August 12, 2019

Meet TRACY HANG of HlubTray in North Hollywood

Local Stories

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 with out knowing the depth of what a designer really was. I am 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 was 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 one year of living in LA going through a handful of internships, various jobs, and hardships; I finally landed a dream job as a Creative Director’s assistant with Ed Hardy Corporate. I helped coordinate all the fashion shows, model castings, photo shoots, and traveled to Barcelona for one of our biggest trade shows. 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 boss. She had an eye for the craziest concepts, and this is where it triggered my interest as a creative director. This short-lived, dream job ended almost a year later and it took me four months to move on. This time it was an assistant design position. Finally I was making use of my degree in some way and was dabbing into the fashion world from a design perspective.

The thing they don’t teach you in school is the real life perspective as a designer. There was no creativity going into my job, I learned the concept of simplifying a garment and catering 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 non profit fashion shows in Los Angeles, and Phoenix, AZ. I have made numerous of custom designs for clients. Whether it be a Halloween costume, birthday dress, prom dress, or wedding gown. I have collaborated with many amazing photographers and stylists where my designs have been featured online.

Through out these years of working in the fashion industry as a design assistant, an import coordinator, an associate designer, and now a head designer, I have never limited myself to just designing. I have always had a passion for photography since middle school being surrounded by books and books of our childhood memories. I was even the year book photographer in high school so it all tied into one another having an eye for detail and a perspective of view point. About a 1.5 year 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 photo shoot every weekend and spent all my free time on photography. Within 3 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, some times 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 before getting into this industry, I would have made different decisions to advance my career. But 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 as a company 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. I love working with clients whom allow me to be as creative as possible. I pay attention to the clients wants and needs making sure they are 100% satisfied in my work. There is a whole process to having a custom design made. I explain this 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 head shots, lifestyle, family, maternity, and events. What sets me a part from what I hear from others is the detail I put into the shoot. I work off of inspiration pictures which will then help me communicate with my clients on the wardrobe/location/props needed in order to achieve the look they want.

Event coordinating ties into creative direction, I help a client make a concept come into life. I do the research, purchase all materials, make center pieces, back drops, and what ever 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 can make custom pieces versus paying another vendor additionally.

My ability to utilize all my skills is what sets me a part 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?
My goal is to freelance full time. Surely but slowly, but in the mean time my focus is advance my photography skills by learning new techniques and just understanding as much as I can of running a photography business. I look forward to the new opportunities I will gain within the coming days and months ahead.

Contact Info: