look book

The Look Book Goes to Mahjong Night at the Ace Hotel

Over 300 people RSVP’d for Chop Suey Club’s first event of the year.

Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

Jenn Lam (pictured above)
Marketing and brand-partnerships manager, Bedford-Stuyvesant

What is your experience playing mahjong?
My grandparents played the game pretty much every day that I’ve known them. So while I was growing up, at every family gathering the table and tiles came out. I was never really taught because I think in Chinese culture they’re a bit impatient, so they just have you sit on the side and absorb through osmosis. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I asked my parents to teach me formal strategy, but by that point, obviously I knew the game already. I specifically know how to play Hong Kong style.

How does Hong Kong–style mahjong differ from others?
I think American mahjong is really different because a new scorecard comes out every year, which is very American — you need to buy a new one to continue to play the game.

Freddy Escorbores

Front-desk agent, East Flatbush

Nancy Lau

Retiree, Riverdale

Jessica Zheng

Student, Staten Island


How did you pick your outfit?

I collect vintage qipaos. This one is from the 1950s. I never plan my outfits, but the next thing you know Mahjong Night is announced, and I’m like, It’s my sixth sense telling me to buy that. I stayed up for a couple of nights altering the dress and made it just in time.

Ruoyi Jiang

Founder and director, Lower East Side

Chengwei Dong

Model, Williamsburg


How did you hear about tonight?

My friend. I moved to New York from China in February to model. But I’m homesick. It’s hard to get jobs, and my English is not good so I don’t hang out much. I only know a few Chinese friends. I kind of want to go home. Tonight was enjoyable, though. I met two people.

Teaonna Boykins

Fashion designer, Crown Heights

Mimi Hong

Freelance photographer, Chinatown

Marie Van Eersel

Cultural programmer, Greenpoint

Mu Tien Liu

Stylist, Bushwick

Justin Teng

Store manager, Bushwick

Ka Yee Chan

Freelance event coordinator, Sunset Park

Helen Ng

Vice-president of investor relations, Upper West Side


Who did you come with?

My brother. We started playing last year for the first time, which is funny considering I’m 39 and he’s 41 and our parents have been playing, you know, our entire lives. Now, every time we go home, we always play. My dad is basically the master of mahjong, and he is not patient with me. He’s like, “Helen, if you can’t keep up, I’m not playing with you.”

Miko Tiu-Laurel

Artist and model, Upper West Side

Maria Francisco

Assistant general manager, Bushwick

Jill Li

Grants-management specialist, Soho

Caroline Chou

Student, Crown Heights


What do you like about the game?

My grandma’s been playing for 65 years, and seeing her skill, I was like, I wanna get to that level. When I put down a tile, she’s like, “Are you sure you want to do that?” She’s so sharp she knows what other tiles I have. I usually play in a house, so the first thing I thought when I walked in here was Oh, vibe.

Kathie Ahn

Therapist, Ridgewood

Hejran Darya

Conversation designer, Prospect Heights

Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland

Freddy Escorbores

Front-desk agent, East Flatbush

Nancy Lau

Retiree, Riverdale

Jessica Zheng

Student, Staten Island


How did you pick your outfit?

I collect vintage qipaos. This one is from the 1950s. I never plan my outfits, but the next thing you know Mahjong Night is announced, and I’m like, It’s my sixth sense telling me to buy that. I stayed up for a couple of nights altering the dress and made it just in time.

Ruoyi Jiang

Founder and director, Lower East Side

Chengwei Dong

Model, Williamsburg


How did you hear about tonight?

My friend. I moved to New York from China in February to model. But I’m homesick. It’s hard to get jobs, and my English is not good so I don’t hang out much. I only know a few Chinese friends. I kind of want to go home. Tonight was enjoyable, though. I met two people.

Teaonna Boykins

Fashion designer, Crown Heights

Mimi Hong

Freelance photographer, Chinatown

Marie Van Eersel

Cultural programmer, Greenpoint

Mu Tien Liu

Stylist, Bushwick

Justin Teng

Store manager, Bushwick

Ka Yee Chan

Freelance event coordinator, Sunset Park

Helen Ng

Vice-president of investor relations, Upper West Side


Who did you come with?

My brother. We started playing last year for the first time, which is funny considering I’m 39 and he’s 41 and our parents have been playing, you know, our entire lives. Now, every time we go home, we always play. My dad is basically the master of mahjong, and he is not patient with me. He’s like, “Helen, if you can’t keep up, I’m not playing with you.”

Miko Tiu-Laurel

Artist and model, Upper West Side

Maria Francisco

Assistant general manager, Bushwick

Jill Li

Grants-management specialist, Soho

Caroline Chou

Student, Crown Heights


What do you like about the game?

My grandma’s been playing for 65 years, and seeing her skill, I was like, I wanna get to that level. When I put down a tile, she’s like, “Are you sure you want to do that?” She’s so sharp she knows what other tiles I have. I usually play in a house, so the first thing I thought when I walked in here was Oh, vibe.

Kathie Ahn

Therapist, Ridgewood

Hejran Darya

Conversation designer, Prospect Heights

Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland

More From This Series

See All
The Look Book Goes to Mahjong Night at the Ace Hotel