Raw

July 12, 2017

Asymmetric Slip Dress by Raey in Hong Kong / Raw / FOREVERVANNY.com Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Black Asymmetric Slip Dress by Raey in Hong Kong / Raw / FOREVERVANNY.com Asymmetric Slip Dress by Raey in Hong Kong / Raw / FOREVERVANNY.com Asymmetric Slip Dress by Raey in Hong Kong / Raw / FOREVERVANNY.com Asymmetric Slip Dress by Raey in Hong Kong / Raw / FOREVERVANNY.com

If you find yourself in a position to visit Hong Kong, I say, please do yourself a favor and go. If you’re lucky enough to be heading there soon, I suggest you take my advice seriously and pack your airiest and lightest clothing you own. Hong Kong’s humidity is just like it’s people’s attitude-- unforgiving, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's been a little over 2 months since my visit to this crazy city, and between New York and Tokyo, my yearning for Hong Kong grows deeper every time I feel lonely-- which overcomes me quite often these days.

Life's been moving rather quickly, which leaves little time to myself. I guess that always makes me feel alone since I find that I'm my best company. When I'm in Tokyo, I'm a tourist, a girlfriend of a pretty decent Japanese guy, which leaves me little room to f*ck up-- it's already bad enough that he has to apologize to people around on my behalf for speaking too loud when I'm already using my indoor voice. In New York, my phone doesn't stop ding-ing and there are always emails to answer and strategically compose. I go to bed telling myself I'll find some time to go through a few of my personal photos to edit, and block out a few minutes to write - but as soon as I'm relatively done with the majority of the tasks that I needed to complete for the day, I find myself feeling sick having to keep staring at a computer screen. I do really enjoy working from home though, in fact, this new gig has been so great that I haven't complained about it since I started and everyone thinks I'm really just unemployed (oh millennials problems).

For me, Hong Kong is an incredible city, for how raw it remains while thriving as one of the major cities around the world yet still so characteristically unwavering. It's a feat that not even many people can to do these days faced with the mass saturation of social media channels and the constant need to validate one's existence with a numeric profile and maybe two lines of self-proclaimed accomplishments.

I miss Hong Kong for its undiscriminating vibe. Surprisingly in a city where I know no one, knew no more than 3 facts and not a single Cantonese word, my loneliness ceased to exist. Hong Kong didn't care about who I am, where I'm from, how old I am, what's my job, or how much money I have or seem to have. Hong Kong evaporated my identity and hid it somewhere among its monstrous puff of smog. For the time I was there, Hong Kong made me feel like I belong while being lost at the same time.


Dress: RAEY via Matchesfashion
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11
Accessories: Fendi Bag Bug (similar)

Photos by Shun S.



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Thing To Wear

June 19, 2017

Orange Floral Kimono and Valentino Rockstud Flats - Thing To Wear / FOREVERVANNY.com Orange Floral Kimono Gold Jewelry - Thing To Wear / FOREVERVANNY.com Tokyo Gold Architecture and Orange Floral Kimono - Thing To Wear / FOREVERVANNY.com Wrapped Shirt Layered with Japanese Vintage Kimono - Thing To Wear / FOREVERVANNY.com Vintage Japanese Kimono Orange Floral - Thing To Wear / FOREVERVANNY.com Orange Floral Kimono Tokyo Japan - Thing To Wear / FOREVERVANNY.com Orange Floral Kimono and Rockstuds - Thing To Wear / FOREVERVANNY.com

Fourth trip to Japan going on fifth soon, and I’ve yet gotten the chance to put on a real kimono for myself. Maybe I’m just not ready for my Japanese boyfriend to see me in one yet - but who knows. I’m the kinda person that likes to wait for significant timing to do certain things. Ironic, given the fact that I’m also someone who would book a trip to Turkey just because it was convenient.

After each time I’ve left Japan and came back, I picked up a few more words. But that’s really about it. Without evening realizing, I’ve found myself a little more assimilated to the way Japanese women conservatively dress on this particular trip.

When I was in Japan last summer, it was the souvenir bomber jackets that was trending - making hunting a real vintage one a thrill. I never got to find the particular one that I wanted, and the ones that came close to what I was searching for costs about the same as a designer piece. Worth it? Probably yes — but not enough for the hype for my personal use.

One of the great things about working in fashion is that you’re always aware of what’s to come rather than what’s currently trending. According to ELLE, robes are going to be everywhere soon - and to be honest, if Zara is displaying 5 of something on their racks, you should know by now that that’s what's going to be hot soon since it's ripped right off runways from 3 months ago.

