Earlier this summer, we introduced you to a young and rising Asian American actress, Nichole Bloom (to read the full interview with Bloom in our Summer Issue purchase one here). Bloom, a Japanese-Irish American, was currently filming the Warner Bros. comedy Project X when she signed on to play the lead in Model Minority. Catch Bloom, director Lily Mariye, and the rest of the cast will for the East Coast premiere in NYC!
Photo Credit: Julia Ransom
Photo Credit: Julia Ransom
Continue reading for film details and the trailer!
While so many celebrities are famous for no good reason, Mara Measor stands out as a girl with real talent. This actress, singer-songwriter, and musician is a triple threat with something to prove.
With America still stuck in one of the biggest recession since The Great Depression, days and nights of eating out have been hard to come by. We get it, so we pulled out some of the hottest restaurants and bars out of our little black book that has some of the happiest of happy hours around. Whether the hotspot is a chill bar to hang out with your friends or it’s an upscale restaurant to lure in a love interest, we got your back.
The inspiring documentary Dressed showcases a deeper side to the often shallow world of fashion. The movie is a compelling story of a young Asian American fashion designer, Nary Manivong, who defied the odds of a broken childhood and homelessness to reach his ultimate dream, a show of his collection during New York Fashion Week. Check out the trailer after the jump.
You may have heard of famous street photographer/bloggers Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist), Asian American Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil, but here’s a name to keep an eye out for in 2011: Bonae L’amour. The Vietnamese American photographer, originally from New Orleans and now based in New York City, says he photographs “souls and spirits, not simply people.” He is an advocate for diversity in fashion and the media.
Here, some of Bonae’s shots of Asian models off duty.
One of the season’s more popular models, Ming Xi — she of the famous ears — made her debut at New York Fashion Week spring 2011, after a successful run in Europe. “She was enthusiastic,” says Bonae. He shot her here after Jason Wu’s spring 2011 show.
Ming Xi, after Jason Wu SS 2011, shows off a look that's gonna be hot for spring -- pale hues, long strap bags, and touches of black trim.
One of the few Asian Americans on the catwalk, Bonnie Chen walked for Vivenne Tam as well as Erin Fetherston, Marchesa and Thuy. The Chinese American (she splits her time between New York, Hong Kong and Beijing) graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in psychology. The former rhythmic gymnastic national champion kicked off her modeling career as a finalist in the Elite Model Look competition when she was 16.
Model Bonnie Chen, here before the Vivienne Tam spring 2011 show, captures the eclectic, high-low model chic look with a structured striped blazer, louche cut-offs and a preppy handbag.
“Liu Wen said she was very honored and thanked me when I congratulated her on Estee Lauder,” says Bonae. Both Liu and fellow Marilyn NY Agency model Constance Jablonski landed contracts with Estee Lauder last year. The good friends worked together previously on a ck Calvin Klein SS 2010 campaign. Here, they pose before Fashion’s Night Out: The Show.
Constance Jablonski and Liu Wen offer two ways to wear the must-have denim hue -- on top or slouchy on bottom. Cognac and tan accessories are a must.
Chinese model Ping Hue Cheung made her debut last year and walked Matthew Williamson, Ports 1961 and Halston, among others, for spring. She most recently appeared in a fashion editorial for Teen Vogue.
Ping Hue after the Monique Lhullier SS 2011 show.
Korean model Hyoni Kang is still going strong since winning the Ford Supermodel of the World contest in 2008. She most recently appeared in a Marie Claire editorial. Here, she shows us how to do military modern.
Hyoni Kang before the Adam SS 2011 show.
“It was the Korean newcomer’s first NY fashion week,” says Bonae of Korean model So Young Kang. “She was very excited!” Kang made her debut at the Chanel fall couture show in Paris last year.
So Young Kang, known for her steely gaze, after Jen Kao SS 2011.
First runner-up in the Ford Supermodel of the World contest in 2010, Filipina model Charlene Almarvez shows off her fun-loving personality during Spring 2011 Fashion Week, where she walked for Nanette Lepore and Diane von Furstenberg.
No catwalk glare for Filipina model Charlene Almarvez -- she's all fun on the street.
Selina Khan is from French Guyana and is of Indian, Vietnamese, Arabic and Creole descent. She’s walked and modeled for Ralph Lauren and Gap.
Selina Khan before the Betsey Johnson SS 2011 show.
Hot Asian model of the moment Liu Wen, looking quite pleased after Vera Wang’s SS 2011 show, her 20th anniversary show.
Liu Wen.
Japanese model Tao Okamoto and Ming Xi after the Academy of Art University SS 2011 show.
