NEW HOLLYWOOD

Hapa Mag - February 12, 2020

A photo series by Hapa Mag Creative Director, Lauren Nakao Winn

 

“The idea for this photo series originated from two concepts — the lack of Asian representation in the Golden Age of Hollywood (save for Anna May Wong) and the still present difficulty my mixed Asian friends experience with casting in the entertainment industry.

I am a lover of pop culture and enjoy incorporating period-specific aesthetics within my work. Specifically, I love recreating, while adding a modern element. The result is almost an optical illusion: you end up looking at something uncanny — unquestionably of that time period — but there’s something new. It creates a sort of loop, with focus shifting from both ends of the cultural spectrum.

For this project, I recreated the style of portraiture for Hollywood icons like Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and more. It satisfies the 100-year-long deficit of portraits for Asian American actors in the classic Hollywood presentation. While our presence was scarcely an element in Old Hollywood, this is our way of announcing: This is NEW Hollywood.”

Creative Direction & Photography: Lauren Nakao Winn

@laurennakaowinn, www.laurennakaowinn.com

Hair & Makeup: Monique Rinard 

@monique_marquerite, www.moniquemarqueritemua.com

Casting: Lauren Nakao Winn, Alex Chester, Sam Tanabe

 
An image reminiscent of the title screen of silent films. White text says "The Hapa Mag Presents: New Hollywood." A black and white city skyline is faded out behind the text
 
A black and white photo of a mixed Asian woman smiles softly and gazes away from the camera. Her hair and makeup is done like an actress from the golden age of Hollywood. She is wearing a sequined v-line dress exposing her collarbone and shoulders

ALEX

Alex Chester is a multi-hyphenate. Her professional credits include television, Broadway, national commercials, and sketch comedy. She is a community builder and an advocate for POC in the entertainment industry.

@ALEXFCHESTER

WWW.ALEXCHESTER.COM

A black and white photo of a mixed Asian man with slicked back hair in the distance away from the camera. he is wearing a suit and tie with a black background behind him

SAM

Sam Tanabe is an actor, singer, dancer from South Florida. He has performed on Broadway and in theatres across the country. He resides in New York City. As a performer, Sam frequently facilitates conversations on the role of race in casting, storytelling, and artistic expression.

@TANABLEMS

WWW.SAMTANABE.COM

A mixed Asian man looks up away from the camera. His short platinum blonde hair is pushed back, and is wearing a suit and bowtie. The photo is in black and white

WILLIAM

William Noguchi is an NYC-based stylist, art director, and socialite. He began his metropolitan journey as a production and lighting designer but rose to fame during his time working with legendary New York personality, Patricia Field.

@THESASSYZEBRA

WWW.WILLIAMNOGUCHI.COM

A black and white photograph of a mixed Asian woman looking off into the distance. Her hair and makeup is styled like an old Hollywood actress. She wears a pearl earring that glistens in the light, and wears a sparkly v-line dress

STEPHANIE

Stephanie Mieko Cohen is a Los Angeles native Yonsei who made her way to New York City. Performing since the age of 5, Stephanie has appeared on Broadway, in national tours, regional theatre, television, film, and done voiceover. She is a certified Vinyasa yoga instructor and an advocate for mental health awareness, equality, and spreading kindness.

@STECOHEN

WWW.STEPHANIEMIEKOCOHEN.COM

A black and white photo of a mixed Asian man softly smiles at the camera. The light glimmers off of his dark eyes. He has short dark hair and is wearing a sharp-collared suit and tie. He removes a pair of glasses from his face

TROY

Troy Iwata is an actor, singer, and writer. He enjoys embracing his “in between“ looks and experiences to tell untold stories from less heard voices. Troy’s work spans from the Broadway stage to the small screen.

@MRTROYIWATA

WWW.TROYIWATA.COM

A black and white photo of a mixed Asian woman softly smiles and looks at the camera. The light reflects off of her eyes and sparkly hair clip. Her hair, makeup, and clothing are reminiscent of old Hollywood stars

CAROL

Carol Angeli is a proud Filipina American, born in Manila & raised in New Jersey. She was last seen in the revival of Miss Saigon on Broadway (OBC). Amongst her life-changing credits are: Here Lies Love (The Public), Mary Poppins (First National Tour), Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Miss Saigon, South Pacific & more. Her biggest honor is being a mom to her beautiful son, Leo London.

@CAROLANGELILI

A black and white photo of a mixed Asian man smiles while looking away from the camera. The light glimmers off of his eyes. He is wearing a fedora and suit and tie

GEN

Gen Parton-Shin is a Japanese British actor who has starred in multiple original Japanese cast productions of Broadway musicals. He is a featured actor, model, and host. Gen is currently the main presenter of TV JAPAN CLUB, a U.S. based Japanese cable company owned by Japan's national broadcasting corporation, NHK.

@GENPARTONSHIN

WWW.GENPARTONSHIN.COM

A black and white photo of a mixed Asian woman smiling while looking away from the camera. The light glimmers off of her eyes and pear necklaces. Her dress, hair and makeup is done reminiscent of old Hollywood stars

HANA

Hana Bookman is an actor, dancer, singer, and creator originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. Her international background is rooted in her storytelling as she spent her teenage years growing up in Tokyo, Japan. Hana passionately connects her work with various stories that resonate universally.

@HANABKMN

WWW.HANABOOKMAN.COM

 
 
A mixed Asian woman looks down at the ground with her hands by her chest. Her long black hair billows down her shoulder. She is wearing a black sparkly top. She is standing against a white background

Lauren Winn is a pop culture whackjob who works in fashion. She is a sucker for genre-meshed aesthetics, a textbook workaholic, a bona-fide digital media queen, and the sum of many rotating hyperfixations. If you want to get on her good side greet her with a Lacroix or follow her on insta @laurennakaowinn.