This is a picture of my grandmother, my inspiration, Amy Wang. Taken in Shanghai in the late 1930's, my grandmother was a Shanghai society girl as well a as fashion designer. In this photo above she used the photographer's cigarette for effect (she didn't smoke). She was beautiful and I would like to think that I got my artistic/design sense from her. Weirdly enough, I have her hands. All the clothes she wore, she designed and made herself. She also made matching clothes for her sisters. They were the talk of the town in Shanghai back then. I love the whole era of the 30's and 40's and she really epitomized the time with her life and these pictures. My grandmother died of tuberculosis at 33 (my age now) so I never got to know her. But I feel like I do from all her photographs and stories from my dad. To me, she is my inspiration. (So I have added a new category here for that.) I hope these photos can inspire you from an era and time long gone by but magical nonetheless.
I love this photo of her. There's a signature on the back that says "This is the girl I will always remember. Pat"
I always wondered who Pat was. My dad has no idea either. We figured probably one of her photographer friends.
I love the wide suit lapel.
My grandmother was a trendsetter and like Katherine Hepburn started wearing pants all around Shanghai.
Here's a photo of my grandma (left) with her sister in one of their matching outfits.
My grandma and her brother, Reginald who went by "Reggie". Gotta love that.
My grandma here with my dad!! Le petit marin! Anchors away!
