Born and raised in America, my Vietnamese parents taught me to take pride in my culture in every way that I could. I was taught a list of ideals that a traditional Asian woman should embody (i.e. to be obedient, conservative, and gentle). Growing up, I took all these ideals with a grain of salt. If there’s anything that growing up in this generation has taught me, it’s that I can be so unapologetically myself while also embracing my culture. Channeling this kind of energy into this shoot, “Power in Asian American Identity” highlights the Chinese qipao and the Korean hanbok with a boss ass bitch twist.

Photography & Styling by Vanessa Le / Assistants: Ashley Chang + Eugene Son / Hair & Makeup Artist: Lily Soleil Correa Lewites / Models: Aishia Berry + Jacqueline Lee / Studio: Orange County Photo / Brands: DAWANG, Circa Collum + Hoya Evening Butterfly