#afua doll

[afuaama]

me and my minimi. cold hands, warm heart. Part 1. Many moons ago, (2022?) I made the doll and put her up. She felt like a riptide in a quiet ocean. But, she was very pretty. She actually gets nice compliments. Well, we never bonded. (until recently) Part 2. pretty girl rock. an Abenaki tale. (2023) first heard from joseph bruchac. Once upon a time a very pretty girl refused to marry anyone not as pretty as her. So, one day by the river she heard a turtle shell flute song played just for her. He - the player - was very pretty. When she took his hand, it was cold. "that's ok" she reasoned. "cold hands, warm heart." At his home, with his people, with his air. She felt the cold. Cold as stone. Well, he lived under a rock. Underwater. Literally. You see, he was actually Horned Snake. She fled from him with his mother's and grandfather thunderbird's help. Back at her home she finally married a human with warm hands and a warm heart. Part 5. do you love me. do you love me? do You love Me? love, minimi.

[simpstyle]

The Working Girl: Dajia Milan, Costume Designer & Stylist

EVERYONE Meet Dai!

costume designer & stylist

It’s time to get inspired by this Working Girl that got her start at Vogue. Her editorial start inspired her to create some of the most iconic images we’ve seen in print and digital today. Constantly setting the standards and impressing the industry with her refreshing and eclectic cutting edge style, she is the true definition of a Working Girl.

Get to know this Working Girl

@milano_love

What does being a Working Girl mean to you?

Being a Working Girl for me means going out there and taking what’s yours no matter the journey. I mean we have to start somewhere, right? It’s being resourceful, being two steps ahead of the game, being apart of a conversation and having your seat at “the table”. People tend to compare themselves and their journey to someone they didn’t see struggle year after year. Everyone works and those who you admire the best worked and stayed consistent with their dreams and goals, that’s why they are where they are today. A Working Girl knows what she wants and she’s present in that mindset day after day to get to her end goal.

A Working Girl is out there hustling working hard in whatever field and making a difference whether in her life or in the world.

What's your morning routine?

I’ve recently started a new morning routine which I think I’ll be sticking with for some time. I’ve become very much in-tuned with health/beauty and wellness so my morning routine reflects this. My current routine consists of waking up and doing 20 minutes of meditation, at least 10-15 minutes of journalling and ending with some light reading for another 20 mins. I feel starting your day with a balanced mind and giving it some new information really get the creative juices flowing. My days get really busy and sometimes very intense so I’ve found meditating and journaling puts me in a much better space these days. Once I feel fully balanced I go and feed my dog so while she’s eating I’m doing my morning facial routine.

By the time I’m done I head out for a walk…well more like a drag with her; she’s quite the character when its time to walking her

After I drop my dog back home and grab my work bag. I’m off to my every changing days whether I’m starting them in my office, on set or hitting the pavements to shop for my current projects.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your career? 

The biggest challenge I faced in my career is finding balance between work and having a social life. My hours are pretty intense and I never have an idea of when I’ll get off which makes it hard to make actual commitments to meet with friends and family. I’m naturally a homebody so my days off I typically enjoy relaxing home but I’ve recently in the last year learned to make time for friends and family and hanging out more.

What keeps you going? What's the best part of your job?

Creating…….

I have to create otherwise I’m unhappy. Even when I am taking time to myself I still have to be creating something to feel fulfilled. I truly enjoy clothing down to the smallest detail on the garment. I get to create these characters that the world gets to either love or hate.

“Wardrobe is a very important piece of the story”

It gives you an idea of who this character is, what they’re going through and so much more. I love story telling and visually your clothes can tell your story without you having to say a word. I love being part of that process and collaborating with such talented actors and actresses to build on that just from reading a script.

Advice to someone pursuing the same career

Always be a student; no matter how far you get always be a student to learn and also to listen. Many times people want to jump into things because it looks cool but there’s a lot to learn every single day. I have these talks with some of the biggest designers who I admire and I’ve gotten to work with and even they tell me they learn new things that just kicks their craft up a notch. The business changes a lot because of the needs of the audience so be willing to learn and listen. Also be kind; often times people don’t understand your kindness can take you so much further especially when you have the talent to go along with it.

Favorite book

Buddha’s Brain - Dr Rick Hanson

Sacred Woman - Queen Afua

Contagious - Jonah Berger

Favorite Movie

Baps

Pretty Woman

Training Day

Breakfast at Tiffanys

Valley of the Dolls

Favorite food

Thai Food !

“My worth is never up for debatE”

This quote is so powerful to me because many times people try to knock you, your craft and worth down to better suit their needs. It’s important to never allow yourself to devalue what you offer and bring to the table just to make other feel comfortable and that’s why in everything I do I remind myself that I have so much to offer and why I request what I do in both business and personal situations.

What is your must have item you can not live without?

Dai’s Working Girl Playlist

Check out the songs that get Dajia through the day

Your 2019 goal ?

Well 2019 is nearly done but it’s just pushing myself much harder for these two brands that I’ve been quietly working on for their 2020 launch. On top of that my main goal is to keep elevating myself and my craft as a Costume Designer.

2020 feels like its going to be an amazing year; 2019 was all about pure preparation and 2020 is all about execution and not letting up on myself!

Keep Up with Daj

IMDB

INSTAGRAM

BLOG

[afuaama]

[afuaama]

" a long ways down