Letter from the editor

A Celebration of Stories and Seasons

This milestone issue is not only the 40th for VESSEL Lifestylish Magazine, but also a personal celebration for me. As I enter the final year of my 40s, I find myself reflecting on what has been an extraordinary and rewarding journey through this decade of life. Each year has brought lessons in resilience, creativity, and growth—and it feels only fitting to dedicate this issue to that very spirit of discovery and reinvention.

The idea for this feature first sparked about a year ago. I asked myself: How do I create an issue that truly honors maturity, experience, and the kind of artistry that deepens with time? What voices deserve to be heard, yet too often remain in the shadows? In many industries, the spotlight is so often reserved for youth. But brilliance, talent, and innovation know no age limit. This issue was designed to shift that narrative—to give space and visibility to remarkable individuals whose journeys prove that life does not plateau with age, but rather expands into something even more powerful.

This is a unique issue—one very close to my heart—because I had the privilege of meeting every single individual in person. Each story was captured through a one-on-one interview and a personal photoshoot. Every participant was carefully selected and thoughtfully curated with my vision in mind: to craft a special issue that reflects both their journeys and my own, and to share that experience with all of you.

Within these pages, you’ll meet a diverse collective of talents: photographers, model, beauty pageant, film editor, coffee connoisseur, Pilates instructor, therapist, teacher, and more. Each of them carries a story that is rich with experience, layered with wisdom, and charged with inspiration. Together, they form a tapestry of perspectives, proving that passion and purpose remain ageless.

The heart of this issue lies in storytelling. My hope is that as you read, you find pieces of yourself within these narratives—whether it’s the courage to pursue a long-shelved dream, the resilience to overcome setbacks, or the generosity to guide others toward their potential. When I sat down with each person, I was struck by how, despite our different paths, we shared the same core desire: to inspire, to uplift, and to leave a mark that matters. Some offered their knowledge. Others offered their encouragement. All of them offered a truth that resonates beyond age or industry.

This issue is more than a publication—it’s a celebration of what it means to live fully, to grow boldly, and to create without limits. May these stories remind you that no matter where you are in life’s journey, there is always room to shine, to dream, and to inspire.

Francis Wong

Editor-In-Chief