Shopping trips on private jets? Check. Free-flowing champagne at some point? Always. Long-simmering sister-in-law tensions bubbling to the surface — stocked with more champagne, reality-show-required tears, and Chanel and Bottega Veneta tape bags? But, certainly. Because that’s how Houston’s best-dressed family continues House of Howhich is finally coming back for season 2.
But for all the overspending, top-shelf drinking, and raunchy gossip, the HBO Max reality series — or rather, docu-drama — is a Trojan horse. In her heart, House of Ho shows multiple generations of a loving, close-knit family living their best lives while being unapologetically themselves – which is a universal theme. The series also spotlights the Vietnamese American experience, from nuances in generational dynamics to longstanding cultural traditions, as illustrated through lavish family meals (where everyone is dressed) and lavish birthday parties (or weekly ones, if you’re a wild Aunt Tina thief).
But first, a quick flashback: Washington’s resident party boy and Ho family heir is now sober and focused on his children and marriage to Lesley, the pragmatic pharmacist from a more modest Midwestern upbringing. (Remember how, in season 1, she immediately made a beeline to SALE shelf during that private jet shopping trip?!) Lawyer Judy finds love again with sweet, cheeky Nate Nguyen and welcomes his very honest siblings to the group, with all its gossip and fabulous parties.
The final season opens with Judy and Nate’s traditional Vietnamese engagement ceremony – to appease Judy’s intimidating (and always stylish) parents, Binh and Hue. You know, since Dr.
“For Vietnamese families, the engagement ceremony is a very symbolic presentation of what we represent: how two families come together, what our parents’ hopes and dreams are for our marriage, and how much their blessing means to us when it comes to marriage. ours. the future,” Judy explains to TZR on Zoom. “So I just hope that people get a glimpse of Vietnamese culture when it comes to our traditions, when it comes to marriage and the families that are now united.”
Everyone dressed up to honor such a momentous occasion (and on camera), too, but House of Ho style, obviously. For Judy and her bridesmaids, Houston-based Danny Nguyen Couture custom designed all of the exquisite áo dài ensembles, which are long-sleeved, ankle-length tunics with side slits worn over pants. . “We just chose based on color and our personal style,” explains Judy, who just resplendent in an intricately embroidered áo dài and majestic headpiece in stunning coral, her favorite color.
So Judy delegated the design duties to her bridesmaid, sister-in-law Lesley, who went fabric shopping with Hue. The pair landed in a lush palette of cerulean and sky blue, with a chic nature print on long sleeves. “That was a really good marriage of two colors,” says Lesley, on the same Zoom call, playing with a smile.
Like a true union of two strong families, everyone felt free to be themselves. “I had all the bridesmaids matching, even on Nat’s side,” says Judy. “Some of them went with what I chose. Some just chose whatever they wanted to wear and hopefully it was a cohesive look.”
Ho’s immediate home also expands this season, with cousins moving to Houston from California: 22-year-old Bella from Orange County and 25-year-old Kim from the Bay Area. The two not only bring a fresh Gen Z perspective to the show, but also their own playful and individual West Coast style – which Lesley happily consulted for a night out at the ‘club’.
For feedback from her impromptu stylists, Lesley perused her wardrobe, which evolved from last season with abundant feathers, bold colors and fun embellishments, reflecting a better place in her relationship with Washington. “I really didn’t pay much attention to clothes,” Lesley says of her mindset last time, when her emotional focus was on managing Washington’s overspending and drinking. But now that he’s sober and working a full-time, 9-to-5 job (!), she can finally let go of her style — and creating full glam look. “I really had a lot of fun with the makeup and hair to match each outfit,” says Lesley, who also allowed herself to be pushed out of her sartorial comfort zone by the Cali cousins.
“They would come [and say,] ‘Lesley, yes, this is for the club, or ‘No, Lesley! Why do you wear this? Show more. Show more leg,” laughs Lesley, who, by the way, still buys the discount designers, but through online coupon codes. (“Like, the extra 20% off stuff!”)
Kim and Bella also use fashion as self-expression, to tell their stories and illustrate their close and complementary connection to each other. “I’m a little more reserved, a little more traditional,” says Kim, over Zoom, alongside her cousin. “Bella is really great at breaking down barriers and being bold and trying these new styles. So very reflective of our real lives and on the show.”
Growing up with ambitions to become a designer, Bella likes to experiment with her style based on her personality and mood. Fashion may also be in her genes, considering her father Andy, who is the show’s secret style icon. (He’s also a wise voice of reason, along with Aunt Tina. Someone give these two a road trip spin-off, please!)
Bella explains that her father’s style evolves with his career and life changes, too, from Ralph Lauren and Vineyard Vines in his youth to “rows and rows” of banker suits to his current “carefree” flair. like Harry Styles for silk shirts. Andy’s enthusiasm for risk-taking and self-expression also inspires Bella’s confidence. “I think he’s very comfortable with who he is and how he dresses, which definitely carries over to me and how I feel about myself,” Bella says. “So at the end of the day, he’s still influencing me and being that father figure, even through his ridiculous outfits.”
Even the admiration is mutual. “I swear, he’ll look at what I’m wearing and then he’ll be like, ‘Oh, let me change so I can match you,'” Bella says with a laugh. “So we influence each other, but everyone thinks he looks like a pirate.” (She also points out that Andy’s penchant for his glam-louche t-shirts is actually just practical for the Texas heat—a very dad move.)
Speaking of positive influences, later in the season Bella and Kim participate in one of the reality show’s most synergistic crossover moments: meeting Houston-based Vietnamese American designer Chloe Dao. (Cohorts from Judy and Lesley’s generation may recognize Dao for making history as the second OG winner Project track.) Bella and Kim really appreciated the opportunity to be inspired by another Vietnamese American woman who pushed the boundaries to realize her career ambitions, which some might consider non-traditional.
“Not only did it [Dao] you teach us a lot about talking to our parents about our dreams and desires and breaking away from the model minority [myth],” says Kim, who makes a point of supporting AAPI designers and the community. “But she also showed us her sense of style and [how] to own our identity through what we wear.”
House of Ho Season 2 premieres the first 3 episodes on HBO Max on Thursday, August 25, with three new episodes debuting on Thursday, September 1 and the final four episodes debuting on Thursday, September 8.
