The collection draws eccentric play inspired by athleisure keeping an edge of streetwear, couture and the traditional ways of making Hmong clothing; boxy, strict in the palette of leading Hmong colors like royal blue, emerald green, black and neon pink and adorning bright pops of floral, tassel fringe and pompoms all the while bringing few but eclectic modern swatches like sheer, knit, quilted and leather textures. It incites the eyes with unconventional silhouettes and is held together by the sway of the body.
The layering of basket weave, pompoms and fringe represent the complexity of Hmong identities and the desire, will and resilience to hold it as one.
Typically, Hmong clothing is made for and specifically assigned by genders. Where Hmong Green men's pants often time feature a low drop crotch, here it can be seen worn exclusively by women along with the Hmong mens shirt cut. A bomber jacket features the powerful blue cloth typically used in the arm cuffs of women's shirts and a fringe styled version of the "dab tsho," a cloth on the back of Hmong women's shirt that distinctly tells them apart. Ancient Hmong folk tales have survived oral traditions to remind us that the dab tsho it's a symbol of women. Here that very notion is challenged, worn on the male body.
Photographer: Cam Xiong
Make-Up: STYLUS, Kia Xiong, Kong Yang, Song Vang
Hair: STYLUS, Penni Moua
Models: Kathryn, Kim, Mey, Sophia, Tito, Tony, Vanessa
Silver jewelry: RedGreen Rivers
Ka Oskar Ly - 2016 Fresh Traditions X Fashion Show Os.Couture - Collection: XO ——— Special Thanks to www.thecollectivevibe.com for styling and production (Toua Lee, Elmo Lee, Peter Phung, Milly Lee, Duha Vang, Chai Her, Pheng Khang, PXKIN, Monee Lee)