By Stacy Nguyen
Northwest Asian Weekly
Image by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW
Do you like lunar new year activities? Do you like fashion? Do you like monkeys? Do you like creating clothing ensembles featuring monkeys and lunar new year themes?
Well, you are in luck. Northwest Asian Weekly is holding a competition, Celebrate with Style! Year of the Monkey 2016 Fun Fashion Contest and Show.
Join in on the festivities by putting (or sewing) together an outfit that reflects the year of the monkey. Feel free to use found-items throughout your house or pieces from thrift stores. You need not spend a lot of money to compose something creative and cool.
This is the first time Northwest Asian Weekly (NWAW) is organizing such an event. The goal is to promote Asian cultures and inspire our local community to display some lunar new year spirit with style.
Finalists, decided by a secret panel of judges, will be showcased at Northwest Asian Weekly’s Lunar New Year Dinner and Fashion Show-Off on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at House of Hong Restaurant in Seattle’s Chinatown. At the event, the audience will vote for their favorite model and best ensemble.
And just so you know we’re not kidding around, we’ve brought in some local movers and shakers in the design realm to sit on this event’s planning committee, including local fashion designer and fashion show organizer Gei Chan, who has worked with Keiro Northwest and The Wing, and Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) Vice President Belinda Louie, who is also an organizer and event planner for APCC’s Lunar New Year festival in Tacoma.
“This is a fun community event. There is no age requirement,” said NWAW Publisher Assunta Ng. “We like to encourage all age groups to participate. Some think that only the young should be models. Not true. Older folks should be part of this event. The older models exhibit not only maturity and grace, but add their own charm and life experiences.”
Additionally, no one will walk home in their Lunar New Year monkey costume empty-handed. All participants will receive prizes such as cash, jewelry, gift certificates, and lunar new year artifacts.
“Keep in mind that, as Asian Americans, we all have a responsibility to inspire others to learn and appreciate Asian cultures and influences,” said Ng. “That’s our roots. The fashion show will be a great opportunity for the participants to do this.”
To enter the contest (you know you want to):
Send us a photo of your fashion ensemble (modeled by a human, please) along with your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address to rsvp@nwasianweekly.com by Feb. 1.
Contestants are welcomed to submit multiple entries. Contestants are also welcomed to team up with friends, coworkers, or family members (but no more than five to a team).
Finalists of the contest will be announced in the Feb. 4 issue of Northwest Asian Weekly. (end)
By sending photos to Northwest Asian Weekly, you are agreeing to let us potentially print them in the newspaper. Those without means to digitally send in submissions can call us at 206-223-0623 to make alternate arrangements.
Stacy Nguyen can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.