Liz N
1. Where are you from?
Ethnically: I am an American born Vietnamese. My parents and my two older brothers were born in Vietnam and I am the first to be born in America, followed by my younger brother.
I was born in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia and spend the first half of my childhood there before moving to Reading, Pennsylvania. I moved to northern Virginia for college but I have been proudly working and living in the great city of Washington DC for over two years.
2. When did you get interested in fashion?
My earliest memory of being interested in fashion was when I was about 5 years old playing with Barbie dolls. Barbies were my absolute favorite and I remember my parents joking with me that I gave Barbie too many wardrobe changes on a daily basis. My mother used to sew decorative flags and there were always leftover fabric scraps that I would use to dress up my dolls, in addition to the wardrobe they already have. My mother used to take me everywhere and I would entertain myself flipping through fashion magazines I found at different offices and nail salons. I reveled in the beauty and artistry in those pages. To me, fashion is art -it is an expression of yourself or an attitude. I love that fashion changes with the times and how social, political and economic influences changes how we view fashion.
Because I’ve always been enamored by long dramatic beautiful gowns seen in magazines, I began entering in pageants for the fashion aspect, the community service, and for the personal mental emotional growth in 2013. It was a coming of age for me and I found a whole new level of confidence and attitude after placing in the top 15 at the 2014 Ms. United States national pageant. I found the confidence to finally challenge myself to enter in the world of modeling. The beautiful high fashion couture pages I used to look at as child playing with Barbie dolls – I wanted to be a part of making a piece of art, and not just be an observer.
3. Have you always wished to work as a model?
Growing up, I saw very few Asian representation in the American fashion, modeling, and beauty industry. I honestly didn’t think that someone like me, with a very ethnic east Asian look, would actually have the opportunity. Even in Asia, it is well known that Asian models, actresses, and celebrities would get plastic surgery to alter their monolids or hooded eyelids. In addition, I didn’t grow up with a lot of diversity and I was made fun of for the way my eyes look and how my cheekbones stood out.
With all of these factors, the idea of working as a model wasn’t a desire for most of my life because I didn’t think it was a possibility.
It’s only recently that I started to see more Asian models in mainstream media. With confidence that came from my life experiences, I have the desire to be an inspiration for diversity in the American society.
4. How long have you been a model with Bucceri Elite Models?
I’ve been a model with Bucceri Elite Models for about two and half years. Heidi is our fearless leader - she makes everyone here feel like family and is genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
5. How did you like being part of the Copa Style Magazine Photoshoot at the Nelson Manor?
I absolutely loved the whole experience. The Nelson Manor is visually stunning and the hosts were just incredible. Every room was impeccably decorated and the hosts were more than accommodating and welcoming. Everyone at the photoshoot agreed that they would love to stay at the Nelson Manor for everything they have to offer.
Rafa Castillo did an amazing job on my makeup. Not all makeup artists has the skill set to work on an Asian hooded eyelid but Rafa made my eyes popped and the rest of my makeup was seamless and striking.
During the shoot, I felt powerful wearing my outfits provided by O’Mak Designs. The photographers were easy to work with and the images came out gorgeous.
Copa Style was so gracious to help set up this amazing collaboration. There was just a wonderful energy between everyone. My boyfriend came to support me and we both walked out talking about our great experience and the exciting budding friendships that stemmed from the photoshoot. I’m elated to be a part of this project.
6. What does the future hold for Liz?
For the near future, I will be assisting in the 2018 VietFest – Vietnamese Heritage Festival, which will take place at the Tyson corner Plaza on August 11th and August 12th. NOVAL- DC (National Organization for Vietnamese American Leadership, DC Chapter) is a nonprofit organization that I have been working with since 2012 and I was their Internal Vice President for a couple of years. For the past 6 years, I have been the Executive Director of the Miss VietFest United States Pageant – a scholarship pageant for Vietnamese American women that take place within VietFest. I work with a great team and I’ve worn many hats in preparing this pageant (Organizer, walking/modeling coach, public speaking coach). VietFest is free to the public and all the staff members, such as myself, work on this event as volunteers. We really believe in preserving and sharing our Vietnamese culture and doing so in the most entertaining and accessible way.
As for modeling, I want to push the envelope and challenge myself. I hope to continuously grow as a model and work on riveting and challenging ideas. Wearing beautiful clothes and makeup is nice but I’m all about making a bigger mark than “I look pretty in this pictures.” Many people have used fashion, beauty, and photography as medium to convey deeper thoughts. A personal mission of mine is to make a mark in our society’s conversation regarding diversity and cultural appropriation. I’ve seen a lot of Asian cultural references emerging in art, fashion, and beauty. Some of it is disappointing because of distasteful cultural appropriation and the lack of diversity. It would be a dream to produce work that provides thoughtful and provoking social commentary regarding beauty, diversity, and the current state of American mainstream media through my eyes.
