Get lost in a world of sequins & glitter.

Our new mum & daughter story with Ilaria & Margot is explosive as a BOOM, POW, WHACK! A mix of ‘dancing queen’ attitude with the sweetest feminine chemistry. Ilaria aka Miss Mini, is a professional dancer & dance teacher who specialises in the expressive dance form of ‘Waacking’

Since we have an expert involved, we asked Ilaria to explain in her words, what Waacking is.  

SHE GAVE US A BIT OF CONTEXT – Waacking is a queer dance born in the clubs of LA, during the 1970s, created by gay, black, and hispanic men, driven by a strong sense of social revenge because they lived oppressed and persecuted by society at the time. These dancers found a safe space to express their emotions and unleash their spirits in waacking, finding inspiration (originally) in the movements and attitudes of the most famous movie stars, such as Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, or Marlene Dietrich: elegant, glamorous, and timeless women.

I would say that people approach waacking for different reasons, but there is always one common denominator: “feeling unique in the spotlight, surrounded by people who appreciate you for who you truly are”. Anyone who shares its ideals and loves Disco music, can approach this dance-style, becoming part of its sparkling community.

This insightful response gave us a lot to think about, so we immediately jumped in with some more personal questions. 

Miss Mini is your stage name. Tell us why you picked this particular name.

I chose the name Miss Mini when, in the early days when waacking was emerging in Italy (around 2011), when one of the pioneers referred to me as Mini. From that moment, it became an inevitable nickname to which I decided to add Miss because, after all, we are here to be divas.

Do you live your dancing persona (Miss Mini) as an alter-ego, or as an extension of who you are in your everyday life?

Miss Mini is my artistic alter ego. She represents a part of my personality that comes to life only when I step into the shoes of Miss Mini. Miss Mini, who is a confident and proud woman that expresses fierceness and personality through her movements, while in everyday life, Ilaria is not like that. I would describe Miss Mini as an extension of myself. So, don’t expect me to be the centre of attention when I’m not in the role of Miss Mini. But when I am – you better give me the spotlight, because I’ll end up burning up the dance floor.

Ilaria’s journey into becoming a professional Waacking dancer required a lot of work, research, and travelling. She had to follow the lost thread of this expressive dance form, learning and building her own experience. Today, it’s safe to say that Miss Mini is among the major representatives of Waacking in Italy, with achievements such as collaborating on the creation of the first Eleganza Festival, the Decameron Waacking Project, and participating as an opening dancer at Gloria Gaynor’s concert in Florence. 

Tell us a bit about your current projects.

I have produced three theatrical shows that are entirely danced in waacking. Through these shows, we use the powerful dance language of waacking to explore and shed light on a wide range of contemporary themes. We tackle topics such as social justice, racial discrimination, gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, and mental health; we aim to bring these important issues to the forefront using the dynamic movements, and expressive nature of waacking to convey strong messages, try to inspire change and promote a more inclusive and compassionate society – next one will be on May 12, in Rome.

While we were talking and filming with Ilaria, little cupcake Margot was swinging around the dance floor trying to imitate her mother. Even though she’s only 2 and a half years old – and our sizes ran a little big on her, she was so excited to dress up and dance like her mum. She is the sweetest little girl, incredibly drawn to music, who was moving and playing around like a graceful unicorn, most of the time we shared at the studio.

Do you involve your daughter a lot in your dance routine & work?

Balancing my artistic life with motherhood has always been a delicate subject. 

I generally prefer to work without my daughter around, because my attention is always focused on her if she’s in the room. However, I do take pleasure in bringing her along for more relaxed, leisure occasions, during which I can give attention to both, Waacking & Margot. She loves to dance and being around mama and the waackers! 

Looking at videos of your performances is so fun. The energy, the amazing outfits, everything just feels so empowering.

When you dance, the outfit is so IMPORTANT. Do you always prioritise feeling good and comfortable, or are you of the ‘beauty is pain’ school?

Instead of saying “beauty is pain,” I would say that “personality doesn’t make any compromises”. If you truly want to express yourself, you have to go all in. Putting together the perfect outfit for a performance is all about embracing, and celebrating who you are without compromising.

Out of the outfits we created together, which one did you prefer?

One outfit that stands out for me is undoubtedly the turquoise FLAIR jumpsuit. It holds a special place in my heart as it evokes a sense of nostalgia for the 70s, while also capturing the vibrant essence of the early 80s. The luminosity of the fabric takes me back to a time when Disco lights illuminated the dance floor, and the Waacking movement was born.

When I wore this outfit, I felt transported to another era. Aside from its style appeal, the jumpsuit also offers practicality and comfort, allowing me to move freely and express myself fully. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of Waacking movements, accentuating every arm swipe, spin, and pose.