Angela Pham // Photographer, Billy Farrell Agency

Angela's selections 1. Gilly Hicks underwear 2. Alexis Holiday 2013 3. Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid lipstick 4. Nars bronzer 5. Stila Stay All Day liquid eyeliner 6. The Perfect Panna Cotta recipe

In high school, my search for an identity is best encapsulated through my myriad of changing hairstyles. I experimented with angular bangs, neon colors, and finally settled in senior year for the most audacious look of all: a faux hawk. I had hair that length-ed down my whole back, so essentially the whole top of my head had been mowed.

I admittedly gleaned this look off of Tila Tequila, as this was 2006, and Ms Tequila reigned Myspace, but I still felt wildly individualistic. Now people could look at me and just automatically perceive I was "alternative" and maybe even perhaps "did drugs/drank" (although I certainly did not), and that was the most important thing, what other people thought. I went to a magnet high school with lots of studious asians aiming for Harvard, and I wanted every facet of my being to scream "I'M NOT LIKE YOU!", even though, like them, I religiously obsessed about my GPA and spent weekends studying for my SATs.

The realities of having a mohawk were really prosaic. I had to devise different ways to keep my hair erect: hair glue, super strong hair spray, waxes. At 16, I was working at a pizza shop, making the pizzas, but I was always touching my mohawk to ensure its structural integrity, and that was definitely unappetizing for patrons to witness. By the time college began and I moved to New York, I had given up on being drastic and let my hair grow out. I haven't changed my hairstyle ever since then and am pretty content with looking boring. - @phamgela

Jessica Mau // Model, Ford LA

Jessica wears Acne leather jacket

Maybe it’s the tomboy in me, but I’ve always wanted a black leather jacket. I love the ease of throwing on a classic jacket over jeans and a t-shirt for a complete look. It’s almost been a uniform for me lately. Really, it’s all I ever wear. Just jeans, a cotton tee and a pair of flats… done. I guess in the end I just wanted to look like Marlon Brando in the Wild Ones.

 When I started looking for the perfect leather jacket I knew I wanted something that would age well, something made out of quality leather that I would wear for years to come. And since a good leather jacket is kind of an investment, I knew I had to get the right one. I searched and searched online then finally narrowed it down to either a Theyskins’ Theory, Madewell, or Acne jacket. They were all great options but I ultimately decided on the Acne ‘Mape’ jacket because of its classic cut (not too long, not too short) and buttery soft lambskin leather. I love it! And now I will never need a black leather jacket again. - @jmaumau

Lulu Chang // Founder & Creative Director, Show Me Everything

Lulu wears Margiela bodysuit and Current Elliott jeans

What is sexy?

 The realization that I had a different definition of what is sexy came when the Director of Advertising for one of the world’s largest, most iconic brands deemed my style “too intellectual” to fit in with their sexy image. I swear, I wasn’t wearing any Margiela that day!

 But as someone who considers themselves a creative, rather than a model, it was difficult for me to accept. Even designer Phoebe Philo vamped it up for the cover of The Face. Because, after all, fashion can expand beyond our personal style. And if Phoebe is any indication, the eyes have it.

 I guess I’m a fan of sub-text. Since I moved to Los Angeles, about a year and a half ago, my general impression of sexy girls in LA has been that there is none. To show skin is to show skin. If you’ve got massive tits, flaunt ‘em. That doesn’t seem too fun to me. I mean… who doesn’t like a good chase?

 My favorite sexy piece of clothing is a nude bodysuit (YES! BY MARGIELA!). The material is spectacular because it molds to your body hiding all of your imperfections. The result is similar to real life air brushing. I like to wear this underneath boyish jackets or loose fit jeans. It looks like you’re wearing nothing at all except you’re actually completely covered and incredibly warm. It’s the tension the suit creates and the ease in which you wear it that oozes sex appeal. See? Intelligence is kind of hot. - @_luluchang

Nicki Wong // Copy Writer, Nasty Gal

Top: Nicki wears Hudson jeans from Satine and her mom's sweater
Bottom: Nicki wears Hudson jeans from Satine and her own vintage top

Unlike other relationships in my life, my relationship with denim has been unwavering. I remember times when it was all I ever wore. I used to have a stack of Lee's denim shorts, and eventually graduated to a pair of Bongos. In the 6th grade, all the popular girls started getting into flares, which were essentially low-rise bell bottoms, and the skaters wore saggy, ultra wide-legged JNCOs. I remember thinking "pants" were synonymous with "jeans" because nobody ever wore anything else, except for the occasional khaki. 

My mom tried to get me into skirts and dresses and I remember a particular occasion when she took me to the mall and absolutely insisted on buying me a hideous dress that I swore to her I'd never wear. It had a black velvet bodice, with cap sleeves, and a long metallic green organza skirt--worst of all, there was, of course, a giant bow sash to be tied around the waist. I'm not sure why she insisted on buying it for me, as there was no particular formal occasion in mind, most likely there was a sale and it was during one of our classic pre-teen mother-daughter power struggles. True to my word, the ugly green dress hung in the back of my closet for years. I think we eventually gave it away, my having outgrown it by half a decade, and when we did, I'm pretty sure I gave my poor mother a "See? I told you so!" face as I pranced to the Goodwill in my skinny jeans. 

Second hand shopping was a whole other point of contention. Luckily, my mother never complained about me borrowing her clothes and I have her to thank for my interest in style and fashion, as well as my innate sense of stubbornness and independence! I love you, mom! - @nickiwong