I don’t use Twitter often, but when I do, it’s not one of those generic quotes you can find on Google. "If you think you can do better, you probably can. If you think you deserve better, you probably do.” - 7/6/16.

I may not write blog posts as often as I’d like to, but when I do, I hope it’s not a waste of your time.

Most people have great taste, but no sense. It is unrealistic to own 5 Chanel living paycheck to paycheck, or having to restrain from eating well and living well. “Passion for fashion” was never about how many brand name things you can acquire, despite Pokemon Go convincing all of us that we "gotta catch ‘em all" to be the greatest ever was. In fact, the best interests in fashion actually come from our inability to have it all. It is rooted in the idea that fashion is endless, that helps us curate our style by being focused and selective. And why having nice things doesn’t always translate to having style.

In our highly commercialized and consumeristic society, we are encouraged to spend and buy as much as we want in order to obtain temporary gratifications. We debate about environmental issues and we show sympathy for unethical labor, yet many of us fail to think about how we can make a difference before directly blaming a bigger source.

It is unfortunate that we live in a world where creatives are always undervalued. Of course, it would be nice if we could all casually afford all the luxuries that we desire and justify a $500 pretty lace dress to wear groceries shopping. Maybe if we regard artists and designers as highly as we do for doctors and lawyers, Chanel and Celine could be prescribed and Zimmermann and Dion Lee could be afforded over the counter.

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with fast fashion, but there’s also no need to buy a new shirt every day. If one is really conscious about their clothes, one should treat their closet like a boutique. There’s no need for every single color of the same thing or an entire collection of a designer, but rather compose the entire thing with pieces that represent your style, that you can display season after season without worrying if it’s old.

Clothes are, in a sense, kind of like people. And I like to think good people never go out of style. A knit skirt like this is probably the least sensible thing to wear in New York’s relentless summer, but on cooler days I can get away with it because it has a tied waist that’s still relevant and a midi length that I just know will continue to last past fall. Plus these two outfits are just the bare minimum that this skirt can do. I can already see it turning into dresses and becoming a great layering piece for delicate knits. And I like to look at clothes the same way I look at people, I always try to see their utmost potential.

Look 1
Top: Aritzia (similar)
Skirt: Lauren Manoogian (similar) via Totokaelo
>Shoes: Chanel
Bag: Celine

Look 2
Top: Demy Lee NYC
Skirt: Lauren Manoogian (similar) via Totokaelo
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel

Photos by Kara Ng.  (Look 1) Shun S. (Look 2)
Styled by Van Le

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Find Your Light

It's easy to make something beautiful even more beautiful, but it takes compassion, to bring out the beauty that's not visible to the eye. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but beauty is also standardized in our society. Ironic, and sad.

For me, there is just so much beauty in something that appears to be decaying. There's potential for complete destruction or a chance at revival. My obsession for industrial backdrops have taken me to the dirtiest of places, yet some of which have inspired me more than any movie-set cobblestone streets have, or probably ever will.

It's the same with people. Everyone has a story to tell and those who gets the shortest ends of the stick and overcome the craziest misfortunes are privileged to turn the ugliest into the most attractive. It's important to see the light in places we find ourselves in, people we meet, and the obstacles we encounter. My mantra is, your disadvantage should always be your greatest advantage, and true success is when you can turn your weakest characteristic into your strongest quality.

Dress: H&M
Shoes: Schutz Shoes
Bag: Chloe Faye Mini
Accessories: Anine Bing Bralette

Photos by Sandra L.

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Space

For someone who prefers green grapes over red ones. Chardonnay over Merlot - I sure do make an exception for wine colored dresses.
Space is important for me, in terms of personal physical space, work space, social space, creative space, and just space to be alone in general. My wardrobe is pretty much a reflection of my daily habits and who I am, hence making space for a dress that's deep burgundy means that it must be something special (bravo, Magali Pascal).

A little color in my life is at times necessary to break up certain routines that I inevitably fall into due to comfort.

If you know me, you'll know that I hate a clean background. To fill up the negative white spaces - I created a mirage-like photo-weave with some outtakes that would usually not make it to the blog. It's been a while since I've done some post processing to my photos, so I hope that you guys enjoy this series.

