nyfw day 7

There are so many things in these photos that symbolize how far I’ve come from my previous circumstances. I grew up with a really rough life. On top of everything, I had to work three jobs at once ever since I was a teenager in high school. I didn’t have a license. I didn’t have a car. I had to bum rides off friends or take the bus, and I’d change out of and into the respective job’s clothes on the way from one job straight to another. And at the end of it all, I would give half of my pay away. (It's also worthy of note that blogging on Blogger was my escape ever since this journey started in 2007.)

The moto and shoes I’m wearing in this post mean so much to me. When blogging and working in the fashion industry took off for me as an actual career, I had serious cognitive dissonance with perpetuating the capitalist machine. What I felt helped me express myself and feel fulfilled, some people couldn't understand.

While on my plane to NY, I reached the chapter in Nasty Gal CEO Sophia Amoruso’s book #GIRLBOSS where she perfectly puts into words the thoughts bouncing around my head (which I'll paraphrase here): Material possessions for many people, including myself, and hopefully including you, aren’t meant to be a showy signifier of my wealth to my peers. What these pieces mean to me are my personal symbols showing how far I've come from my circumstances and what I've achieved thus far. Everything you own, you should be proud to have. Shop smart. Don't get things just because they're "cool". Get them because they're you. Investment and statement pieces are a necessity in everyone's life--especially the life of a fashion lover--and whether they were expensive or affordable (they don't need to be pricey to be great!), for the longest time I just could not afford them. I believe all the work I put into every job I had for the last 7-8 years led up to the momentous occasions when I purchased my first couple big girl pieces--my favorites of which are this Acne Studios moto and these Proenza Schouler gladiators. Granted, they were on sale (I still live by my "shop smart" rule), but it was still a huge accomplishment! Add these to a dress I love made by a person I love who I met doing what I love + photo work from a talented photographer who discovered my blog and wanted to shoot, and you've got a recipe for something magical.

I guess I said all that to say I feel very blessed by the way my life has come together, dare I say even synergistically. I have a lot of people to thank, people like you. Your support means so much to me. Thank you always.

What I'm wearing:
Nun Bangkok Engine Dress
Nun Bangkok Sissy Bar Shorts
Acne Studios moto (similar here)
Proenza Schouler gladiators (similar here and here)
Haati Chai body chain

photography by Van Khai Truong