#Hmongdesigner

[kennyxfashion]

The theme of this shoot is called “Hu Plig”. To hu plig is to call the spirit, and during the Hmong New Year, Hmong people call the spirits of their ancestors to bless their family for health and longevity for the new year.

Photography: Linda Her Vang of LV Photography

Fashion/Model: House of Xiong Fashion

[hmongthreads]

1975 Hmong Threads www.hmongthreads.com Do You. Push the Limits. #Hmong #hmongfitness #hmongphotographer #hmongfood #hmongpeople #hmongtattoo #hmongdog #hmonggirl #hmonggirls #hmongculture #hmongmodel #hmongvillage #hmongwomen #hmongfit #hmongfashion #hmongbeauty #hmongbaby #hmongartist #hmongbag #hmongart #hmongwomentoday #hmongstory #Hmongstyle #hmongthreads #hmongmusic # #hmongtattoo #hmongdesign

[whiteelephantco]

Just wanted to share one of our #bohobabygiveaway collaborator’s shop, @meyajyuam. She’s a sweetheart and is a force in celebrating baby apparel with Hmong textile and design. Here is a shot of her adorable baby girl wrapped up in this super soft muslin blanket. The winner of our giveaway has the option of choosing a pink or blue. I bought some for my baby girl because I love it so much, and I got one of each because all babies can rock any and every color! Visit her page and show her some love on Etsy! 💕 And don’t forget to put your entries in on my previous post. Giveaway ends Friday. 📷: @meyajyuam Etsy shop: Me Yaj Yuam _____________________ 🌿... 🐘🐘🐘 ...🌿 www.thewhiteelephantco.com #whiteelephantco #etsy #thehappynow #bohemianstyle #bohostyle #shopsmall #shopetsy #smallbusiness #womeninbiz #womensupportingwomen #babyapparel #babyclothing #shopbaby #prettythings #girlboss #girlbosses #momboss #momswithcameras #etsybuzz #mommyhood #momlife #babyboy #babygirl #muslinswaddle #hmongclothes #hmongdesign #hmongtextiles #hmongstyle #allthingsbaby

[yurixyooj-blog]

My next look. Stay tuned Exclusively, byuri. #byuri #fashion #style #personality #beading #handmade #couture #details #bugles #seedbeads #sewing #hmongdesigner #hmonginspired

[kennyxfashion]

This spring, I had the chance to design a collection to showcase at IUPUI’s ASU Asian Cultural Show. Their theme was SPECTRUM and of course, I chose the color red! “Seeing RED” showcases a collection of sexy and elegant designs. 

Models: Sunnih and Arriana

Photographer: Linda Her Vang of LV Photography

[kennyxfashion]

Warrior’s Journey 2017

I absolutely love this photo shoot with Rachel and Linda. I got a chance to set back and watch my clothes come to life on Rachel. Her fit body really portrayed the spirit of a warrior perfectly. Linda did a wonderful job at capturing the details of each piece. 

[hmongthreads]

Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances become more extraordinary for it. HmongThreads www.hmongthreads.com #Hmong #HmongPhotography #hmongmusicfestival #hmonggirl #hmongart #hmongbaby #hmongbag #HmongWedding #hmonghouse #Hmongpillow #hmongthreads #hmonggirls #hmongwomen #hmongtattooartist #hmongtattoo #hmongdesign #hmongcushion #hmongoutfit #hmongbatik #hmongfamily #hmongfashion #hmongdog #hmongfood #hmongtextiles #hmonglife #hmongtraveler #hmongartist #hmongthai #hmongnewyear

[kennyxfashion]

Let Music Heal the Soul. 

As part of my trip to Minnesota for Fresh Traditions, I wanted to work with other artists. And I did! I got a chance to work with the talented Stacey Moua of StaceyMoua Photography. As a busy mom of three, she still made time to do gorgeous photo shoots! I always bring my violin with me where ever I go, but having so much stuff to carry with me already, I left it behind. When Stacey asked me to do this photo shoot, I knew I had to ask my husband to bring my violin up with him! I can’t pass up a photo shoot with Stacey! 

