Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Taiwan, finished high school in the Bay Area, and then moved to Vancouver with my family.
What has been your career path?
I stumbled into design by accident. After obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in creative writing, I started helping out with my father’s development projects, which really sparked my passion for design. I returned to school to earn my RID while establishing the interior design side of our firm with my partner, John Henshaw.
What is the one aspect of your work that really gets you fired up?
New ideas and possibilities. There’s nothing like the thrill of a fresh concept.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
My work is intertwined with my personal passion for art, so whenever I travel, I’m always exploring art galleries and museums. Even just walking around in a new city and seeking out new inspirations fuels both my professional and personal creativity.
What’s the best life lesson you’ve learned in the last five years?
Things always work out one way or another.
Which of your innate qualities or daily practices has led to your success?
There’s always a solution. Nothing is impossible.
What is good style to you?
Whether in fashion or interior design, good style is what makes you comfortable and confident. It’s about creating a look or a space that feels authentic to both the people designing and using it. Comfort and confidence go hand in hand, and that’s the essence of good style to me.
How would you describe your personal style?
Eclectic! I tend to shop emotionally and love discovering unique items when I travel. For me, it’s not just about the piece itself, but the story of how I found it and the memories attached to it. Each item in my wardrobe has its own tale, making my style a reflection of my personal journey and experiences.
"Whether in fashion or interior design, good style is what makes you comfortable and confident."
Fashion & Beauty
Uniform: Most days, you can catch me in some variation of a crisp white cotton shirt paired with a good skirt or jeans.
Favourite pair of shoes: I have many (an entire closet full of shoes, ha ha), but currently, a pair of slipper-style loafers brings me joy. I got them in Florence a year ago. They’re just so comfortable and bring unexpected colours into my wardrobe.
Favourite day-bag: I often leave my bag in the car because I don’t like to carry a handbag. I can usually get away with just my phone.
Favourite work tool: My brain and my iPhone.
Fashion obsession: Exploring the endless ways to style a white shirt. It’s a staple in my closet and allows me to explore pairing different colours, cuts, materials and accessories.
Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: A good lip gloss goes a long way. My current favourite is Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss in #08 Natural Rosewood. It’s the perfect neutral.
Style Inspirations & Life
Style icon: Daniel Craig as James Bond – wearing the most impeccable Tom Ford suits, tailored to perfection and looking effortlessly cool.
Favourite fashion designer or brand: Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons. She is always designing something unexpected. Her designs are always challenging conventional norms and inspire me to think outside the box.
Favourite musician: Miles Davis.
Film or TV show that inspires your style or that you just love the style of: Ocean's 8 – all the ladies are impeccably dressed and exude fun and elegance.
Favourite cocktail or wine: A good vintage Champagne.
Album on current rotation: Any classic jazz.
Favourite flower: Peony.
One thing that consistently lifts your spirits during hard times: A good book or TV show and
a nice glass of wine.
Reading Material
Fave magazine: The New Yorker, T Magazine, The New York Times Sunday Edition.
Last great read: A travel piece in the New York Times about the island of Pantelleria by Amy Tara Koch and photographed by Paolo Pellegrin. The story was beautifully written, evoking a mood that’s also captured by the stunning black and white photos.
Favourite book and/or one you’re recently reading: As I’m bilingual in both English and Mandarin Chinese, I tend to read widely and eclectically. One book that made a very deep impression, even after all these years, was Patrick Suskind’s Perfume, published in 1985. Suskind somehow captures scents and all the lusciousness of the 19th century so vividly. The book was written in German originally and the translation was done brilliantly by John E. Woods, another aspect I deeply appreciate, having learnt English as a second language.
This feature appeared in the summer edition of Boulevard Vancouver.