Jenny Kang's Inspiring Pop-Prep Style
"Chinatown knickknacks."
What are your most-cherished accessories?
"A pair of vintage YSL copper/stone earrings I found in a second-hand store in Urbana, IL—they were completely oxidized & coated. It took me days to polish them down until they were clean."
Jenny scoping out some Bubble Tea.
Your friendship bracelets are infamous! How long does it take you to craft one? Where do you pick up your supplies?
"It varies on the style—anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. I once tried to enlist help by throwing a prosecco-fueled get-together, but most of that day's work went into the trash. For supplies, I pick things up here and there from Pearl Paint, M&J, Daytona trimmings, and those bead stores on Sixth Ave."
Left: Jenny wears a United Bamboo top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, J.Crew wedges. Right: "These are my parents. I love this picture. They like to go on trips with a group of their friends every year and I'm trying to figure out which one of them insisted every couple pose like this in their pictures..."
Is there anything you never leave home without?
"Besides all my technology, I normally always carry some gum. If you ask me and I say I don't have any.. I'm probably lying."
Jenny working on her friendship bracelets in a 3.1 Phillip Lim jacket, MiH blouse, 7 For All Mankind jeans.
What was growing up in Chicago like?
"My youth consisted of a lot of bike riding (in Junior High, this became roller blading), hanging out in people's basements, the Wendy's late night window.. really glamorous stuff. Our claim to fame was that we went to the Ferris Bueller High School, so when everyone got their driver's license, the first thing you did was go speeding down 'school drive' (the path Ferris and Cameron drove down after picking up Sloane). But honestly, it was great. I go back to visit now and think, "Carpet? Cars? Birds chirping?" These are luxuries I never fully appreciated until I moved to NYC, so now I fantasize of living the suburban life. Weird."
"Some supplies and stuff that's half-made.. just some things I'm tinkering with. "
You're a big foodie. What are your secret chow spots in the city?
"I wouldn't really consider myself a foodie. I just really like food! Some of my go-tos are Barrio Chino, Lovely Day, and Asiadog (try the Sidney!). Also just about anything in K-Town."
What's your go-to outfit when you've got five minutes to dress?
"A button-down shirt, cropped cuffed skinny jeans/pants, a mishmash of bracelets, and something neon. Go."
in NYC