Dress: Magali Pascal
Shoes: Sacai
Bag: Celine


Magali Pascal AW'16 Collection 'Phoenix Shirtdress in Burgundy'
Shot by Sandra L.
Photoset inspired by Molly Dickson 'Coney Island' 2014

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'93 Babe*

Life’s all about balance. Classical with a side of trap. Salad with a can of coke. Humble with a hint of Kanye.

And sometimes you go all tomboy with your hair curled up and your neck decked out in lace and that’s ok.

One of the things about growing up in the Bronx that I cherish most is my ability to be versatile. No bubble, no circle, just full exposure to anything and anyone. Learning to walk around without getting myself into trouble. Growing a thick skin towards stereotypes but knowing better to not let ignorance define who I am.

Being a '93 baby growing up in my area meant Pepe Jeans, South Pole, and Dickies pants, and the must have low and hi-top Air Force 1s that turn yellow after a couple weeks. Recess meant double dutch to Alicia Keys and Usher, sitting in the shade talking about the latest Hey Arnold episodes. No typical Asian Tamogachi or Nintendo Gameboys for me, just legos (which in my opinions were just as cool) and Saturday afternoons were spent at the library playing Neopets.

People are all about their characteristics. Yes, you can learn to be kind, honest, and intelligent. But authenticity is backed up by experiences not what’s on paper. A kind person can also be selfish. An honest person can also lie and some people might not turn out like who they seem on social media.

I took an Uber home the other night and the driver goes, "you don’t look like you would live in this neighborhood," I chuckled and said, "I was raised here" --and he gave me a head nod. Haha.

Sweater: BAPE Japan
Pants: Zara
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel
Accessories: Lace Choker

Photos by Shun S.

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SUMOSIZEME

Fitting shirt for a day at Japan’s infamous Tsukiji fish market, aka one of the world’s biggest fish markets. Not sure about how much it really suits a tiny Vietnamese girl like me, but that day, I sure felt like I was bulking up sushi like I was training to become a sumo wrestler, haha.

For a day of exploring Tokyo, I stuck to my trusty Amo denim with a twisted hem and this (I thought was super dorky) graphic tee that I copped at a Japanese Uniqlo.

The tourist in me at a place as hectic and lively as this could not be any more obvious through the tone of my voice as I’m asking my boyfriend a million questions, and the pace that I walked through a crowd (New York trained me well).

Among a gazillion options for some of the freshest sushi in the world (not even exaggerating), I got to taste an oyster the size of my head (see my insta) and had one of the best sushi experience at a small shop located in a tiny alley.

For such small details, I had such a big day - as this specific part of my time in Japan was one of my best days!

Keep posted on a Japan travel diary (I know I didn’t do one last time, but I will work on one this time)!

Top: Uniqlo
Pants: Amo Denim
Shoes: Sacai
Bag: Proenza Schouler
Jacket: Alpha Industry (similar here)

Photos by Shun S.

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Nonchalant in Sacai

Being casual is the new cool. And effortlessness is the new classy. Yet as far away as I am from primped and polished in this outfit, there's something about comfort that puts me at ease.

Being in Japan is a great reason to just nonchalantly be you. One of the aspects of Japanese culture that's truly intriguing is while there are a lot of restrictions, there are also a lot of subcultures that exist to suit the needs of those who don't exactly fit in with the rest; namely, the designer of these boots that I’m sporting.

Chitose Abe founded Sacai in 1999, and since have earned her place in the fashion industry by uniquely being both the CEO and designer of her brand (which is uncommon for most labels as well-praised and established). I guess one of the reasons why she belongs in a category of subcultures for me is probably the fact that while most Japanese women are expected to be stay- at-home wives/moms, she, in a way calmly started her business and maintained that throughout the expansion of her brand.

Hey, if slow and steady wins the race, I’m sure nonchalantly doing your own thing is something to consider too.

Sweater: Acne Studios
Dress: Thakoon Addition (similar here, here and here)
Shoes: Sacai (on sale)
Bag:Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini

Photos by Shun S.

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