T.W.A.C.I

Inspired by the shared experiences of two Taishanese-Chinese migrants, this work explores the cultural liminality of growing up between Chinese heritage and Western influence. Drawn to the grandeur and romanticism of Victorian aesthetics, the editorial reflects on how Western ideals of beauty, taste, and aspiration have become deeply embedded within our collective imagination through mainstream culture. By bringing these influences into conversation with our ethnic roots, the work examines how cultural identity is shaped by both inheritance and environment, opening a dialogue about belonging, influence, and the subtle ways Western perspectives continue to inform what we admire, desire, and recognise as beautiful today.