Empowering Asian Women Through Style for a Year of Community, Confidence, and Resilience
Love, Bonito exists to celebrate and uplift women with apparel that is Ready-to-Live, not just ready-to-wear. Their styles fit women at every age, through every stage. They are committed to empowering women through diverse representation and giving back to our communities.
Given our shared missions, we at Anise Health partnered with Love, Bonito to host a year-long series of events and campaigns that empower Asian women to find styles that enable us to look and feel our best. Thoughtfully and collaboratively, we designed and hosted clinician-led workshops that brought the Asian community together and facilitate open, honest conversations about the challenges we face. We fought stigma in style by sharing culturally sensitive resources which incorporated fashion as a way to express our feelings. Finally, we offered sustainable resources that equipped Asian women with practical tools for long-term resilience and well-being.
Check out the details of our partnership in this recap article!
Why did Love, Bonito and Anise Collaborate to Empower the AAPI Community?
Collectivist Asian cultures often encourage Asian women to be selfless and to place the needs of our families and communities first.
We often are so used to the expectations of achievement and success that when we fall short, we struggle with showing ourselves the same kindness and understanding that we give to others. While these are such uniquely wonderful parts about being Asian, they can make self-compassion and self-confidence feel like secondary priorities.
This partnership was aimed to reframe the narrative. We wanted Asian women to internalize self-confidence and believe in our ability to reach our full potential, thus breaking free of societal constraints and reaching new heights as individuals and as a community. We wanted to redefine what is possible for everyone who’s ever been told they can’t!
The intersection of fashion and mental health offers an untapped space to empower Asian women, who face unique cultural and societal pressures. As a leading fashion brand designed by and for Asian women, Love, Bonito has been a champion of representing diverse Asian beauty and empowering women to feel confident in their skin. Anise Health, a mental health platform providing culturally tailored care for Asian communities, has felt firsthand the challenges that arise from cultural expectations and internalized stigma around mental health.
This partnership presented a synergistic opportunity to address the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by Asian women, many of whom seek avenues to express their individuality while managing cultural pressures. By joining forces, Love, Bonito and Anise Health can foster a more holistic approach to wellness—one that embraces both outer and
inner well-being.
What Campaigns Did Love, Bonito and Anise Health Launch Together for Asian Americans?
Through this collaboration, Love, Bonito and Anise Health offered a range of initiatives that blended fashion with emotional expression.
Ready to Live - Conversations on Self Confidence: We held a panel discussion with Kelly Uchima, Eshani Patel, Samantha Mark (Anise Health brand ambassador), and Nisha Desai (Anise Health co-founder). The panelists described their relationship with confidence and self-compassion, and reflected on how it changed over time. They shared how something they were wearing today made them feel confident, and offered something in their closet that embodied the theme of “ready to live, not just ready to wear.” Finally, they offered wisdom on how their culture taught them about confidence and self-compassion, and shared tips for incorporating this into our daily lives.
Ready to Glow: We held a panel with Sherri Lu from the Eldest Daughters Club and Stephanie Cohen from Mixed Asian Media. We reflected upon how our cultural background influenced our self-identity as the eldest daughter or daughter of a mixed-race family. The panelists vulnerably discussed the ways in which they felt pressure to conform to cultural norms, and how they managed to carve out their own sense of self amidst these expectations. They also discussed navigating family expectations or bearing responsibilities as the eldest child. Finally, they discussed ways to set healthy boundaries with family members. The event also had tea making classes, a skincare color matching session, and other fun activities.
Ready to Love: This event was held in collaboration with Coffee Meets Bagel, and was focused on fostering a community for Asian American women who are actively looking for meaningful romantic relationships. We all know how draining and tough it can be to date intentionally, especially for Asian women who are often pressured to fulfill demanding family and cultural expectations around dating and marriage. Therefore, this event included a clinician-led workshop to help individuals process and receive tangible tips on how to navigate the dating process with authenticity, confidence, and awareness.
“I Feel Good” Content Series: We launched a social media campaign which featured prominent Asian influencers such as Its.Shiny discussing how they look and feel good every day. The videos discussed self-confidence, managing cultural expectations, and building mental resilience. The creators weaved in elements of fashion, such as styling tips that enhance self-expression, and shared how clothing can serve as a tool for emotional empowerment.
What was the Impact of these Initiatives on AAPI Individuals?
Founders said the program fostered a sense of community and a place to discuss the barriers to accessing mental health care that founders from the Asian and Pacific Islander community face.
Our events were attended by over 200 individuals and received over 55k impressions online. Many attendees had vibrant reviews:
"Attending the Ready to Glow event with Love, Bonito and Anise Health was such an empowering experience! As an Asian woman, I often struggle to find spaces that truly understand the unique challenges we face, both mentally and physically. This event not only celebrated our beauty but also highlighted the importance of mental wellness in our community. The conversations on self-care, cultural identity, and holistic health felt so relatable and uplifting. I walked away feeling more confident, supported, and ready to prioritize my well-being. It was an unforgettable experience that truly made me feel seen and valued!"
Ultimately, the Love, Bonito and Anise Health partnership has the potential to drive both individual empowerment and broader cultural change, encouraging women to embrace both style and self-care. By focusing on the dual aspects of external and internal well-being, this collaboration promises to uplift Asian women across the globe.
