Meet Shane Yang | Student

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

Hi Shane, why did you pursue a creative career?
My life has been about dressing up, in other words, fashion, since I came to this country in 2017. It started out as an interest and quickly became a lifestyle. When I gained enough knowledge about this industry and work of art, I realized it might be the only career I had passion in pursuing. After getting some recognition in this field, I was more certain.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I would say that my professional life has yet to officially start. After moving to New York for school, I’ve been involved in work like modeling, styling, and just being part of creative projects. Most of these opportunities came to me because of the way I look, which I spent a lot of time and effort on. I take personal style/aesthetic very seriously. In a time where information is spread so fast, it is easy to look like everybody else. But I came to realize that I didn’t want that. I wanted to embrace my Chinese roots and my life experiences by the way I look. Now, I have a unique and memorable appearance. And it has helped me secure gigs I never thought I could be a part of. One lesson I have learned along the way is that nobody should abandon their roots; it is so powerful motivating.

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.
I tend to gatekeep a lot, but alright. On Monday, when they first arrive, I would take them straight to Lao Zao hotpot in Flushing to have a taste of the nearly authentic Chongqing hotpot. On Tuesday, we would go on a little shopping, we would go straight to Dover Street Market and move our way down to some 2nd Street locations around the Lower East Side area. We’d get some matcha and go across the street to Tokio 7. While we are at it, we would probably find a fun restaurant around there and then call it a day. On Wednesday, we would spend the whole day in east Williamsburg. There are so many thrift shops and cute stores to shop in. Then we would eat there and go on a little walk by the river. On Thursday, if they haven’t been, I would take them to Chelsea to visit the Whitney museum. We would then go on the High Line at night because I prefer it with all the lights on. On Friday, Moma, probably. We would then eat in Chinatown. I’d probably take them to Kong Sihk Tong. Then, we would go watch an old movie at Metrograph. Saturday, I would take them to wait in a longass line at Brooklyn Ball Factory for a cup of good matcha latte and some food. I would drive us to Prospect Park, which is probably my favorite park in the city. I don’t know why. And, of course, we would end up on 8th Ave., aka Brooklyn’s Chinatown, and have a nostalgic moment in this little area that looks literally like China 30 years ago. And the food is obviously very authentic. We would then have people over at my place and have some drinks and dance. Lastly, on Sunday, we would probably chill at my place and then get the best ramen at Tabetomo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to take this chance to thank my American host family, specifically my host parents, whom I stayed with during my high school years. I had been having a harder relationship with my parents back in China, so I wouldn’t share what was going on in my life at the time. But my American parents always showed curiosity about it, and they would genuinely listen and take everything I said very seriously. They also taught me love. They taught me that no matter how differently I would dress from others, they would always love me for who I was. They encouraged me to be who I wanted to be and look the way I wanted.
I would also like to thank my friends who have been by my side for a long time. Friends are the family that we have chosen, and I appreciate them for putting up with me.

Instagram: shaneyshaneyang

Image Credits
Telfar. Ian Ohara. Sivan Miller. Kove Quan.