Inspiration

Above: HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at the christening of Princess Isabella

Below: HeadGirl Mary (Available now at Bonanza) 

I was never someone who loved fashion. 

I only bought my first fashion magazine ELLE in the summer of 1994, the year I went to university, because I was getting something from a supermarket and the magazine happened to be on a rack near the cashier. I just took it down and paid thinking that it would make me look stylish.

I stopped reading for many years. Then after graduation, I became a journalist and I was assigned to do court stories. 

It was ELLE again, when the black-and-white, life-and-death situations at court darkened my perspective on life and almost drowned me. They were hiring beauty editor, so I wrote a letter. However, a twist came and I ended up working for a buying office that manufactured quality hotel robes for casinos and five stars hotels around the world. I haughtily but secretly considered myself a "fashion person". (Oh did I mention that we did sleepwear for name brand clients too?)

That was when I began reading extensively fashion magazines from around the world.

Life took on another unexpected path and this time I landed myself a temp secretary job at a real local fashion magazine. 

I met a lot of people there, a lot more colourful and fashionable people than the newspaper or the clothing buying office.

However, I never met anyone that truly inspired me. I always thought, if they could not inspire me in any ways, pleeeeeease, wear something nice and enlighten me....fashionably! 

I was dying for inspiration until I finally "met" HRH Crown Princess of Denmark, née Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, on HELLO! Magazines. How can people have words that are suitable to describe her? Her style is impeccable. She reminds us of the bygone grace and elegance. She is herself, and she is style.

I am in love with everything she wears, every style she manages to carry. 

And thus, the creation of HeadGirl Mary.

Less is more or more is less

When I was busy sewing last night, my darlings started a conversation with me. Usually I preferred working quietly, however, lately I have been so busy to cook and clean or even talk to the girls, therefore, I patiently answered all queries they had in their minds.

"Mama, can I sew and sell like what you do now?"

"No.

"Mama, can I have those laces you are using?"

"No."

"Mama, can I use these faux diamonds?"

"No."

"Mama, how many per style are you making?"

Finally, I thought it was something that deserved a long answer.

"Maybe two."

"Why Mama? Why so few?"

If repetitive orders come in, of course I will have to fulfill customers' requests. However, I am someone who is afraid of boredom. If for one night I need to sew 100 pcs in the same style, I think I will really go nuts. Therefore, some styles might really be of limited quantities, partly because of the availability of materials, and mainly due to my forever active mind.

New styles pop up in my head every now and then and I can hardly find time to nail them all down.

And even when I create the same piece, a second one is always somewhat different than the first. And since they are all handmade, each piece is always just as unique.

Just like people we know, children we have. Never should we attempt in comparing one another. As a mother of two, I have been asked through my decade long motherhood which child I favour more. There is no such thing as favouritism, even though it is a universal fact that parents seem not to be able to love all children "at one time."

Nonetheless, the love my girls receive from me is never too little, never too much, and no one receives more than the other.

When life sometimes does not seem too fair, just do what you are capable of doing: no need to overdo or under perform.

And we shall have no regrets in life.

The Clip-O-Darling Party

(From left to right: Airy Fairies, Love Bouquet, Victoria's Garden in Blue, Victoria's Garden in Pink, Robin's Delight and Latte Love, selected items available now at Bonanza)

When you are creative enough

When I was making some new accessories the other night, my girl asked if I needed a pen and paper to draw out a sketch first.

I said I didn't have to.

She wondered why.

I told her, sometimes when I place all the ribbons, laces and rosettes on the dining table, they would look like a tangled mess to other people, but I could always immediately picture what goes with what. And in no time, I would already be spotted needling truthfully according to the designs which float in my head.

I always encourage my girls to be creative.

When you are creative enough, there is nothing you cannot resolve in life.

The French Pastry Collection Baronette

(Left to right: Baronette Macaron Blueberry and Baronette Macaron Raspberry - available now)