Meet Erin Zhang

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erin Zhang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Erin, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I have not, and probably will not ever fully overcome imposter syndrome. I think it’s okay and realistic to always have a little bit of lingering imposter syndrome. The anxiety of questioning whether or not you are capable of objective external success helps drive your internal attitude to constantly critique your own abilities to being better, which then naturally translates into an even higher standard of exception. The way I see it is, if you already are performing at an accepted and qualified standard as is, while experiencing the imposter syndrome, the anxiety you experience should automatically push you to fight harder to stay where you are. That effort in itself will naturally let you continue to grow beyond the baseline qualification standard. Instead of overcoming imposter syndrome, embrace it. Ultimately if you allow it to consume you and affect your work progression, then you will become the imposter you thought you were.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Most recently, I’ve entered the most diverse phase of my career thus far. The majority of my involvement in the fashion industry has been freelancing as a wardrobe stylist, but launching a clothing brand has involved me into another aspect of the industry. From fulfilling other people’s creative concepts, to bringing my own to life, it has definitely become a more holistic experience being here.

In my role as a wardrobe stylist, I’ve taken on many areas of the industry such as artists in music and entertainment, commercial branding, fashion lookbooks, and even personal wardrobe consultations with private clients. Because I have a design background, I typically approach much of my styling techniques with clothing construction in mind, and am very familiar with clothing manipulation to best fit my client.

However my fluid creative concept, MIND ARCHES, incorporates a more dynamic and intentional approach with clothing as it is a synthesis of uncanny yet innovative design development. My motto, “C.D.F.E.”, or “Creative Diligence for Evolution”. C.D.F.E. is a commitment to the continuous engagement of all the necessary creative input needed for progressive evolution and deliberate incorporation in all my designs within the studio.

With this creative collective, my vision is to approach clothing with an intentional perspective of usage.
When designing, I implement my styling perspective by taking into account a holistic stylization of what garments will look like when paired with other pieces of clothing. I like to incorporate design details that can be very intentional to how someone may style a garment, and try to design every piece with multi-purpose and flexible utility. I believe that clothes are not just clothing, but extensions of ourselves and can be interpreted in an unconventional way more than just covering our bodies.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Extroversion
Being extroverted or willing to put yourself out there is a characteristic that has definitely played to my advantage. It allows you to stay connected with people in a more memorable and personable sense if you are able to leave an impression with them. Especially when it comes to working with others on long projects, or repetitive teams on future works, making sure you have a good personality and vibe with others will always draw people back to you.

2. Humility
There is always room to improve and grow as a creative. Being willing to take a step back and criticize your own work is crucial for development. Always strive to bring more to the table than you did before, and set rates and boundaries accordingly to your capabilities.

3. Adobe suites
The creative industry runs on Adobe. Knowing any program will be useful for sure.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I really like the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one”, because it is a really good application in how potentially multidimensional someone could be. In this creative industry, the more skillsets you have, the better it is. Everything from photography, lighting, video, fashion, creative writing, all will eventually all intertwine in some way or another. Thus, knowing how other segments work can refine your advantages in production.

I think the most ideal strength is being able to have one exceptional skill, but acquire general understanding and mediocrity at a bunch of other supporting skills. In order to be successful and self-sustaining, it’s important to be comfortable with wearing many hats. Having your own involvement allows you to not only understand/appreciate all the skills necessary to produce something, but also develop a standard of personal preferences as well. Overall, the more you know the more it can help you in the holistic process of everything you are trying to work on.

Contact Info:

• Website: mindarches.com // erinbzhang.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/akwardrhino // instagram.com/mind.arches

Image Credits

NET WORTH LOOKBOOK
Creative Director: Me
Photographer: Brandon Moningka
Producer: Kevin Kang
Production Designer: Suzy Schofield
HMUA: Alexa Cantarini
Styling Assistant: Alyssa On
Models: Samm Contreras, Yerahm Lee, Matthew Nguyen

MARKET x EASTPAK
Junior AD: Eleanor Schiltz
Producer: Kam Casey
Photographer: Sala Johnson
Lighting/Digi Tech: Andrew Gerry
HMUA: Claire Brooke
Stylist: Me
Talent: Puno Dostres

WSS x NIKE AIR MAX DAY
Producer/Photographer: Jonnelle Monzon⁣
Videographer: Justin Villanueva⁣
Gaffer/PA: Matthew McCormick
Hair: Itzel
Makeup: Caitlin Jane Gordon
Models: Michelle Ruby “Mr. B Baby, Stephanie Aquino, Christina
Stylist: Me

ALEXIS GATES
Production: Starchild Creatives
Photographer: Rion Ezra
Photo assist: Rafael Atlas West
Stylist: Me
HMUA: Sayla Moon

ERICK THE ARCHITECT- AMBROSIA VISUALZIER
Photographer/Stylist: Me

HP Envy Move Commercial
Director: Ron Parida
Production: MINDLESS CHILD LLC
Agency: @anoncontent_lab⁣⁣⁣
Producer: Tyler-Marie Evans
⁣Talent: @haydenhishaw @rageyrage_ @reesekate @skylarjarmstrong
DP: @agerety⁣⁣⁣
Choreographer: @zoe.rappaport⁣⁣⁣
Choreographer Assistant: @iyana.monet ⁣⁣
AD: Mitch Jones⁣⁣⁣
AC: Joe Aliberto⁣⁣⁣
Key Grip: Christian Medina⁣⁣⁣
Gaffer: Jean Carlos Falcon⁣⁣⁣
BBG : Kevin T Garrand⁣⁣⁣
Stylist: Me⁣
HMUA: @dannidoesit⁣⁣⁣
HMU Assistant: @hannahjaclynmakeup⁣⁣⁣
PD: @francisss.co⁣⁣⁣
Lead man: Nate Guich⁣⁣⁣
PA: Oliver Hale, Theo Bocarra⁣⁣⁣
Editor: @thejoebarton⁣⁣⁣
Assistant Editor: Ryan Denman⁣⁣⁣

SUNDAY SCARIES PRESS
Photographer: Keegan Burkhard
Stylist: Me

BASTARDIZED LOOKBOOK
Creative Director/Producer/Designer: Me
Photographer: Elinor Kry
Gaffer: Kevin Chang
Set Director: Suzy Schofield
Set Dresser: Zoe Thomsonn
HMUA: Erin Ashley // Breeze
PA: Emily Lin // Ashley Yang
Models: Joyce Ma, Lyena Kang, Antonio LaSanta, Tyson Wong, Fan