Vivian Li is a self-proclaimed "PhDiva who loves designer." When she's not in the lab pursuing her Biology PhD in chicest of outfits while listening to Bach, she can be found scrolling eBay and The RealReal for pieces to add to her already established vintage Prada collection, playing with makeup, eating ramen in leather gloves, looking cool on subway platforms in wired headphones, providing endless inspiration on style year-round for her Instagram followers, and contributing to Marie Claire.
Ahead, everything about what our favorite PhDiva browses and consumes between academics, fashion editing, and content creating.
Where Are You From?
Vivian Li
From: Vancouver, Canada
Located: New York City
What's Entertaining You?
Vivian Li
Reading:
'Moveable Feast' by Ernest Hemingway: "Currently, I am re-reading Hemmingway’s A Moveable Feast, which I do every fall and winter because his streams of consciousness act as a furnace to keep me cozy when the weather is frigid."
'Bliss Montage: Stories' by Ling Ma: "One of my favorite collections of short stories. Ling Ma’s personal life so closely mirror mine and I find a lot of comfort in her writing, even if they are about fictional worlds."
'Invisible Cities' by Italo Calvino & 'Einstein's Dreams' by Alan Lightman: "Both books explore completely new worlds in every chapter. The former imagines cities with fantastical designs, and the latter imagines realities where time does not operate linearly."
Listening:
'Favorite' by Fontaines D.C.: "I’ve had their last two albums on repeat. It’s the perfect music to plug into for a subway ride."
'Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites' recorded by Yo-Yo Ma: "If you know me from college, then you know this is my go-to for studying or working in the lab. It’s been on my Spotify most played for almost 10 years."
'Deadbeat' by Tame Impala: "I wasn’t a huge fan of the album until I went to his concert on Halloween and I’m not kidding when I say it changed my life."
What's In Your Cart?
Vivian Li
Gromit Heat Change "Tea For One" Teapot: "I have the matching Wallace & Gromit egg holders and I absolutely need the teapot to complete my breakfast set up."
Chanel Ballet Flats: "I’ve been patiently waiting to get my first pair of ballet flats from Chanel, it’s been a 2 year long exercise in restraint but I think this season I’m going to finally treat myself."
What Are You Saving?
Vivian Li
stackoverflow.com: "Stack Overflow is my most visited website right now because I’ve recently started coding more for my PhD project"
NBA Stats: "I’m a huge basketball fan and when I’m not going to Knicks games with partial seasons tickets, I’m at home watching games or checking stats for the Philly 76ers and Knicks."
Vintage Prada on The Real Real & eBay: "I’ve been collecting Prada for years now and I’m hoping to one day have a fabulous closet of only old Prada."
