In celebration of the increased prominence of Asian creatives in the fashion world, this cover story represents the progress of us no longer being the ‘odd one out’. Surrounded by people who look like us, it is a visual portrayal of our right to dream freely.

From left to right:
**Charlie** wears top & trousers PRISCAVERA, shoes LAST REDEMPTION, ring MONSECRET, necklace ALEXANDER SUSAN.
**Xun** wears top LEINWANDE, shirt & leggings CAROLINE ZIMBALIST, skirt ALLINA LIU, shoes REIKE NEN, rings RAF SIMONS.
**Junnan** wears coat SOCIAL􀀁 WORK, tank PRIVATE POLICY, trousers & shoes LAST REDEMPTION.
**Ash** wears jacket, tank & shorts PRIVATE POLICY, shoes BALENCIAGA, necklace MONSECRET.

PHOTOGRAPHER JINGYU LIN

STYLIST XUYUNER (ABBY) QI

INTERVIEWER ROBYN NGAN

EDITOR JANE ZHENG

Ash wears jacket, tank & shorts PRIVATE POLICY,
shoes BALENCIAGA,
earrings & necklace MONSECRET.

Xun wears top & trousers PRISCAVERA, shoes REIKE NEN, necklace ALEXANDER SUSAN.
Junnan wears all by LAST REDEMPTION.

Ash wears top & trousers PRIVATE POLICY, earrings BAD BINCH TONGTONG X MONSECRET, necklace MONSECRET.
Junnan wears top & trousers MELITTA BAUMEISTER, shoes LAST REDEMPTION, hat PRADA.
Xun wears top LEINWANDE, shirt & leggings CAROLINE ZIMBALIST, skirt ALLINA LIU, shoes REIKE NEN, rings RAF SIMONS, earrings MONSECRET.

Charlie wears top, jacket, skirt & scarf PRADA, shoes REIKE NEN.

Junnan wears jacket & skirt SOCIAL􀀁WORK, earrings MIU MIU, rings MONSECRET.

This cover story was published in The WOW N° 8.

Issue8 available now.

A Collective Voice

Identity, labels, and dreams are all fluid and ever-changing. In discussions centring on identity, models Ash, Xun, Junan, and Charlie relinquish labels while maintaining a strong sense of self. Unfiltered and unapologetic, they prove that there is far more beneath the surface, and that the parameters within which society once sought to confine us no longer reflect individual realities.

The WOW: Can you tell us your ethnic background? How do you describe your identity? And has this changed over time?

ASH FOO: I’m part Singaporean and part Malaysian, but first generation Canadian. I would identify as Canadian.

I’ve been able to evolve more as a human personally and understand that to “fit in” is not always to “belong”. Where I come from or what I look like has little to do with the communities and friends that I love, which I think is important to recognize.

CHARLIE NISHIMURA: My father is 4th generation Japanese American, and my mother is Irish American. I feel, perhaps more than anything, like a New Yorker. I was born in the city, and I think it’s a place that’s both shaped me and given me the freedom to become who I am today. In New York, all these different cultures rub up against another and that friction gives the city it’s electricity.

XUN SEON: I was born and raised in Korea. I would like to call my identity honesty. It's been 4 years since I started modelling, and there were times when I had a hard time because of my honesty. But thinking about it over time, I think honesty helped me when I was having a hard time. Based on that experience, I'm still trying to be honest.

Korea is a country that has experienced various difficulties such as the Korean War. In order to overcome the pain of war, diligence is a spirit emphasised by my parents' generation. That’s maybe why since I was young, my parents let me learn anything I wanted, but they taught me that once I’ve started, I should at least continue it for a few years. I think I grew up learning the diligence that followed, and it’s become a part of my identity.

JUNNAN WU: I was born and raised in the south of China, so naturally, I identify myself as Chinese. My mother’s language is Fujianese, my father’s is Cantonese, and we all speak Mandarin. When I explain this, people sometimes mistake my ethnic background, but I’m Chinese through and through.

Living in the U.S. has made me appreciate being one small ingredient in the same great big melting pot as everyone else here. Every day I appreciate it more and more. It cannot be understated. It’s beautiful.

The WOW: "Model" is such an overarching term, an umbrella term that can cross boundaries and disciplines, do you think this label is correct for yourself? Or is there something you wish people would know you more as?

ASH: I do believe people are much more than their occupations. With regards to a correct “label”, I’m a model. I think in my career I’ve mainly kept to the core of what modelling is (editorials, runways, and e-commerce) and branched out here and there. I work alongside an organization called “Tina’s Wish” that funds research towards the early detection of ovarian cancer, having been a survivor of the disease myself. It’s been important to me to use my platform as a “model” to advocate more on the topic of women’s health and body positivity.