I’m actually not a big thrift shopper, mostly because of how I treat my personal clothing pieces. I never get rid of things because each piece is attached to some sentimental memory. So for me, buying someone’s old clothes is kind of an invasion of privacy (does that make sense?).

On a whim last May in Tokyo, I stopped into a thrift store along the rows of many others in Omotesando and came across racks on racks of reworked kimonos. The prices weren't outrageous at all for once, and this orange blossom of a patterned one stuck out to me right away. Did you know that "kimono" literally translate to "thing to wear?" For such a significant cultural clothing item, I find that it's even more alluring that it's so humbly named.

I actually didn’t plan for this outfit to turn out the way it did - but I thought it worked perfectly. I was already wearing a very Japanese wrapped shirt, paired with my typical laid-back boyfriend jeans, and made a little fancier for a possible date night dinner with some obnoxious studded flats. Somehow, the kimono eased itself on me and the boyfriend and I ended up spending 15 minutes walking around Omotesando after to relocated this golden and wood architecture of a gem to shoot this look.





Kimono:  Vintage (similar here)
Top:  /Style (similar here)
Pants:  GRLFRND Denim
Shoes:  Valentino Rockstuds
Bag:  Proenza Schouler PS11
Accessories:  Fendi Bag Bug

Photos by Shun S.


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Hong Kong, China | Night

June 16, 2017

Tram View - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Evening - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com The Peak - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com The Peak Views - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Night Lights - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Night Facade - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Hardworking - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Yellow Neon Lights Hong Kong - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Dumpling Soup Hong Kong - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Dumpling Soup - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.comTemple Street Night Market - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Spicy Crab on Temple Street - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Night Market Together - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Grandpa - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Neon Lights - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Meat Stand - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Neon Lights - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Streets - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Neon Signs - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Mongkok Night Lights - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com Hong Kong Taxi Intersection - Hong Kong, China | Night / FOREVERVANNY.com

There isn’t enough words or the right words to ever describe something that has truly captivated you. When you are in awe by it, you’ll just know. It is also why ‘serendipity’ has always been a favorite word of mine. One that I don’t use often, but when I do, it means it’s really that special.

Hong Kong was definitely one of those serendipitous adventures. We had no plans of visiting until the very last minute, and although we originally thought we had at least 5 full days there, we ended up only getting 3 days and 2 nights.

72 hours in Hong Kong was an adrenaline rush. During the day, it was hot and sweltering. At night, the city truly came alive. We walked through the main streets of Mongkok where there was a variety of street performances from young talented bands to grandmas and aunties straight up doing a karaoke session.

On one night, we headed to The Peak to check out the infamous Hong Kong skyline. It was overwhelming, to say the least, but honestly so worth it as it’s been a scene I’ve seen so many times in TVB dramas. On another, we came out to explore Temple Street and got to eat spicy crab and other seafood at the night market and finished off with mango sago for dessert.

Between the food, the people, the unlimited street photography opportunities, I still haven’t fully decided what it is I like Hong Kong best for. But one thing for sure is, Hong Kong is a place that I’m definitely going to be visiting again really soon.
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No More Beach Days

June 13, 2017

Cult Gaia Shadow Play Beach - No More Beach Days | FOREVERVANNY.com Tularosa Label Nina Swimsuit and Cult Gaia Bamboo Bag - No More Beach Days | FOREVERVANNY.comCult Gaia Bamboo Bag Shadow Play - No More Beach Days | FOREVERVANNY.comTularosa Label One Piece Swim - No More Beach Days | FOREVERVANNY.com Cult Gaia Bamboo Bag On Sand - No More Beach Days | FOREVERVANNY.com

In an attempt to be more like a summer baby that I actually I am, I agreed to hit the beach last weekend with a couple of my girlfriends. The goal for any beach day is relatively the same: get burnt, no? But instead of getting 2 shades darker, all I got at the end of a long day was a bathtub full of sand that resided from every inch of my body and sticky hair that I had to shampoo’ed twice. So honestly, I don’t know why some people think it’s weird that I don’t enjoy going to the beach. The day was filled with a lot of joy though, and stupid laughs that Boomerang clips purposely provide. I don’t actually think I’ll have another beach trip anytime soon, but definitely looking forward to more hot and sweaty summer adventures.




