Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Hang.
Tracy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My career started in 5th grade when I decided that I wanted to become a fashion designer without knowing the depth of what a designer really was. I am a 2nd generation Hmong American, so for me to tell my family that I wanted to design clothing as career didn’t make much sense. But if I were to tell you that it was instilled in me through our culture, being that one of our traditions as a Hmong daughter was to learn the skill of embroidery, then it would not be so shocking that I would want to pursue such a career.
In 2007, I moved to Los Angeles from Warren, Mi after graduating with my BFA in Fashion Design. After a year of living in LA going through multiple internships, jobs, and hardships; I finally landed a dream job as a Creative Director’s assistant with Ed Hardy Corporate. My job involved coordinating fashion shows, events, model castings, photo shoots, and even had the privilege of traveling to Barcelona for the Bread and Butter trade show. Even though this was not a design position, it all tied into who I was becoming as an artist. I fell in love with creative concepts through this job and was completely inspired by my Creative Director. She was inspirational with her outside of the box concepts, and working with her triggered my interest as a creative director. This short-lived, dream job ended almost a year later and it took me four months to find my place in the industry again. This time as an assistant designer. Finally, I was making use of my degree in some way and was dabbing into the process of being a designer.
The thing they don’t teach you in school is the real life perspective as a designer. There was no creative designing involved, instead I learned the concept of simplifying a garment and marketing to the mass market. I learned the struggle and responsibilities it took to run a small business. All valuable lessons that I’m grateful for, but it dulled my creativity. Which is why I pursued opportunities outside of my daily job. Through social media, I was recruited to design a small collection and showcased for a few nonprofit fashion shows in Los Angeles, and Phoenix, AZ. Since then I have made numerous custom designs for clients. My work includes anything from casual wear to halloween costumes and special occasion dresses such as prom dresses, or wedding gowns. Because of this, I have collaborated with many amazing photographers and stylists where my designs have been featured online.
Throughout the years of working in the fashion industry working my way up to a head designer position, I have never limited myself to just designing. I’ve always had a passion for photography since middle school and was surrounded by photo albums that captured my childhood memories. About two years ago, I bought a camera and started creating every waking moment that I could. For a year straight, I was creative directing, setting up a photoshoot every weekend and spent all my free time on photography. Within three months of shooting, through word of mouth and social media, I landed my first gig with a family photo session, then a small intimate wedding, and so forth. Until this day, I am juggling both careers and making it work. When I am not working with clients, I collaborate with other creatives with a goal to grow overall as an artist of my craft.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The struggles I encountered as designer was stability and growth. This industry is cut throat, and designers are disposable. The turn around rate I’ve seen jumping from company to company by choice, sometimes not by choice has been a roller coaster lifestyle.
Another point that I struggled with in the beginning was how little value my degree held for this industry. I went through a situation where I found out the newly hired assistant was getting paid almost as much as me, and all she had was one year of experience.
If I had a mentor prior to entering this industry, I would have made different decisions to advance my career. In all, I’m grateful for the lessons and I’m giving back by helping other new designers understand the industry they are getting themselves into.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with HlubTray – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Overall, I provide freelance services and I don’t limit it to what I can do. I specialize in designing, photography, and event coordinating.
Within designing, most of my clients are females and requests for dresses. I’m known for my open back mesh dresses and attention to detail. I love working with clients who allow me to be as creative as possible. I pay attention to the clients wants and needs, making sure they are 100% satisfied with my work. There is a whole process to having a custom design made and I go above and beyond for them. I explain the steps so the customer understands the value of the garment being made. It is both of our time and money being put into it.
As for my photography, I do not specialize in any one category. I have photographed headshots, lifestyle, family, maternity, and events. What sets me apart from what I hear from others is the angles and details I put into my shoot. I am involved in every step if needed as far as wardrobe/location/props in order to achieve the look that is desired. What’s most pleasing is when a client is able to refer to a certain shoot I did and wants the same style of photos for their own.
My last trade of event coordinating ties into creative direction, I help a client make a concept come to life. I do the research, purchase all materials, make centerpieces, backdrops, and anything else that I can do to make the event have that special touch. Depending on the client, there have been times where I am coordinating the whole event booking vendors, setting up, supervising the vendors or other times where I just come in to set up the decor. I stand out here because I am versatile and can make custom pieces versus paying another vendor additionally.
My ability to utilize all my skills is what sets me apart from others. I do not believe that I have to limit myself to just one craft if I am capable and given opportunities to do so.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently I have been blessed with some pending projects and am being challenged outside of my comfort zone with some interior design/consultation. My overall goal is to continue freelancing, lining up opportunities so I can turn it into a full time position. Until then, my focus is to market myself, and challenge my photography by creating more in depth story lines. I want to captivate people the way that they captivate me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hlubtray.passgallery.com/portfolio
- Phone: 2132811913
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hlub.tray/
Image Credit:
Kesler Tran, HlubTray
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
