Hong Kong has been on my list of places that I needed to visit as of late. Mentally, I’ll be honest, things just haven’t been the best they could be for the past few months or so. New York City was getting dull, and I feel like I’m always in Tokyo these days. It was like my battery was at 20% and I was desperately in need of an energy outlet to recharge my mind.

When it comes to traveling, I love cities that are a mixture of old and new. While the thoughts are still fresh in my mind - here are a few things that made Hong Kong really memorable for me.

I won’t sugarcoat it, Hong Kong is quite intimidating. Even as an Asian person, some of the mannerism can really throw you off. People in Hong Kong will coldly tell you no, go away, and even shrug you off to your face, but don’t let that get to you. That’s just how it goes and keeps moving along here.

The people here don’t treat visitors like gods, unlike most places. If you can’t figure out how to order, your loss, and if you can comfortably get what you want, chances are you’re not in the right places.

If you’re lucky like I am, you’ll be able to find a lot of help though. Quite an introvert, I completely change when I’m traveling. You’ll be amazed at what a simple hello, how are you, and an interest to learn about someone else’s culture or life can open your experiences.

Straight off the airport, I hopped into a signature red and white Hong Kong styled taxi cab, not even knowing what area of the city that I was headed towards. I got comfortable and put on my seat belt (yes, even in the back of the car because it’s required by law here) and mustered up a little courage to ask my cab driver “it’s my first time here, what do you recommend I should do today?” To my complete surprise, he let out a quick chuckle and proceeded to say, “you asked the right person, I actually give tours in Hong Kong sometime!”

The cab ride from the airport to my hotel was 40 min long and when I arrived, my taxi driver was a new friend, KC Chen.

These photos were actually possible because we ended up getting KC’s contact and he was kind enough to let us do a few shot with his ride when he came to take us back to the airport a few days later.

KC wasn’t the only friend I made, but I’ll tell you the rest in a few more Hong Kong posts to come.

Top: GRANA
Corset Tank: Callipygian / Opening Ceremony
Pants: Aritzia
Shoes: Common Projects

Photos by Shun S.

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Sumimasen (すみません)

If there’s one word in Japanese that you should learn and could learn, then repeat after me - su-mee-mah-sen. Not only are the Japanese efficient in each and every way in their daily lives, even their common words are extremely useful. Sumimasen is a word that means, excuse me, sorry and thank you, all in one. And honestly, that’s literally all you’ll need to know if you’re as slow about picking up a new language as I am.

One of the things that I’ve grown to appreciate Japan about is how thoughtful they are when it comes to the little details. In a lot of cases, details are what makes something special and unique yet too many details can be overwhelming and risk functionality at the same time. The Japanese do details so well, it’s as if adding purpose to details is just their cultural normcore.

If you ever get a chance to visit Japan, pay attention to your hotel’s bathroom mirror, how it only fogs up on the edges leaving a clear portion for you to still be able to see. And don’t be too amazed when you realized that there is Braille lettering on cans to ensure that people know that they’re drinking something hot or alcoholic.

The exaggeration of details is no longer something rare, as by now, you’ve all seen and probably own a giant bell sleeve shirt that literally disables you to perform any basic human functions (especially eating). The outfit in this post features two pieces that I picked up in Japan that captures the essence of details with purpose. The coat is double-faced in beige and cream with hidden side pockets that are not common in Western coats (why? I have no idea but I’ll look into it). The shirt takes form of a kimono wrap with two ties instead of one making it secure enough to be worn from the back or front as opposed to this one.

It’s easy to ooh and ahh at something that’s copiously filled with details, it’s important to keep in mind that not all details are necessary. Hence, minimalism isn’t about less, and it’s why everything in Japan is so god damn aesthetic.

Coat: United Arrows from Japan (also worn here - my best similar options here & here)
Top: /STYLING from Japan (very similar one here)
Pants: Topshop
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini
Accessories: Fendi Bag Bug

Photos by Shun S.

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See Through

The infatuation of social recognition and ironically the common consensus of standing out has made more than too many of us stand in.

It’s not that hard to be a “content creator” these days when a certain number of followers you have qualifies you to be one, despite not even having a professional portfolio. It’s funny to think that social media has, in a way, reverse the process in which we earn credibility. Our ethos no longer derives from solid known facts and achievements but rather our perceived influence based on our social presence. These days, artists don’t starve before they become famous anymore because many artists must become famous before they can even be recognized.

As the digital world expands and grows faster and wider every day, it’s no wonder that even brands like Celine succumb by going e-commerce. Proving, that maybe FOMO, is really diagnosable as a form of a 21st-century psychological symptom of a bigger social problem.

When the numbers of followers you have determine your social group, clique, and even the possibility of getting a job, it’s no wonder that many people are tempted to fall into the phase of “fake it ’till you make it.”

What most people don’t realize about social fame is that, like all special powers, come bigger responsibilities. One of the biggest downfalls on those who are just in the social game shallowly is that they can’t sustain. It’s like a beautiful home with a rotting foundation - it just won’t last.

Faking it until you make it works, though, with all the junk floating around the digital space. Just don't pretend like space isn't transparent because we'll all notice it, talk about it, and see through it. No one will really care if a house is about to fall apart, they will double tap if the house is painted a nice color (say generic pink). It's like how no one really cares if one buys followers anymore as long as you don't pretend like you didn't and start pretending like you're better than everyone else (that's a real mental problem, and you need to get your head checked).

