Not fragile
THAT. Was. It. I finally spotted my first strand of white hair after a long day of curating Mimpikita’s 10-year anniversary exhibition. As I freaked out, I quickly gathered myself and said “You’re ageing, Min. It’s natural. You’re an adult. Deal with it.”
I have to thank the tired, energy-drained side of me for wanting to just use the remaining energy left to cook dinner and spend time with my family. I don’t have time (and energy) to waste on things I can’t control.
At times, I feel suffocated just by looking at my to-do list and I forget that this profession is just one part that completes me as a person.
#Minlunaonset is my professional life. I have other roles too. I am a wife, mother, daughter, an elder sister, mentor to my staff, counsellor to my friends, the list goes on.
The roles are like hats. We all wear different hats on different occasions. It can be overwhelming at times but I learn that there is nothing in this world that we can’t handle.
“What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”.
Yes. We are tough, we are strong and we are not fragile.
Vivy Yusof called me a few months back and casually asked if I wanted to do a collection with Fashion Valet.
Interesting, I thought, but will I have time for this?
A small capsule project that I worked on with my sister for this year’s Hari Raya under our family brand Norma gave me a taste of what production was like — interesting and quite rewarding.
It’s not just in the business sense. When you see strangers wearing your designs, there’s just this sense of accomplishment that I cannot explain. It makes you feel good. So I said yes to Vivy.
Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said: “Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.”
And this collection is something that I want.
Not Fragile, as the collection is called, was born out on my years of dressing people with different types of bodies and sizes.
I know some of us feel there’s nothing for us out there in the market that makes us look and feel good.
It’s a kind of disappointment that leads to shaky confidence which, in turn, makes us even weaker.
Clothing is powerful. It affects our emotional state. As a stylist, that’s where I come in, wearing my superhero “hat” to save you, fashion-wise.
FIRST COLLECTION
I lack the supermodel height and I’m far from Kate Moss’ naturally waif-like figure. But that doesn’t stop me from being fashionable.
Styling-wise, I’m more about practicality and what suits a person. Not trends.
So this first (and hopefully there’s a next one, Viv!) line consists of basics like fashionforward pieces of maxi skirts, a long silk blazer, a power suit, feminine dresses with exclusive Norma prints, a modern denim jacket with timeless silhouette, flattering pants for every body shape, essential turtleneck tops, blazers for corporate lady bosses and the ‘Don’t Membawang’ t-shirt with the line “I’m silently correcting your style” (I call it the infamous one and it’s the first item to be sold out!)
It’s my statement to cyber bullies who hide behind keyboards and who break people’s confidence by commenting negatively on their style or body.
Of course, under my Min Luna brand, there are elements of fashion-forwardness. So twists and tweaks can be seen on them.
Writing this after showcasing my #MinLunaXFashionValet collection, I can’t help but to look back on my life and what I’ve achieved so far.
As the momentous day fell on my birthday. I still couldn’t believe this petite Gombak girl, who got bullied at every stage of her life was there, opening Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2018.
Not Fragile is for everyone. That’s why I have included a diverse group of women with different body types, styles and age for the runway.
By doing so, I want this to be the ‘voice’ that shouts that we are all able to empower ourselves by simply wearing what suit our body shapes and styling ourselves right. This will hopefully boost confidence, attitude and self-esteem.
With a KRU medley and their empowering, boundary-breaking lyrics, I sent the models down the runway with this message: “No smiling, pretend the audience is your haters, walk proud!”.
I even had a cool elderly woman (Aunty Sherry) who effortlessly rocked her fully white-haired bob. She received the loudest applause.
So, should I be shaken up by that one strand of white hair? I don’t think so. Perhaps it is an indicator that I’m on my way to become as fabulous as her. #positivevibesonly.