BOMBS AWAY

October 18, 2016 in lewks

Embroidered bomber, souvenir, or "Sukajan Jackets" have been everywhere since Louis Vuitton men's SS16 show, trickling over to women's, and they don't seem to show any sign of slowing down. Of course I think they're super cute with their oriental inspired patterns, but I tried to restrain myself from purchasing one, only because I really wanted a truly authentic one from Japan. It just feels strange to buy a product with Asian motifs and "Japan" embroidered on the back from a mass retailer that manufactures these jackets in a country other then Japan. But... I came across this one from Zara and slightly caved, to temporarily satisfy my desire until my childhood dream of going to Japan comes true. Curse you Zara.

Although, after doing some research on the Sukajan jacket, I realized my desire to acquire one from Japan is slightly ironic! Why? Because They actually came to exist due to the American soldiers post WW-ll! The English translation of Sukajan is souvenir, and the Americans post WW-ll had these jackets created to commemorate their time overseas, hence the name. They were often colorful and hand-crafted with a combination of eastern and western motifs and typography.

It wasn't until the 60's when the jacket notably got adopted into Japanese fashion. The American preppy look was the most sought after style for the youth during that decade, but those who didn't want to conform to the new trend typically wore the Sukajan jackets - mainly the working class or blue collar youth. It was an act of defiance and irreverence to the mainstream. Yet It came with negative connotations, being symbolic of Yakuza relations and rebellion. Which I think is pretty cool. In today's world, the stigma has faded but the influence and connotations are still apparent to some eyes.

The Souvenir jacket soon became almost a tradition post wars, later resurfacing for soldiers who fought in the Korean and Vietnam war. Although, those ones weren't as colorful or optimistic as the Japanese ones created decades earlier. Due to the hellish and brutal experience during those wars, Vietnam specifically.

So they weren't actually a Japanese product per se. But for the ones created in Japan, the embroidery is so much more elaborate and decadent then the mass market imitations. Like Tigers cascading the entire back with back drops of sakura or a Phoenix embroidered in such a way it's like it's swiftly flying in the jacket. A statement, yet cool piece.

One factor that makes this purchase a bit more justified is that it's reversible! It reverses into a simple black body with ivory sleeves. Until the day I go to Japan, I will have to make due with this cute but imitation sukajan jacket. Soon!

x d

Photography by Linda Chow
Edited by Vitaly Usherenko

Jacket: Zara (Similar Here) | Tee: Zara | Skort: Genuine People | Boots: Ego | Earring: Sorelle

SUMMERTIME NOSTALGIA

September 16, 2016 in anecdotes, lewks

I remember lying on the red shaggy carpet floors of my childhood house in Pennsylvania with my feet facing the AC vent, cooling my tendrils while looking out of the window behind me. Seeing and feeling the warmth of the sun peek through the wind-blown leaves of the tree, the foliage moving slowly, then swiftly across my face. Amidst the sounds of my grandma singing Cai Luong (Vietnamese bluegrass), my mom cooking some Vietnamese goodness with mouth-watering aromas filling the house, or my relatives catching up and gossiping about recent happenings. This memory, one so simple, holds so much significance to me and infiltrates my mind every summer. Nothing profound happens, but it's the feelings this memory holds-- of peace, carefreeness, togetherness, and happiness-- where the significance lies.

Every summer I aspire to have a moment where I can experience all those feelings and sensations once again. To be in a serene environment with family or friends, without a care in the world. But being an "adult" with responsibilities, I've discovered that it's a lot more difficult to achieve a moment like this in the present.

Sometimes when I tap into this memory, a flux of other memories flow through my mind. So this red shaggy, air-conditioned memory is like a cap to a jar of happy memories, one that I know will continue to be filled with other moments of laughter, love, and happiness.

I'm quite a nostalgic person, and although I know it's not healthy to dwell too much, sometimes it's nice to take a look back at all the amazing memories you've created for your life thus far and let them inspire you to create ones just as memorable.

x d

Dress: Genuine People | Shoes: Ego | Earring: Sorelle

Photography by Linda Chow
Edited by Trace Otsuka

HIGH TEE

September 07, 2016 in lewks

It's amusing to look back at the evolution of one's personal style, even at the cringe-worthy looks, to see what we thought was cool, what our parents forced us to wear, and to see if any styles or items have cycled back into our lives. I never imagined that my style would be the way it is now or that I’d revisit looks from my adolescence. But I think that's what's exciting about style: it's always evolving and very fluid as you move along in life, capturing the zeitgeist of our personal lives, just as fashion does for the world.

I remember when I was younger, I'd wear a t-shirt with my tighty-whities to sleep and to lounge around the house. My brother would always yell at me to put on some pants, but I never really obliged and retorted with childish angst. Little did I know this would be a cyclical look 15 or 18 years later. Here I am, in a Hood By Air t-shirt with shorts so short that they're basically underwear, strolling the streets of NYC as if it were my own private home and I am loving every moment of it. I think my elementary self would approve of this look.

My white tees have gotten an upgrade since my childhood Hanes or Fruit of the Loom to current ones like this HBA backless tee or Everlane T-shirts (they have the perfect essentials). White tees have become an essential to my wardrobe-- I can never have too many, and am always on the search for more. There are so many different necklines and cuts that the possibilities are endless! They're the perfect go-to when you're in a rush, since they match with everything. They can be sophisticated to effortlessly cool.

