Fashion
The Next Icon: the interview with actress and model Jamie Xie
Raised in California, in the heart of the Silicon Valley technological district - her father Ken is the founder and CEO of Fortinet and inventor of Zoom -, Jaime Xie is a model of Asian origins, as well as actress and philanthropist who boasts 824,000 followers on IG.
TEXT BY Giorgia Cantarini
PHOTOGRAPHY Leeay/Amy Lee
STYLING Athena Son
After traveling the world competing on the global equestrian circuit, Jamie Xie found his calling in fashion, becoming the face of numerous brands over the years and participating in fashion weeks around the world. Until in 2021 they call her to act for the Netflix TV series "Bling Empire ", which narrates the life of a group of rich Asian American friends in southern California in the form of reality television.
L'OFFICIEL ITALIA: What is your top 5 favorite fashion brand?
JAIME XIE: I'm in a very Rick Owens period, I like the couture of Schiaparelli designed by Daniel Roseberry , the sensuality of Mugler , the inventiveness of Balenciaga , the experimental side of Loewe .
L'OFFICIEL ITALIA: What is your top 5 favorite fashion brand?
JAIME XIE: I'm in a very Rick Owens period, I like the couture of Schiaparelli designed by Daniel Roseberry , the sensuality of Mugler , the inventiveness of Balenciaga , the experimental side of Loewe .
LOI: What is the brand you had the most fun working with?
JX: Above all Balenciaga , every time I have to go to one of his shows it becomes "Balenciaga day" for me because it captures all my attention starting from the invitations: the broken iPhone, the lost wallet, the money. With Demna (Gvasalia, Creative Director of the brand , ed) you can't wait to be there, you never know what to expect.
JX: Above all Balenciaga , every time I have to go to one of his shows it becomes "Balenciaga day" for me because it captures all my attention starting from the invitations: the broken iPhone, the lost wallet, the money. With Demna (Gvasalia, Creative Director of the brand , ed) you can't wait to be there, you never know what to expect.
Pull, JW ANDERSON; leotard, MAISON MARGIELA; skirt, DION LEE
LOl: What are the fashion trends of 2023?
J: I think the 90s was the main inspiration for a long time, now we are going in the direction of the 2000s. Plus there is a growth in the vintage fashion sector, especially after the Covid, I think the rediscovery of the past , of garments that are unique and special has awakened, in search of a less consumerist approach. I really like mixing emerging brands and vintage pieces, I find that the whole is a way to be trendy and original at the same time. You will see what I mean in the next season of "Bling Empire" .
LOl: When the spotlights go out, what is Jaime's personal style like?
JX: I'm very casual: tracksuit and sneakers. I can be super glam on the occasion of a fashion show or an event, I like to have neat manicures and hair, but in everyday life I prefer simplicity. To anyone who asks me my secret to glowing skin like mine, I recommend wearing your make-up off as much as possible.
J: I think the 90s was the main inspiration for a long time, now we are going in the direction of the 2000s. Plus there is a growth in the vintage fashion sector, especially after the Covid, I think the rediscovery of the past , of garments that are unique and special has awakened, in search of a less consumerist approach. I really like mixing emerging brands and vintage pieces, I find that the whole is a way to be trendy and original at the same time. You will see what I mean in the next season of "Bling Empire" .
LOl: When the spotlights go out, what is Jaime's personal style like?
JX: I'm very casual: tracksuit and sneakers. I can be super glam on the occasion of a fashion show or an event, I like to have neat manicures and hair, but in everyday life I prefer simplicity. To anyone who asks me my secret to glowing skin like mine, I recommend wearing your make-up off as much as possible.
Cage dress, NOIR BY KEI NINOMIYA, turtleneck, MELITTA BAUMEISTER; trousers, ALESSANDRO VIGILANTE; ring, PANCONESI
LOl: You divide your time between modeling and acting. What is the good and bad of both of these professions and would you ever choose one over the other?