Ethnically: I am an American born Vietnamese. My parents and my two older brothers were born in Vietnam and I am the first to be born in America, followed by my younger brother.
I was born in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia and spend the first half of my childhood there before moving to Reading, Pennsylvania. I moved to northern Virginia for college but I have been proudly working and living in the great city of Washington DC for over two years.
2. When did you get interested in fashion?
My earliest memory of being interested in fashion was when I was about 5 years old playing with Barbie dolls. Barbies were my absolute favorite and I remember my parents joking with me that I gave Barbie too many wardrobe changes on a daily basis. My mother used to sew decorative flags and there were always leftover fabric scraps that I would use to dress up my dolls, in addition to the wardrobe they already have. My mother used to take me everywhere and I would entertain myself flipping through fashion magazines I found at different offices and nail salons. I reveled in the beauty and artistry in those pages. To me, fashion is art -it is an expression of yourself or an attitude. I love that fashion changes with the times and how social, political and economic influences changes how we view fashion.
Because I’ve always been enamored by long dramatic beautiful gowns seen in magazines, I began entering in pageants for the fashion aspect, the community service, and for the personal mental emotional growth in 2013. It was a coming of age for me and I found a whole new level of confidence and attitude after placing in the top 15 at the 2014 Ms. United States national pageant. I found the confidence to finally challenge myself to enter in the world of modeling. The beautiful high fashion couture pages I used to look at as child playing with Barbie dolls – I wanted to be a part of making a piece of art, and not just be an observer.
3. Have you always wished to work as a model?
Growing up, I saw very few Asian representation in the American fashion, modeling, and beauty industry. I honestly didn’t think that someone like me, with a very ethnic east Asian look, would actually have the opportunity. Even in Asia, it is well known that Asian models, actresses, and celebrities would get plastic surgery to alter their monolids or hooded eyelids. In addition, I didn’t grow up with a lot of diversity and I was made fun of for the way my eyes look and how my cheekbones stood out.
With all of these factors, the idea of working as a model wasn’t a desire for most of my life because I didn’t think it was a possibility.
It’s only recently that I started to see more Asian models in mainstream media. With confidence that came from my life experiences, I have the desire to be an inspiration for diversity in the American society.
4. How long have you been a model with Bucceri Elite Models?
I’ve been a model with Bucceri Elite Models for about two and half years. Heidi is our fearless leader - she makes everyone here feel like family and is genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
5. How did you like being part of the Copa Style Magazine Photoshoot at the Nelson Manor?
I absolutely loved the whole experience. The Nelson Manor is visually stunning and the hosts were just incredible. Every room was impeccably decorated and the hosts were more than accommodating and welcoming. Everyone at the photoshoot agreed that they would love to stay at the Nelson Manor for everything they have to offer.
Rafa Castillo did an amazing job on my makeup. Not all makeup artists has the skill set to work on an Asian hooded eyelid but Rafa made my eyes popped and the rest of my makeup was seamless and striking.
During the shoot, I felt powerful wearing my outfits provided by O’Mak Designs. The photographers were easy to work with and the images came out gorgeous.
Copa Style was so gracious to help set up this amazing collaboration. There was just a wonderful energy between everyone. My boyfriend came to support me and we both walked out talking about our great experience and the exciting budding friendships that stemmed from the photoshoot. I’m elated to be a part of this project.
6. What does the future hold for Liz?
For the near future, I will be assisting in the 2018 VietFest – Vietnamese Heritage Festival, which will take place at the Tyson corner Plaza on August 11th and August 12th. NOVAL- DC (National Organization for Vietnamese American Leadership, DC Chapter) is a nonprofit organization that I have been working with since 2012 and I was their Internal Vice President for a couple of years. For the past 6 years, I have been the Executive Director of the Miss VietFest United States Pageant – a scholarship pageant for Vietnamese American women that take place within VietFest. I work with a great team and I’ve worn many hats in preparing this pageant (Organizer, walking/modeling coach, public speaking coach). VietFest is free to the public and all the staff members, such as myself, work on this event as volunteers. We really believe in preserving and sharing our Vietnamese culture and doing so in the most entertaining and accessible way.
As for modeling, I want to push the envelope and challenge myself. I hope to continuously grow as a model and work on riveting and challenging ideas. Wearing beautiful clothes and makeup is nice but I’m all about making a bigger mark than “I look pretty in this pictures.” Many people have used fashion, beauty, and photography as medium to convey deeper thoughts. A personal mission of mine is to make a mark in our society’s conversation regarding diversity and cultural appropriation. I’ve seen a lot of Asian cultural references emerging in art, fashion, and beauty. Some of it is disappointing because of distasteful cultural appropriation and the lack of diversity. It would be a dream to produce work that provides thoughtful and provoking social commentary regarding beauty, diversity, and the current state of American mainstream media through my eyes.