Things You Should Really Do This Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day is around the corner and people everywhere are rejoicing. Why? We get a three-day weekend. Now that you have some time, how about spending your weekend doing the things you always put off? Admit it, you have a giant list of things that you never seem to find time for. Here's what we have in mind: 1. Work Out. Every January, gyms are filled with people motivated to begin their new years resolution. By May, this motivation has usually died.
Editor’s Diary: Cannes Film Festival 2013, Day 4
Diary from Cannes 2013: Day 4 May 19, 2013: The sun came out on Sunday, and so did... every single Asian film that I wanted to see. What I got used to very quickly as a first time Cannes attendee (with a low-priority press badge) is that every single day, I'd look through the list of hundreds of press screenings, competition screenings, and market screenings; plan my day in at least three different formations amidst much confusion and indecision; and then when I finally decided on my schedule, at least a third of it would fall through for some reason or another (screening full, interview...
Roll Models: Cars, Modeling, and Go-Go Dancers Galore
A new reality show, Roll Models, is coming your way. From the producers of K-TOWN, this show takes a deeper look into the Asian American youth culture of Southern California. In particular, Roll Models focuses on the world of import cars, modeling, and go-go dancers. The show will feature well-known import models such as Nikita Esco, Michelle Yee, Gina Darling, Beckie Joon, Danielle Lo and Melyssa Grace. We are told to expect a lot of drama from these strong-willed girls who are not afraid to get in your face. Already, the show has gathered quite the buzz and people have been more than...
The Daily SHAG | The Hangover Part III’s Peter Jae
The release of The Hangover Part III couldn't have come at a better time. We're due for another Daily SHAG (Smoking Hot Asian Guy) and who better than The Hangover's Peter Jae (you may remember him from one of our favorite series K-Town Cowboys!), who worked as a stuntman for the film. Peter is also currently working on stunts for the upcoming Michael Mann film, Cyber, starring Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Tang Wei, and Wang Lee Hom. If you happen to be a fan of abs, you're in for a treat! Click on for more pics:
Creepy Technology: Human Doll Cloning
Technology has come quite a long way. Just ten years ago, texting was not a main form of communication, we had to actually remember phone numbers, and we went to the library to get information. Now, we live in a society of smart phones, gps systems, and social media. But apparently, we're not stopping there. Trying to make its way to the top of innovative technology is the process of doll cloning. Said to be perfect for the "tech-savvy ego-fetishist" individual, Japan's Clone Factory specializes in 3-D printing of human faces. For the price of $1300, you can now place your face onto a doll's...
World’s Most Powerful Asian Women: 21 Top Forbes’ Annual Power List
This week, Forbes Magazine published their list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women 2013, their annual list of the impactful women from seven categories: billionaires, business, lifestyle (including entertainment and fashion), media, nonprofits and NGOs, politics and technology. The list was determined using three metrics: money, media presence and impact (please go here for a more in-depth explanation of their methodology). This year, 21 Asian women (2 are Asian American) are featured on the list, with mainly businesswomen and politicians ranking on the list, marking a very strong...
10 Signs That Your Relationship is An Asian Drama
Complicated love triangles, near-death experiences, and endless tears? If this sounds familiar, your relationship may just be liken to some of our favorite Asian Dramas. Check the signs below: 1. You receive piggyback rides. This is often when you're too drunk to walk, but not too drunk to divulge some of your deepest secrets.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bond film franchise and the tenth Asian Bond Girl (French Cambodian-Chinese actress Bérénice Lim Marlohe) who’s featured in Skyfall, we’re going to take a step back into history and give you an overview of every single Asian actress who has shared screentime with Ian Fleming’s iconic secret agent (and arguably the world’s most famous) spanning the last 50 years. Some of these names may be recognizable to you – while others may be of surprise. Click and read on!
French Cambodian-Chinese actress/model Bérénice Lim Marlohe as Sévérine in the latest Bond movie, Skyfall.
Dedicated to the jetset woman always on the go, this is for that friend. She’s the woman that lives in airports, whether it be for business, or because she caught the traveling bug and can’t seem to get rid of it. Having a hard time trying to find the perfect gift for this busy lady? Have no fear! We’re here to help give you different ideas for this woman.
Gifts Under $50:
Mr. & Mrs. Minimergency Kit for Her, $13.
