Last night, Opening Ceremony’s Humberto Leon and Carol Lim joined forces with the designer Peter Do at Nam Son—one of downtown’s most iconic Vietnamese eateries—to mark the drop of their already-sold out collaboration capsule (Opening Ceremony x Peter Do, available exclusively on FARFETCH BEAT). The event, which also celebrated generations of Asian design and ingenuity, brought together artists, actors, musicians, and party girls from all corners of the city: SNL’s Bowen Yang, New York Nico, Jaboukie Young-White, Thao Nguyen, Kyle and Fiffany Luu, and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner dropped by to sip cocktails and take in the collection. Before performances by nightlife luminaries West Dakota, Panthera and Dynasty, Interview caught up with Zauner for a chat about her New York socialite phase, turning work into play, and eating the rich.
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INTERVIEW: What’s in your system?
ZAUNER: A lot of champagne. I feel like this week has been my New York socialite gala week. I came from the Time 100 Gala yesterday, the day before I went to the MoMA Party in the Garden. I’m in this weird time where I have a few days off in between tour and I’m living my New York life and drinking a lot of champagne and having fun and saying yes to everything.
INTERVIEW: What’s in your pockets?
ZAUNER: I have nothing in my pockets.
INTERVIEW: What are you wearing tonight and how is it making you feel?
ZAUNER: I’m wearing Opening Ceremony. I love Carol [Lim] and Humberto [Leon] so much. I got to know Carol, especially, last year. We’re both Korean and I felt so immediately close to her. She’s what we would call an eonni, or an older sister in Korean. Both Humberto and Carol are so inspirational because they’re endlessly creative, but they’re also such generous people that want to incubate other creatives in every medium. I find that to be so inspiring and I feel so good in their clothes.
INTERVIEW: How does fashion influence you creatively?
ZAUNER: As a musician, I try to tell a story of what era I’m in for every album cycle. Getting to be a performer means that you get to push the limit of what is normal to wear out in the world. It’s been really fun. My style is very colorful, playful, and youthful. I like to bring joy—in this era.
INTERVIEW: What was it like to attend the Time 100 Gala?
ZAUNER: When I found out I was on the list it was such a huge moment. A lot of times when I go somewhere, I have to perform or say something, but this time, I could just be a guest. It was surreal, because I was in a room with people who had discovered new genomes, who were Olympic athletes, or leading people through horrific wars. It’s such a medley of people at the height of their power. I felt so humbled to get to see President Zelenskyy speak, and watch Mary J. Blige inject energy into the room.
INTERVIEW: Who are you obsessed with right now?
ZAUNER: I played Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival, which was such a wonderful experience because they’re a band I adore. They’re exactly what I want to veer my path as a musician—creating this safe space for musicians to help uplift indie artists. Nels Cline, their guitar player, is married to Yuka Honda, who is half of Cibo Matto, which is my favorite band. They’re a Japanese experimental duo. Every time I DJ, I play them. I finally got to meet Yuka Honda at Solid Sound and she sent me her new album. She’s starting a new solo project, and I am really obsessed with her.
INTERVIEW: What is your favorite Korean snack?
ZAUNER: I really like dried cuttlefish and Kewpie mayo. It’s basically like a grandpa’s snack.
INTERVIEW: What are you manifesting in your life right now?
ZAUNER: I really can’t wait to have a concentrated period of time to work on a long-term creative project. I really need to finish the screenplay adaptation of Crying in H Mart. In late June, I finally have a week off to go upstate to a cabin and knock out a big creative project. That’s my favorite thing to do, and I’m manifesting that.
INTERVIEW: East coast or West coast?
ZAUNER: East coast.
INTERVIEW: Do you have games on your phone?
ZAUNER: I have Chess.com. I was in the chess club for five years. I was on a billboard playing chess with the mayor. I used to go to tournaments because I loved chess and then I fell off. Now it’s the only hobby I have that I haven’t turned into a job in some way.
INTERVIEW: Who would win in a fight—Christopher Moltisanti or Kendall Roy?
ZAUNER: Oh my god! Christopher Moltisanti. [Laughs] Kendall Roy is a wimpy billionaire’s son that has ridden on his father’s coat-tails. Christopher Moltisanti is the heart of gold, working class, gangster. Definitely Christopher Moltisanti.
INTERVIEW: Describe tonight’s vibe in three words.
ZAUNER: Asian! Warm! Fun!
