A Culture Mainstreamed

Hand-made Hmong skirt

Angelina Jolie and her children. Vivienne (4th from left) is wearing a hand made hmong top. 

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22958870&catId=CLOTHES-SKIRTS&pushId=CLOTHES-SKIRTS&popId=CLOTHES&navCount=6&color=009&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-SKIRTS&templateType=subCategory

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21123617&catId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&pushId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&popId=CLOTHES&navCount=402&color=095&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&templateType=subCategory


I was flipping through an old *People magazine the other day and came across a picture of Angelina Jolie and her kids. What stuck out to me was what her daughter Vivienne was wearing; a traditional children's Hmong top. Me being Hmong, this made a huge impact in my life because it's going open a huge door to the Hmong people. People are always interested in what her kids are wearing so I'm sure they will be asking where Vivienne got her top and such and soon they'll find out that it is originally part of the Hmong, which will lead to further research of the Hmong people.

Just the other day I was shopping on Walnut Street in Philadelphia at the beautiful Anthropologie and was amazed by a Hmong inspired skirt and sweater. I knew that it had to deal with the Hmong because of the patterns, colors and the pleating of the skirt. I love how Hmong clothing is getting it's foot in the door in the fashion industry. The clothing is so beautiful and technical in it's design and patterns that any designer would be inspired from it. 


Be blessed.