2024.10.21
Looking Into the "Dress that Changes the Future" Designed by Fashion Designer Mee
There's probably nothing that fits your body quite like custom-made clothing. Unlike ready-to-wear garments, you can create it entirely according to your preferences, adjusting details like length and width, allowing you to hide imperfections or accentuate your favorite lines. When you wear clothes that make you feel beautiful, your mood naturally lifts, and you may feel like going out somewhere.
"Fashion can be a catalyst for changing hearts," says fashion designer Mee. She emphasizes the importance of creating dresses that everyone can enjoy, regardless of gender or disability. Thus, we discussed how Mee began her journey as a fashion designer and her aspirations conveyed through her dresses.
PROFILE
Mee
Former esthetician
After marrying, her partner worked in overseas garment production, leading her into the apparel industry.
Starting with just one apron, she continued to meet customer needs, resulting in the launch of a brand that caters to everything from ready-made lines to custom orders.
Everything Began with a Chance Encounter
What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
I wish I could share a story about aspiring to be a designer since childhood and attending a vocational school, but honestly, I found myself creating dresses without even realizing it, eventually launching my own brand.After I got married, my partner happened to run a sewing factory, so I witnessed various products from different manufacturers.
It was an amateur thought, but seeing fabric waste up close hurt my heart, and I thought maybe it would be good to start a brand. However, at that time, I never considered becoming a designer or starting a clothing brand.
The actual making began from a completely different angle. The teacher at my class, who was a fuller-figured person, complained that she wanted a cute apron but couldn't find one that fit her body type. Then, out of the blue, she said, "Could you sew an apron for me?"
She made that request knowing my situation, and for some reason, I agreed despite having no experience.
The actual making began from a completely different angle. The teacher at my class, who was a fuller-figured person, complained that she wanted a cute apron but couldn't find one that fit her body type. Then, out of the blue, she said, "Could you sew an apron for me?"
She made that request knowing my situation, and for some reason, I agreed despite having no experience.
The first step really came out of nowhere.
After some trial and error, I managed to complete the apron and gave it to my teacher, who was very pleased. Then, other students who were learning together asked me to make one for them too.As those requests increased, it became a big challenge when I was asked for a dress. Imagining everyone being happy, I couldn't refuse, so I bought a book and somehow shaped it up.
Subsequently, my dresses spread through word of mouth, and as requests kept coming in, I prepared a meeting space and started naming my products, and before I knew it, I had become a designer.
Subsequently, my dresses spread through word of mouth, and as requests kept coming in, I prepared a meeting space and started naming my products, and before I knew it, I had become a designer.
You have brands called "Xiuxi" and "MeeDress."
"Xiuxi" is a completely custom-made brand. We focus on working closely with each customer to create satisfying dresses. However, this means it takes time to craft each piece, resulting in many customers waiting.Amid this, more customers started requesting ready-made sizes. Since many called me Mee or the Mee dress, I decided to name the brand "Mee Dress." Here, we sell semi-custom and ready-made dresses.
Although it's my brand, the name was essentially given by the customers, so it feels like my brand yet not completely mine. I truly believe it's a brand made possible by my customers.
Everyone Enjoys Fashion
I heard you incorporate universal design into your creations. Can you share how that came about?
My mother-in-law suffers from a severe illness that limits her ability to move her limbs as she wishes. Thus, there were many instances where her clothing caused discomfort, as some off-the-shelf clothes don't stretch enough.Fashion and style are meant to bring smiles, so it made me sad to see her experiencing discomfort. Searching for clothing that anyone, regardless of their limitations, could wear led me to discover universal design.
Regardless of age, gender, or disability, the clothing designed to enjoy favorite fashion excels in both design and functionality; to me, it represents "clothing to enjoy being myself."
Do you feel that your experience as an esthetician strongly reflects in your designs?
Having touched the bodies of various people, I believe I have unconsciously learned where curves create beauty.When creating dresses, I constantly consider what lines will best enhance the silhouette when worn by the individual.
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