What I’m Wearing This Lunar New Year

“Since leaving Hong Kong, Lunar New Year is the one time I get to revisit and indulge in my roots and cultural heritage – and share it with the people around me. When I was little, my dad would take me to the LNY flower markets in Hong Kong, where there’d be hundreds of stalls lined along football fields. They only opened at night, so it meant I could stay up late and go from booth to booth, buying peach blossoms, dragon’s beard candy or blow-up toys. At the end of the night, I’d get a paper windmill, stick it out of the car window on the way home and watch it spin. This is what I miss most having left Hong Kong, and I hope I get to share it with my kids one day.

“I don’t often wear red, but I do think it’s important to wear some element of red on the day to celebrate. It’s a huge part of the tradition, as it’s meant to bring luck and happiness. I have a lot of orange in my closet, which – because the Cantonese word for ‘tangerine’ sounds like the word for ‘gold’ – symbolizes wealth; I also like to wear yellow, which symbolizes royalty.

“Despite usually being a gold person, I’ve been toying with more silver hues lately and I’m eager to build on that for spring 2023 – Loewe’s bow sandals make a strong case! I’m also looking forward to all the new crochet and fringe pieces, as I have my wedding on the Amalfi Coast in June, so will need lots of bridal resortwear.

“I’m a forever fan of Khaite’s cool romanticism – every collection seems to get better and better. Half my wardrobe is Tibi, as it makes smart, interesting clothes for every day, while Remain Birger Christensen creates statement yet functional pieces that are perfect for European weather. Otherwise, Sacai is a brand my mom and I both love – creative director Chitose Abe manages to reinvent her signature deconstructed silhouettes every season to make them new and relevant. I love fine jewelry with a fashion twist, too, so Sophie Bille Brahe and Repossi are my favorites ­– they’re the brands I’m considering getting my wedding bands from.”

“Playing mahjong with friends and family is one of my favorite ways to celebrate Lunar New Year – we spend the entire day at home playing this traditional Chinese game and eating homemade foods like radish cake or rice cake. I treasure this time because I don’t often have the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, especially since we all have busy lives and daily schedules.

“I was born in the Year of the Dog. It somewhat reflects my personality, such as being loyal, honest and hard-working. I can also be tremendously stubborn when it comes to things that I am passionate about and very focused when it comes to my career. Although your Chinese zodiac sign is meant to predict your fortune for the year ahead, I am making 2023 all about self-care. Since the pandemic, and after two major injuries to my achilles and ACL, I’ve realized the importance of prioritizing my health to becoming a better athlete.

“For spring 2023, I am most excited to welcome the Y2K trend into my closet – I love all the low-waist jeans and skirts on offer. I’m also keen on printed denim, distressed and studded styles. When shopping for silhouettes, I love an oversized shape – whether that be a long, flowing maxi skirt balanced by a cropped top, or pumped-up proportions with tailored coats and oversized jackets. Staud is one of my favorite brands, as the vintage-inspired pieces are seasonless staples that I can wear all year round. The designs are gorgeous, the quality is exceptional, and the price point is perfect for me.”