If Nara began as a love letter to our mum, it continues as an unfolding story written by all the women who shaped us, and none more so than my sisters, Natalie and Amy. Our experiences growing up Chinese-Cambodian and Australian have always been deeply intertwined, yet each of us has walked our own path in discovering who we are and what our culture means to us.
As we grew, so did our understanding of our roots. And today, as mothers, daughters, and women navigating a multicultural world, the way we carry our culture looks different, but always begins at home.
Being the youngest of three girls, I always looked up to my big sisters. They have shaped the woman I have become and without them, I wouldn't be me.
So it only felt right to sit down with them and ask them to reflect on how our culture has shaped them, and what it meant to grow up mixed-race in Australia, how their relationship to their heritage has evolved, and how they’re passing it on to the next generation. Their answers are honest, tender, and a reminder of why Nara exists: to hold space for identity, for memory, and for the many ways we honour those who came before us.
On growing up mixed-race in Australia
Amy:
“It’s hard to admit now, but growing up mixed race, I carried a lot of shame. Being shy and anxious as a kid, didn't help. We lived in a predominantly white Australian community, and all I wanted was to fit in and look like everyone else. I often felt confused about my identity.
With my Asian family, my sisters and I were seen as ‘white,’ while on the Australian side, we were labeled ‘Asian.’ When you're young, you’re still forming a sense of who you are, and it’s hard not to internalise that feeling of otherness when you don’t quite fit in. Peers at school and even friends would make comments like "oh it's because you're Asian" about things that had absolutely nothing to do with race.
When people make those comments whether they're intentionally being hurtful or not, the implication is that there's something wrong with you because "you're Asian" and it sticks.You get the sense that there's something inherently wrong with you because you can't change the way you were born.”
Natalie:
“Most of my formative years were spent growing up in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, which, at the time, was a predominantly white community. It was tough to reconcile at times, especially in my teenage years, because I felt pretty lost trying to make sense of my Asian and Caucasian roots and where I fit into the world. So much of our day-to-day life felt like a typical "white Australian" experience, but I knew I looked different, and I was often reminded of it through comments from peers and even teachers.
During school holidays, we’d visit Mum’s side of the family in Cabramatta, which was a completely different cultural world. That contrast really shaped me. It made me more aware of differences from a young age; not in a negative way, but in a way that pushed me to reflect on where I belong.
Over time, I’ve come to see my dual heritage as something that brings so much richness to who I am. Two very different communities feel like home to me, and both play a huge part in shaping my values, my worldview, and my sense of belonging.”
On reconnecting with their culture
Amy:
“As I’ve grown, I’ve come to feel so proud of my heritage. I carry both my Australian and Chinese Cambodian identities with so much love now. With time, you start caring less about how others see you or how you think they see you and more about just living your life! I’m really proud of the strong people on both sides of my family who raised me. Proud of the family who, against all odds, came to Australia to rebuild and create a better life. Their resilience is a part of me and I’ll always be so proud and grateful to come from that.”
Natalie:
“I’ve really come to embrace and value my dual heritage, especially my Asian side. As a teenager, I carried a sense of shame or embarrassment about being “different,” but in adulthood, I’ve come to deeply appreciate how beautiful and meaningful my Asian heritage is, and I feel so inspired by the strength of my ancestors who paved the way for me. Learning more about where I’ve come from through stories, food and art, as well as hearing from others' similar experiences, has helped me feel a much deeper connection. The more I understand, the more proud and grateful I feel, and I am passionate about sharing this pride with my children.”
On what they treasure most about their culture
Amy:
“There’s so much I love about my cultural heritage. My family’s resilience. Starting over in a new country, building a better life from nothing when you have lost everything is actually so hard to fathom and so admirable. Their deep sense of community and generosity, even when they had so little, are values I admire and aspire to. And of course... the food! I have vivid memories of the food my Ah Ma would make for us. Delicious bowls of steaming congee with soy sauce eggs and pork or congee topped with pork floss and soy sauce. It makes me salivate now as I think about it. Chive pancakes, beef stew with crunchy baguettes to soak up the sauce and so many little sweet treats she would keep for us. I loved the mini pots of jelly from the Asian grocer she always had for us when we would come to visit.”
Natalie:
“Gosh, there’s so much. The resourcefulness, the strength of spirit, the generosity, the insanely delicious food, the beauty of the people - both inside and out. It’s hard to pick just one thing! But if I had to choose, I think what I value most is how it’s shaped me to have a more open heart and mind to embrace and see the beauty in difference. Being so aware of how much my immigrant family has contributed to this country makes me really appreciate the richness that comes from diverse cultures.”
On raising the next generation
Amy:
“I really hope my boys grow up with a deep sense of pride in who they are. That they aren't afraid to just live and be themselves. I hope my husband and I can instill in them that their heritage, their story, and their differences are what make them beautifully unique. I want them to know that what sets them apart isn’t something to hide or feel insecure about, it’s something to celebrate and share with those around them. So, my hope is for them to be confident in their own skin and to always embrace where they come from and the cultural legacy those who have come before, have left for them.”
