Stay ConnectedWelcome to Vanessa Wants to Know, a podcast where you’ll hear conversations that move you. Get ready to laugh, cry, and be inspired, as you listen to host Vanessa Hong talk to paradigm shifters about their wins, losses, and everything in between.
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Copyright: © Vanessa Hong
What does it mean to be fearless?
For many, it’s walking into a situation, knowing that you’re supposed to be afraid of what’s to come, but pushing through anyway. For others, like Jen Rubio, being fearless is just always making the most of every decision, and not allowing the idea of "fear" stop you from following your intuition.
On today’s episode, Jen and I discuss the success of her luggage brand Away, what it means for her, and how she got to where she is today. Specifically, I ask Jen about her personal background that created the foundation for the future that she cultivated for herself. She shares her experience of immigrating to the US at age 7, understanding what it means to be different, and how going with the flow in life can be incredibly beneficial.
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"Clothing is just clothing until someone decides to put it on."
Everyone consumes fashion. The runway is an inspiration for what we end up seeing in shops. It's hard to work in the fashion industry and it's getting harder, but it’s also amazing! Tommy has had an indelible impact on the industry and how we consume and view fashion, and he's just getting started, at 35.
On today's episode, I sit down with Tommy Ton - famed fashion street style photographer and recently turned women's wear designer. Tommy has worked for some of the biggest names in the Industry, like GQ, Lane Crawford, Louis Vuitton, and of course, we can't forget his six years of covering fashion weeks for style.com.
Listen to Episode 4 of Vanessa Wants to Know, where Tommy and I talk about his early life, about how he discovered fashion at age 13 and the crystalizing moment while attending his first European fashion show in 2007 that helped him realize, "This is what I want to do for the rest of my life."
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"If you don’t know where you’re from, how can you get to where you want to be?"
Knowing the “why” behind your decisions and dreams is one thing that can constantly fuel your motivation. In a society that favors familiarity, breaking new ground is no easy feat. For Nicole Ponseca, a Filipino woman that’s transforming the restaurant industry, she’s experienced first-hand what it’s like to break into new spaces.
On today’s episode, Nicole and I discuss how she went from being an advertising executive to a successful restaurateur. Nicole’s experience is unique, being a woman of color in an industry dominated by white men. We also discuss the racial tensions that came with opening up the first Filipino restaurant in NYC, how she handled racism hurled her way, and how she’s breaking cultural boundaries and transforming the perception of Filipino culture.
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We're living in such a strange moment in culture right now, because we put so much emphasis on social validation. There's a lot of pressure, but at the end of the day, social media only portrays a mere fraction of someone's life. Reflecting on her decade long career in the fashion and digital space, Aimee Song affirms that her anchor in this industry is being able to find happiness within herself.
On today's episode, Aimee and I chat openly about her struggles with getting lost in chasing the likes, and how she has been able to rediscover her passion by prioritizing her happiness with the help of therapy, and the JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out). Aimee also talks about her upbringing, and how it shaped the strong values that have always helped her stay grounded.
Listen as Aimee takes us through an inside look at her life, and how she has been able to stay true to her purpose, in a world that can so often lead us astray.
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In the fashion industry, designers are always dreaming and visualizing their next beautiful creation. With all the runways, models, and hustle that comes with this work, it’s easy to get carried away and forget your roots. For designer Phillip Lim, he finds unique ways to stay grounded to ensure that he always remains balanced in his work, life, and passion projects.
On the first episode of this podcast, Phillip and I tackle this concept of balance. While dreaming is an essential part of identifying passions and utilizing your creative talents, Phillip finds ways to stay grounded in order to experience joy in all areas of his life. He discusses why it’s important to stand in the stillness even within the hustle and bustle of life, how to be courageous, and what to do when you start to feel stuck or stifled.
Take a listen to learn about Phillip Lim’s journey to finding meaningful success in fashion.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Vanessa Hong talks about how everything in her life has led to her starting this podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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