Posted: December 30th, 2011 | Author:admin | Filed under:Uncategorized | Comments Off
Happy Holidays! I headed back to Houston to spend time with the family, when I came across my gouache set. I used to use this medium but quit doing it, turning to marker and pencil. It took hours and hours to get to “My” style, but once I started getting it, it either moved fast or I just didn’t notice the time….and so I wanted to share a couple. I used gouache, brush pen, ink pen, pencil and water soluble colored pencil.
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!
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.
Wat Hua Ku – Outskirts of Bangkok
Naiharn Beach in Phuket
This is Pot, my favorite teacher at Sinbi Muay Thai
Custom Designed Mauy Thai Shorts at Fight Lab! That’s Right!
Fall season is approaching and I’ve been adamantly watching all the shows from NY fashion week all the way to Paris fashion week. I’ve been lucky to attend shows. However, not every designer gets the same fortunate circumstance. Meet Jane (pictured below). I came across Jane on one of Nicholas Kristof’s articles calledSewing Her Way Out of Poverty. She got out of prostitution and opened her own clothing business by learning to save money and sew through the help of Jamii Bora. I was so inspired by her story so I dropped off a bag of fabrics and a dress and top for her today. Nicholas Kristof’s blog talks about how we can donate, so that’s what I did. If you have a bridesmaid, cocktail, fabric or bridal gown you would like to donate , I can swing by and get it from you in the NY vicinity, or here’s the contact information. If dropping off, just call ahead of time. They are super nice!
“Show of Force Productions” 430 E10th St. 3rd Floor. NY,NY 10009. T: 212 247 3057
Jane Ngoiri (Photo from Nicholas Kristof's FB fan page)
Posted: May 21st, 2011 | Author:admin | Filed under:Uncategorized | Comments Off
Yesterday CAAAV had its 25th Anniversary which included the Sustainable Fashion Meets Sustainable Communities Project. I just want to thank Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this project. It has definitely inspired me so you might see me more often at the flea markets! I also could not have done it without my lovely model, Alana Mariano and Marlene Paez the project leader, who found me through Morgan Tse. Thanks guys!
I’ve been working on this dress for awhile now, and it is finally finished. I’m going to miss you dress when you get auctioned off on May 20th at CAAAV’s charity auction.
Made up of 1970’s silk scarves, scraps of eveningwear fabric and a belt found from the Brooklyn Flea, it’s a one off, handmade gown that was made with love.
On April 8th, MinnaK, along with 7 other designers showcased their designs in a fashion show produced by Diaspora Models and Pinstripe Magazine. The cause was for the Japan Tsunami Relief Fund, in which proceeds were donated to the Red Cross. Get an idea of the show here.
Posted: March 15th, 2011 | Author:admin | Filed under:Uncategorized | Comments Off
I want to take a few days to concentrate on Japan.
The hardest part of being human for me is watching the human race destroy the human race… another difficult part is watching natural disasters. I know that it’s nature and nothing can stop that. She will shift as she always has. It still breaks my heart to watch people pass on so quickly, unexpectedly.
I haven’t done a photoshoot nor taken beautiful pictures of my jewelry and the website isn’t set up. However, if you go on the I Love Haute Couture site, scroll down and take a look at my jewelry, the prices are listed below. If you’d like to purchase a piece, I’ll donate 30% of net sales (shipping cost will be included until April 14th) to All Hands for the Japan Tsunami Relief fund between now until April 14th. Email me personally at minna@minnak.com and transactions will be done through Pay Pal. I’ll follow up to let you know the donation has gone through. I’ll also keep posting new jewelry until then.
On a postive note: Happy pi day. (it’s 3.14 – I know, very nerdy but I love it. Wait until its 2015 – 3.1415)
P.S.
Refunds are allowed up to 10 days once it’s shipped, but I am not able to give back 100%. Total – 30% of donation – shipping cost – 10% restocking fee will need to be deducted from total. Damaged items that are shipped back will not be refunded so it’s best to ship as it was originally packed. Thank you for understanding.