JX: I attended my first show when I was only 17 years old. I like playing dress up, wearing nice clothes, I like getting involved. In a way, fashion is an interpretation, which brings out a different side of me. Conversely, on set, a certain look helps me get into the part. I think the downside is that the fashion industry is extremely competitive, but so is the film industry. If I've learned anything it's that at the end of the day you have to stay true to who you are, because the chaos around you could push you in opposite directions or against your personality and confuse you. The risk is to get lost, get back in physical and mental health. It doesn't take much to feel bad in the face of injustices and toxic behaviors, and it's essential to keep your feet on the ground. I like to be humble, to be nice and pleasant, to have time for my friends and loved ones. I don't want to become just any whimsical diva.
JX: I attended my first show when I was only 17 years old. I like playing dress up, wearing nice clothes, I like getting involved. In a way, fashion is an interpretation, which brings out a different side of me. Conversely, on set, a certain look helps me get into the part. I think the downside is that the fashion industry is extremely competitive, but so is the film industry. If I've learned anything it's that at the end of the day you have to stay true to who you are, because the chaos around you could push you in opposite directions or against your personality and confuse you. The risk is to get lost, get back in physical and mental health. It doesn't take much to feel bad in the face of injustices and toxic behaviors, and it's essential to keep your feet on the ground. I like to be humble, to be nice and pleasant, to have time for my friends and loved ones. I don't want to become just any whimsical diva.
Top, MAXIMILIAN; skirt, DIDU; necklace, HUGO KREIT
LOl: What do you think is the purpose of a series like "Bling Empire", what is it really about?
JX: I think it's to give Asian-Americans a voice, because especially during Covid, Asians were judged negatively and we had no way to impose our presence in any way, much less on TV screens. The whole series is actually the first all-Asian reality show to launch on Netflix, and I think it's been really cool to be a part of it, because it's a representation of all the different Asian backgrounds that exist in America. I find it important to continue to represent Asian culture through mainstream media.
JX: I think it's to give Asian-Americans a voice, because especially during Covid, Asians were judged negatively and we had no way to impose our presence in any way, much less on TV screens. The whole series is actually the first all-Asian reality show to launch on Netflix, and I think it's been really cool to be a part of it, because it's a representation of all the different Asian backgrounds that exist in America. I find it important to continue to represent Asian culture through mainstream media.
Robe manteau, WEINSANTO
LOI: Among your interests is volunteering, which are the associations you support and why?
JX: My family has a philanthropic foundation, the "Xie Foundation", which is responsible for providing education to the most unfortunate, providing food to those in need, helping families affected by Covid. I live in Los Angeles and there are many homeless people, so both my brother and I, as we have done in the past, are dedicated to delivering basic necessities to the most unfortunate.
JX: My family has a philanthropic foundation, the "Xie Foundation", which is responsible for providing education to the most unfortunate, providing food to those in need, helping families affected by Covid. I live in Los Angeles and there are many homeless people, so both my brother and I, as we have done in the past, are dedicated to delivering basic necessities to the most unfortunate.
LOI: Besides fashion, do you like being in contact with nature?
JX: I love being outdoors, hiking and walking rather than working out at the gym, I walk all the time in Los Angeles, they think I'm crazy because nobody does. I had an equestrian career and for this reason the horse is my animal of the heart, but in general I love all animals and for this I am vegan, as a form of respect and because I think that nature gives us everything we need.
JX: I love being outdoors, hiking and walking rather than working out at the gym, I walk all the time in Los Angeles, they think I'm crazy because nobody does. I had an equestrian career and for this reason the horse is my animal of the heart, but in general I love all animals and for this I am vegan, as a form of respect and because I think that nature gives us everything we need.
HAIR Gabriella Mancha
MAKE-UP Zaheer Sukhnandan
DIGITAL David Jung
SPECIAL THANKS TO H. Lorenzo Los Angeles
