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Dr. Mercy Li was once a respected banker with a doctorate in finance, excelling in the corporate world and adhering to the polished, professional dress code expected in her high-powered job. Yet, despite her academic credentials and career success, Dr. Li’s choice of clothing has often led to unexpected and sometimes controversial reactions, both from her colleagues and from outsiders. “I’ve always been someone who expresses myself through fashion,” says Dr. Li, who is now a model and influencer. “But what I didn’t anticipate was how my style could shift from being a personal statement to something that triggered unwelcome attention in professional spaces.”
Dr. Li’s journey from the world of finance to modeling was not a conventional one. It all started in an unexpected place—while shopping for lingerie. “I was browsing at a local boutique when a scout approached me,” she recalls. “At first, I didn’t take it seriously. I was a banker, not a model.” However, after several more offers, Dr. Li decided to explore the modeling industry, eventually leaving her corporate job behind. Today, she is a sought-after figure in the fashion world, known for her striking looks and confident personality. Despite her success, her relationship with the professional world has remained complex, especially in terms of how her wardrobe choices are perceived.
While transitioning to a modeling career, Dr. Li discovered that the corporate world she once thrived in had very different expectations for women’s clothing. “In finance, there’s this unspoken rule that you have to look a certain way,” Dr. Li says. “Business suits, closed shoes, and neutral colors are the norm. Anything outside of that is considered inappropriate or distracting.” When she was still working as a banker, she began noticing a growing tension between her love for bold, sometimes revealing outfits and the expectations of corporate professionalism. Her wardrobe choices—such as form-fitting dresses, plunging necklines, and high heels—were often the topic of gossip among colleagues.
Things came to a head when she received a formal warning from HR. “I was told that my outfits were causing a distraction and drawing too much attention, particularly from male colleagues,” Dr. Li explains. “It was clear that my style was being judged not on professionalism, but on how others perceived my appearance.” The warning left her conflicted. On one hand, she understood the need for a certain decorum in a formal workplace. On the other, she resented being told that her choice of clothing could undermine her credibility or professionalism. “I was doing my job well, getting results, but suddenly my clothes were the focus, not my work.”
This incident became a pivotal moment in Dr. Li’s career. She realized that her appearance was being scrutinized more than her accomplishments, a feeling many women in corporate settings are familiar with. “It’s frustrating to be reduced to your clothes or your body rather than your expertise or abilities,” Dr. Li says. “The culture of looking polished, but never too stylish, is something that women often face. It’s a double standard.” As the tension grew, Dr. Li found herself torn between her identity as a professional and her desire to express her individuality through fashion.
The warning from HR marked the beginning of the end of her time in banking. After much deliberation, Dr. Li made the bold decision to leave her corporate job and pursue a full-time career in modeling. It wasn’t an easy transition, especially given her academic and professional background. “I had to come to terms with the fact that the world of finance had different values than the world of fashion,” she reflects. “In the fashion industry, confidence and self-expression are celebrated, even if that means wearing something revealing or bold.” She found herself in an environment that embraced her choices, and she quickly became a rising star in the modeling scene.
As a model, Dr. Li has become known for challenging conventional beauty standards and pushing the envelope when it comes to fashion. She regularly advocates for body positivity and self-expression, encouraging others to embrace who they are without worrying about judgment. “I don’t want to be defined by my clothes or my appearance, but I also understand that fashion is a powerful tool for empowerment,” she says. “What I wear should reflect my personality, and in the right space, it can help me communicate my strength and individuality.”
Looking back on her experiences in both the corporate and fashion worlds, Dr. Li believes that the issue goes beyond clothing. “It’s not just about what I wore,” she reflects. “It’s about how women are expected to conform to certain standards, whether in finance or in the world of fashion. When a woman dresses a certain way, it often shifts the focus from her professional capabilities to her appearance. We need to change that narrative.” Dr. Li’s story is a reminder that women, regardless of their career paths, should have the freedom to dress how they choose without fear of judgment or discrimination. It’s a journey of reclaiming power—both in her wardrobe and in her career.
