How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

Sadly without my family, which is devastating because, for me, Lunar New Year is essentially a second Christmas, and my favourite time of the year. I am lucky to have my girlfriend and pooch in lockdown, so hopefully I’ll order some decorations and we’ll get the house nice and red.

What will you taking with you into the Year of the Ox, and what will you be leaving behind?

I think if this year has taught me anything, it’s that everything can go as easily as it comes. I’d like to keep my appreciation for what I have, but retain a level of self-confidence that I’m still able to achieve more, and should still value myself and what I do. I’ll be leaving behind a lot of negativity. It’s an uncomfortable and gloomy time right now, and stressing about easily solved situations just isn’t worth the energy.

What will you be wearing?

I think we’ll get a little bit dressed up. I recently bought some secondhand red Comme des Garçons HOMME trousers. I think last year I wore some red Homme Plissé polo shirt. I think it’s important to wear something new, though, so who knows. I don’t think I could fit another suit in my lockdown wardrobe, though if there’s any time to go all red, now’s probably it. I imagine red and black will be my thing. 

How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

Unfortunately, we are in lockdown in California, so this year will be a muted celebration. Lunar New Year to me represents gathering with loved ones – a great meal with equally great company. We will certainly have a great meal still, but it will just be me and my lovely wife.

Do you have any specific traditions that you stick to every year?

There are plenty of traditions my family follows. With food, two staples for Lunar New Year’s Eve are fish and rice cakes. Fish symbolises prosperity, and the rice cakes represent improvement over the previous year. We then spend the last few days of the year tidying up and cleaning the house preparation for the new year. A clean and orderly house brings good fortune for the coming year.

What will you be wearing?

New Year is typically about wearing red, so I always wear a fresh pair of red boxers to usher in the new year. (They’re actually not so easy to find, so last year I bought 30 pairs just in case.) Because we are home and in lockdown, I don’t really feel like I need to wear anything too flashy. I believe that the ultimate luxury is comfort, and I already know that my New Year’s clothing will consist of a James Perse V-neck T-shirt and a pair of comfy Loro Piana cashmere jogging pants.

How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

I am fortunately based in Singapore, where the community spread [of Covid-19] is more or less under control. We are allowed to gather in groups of eight, so I intend on seeing family and friends who are close to me.

What will you taking with you into the Year of the Ox, and what will you be leaving behind?

I intend on prioritising my health in the Year of the Ox, and more so than that, I actually want to take my interest in wakesurfing to the next level. It’s a sport that I’ve come to really love, and there are a few tricks on my list I’d like to nail in the coming months.

What will you be wearing?

I’m typically more casually dressed over the New Year, but I do stay away from black or dark-coloured clothing as I try not to offend older folk in my family. It can also get quite warm in Singapore over this period, so light and airy linen pieces often work well for me.

How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

This Lunar New Year will be quite different. But one thing that will remain the same is that I will still be spending it at home, with my parents and my grandma. Malaysia’s government recently implemented lockdown. I’m not sure when it will end, but I think I’ll be avoiding house visits this year to ensure that we do our parts to keep everyone safe, calling friends and relatives via video call.

Do you have any specific traditions that you stick to every year?

That one specific tradition that I have is definitely the reunion dinner with my immediate family members. We pray the night before Lunar New Year and wish for the best for the year to come, with some fireworks.  

What will you be wearing?

In Malaysia, the weather is usually pretty hot during Lunar New Year, so oversized shirts and shorts would be my go-to: simple and casual, yet still presentable. Versace, Jacquemus and Prada would be my picks for the shirts – they usually go well with a smart pair of black or brown shorts.

How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

I’m looking forward to hiking on the Twin Peak for Lunar New Year, (行大運 in Chinese means “The Lucky Walk”). Then I’ll have my family over for dinner. My mom’s birthday happens to fall on the second day of Lunar New Year, so we’ll be celebrating her as well.

Do you have any specific traditions that you stick to every year?

I usually visit my mom first thing in the morning. We have a few rituals and wish each other the best start to the New Year. As for food, the Chinese rice cakes in cane sugar is my must-have. Preparation is simple: dip the thinly-sliced rice cake in whisked raw eggs and pan fry them until they turn golden. Serve while they’re hot. Thank me later.

What will you taking with you into the Year of the Ox, and what will you be leaving behind?

If last year taught us anything, it’s that 2020 was a year of appreciation. I appreciate everything I have in life – my friends, family, colleagues, and good health. I wish to carry this gratitude into the Year of the Ox.

What will you be wearing?

Most years, I opt for a classic red cashmere cardigan by Thom Browne. But this year, I’m tempted to try something different like a Chinese jacket, which I’ll likely get from Shanghai Tang.

How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

I flew back to Melbourne from Shanghai in January and will spend Lunar New Year in Australia, so it will be a Lunar New Year in summer for me.

Do you have any specific traditions that you stick to every year?

My family is from the countryside of Northeast China, so we follow the rural customs from that part of the country. My grandfather would slaughter and cook a pig that we raised in the previous year, a tradition that symbolises getting rid of bad luck from the past year. We would make pork and pickled vegetable stew, Chinese black pudding and frozen apple and pear for dessert. That just tastes like home and Lunar New Year for me.

What will you be wearing?

Since it will be a Lunar New Year in summer this year, I think a white shirt will work nicely. I really like shirts from Brioni. When I spend Chinese New Year in Northeast China during the cold winter, I find my Mr P. boots very practical for everyday wear. Sometimes I get too comfortable during Lunar New Year holidays, wearing loungewear and eating and drinking every day. With that in mind, I might bring a few SAINT LAURENT coats and trousers to remind myself to keep it together.

How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

Lunar New Year is always the biggest event for our family. We still perform a ritual in which we prepare food and wine to share with family members in memory of our ancestors. Usually it’s time for a big family gathering, but this year we are scaling it down due to the pandemic.

Do you have any specific traditions that you stick to every year?

Soup with sliced rice cakes, tteokguk, is a traditional Korean food that is eaten for the New Year. The Korean New Year counts for the real start of the new year and eating tteokguk is part of the Korean age reckoning. Once you finish your rice cake soup, it means you are one year older.

What will you taking with you into the Year of the Ox, and what will you be leaving behind?

In 2021, I hope to focus on my work steadily without rushing and do my job silently, but enthusiastically, just like an ox.

What will you be wearing?

We dress in traditional Korean clothing and wish each other a happy New Year by performing a deep traditional bow. Otherwise, I would wear one of Lemaire’s collarless black or brown jackets for a formal and comfortable look.

How will you be spending Lunar New Year in 2021?

Fortunately, here in Melbourne, we won’t be in a lockdown situation coming into the Lunar New Year (touch wood). This being said, following a turbulent year, it will be calm celebrations to kick off a much desirable stable and nourishing year.

What will you taking with you into the Year of the Ox, and what will you be leaving behind?

This year, for me, it will be all about taking in my experiences and shortcomings from last year and making them my strengths, train harder (fitness) and spreading good energy. In terms of achievements, if I can improve, grow and soak in my own experiences – that will be an achievement. But it will be about my brand NAMIMAN and creative projects within the brand that will continue to allow an avenue of self-expression and to continue to bring a design aesthetic to the menswear scene.  

What will you be wearing?

I usually wear brands like Camoshita, visvim; they’ll be in the mix for this Lunar New Year for sure. While I don’t have anything particular in mind, I’ll definitely dress up to some degree. “Always dress as if you have somewhere better to go after,” I say.