In fashion, there’s no such thing as a 9-5. Crazy to think that I had no clue what I would be doing a few months ago, and in a blink of an eye, it’s already been a month since I started working full-time.

Working in fashion has always been a goal of mine, and maybe that’s why the time has been flying by so fast. The saying goes “dress for the job you want, not for the job you have” and I get to want to dress for the job I have every day.

When it comes to goals and dreams, there is a huge difference that I don’t think many people realize. For many, fashion blogging is an easy way for them to get out of doing something that they aren’t fully passionate about, but for me, it was a way to get my foot in the fashion industry.

These days it seems as if it’s common to have a fashion blog. To want to make it as a fashion blogger. But for what?

Too many times I come across someone who claims that they are passionate about fashion, but their goals are only to get free things, wear nice clothes, and experience all of the glitz and glamours that the fashion industry has to offer. It’s not to say that this is not deserved and rewarded through remarkable work and efforts - but I just wish that the goals aren’t mistaken as a dream.

Too many times I hear people claim that fashion is their dream, but a dream without vision is just a goal. Fashion is a form of art. And with every form of creative expression, something great can be achieved.

More than starting a clothing line and/or carelessly promoting random brands for the sake of association and leveraging one’s perceived level of influence - I hope that these so-called passionate fashion influencers can dream bigger than the obvious; to do something more than just “inspire.”

Coat: Aritzia
Dress: Thakoon Addition Tie Front Shirt Dress
Shoes: Acne Studios Jensen Boots
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photos by Shun S.

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Perfect

The perfect picture is often candid, never posed. The perfect home is always perceived. The perfect couple have their struggles, too. The most perfect things are often flawed. And isn’t it shallow to think that anything is ever flawless?

If being perfect was an option, I’d rather choose to be just close to it.

Perfect is momentarily, and the pursuit is what is constant. People use the word perfect to describe anything and everything that pleases their eyes, calms their souls, and soothes their senses temporarily. In the world of the creatives, perfect is generic. Perfect leaves no room for critiques and therefore any improvements.

So, why is it that we care so much about how great, or perfect different aspects of our lives look to other people? Especially on social media.

Instead of perfect, how about we try just being authentic.

Sweater: Zara (old, similar here, and here)
Skirt: Aritzia (similar here)
Shoes: Schutz
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS1

Photos by Sandra L.

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Behind

It has been a rough month, at least, for my body. One of the main things that I constantly had to adjust was my sleeping schedule. It hasn’t been too long since I came back from Japan. And that, for me, was not only physically exhausting but also emotionally draining. Japan was 13 hours ahead so it took a few days for me to get used to the timezone there — and when I came back to the states, it took me forever to sleep like a regular human being again.

September started off more eventful than I had expected it to be this year, since it did felt kind of weird that I wasn’t starting classes again.Once I was getting back into the swing of it, NYFW came and swept me off my feet - and although it was insanely fun, it was extremely tiring! The fashion week schedule was s omething that came as a shock to me, and the number of my invites to shows and events were already at a minimum. The whole ordeal made me question numerous times through mornings when I had to be in the city by 8am - how some of these bloggers do this for an entire month straight from New York to London and Milan.

Without resting much, I started a new job right after NYFW week was over - and I’ve been holding back yawning non-stop throughout every single day so far. Still, with all of my complaining, this summer has been quite fruitful and I’m thankful that time is passing by quickly!

This is another summer post that I haven’t had a chance to share since Japan. And I still have a couple more to share before I start sharing my NYFW outfits and recaps as well. I’m honestly just dreading these posts since I just want to be able to layer and share my fall outfits instead!

Top: Aritzia
Pants: Aritzia
Shoes: Zara
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photos by Shun S.

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Tokyo Twist with Pas De Calais

Stationed underneath this train track for about 40 minutes or so -- I walked back and forth looking half crazy and half desperate. As if the scorching heat wasn't already obnoxious enough, I seem to garner even more attention from locals by staging a photoshoot in the middle of their quiet neighborhood.

I was pretty desperate trying to shoot these looks. I kept waiting for a day when the weather was cooler, but it only got hotter and hotter. I wish I had been in Japan now, during late September through early October, I hear that the weather is beautiful.

So, I could go on to tell you about how great Tokyo is and how I’m head over heels for this city. But, I won’t.

I could’ve shot these in the middle of Shibuya or in a zen garden elsewhere - but instead I decided that an under-construction train station was better. It reflected a Tokyo that I don’t think many people get the chance to see.

Don’t you find it quite ironic that bullet trains are running on these historic stations and tracks that are often times greatly in need of restoration in Tokyo? I do. I think something that is easily overlooked in Tokyo is that despite how nice and modest everyone seems - they too, are in dire need of a mentality upgrade.

