Big Fish | The Preparation
“My wish for you is to be a fish in the ocean, not this little pond,” my father said when he allowed me to leave our country.
As time passed, I somehow lost sight of my father’s profound wish for me.Living as a foreigner in this unfamiliar country, I often find myself engulfed by feelings of loneliness and disorientation. The cultural differences, the language barrier, everything seems so overwhelming at times. Consequently, I sometimes feel uncomfortable flaunting traditional items like the ao dai outside, fearing the attention it might draw. I hesitate, not wanting to attract curious stares or answer questions like “where are you from? What is this peculiar attire you’re wearing?”
Although the story I just shared took place a considerable time ago, I believe that many individuals may resonate with the feelings I experienced back then - the fear of revealing their true selves, primarily due to the seemingly insurmountable societal standards. This gallery, which is split into two parts (with the first part right here!), serves as a powerful testament to the concept of cultural freedom. I hope those that share the same experience may find comfort in watching this, even just a little bit. In addition, I chose a vintage / film look for a warmer and cozy tone for the first part for the nostalgia.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Gena & Jade for their tremendous support. Without them, this gallery might never have become a reality. Special thanks to Miyako for assisting with the kimono dress-up, and to all my friends for making this photoshoot a fun and silly day, as always.
By the way, the song used is called 大鱼 performed by Zhou Shen
( it’s a real good song lol)
Headpiece @suzuran_kanzashi
Earrings @mika_washi
