Dress: CZAR Earrings: Ami Goodheart
“We chose Chinatown as the location for our third shoot because it is one of the most iconic New York City neighborhoods,” said Paul. “We’ve reimagined how Chinatown looked half-a-century ago. While the country was on the cusp of a sexual revolution, traditional Chinese culture was – and continues to be – very male dominated. What would it have been like for businesses to be run by a female street boss? What would her life have looked like?” Whether it’s Meki’s intense eye makeup, her sky-high heels, or brilliant red parasol, these details bring the shoot’s dramatic narrative to life. “Our heroine is powerful, but not power-hungry,” says Paul. “In a way, she’s above all the dayto-day drama that’s happening. At the same time, she knows she has to get her hands dirty – and she’s not afraid to do so.” Up-and-coming hair stylist Andy Tseng created Meki’s fierce up-dos. “Hair defines a person,” says Tseng. “Would Meki have looked half-as powerful or intimidating with long, flowing waves? Not at all. That’s why we chose tight, pulled-back styles that add further emphasis to her dramatic eye make up.”