Celebrating AAPI Month With Our Favorite Creators
Celebrating AAPI Month With Our Favorite Creators
Meet Alexa | @alexaraevitug
Alexa wears The Low Rise Baggy Jean in Light Denim
Tell us about you!
Hi, my names Alexa! I’m Los Angeles based half Filipino-American photographer, fashion stylist, and creator. I spend my days enjoying the simple things, good food, fashion, and laughing as much as possible. I’ve had the privilege to live many different lives. From being a flight attendant, to owning my own vintage brand, to then naturally falling into fashion styling. I’ve most recently found a new love for event photography. It’s such a beautiful art to capture people as they are, together, in a room full of love. When I don’t have a camera in my hand, it’s a cappuccino. Preferably in a different country. I love traveling and hope this new year brings more of it!
What is a cultural/family tradition near and dear to you?
Coming from a large Filipino-American family that’s spread around the country, we’ve developed this tradition over the years where we love to get a big group of us and surprise relatives in different cities. It’s always been an important part of our family to remain close to each other, no matter what the distance is. My favorite story is when all of us women in the family decided to surprise my cousin in Mexico City. She was dancing on tour with an artist at the time, so we wanted to show our support! Her reaction was priceless seeing us walk into the cantina. I’m so blessed my family does silly things like this to stay in touch.
How does your heritage impact you?
There’s a sense of community and pride with being Filipino. Dare I say that it’s a stereotype that we are loud, fun, and full of life? I’d say I definitely identify with all of those things. I’m very proud to come from my Filipino family. Although I am only half I find joy in learning more about my heritage. I’d love to go visit the islands where my grandparents are originally from and surprise my extended family. Keep the tradition going, you know.
Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?
I love my Asian American creatives! To name a few, @aishaross / @lessismore, @irene.geel / @geel.us, @heidi__joy / @ozma_of_california, @keeksitsimple / @shoppeabode, @riyahtaylorkealohi, @shhtephs, @anna_letson
Meet Rachelle | @goldrushrach
Rachelle wears The Low Rise Baggy Jean in Light Denim
Tell us about you!
I'm Rachelle, pronounced Ray-Chuhl. I was born in Canada, grew up in California, and now live in Massachusetts. I work full-time in influencer marketing, but I also enjoy creating content on the side. I started making content to push myself out of my comfort zone, show off the quirky outfits I wear while working from home (lol), and to have a creative outlet.
Outside of my 9-5 job, I'm really a homebody. I love spending time with my two dogs and my husband. You can usually find us taking long walks in the woods, driving around in our old Chevy G-20, or checking out antique/thrift shops.
What is a cultural/family tradition near and dear to you?
Growing up, my parents made it a priority for us to always spend time together as a family. Because of that, I've always been really close to my siblings and cousins. We always ate dinner together, and whenever we had a family gathering, all of our aunts, uncles, and cousins would stay under one roof, even if it meant squeezing 20+ people into one house. We were taught to have close-knit relationships with each other, and I wouldn't trade that for the world.
How does your heritage impact you?
When I was younger, I used to feel embarrassed about my heritage. It wasn't until I got older that I started to feel proud of who I am and my culture. My parents always made it a priority for us to learn about our roots. My mom enrolled my brothers and me in traditional Filipino dance classes, and every holiday season, we would perform these dances for our elders. They also spoke to us only in Tagalog so we could become fluent in our language. My mom made sure we always ate traditional Filipino meals, too. She passed away about a year ago, and now I make it a point to carry on the traditions from my childhood into my adult life.
Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?
Miayko Bellizi (@miyakobellizi) is truly my style icon. I love how her style blends feminine and masculine elements. She has really inspired me to get more creative with my outfits. She perfectly embodies the idea that fashion is genderless.
Meet Chris | @chrisinseams
Chris wears The Original Straight Jean in Dark Denim and The Cargo Wide Leg in Light Olive
Tell us about you!
My name is Chris and I’m a full time nurse. I currently live in San Francisco but I’m a LA native. In my free time, I love creating whether that’s sewing clothes or knitting. I love supporting slow and sustainable fashion brands.
What is a cultural/family tradition near and dear to you?
Food is important in my culture and I’m lucky my mom and grandmother were amazing cooks. I learned early on how to make traditional food and desserts and the importance of making sure everyone has leftovers to take home :)
How does your heritage impact you?
My parents were immigrants and they instilled the importance of a good work ethic. I like to give my all in anything I do.
Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?
There are so many amazing creatives but I’m especially inspired by @_sarahchuck, @semi.joan, @goldrushrach, @ahistoryofarchitecture
Meet Melissa | @melissasonico
Tell us about you!
I’m first generation (my parents immigrated to Southern California from the Philippines in the late ‘70s and I was born in ‘82)! I was raised pretty immersed in my culture mostly through family gatherings—read: food and karaoke. I’m a fiction writer, professor, and a creator, and I spread my time across those endeavors as well as my family which consists of my husband and two young kids.
What is a cultural/family tradition near and dear to you?
I have to be honest and say that most of my exposure to Filipino culture was imparted to me during college. I was surrounded by people like me for the first time having only attended a private Catholic school where I was the only Asian girl in my class for nine years. In college I participated in PCN which is Pilipino Culture Night and would learn Cordillera dances, and it’s the most I’ve ever felt close to my culture. I’m hoping to engage in my experiences and share them with my kids, who are mixed Filipino, Mexican, and Caucasian.
How does your heritage impact you?
I’m an English professor which wasn’t the initial career path by any means. Historically, we’re nurses or in the military, and I went into college as a bio major looking to be a pediatrician because I loved working with kids. But here I am, because carried a book with me everywhere as a child (and still), I loved being in journalism in high school, and I had an English TA at UCI pull me aside and tell me I should be an English major. I think about who my English professors were and while I always loved them most out of any my teachers, all of them were Caucasian. I’m really proud to be in this position where there’s not much Asian representation.
Who are some Asian American creatives that inspire you?
@sosupersam, @woldykusina, @chrissstttiiine, @marielle_ara of @sarisaristudio, @jordanrisa