Amplify Voices | Lunar New Year
It's the Year of the Tiger, symbolizing confidence, strength, and courage. For the latest amplify voices series, we spoke to three different AAPI creators about their personal experiences celebrating Lunar New Year and their first recollections of recognizing this momentous occasion. Read on below:
What is your name and how do you identify?
My name is Lauren Chan (@lcchan), my pronouns are she/her, and I'm a Chinese-Armenian Canadian.
What is your first memory of Lunar New Year?
My first Lunar New Year memory is of my Chinese grandmother teaching me about the Chinese zodiac. I'm the year of the horse—which is supposed to mean that I'm an energetic, tenacious leader—and my grandmother gave me a gold horse pendant when she taught me about my that. I wear it often to remind myself of the strength and confidence I now draw from my Chinese heritage.
In a few words, why do you celebrate the holiday?
I celebrate Lunar New Year to feel connected with my Chinese roots. When I was younger, I didn't want to feel Chinese—because it was a reminder of how different I was from the mostly-white people around me—but now, I look for opportunities to lean into my heritage whenever and whenever I can.
What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
This suit, of course! In Chinese culture, red is lucky. Every year on Lunar New Year, I wear something red...last year, it was a white jacket with red pockets, but this year I've turned it up a notch with this head-to-toe look
What is your name and how do you identify?
My name is Noelle Venegas (@noellevenegas), and I’m Filipino-Chinese
What is your first memory of Lunar New Year?
My Amah (grandma), mom, and aunties would spend all day cooking and preparing for Lunar New Year. I remember they would clean the house, put coins in front of doorways, and set up the dinner table with sweets and noodles. The kids would also get red envelopes for good luck and fortune. Of course, as kids, we were excited for the cash that’s inside the envelopes haha!
In a few words, why do you celebrate the holiday?
To celebrate my heritage and attract luck for the rest of the year!
This is the year of the Tiger, which symbolizes strength, vitality & growth. What do these words mean to you as you think about the year ahead?
This year is about big change and how we grow from everything that has happened in the world the last couple of years. Personally, I’m focusing on my health & wealth in 2022.
What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
I love the Utility Jumpsuit! It’s a beautiful deep shade of red and very comfy.
What is your name and how do you identify?
Leo Chan 陳浩榮 (he/him) (@levitatestyle)
What is your first memory of Lunar New Year?
I was born and raised in Hong Kong until moving to NYC at age of 10 - my earliest memory of Lunar New Year was back in my first home celebrating with my family and relatives - grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all together for a big reunion dinner. It was always my favorite holiday because I also received lots of red envelope gifts and enjoyed many festive activities like watching lion dances and fireworks.
In a few words, why do you celebrate the holiday?
Keeping the tradition alive and be proud of my culture
It's the year of The Tiger, which symbolizes strength, vitality & growth. What do these words mean to you as you think about the year ahead?
To stay strong, be consistent, and work on becoming the best version of yourself.
What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
The classic trench coat is an essential and the reversible scarf is a great style move to add a bold pop of color.
It's the Year of the Tiger, symbolizing confidence, strength, and courage. For the latest amplify voices series, we spoke to three different AAPI creators about their personal experiences celebrating Lunar New Year and their first recollections of recognizing this momentous occasion. Read on below:
What is your name and how do you identify?
My name is Lauren Chan (@lcchan), my pronouns are she/her, and I'm a Chinese-Armenian Canadian.
What is your first memory of Lunar New Year?
My first Lunar New Year memory is of my Chinese grandmother teaching me about the Chinese zodiac. I'm the year of the horse—which is supposed to mean that I'm an energetic, tenacious leader—and my grandmother gave me a gold horse pendant when she taught me about my that. I wear it often to remind myself of the strength and confidence I now draw from my Chinese heritage.
In a few words, why do you celebrate the holiday?
I celebrate Lunar New Year to feel connected with my Chinese roots. When I was younger, I didn't want to feel Chinese—because it was a reminder of how different I was from the mostly-white people around me—but now, I look for opportunities to lean into my heritage whenever and whenever I can.
What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
This suit, of course! In Chinese culture, red is lucky. Every year on Lunar New Year, I wear something red...last year, it was a white jacket with red pockets, but this year I've turned it up a notch with this head-to-toe look
What is your name and how do you identify?
My name is Noelle Venegas (@noellevenegas), and I’m Filipino-Chinese
What is your first memory of Lunar New Year?
My Amah (grandma), mom, and aunties would spend all day cooking and preparing for Lunar New Year. I remember they would clean the house, put coins in front of doorways, and set up the dinner table with sweets and noodles. The kids would also get red envelopes for good luck and fortune. Of course, as kids, we were excited for the cash that’s inside the envelopes haha!
In a few words, why do you celebrate the holiday?
To celebrate my heritage and attract luck for the rest of the year!
This is the year of the Tiger, which symbolizes strength, vitality & growth. What do these words mean to you as you think about the year ahead?
This year is about big change and how we grow from everything that has happened in the world the last couple of years. Personally, I’m focusing on my health & wealth in 2022.
What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
I love the Utility Jumpsuit! It’s a beautiful deep shade of red and very comfy.
What is your name and how do you identify?
Leo Chan 陳浩榮 (he/him) (@levitatestyle)
What is your first memory of Lunar New Year?
I was born and raised in Hong Kong until moving to NYC at age of 10 - my earliest memory of Lunar New Year was back in my first home celebrating with my family and relatives - grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all together for a big reunion dinner. It was always my favorite holiday because I also received lots of red envelope gifts and enjoyed many festive activities like watching lion dances and fireworks.
In a few words, why do you celebrate the holiday?
Keeping the tradition alive and be proud of my culture
It's the year of The Tiger, which symbolizes strength, vitality & growth. What do these words mean to you as you think about the year ahead?
To stay strong, be consistent, and work on becoming the best version of yourself.
What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
The classic trench coat is an essential and the reversible scarf is a great style move to add a bold pop of color.
