Shop And Give – All In One

This season, I decided to create a site that merged consumerism and charities. The reason is that I see so many beautifully handcrafted items from artisans around the world and yet many people are unaware of this.

This lead me to building a website that includes both artisans AND charities AND hope. Hope. It saves lives.

I just ask that you take the time to surf through the site so that I did not do this in vain. Seriously y’all, this took a lot of time and I am not profiting from it. I know that it’s not the most beautiful site but I just want people to be aware. Instead of giving money to a big corporation during Black Friday and the rest of the season, give money to help ones in need. Thank you!

Table from Nkuku.com

Dresses and Muay Thai

What’s the relation? Nothing, really.  I do have to say though that this is one of the most inspiring trips that I have ever been on.

If you follow your desires, your dreams, you achieve a different level of gratitude. You feel and experience things that you would have never felt if you hadn’t followed them. I had this dream to go to Thailand, to go to a Muay Thai camp for years now. Even prior to starting my own dress collection. I never fulfilled it because I kept thinking how I didn’t have time for it. Well… I guess this year is all about fulfilling lost dreams, so I did it without thinking too much about it. Turns out, time was too short and I was so sad when it was time for me to leave. Now, I will make time to go back and to stay longer.

I met the root of Muay Thai at Sinbi in Phuket. The trainers here have done it all of their lives, since they were kids. They treated me like I was family, though they hardly knew me. I chose one trainer to do privates with, Pot, who really cared about what he taught me, so I listened with my heart wide open. This really brought my Muay Thai to a new level. All the trainers are like Pot. You can go whether you are brand new at this or a seasoned fighter and learn something. That’s what makes it special.

Also, have any of you gone to Thailand? It’s gorgeous. It’s an inspiration in itself to start a collection entirely based on this country. It has definitely influenced me in my design direction.