Interview

名人訪談

2019-05-06

浿機

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PRESENTER

 

 

 

 

Peiji

Fashion entrepreneur and designer

The PUPUPEPE website was founded in 2007 and has accumulated more than a decade of experience in the fashion industry. The website has received over 50 million visits. VOGUE Taiwan once described PUPUPEPE’s Pei-Chi as “the most popular digital platform in Taiwan today,” making her one of Taiwan’s most influential digital opinion leaders.

Her experiences studying and working in Japan and London exposed her to the popular cultures of two distinctly different major cities, shaping her into a person who creates a unique, polished style of elegance in an imaginative way. She has been featured in more than 20 domestic and international media outlets, including VOGUE and ELLE, establishing a deeply rooted presence in the fashion industry. With passion and keen sensitivity toward fashion, she has become a beloved fashion blogger in Taiwan’s luxury fashion scene.

Pei-Chi wears many hats: she is both a fashion entrepreneur and a clothing designer. In 2017, she was selected by Hong Kong magazine Legend as one of the “Top 50 Digital Influencers in Asia.” In recent years, she has frequently attended international fashion weeks and remains active at the center of Taiwan’s and the international fashion scenes.

 

Q & A

 

Q: How do you start your day?
A: I’m usually in a rush when I wake up in the morning. Before leaving home, I drink olive oil because I have digestive issues and want to take better care of my health. Once I get to the office, I make a cup of coffee to wake myself up, then meet with my team to discuss our work schedule.

 

Q: Where do you usually spend the most time?
A: I spend quite a lot of time at my studio, which is near Dongmen Station. The places I frequent are also fairly consistent, mainly Daan District and Xinyi District. In particular, when I go out, meet with clients, attend brand events, or take photos, I mostly head to the Xinyi shopping district. Today is quite an exception, as I came to CityInn Hotel Plus Fuxing N. Rd. Branch in Zhongshan District, which is a little different from the places I usually visit!!

 

Q: Which restaurant do you visit most often?
A: “les piccola” near the studio is known as the Little Paris of Jinhua Street. The restaurant’s atmosphere feels as though you are immersed in the romance and elegance of Paris, and it is both photogenic and delicious. We highly recommend the freshly made “Butter, Honey, Banana, and Cheese Pancake.” Pair it with a latte for the perfect afternoon tea combination. les piccola Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/lespiccola

 

Q: What do you do for fun after work?
A: I watch TV series, mostly American ones. Recently, I’ve been watching “America’s Next Top Model,” and I absolutely love it!! I’ve also recently become obsessed with a game called “Identity V” and even forced my coworkers to download it and play with me (laughs). After work or on days off, I try to stay away from crowded places as much as possible. I don’t really go shopping either; I prefer staying at home, where I can relax more.

 

Q: What style pieces do you recommend every girl have in her wardrobe?

A: For a “white shirt,” I would recommend chiffon or rayon fabric, preferably with a slight sheen. It is extremely wrinkle-resistant, and people nowadays are very busy and do not have time to iron their clothes. It is especially convenient for office workers, who can simply put it on and wear it. As for a “pencil skirt,” I suggest buying one made of printed or brightly colored fabric. It will not look like a boring office-worker outfit when paired with other pieces, and the overall look will have a distinctive highlight.

 

Q: What is the must-have item when going out?
A: “Rings.” I feel uncomfortable if I go even one day without wearing a ring; to me, it is like a talisman.

 

Q: What was the transition from being an office worker to becoming a full-time “fashion blogger” like?

A: I worked as an office employee for three years, and later I started my own business by opening an online curated shop. I offered clothing that I had drafted and designed myself, and every month I specifically sourced home goods, clothing accessories, and other items from Europe and Japan. Things went smoothly during the first three months, but after six months, I realized that running the business was quite difficult. It was my first time being a business owner, and I had not considered the market or internal management comprehensively enough. For two years, I did not draw any salary at all. A stable income is still very important. I could hold out for a year or two, but could I really continue living this way in the future? In the end, I had no choice but to make the painful decision to close the business. Throughout that period, I continued writing my blog and taking on freelance work. I thought, why not try turning my interests into a career? Starting when I became an office employee, I would ask my colleagues to take photos of me at lunchtime so I could write and share posts about my outfits. Later, I continued running my blog while studying as an exchange student in Japan and during my time studying in the UK. I discovered that when you find something you are truly interested in, it can generate tremendous passion that drives you forward. Share and learn, and do not limit what you can do. Since I am no longer alone now, having a team means that we find ways to take on projects or try cross-disciplinary collaborations, so the team can grow together and, as much as possible, let everyone see more possibilities.

 

Q: You are also considered a slash worker yourself, and the slash generation is a future trend in the workplace. What advice do you have for slash workers?
A: To me, becoming a slash youth is not about having several part-time jobs. It means refusing to settle for a mediocre, impoverished, and frantically busy life, and maximizing the value of the things you are passionate about. Beyond having multiple sources of income or multiple identities, the most important thing about being a slash is a way of life. No matter what you do, “you must truly understand what it is that you want,” then build outward from your strengths and develop in diverse directions. I think slash youths should pay attention to establishing a solid foundation. Do not try to do everything and end up specializing in nothing. Always be prepared and look for opportunities to take the initiative.

 

Q: What is the most recent book you have read? Did you gain any insights or have any thoughts after finishing it?

A: “Thank you again today! The author of *Miracles of Management*: Yoshio Kobayashi”

I feel that being a business owner is quite challenging. After two to three years of entrepreneurship, I am still learning how to become a good boss and manager. This book is generally about a supervisor who was called a “devil manager” and a “cold-blooded person” by his subordinates. Under this management style, the employee turnover rate was high, complaints abounded, and the workplace atmosphere was gloomy, prompting him to decide to make a change. This has also made me place greater emphasis on “harmony among people.” I need to approach matters from a more comprehensive perspective and put myself in my employees’ shoes. Whenever I have free time, I also chat with my colleagues and care about how everyone is feeling.

 

Q: What do you find most interesting or appealing about Taiwan?
Because I’m not a foreigner, I may not be able to articulate what attracts me, but whenever I perform abroad, I find myself missing the good things about Taiwan. To me, Taiwan is home—with its familiar language and friends. And as someone from southern Taiwan, I feel an even deeper connection to this land. The most interesting part of traveling is exploration. There’s no need to specifically look up restaurants, local food, or attractions; simply walking along the street, randomly stepping into a restaurant, or discovering an interesting little shop around the corner—these are all delightful surprises.

 

Q: What do you look forward to the most when staying at a hotel?
Quiet and clean. I must have stayed in more than 200 hotels during my touring career. Later, I realized that accommodation is about having a peaceful and comfortable space to rest after a busy schedule.

 

Q: What is your impression of the hotels under the Taipei Hotel Group?
Sunshine and warmth. Before the pandemic, when I couldn’t travel abroad, I stayed at Dandy Hotel - Daan Park Branch. Although the room did not offer a direct view of Daan Forest Park, it felt very comfortable, and the personalized card provided upon check-in was a thoughtful detail that made me feel warm.

 

 

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