Ah, Hong Kong, you feel like such a far away dream at this point. Was I actually there, some 8000 miles from here, just a hair over two weeks ago? I'm still a bit out of sorts having just come back from the Caribbean and attempting to regather myself in sub 30-degree temperatures. But yes, Hong Kong – when an opportunity comes up to travel to a cool city I've never been to and it involves style and food and great hotels, I get on that shit.
Tania and Sam, the co-founders of e-boutique
A Boy Named Sue, gave me just that opportunity. Their shop promotes the idea of "cool clothes with a conscience" by offering sustainably made clothes that are ethically manufactured and in most cases, made with innovative eco materials. They wanted to shed the hippie/granola perception that eco fashion can often come with. The resulting look of the pieces they carry is contemporary and slightly tomboyish. So the three of us got together and shot a lookbook, only I wasn't the one holding the camera! When I got onboard with the lookbook, I didn't know exactly how much I'd be in front of the camera. It ain't easy. I definitely do not know my angles or how to not have a bitch/angry resting face.
Sam worked wonders wielding my camera and was a great art director. We explored and shot at some super photogenic spots like the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Chi Lin Nunnery, The Upper House hotel, and Syut by tfvsjs (don't ask me how to pronounce that).
As for Hong Kong, I have many other thoughts but may need to save them for a future post. The city's density was staggering yet it didn't really feel crowded. I am already scheming of how I can get back there because my short time there was such a tease. And I would kill for some prawn wonton noodle soup right now. And how I miss those congee and dim sum breakfasts.
Are we ready for this behemoth post? Let's begin.
Look 1: Kaarem wind chime top, Ace & Jig obsidian wrap skirt
Look 2: Kaarem open back dress
Look 3: Ace & Jig obsidian cardi jacket
Look 4: Amour Vert petrice playsuit
Look 5: Collective raglan sweatshirt
Look 6: Hien Le blouse
Look 7: Kaarem wind chime top, Hien Le vegan leather skirt
Look 8: Kaarem chance drape top
Look 9: Amour Vert libby silk dress
Look 10: SVILU dust pink sweater
Look 11: Maska helga sweater, Amour Vert rosie polka dot pants
Look 12: Kaarem wind chime top, Obakki plum box pleat skirt
Look 13: The Sway byron leather jacket, Kaarem three leaf dolman top
Look 14: Kaarem wind chime top, Hien Le vegan leather skirt
The brilliant
Mina Park also hosted us and other friends for a lunch at her beautiful light-filled apartment. This gal is a talented jack-of-all-trades and made us an glorious spread of hamachi, ddukbokki, pork tacos, and chocolate cake. When she's not kicking ass at corporate life, she runs a project called
Sook to bring communities together over food. It was very cool to have lunch with such an international crowd – NYC is diverse and all, but not quite like that was. I've highlighted a few more A Boy Named Sue pieces below.
Links to products shown: (one) Ace & Jig bonfire quilted sweatshirt, (two) Ace & Jig obsidian chalet dress, (three) SVILU dust pink sweater, (four) Ace & Jig royal cardi jacket, (five) SVILU chalk plaid skirt and A Question Of night rider boxy tee, (six) Kaarem wind chime top and Hien Le vegan leather skirt
If you couldn't tell, we're all big fans of the Kaarem wind chime top ;). That's easily a piece I would have multiple colors of in my wardrobe. A huge thank you to Tania and Sam for being wonderful hosts and giving me this first taste of Hong Kong.
P.S. You can get 20% off your order until Friday with the code 'gettingold' in celebration of the shop's two-year mark!
[All images of me by
Sam, edited by me. Other photos by me.]