revised out of the orient (75-77)

A fashionable

Life

“If you are on the path to a more fashionable life, splurge on high-end shoes and accessories rather than designer clothes.

Wear what suits the occasion.

Everyday can’t be a party.”

Out of the Orient T

by Allison Leu

his is the advice given to aspiring fashionistas by Wesley Sun, a writer and reporter who definitely leads a fashionable life.

Sun walks into the café, sporting a casual, hooded coat over a quirky, vintage Superman T-shirt.

The pieces alone would seem simple and unremarkable, but Sun manages to turn them into an effortlessly stylish outfit. “Truly fashionable people can spend little money but still look put together,” he says. Sun describes himself as not having one particular style, but constantly experimenting with different looks. Friends say he wears a “totally different style each day.” Rather than follow trends or read fashion magazines and blogs, Sun prefers to wander the city streets and observe fashion first-hand. A favorite location of his to encounter New York’s fashionable inhabitants is the Meatpacking District, because its tranquil, tourist-free surroundings. Gravitating towards more low-key, affordably chic shops, Sun is fond of Urban Outfitters and small secondhand stores and Japanese boutiques along 7th and 8th Streets. He also frequently strolls down 5th Ave. and SoHo, not for the fabulous shopping, but for the people watching.

With a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from NTU (National Taiwan University), Sun came to America to receive his Master’s Degree in Media, Culture, and Communication at NYU. What brought him to the Big Apple? Sun sought out big, lively cities, applying to universities in Los Angeles, New York and London. He chose NYU because – like countless others – he was drawn to the melting pot of cultures the city offers.

As the editor of a Taiwanese fashion magazine for men, Vision Man, Sun is well on his way to a career in journalism. He has already published two books and has a third in the works.

Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Sun frequently visited Tokyo from a young age. His admiration for the style and culture of Japan is reflected through his books. The first book is a travel guide of sorts – a where-to in Tokyo for today’s youth. The second book is a more personal account of his travels with a small group of close friends. Sun grins sheepishly as he takes the second book from his bag, explaining apologetically, “I only brought this one. The first book is too heavy.” The brilliantly colored pages depict Sun and his friends at various designer stores and posh restaurants that would make anyone green with envy. Sun’s next project may be a travel guide of New York geared towards Chinese speakers.

Sun has already lived many girls’ dream by attending numerous Spring/Summer 2010 shows, such as BCBG Max Azria, Philip Lim, and Lacoste, to name a few. Sun explains that there are various fashion shows in Taiwan but not a whole week dedicated to fashion. “It was a new, special experience,” he says with a smile.

As an ardent admirer of Japanese fashion Sun notes the differences between street style in New York and Tokyo. “Tokyo is a very fashionable place,” says Sun. Each area holds a different style. Sun considers a key to the quirky Japanese style the attention people pay to details. Japanese people often play with color and accessorize with eccentric items, making a bold statement. In comparison, Western styles tend to be simpler and more subdued. Shopping is also a different experience in New York than in Tokyo. The Japanese favor smaller, inexpensive boutiques while in America, most shopping takes place in department stores that hold major brand names.

“Anyone interested in fashion should make a visit to Tokyo,” Sun advises.

Photos courtesy of Wesley Sun on Facebook.com