Creative Closeup with Jennifer Saesue
Welcome to Creative Closeup, an ongoing series where we spend time with inspiring women learning about their creative practices and the spaces they inhabit.
New York restaurateur Jennifer Saesue brings an intuitive, experience-driven sensibility to everything she does. Constantly moving between kitchens, meetings, and projects, she gravitates toward clothing that feels effortless, functional, and intentional. For this feature, Jenn styles Merlette’s Core collection alongside Spring 2026, drawn to its femininity, movement, and quiet strength.
As the owner of Fish Cheeks, Bangkok Supper Club, and Bub’s Bakery in NYC, and deeply influenced by her connection to Thai culture and food, she sees fashion and cooking as parallel forms of storytelling, each rooted in craft, emotion, and the ability to make people feel seen.
1. How does fashion show up in your day-to-day life as a founder?
Fashion shows up for me as another form of creative expression. As a founder, I’m constantly moving between kitchens, meetings, construction sites, and events, so what I wear has to feel like me: comfortable, functional, but still intentional.
2. What drew you to the Merlette pieces you styled?
I was drawn to how effortless and feminine the pieces feel, without being precious. They have movement, texture, and a softness that still feels strong.
3. Is there a dish that feels most representative of your cooking?
I’m actually not a chef and I don’t cook professionally, I just really love food. When I do cook, it’s very instinctual and rooted in flavor rather than technique. If I had to choose one dish, it would be steamed fish with Thai herbs. It's simple, but bright and bold.
4. Are there any upcoming projects you’re especially excited about right now?
Right now, I’m most excited about growing 55 Hospitality. That means continuing to build and evolve Fish Cheeks, Bangkok Supper Club, and Bub’s Bakery, while also exploring and developing new concepts.
5. How do you see food and fashion intersecting creatively?
For me, food and fashion intersect in emotion and experience. Both are sensory, both tell stories, and both are deeply tied to memory. A dish and an outfit can each change how you feel, how you move, and how you connect with people. They’re both about craft, culture, and identity and when done well, they make people feel seen.
6. Travel is at the heart of Merlette. Is there a place you’ve traveled where the food really stayed with you?
Thailand has had the deepest impact on me. The way food is woven into everyday life there—from street stalls to home kitchens to celebratory meals—is unforgettable. The balance of flavors, the generosity, the chaos, and the beauty of it all really stayed with me, and it continues to influence how I think about food, hospitality, and creativity.
