When I first started thinking about moving into advertising, I thought I would make the most impact as an art director. I decided to get my start by capturing cultural tensions in fashion editorials and the occasional parody music video. During this time, I learned a lot about what it takes to produce something on a grander scale, how to communicate my artistic vision, and how to scout for and work with different creatives.
Feminizing Masculine Tropes
I have long been inspired by Helmut Newton and YSL’s Le Smoking and its revolutionary representation of women in menswear. Through this photoshoot I wanted to flirt with the minute differences in what constitutes masculinity & femininity. Plus, it was a major ego boost when the VP of Proenza Schouler wanted a pair of the cigarette pants I designed after seeing these photos.
Photographed by Bert Alexander and Thomas Kong
My Culture Is Not Your Prom Dress
After reading countless public debates on cultural appropriation, I realized that something was glaringly missing from the conversation, how to own one’s culture. What would it look like if cultural artifacts were worn the right way?
Photographed by Andrea Gadioma
7 BBQ Grills
What started off as a drunken idea birthed on a Saturday night turned into a full-blown, high quality production celebrating Asian American youth culture. Since then, it’s racked hundreds of thousands of views.
Former Life
Here’s a look at my former life as a fashion designer. I guess what you can say I’ve learned from the experience is how to direct six models, two photographers, three fashion designers, and two PR team members on a moving photoshoot through the SF BART.
