A Celebration of Women: 3 Female Creatives on Feeling Empowered, Loving the Process & Telling Authentic Stories

A Celebration of Women: 3 Female Creatives on Feeling Empowered, Loving the Process & Telling Authentic Stories

By Zarah Cheng

Although we would like to provide a gentle reminder that women should indeed be celebrated every single day, International Women’s Day is of great import not only because of its focused commemoration of women but because of the rich history that the day is steeped in. March 8 is significant because of what it represents within the women’s rights movement – it pays tribute to the thousands of women who stood up for gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Although there is still much change that needs to be made, IWD remembers the women who paved the way for small, women-owned businesses like LANG. The day pays tribute to a brave legion of women who understood the disparity in gender, stood up for what they believed in, and allowed our generation to accomplish feats that would have been unheard of for women at the time. 


In celebration of International Women’s Day today, we are featuring three women in our community who have broken barriers, followed their guts, and shared their visions with the world in new and daring ways – Heather Wong, chef and founder of Flouring LA Cake Shop; Rosanna Peng, a film director; and Punodostres, founder of ilovecreatives Design Agency. Despite being from three different industries, we see much overlap in the way that they approach their craft and how they celebrate creativity and individuality. As we chat with each creator and learn more about how they are able to bring their visions to life, we take a candid look at how womanhood is celebrated everyday in both obvious and nuanced ways.

 

Heather Wong, Chef & Founder of Flouring LA

 

Chef Heather Wong is the chef and owner of Flouring Cake Shop, a Los Angeles dessert haven that also happens to be our neighbor at our Chinatown boutique. Having already established a loyal following on social media prior to the grand opening of her brick-and-mortar location, Heather is known for her unique take on nostalgic treats. Her delectable creations include botanical, minimalist-designed cakes and desserts with locally sourced ingredients. From the moment that our team tried Flouring’s Assorted Cake Bar Box (I still think about the Ube Coconut cake sometimes), we knew that we would be going back for more. Existing at the intersection of tradition and innovation, Flouring is a sweet experience with soul and epitomizes the diversity of creativity in its purest form.

 

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

 

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American


  

How do you celebrate women through your work?

If I'm celebrating women through what I do, it is less a consciously motivated action and more of an everyday, everyway, everything I think and do sort of action. Meaning, I seek to work with women, I want to encourage them to take ownership of their position, their tasks, their skills, I want to celebrate them and their talents publicly and not make their wins about me. I value giving public credit to the women who inspire my work, as well as the women who work with me to help execute my culinary vision. We're a collective and no one does everything by themselves.

 

When do you feel the most empowered? How do you instill that sense of empowerment in other women and girls? 

 

In the context of leadership, I definitely feel most empowered when I witness my team working together, flowing together, laughing together and problem solving together. There's nothing more gratifying for me than to see my team kicking ass and having the best time doing it. My favorite thing is to affirm each team member of their strengths and remind them of how or why I know they'll succeed. For me, it's imperative to lead my team by being an example they can respect. Showing up, being that leading example, and affirming other women is how I know empowerment is instilled.

What is advice you would give to a younger version of yourself? 

 

It gets better! Who you are is not what you do. Punctuality is a form of respect, so don't make people wait on you. Advocate harder, louder, and more confidently for yourself. Have the confidence of a mediocre middle aged man, and just ask for what you feel you deserve, which is at least as much as them.

 

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

 

 

Rosanna Peng, Film Director

 

Having worked in the commercial film industry for nearly a decade, Rosanna is a self-taught film director known for her unique balance of both strength and tenderness. In her own words, “Her favorite projects leave you feeling empowered and a little more sensitive at the same time.” When you watch Rosanna’s work, there is a clear understanding of the human fabric and being able to portray vulnerability in its truest form as a conduit for power. Working across an array of various categories such as beauty, sports, lifestyle and fashion, Rosanna uses her distinct voice to tell stories that resonate with an audience in a very real way.