Beverly Center’s brand new store: Versace Collection | Photo by Jennifer Oh
The Beverly Center shopping mall in Los Angeles is home to many high-end and affordable clothing stores and boutiques. Stores such as, Tiffany’s, Burberry, Forever 21, and Macy’s have had Los Angelenos and tourists flock to Southern California’s very first fashion location. Now, shoppers could purchase from its brand new store, Versace Collection. The high-end brand house extended its line so that men and women could have a chance to wear Versace without breaking the bank.
On Saturday, October 20th, Audrey Magazine attended a private viewing of its Fall/Winter 2012 Collection. Hosted by Phoenix International Magazine, event goers, who were dressed in their best clothes, sipped on champagne and hors d’oeuvres as they enjoyed the mini fashion show. After the models strutted the clothing around the store, attendees spent some time shopping. 10% of each purchase that evening was donated to The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.
Continue Reading for pictures and a peek at the Fall/Winter 2012 Collection!
Did it just dawn upon you that you don’t have any costume for all the Halloween festivities this upcoming weekend? We’ve compiled some of our last minute costume ideas for your convenience!
The Linsanes or Linsanity – Jeremy Lin’s fan club
While you COULD go as Jeremy Lin – we think it would be much more fun (and perhaps, believable, since there are some die-hard J-Lin fans out there) to go as the Taiwanese American’s groupies – or what we would like to call them – the Linsanes – or Linsanity. Just make some clever signs (“Be My VaLINtine!” “You Drive Me Linsane!”), wear a shirt with Lin’s face taped to it, even go as far as putting face paint if you want to!
Photo credit: GQ
In celebration of Breast Cancer month, many companies in the fashion and beauty world have announced their campaigns to raise awareness about breast cancer, as well as releasing products with funds going towards the research for breast cancer.
Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Collection
Are you excited for the U.S. UNIQLO E-Commerce site launch as we are? If you haven’t already made your picks – check out our recommendations and tips (including our Editor in Chief Anna Park’s most favorite item – it might surprise you!). Happy shopping!
Inside Uniqlo. Image courtesy of Getty.
Sarah Nami Ahn is an LA based fashion designer and founder of her own womenswear brand called NAMI after her middle name, her Korean name. Ahn’s brand, NAMI, rapidly gained traction after just one season, her debut collection SS12 that was shown at NYFW, LAFW in September and October 2011, respectively. Ahn only launched her line June of 2011 and within a short year, her line is now sold online and in boutiques around the country. Her design aesthetics is highly influenced by her worldly travels as an Army Brat, her heritage, her unusual educational background, and finally by architecture.
On October 13th, NAMI presented its Spring/Summer 2013 collection in Los Angeles, and we were lucky enough to be at the show. Check out our collection review as well as our interview with the designer, Sarah Ahn, after the cut!
David Choi & Clara C
Clara C and David Choi kicked off their long awaited fall tour, presented by YesStyle, at the nearly full house Troubadour in West Hollywood on Sept. 29 during Carmageddon 2 weekend. Long lines of excited fans waited eagerly to enter the venue as Jacob Luttrell, along with backup singers and a full band complete with a cellist, opened the night. DANakaDAN gave away a YesStyle gift certificate and revved up the appreciative crowd of nearly 500 before introducing the headlining duo to thundering applause.
Continue Reading »
On an unseasonably warm and gorgeous October 5th evening, many of New York City’s Asian American young professionals came out to support the annual Plate by Plate tasting benefit held at the historic New York Public Library. Plate by Plate NYC is the premier annual food and wine charity fundraising event thrown by the New York City chapter of the national volunteer organization, Project by Project.
In it’s 15th Year, this event still managed to surprise and delight the 500 guests that came out to support the benefit . Decked out in their cocktail best and ready to eat, drink and be charitable, these urban professionals tasted treats from 30 of the city’s finest restaurants and beverage purveyors.
The participating restaurants offered up innovative fare that included lobster katifi pumpkin bisque, smoked lamb ribs, foie gras a la shabu shabu, artisanal ice creams (honey vanilla, fresh mint or Nutella) served with homemade shortbreads, and so much more.
Second year participant, Chef Toshi Nukui of Pranna served a red chicken curry with vegetable samosa sticks because he felt it best represented Southeast Asian cuisine. Mark Lee, general manager of Spot Dessert Bar, returning for a third year, said they chose to serve kabocha brulee cake because they wanted to share some Asian flavors that were not common in desserts.