As many white tees as I may have, this HBA one is a prized possession. It's simple yet it makes such a statement with the open back. It's a nice little sensual surprise on a typically conservative item. In addition, I love that the brand stands for and advocates embracing one’s individuality. His pieces are daring in the coolest and best way possible, and I'm happy I can have a piece from his creations to help carry his vision into the world. Shayne Oliver, you slay my fashion soul.

x d

Top: Hood By Air (Similar Here) | Shorts: Black Cat Vintage | Boots: Public Desire | Earring: Sorelle

Photography by Kelsey Ann Rose
Edited by Trace Otsuka

STRIPE TEASE

August 31, 2016 in lewks

One of the perks of being an ‘ironing board’ is that I don't really have to worry about stripes being offensive to my shape because I basically don't have one. I'm almost nonexistent and that's okay, I have completely accepted my body and am shaking what my momma gave me… at least the parts that can shake.

Here, I'm taking an oversized striped shirt with amazing extra large cuffs and balancing it out with a slightly contrasting striped skort that shows off the legs. When wearing an oversized item, it's good to balance it out with something more body conscious, whether it's a bodycon piece or showing off some skin! Be careful not to reveal too much; choose a focal point like the legs, midriff, cleavage, or the back. Tease people's imagination-- it's more alluring and exciting that way, anyway.

x d

Top: Stylenanda (Similar Here) | Shorts: Storets | Shoes: Public Desire

Photography by Kelsey Ann Rose
Edited by Trace Otsuka

LIVING POSITIVE

July 27, 2016 in anecdotes

Having a positive outlook in life has always been something I've tried to abide by, probably inherited from my amazing mom. But a couple years a couple years ago, something happened that only strengthened this perspective and became the only way for me to see life.

A few years ago, on a brisk autumn day I found out I was HIV positive. It wasn't a surprise to be honest, and I was expecting it after hearing that one of my partners tested positive two weeks prior. This was a two week period of being in Limbo. I thought maybe I had a special type of blood or enzyme or cell that could possibly lead to a cure since my results took longer then usual. It was nice having this fantasy because then I could've helped lead to a cure for everyone affected by the virus! But nope, those two weeks of dreams came to an end when my results finally came in.

I didn't think I was going to cry but I ended up bawling my eyes out. I remember calling my cousin, one of my best friends, being really lax about it at first but then the tears just came rolling down. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions in that moment, although anger was never one of them. I'm not mad at anyone, it's not anyone's fault this happened. If anything it's my fault as much as theirs, no one is to blame.

For me the most difficult aspect of being diagnosed positive is knowing that I now have an extra layer of "man repellingness" on top of my already man repelling fashion. So thoughts of being alone and never finding love streamed through my head, which at some point I just accepted. I already accepted the possibility of being alone forever due to my exterior presentation so this extra layer was a simple hill to get over. I know people with HIV can date and find love, but whatever, if it's meant to be, it's meant to be.

Thanks to today's modern medicine like PrEP, being positive is no longer a death ticket as it was 10, 20 years ago. People are living long happy and normal lives. It's still not an ideal situation and there is still a negative stigma behind the virus but all we can do now is educate others about the virus in today's world. Hopefully within our lifetime a cure will be found and all the people that had hopes to have a biological family without the complications of HIV can have one and people that want to resume a "normal" life HIV-free can. Although you can have kids in alternative ways, you can also still have biological kids being HIV positive thanks to modern medicine and practices. But many people still see having the virus as a death to that dream. But that's not the case, you just have to do your research!

Living with the virus hasn't been difficult, I just have to take my meds every night before bed and for the rest of my day I just continue to live as if nothing ever happened. I'm perfectly healthy and undetectable just like Magic Johnson! I'm completely open about the subject and have found much solace in expressing this period of my life to my loved ones. Fortunately, I have received nothing but love and support but sadly for some others, they face remorse and disownment. It really saddens me to hear such stories--no one should have to face disdain and negligence due to being HIV positive. When a person is "sick" it's an innate reaction for beloved ones to be concerned and do all they can to help them feel better, so this negative situation is something I will never understand. People need to wake up from their narrow minded worlds! If anything positive can come out of that situation, it just shows that those people don't value you and love you as you may have thought, which helps filter those people out of your life. Whether it's previous best friends or even family. But I can be here for you! I'll help be one of your pillars of support. I may not be enough, so reach out to an organization or attend a support group. Don't be scared to reach out for help and support.

Many people have called me brave but I just think I'm living my life. What else is there to do? Give up? Be sad and mope around all day depressed? Absolutely not, I still have dreams and aspirations to achieve, I can't just give up on life because of some measly virus. I won't let it beat me down. Don't ever let a virus or person take over your life, just keep on living for yourself! The next day after getting my results, I resumed work and continued to live life as usual.

I tell myself everyday, stay strong, keep your head up, and smile because you're alive. It's not the end of the world so make your life worth it. Being positive is the only life path I can and should take and I am totally cool with that.

x d

Photography by Linda Chow
Edited by Trace Otsuka