CHARLIE: I find most labels limiting. I want to exist beyond the confines of any one thing. “Model” has lots of connotations in the collective imagination, both positive and negative. These days I want to be thought of first and foremost as a “human being.”

XUN: The term "model" also refers to objects. It also means to be an example. In that sense, I think the word model fits me well. I'm also interested in vintage clothing, so I'm currently running a shop. Recently, I became interested in DJing and started learning that too. I'm so happy that these things also help with my modelling, which is why I will continue to study things that stimulate me.

JUNNAN: The issue with the term “model” is maybe that it sounds passive or detached in some way. I don’t see myself as merely the physical structure on which garments are placed. Rather, I want to help to communicate some concepts or expressions that may be a new possibility in the minds of the audience. Like a storyteller, or an interpreter.

If I’m really doing my job as I believe I should, the audience will be left with a somehow changed or shifted perspective. They will be, at least a little bit, a different person at the end than they were when we started.

The WOW: How do you think the work you do has changed since you started?

ASH: I think there’s a lot that has changed and is still changing. Since I started, the world has been changing and fashion has had to adapt and change with the times.

Inclusivity is the main topic that comes to mind, as well as social media. Of course, there’s still room for more growth. Over the years there’s been a shift towards more body inclusivity, racial inclusivity, gender inclusivity and so on. The rapid movements in societal awareness have a big effect on business models and advertising. And with the aid in social media, we now have the ability to become conscious to current events throughout the world and react instantly.

Having an online presence wasn’t a requirement as a model until the rise of Instagram. Popularity by numbers brought another level to a model’s resumé and their ability to combine those numbers to a growing or already large brand. And as helpful and connective social media is, there’s of course the balance of shallowness and a judgmental popularity contest that wasn’t there before this time.

CHARLIE: This job has taught me a lot about being able to relinquish control while also maintaining a strong sense of self. Those ideas may sound anathema, but in profession where other people are in control of your schedule, your bookings, and how you look – it’s imperative to be able to find your centre at end of the day. My image is only one facet of me. The part of myself I find most beautiful is my mind.

XUN: When I first started modelling, I was just happy, because it was all a new experience for me. But my thoughts have changed a little over time. It's a job that requires a lot of help from the people around me. It’s a result of the efforts of many people, including an agency that connects work, a hair and makeup team that makes me more beautiful, and a photographer team that will take a visual expression of me.

After acknowledging this, I think more seriously about my relationship with my career – I started practicing posing and getting in shape to produce better results when I’m working.

JUNNAN: My attitude towards instant noodles has changed dramatically. I can no longer eat instant noodles every day because my skin will not have it. What a shame! Seriously though, I’ve only just started so I guess I’m still trying to navigate the landscape and trying out all kinds of modelling work. Maybe I’ll find my comfort zone in this industry soon but right now, I’m curious and motivated to take on new challenges, and excited to meet and work with lots of new people.

Attitude-wise, I just want to keep my mind open and find inspiration in the small things and big things alike.

The WOW:. How does your work differ to what you dreamed of doing as a child?

ASH: When I was young, I always knew I wanted to work in fashion in general. I dreamt of being a designer, so I dabbled in sewing. I dreamt of being a photographer, so my parents bought me a camera. I didn’t know the complexity and grandness of the fashion industry, but I was called to it. I remember flipping through fashion magazines and skipping straight to the editorials. They were like art to me. But there was nowhere in my dreams that I pictured being a model. It was like being an artist or an actress, meaning it wasn’t a typical, steady job that my parents believed in.

When I was growing up, there was a stigma about what the “normal” steps from childhood to adulthood were. And one of the most vital steps that my parents heavily believed in, was going to school, then finding a steady “9 to 5” job. And anyone who didn’t follow these steps would inevitably be unsuccessful. Since then, times have changed (thankfully) and more and more people are realising that there are plenty of different paths to choose from. Including the belief that in some cases, you don’t need schooling to pursue the career that you want. Or even that you don’t need to follow the same path that everyone else does, even if it leads you to the scary unknown.

I personally would have never predicted this life for myself, having moved away from home at such a young age to pursue a job that was so unbeknownst to myself and everyone in my circle, I’m very grateful that nearly a decade later, I’m still in this career and still growing within it.

CHARLIE: I always dreamed of working in fashion, but I never thought I would be in front of the camera! It’s incredible to be a part of image making and to see it from this vantage after years of pouring over books and researching on the internet is surreal. I love the final product but getting to collaborate and see decisions being made in real time is the real thrill.

XUN: When I was young, I wanted to become a dentist. This is because my teeth used to hurt a lot when I was young, and the doctor who used to treat me every time looked cool. When I was in college, I started modelling for the same reason.

