Brutal Magazine

In 2014, a friend and I set out to produce something we thought the world was severely lacking: a magazine that played with the fine line between the beautiful and the weird, that could bringing together talents from numerous creative industries. In Brutal Magazine, we created a world for these folks to produce visceral, tongue-in-cheek food and style stories, pushing up against the idea that food as well as fashion has to be precious or perfect.

As co-founder, I defined the voice of the magazine. I connected my friends in the food world—writers, chefs, and stylists—to my partners’ friends in the fashion world. Once we chose a theme, my partner and I developed every story together, making sure each page of the issues teemed with life.

WINE TIME

If there’s anything 2020 has taught us, it’s that time is valuable. Launched in October 2020 but 5 years in the making, WINE TIME was a 5pm ritual turned anytime mantra between two faraway friends, closing the distance between hours, cities, and life.

Building brand identity with my dear friend Stephanie Tam was a dream. Leaning into the lo-fi, crafty, and resourceful atmosphere the pandemic has birthed, we launched WINE TIME exclusively on Instagram, selling our first piece: a simple white cap you can wear anywhere. We were honored to have our passion project go toward a bigger purpose, with all proceeds from the caps going to Open Wine Forum—an organization focused on education, training, and mentorship for BIPOC and LGBTQ folks in the hospitality and beverage industry.