 

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

Having worked in the commercial film industry for nearly a decade, Rosanna is a self-taught film director known for her unique balance of both strength and tenderness. In her own words, “Her favorite projects leave you feeling empowered and a little more sensitive at the same time.” When you watch Rosanna’s work, there is a clear understanding of the human fabric and being able to portray vulnerability in its truest form as a conduit for power. Working across an array of various categories such as beauty, sports, lifestyle and fashion, Rosanna uses her distinct voice to tell stories that resonate with an audience in a very real way.

Rosanna wears the Find Me Now Harmony Skirt.

 

How do you celebrate women through your work? 

 

My favorite subjects are typically women. They’re unapologetically both resilient and vulnerable. By capturing women in their most authentic and empowering state, I’m celebrating their story by documenting them in that particular time in their lives. There’s so much ups and downs in life that slowing down to acknowledge the beauty in the present within someone’s story is incredibly meaningful work.

 

When do you feel the most empowered? How do you instill that sense of empowerment in other women and girls? 

 

When I’m creating, that’s when I feel the most empowered. The process of collaborating with new people is both humbling and inspiring. I hope to empower other women and girls by continuing to create from an authentic place and also to be able to work with more women and girls within my field.

 

What is advice you would give to a younger version of yourself?

 

To own and embrace whatever stage of personal or professional life that I’m in. Despite however lost I may feel in that period, it’s powerful to accept that stage as a temporary experience. In the past I spent a lot of energy wishing for successes or growth to come quicker which usually stemmed from comparing myself to others and wanting those accolades for myself. I would give this advice to my younger self but also remind my current self that everyone is on their own path and journey and there are values and lessons no matter what stage you're in.

 

Having worked in the commercial film industry for nearly a decade, Rosanna is a self-taught film director known for her unique balance of both strength and tenderness. In her own words, “Her favorite projects leave you feeling empowered and a little more sensitive at the same time.” When you watch Rosanna’s work, there is a clear understanding of the human fabric and being able to portray vulnerability in its truest form as a conduit for power. Working across an array of various categories such as beauty, sports, lifestyle and fashion, Rosanna uses her distinct voice to tell stories that resonate with an audience in a very real way.

Having worked in the commercial film industry for nearly a decade, Rosanna is a self-taught film director known for her unique balance of both strength and tenderness. In her own words, “Her favorite projects leave you feeling empowered and a little more sensitive at the same time.” When you watch Rosanna’s work, there is a clear understanding of the human fabric and being able to portray vulnerability in its truest form as a conduit for power. Working across an array of various categories such as beauty, sports, lifestyle and fashion, Rosanna uses her distinct voice to tell stories that resonate with an audience in a very real way.

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

 

 

Puno Dostres, Founder of ilovecreatives Design Agency & Content Creator

 

Known for her quirky sense of humor and vibrant personality, Punodostres is a multi-hyphenate who is making the Internet a happier place, one image at a time. From being photographed in matching outfits with her cat, Muad’Dib (yes, this is a Dune reference), to taking dim sum-themed pregnancy photos, Punodostres is unafraid to pursue the unexpected and will always prioritize authenticity above anything else. Through her design agency, ilovecreatives, which also provides resources and education to fellow multi-disciplinaries, the LA-based native is looking to build a community that celebrates creatives who are always driven to learn more and do more.

 

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

T-Shirt: Geel Softie Tee
Hat: LANG x Victoria Cap 
Long-Sleeve: DAWANG Ju Cutout Long Sleeve Knit Top

 

How do you celebrate women through your work? 

 

By being honest and embracing real stories.

When do you feel the most empowered? How do you instill that sense of empowerment in other women and girls? 

 

I'm super grateful to be surrounded by women in our community and our team. I love being in a position to show someone their potential by giving them opportunities to show it.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?

 


Girl, you probably still won't believe this, but you're gonna have two kids. Ha! 

 

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American

International women’s day iwd lang film director chef content creator strong women lang asian American 

Portfolio images courtesy of ilovecreatives.studio.