Mongkok Threads

Just a few notes on style, technology, social media and consumer trends in Asia and Asian America

Chinatown Smack Down on SF MUNI

I’m not the first person to blog about it and I most certainly am not the last. This was one crazy smack down between a Chinese woman and a Black woman. While it’s unclear who started the fight, the burning question is: What’s wrong with these two crazy middle-aged women? If anything, the lesson here is: If you throw the first punch in a fight with a stranger, you may shut that other person up or you may just get your ass kicked (and it may end up on YouTube and spread like a bad rash).

From a PR perspective,….sucks for Muni…..their PR team definitely has their work cut out for them. Good luck on trying to clean up that mess (along with all the other messes your nutty passengers make).

That’s all I have to say on the matter, but if you’re curious, this is what’s been buzzing on the Web:


Filed under: Breaking News, Social Media , , , , ,

YesStyle Opens San Francisco Store

YesStyle

It’s not Uniqlo, but it’s start. Earlier this week, PSK gave me the heads up that YesStyle.com – the fashion/beauty/accessories spin off to YesAsia.com – is launching it’s first brick and motor store in San Francisco’s Stonestown Galleria today at 2:00 p.m. PT. If you’re in the area and are free – you should check it out and pick up some free gifts:

The first 10 customers who make a purchase on opening day will receive a free Momoko Doll valued at $139*. The following 100 customers who make purchases receive a free Green Banana Beanie (value $25).

As an FYI to everyone who’s not familiar with YesStyle.com, it’s an online store where you can buy FOB style clothes (e.g., the latest styles and fashion trends in Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan). I’ve never shopped on the site, but I have friends that love the site.

Filed under: Beauty, Breaking News, Fashion, Retail , , , , , , , ,

Asian America’s Rising Stars in Fashion

Desfile Alexander Wang - NYFWDesfiles Alexander Wang, originally uploaded by ladylikeliving.

I just read an interesting article in The Wall Street Journal today by Ray Smith about the rise of Asian American designers in the U.S. fashion world. Names like Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Philip Lim, Doo-Ri Chung and Derek Lam are rising among the ranks and their rising fast.

What I appreciate the most is that these designers do not rely on their heritage for inspiration. There are no East-meets-West themes where everything looks like a funky kimono or qipao. Instead they are making modern clothes that have universal appeal. Here’s my favorite part of the story:

Today’s Asian-American designers don’t wear their “otherness” on their sleeves as did the wave of Japanese designers like Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto, who took the fashion world by storm in the ’80s with avant-garde designs. Many young Asian-American designers’ clothes, such as Jason Wu’s blend of modernity with the intricacy of couture and Phillip Lim’s modern takes on classic looks, are generally aimed at a broad mainstream audience.

Do you have a favorite Asian American designer?

Filed under: Fashion , , , , , , , , ,

Chicken Feet May Save U.S. Exports

chicken feet at triple eight palacechicken feet at triple eight palace, originally uploaded by niznoz.

I heart dim sum. I especially heart “Phoenix Claws” (AKA chicken feet).  To those who may cringe at the thought of sucking the flesh off of a bony bird toe, you’re missing out. I’ve been eating them since I was a kid and my kids (unless they turn out to be really picky T_T) will also eat them.

So what’s with the ode to chicken feet? I just read a story by Clifford Krauss at the NYT – it suggested that China’s threat to cut its imports of U.S. poultry (in retaliation to President Obama’s tariffs on Chinese tires.) is an empty threat. He reasons that because Chinese people love their American chicken feet so much, there’s no way the government will actually go through with the ban.

Why do the Chinese prefer U.S. poultry? Since most Americans like chicken breast (IMHO: low calories = dry and no taste), American poultry is bred to be on the more voluptuous side. This means that our chickens’ feet are also bigger (e.g., has more skin to eat).

It’s an interesting story, but here’s what I’m wondering:

  • I thought chicken feet are mainly eaten by Cantonese people (since us Southerners are known for eating anything with legs besides tables and chairs) – does the rest of China really care if they don’t get their chicken feet shipment?
  • If China bans U.S. poultry, can any other country up their export of chicken parts to fill the void?

Yes, these are real questions that I have. No, I am not just playing devil’s advocate for fun. So with that, any thoughts?

Filed under: Food , , , , , , , , ,

Conversation with Hayao Miyazaki


Hayao Miyazaki.
, originally uploaded by Emily Barrera.

Two days after shaking hands with Hyde of L’arc en Ciel, I attend the highly anticipated (if you’re a Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away fan) “Hayao Miyazaki in Converssation with Roland Kelts” event at U.C. Berkeley. A special thanks to @ritapizza for the ticket. I live tweeted the event as best as I could while I waited for the translator to tell me what Miyazaiki-san just said. Here are my tweets, in case you missed it the first time around:

Filed under: Film, Social Media , , , , , ,

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