In the past, I had high expectations for myself. Without great results, I often become emotional because I was not satisfied with myself. However, after starting various exercises such as Pilates, it has changed a lot. If I did my best, I praise myself regardless of the result. I'm trying to learn how to love myself more.

JUNNAN: When I was a child, I had 3 dreams: be a soldier, be a tennis star, and be a model. I thought if I became a soldier, I would have the chance to go to a good university, my family would be taken care of, and I would be respected in society. I was disheartened by the idea of most likely not be able to leave China and live elsewhere in the world. That made me sad, and I realised it wasn’t for me.

When I was in high school, Li Na was a popular tennis player in China, and I was so inspired to follow her footsteps. I wanted to be a tennis star just like her, but I started to doubt myself when I noticed that my tennis teammates had already started their training at a young age, while I didn’t because I couldn’t afford private lessons. I believed that I would never be as good as them and gave up that dream. I still love to play tennis. I learned a lot about myself at that time.

That left me with modelling, as a way for me to express myself, see the world, and most importantly connect with so many talented and creative individuals, and contribute to the greater process. I don’t know who I would be if I wasn’t trying to be a model. Along the way people have told me I would never be a model, I don’t have what it takes, and so on. Nobody wants to hear it but it’s part of the journey and process of learning to be true to yourself. I still hear it. But what choice do I have? This is my dream. I already gave up 2 other dreams. This is what I was meant to do, right now.

The WOW:. And how do you define "dream" in respect to your own life?

ASH: I define “dream” as a reality that I’m not currently living in. A “dream” to me can be distant, maybe unrealistic, maybe crazy, maybe not, but it’s anything that’s not within my current moment.

CHARLIE: Dreaming to me is not about an unrealized future but being able to approach the present with a sense of wonder. There are so many beautiful things to see every day if you choose to look.

XUN: I think dream is something that is full of fun and love. In this regard, the dream of becoming a model is endless.

As I answered in the previous question, I think 'model' is not a job limited to the act of wearing clothes. I want to be someone who can give various people the dream of a "model" (not the act of wearing clothes but setting an example).

JUNNAN WU: Get knocked down. Get up again. A dream is the force that pushes me, tells me not to stop trying, and to pick myself up when I am knocked down. When my goal feels far away, a dream makes me run harder. I don’t know exactly what a dream is, but it’s why I do what I do, no matter if it’s a sunny day or a rainy one.

The WOW:. How do you think Asian representation (in the West) has affected your own perception or self? And how has it affected your approach to work?

ASH: Canada has such a diverse population, especially in Toronto, where I’m from. Though as a first generation Canadian, growing up you do everything in your power to fit in. There was a time when there was very little media coverage of popular Asian stars in magazines or movies. It felt like the only way to be accepted in North America would be to blend in as much as possible. I felt embarrassed to speak Chinese or to dress in traditional clothing during the holidays. But the world has been slowly and surely evolving to a much more accepting and diverse society, and now as an adult, I can fully say that I love the skin that I’m in and I wear it proudly.

CHARLIE: I think a lot about the Marian Wright Edelman quote “you can’t be what you can’t see.”

When I was little there were very few people who looked like me or who had my background shown in magazines or movies. I remember looking in the mirror at age 11 wishing I had a bigger nose, wishing my lips were smaller, wishing I had deep-set eyes, wishing I were white. It’s funny now because those are all the features on my face that I like best, but at the time I couldn’t see the beauty in them because they didn’t conform to the narrow standard of American beauty cantered around whiteness.

We look so much to media to tell us what is beautiful, what is possible and if you can’t see yourself there it’s hard to escape the feeling that it’s unattainable. Seeing Asians and Asian-Americans as protagonists in major films has been huge. I didn’t realise how much I had been needing it, but after seeing Everything, Everywhere, All at Once I couldn’t stop crying. People need to be able to see themselves as the heroes.

XUN: I used to be jealous of the white skin and big blue eyes that I often saw in movies when I was young. But now, more than anyone else, my black hair and black eyes – everything about me is beautiful and I love every part of myself.

JUNNAN: I appreciate that everyone has different views, experiences, and backgrounds. Being Asian doesn’t affect my self-perception or my work because I’m the same person whether you are talking about me as Asian or not. My concern is to express my true self, rather than playing to what someone else has already fixed in their mind, and my approach is to be real because that’s the only way to give life to the work.

The WOW: With Asian films, actors, actresses and art beginning to amass more acclaim in the West, the longstanding understanding that the West is not the pinnacle of success or recognition is coming to light. Do you think this has affected your work? And do you ever feel commodified due to cultural presences sometimes being perceived as "trends" in the West rather than being recognized for their work alone?

