Hmong-American Designers Infuse Cultural Values through Fashion

Many Hmong Americans of today’s generation are asserting their identities from a mixture of cultures through fashion.  Both traditional and current culture have become vital tools in shaping character for Hmong people. Mai Hlee Lee, a 24-year-old Hmong-American woman who just graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, pursued apparel design from a distinct perspective.  “I […]

Boutique presents an inclusive vision of wedding fashion

Wedding season arrived here in Milwaukee as Miss Ruby Boutique hosted the RISE: A Bridal Fashion Show at the Pritzlaff building. The venue was decorated in white and pink roses and had dark wooden chairs lined up with Miss Ruby Boutique tote bags made for each guest. The swag bags included merchandise from local businesses.  […]

Typical Mel’s Founder Charting a Path that is Far from Ordinary

It is a cloudy afternoon in Milwaukee as I drive through busy roads to meet with Melody Vang, the owner and founder of the online business Typical Mels.   Originally from Colorado, Vang spent the last seven years familiarizing herself with Milwaukee. Now, she can declare with ease that this is home.  She appears in loose […]

A Storytelling Photoshoot in Black and White

I feel like going for that high-end fashion look is what I want but still keeping it lifestyle. If I can combine the two, something can collide and become great. Peng Yang As Peng Yang quickly adjusts his camera lens and tests some angles, the sun’s rays seem to grow longer through the studio’s large […]

BTS is the First Asian Act Ever to Take Home the Biggest 2021 AMA’s Award

The South Korean band made their highly anticipated return at the American Music Awards winning all their nominations, including Artist of the Year. BTS went up against big artists like Ariana Grande, Drake, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Weeknd.   Both BTS and Coldplay opened the show with “My Universe” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Later that night, BTS closed the show with Butter, their […]

Phoua Vang on the Embodiment of Her Evolving Reality

“It was like going in with a blind eye, but I just knew that it was what I wanted to do. So, I just did it.” – Phoua Vang It’s mid-November, and Phoua Vang is snuggled up on her porch as her smiling face beams through the laptop screen over facetime. The 32-year-old, originally from La Crosse of Wisconsin, sat under gloomy daylight somewhere in Minnesota looking comfy in her heather grey sweater.   While the […]