Meet Vanessa Le | Photographer, Content Creator, and Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Le and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, what do you want your legacy to be?
I never wanted to bring Vietnamese food to school as a kid. Now, I want my legacy to be the opposite of that shame—a celebration of the stories we’re taught to hide.

As a first-gen Vietnamese-American, I spent years torn between assimilating into American culture and feeling embarrassed by my Vietnamese roots. It wasn’t until I started surrounding myself with other Asian creatives in college and beyond that I finally felt free to be unapologetically Vietnamese, however I please. That journey is why I want my work to recreate the narrative for others, so no one feels as alone as I once did. Our immigrant Asian parents sacrificed everything they were familiar with to build a better life for us and for the possibility to reach for the stars in the States. If this is the life I was given, I refuse to live it with regrets.

That collectivist mindset—lifting as we climb— reigns true throughout Asian cultures and is exactly the legacy I want: not a ‘star designer’ name, but a community where young Asian creatives see themselves reflected and empowered. I want to be the ‘big sis’ I needed for those whose parents don’t understand their creative dreams (mine still worry, and that’s okay). Because in Asian cultures, it’s never just about the individual—it’s about how we pass down traditions, share space, and hold each other up. If I can help cultivate that kind of safety net, where we turn shame into pride and isolation into belonging? That’s everything to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is an extension of my journey—a blend of my Vietnamese heritage, my love for fashion, and my relentless curiosity to push creative boundaries. What sets me apart is my ability to build immersive visual worlds that feel authentic, whether I’m working with fashion brands, nonprofits, or even architect firms. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come from the girl who once hid her Vietnamese lunch at school to the woman now creating unapologetic work that celebrates her roots.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I moved to NYC without a job, survived pandemic layoffs, and walked away from toxic workplaces to bet on myself as a freelancer. There were moments I questioned everything—especially when my family worried about my “unstable” career path. Fueled by the mantra “What’s meant for me will come for me,” I kept going. (A belief so strong I recently found a years-old post-it note I’d written with that exact affirmation—proof the universe listens.)

The biggest lessons? 1) Consistency beats perfection—showing up even when results aren’t immediate. 2) Risk is the antidote to regret (thank you, 17-year-old me who dreamed of NYC apartments). 3) Community is everything. From my mom’s hesitant-but-fervent support to fellow Asian creatives who helped me embrace my identity, no one succeeds alone.

I want the world to know my brand isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about proving that your “scattered” skills and unique perspective are your superpower. And for anyone doubting their path: your dreams don’t need approval to be valid. Sometimes, you just have to burn the safety nets and trust the fall.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to NYC, I’d give them the real tour—no tourist traps, just my favorite hidden gems and neighborhood haunts, all with a leisurely vibe. No strict schedules, just good energy and great food. Here’s how we’d do it:

Manhattan Day (SOHO + Chinatown + West Village):
-Sorate in SOHO (best matcha in NYC in my opinion) + Dominique Ansel Bakery for pastries + shop around SOHO
-Cocoron in Chinatown (hot/cold dipping soba noodles) + Mei Lai Wah (pineapple pork bun) for lunch
-Chun Yang Tea in Tribeca (*Honey Osmanthus Oolong Tea (super refreshing!!))
-Washington Square Park to people watch while sipping our yummy drinks
-Nami Nori in West Village (Temaki hand rolls)

Museum Day (Midtown + Central Park):
-Remi Flower & Coffee (rose latte + pastries)
-MOMA
-BCD Tofu House (best BCD location)
-Central Park (The Pond, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace)
-COTE Korean Steakhouse (KBBQ for dinner)

Brooklyn + Queens Day (Greenpoint + Forest Hills):
-Kijitora (Matcha)
-Radio Bakery (sandwiches, pastries)
-McCarren Park (picnic vibes)
-Beacon’s Closet (thrifting)
-Forma Pasta Factory (affordable n good pasta)
-visit Forest Hills, Queens and explore the area and neighborhoods
-Kuku Korean Cuisine (best Korean fried chicken) for dinner

Wildcard Activities/Places (Pick Your Vibe):
Dumbo, Flushing, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Prospect Park, East Village, clubbing at Nowadays or Elsewhere (house music)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this to my mom, Maggie. When I first told her I wanted to work in fashion, she hesitated—not to discourage me, but because she’d sacrificed so much as a war refugee to give me stability. She asked, “Are you sure?” not to doubt me, but because she never wanted me to struggle like she had.

But here’s the thing about moms: even when they don’t fully understand your dreams, they learn to trust your fire. She watched me grind, saw my work evolve, and finally said, “If this is what makes you happy, I’m with you.” That unconditional support—no questions asked—is why I’m here today.

My mom is my best friend, my soulmate, and my quiet hero. If we meet again in another life? I’d choose her as my mother a thousand times over.

Website: https://www.vanessavle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vnessavle

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-le/

Image Credits
Photographer/Creative Director: Vanessa Le @vnessavle