overlapping dragon scales, or a balloon sleeve jacket made with a glossy satin fabric that goes easily from day to night. Perfect for studio-use or everyday-wear, the versatile pieces will infuse your regular rotation of athleisure with a much-needed jolt of festivity.
Discover the Be Spring short film here, and shop the lululemon Lunar New Year capsule collection in store or online.
