Meet The Panda Wears Prada: A First Look
Editors note: Since publishing, The Panda Wears Prada is no longer in business. All links to The Panda Wears Prada have been removed but the remainder of the post was left as written. -DS
Gird your loins — there’s a new B in town. And while this one isn’t a fictional fifty-something in a 2006 dramedy; he does share something in common with Ms. Priestley — a penchant for Prada.
Billy Tsang, the creative behind the newly launched lifestyle blog, The Panda Wears Prada, grew up chasing his mother around Milan, Paris, Düsseldorf, and a laundry list of other trés chic European stops on bi-annual buying trips for her Seattle-based boutique. It was on these trips that he first fell in love with Europe, recalling the magic he felt while riding a merry-go-round during Christmastime in Paris. But it was also on one of these trips, in his early teens, that he realized there was something even bigger at play.
To most, clothes are, well, clothes — a necessity to keep you covered and protected from the elements. But to some, clothing becomes an extension of one’s personality, a sense of expression, some would even say armor. Learning this at a young age, Billy began to experiment with different styles and used clothing as a growth tool, rather than a way to hide his insecurities. He quickly realized, likely plucked from the European way of thinking, that in all things (and especially in fashion) it doesn’t matter if you’re on-trend, or not. Style is about confidence; and that often comes from carving that path for yourself, and frankly, not giving a damn.
He began work on TPWP in January 2020, with a focus on an elevated customer experience through storytelling. Even with a clear passion and spot-on recommendations for luxe goods and boundless travel, the style section is the star of his blog. When asked what he felt was missing in the already crowded blogosphere, Billy shared his desire for bloggers to dive deeper, saying, “Sure, we can talk about what’s on-trend, or what’s not, what people are buying, and how to style a certain piece, but because fashion is so personal, we have a bigger opportunity, as creatives, to be vulnerable — to share what intimidates or scares us about style, what gives us goosebumps, what our personal experiences are with breaking rules, societal norms, or experimenting with fluidity. As a consumer, that’s what I want to read. That’s what’s missing from all these blogs, and that’s what I’m here to share.”
While new to the scene, Billy already has big plans for TPWP. In discussing his goals and how he defines success, Billy’s tone stayed true to his focus on the customer experience.
“Of course, any writer wants readership — to see a large following,” he says, “but to me, success comes in the form of a dialogue with someone that felt compelled to reach out. Maybe I introduced them to a new designer, maybe a post made them feel better brightened their day, or encouraged them to try something new or feel more confident. I think that’s when I’ll feel like I’ve succeeded.”
Given our current situation, we also discussed the future state of fashion, and his outlook was fairly positive. Like most of us, Billy’s in need of a good haul, but foresees a whole new landscape when the world is right-side up again. “Until we can shop again, touch fabrics, and see — in detail — all the little things on a garment for ourselves, I’ll continue to push the boundaries of the fashion blog experience, and provide recommendations, tips, first looks, and stories on TPWP to help others like me get their fix.”
And what better time than now to experiment with something new, bold, or outside of your comfort zone? While ordering clothes online isn’t always the easiest, share your haul with friends — host a Zoom Happy Hour or fashion show to show off (or test the waters), or post an unboxing video and first look at your story. We can all use a little extra sizzle and sparkle this summer season, so why not start by elevating our style game with Billy’s 5 Style Tips for Summer — out this Friday.
Confidence for summer? Groundbreaking.
7 Questions for The Panda Wears Prada About the Launch (& Beyond)
TPWP launched just three short weeks ago and has already become a destination for thousands of visitors. Billy’s been busy publishing more than a handful of new blogs since launch, bringing people fresh perspectives, more city guides, and exclusive one-on-one interviews. Luckily for us all, I had the chance to catch up with him to discuss the whirlwind since the blog’s launch. Here’s what he had to say:
How does it feel to have the blog (finally) in the world?
It feels good! I'm looking forward to seeing where things go from here.
What’s the initial response to the site been?
The initial response has been better than I anticipated. I didn't think that I'd be able to hit my first month's metrics milestone but I'm on track to surpass it, which is exciting.
What’s been your most popular blog post; and why do you think that is?
Right now, the two most popular blog posts have been my Black Fashion Girls You Need to Follow on Instagram and 16 Black Guys Who Are Changing The Game in Their Respective Industries. I think more than ever we need to make Black voices visible and give them the light that they’ve so long deserved. The responses to the two posts were really good, with many of the influencers reaching out and thanking me.
Has there been an unexpected moment, thought, or feeling that’s come up since launching?
I think with any business or brand launch, there comes a certain set of expectations that you set for yourself. I'm both a perfectionist and someone who lacks patience, so I think it's more so letting things grow and not taking things too seriously.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned thus far in this process?
The biggest lesson I've learned so far is to relax and let things come naturally.
How has the blog helped maintain your mental health during quarantine?
The blog was always something that had been on my mind, even pre-covid. It was actually really good timing, which really helped me get my ducks in a row and get it out there. It's definitely been a huge driver in supporting my mental health during quarantine. I've been able to self-reflect and get work done on my own to stay busy, but also reach out and interact with folks for Q&A interviews.
Is there anything you can tell us about what’s coming on the blog soon?
Besides lining up more great Q&A interviews with creatives from around the world, I can't say anything too specific. I'm continuing to gather feedback and frame out any updates or changes that I'd like to make to the site so you all have the best experience possible!
What Now?
Until we get the tea on what’s next on TPWP, head over to thepandawearsprada.com for Billy’s extensive city guides, interviews, lifestyle staples, and all the high-end fashion you could ever dream of. Enjoy.