Can I tell you...about Nikki Huang.
Rafe Totengco
Nikki Huang at home in Manila with her Nikki Vanity Case.
I met Nikki Huang a few years ago in Manila whilst having dinner with her parents, Anton and Nina, who are friends. At the time, she was taking a gap year before starting college and had joined her family’s retail empire to learn the ropes and get some real life work experience. I was impressed at how vibrant, curious and present she was all through-out our dinner. We subsequently followed each other on social media, as one does these days, and virtually stayed in touch. During that time she also started writing a column for Manila Bulletin, a national newspaper. Her topics ranged from life lessons, make up and fashion, women’s issues to profiling female role models. She eventually went to Boston University and is currently doing a double major in sociology and international relations / political science. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck worldwide Nikki flew back to the Philippines to be with her family.
The Nikki Vanity Case is inspired by her strength of character, individuality and innate style. The structured Hexagon silhouette takes its cues from the vanity cases women used to wear in in the 1950s. It has a built in mirror for those quick make up checks and is capacious enough to fit a modern woman’s essentials for a night on the town.
I asked Nikki a few questions that might reveal a little more about her than meets the eye.
What is your idea of happiness?
It means understanding my purpose, my passions, and the intersection between those two things. It means having people, places, and ideas to live for, and values to live by.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Perhaps expectedly, I spend the most on fashion. I also love jewelry, and my appreciation for jewelry both as fashion and investment pieces grows by the day. I’d say self care is right up there in terms of my extravagances too, as is travel. I love fine food, as well...just anything or any experience created with intent and attention to detail I am so fortunate that my parents are able and willing to support my journey with the best possible resources, and one of my biggest personal goals is to be able to one day be able to financially support the lifestyle I want to live.
Nikki with her Nikki Vanity Case in New York. photo by Selwyn Tungol
Whose style do you most admire?
When I was beginning in fashion, I admired a lot of the bloggers I saw online. Now, as I discover more about who I am and who I want to be in the fashion world and beyond it, I admire Kate Middleton, Amal Clooney, Princess Diana, Grace Kelly. I value their timeless elegance. The same goes for my fashion idols from the East - both Gemma Chan in real life and her onscreen character, Astrid, are major fashion - and life- inspiration. I admire what these women embody, not just how they dress. My search for fashion inspiration has definitely grown over time. Instead of looking for people whose outfits I admire, I look for those whose life, values, and attitude I believe in.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I feel like I’ve been fortunate enough to have experiences that have resulted in a pretty colourful resume-and life story- for someone my age. Of and for that, I’m proud and grateful. At the same time, I don’t think any of the things I’ve done that look good on paper are what I’d consider my greatest achievement. I think, to date, my greatest achievement is how I balanced receiving top marks in a sociology seminar at Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences with attending NYFW on the weekends. I remember it was a time where I ran on very little sleep! I would do my readings in the car between Boston and New York, and in between shoots and shows. I managed to score highly in class and have a pretty successful first NYFW...of this, I am very proud because it was a time where I was able to juggle all my responsibilities even when it seemed impossible. From that experience, I learned just how important it is to me to be able to do it all-or try! Something else that comes to mind is that I am extremely proud of how I have been able to develop and connect with my inner truth over time. Because I continually make it a priority to listen to myself, follow to my gut, but also consider and prioritize the opinions of my loved ones, I am happy to say that I am on a life path that feels exactly right. I feel like I live with so much purpose and direction; it is something I am equal parts proud of and grateful for every day.
What is your favorite writer?
I’d like to cite James Joyce, Michel Foucault, and Kevin Kwan as the first ones that come to mind, all for various reasons.
Which living person do you most admire?
I don’t idolize anyone. I never have, and I don’t think I ever will. I think I am too focused on who I am and who I want to be to idolize someone else’s life, and it’s something that has served me well. I always remind my sister, too, that she can look up to people but that she should never strive to “be” like anyone. Instead, I think it is more productive and more fulfilling to focus on being the best version of yourself, such that you are growing every day.
Where is your dream destination?
I definitely want to go back to Italy or Greece. I love the undeniable chicness and style in Milan, the hospitality of Greece, the appreciation for art, food, and life well lived in both places.
What is your motto?
“I don’t feel that it is necessary to know exactly who I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning” - Michel Foucault.
Nikki Huang in New York. photo by Selwyn Tungol
