I’ve been a fan of Bottega Veneta for some time now. Their gorgeously crafted handbags that ooze chic without screaming “It bag” is a given, but they’ve really upped their game with their increasingly covetable ready-to-wear line. Now adding to that über-cool cache is the line’s first women’s fragrance, launched at a cocktail party in Tokyo July 19. Creative Director Tomas Maier was on hand, as well as plenty of Asian celebs and Japanese and Korean media.

Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier and Taiwanese model Lin Chi-ling.

More photos after the jump.

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For our Fall 2011 issue, we were treated to Executive Chef Glen Ishii‘s tasting menu for a story on his restaurant Noé at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. We only had room to feature a fraction of all the goodies in the Fall issue, so here we offer a tantalizing look into the rest of the tasting menu.

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Watch Pacific Rim Video’s coverage of Audrey’s Fashion Night Out:

Who went to Audrey’s Fashion Night Out this past Wednesday?

If you were one of the lucky ones, you know what a blast we all had. Free flowing Ketel One (only the smoothest vodka ever), yummy cupcakes and savory appetizers, chic fashion, beautiful faces, and paparazzi galore! It was one crazy night.

And if you were one of the lucky VIP attendees, then you got to take home a packed gift bag filled with goodies, including a full-size product from Mirai Clinical.

Mirai Clinical is a Japanese company that just launched an innovative 3-step skin care regimen. Their breakthrough APG-40 formulation, which includes Astaxanthin (the most
powerful antioxidant), specifically targets the evolving body care needs of women with maturing skin.

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In our Fall 2011 issue, we featured Courvoisier’s newest incarnation, Courvoisier Rosé, a clever marriage of premium French wine and deep, smoky cognac. We enjoyed sipping it straight up, but it’ll be even better as a chic cocktail, perfect for cooler autumn evenings.

On the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we look back to a time that changed our world. New America Media has a collection of stories about 9/11 that puts an Asian American face to the tragedy. Read it here.

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In our Fall 2011 issue, out now, we feature Rachael Yamagata who is getting set to release her first studio album in three years. Chesapeake, which will drop October 11, features Yamagata’s signature smoky vocals vis a vis an eclectic collection of songs projecting a lot more optimism and hopefulness than we’re used to. Get a taste with her new video for her single “Starlight.”

And don’t miss Yamagata live as she tours the U.S., starting on October 24 in Portland, Maine at the Port City Music Hall, and winding down on December 22 in New York City at City Winery. For more details on Yamagata’s 2011 tour dates, including her November 29th appearance at Los Angeles’ Troubador, check out her website.

Actor Andy Lau and director Tsui Hark on the set of Detective Dee.

It sounds like a tween mystery novel, but Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is actually the latest action thriller from director Tsui Hark (Seven Swords) starring Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs, House Of Flying Daggers), Carina Lau (2046), Tony Leung Ka-fai, and Audrey‘s own covergirl, Li Bing Bing (Snowflower and the Secret Fan). With action choreography by Sammo Hung, the film recently swept the 2011 Hong Kong Film Awards, including awards for best director and best actress.

Touted as a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery, the film comes out today in New York and next week, September 9, in L.A., followed by a national roll out in 20 cities. More photos after the jump.

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Sarah Nami Ahn is one mega-talent. Originally on a path to becoming a neuroscientist (she obtained her PhD from UCLA), the Korean American changed course after her brother got into a motorcycle accident. She spent six months in the hospital nursing her brother back to health. She then went on to work for renowned interior designer Kelly Wearstler and opened her own design firm, Nami Design. (Check out our story on her in our Summer 2011 issue.)

But that wasn’t enough for the triple threat: While taking some fashion courses at FIDM, Ahn submitted a design for a national contest held by apparel line Laundry by Shelley Segal — and won! (Her LBD design is currently being sold at major department stores.)

A sneak peek at one look from NAMI's Spring/Summer 2012 debut collection, a modern take on the Korean traditional dress called the Hanbok.

For more info, please check out the NAMI facebook.

In the ’80s (yes, I was in junior high then), Steve Perry and Journey were on MTV practically every half hour. I know because I would keep vigil of the then-new all-music video channel, hoping one of Duran Duran‘s videos would air. (For those of you too young to know, think Duran Duran = NKOTB = Justin Bieber.) Back then, my adolescent taste in music had one criterion: how cute was the lead singer? Not amazing talent, not heart-wrenching lyrics, not a soaring, plaintive wail of a vocal. Needless to say, I wasn’t a fan of Journey.

That is, until Glee made that iconic Journey song, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” hip again. Now, I can’t stop inserting Journey songs into our noraebang (karaoke song room) queue. In fact, it only took 30 years for me to be able to look back on my junior high years with any semblance of fondness. So I was excited when I found out Journey was performing on the Today Show plaza yesterday. (Yeah, I know. I’m now that old fogey.) But instead of Steve Perry wailing “Street lights people living just to find emotion,” it was Filipino American Arnel Pineda. I mean, he’s no Steve Perry, but he’s pretty damn good.

And just think: if an Asian American had headed one of the hottest bands when I was in junior high. What a different world I would have grown up in.

Check out the Today Show performance below.

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