Tao Okamoto and Ming Xi.
And last but definitely not least, the stunning Shu Pei Qin in a getup that has everyone gawking.
Shu Pei Qin in a daring web-like getup after a Jason Wu show.
Years ago I was in New York City and my then-boyfriend said I looked like a tourist. I wasn’t sure what he meant considering I was wearing the same clothes I always wear. Did my uniform of jeans, converse low-cuts and a T-shirt scream left coast? In hindsight, he was probably referring to the smile I was wearing. And my penchant for eye contact. And the giddy look of “I’m in Manhattan!” that was spread across my face.
It’s those same qualities that, while on a trip to New York last fall, led multiple people to ask if I would like to rent a bike or go for a carriage ride through Central Park. On the last day of my trip I took a different approach. I kept my head down and walked with more purpose than wonder. No surprise, the questions stopped.
But what fun is that? It’s not every day I get to engage with the funny, irritable or weird. In New York, I engaged with more people during one block on foot than I do in a whole day in Los Angeles (and returned with the cold to prove it). I also engaged in so much food that on my last night I had to buy the “emergency Perrier” to settled an over-stuffed, but incredibly satisfied, belly.
If I were in Los Angeles, I wouldn’t be on a street corner wondering which way to Broadway only to see Kristin Chenoweth, the star of Promises, Promises, the show we were going to see, standing on the same corner. Suffice it to say, we followed her directly to the theater. (The show is, in a word, delightful.)
Of course, this is because I was on vacation. It was all fun all the time, which is exactly how it wouldn’t be if I lived there.
If I lived in Manhattan I wouldn’t be going to high tea at the Plaza (where I felt super-posh in my nice jeans, new cons and fancy T-shirt), taking in Broadway shows (specifically musicals, because why settle for talking when you can have talking and singing?), or returning regularly to Mario Batali’s Otto (a frequent daydream is getting trapped in this restaurant). Sure, I might when I first arrive, but then the city would lose its luster and become just the place I live. In the same way that I live in Los Angeles and yet rarely go to the beach.
Which is all to say that being a tourist in the Big Apple is, for me, the way to go. I get to take in all the city has to offer, and when it’s time to leave I bid adieu to my teeny hotel room and say hello to my large-by-comparison 800-square-foot house in a city where I’m never mistaken for a tourist. But that’s probably because I’m always in my car.
In 2009, an estimated 80,000 visitors gathered to peruse the goods of 30 vendors. More than 10,000 product samples and 450 food samples were sold within four to six hours. Approximately 200,000 people partook in the shopping and food eating festivities. What was going on?
Spectators at JapanTown in New York.
JapanTown was happening.
Due to the enormous success it had witnessed the previous year as the NYC Japan Street Fair, it was brought back under the new name JapanTown in hopes of continuing to give New York City a taste of true Japanese culture.
Bad luck comes in threes, but this summer, that isn’t the case.
Cosplayers at Japan Town.
To celebrate, in the next three months, three festivals will be held in the East Village, Midtown and Upper East Side, each focusing on a different aspect of Japanese culture: Japanese “cool” culture, Japanese healthy food, and Japanese soul food, respectively. JapanTown will bring together local businesses and common household brands, so that the people of NYC can truly experience and gain a better appreciation of the New York Japanese community.
The first of the three is the Cool Japan festival, which starts on July 17th in the East Village. NYC’s unofficial Japan Town, it will showcase the various aspects of Japanese culture that make it “cool.” Here, visitors can find anything from Japanese robots to antiques to yummy tidbits to eat while participating in the Japanese street fashion contest. Winners will receive a prize from a JapanTown sponsor.
JapanTown cosplayers.
Following that is the Healthy Food & Green festival on August 22nd in Midtown. A variety of wholesome dishes and organic produce can be sampled, which will be provided for by Souen Noodle restaurant, Suzuki Farm, Marukome, and Kikkoman.
Some of the vendors at JapanTown.
Udon galore at JapanTown.
Lastly, in the Upper East Side on September 26th, experience Japanese soul food. Authentic foods representing various parts of Japan will be presented. They range from Kyushu grilled tonton pork to Japanese curry to konjac. Regional produce from agricultural government Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island, will also be available for taste.
Mochitsuki at JapanTown.
Taiko drums at JapanTown.
Food to eat, stuff to buy, New York City. What more could you ask for?
DETAILS
For more information, please visit www.nyjapantown.org.
Cool Japan Festival
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Fourth Avenue between 8th and 10th Streets
Healthy Food & Green Festival
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Madison Avenue between 43rd and 45th Streets
Soul Food Festival
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Lexington Avenue between 93rd and 96th Streets