Chris Jaeckle, a Michelin star chef formerly with Ai Fiori, debuted his new restaurant, All’onda, at the event. Attendees got to sample his restaurant before it officially opens in November in Union Square.
The thoughtful menus of all the participating restaurants impressed the well-dressed crowds, as many lined up again and again for the creative delicacies. Sake and wine flowed freely as the hallways overflowed with these foodies, mingling and dining for a good cause.
A special chef’s tasting demo emceed by longtime supporter, MSNBC anchor Richard Lui was held in the main hall. Lui has hosted the Quickfire Challenge (a cooking competition) for the past two years. First up was Chef Justin Antiorio, this past season’s Hell’s Kitchen runner-up, who cooked up a charred octopus dish with white bean puree in under ten minutes. He took the dish out to the audience and even the finickiest eater was pleased. Celebrity taster, Tom Keene, Bloomberg Radio Host, declared it delicious.
Founding Plate by Plate Chef Kerry Heffernan of Top Chef Masters who has supported the benefit from the very beginning, put together a pasta dish featuring clams, bacon and kale, with the help of CNBC Reporter, Seema Mody and all under 8 minutes He stressed how easy it was to find the ingredients locally and that anyone could make this dish at home. It was another crowd pleaser.
In addition to the tastings, there was a silent auction featuring over 70 items donated by merchants, organizations and individuals. There were a great variety of items (posh vacation packages, stunning jewelry, tech gadgets, etc) with something for just about everyone’s liking. Some of the hot “priceless” treasures included an autographed Michael Jackson Thriller record, a Justin Bieber autographed poster, Asian American activist Corky Lee’s framed poster, and a signed Jeremy Lin Knicks jersey. Figures will not be out for a few weeks but are expected to bring in over $10,000, according to Project by Project’s NY Marketing Director Anne Lee.
Each year, Project by Project partners with a community-based organization and tailors a year-long campaign to help its fundraising, community outreach, and public awareness efforts. In commemoration of Project by Project’s 15th anniversary, net proceeds from this year’s benefit will go toward further developing and strengthening the organization’s overall infrastructure, so, that they can continue providing support for future partners and the community. Project by Project NY has partnered and helped 14 organizations to date. The organization and event is 100% volunteer based and 165 volunteers helped to make the evening a success.
While you’re in Seoul, make sure to check out Hongdae, the neighborhood around (and short for) the art-oriented Hongik University. With no shortage of cafés, clubs and spontaneous street music, Hongdae has become a magnet for expats, exchange students and locals alike. Here, Vietnamese American exchange student Mai Nguyen fills us in on some of her must-go’s in Hongdae.
ISSUE: Summer 2012
DEPT: Destinasian
STORY: Mai Nguyen
1) Street performances abound in Hongdae. 2) Pop star Se7en’s restaurant Yeolbong. 3) Your latte, complete with cinnamon sprinkle art, at the Hello Kitty Cafe.
- Fill up: One of my favorite restaurants in Hongdae would have to be Yeolbong. Beware though — you have to be able to handle some spicy hotness before trying the food here. Owned by Korean pop singer Se7en, it’s a small and cozy place, specializing in steamed chicken (jjim-dak). Served over glass noodles, the chicken is stewed for hours with potatoes, carrots and onions, so the flavor is really soaked into the dish. It’ll leave you satisfied with a slight tingly burning feeling on your lips. Yeolbong.com.
- Sweet spot: What better way to balance something spicy than with something sweet? There’s no place more appropriate than the Hello Kitty Café. From top to bottom, it’s all pink, all cute and, of course, all Hello Kitty. Don’t be surprised to see girls cooing at how adorable everything is, down to every drink and confection offered. Hellokittycafe.co.kr.
- Club hopping: The best way to club hop in Hongdae is to get the 15,000 won (about $12) pass that gives you access to the three YG Entertainment hip-hop clubs, NB1, NB2 and Harlem. YG artists and other celebrities frequent these clubs, so if you’re lucky, you might find yourself partying it up with a star. What’s great about the clubbing culture here is that there are particular moves for every song that everybody seems to know. These moves are usually simple enough to pick up just by watching, so before you know it, you’ll be dancing in unison with the rest of the clubgoers.
