So here's my fashion story and what shaped my style over the years.
First of all, there is one significant person that definitely impacted me: my grandmother.
My grandmother was definitely a jack of all trades. While raising my father and uncle in Taiwan, my grandmother was always practical to look for ways to support her family. She took on odd jobs to save up more money for their education. From haircutting to being a tour guide, she was extremely versatile.
My father told me how she would take orders from factories for knitted garments. Then, she would organize the local neighborhood women to handknit the sweaters. Once they were completed, they were sent back to the factories--who sold them. Because of this, my grandma learned to knit at lightning speed with perfect and amazing accuracy. Thankfully, during my last visit to Taiwan, she was able to pass on some of her secrets to me.
She also set up her own business selling crocheted hats in the front of their house. In Taiwan, most homes consisted of two narrow stories. My grandmother would use the first story of her home and open it up as a store selling hats. She would set out a couple of different designs and people would custom order hats from her. Still remembering those days, my father told me about the gorgeous creations she produced--from beautiful birds on the chic hats to the most exquisite flowers.
So I guess after hearing such intriguing stories, I would obviously have to explore a little churning up some fashion myself.
I was never the fashion wunderkind and I will never be any fashion amazing person. But my grandma and those around me definitely taught me to explore and be creative.
First of all, something you should know about me is that I am a huge fashion of knitwear. The main reason is because I knit myself.
I picked up my first set of knitting needles at the age of 8. I taught myself from a book, with some help from my mom who knew a few basics. After the first few lumpy deformed shapes, I was soaring smoothly and loving it.
Anyways, my fashion story is getting super long, so the next parts will just be a little fast forward of what happened next.
I started making scarves for a lot of my friends. Soon I realized that people actually wanted to purchase them from me. So I created a website and sold my scarves.
When I was finally ready to take that big step, I ventured into sweaterland. I had a few, well fine, a lot of failures. But once I got the hang of it, it was amazing.
The idea that I can take something I want to see and actually make it and wear it was exhilarating to me and it still is. I could take whatever I was feeling and transport it into this medium.
I learned how to sew after that. I love making summer dresses with the machine and spent a lot of time doing that this past summer. My grandmother has always been along the way guiding me and helping me. From a couple of skilled and generous women, I was also endowed with priceless tidbits of advice.
Some of my designers and inspirations are Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Burberry and Sonia Rykiel's knit wear. Jason Wu's fresh innovative designs are like sunshine to me--I adore his dresses. Burberry's elegant collections are always a classic. And Sonia Rykiel does knitwear, do I need to say more?
Personally, my own fashion style is set on a huge spectrum. Honestly, it depends on my day and my mood. But most of the time, what catches my eye is a simple piece based around one idea. I love tops that are completely based off a tiny flower on the front. I love a dress that takes one idea of color and lines and applies it to the entire garment.
A big fashion issue close to my heart is to bring high fashion standards back around. These days, we pay $50 for a ripped t-shirt made with fabric costing less than a $1. The measures of quality have been replaced by cheap mass produced garments. That's why I love knitwear, no two garments come out exactly the same. The uniqueness of it is a breath of fresh air.
Also, the immodest fashions of these days destroy the idea of fashion. Fashion is not meant to showcase the body. Fashion is meant to highlight the natural beauty given from God. God designed clothing originally for covering and over the years, humans have learned to make more luxurious clothing. Today, fashion is an important part of society and shapes it. What is worn in society affects the entire mindset of society. Fashion isn't meant to be idolized, however, instead it is a gift from God that should strengthen our creativity while being safeguarded preciously.
I love quality clothing that is beautiful and well designed at a reasonable and fair price . Organic, free trade, you name it, I'm for it!
Well that's just a background about me. Fashion stories never have an end. The emotions and beat of fashion never die--long after the trends wash away and the designers fall out of favor. My journey is still not over--and I'm excited to see what will be ahead, each step of the way!
