Page 45 - Q01-2021 Fins Magazine

head mermaid at the Todi Dive contest. “It’s a bodysuit constructed
Center and she actively travels of mesh and has a silicone dorsal
the world performing at beach fin on the back, with sequins.” (See
clubs, swimming pools and for Merman Nico, also featured in this
photoshoots. issue.)

ODYCEA STUDIOS MERMATES
In 2016, Celine met Mermaid Lexie ‘The Mermates’ is a collective
and they decided to join their of five professional mermaids:
creative talents and open Odycea Mermaid Celine, Mermaid Evi,
Studios. Odycea studios creates Mermaid Lelie, Mermaid Naomi
handmade, high quality custom and Lexie Mermaid.
hybrid tails, merchandise and
accessories. When Celine was asked if she
would like to perform by the
“We decided to combine our TODI dive center for their opening
different tail making techniques ceremony, she searched to find
(Celine’s experience with sequins other mermaids to perform with
tails and Lexie’s with silicone her.
Mermaid tails). It takes about 7 months to “I didn’t know any mermaids back Performing at Elftopia each year, Celine
Celine sequins).” Last year they finally I met Lieke, Evi and Naomi during forever and we wanted to do
has been there since its inception.
make a custom tail. We focus on
then and had to go find some, then
hybrid tails (neoprene, silicone and
something that would keep us in
a meet-up. (Lexie I met a year later
launched their company with their
the mermaid world. We love to
website: www.odyceastudios.com
in Paris) We clicked and that was
other people’s dreams and holding
From the start, both Celine and the beginning of ‘The Mermates’.” make tails for people, supporting
Lexie wanted to include products The Mermates now regularly workshops, basically, just helping
and accessories for mermen. perform at TODI and have done so others. I want to spend the rest of
Mermaid Celine started in 2004 becoming a mermaid was really annual fantasy festival, ‘Elftopia.’ for several years. my life doing something I love.”
in Belgium after being obsessed her dream. Between acting gigs “There are very few accessories for
with mermaids. Her dream was to and musicals, she got side jobs as a A place where elves, princesses, mermen and we have felt since the “It made sense when we were “I had to figure it all out by myself.
be a professional mermaid where mermaid. trolls, druids, orcs, time travelers, beginning it was something that together. We were having fun, And I’ll tell you, it wasn’t easy.
she could combine her artistic and vikings, gnomes and wizards was needed and where we could perform and teach classes together Never. But I did it in the end,
performance passion into a career. “I had to work really hard to converge. The audience is engaged innovate.” Celine commented, we and have a lot of ideas.” If Celine and that’s what’s most important
establish myself,” Celine said. in all the fantasy and folklore that are “very proud of the bodysuit that hadn’t met them, she wouldn’t right?”
“It was very difficult when I surrounds them. The highlight of we created for mermen. We really know where she would be today. “I
started. The idea of professional Celine’s years of hard work paid the event is when Mermaid Celine appreciate Fins Magazine letting love them and really consider them
mermaids in Belgium is outside the off when she performed for the swims around a medieval castle in mermen know that our accessories my family. It’s like destiny, fate.”
normal. There were times when I congress of Copenhagen. its moat. are available for them.” Watch our interview with Mermaid
Celine on our YouTube channel.
felt very discouraged and without If not for Mermates, there would
support, but I knew what I wanted “My first gig was a video clip for “Elftopia is an incredible event and Merman Nico won an Odycea be no Odycea. “We realized we BY PATRICIA PASTRANO
and never gave up.” Celine said in congress in Copenhagen. It was I feel so special to be the featured Studios merman bodysuit in a couldn’t be mermaid performers JEFF WEINER
her interview. a special moment for me because performing artist. I swim the moat
Copenhagen is the birthplace of around a medieval castle with all
STARTING OUT the story of The Little Mermaid”. of the fantasy creatures, onlookers, Learn more about Mermaid Celine: Photo Credits:
Mermaid Celine started out families and friends watching. It’s www.mermaidceline.com Learn more about Mermates: Onderwater Fotografie Academie
www.the-mermates.com
performing as a mermaid when she Celine has now established herself truly magical.” @mermaidceline @mermates.eu Filip Staes
was still in school. as one of the foremost mermaids in FB: Mermaid Celine @lexiemermaid Florine Jonnekin Photography
Isabelle Hanneuse Photography
Belgium. Celine now teaches mermaid @mermaid.evi
@mermaid_lelie
She was studying to become an classes to both adults and kids Learn more about Odycea Studios: @lexiemermaid
actress, singer and dancer, but She is a featured artist at the around the globe. She is the www.odyceastudios.com @_mermaid_naomi

44 45