Stephanie is photographed wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in White Famous Denim with the Donnybrook Maxi Skirt in White. Her mom, May, is wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in Vintage Stonewashed Indigo Famous Denim with the Westport Italian Wide-Leg Chino in our 1984 wash.
STEPHANIE: My mother embodies the spirit of hospitality. As a Chinese restaurant owner, she stood out by thoughtfully elevating every part of the dining experience–designing a space that felt elegant and providing service that made people feel special. Her guests didn’t just come for the delicious food; they left feeling cared for, and many became lifelong family friends. Watching her build community through warmth and fierce perseverance left a deep impression on me. That’s the soul of Suá Superette—creating a place where every person walks in and leaves with a smile, a memory, and a sense of belonging.
STEPHANIE: My mother embodies the spirit of hospitality. As a Chinese restaurant owner, she stood out by thoughtfully elevating every part of the dining experience–designing a space that felt elegant and providing service that made people feel special. Her guests didn’t just come for the delicious food; they left feeling cared for, and many became lifelong family friends. Watching her build community through warmth and fierce perseverance left a deep impression on me. That’s the soul of Suá Superette—creating a place where every person walks in and leaves with a smile, a memory, and a sense of belonging.
STEPHANIE: Absolutely–she’s shown me many times over to never take no for an answer!
F&E: Suá Superette blends tradition with a fresh perspective—how did your parents’ restaurant experience and your partnership with Jing Gao, the founder of Fly By Jing, help bring it to life?
STEPHANIE: Growing up as a restaurant kid in my family's Sichuan restaurant, I witnessed firsthand the dedication my parents poured into every dish and interaction. Their commitment to authenticity and community laid the foundation for my understanding of hospitality. When Jing and I connected, we discovered a shared vision: to honor our Sichuan roots while presenting them through a modern, Californian lens. Jing's innovative approach with Fly By Jing–and her ability to introduce traditional flavors to new audiences–perfectly complemented this vision. Together, we started Suá Superette: a modern space where tradition meets innovation, offering dishes and beverages that reflect both our heritage and the diverse palates of our LA community.
STEPHANIE: Absolutely–she’s shown me many times over to never take no for an answer!
F&E: Suá Superette blends tradition with a fresh perspective—how did your parents’ restaurant experience and your partnership with Jing Gao, the founder of Fly By Jing, help bring it to life?
STEPHANIE: Growing up as a restaurant kid in my family's Sichuan restaurant, I witnessed firsthand the dedication my parents poured into every dish and interaction. Their commitment to authenticity and community laid the foundation for my understanding of hospitality. When Jing and I connected, we discovered a shared vision: to honor our Sichuan roots while presenting them through a modern, Californian lens. Jing's innovative approach with Fly By Jing–and her ability to introduce traditional flavors to new audiences–perfectly complemented this vision. Together, we started Suá Superette: a modern space where tradition meets innovation, offering dishes and beverages that reflect both our heritage and the diverse palates of our LA community.
Stephanie is photographed wearing our Shirley Oversized Button-Up in White Everyday Poplin and Derry Signature Jean in our 2001 wash. May is wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in White Famous Denim with Derry in our 1999 wash.
Stephanie is photographed wearing our Eileen Relaxed Button-Up in White Famous Denim with the Donnybrook Maxi Skirt in White.
STEPHANIE: Absolutely–many times over! Women entrepreneurs are truly built differently. I’m proud to say that the majority of the brands we carry at Suá, the founders we collaborate with, and the people who have supported us from the very beginning - offering everything from financial backing to mentorship–have been strong, successful women. There’s no shortage of incredible women out there lifting each other up, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of that energy!
STEPHANIE: Absolutely–many times over! Women entrepreneurs are truly built differently. I’m proud to say that the majority of the brands we carry at Suá, the founders we collaborate with, and the people who have supported us from the very beginning - offering everything from financial backing to mentorship–have been strong, successful women. There’s no shortage of incredible women out there lifting each other up, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of that energy!
F&E: Has running Suá Superette changed the way you think about fashion, and how has your style evolved since opening?
STEPHANIE: Running Suá has definitely changed how I think about fashion. I’ve had to become much more intentional about dressing for a full day that might include school drop-offs, meetings at the shop, jumping behind the bar when it’s busy, squeezing in a workout, and then heading straight to dinner or an event. My style has evolved to be more functional, but still polished. I look for pieces that move with me and still feel like me through every part of the day. I’ll always keep a backup outfit in my car in case I spill matcha all over myself (which has happened once or twice)!
F&E: How would you describe your personal style, and what are your go-to wardrobe pieces?
STEPHANIE: I would describe my personal style as effortless, elegant, and refined. I gravitate toward pieces that are clean and tailored, yet still feel relaxed and wearable. Comfort is key. My favorite F&E pieces are the Eileen shirt and the Shirley–they’re the kind of staples that make getting dressed easy and versatile for every part of my day. It’s also important to me to keep a core collection of comfortable, pointed toe shoes with low, wearable heels that keep me looking polished all day long.
Stephanie is photographed wearing our Patrick Popover Henley in Triple Fleece. May is wearing Shirley Oversized Button-Up in White Everyday Poplin and our Montecito Pullover Sweater in White.
STEPHANIE: I’ve always seen food and fashion as two languages that speak to the same instinct–the desire to create beauty, evoke feeling, and connect with others. Both are deeply personal and rooted in culture, memory, and identity. The way you prepare a dish or put together an outfit is a reflection of your point of view.
At Suá, we’re as intentional about our visuals and atmosphere as we are about our flavors. The recent rise of fashion and food collaborations feels like a natural progression. People want experiences that feel holistic and reflective of a lifestyle they relate to or aspire to and it’s all about finding new ways to delight and inspire–and that’s exactly the kind of connection we aim to create every day at Suá.
STEPHANIE: I’ve always seen food and fashion as two languages that speak to the same instinct–the desire to create beauty, evoke feeling, and connect with others. Both are deeply personal and rooted in culture, memory, and identity. The way you prepare a dish or put together an outfit is a reflection of your point of view.
At Suá, we’re as intentional about our visuals and atmosphere as we are about our flavors. The recent rise of fashion and food collaborations feels like a natural progression. People want experiences that feel holistic and reflective of a lifestyle they relate to or aspire to and it’s all about finding new ways to delight and inspire–and that’s exactly the kind of connection we aim to create every day at Suá.
F&E: Looking back, was there a defining moment when you realized you were meant to take this entrepreneurial path?
STEPHANIE: The defining moment came when my parents told me they were ready to retire and close our family’s restaurant. It hit me harder than I expected. That space held so much of our family’s story –it was where I first saw what it meant to build something with sacrifice and community at its center. Their decision lit a fire in me to carry that legacy forward in my own way. I didn’t know exactly what it would look like at the time, but I knew I wanted to create something rooted in heritage and hospitality. That was the spark that eventually led to teaming up with Jing and to creating Suá.
F&E: What advice would you give to women looking to build something alongside another female founder or friend?
STEPHANIE: When you are building something with a friend, mutual respect and clear communication are everything. Know your strengths, lead with them, and trust your partner to do the same. I think that is why it is so important to find someone with skills or experience you don’t have, someone who complements you rather than mirrors you. The best kind of collaboration happens when both people take ownership of their roles and show up with shared responsibility and dedication toward a common vision. That is what makes a partnership thrive!
Thanks for cozying up for 'a cuppa with' Stephanie!
To keep up with Stephanie and the latest from Suá Superette:
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