Natalie:
“I’ve started carrying my culture forward with my kids by telling them about the country their Ah Ma came from and some of the experiences she had growing up. I’ve shared parts of her journey immigrating to Australia, and what it was like growing up here; including, in an age-appropriate way, some of the racist experiences she faced. I want to help them understand the kinds of challenges people of colour have experienced, to build empathy and get them thinking about it. Their responses have been really sweet - mostly shocked and confused that people could think or act negatively toward someone just because of their skin colour or facial features.
I love sharing little words from our dialect that we grew up speaking, and feeding them food from my childhood, things like banh mi, phở, Chinese stir-fries, and Cambodian/Vietnamese curries. My husband is incredibly supportive and interested - he loves eating the food, learning how to cook it, and genuinely appreciates hearing the stories about my mum and her journey. One day, we’d love to travel to Cambodia and China with the kids so they can experience those parts of their heritage for themselves.”
On why cultural education matters
Amy:
“Our cultures carry so much history, memory, and meaning, they offer a beautiful window into our unique experiences. The way we see the world is shaped by our life experiences, and it’s a privilege to share and learn from each other. It’s so important to my husband and I to teach our kids to stay curious, open-minded, and eager to understand others for these very reasons. We hope to be people who are open and always willing to hear other people's perspectives and experiences.”
Natalie:
“It's so important to me that my kids grow up being respectful and curious about other cultures. Just because something is different doesn’t mean it’s something to be scared of, to hate, or to look down on. I truly believe our country is so wonderful because of the hard-working, kind, and diverse cultures that make it what it is, and I'd love my boys to feel the same way.”
On a multicultural Australia
Amy:
“What makes Australia so special is the incredible mix of people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It's really special to be able to hear other people's perspectives based on the lives they've lived. Everyone brings something unique to the table and that’s what makes our communities richer. It’s a gift to be able to learn from each other’s stories, experiences, and perspectives and we should always strive to do so.”
Natalie:
“What I love most about living in such a multicultural society is how it opens us up to so many amazing foods, stories, and traditions. When we’re curious and open, having all these different cultures around gives us so many chances to learn and grow. You are able to get new perspectives, become more accepting and kind, and start seeing the world in new ways.”
On authenticity at the heart of Nara
Amy:
“Authenticity is one of the things I value most in life. Having genuine relationships where you can truly be yourself and vice versa brings so much comfort and safety. Being genuine is what allows for true connection to happen and I love Nara's mission to tell stories & embrace culture. In the world of fast-fashion, it's refreshing to slow down and see the how and why behind creating a product and putting it out into the world.”
Natalie:
“Authenticity is so important because, at its core, it’s about honouring the people and cultures behind the ideas and inspiration. A lot of what we see in life and fashion comes from ethnic cultures, and often it’s people of colour or marginalised minorities who are outworking those visions and bringing them to life. Being authentic means truly acknowledging and respecting those roots, and giving credit where it’s due.
On working together and championing women
Amy:
“It's actually really inspiring. Seeing Nara collaborating with other creators, lifting each other up and cheering each other on to build a community of women championing women gives me the drive to believe in myself and my own abilities.”
Natalie:
“It’s inspiring! It’s exciting! I love that strong, independent, intelligent, and creative women are behind the brand, the ideas, the prints, and the imagery - all working together to create something unique and beautiful. I also love seeing different body types and women of colour being showcased. It feels really special.”
On what they've learned through this collaboration
Amy:
“I’m really proud of my little sister. Sarah has stood firmly behind her vision and pursued it with belief and purpose. She has worked so hard and been so focused. She had a clear vision from the start and has truly brought it to life. From collaborating with a diverse range of artists and creating space for powerful and meaningful stories to be shared. I love her independence and drive, she always goes after what she believes in and she should be so incredibly proud of herself.”
Natalie:
“That education about cultures is important. It builds appreciation for how things are created, and the level of detail and care involved in making something beautiful happen. Personally, I’ve been in awe watching the journey of how the indigenous Samoan artists create the art that’s then turned into the prints we get to wear on our Nara Swim pieces. It adds to the meaning and unique-ness of the pieces.”
On what makes Nara different
Amy:
“Nara is about more than just creating a product. It’s about sharing people’s stories, offering a sustainable and stylish choice for consumers, and building a platform that gives voice to diverse experiences. Like I said earlier, in a world of fast fashion, it's refreshing to pause and see a different perspective, a different way of doing things.”
Natalie:
“Nara Swim is different because it's authentic. It’s a brand that genuinely aims to showcase and shine a light on the people and cultures behind the ideas and inspiration. You can really feel that in the creation of it, especially because Sarah, is genuinely passionate about culture, storytelling, and empowering other women. Plus, having a 2-in-1 bikini means more wear, less waste, and no need to keep buying cheap pieces you’ll lose interest in, or will fall apart after a few wears. I'm a big fan!”
NARA is an ode to them.
To the sisters who stood beside me as we figured out who we were.
To the women who carry our story forward.
And to the ones we’re raising, may they always know and be proud of where they come from.