Interviewing our favorite Asian American Creators

Aisha wears The Fall Flare

Hi! My name is Aisha Ross. I grew up in OC, went to college in Hawaii and now reside in LA. I have been a big fan of thrifting and sourcing vintage since I was a little girl. The pandemic pushed me to start my own brand, Less Is More, where I mainly sell vintage and some reworked items. It started as a passion project and is now my full time career. This has led me into hosting markets around OC/ LA and I am so grateful to meet the most amazing individuals through this community. You can find me sourcing vintage around town, fueling up on matcha with friends, or obsessing over my pup. 

What is a cultural /family tradition near and dear to you?

Food is a huge part of our culture. One of my favorite traditions growing up is when my grandma would make a massive pot of phở for the whole family. It takes her a couple days to prep and make—nothing compares to her homemade phở. It is always chaotic in the kitchen, but once everyone finally sits down we all feel at home. This tradition is so special to me and something I hope to eventually pass down to future generations.

How does your heritage impact you?

Growing up I felt more negative impacts with my heritage and just wanted to “fit in.” Now I am so proud to be Vietnamese American and to be more connected to my culture. I have met some really incredible AAPI creatives/ brands through my business, which is so refreshing and inspiring to see. 

Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?

Some of my favorite AAPI creatives that inspire me are @jordanrisa / @seenlibrary, @irene.geel / @geel.us, @viviankimx and @keeksitsimple

Tiffany wears The 90s Straight

My name is Tiffany and I do digital content on the side outside of my 9-5 as a way to express my creativity. I love to put outfits together that are cute, effortless, and also practical/functional. I love to travel and explore new places while learning different cultures and histories. In my spare time you can find me spending time with my 2 adorable and needy cats :) 

 I'm originally from Taiwan and moved to the US when I was 10. As a kid my siblings and I used to go back to visit every summer and we would have big mahjong parties (with candies in lieu of $$) as a way to socialize and now whenever we gather we still do (upgraded from candies to 50 cents) just to socialize and catch up. 

I moved to the US when I was 10 without knowing any English and I had made a decision to continue reading novels in Chinese (mostly because it was hard for me to adapt to a new language). Nowadays I am happy that I didn't lose my Chinese speaking, reading, and conversational skills while growing up here trying to emerge myself into American culture. 

@imJennIm & @itsyuyann on instagram! 

 

Moana wears The Mom Short

 

Tell us about you!

 My name is Moana Hana Ferry. I was born and raised on the beautiful garden isle of Kauai, Hawaii. My mother is Japanese from Osaka, Japan and my father is Irish/French from Glendale, California. They fell in love on the beautiful island of Kauai where I was born and raised. I feel so extremely grateful to have been able to grow up in such a grounded and peaceful place. Kauai will forever be my cherished home, but over the past 15 years, California has also woven itself into my heart. As a child, I found solace and inspiration in the realm of art—drawing, painting, and exploring any creative avenue that fueled my imagination. Embracing that longing for artistic expression has remained a guiding force throughout my adult life and in my vintage-selling business. I am eternally thankful for the opportunity to nurture my creative spirit and bring joy to myself and others through Moana Vintage.

 

What is a cultural /family tradition near and dear to you?

As a child, I have vivid memories of being at my Baba's (grandmother's) house in Japan. I was always touched by the way she would take the time to greet my Jiji's (grandfather's) altar upon returning home, or how she would pour him a glass of sake and offer him her meal before taking her own. It was through her unwavering love and respect that the spirit of my Jiji remained alive in her home and in our hearts, even long after his passing. Last September, my dear Baba also passed away, weighing heavily on my heart. However, I have now created a special altar for her in my own home, where I greet her with a smile and feel her spirit as a vital part of me. This cherished tradition holds deep meaning for me, and I hope to carry it forward in our family, as a way to honor, respect, and remember our ancestors.

 

How does your heritage impact you?

My Japanese heritage holds profound significance in shaping my identity. It has profoundly influenced my worldview and the way I connect with people. I firmly believe that my diverse background has fostered an open-minded and accepting mindset, allowing me to embrace love and compassion for all.

 

Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?

Finding it challenging to pinpoint specific Asian American creatives who inspire me, I can confidently express that my Japanese culture serves as a boundless wellspring of creative inspiration. From the realm of clothing and fashion to the realms of decor, design, and even thought processes and ways of being, I find profound beauty and inspiration within my Asian American heritage. 

 

@cupofcreative

Cat wears The Cropped Demi Flare

 

Tell us about you!

My name is Cat, and I am a digital artist and painter based in Los Angeles. Cup of Creative is a space I created to always keep art in my life, and a way to share my creations with others. I am inspired by nature, the human form, and the experiences that shape our lives. I enjoy exploring new styles, mediums, and techniques, having dedicated the past 5 years to refining my professional design skills. I love all things creative and design!

 

What is a cultural /family tradition near and dear to you?

A family tradition that is near and dear to me is making steamed baos and sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves for special occasions such as Lunar New Year! I aim to continue to learn traditional ways of cooking Taiwanese cuisine to pass on to next generations.

 

How does your heritage impact you?

As a child of immigrants, I spoke Chinese at home but English at school. Growing up in a bilingual and bicultural environment has enabled me to embrace diverse perspectives and develop an open mind. This multicultural upbringing has instilled in me a deep appreciation for different cultures, traditions, and ways of thinking. By navigating between two languages and cultural contexts, I have gained a unique ability to bridge gaps and foster understanding between people from different backgrounds. This has cultivated my empathy and sensitivity towards others, as I understand firsthand the challenges and joys of straddling multiple cultures.

Being exposed to different languages and customs has expanded my worldview. I have been able to explore a broader range of ideas, beliefs, and values, which has enriched my understanding of the world and enhanced my critical thinking skills.

Overall, my heritage as a child of immigrants has shaped me into a more open-minded individual with a deep sense of empathy. It has empowered me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, appreciate cultural differences, and approach life with a broader perspective.

 

Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?

Some Asian creatives who inspire me include Yayoi Kusama, Ruby 9100m, Yoneyama Mai, Griff, Janice Sung and Katsuhiro Otomo!

 

@linyanwenes

Lin is wearing The Throwback Straight

 

Tell us about you!

Hi, I'm Lin! I was adopted from China and grew up in Santa Fe, NM. I now live in Seattle with my fiance and our cat Cc. I love creating lifestyle content and am very passionate about skincare, my daily matcha latte, and finding new books! 

 

What is a cultural /family tradition near and dear to you?

One of my favorite traditions is celebrating Lunar New Year! It's so special to see everyone come together and to see how everyone celebrates it in their own ways. My sister and I love making dumplings together and sharing them with our family. 

 

How does your heritage impact you?

Heritage is so important to me! Growing up, I was not as in tune with my culture and heritage as I wish I had been. As I've gotten older I've recognized the importance it's had in shaping my identity and allowing me to become the woman I am today. This is something very important to me now and I'm doing my best to learn more about it and immerse myself in ways that I can. 

 

Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?

Some of my favorite Asian creatives are @woojungyi, @jennypysh, @marina_torres, @withloveanan,@ceciliaclee, @estherys and @angellakkim