Good-bye misscouturable.com, hello noelduan.com

It was last October when I accidentally renewed the domain, misscouturable.com, for two more years. "Well, I guess I'll be obligated to blog until then," I said to myself.

But that's not right. Personal blogs shouldn't feel like obligations, which is why I am discontinuing misscouturable.com.

I started this blog in high school as a diversion to make summer listlessness a little more bearable. I didn't think I could meet so many amazing people through blogging. I didn't think I would get thick skin through comments. I didn't think Miss Couturable would become, essentially, a part of my identity.

And frankly, it will always be a part of me. My friends will probably always make fun of me for ending every post with "ex.oh.ex.oh," after all. I will never delete this blog, for it is a reflection of years of immaturity, burgeoning maturity (well, hopefully), creativity, frustration, inspiration, and wonder.

I am now blogging at noelduan.com, which is still under construction. Why? Because as much as this blog is a part of me, I have grown beyond my voice as Miss Couturable.

I'm getting teary-eyed as I write this, because I have had some amazing experiences through this blog. You, my readers, have shopped with me in New York City, eaten North Korean food with me in Beijing, and attended my 18th birthday party in San Jose. The power of the internet is frightening, but beautiful at the same time. Yet, in spite of these amazing experience, I began writing on misscouturable.com less and less -- but I never stopped writing. I wrote for publications, I blogged for other websites, I wrote in my private journal, I wrote letters to loved ones, and I sent plenty of emails. And admittedly, I really missed you all -- but I didn't have the time or energy to continue anymore.

After all, Miss Couturable is just one layer of me. I'd rather share all sides of me with you.

With noelduan.com, I will be writing for myself -- but hopefully, with some value to readers. There will still be fashion posts, but there will be other posts, which you may or may not want to read. Feel free to email me if you ever need anything or just want to talk. Merci beaucoup, everyone!

And, for the last time:

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Miss Couturable

Not really in North Korea

I spent the past six weeks in China, where Blogger, Foursquare, Twitter, Tumblr, and Google Documents are blocked. Nonetheless, while my social media life was waning, I was busy experiencing real life in one of the most diverse countries in the world. Jokes about how "all Chinese people look the same" aside, China is a country made up of many mingzu ("tribes" or clans) and foreigners. I visited Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai during my six weeks there. A trip to Tibet was planned, but alas, sickness stopped us in the tracks.

The four weeks I spent in Beijing were filled with new experiences -- especially in the culinary area. One of my readers and a new friend, Viii, brought me to a North Korean restaurant owned by the North Korean embassy. All of the waitresses and hostesses were the prettiest, most-educated girls from North Korean, who were sent down to Beijing to work as waitresses and "ambassadors" of North Korean -- and the rumors say, as spies too. The restaurant was eerily reminiscent of a Chinese restaurant from the 1980s, from the ornate chandeliers to the giant wall paintings. A small television, playing clips from a North Korean musical performance, aired in the background.

As you may know, North Korea is one of the most isolated -- and poorest -- countries in the world. While they call themselves a socialist state, a totalitarian regime is more appropriate. Every single one of the waitresses and hostesses wore a pin with a photo of their "Dear Leader," who they call their "father."

Not only did they speak Korean, Chinese, and English, but also they played musical instruments and sang traditional Korean songs. I have uploaded a video I hastily took with my half-broken camera, in case you are curious.

As an American, it is very unlikely that I will have a chance to visit North Korea -- but hey, I ate their food, talked to their people, and visited their pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo. I am closer than I was two months ago.

Before this trip, I had the conception that North Koreans would be like characters straight out of 1984 -- I had never met a North Korean, but I had seen videos of their rhythmic gymnasts and traffic patrol officers. After eating dinner with Viii, and watching these girls laugh and giggle and wrinkle their brows like any other recent college graduate, I realized that I -- and most of us -- will never truly understand the lives of the North Koreans -- but I can understand them as fellow human beings.

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Miss Couturable

P.S. For more information about North Korea, searching "North Korea" on YouTube is a great way to start. Also, check out Noko Jeans -- designer jeans made in North Korea.

Woohoo(t)

Ever since I was a high school student, I had been a fervent admirer of BARE, UC Berkeley's award-winning student fashion magazine. Putting together any magazine, after all, is no easy feat -- from attaining the funding to scheduling photoshoots, students have a lot of hurdles to jump. On top of a full course load and the bittersweet nuances of the adolescent years, BARE is a time-consuming but worthwhile activity for the students who dream of following the legacy of their fellow Cal brethren, from Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony to the Rodarte sisters.

Once upon a time, Columbia University had a student fashion publication too. It was called MODE, and Marc Jacobs was once on the cover. It died more than 10 years ago, but this year, I met a group of students who wanted to resurrect the presence of a fashion publication on campus.

Hoot faced a lot of set backs this year. We applied to every single grant foundation on campus -- only to be rejected but all but one. One group even rejected us because we looked "too organized and proactive to be in need of funding." CUarts took a chance on us. Most companies would not trust us with their samples for photoshoots (really, a bunch of college students asking to borrow clothes?). Many beauty companies sent us samples to help us prep for our photoshoots. Makeup Artist Jennifer Nam gave us a free photography makeup lesson.

