![]() But strategy-wise, what she’s long advised has just become more true than ever: restaurants need to be able to tell their own narrative very clearly, using their own channels purposefully to speak directly to their community. She says she’s been designing more packaging and wine labels for clients, taking the opportunity to push more sustainable materials, more digital communication, and more thoughtful storytelling on labels. I was interested in talking to her about how her services have changed since the pandemic began. Polonsky is the design resource for many of New York City’s (and some elsewhere) independent restaurants she founded Polonsky & Friends with the intent of working with “mission-driven” restaurants for whom food is a way to foster community and change. “As everything was falling apart and brick and mortar was being threatened, I think graphics was the number one need as a lot of restaurants pivoted to doing products,” says Anna Polonsky of design consultancy Polonsky & Friends. Drawing inspiration from 20th-century Chinese apothecary packaging that has “an old world, almost Edwardian kind of feel to it,” as well as Chinese religious imagery and Imperial architecture, the visual identity uses a thin, yellow-gold frame embellished with Chinese traditional coins and architectural flourishes to outline the logo, as well as images and Instagram cards. The branding, designed by the organization’s head of creative Harry Trinh, does this beautifully. A large part of its mission is to “amplify” the voices of Chinatown’s businesses and project a truer image of the neighborhood to those who may think of it only as a destination for trinkets and cheap food. ![]() ![]() One of the things I find so impressive about the organization is the nimbleness with which it can respond to what its community needs it’s kind of like an unofficial, mutual aid-version of a Chamber of Commerce. So far, we have raised over $1,000 and given all the funds to Send Chinatown Love, AAPI Women Lead, and Asian Americans for Equality.Since March, Welcome to Chinatown has raised $1 million to put towards cash infusions, food donation, census outreach, and merchandise lines for local businesses. As this continues, all net profits will be donated to those on the ground supporting the AAPI community, Chinatowns all over, and the ongoing fight against anti-Asian racism and xenophobia. I felt compelled to contribute somehow despite the rising COVID cases and hate crimes in the city that raised me. Chinatowns are a testament to survival in a new land, aspiring to make it your own and be part of the greater fabric of the community despite the circumstances that brought you there.Ĭhinatown Forever is a running project in response to the resurgence of anti-Asian hate in the United States and across the world in response to centuries of xenophobia and racism. Each purchase is a showing of solidarity and support for the AAPI community and Chinatowns across this city, country, and the world. This shirt is my love letter and rallying cry to proudly wear Chinatown on my back and represent - from Honolulu to Houston, Seattle to Philadelphia, Oakland to New York - the millions of Asian Americans that call this place home. Before I ever made my first family visit to China as a kid, Chinatown connected me to the essence and gave me a community that I could call my own.įrom the outset of the pandemic to the surge of Anti-Asian hate crimes that continue to sweep the United States, now more than ever the Asian American community needs the support to protect businesses, the elderly, and those most vulnerable from racism and xenophobia. They are a bridge that connects generations across the Asian diaspora to their culture and heritage. Chinatowns are more than a neighborhood or tourist destination. I’m an ABC - American Born Chinese - whose life has revolved around Chinatowns.
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