[kennyxfashion]

A Picture Worth A 1000 Words. 

When I was young, I dreamed of become one of the best Hmong Female film director out there. Though that dream has fallen into the back burner, I realized that through fashion designing and a great help from a wonderful photographer friend, I am still able to tell stories through my clothes. 

photography by Linda Her Vang

Designer: Keng Xiong

[kennyxfashion]

Designed by Keng Xiong

Photographed by Jean Ly Yang and Hair by Shelah Hang

Standing in the cold with very little clothes on is my idea of a fun photoshoot, but the results were fantastic! I did had a great time doing this photoshoot with a great friend of mine. The outfit is a start to a series of outfits that I’ll be making in the months to come. I can’t wait to reveal them one by one! The idea is that that one can be elegant and feminine, but be a strong individual at the same time. 

This piece features hand- embroidered cherry blossoms with  gold bead embellishments. 

[kennyxfashion]

The Red Dress and Gold Crown.

Desgin by: Keng Xiong

Photographed by: LINDA HER VANG

"Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.”

[kennyxfashion]

The Voices of Change

The voices of Hmong women are changing--slowly, but it is changing. As a child growing up, I felt unequal to my only brother. There were eight girls in my family and I was one of the oldest. I was train to become a homemaker, which required early training from cleaning, cooking and doing paj ntau. My Grandma's favorite line was "Lazy, you guys wouldn't last three days before they send you back!" That was to encourage us to work hard and diligently. I just remember being so resentful to becoming a Hmong Nyab (bride) because that could mean that my freedom would be stripped away from me. I have seen it many times where young Hmong women who had dreams and goals suddenly had to put them aside to serve their family--- That is very selfless of them. I did not want to do that. I did not want to become just a homemaker. I did not want to just serve my family (Which there is nothing wrong with that), but I wanted to keep dreaming because I am a human being with dreams and goals too.

I had a dream at a young age to become a Hmong film director---to improve Hmong movies. My parents were very against me doing such thing because I was a girl. I had dropped out of college and traveled for a couple of years, which my parents were horrified and truly disappointed in me because education is such a highly values and coveted thing within the Hmong culture. However, it was during my times of travels when I realized what I wanted. Today, I am an aspiring fashion designer. That may sounds confusing as to how I ended up in fashion, but I have done it all along. I learned the art of sewing pai natu (flower cloth) at the tender age of 6. I remember vividly watching my mom and my older sisters hunched over and sewing all day long. How did I find that fun? I don't know, but I wanted to learn. My mom made me practice sewing straight lines until I could get it perfect---all the stitches would line up making perfect little x's. After my grandma made me finish my first set of Hmong clothes, I never did it again. I had enough of the tedious cross-stitching at the age of 10. I started making little clothes for my rag dolls and then I started making costumes for our epic home videos. And from there, I started my journey of clothes making.  I designed costumes for our home videos and wanted to have a hand in movie costumes. Although, I never had the chance to do it professionally, I have found a different path for designs.

It was not until I became pregnant with my daughter that I took my sewing more seriously. I wanted to go somewhere with sewing and become good at it. I started designing clothes and practice honing my sewing skills. This year, 2015, has a big push for me, I made a couple mini collections, and did my first runway show. Doing the fashion show was a very inspiring experience for me. It gave me a chance to reach out and meet other Hmong designers, and artists out there in the community that I've become a little detached from since I live in Indiana where there's a very small Hmong population. However, I still have a long way learn and go from here. I am just glad I am doing what I love.

I want to help change the voices of Hmong women. I want to be a part of encouraging Hmong women that we are more than just homemakers. We should not be limited to what our society wants us to become, but more importantly, we should not limit ourselves and our own desires to become better.