Most of our staff had never written an article before. I was lending out my digital voice recorder left and right. Those of us who had never interned at a magazine before did not know how to request samples. Some of our design team staff had never used Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign before. Many of our bloggers had never written a blog entry before.

We had a lot to learn, and we're still learning.

Not only have we launched the issue in digital form, but also we have scrounged enough money to be in print.
We've launched a new website and blog, and we're determined to keep growing and learning as members of the Columbia University community!

In any case, Hoot hopes to prove that within our student population, students can be substantial and smart, and still find pleasure in the frivolous.

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Miss Couturable

"Remember Now" by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

As final examinations come to an end for most of you (I finished yesterday), Karl Lagerfeld's new short film, "Remember Now," should be the perfect launch into summer.

May you have a few early-morning dance parties, sparkly knits, and good laughs of your own.

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Miss Couturable

Happy Mother's Day!

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his. - Oscar Wilde

My mother is not a glamazon with a walk-in closet full of Manolo Blahnik pumps and Givenchy gowns. My mother taught me nothing about wearing make-up beyond washing my face every morning and night. My mother has never shared stories about her first kiss with me. My mother is not a size 2. My mother does not speak perfect English. My mother does not have a wedding ring.

My mother was valedictorian of her graduating class in college. My mother gave up her dreams of becoming an artist for a career that could put bread on the table for her children. My mother works six days a week. My mother has two Master's degrees. My mother still wants to travel the world.

She once told me that she still regrets dragging me with her to her college classes and laboratory sessions, where I often sat in the corner, with a book or two. I don't think she realizes that without waking up at 7am every morning with her for a full day of classes at age four, I would not have understood the importance of education as much as I do now. I read my first book, See Spot Run, in the laboratory, as she spliced genes.

I learned how to record lectures on tape as I sat with her in the dark auditorium.
I learned how much perseverance paid off, as she replayed her lecture tapes over and over again because she couldn't understand the professor's rapid English. I learned how to put up with tedium as she analyzed the same mice cells over and over again, every day.

My mother never stopped believing in me.

In many ways, we are from two different worlds. She does not understand why I dress the way I do. She doesn't understand the lyrics to the songs I listen to. She has only been to New York City once.

But, if what Wilde says is true, I am looking forward to turning out like my mother, for my mother has an undying passion and love that never runs out, even when her back aches from a day of treating her patients. Thank you for everything, Mumsies -- I cannot wait to be home in four days.

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Miss Couturable

I never left high school

A couple weeks ago, after a Sunday brunch with high school friends at Riingo in Midtown East, I wandered into the mass pandemonium that was Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue. I really should have headed uptown to start studying for my final exams, but instead I was surrounded by fresh-faced 16-year-old girls and their high-heeled mothers, sipping sparkling water and pink lemonade. I met up with Chelsea of Pink Rock Candy and Arabelle of Fashion Pirates -- ironically, Arabelle is the only one of us who is in high school. Ah, well, it's swell to be young at heart, no?

Lord & Taylor was launching "Prom-a-Palooza" -- consisting of a makeshift fashion show, 25% off prom dresses with free basic alterations, and three exclusive dresses designed by Parsons alumni: Hannah Haien Lee, Nicki Cozzolino, and Samantha Sleeper.This was my favorite dress, designed by Hannah Haien Lee and retailing for a reasonable price of $300. Paired with Betsey Johnson lace ankle boots, it offered a sugary sweet confection of a dress. I would have added a pair of motorcycle gloves and a simple string of pearls to complete the look.
Samantha Sleeper designed this nontraditional dress. While the outrageous skirt can easily be glammed up for prom, it could be suitable for future nights out with a tailored blazer and a nonchalant attitude.
And, of course, for the girl who reluctantly shows up to the dance and intends to leave after 30 minutes -- only to dance the night away against her prior discretion -- Nicki Cozzolino designed this short number. It's a bit short for a school dance, so you better wear tights or leggings with that.

In between mouthfuls of miniature cupcakes, I started thinking about my high school proms, and how I rarely have an opportunity to wear frothy, frilly dresses anymore. While I may have left these days behind for the collegiate world of dangerous minidresses for clubbing and "themed" clothing like "anything but clothes"for frat parties, I could not help but feel slightly nostalgic for the days of yonder, when I shopped (and fought) with my mother for an age appropriate dress.

For those of you in high school who are going to prom this year, I offer you three pieces of advice, as someone who went to junior/senior prom every year of high school and had wardrobe misshapes almost every year (I guess I don't learn my lessons very well):

1. Get alterations done. If the dress is a bit too loose on top or it drags too far past your feet, please seek a tailor. You've spent so much time shopping for the perfect outfit -- don't let it go to waste. A night of dancing can easily be ruined if you're too busy pulling up your dress or tripping over your date's feet.
2. Eat before the dance. Yes, you're probably thinking that you don't want a "food baby" in your awkwardly-posed studio photos, but you need the energy for dancing.
3. If your dress rips or a button snaps, don't worry -- no one's looking. Frankly, prom is very self-indulgent; after the initial glances at your outfit, no one else is going to care that your strap accidentally broke. Bring an emergency sewing kit in your clutch, get a good friend to stitch you up in the restroom, and forget about it for the rest of the night.

