Spend a Day with Vanessa Hong at Paris Fashion Week

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When you think of OG fashion blogs, Vanessa Hong’s The Haute Pursuit might come to mind. A decade ago, she set out to create a digital space to share creative inspiration and daily outfits. The Vancouver-raised, Paris-based creative now shares her unique looks on Instagram, be it street style fodder or daring hair and makeup. And, much like her ever-evolving style, she’s pushing herself to grow her career, too. “I’ve had so many incarnations in my life,” she explains. “Right now, I’m going through a phase where I’m redefining what I do.” For now, this includes fashion consulting and working on the second season of her podcast, Vanessa Wants to Know.

In the interim, Hong can be found in Paris serving looks and enjoying the last week of fashion month. “I think my favorite part about it is the community,” Hong says. “If you're able to find your tribe in fashion, there really is nothing comparable to that...I love fashion because it’s never the same. There's always new people trying to innovate.” We caught up on all things fashion month while she got ready, using the new Rose Inc eye collection, for a day of Paris Fashion Week shows. Below, Hong goes into detail about her fashion week wellness rituals, where she finds beauty inspiration and the shows she’s most looking forward to during Paris Fashion Week.

By Lena Herrmann

RI:
Do you have any favorite fashion month shows so far?
VH:
I did Milan Fashion Week for the first time in a few years. I was invited to my first Prada show ever — it was a really special experience. The Ferragamo show was also really amazing. There are a lot of heritage fashion brands that are now being helmed by young up-and-coming creatives. Maximilian Davis did an amazing job. I thought his interpretation of Ferragamo was really modern and on point.
RI:
Are there any Paris Fashion Week shows that you’re looking forward to?
VH:
Every year I'm always looking forward to Loewe… on so many levels it’s really an aspirational brand. I can't really think of someone else that's turned a fashion house around like [creative director] Jonathan [Anderson]. I think it's quirky. It's fun. It's kind of the cerebral, nerdy girl's fashion brand. I love that they do things like a crushed eggshell at the bottom of a heel. I’m looking forward to Miu Miu as well.

RI:
Are there any fashion trends you’re noticing this month?
VH:
I’ve always been a monochromatic kind of girl. I also love beige and black. I used to never wear all black because I thought it was too intense, but I've really started leaning into living out my goth fashion girl dream. I’m noticing a lot of designers are leaning into black and goth looks. Y2K is definitely still a thing. I think I’m also noticing designers are focusing less on women’s wear or men’s wear. Anyone can wear anything.

“If you're able to find your tribe in fashion, there really is nothing comparable to that.”

By Lena Herrmann

Vanessa Wears:

Satin & Shimmer Duet Eyeshadow in Satin Olive/Khaki Shimmer
Lash Lift Serum Mascara
Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum in 060
Softlight Luminous Hydrating Concealer in 060
Cream Blush Cheek & Lip Color in Heliotrope
Satin Lip Color Lipstick in Hypnotic

RI:
Are there beauty trends you’re noticing from the month that you’re excited about?
VH:
For sure! I think some things from the runway can be hard to translate to everyday life, but I’ve seen a lot of wet hair looks and slicked hair on the runways. Especially at Ludovic today, all the models had glistening wet hair! It almost looked like they had just taken a hot shower. I’m noticing a lot of red hair, too. And in terms of makeup, I'm seeing a whole spectrum, from really clean faces to an intense, heavy, dark eye. But there’s always dewy, glowy skin.

“I love fashion because It’s never the same. There's always new people trying to innovate.”

By Lena Herrmann

RI:
How do you typically build your fashion week looks?
VH:
For me it’s all about showing off the clothes. I feel if I'm given the privilege to wear the designer to the show, that has to be the story and around it I can build something. But if the look is very simple, I will lean into having a more showy hair look. Or if I have a loud outfit, maybe I’m more subtle with my hair and makeup. I typically do more makeup looks when I go out for the evening. But during the day for shows, I love a good pair of sunglasses. It immediately makes things look more edgy, classic and cool.

“Something I’m learning is that being fully balanced all the time is not necessarily possible, but it’s not something we need to be hard on ourselves about.”

RI:
How do you stay balanced throughout fashion month?
VH:
Something I’m learning is that being fully balanced all the time is not necessarily possible, but it’s not something we need to be hard on ourselves about. But I try my best. I love to burn incense at night. I try to do some sort of meditative practice, if not every day, every other day or when I have a moment. Drinking water is very important. Making sure I have snacks and the things that make me feel good. Last night I also did an infrared sauna because I just really needed to be alone and in a place where I’m forced to not be on my phone. It feels good to zone out and sweat.

My mentor, Phillip Lim once told me, "We live in a world where we treat humans as if we are machines." We're not machines. We're not meant to be working 24 hours seven days a week, and when you force yourself to work at that capacity, you get very ill very quickly.

“I’m also noticing designers are focusing less on women’s wear or men’s wear. Anyone can wear anything.”

By Lena Herrmann

RI:
You do a lot of great, bold beauty looks. Do you have a favorite one you’ve done?
VH:
I think maybe a [look I wore to a] Peter Do [show]. I had 150 clips put in my hair. And I actually got the inspiration when I saw the beauty look at a Private Policy runway show. She had all of her models come out with super slick, wet hair and they all had hundreds of pins, almost like a helmet around the head and so I recreated it for my Peter Do look last year and it went super viral.

“...in terms of makeup, I'm seeing a whole spectrum…But there’s always dewy, glowy skin.”

Get Fashion Week Ready With Vanessa Hong

OG fashion blogger Vanessa Hong's favorite part of fashion month is that "there’s always new people trying to innovate.” To carry her through the busy month, she enjoys meditations, sauna sessions and a sensuous playlist.