FROM WITHIN: FALL RTW '16 COLLECTION
For my Junior collection, I decided to create a collection inspired by my culture. When I decided to become a fashion designer, I held a conflict within myself of being labeled as a Hmong fashion designer who designs Hmong clothing. I never saw myself wanting to design anything Hmong. My focus was more geared towards contemporary women's fashion. It wasn't until I finally found myself admiring my culture and really starting to appreciate everything from my past.
I felt a strong connection to this collection becasue it showcase my culture, but also because I was able to buy the hand stitched Hmong fabrics on my first international trip to my parents childhood country, Thailand. I believe that trip really opened my eyes and allowed me to explore my heritage. That was a just a little background on how From Within was started and now I'm going to share my designer statement behind this collection.
What does history, culture, and heritage mean to you? History paints a long journey in my mind filled with a multitude of diverse people. Culture directs me to think of delicate art, language, and rich foods. Heritage makes me envision family, traditions, and stories passed down throughout the generations. History, culture, and heritage are three of the many concepts that really makes a person who they are and it can’t be taken away, but only given. I took these three concepts and reflected it into my collection, “From Within.”
“From Within” really captures the character of a modern Hmong women living in the present day, but always bringing along her history, culture, and heritage. Never forgetting the people who bought her to where is she, always sharing her culture, and forever embracing her heritage. The silhouettes and fabrics all reflect traditional Hmong clothing. From the vibrant colors to the accordion pleats and from the paj ntaub to the embellishments. “From Within” not only captures tradition Hmong elements, but also very contemporary elements that makes the collection look in style. Some modern elements fuse in are the chokers, fabric manipulations, and asymmetric silhouettes. “From Within” tells a great story and aspires people to really embrace their own history, culture, and heritage.
I really hope that you guys enjoyed this post and liked my collection. I really enjoyed designing this collection and want to give credits to ML Production for providing all the photos. Please stay tune for more future collections and I might expand this collection in the future. Comment below any thoughts becasue I would love to see what you guys think. Until next time, God Bless!