Chinatown Pretty: Fashion and Wisdom from Chinatown's Most Stylish Seniors

(Hardback)

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Description

Introducing your new style icons: the senior citizens of Chinatown. Chinatown Pretty is a signature style worn by 'pOh pohs' (grandmas) and 'gUng gungs' (grandpas) everywhere. Its a mix of modern and vintage, high and low, handmade and store bought. Chinatown Pretty is also a life philosophy that combines resourcefulness, creativity, and a knack for finding joy even in difficult circumstances. Andria Lo and Valerie Luu have been interviewing and photographing Chinatowns most fashionable elders since 2013. The seniors share tips for staying stylish on a budget, nuggets of wisdom, and moving personal stories about immigration. This book collects stories from San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Vancouver, as well as a bitesize history of Chinatowns in America, in one gorgeous hardcover with textured case and glossy bellyband.

Reviews

"If you've ever strolled through a Chinatown coveting a 90-year-old woman's dazzlingly creative outfit, you're not alone. The new photography collection Chinatown Pretty features glam portraits of--and stirring stories of resilience from--trend-setting seniors in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Vancouver. These stylish poh pohs (grandmas) and gung gungs (grandpas) will teach you how to stay strong during tough times--and pair leopard print with gingham." --O, the Oprah Magazine
"These photos of Chinatown fashion prove age has nothing to do with style." --Buzzfeed
"This book is an utter delight. Bay Area locals Valerie and Andria photographed extremely stylish seniors across six different Chinatowns. The stories and outfits are lovely and inspiring." --The Glitter Guide

Author Bio

Andria Lo is a freelance photographer living in Berkeley, California. Raised in Alaska and Texas, she moved to the Bay Area to study Art at UC Berkeley. You can find her photos in San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, and Wired magazine.

Valerie Luu is a writer living in San Francisco. Born and raised in Sunnyvale, California, she studied journalism in high school and later UC Santa Cruz. She moved to San Francisco the summer of 2008 and has been there ever since. She is also one half of Rice Paper Scissors, a Vietnamese pop-up restaurant.