Swimsuit:Tularosa Label
Bag: Cult Gaia
Earrings: (similar here)

Photos by Christina L. Direction by Van L.


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Off The Grid

June 5, 2017

Gingham Off The Shoulder Top - Off The Grid | FOREVERVANNY.COM Lovers + Friends Gingham Off The Shoulder Top - Off The Grid | FOREVERVANNY.COMGrey Cardigan Coat with Gingham and White Pants - Off The Grid | FOREVERVANNY.COM Gingham Crossing - Off The Grid | FOREVERVANNY.COM
The title of this piece is purely a play on words about gingham if that wasn’t obvious enough. Either way, it sure is convenient as it allows me to talk about something I’ve been trying to do for the past few months.

For a lot of you, the grid is basically synonymous with the internet, but for me, it’s basically New York City. I’ll remind you again if you’ve already forgotten since, but I’m as much of a homebody as a hermit.

A lot has happened in the past few months, all of which have been quite exciting despite my monotonous tone. I’ve landed a new gig, that pretty much sounds too good to be true (mainly because I get to work from the best place ever, home). March and April flew by quickly, as that always happen when you’re settling into a new role. I took the freedom of this new job to travel and stay in Japan for almost a month (missing nothing aside from my family and a few friends the whole time I was there). In fact, I actually wouldn’t have mind staying another month.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, for me, New York is just a really nice place to say I’m returning to.

The thoughts of moving out of New York has crossed my mind a lot of times, but it’s slowly sticking and the possibility of this is starting to seem more plausible. Don’t get me wrong, I probably won’t be gone forever, but it would just be nice to be off the New York grid for awhile.


Top: Lovers + Friends c/o Revolve
Cardigan Coat: byTsang
Pants: Topshop
Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 (this color on sale)
Accessories: Fendi Bag Bug

Photos by Ying C.




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Catch My Drift

May 26, 2017

Beige Leather Jacket and One Shoulder Knit - Catch My Drift | FOREVERVANNY.COM Beige Leather Jacket and One Shoulder Knit - Catch My Drift | FOREVERVANNY.COM Beige Monochromatic Leather Jacket and Knit - Catch My Drift | FOREVERVANNY.COM
I’m a pretty direct person so there’s rarely anytime when someone would really need to catch my drift. In fact, many people who know me will gladly agree that sometimes, it’s better if I spoke a few words less.

For someone who likes to stay in bed all day and finds comfort in having no plans whatsoever, I do enjoy talking a lot. And gets irritated when someone tries to have a conversation with me via text when it’s obvious that a call wouldn’t be of inconvenience at all.

Beige Leather Jacket and Knit Layers  - Catch My Drift | FOREVERVANNY.COM Beige Layers  - Catch My Drift | FOREVERVANNY.COM Nicholas Kirkwood Flats  - Catch My Drift | FOREVERVANNY.COM
I’ve been in a long-distance relationship for the past two years, and “talking” verbally as opposed to “talking” via messages and texts have truly been trialed and tested purposefully. While I’m no self-proclaimed extrovert, I know for a fact that I really enjoy talking (yes I know I said this already). It works out perfectly that my boyfriend is more of a listener. It’s slow at times though, because his usual responses are quite articulate and it takes him at least 5 minutes to react to a small comment because he’s the kind of person that likes to process and think carefully about what he’s going to say before he utters a sound. It’s the worst when we’re having heated arguments and he’s over in a corner processing what to reply to my verbally abusive remarks (that I end up taking back after 2 hours anyway).

For someone like me who isn’t so careful with my words, and easily toss out my feelings orally, sometimes it makes me wonder if cheapens the way I communicate.

My writer’s voice is basically my tone in real life. You’ll be able to tell right away when I’m excited or bored. And as much as I’ve tried to learn to write well and more concisely, I somehow always end up with a lump of run-on sentences.

For a lot of people, who happens to have a fashion related site like mine, it’s usually a struggle for them to keep up with the content because of the lack of visuals as opposed to written materials. But it’s totally the opposite for me. I’ve had this post sitting in my draft for the past month or so with really nothing to say about it until now. I figure that this would somehow end up not getting posted ’til the middle of August and no one would care to even look at a sweater. But thankfully, it’s only the end of May and it’s surprisingly still sane to wear something like this outside in New York.

Jacket: Oak + Fort (similar here)
Sweater: Shopbop
Pants: Topshop
Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11
Accessories: Fendi Bag Bug

Photos by Ying C.



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