And as always, send me photos! I'd love to see what you wore to prom. Stay safe!

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Miss Couturable

Being Asian in the fashion industry

(Photo Credit -- Sharon Shum)

That's right. That's me with some of my heroes in fashion, art, publishing, business, and entertainment: Joe Zee (Creative Director of ELLE), Carol Lim (CEO and Co-Founder of Opening Ceremony), Arabelle Sicardi (Blogger for Fashion Pirates), E.J. Samson (Online Editor of Teen Vogue), Humberto Leon (Creative Director and Co-Founder of Opening Ceremony), Ujjwala Raut (former face of YSL cosmetics and first Indian model to walk Victoria's Secret), Tina Chai (freelance stylist and a graduate of Columbia University), Phillip Lim (do I need to explain who he is?), Patrick Li (Creative Director of Li, Inc.), Aya T. Kanai (freelance stylist and former editor of Nylon and Teen Vogue), and SuChin Pak (MTV Correspondent).

All fantastic, articulate people -- and Asian American, to boot. I could barely sleep last night. I shook Phillip Lim's hand, Ujjwala Raut gave me a kiss, SuChin Pak gave me a hug, and I told Joe Zee that I stalk his Twitter obsessively.
In case you didn't know, I organized a panel discussion at Columbia University, "Asian Americans in the Fashion Industry," where some of the top figures in the fashion industry came together and spoke to the public about their experiences (tickets were $5 each and proceeds benefited the Tibetan Village Project to help victims of the Yushu earthquake in China). This was in partnership with Asian Pacific American Awareness Month and Hoot magazine, in which I serve as Arts Chair and Co-Editor in Chief, respectively.

(Photo Credit -- Anna Cooperberg)

The event was moderated by SuChin Pak, who is one of the coolest girls I have ever met. Not only did she rock that cashmere dress, but she has a talent for facilitating conversation. I mean, that's why she's a television personality, right? Needless to say, I now have a huge girl crush on her.

(Photo Credit -- Sharon Shum)

Anyway, the point of the panel discussion was to spread the idea that Asian Americans are succeeding in the fashion industry because they are talented -- not because they fulfill a special niche of "Asian Americans." We opened up the majority of the panel discussion to audience questions, since this is one of the few opportunities for us plebeians to talk to the fashion greats.

To my slight dismay, most of the questions from the audience members were along the lines of, "How do I become like you and can I please have an internship or job?" I sat on the aisles listening to students attempt to impress Joe Zee and Phillip Lim with a long list of Asian designers that they need and analysis of the fashion industry. I was expecting more questions along the lines of, "How has the fashion industry changed for the new crop of Asian American designers?" Maybe just because that's what I'm interested in, but I felt that we weren't able to go in-depth into the topics that we aimed to discuss because of the "How do I become like you and am I impressing you?" comments from the audience members.

However, I can't blame them. This is one of the few opportunities that these students have face-to-face with some of the most influential and successful figures in fashion, and I can understand why students brought their resumes and portfolios and asked "self-masturbatory" (not my words) questions. However, I've decided that in the future, I will be filtering questions beforehand. I would like to give some of the other panelists more time to talk too, instead of audience members repeatedly trying to impress Joe Zee and Phillip Lim.

Additionally, an issue that I wanted to address -- that Arabelle Sicardi already pointed out in her blog -- is that Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo, and Yohji Yamamoto are not Asian American designers. Someone in the audiences asked why there is a dearth of truly groundbreaking Asian designers like Miyake and Yomamoto and why Asian fashion is not thriving (for example, Takashimaya closing down in New York City).

Well, frankly, look at Phillip Lim, Richard Chai, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, and Jason Wu -- they are well-known designers not because they design Asian fashion, but because they design well. As Phillip Lim said during the discussion, "You can't redesign the t-shirt," and there is nothing wrong with that (although I would say Alexander Wang's t-shirt line is his own take on the basic).

He went on to explain that so many students, coming out of Parsons and Central Saint Martins, think only of concept and forget about context. "Watch the master do his work," he said.

I do feel that a common misconception that people have is that if you're Asian or Hispanic or Black, you're expected to incorporate some of your "culture" into your work. Is that really necessary? We have great designers like Vivienne Tam to embrace the merger of East and West. We have great designers like Rei Kawakubo to push into the avant-garde. And we also have great designers like Phillip Lim who design for their clients. And there is nothing wrong with any of them. They're all achieved success for staying true to themselves.

To be successful, you need to be good at what you do, no matter what your ethnic background is. And if you're Asian, you're not obligated to bust out the dragons and lotus blossoms. Just look at the speakers from last night.

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Miss Couturable

P.S. For more coverage, check out these articles from Columbia Daily Spectator, Style.com, MochiMag.com, and genuine incongruity.

Also, thank you so much to all 300 of you who showed up! Expect more in the future.