ASH: To be completely blunt, the fashion industry is strongly built up of trends. So yes, feeling commodified is something that I’m quite used to. Especially being an Asian that has grown up in western culture. There have been times that my ethnic background as a Chinese person has been blurred to fit a more Japanese or Korean image but was blanketed under the term “Asian”. I’ve seen the racial movements that have led to direct campaigns that were targeted to these movements specifically, whether in support or for financial capitalistic gain.

Just like any other industry, there will always be a darker side to it, and as sad as it sounds, this is a very substantial part of it. But it is these trends that spark the fire of change that needs to be acknowledged, and I believe there can be great benefits for our cultural presence in the western media that have grown from it. Since movements like “Stop Asian Hate” happened, there have been huge accomplishments for Asian actors, appearing more as main characters in American films, as well as winning awards for these roles. It’s been so gratifying to witness these achievements after what started as just a “trend”.

CHARLIE: In this moment, tokenism in casting can be blatant or come across as a bit awkward, but my hope is we will get to a point where it’s reflexive to have all sorts of people represented in a way that feels authentic. I also think of how much it would have meant for me as a child to see someone like me in a magazine.

XUN: I’m happy that people know Korea wherever I go these days. For example, Jeong Hoyeon who appeared in Squid Game, the world-renowned DJ Peggy Gou, world-class model such as Soojoo – as an Asian person myself, I'm so proud of them.

I don't think this is simply a 'trend'. Asian culture may come as a "newness" and shine more, but this is because Asian works have been constantly seen around the world for a long time as they are now. I have been exposed to Western culture since I was young, and because I liked the culture, I came to New York and am working as I am now. I want to promote the charm of each culture to everyone.

JUNNAN: It depends on how you define success. It’s different for everyone. For sure, the broader Asian representation in the west makes me feel more confident and hopeful for the Asian community in the future. For example, this has been a great year in terms of Asian representation in Hollywood with many Asian talents receiving award nominations and other accolades. Is that the pinnacle of success? You’d have to ask them. But it’s nice to see Asian representation, and it makes me more hopeful for future opportunities for me and others.

That being said, I’ve been in the US for 2.5 years and haven’t felt especially prejudiced or mistreated. Maybe I’m ignorant and naive. Or maybe I’m just lucky. I’m trying to focus on myself rather than others. I hope if I make a good example for myself, others will follow. I’m aware of the tokenisation of Asians in the fashion and entertainment industry, and all I can say is that I hope with more and more representation, Asians such as myself are casted and viewed the same as any other race.

The WOW: What is your "dream" for the future?

ASH: I would say I have many dreams for the future. One of them being more change for the better. Change in society and in fashion that will aid in improving global world issues where they can. I also dream that my dog/best friend, Ziggy, will live forever! (Kidding! But also not.)

CHARLIE: Well, I know what I wish for myself when it’s 11:11, but I think I’ll keep that to myself. What I do dream for the future is that we can unite under our collective humanity and fight climate change through the restructuring of capitalist systems. I hope that’s not just a dream though.

XUN: My dream is Miss Unchain – living a free life without being restrained to time, place, or things.

JUNNAN: I want to be somebody who is remembered. I want to reach the top level where I’m known for my work.

The WOW: What is something you wish more people knew about you? Or something you'd like to be known for?

ASH: I’m just a simple passionate being who (loves her dog) is trying to spread awareness and positivity. :)

CHARLIE : I want to be known for caring.

XUN: There are a lot of people on Instagram who say that I look quiet and cold just by looking at my photos. However, I’m much more of a talkative person than you think, and I'm also affectionate! There are many things that I haven't shown about myself yet, so I hope people will get to know me through this interview!

JUNNAN: Difficult question. I feel it’s not my place to tell others what to think. If I’m genuine, my work should speak for itself, and I will leave it to the individual to decide what they know and what they don’t know. I hope I can provide some canvas upon which to formulate these ideas of me, but more importantly, what they are seeing and experiencing.

Of course, I do want others to feel loved, respected, and cared for. I hope this makes me easy to work with. And just an overall positive view of life. It’s cliche, but it is more important than any kind of “work”. Bringing more positivity and less negativity. I’m by no means perfect but if people don’t get that from me, I am doing something terribly wrong and I need to do better.

Photographer: JINGYU LIN @ KRAMER+KRAMER

Stylist: XUYUNER (ABBY) QI

Hair: CHIKA NISHIYAMA @ 87 ARTISTS

Make-up: ASAMI MATSUDA @ ST. LUKE ARTISTS

Set Designer: SELENA LIU

Casting Director: DAVID CHEN

Models: ASH FOO @ NEW YORK MODELS, CHARLIE NISHIMURA @ ELITE NYC, XUN SEON @ SUPREME NY & JUNNAN @ KEV

Production: JEAN JARVIS @ AREA 1202

THROUGH OUR EYES

A Collective Voice

RINKO KIKUCHI

DREAM WITH ME