Coat: United Arrows (also worn here)
Tulle and Wool Stripe Top: McQ (similar here)
Pants: American Eagle (featured in the past here)
Shoes: M. Gemi (also worn here)
Bag:Celine Belt Bag
Accessories: Helmut Lang Bralette, Pull Through Earrings (similar here)

Photos by Sandra Lin

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Vroom

Let me fill you in on a little personal insider shared between me and most of the people who know me in real life. I won't even play it off and pretend like it wasn’t embarrassing - but there was a time when my Facebook’s last name was ‘Vroomvroom’.

While Vân (pronounced like fun but with a v - vuhn) is a pretty common Vietnamese name, it’s a word that’s way too common for those who speaks English. I’ve always considered myself to be quite proud of my heritage and culture - so I never felt like there was anything wrong with my name, to say the least. Although it’s pretty annoying and frustrating when you’re introducing yourself and it seems like someone’s correcting you about your own name - like “Dan?” “Ban?”.

When most people my age rebelled in high school by dying their hair green and sneaking out to party, I no longer felt the need to spell out my name for others anymore and kinda followed up their initial confusion with “yes, like the four wheel vehicle.” So half jokingly, half not I remembered changing my last name to ‘Vroomvroom’ on Facebook during my senior year in high school, also with a purpose to hide my profile from colleges stalking me (oh the tech advancements).

Some of my friends still joke about ‘Van Vroomvroom’ to this day, and I guess, it was kind of something that stuck with me. It’s a cheesy play on words, but ‘Vroom’ was a phrase that kinda kept me moving through a period of time when most of the people around me were trying to figure out what they wanted to be, where they wanted to go to school, and what careers they wanted to pursue. So many huge life decisions were all in front of me, and yet I knew that as long as I can confidently carry my name and live up to it - that everything was all just going to continue moving forward.

I actually got my jacket embroidered a while back in December thanks to some homies at Opening Ceremony but never really got the time to shoot a proper outfit with it. Earlier this year, when I was in Tokyo for a couple weeks, I took up self-portraiting again and ironically parked myself in this small outdoor garage to document this jacket on the blog. So yeah, my personal style couldn't possibly be anymore personal than this. Cheers!

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Snow Day

It’s been quite a long time since I’ve enjoyed a snow day this much. The city’s quieter and somehow. it’s kind of nice that cars slow down for you to cross the slushy streets too.

For someone who doesn’t live relatively that close to the city, it was an adventure getting up at 6 am to make the 7:30 am train to Manhattan. I dread it a little every time my alarm is set at 6 am, but something about mornings in the city that convinces me it’s not too bad after all, especially when I’m meeting lovely faces for coffee or breakfast.

Everyone has this image of a magical New York when it snows, but as you can see, the streets turn brown within a few hours. Thank god I’ve learned my lessons and threw on my rain boots.

Top: Jacquemus (in navy on sale!)
Pants: GRLFRND Denim via Revolve
Shoes: Burberry
Bag: Celine Belt
Coat: Mute by JL c/o (similar here)

Photos by Ying C.

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Work Hard

With all of these layers going on, you'd think I was working really hard to get all these things to seem like they belong together.

I’ve always struggle with the phrase “work hard.” It’s one that’s tossed around ever so casually and effortlessly that sometimes I wonder what’s so hard about working hard. Ironically, it's a loaded phrase that gives me quite the pressure.

As much as I’d love to say I’m a hard worker, it’s rarely that I ever feel I’m working hard enough.

So what exactly validates “hard work”?

Personally, I think it’s funny that while “work hard” is a generic way to comfort and motivate yourself and others, I find that “grind” and “hustle” are also terms associated to this.

Maybe the fact that I’m surrounded by so many people who are so hard working without ever needing to announce that they’re working hard that I’m jaded to the idea of ever needing to emphasize it.

In a sense, the phrase “work hard” is like a pair of training wheels. It isn’t what’s enabling you to ride a bike, but more so the catalyst.

So that brings me to my next question: why the need to constantly attach ourselves and the perceptions of others on us to the idea of working hard?

Not shooting anyone off their high horse but more so trying to make sense of my own realities. I’ll be the first to admit that I often feel rather lacking when it comes to my goals' timeline.

I know riding a bike came naturally to a lot of people, but it didn’t for me. I wasn’t lucky enough to have training wheels when I was trying to learn at 10 but I did have a lot of walls in my apartment complex, which I held on to find my own balance. Those walls were my symbolism of working hard. Every time I get on a bike now, I always get scared I’ve forgotten how to, but somehow, I always manage to make it move without relying on those walls.

A lot of us tends to think of “hard work” as something static, but it’s more than that. I haven't really figured out what "work hard" actually means - so if you'd like to contribute your take on it, I'd love to hear. For now, I find that it’s ok that you’re not necessarily working hard every day. It’s ok that working is just working some day. There are no golden star stickers or brownie points for those who claims to work hard every day. Working hard shouldn’t be a characteristic trend, it should be something we all need to work at for ourselves.

Let’s not confuse wanting to work hard as a notion that we’re working hard. It’s a good first step, but it isn’t the actual routine. It's a fair distinction because if the line between wanting to work hard is blurred between hard working--we'll never be able to actually achieve a great work ethic.

Coat: Topshop
Top: Tibi
Pants: Aritzia
Shoes: Acne Studios Jensen
Bag: Celine Belt Bag
Accessories: Oak + Fort Scarf

Photos by Lina D.

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