Lunar New Year

This Lunar New Year, Timid celebrated Asian identity, heritage, and artistry with a fashion story created by an all-Asian team—models, stylists, photographers, and brands. As we welcomed the Year of the Snake with the talents and creatives behind this story, we reflected on the traditions that shaped us and the futures we are creating.

Lunar New Year is more than a date on the calendar; it is a deep-rooted tradition, with red envelopes exchanged, the warm gathering of family over a table filled with home-cooked dishes, and the late-night clacking of mahjong tiles.

For Taiwanese American fashion stylist Benjamin Holtrop, the celebration of Lunar New Year was something he had to discover for himself. Adopted at the age of two and raised in a predominantly white household, food became a meaningful connection through Chinese restaurants. “I vividly remember sitting at banquet tables, coloring the paper placemats adorned with the animals of the Chinese zodiac.” These memorable experiences from his childhood became his touchstones to his cultural identity. Now, honoring that heritage is more intentional as he chooses to celebrate with his chosen family.

Photographer Jason Wang, also Taiwanese American, shared that the holiday is about friends and family across generations coming together for a dinner and keeping traditions alive.

Korean American model Aaron Lee’s childhood celebrations were filled with family games and home-cooked dishes, with his mother’s rice cake soup remaining his favorite. He recalled the tradition of young kids bowing before elders—knees to the floor—in exchange for red envelopes as a sign of respect. Even now, the heart of the holiday remains the same: spending time together and sharing food with loved ones.

Catherine Pham, a Vietnamese Chinese American model, remembers the energy of her family’s celebrations. The night wasn’t complete without gambling—bầu cua cá cọp, a dice game of chance and laughter, was a yearly staple. Pham is also a believer in superstitions: no sweeping, no hair washing on the first day, and no cutting of anything that could bring bad luck.

For Chinese American model and writer Lucy Yang, Lunar New Year is about the larger cultural experience—watching Chun Wan, the annual Spring Festival show, with relatives and the living room filled with the hum of comedy skits and musical performances. With family in both China and the US, it is a night celebrated across time zones.

For Mongolian American nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, Lunar New Year is all about new beginnings and family. “It’s the biggest holiday in Mongolia, all about gathering with loved ones and starting fresh,” she shared. One of the most cherished traditions is making dumplings from scratch, a bonding moment where the family comes together in preparation for the holiday meal.

Lunar New Year is not just about honoring the past. It is also about setting intentions for the future. Holtrop wants his legacy to be one of kindness and creativity, and uses his platform as an AAPI artist to carve space for diverse voices. “For me, art is not just about creating visually striking pieces, he said. “It’s about weaving narratives that reflect the richness of culture and the universal emotions we all share.” His hope is to leave behind work that reminds everyone that beauty can be found in every corner of life and that kindness has the power to create lasting, positive change.

Like Holtrop, it is important to Wang that the work he leaves behind is rooted in generosity and patience. Photography, to him, is more than just images, but also a personal archive. It is a reflection of the world through his lens, a way of preserving moments that might otherwise fade.

For both Lee and Pham, legacy is about breaking expectations. Lee grew up surrounded by doctors in his family, but he knew early on that the same path wasn’t for him. Choosing modeling was his way of forging a different route. He believes that passion and not obligation should guide one’s choices. Pham shares that sentiment, wanting to disrupt the weight of traditional expectations that so many Asian families carry. She aims to empower Asian Americans to pursue the arts, or any path outside of the careers set before them.

Ganzorigt hopes her own journey can inspire others. Having moved to the US at the age of 25 to establish herself in the industry, she said, “I worked really hard to get to where I am today, and I hope my journey encourages others to do the same.”

Yang envisions her legacy in the pages of a book—not simply a retelling of her own life, but a reflection on culture, relationships, and personal growth. To her, writing is about creating a space where others can see themselves and know they are not alone.

When it comes to setting intentions, each of them carries something with them. Holtrop values the importance of practicing kindness, listening with intention, and taking action; Lee reminds himself that not everything is worth carrying—only the important things; Wang believes in patience, gratitude, and perseverance; Pham lives by the idea that waiting for the “right time” is just an excuse, so the best time to start is always now; Yang believes in honing a skill until mastery; and finally, Ganzorigt holds firm to the belief that hard work always pays off, even when the journey gets tough. “Not every day is bright, but staying true to yourself and pushing forward will lead you to where you need to be,” she said.

While their experiences and traditions may differ, these creatives share a common thread: a deep appreciation for their heritage, a commitment to their craft, and a hope for a future where they can continue to uplift their communities. And on that shared thread, the true spirit of Lunar New Year shines brightly.