For the longest time, the Scandinavian aesthetic was reigning in the fashion industry thanks to their minimalist ideology, perfectly balanced with clean lines and tasteful details; but, lately it seems as though the Japanese aesthetic is slowly taking over.

The rise in the popularity of Japanese aesthetic clothing is important because it signifies a new era of thinking. While we praise the Japanese, as a whole culture, for being innovative while maintaining their traditional roots - when it comes to some underlining societal problems that are rooted from being over conservative, the tension is widening.

One of the most fascinating things, to me, about fashion is that, it somehow reveals a lot about different cultures. For the Japanese, the tension between the older generation who are overwhelmingly conservative are starting to be challenged by the younger, more open-minded, generation. For example, many girls are now attending their coming of age ceremonies (an extremely important occasion for women in Japan) with the traditional kimono that has somehow been modified to fit their fashion preferences or a completely different version of a kimono that is not qualified for the occasion. (See article: LINK)

Still, with influences from the Western world, when people think of Japanese aesthetic clothing, the bat sleeves and dropped crotch pants as shown in these pieces from the Pas De Calais AW’15 collection are characteristics that are staying for seasons to come. The baggy but fitted look of these pieces are what speaks to the modest nature of the Japanese as well as signifying a transition in new thinking.

In the past, a traditional kimono would onion a woman’s body in numerous layers of fabric covering and concealing all that is to show. From this, the younger Japanese generation have adapted a new style that accomplished the same purpose that the kimono did, and that is through oversized clothing. Baggier clothes allowed the emphasis of the body to be hidden while maintaining a fitted form and proper look by focusing on the proper fit of the sleeves and length of pants.

Even though there have been steps taken forward — I believe that there is still refining to do for the Japanese aesthetic that could take them to new heights. This will be strongly influenced by challenging old ideas and coming up with new ones. Personally, I really can’t wait to see emerging Japanese designers break into the Western market and what new styles Japanese aesthetic will spark and how they will shape the fashion industry.

ALL PIECES ARE FROM PAS DE CALAIS AW'15 COLLECTION 

Look 1:
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 (CAMEL ON SALE!!)
Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles

Look 2: Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11
Accessories: Fendi Bag Bug Charm and Aritzia Scarf

Photos by Shun S.
Creative direction by Van Le

These images were also featured in a Finnish blog for the September 2015 Issue. Below is a scanned copy of the pages. I hope you guys enjoyed this post!

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Look Back

For many people, when asked about someone else's standout features, they often respond with body parts such as eyes, lips, collarbones, or jawlines - which are all features that I find particularly attractive too; however, one of my favorite body parts is the back.

To me, the back is an extremely beautiful body part that many people tend to overlook.

The back is responsible for your posture, and it reveals so much about you - which I find so intimate. It reveals how vulnerable you are when you’re all curled up and your spine is visible. It screams how proud you are when it’s tightened and straight. And how it curves to envelope another person when you give them an authentic hug.

A bare back is also a part that can be extremely alluring, mostly because it’s a body part that’s least unexpected to be sexy. The way I see it, a bare back is not only more beautiful, but powerful than any cleavage or any other types of societal claimed standards of beauty traits.

It is because of this that backless shirts and dresses will always make a louder statement to me than those with a deep plunge neckline.

Top: Asos (sold out, but other options here and here)
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: 10 Crosby Derek Lam
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11


Photos by Shun S.

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Cloud 9

I left my house this morning, almost regretting not bringing a light jacket since the air seemed so much chillier. Almost angry, I stopped myself and realized that fall was on it’s way. I had almost forgotten what it was like to be outside, away from any type of air condition, how not breaking a single drop of sweat felt like.

Two weeks ago when I was in Japan, the humidity was at 80% every single day, with the real feel somewhere between 95 to 105 degrees F, this was the only dress that kept me sane. Made of silk, this dress felt so velvety soft that I forgot I was even clothed at one point. I don’t know about you but I get silly grumpy when the weather is way too hot to deal. Just like how I get a little annoyed when I’m hungry and my food is taking forever to come up on my table.

When it comes to clothes, more than just a certain type of aesthetic, I look for wearability and comfort.

Inspired by the French and combined with Japanese aesthetic, Pas de Calais is a brand that makes clothing with thoughtful details while keeping in mind the modesty that is of the Japanese.

Dress: Pas De Calais 'CLOUD SILK DRESS'
Shoes: Common Projects Original
Bag: Chloe Faye Small
Accessories: Prada sunglasses

Photos by Shun S.

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