R E G V N EO
K R G N O O H F As I walk down the streets of this crowed town, I have never felt so found in my life. Sometimes I hit pause on the crossing walk and just observe what surrounds me. People, light, fog, noise. Oh, Hong Kong, I love you. I then remember there is no time to loose and this girl needs to keep moving. I run through these islands with my Sam Smith’s, comfort became a key factor when I realized I don’t need anything else than my flawless self to be wonderful. I slay through the city in my black dress, trying to merge with the night and pretending to be as mysterious as they see me. I’m a foreigner, an exotic view… it’s like they don’t realize I really do belong here. During the night, Hong Kong eventually goes to bed, but we don’t. We, the crazy kids, the Millenials, the internationals, the outrageous are those who are still up and coming.
That is the city I live in, the one that captivated my soul and body. I got here just as everyone else, a tourist more, lost between the MTR and the long distances. It took three weeks for me to acknowledge the fact that I had to stay. It is a feeling, something in my body I can’t explain; it is like if the streets of these islands made me glow in such ways that have never happened before. We all know it is basically impossible not to love this place. I used to be in love with Manhattan and don’t get me wrong, I still am. But there was this constant anxiety inside my body, of always wanting to be in the city that never sleeps. Now that I’m here, I don’t feel that anymore. My body stopped missing Manhattan. I find my own island that mixes the best of everything. Internationally gifted and technologically amused, Hong Kong is the modern New York and Millenial’s
me an unknown endless world that is out there for me. Each island keeps its own secrets and by far I know them pretty much all. I can tell you Hong Kong is now my now home, my kingdom and my runway. There is no sort of explanation, the energy that runs through my body when I walk in these streets, is out of this world. I feel like Queen B rocking the stage in Madison Square Garden. Walking not only with belonging but also with empowerment. I am the best version of myself and I feel flawless. Hong Kong made me learn that real beauty is born within, born with confidence and trust in oneself. When I look at what lays ahead of me, I give it
new lover. It is only in this land where you find a clash of civilizations that worked out for the good of all empires. Skyscrapers, green, street markets, ports, harbors, museums, fashion… What you don’t find in this city, you simply won’t find. It has been now years since I moved, and I still get that feeling as I walk through the streets of Mong Kok. I look up to the sky and appreciate the neon signs, so wonderfully placed. For me it looks just like a concrete jungle full of unknown hanging concepts, because ask me what they say and I still have no idea. An unknown language has only made this adventure more interesting; somehow I understood that I don’t need to understand their words but their ways. Merging myself with such a different culture brought me to life. It showed
a determined look. I want people to see me as fierce as I feel inside. Bold eyes, bold make up, bold look. I fill up myself with these emotions, burst in my own powerful confidence, and then I know I’m ready to hit the streets. Walking on my sneakers and wearing and oversized dress is now as glamorous as high-heels and fringes. Rocking the city, killing the outfit… My story begins. Going out at night might be my favorite adventure. I just feel it’s the moment for our mind to let go of everything crowding our thoughts. Nighttime is the time to let our life really be and this is why I go out to explore, to understand my surroundings. There is no open door I would say no to. I guess it is just part of being who I am, a Millennial. We decide to overthrow our life in instability and constant adventure, we can’t deny new concepts, and we are all over the place. Of course, we are experts of letting go and saying goodbye. If you ask, yes, it is all worth it. We always know a great adventure is waiting for us in the next corner; we develop in our mind a philosophy that makes us see everything as the next big episode of our lives. We find wonderful magic in the small details, small details like hanging neon signs.
Back to the night again, that wonderful time I was talking about and my special moment to explore these islands. You see Hong Kong can be a city of skyscrapers or street life… It would all depend from where you are standing. Personally I enjoy the view from the ground, looking up to the sometimes-inexistent sky or looking across to delight my eyes with glorious skylines. You can also look around, to the people inhabiting this city that are all so interesting. In Mong Kok you will find with every corner an authentic native with eyes popping of history and experience. I love to analyze them, wonder where have they been and how do they live. How can we be so different and yet live in the same place? Streets will always be a place to reflect our culture. That is why as I walk down my street and pass by a traditional food cart and then that really good Mexican place I feel like home. These international surroundings lead me to understand how this world has no borderlines and no time zones. It is all in your mind, in your heart.
FOR EVERY SECOND, THERE IS A NEW EXPERIENCE… FOREVER HONG KONG.
PHOTOGRAPHY - FRANCISCO BETANCOURT ARTICLE - MARIANA ALVAREZ STYLING - JOSE CRIALES-UNZUETA MAKE UP - MARIA NAVA MODELING - CHLOE MAGPAYO LIGHTING ASSITANTANT - IMANI WALKER