Welcome back to the Inspiring Women series and today, I am delighted to share this interview with Minan Wong, the designer and founder of MinanWong.com, and to share the photos of me wearing the “magnolia” dress from Minan’s collection.
I have been a fan of Minan Wong’s work from the moment I saw her beautiful Spring/Summer 2017 collection. So you can imagine my excitement when I had the opportunity to do this interview with Minan Wong, get a sneak peak of her latest collection and get to wear one of her beautiful dresses (the magnolia dress)!
Mimi Wong founded Minan (pronounced mi-non) Wong in 2015, because she was inspired by women that emulate strength, confidence, and integrity.
Interview with Minan Wong, the designer and founder of MINAN WONG
Minan, Can you tell me about how you got started in the fashion industry? Have you always had an interest in fashion ?
I have known that I wanted to be a Fashion Designer, since I was nine years old. Growing up, I used to play with paper dolls and sew dresses for my Barbie doll. Upon my high school graduation, I applied for only one fashion school, FIT – Fashion Institute of Technology.
Luckily I was accepted, and towards the end of my last year, I was selected by my professor to represent the USA in UNESCO’s eco-fashion competition ‘Design 21’ world international competition.
All Art & Design schools across the country chose five students from their school, and I was the only USA contestant sent over to Paris from over 1,000 students within the US, and I had my collection shown at the Louvre.
For an 18-year-old, it was a huge experience for me. (Looking back, I’m surprised my parents would let their 18 years old go on a trip to Paris all by herself! We laugh about it now.)
When did you launch your first collection and what was the inspiration behind it ?
I launched my brand four years ago when I identified a gap in the market. While all the brands were chasing the millennial customers, Gen X was left behind by the marketeers.
Gen X inspired the Minan Wong Collection, as this generation desires well made, purposeful, meaningful, and well-priced products. They want practicality along with beauty, and Gen X is looking for value for money for the parents and for their children.
Can you describe what you mean by sustainable fashion, and what does this mean for your brand?
Sustainable fashion has many meanings and angles to different brands and consumers. I want to be transparent that while I want a fully sustainable collection, it is not always possible.
Sustainability needs to be a holistic process from the grower to fabric spinners to dyers to cutters, and then to the garment sewers. If you use organic cotton, then you also need to look at the dyestuff used as well as water consumption regardless of whether the material is organic.
While recycled fabrics are great to avoid stripping the earth’s natural resources, the recycling process is sometimes harsh.
You also need to look at where the material is purchased and whether it will require air or boat shipping which will emit CO2 into the environment.
For my brand, sustainability is a design for longevity & purpose with fabrics that will hold up for over 13 wears and which are manufactured locally.
Where do you source most of your materials from and what is your favourite fabric?
I source fabrics from all over the world, depending on the needs of each category or market needs. My absolute favorite material is “Yak” because it helps sustain the livelihood of the Tibetan Nomads.
The Tibetan Nomads live without electricity and sewerage. The yak animal hair sheds in the Spring when it’s warmer in the Plateau, then the Tibetans collect it by combing and then take it to a collection point in exchange for money. Yak is the cousin of cashmere and its earth-friendly!
What are ethical practices and how does the company achieve ethical manufacturing?
Ethical practices are the human factor, which is important. All my designs are locally made in the heart of NYC’s Garment District, paying fair wages, which are regulated by NYC’s Dept of Labor, and providing safe working conditions.
The crafters are paid $15/hour minimum or more depending on their experience. I look for local factories that are well lit, with enough windows for ventilation and which are clean.
Based on the law, they can work up to 40 hours a week. In the future, I would want to see factories achieve two different groups of working shifts to choose from 8 am-2 pm to give mothers flexibility for school pick-ups, then 2 pm – 8 pm as another flexibility option.
Do you think we will eventually change the way we buy to look at more timeless and well-made pieces as opposed to so much fast fashion?
I think the disruption in fast fashion is already happening, with consumers being smarter about their choices and demanding transparency from companies.
Consumers are already identifying the need for well made and timeless pieces, but they also have to understand that it comes with higher prices. It will take a few more years for the consumers to become conditioned to pay higher costs for longevity vs. cheap disposable fashion.
Do current fashion trends or color forecasting influence you when designing a new collection?
I don’t follow trends and nor am I influenced by forecasting because that’s part of the fast-fashion problem.
I will partly watch the trends to be updated on what’s going on in the market but will use it for reference and not necessarily follow it.
Part of my design process is to look at the women themselves and study their lifestyle and ask what she would want to wear or add to her wardrobe?
I build the collection around practicality and it is made up of elegant dresses and separates that effortlessly transition from day to night.
Where do you sell your pieces? Are we able to purchase them from somewhere other than your website?
Aside from my website, Minan Wong is in approximately 30 stores across the US.
The tab is at the very bottom as “Where to Buy” but I see now that I need to move it up to the top. Thank you!
What kind of woman is a Minan Wong customer?
A Minan Wong woman is affluent and discerning, and includes working professionals such as Journalists, Lawyers, Doctors, philanthropists, and business executives that need to look polished and need clothing that moves with them. As a company it is our goal to empower women in a responsible fashion.
How do you want women to feel when they are wearing one of your pieces?
Each piece is created to support women in their everyday challenges by highlighting their strength and confidence.
I want women to feel supported and confident in my designs that show off the women herself, and not the clothing.
Can you tell me a bit more about your latest collection? What was the inspiration behind it?
This collection is about blossoming and happiness. People are wanting to be happy and cheerful so when I look at the collection it makes me smile because it’s very colorful with abstract floral patterns.
What is your favourite piece and why ?
My favorite piece is the shirt dress style that is buttoned down. It’s a very versatile piece that you can wear as a coat or a dress as well as dress up or down. It’s all I find myself wearing nowadays.
What do you think sets you apart from other fashion brands?
I want to emphasise practical longevity design, workmanship for the mid-range price, transparency and limited exclusive editions.
What was the biggest (pre-Covid) challenge/ hurdle you have faced so far?
There are many challenges, but the two main ones are financing and fit. It took me a while to understand, study, and to perfect a fit for all body types. Financing is always a challenge being self-funded, but every season I seem to make it happen!
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives today. Can you tell us what are the biggest challenges you are facing as a woman in business during this pandemic? And how are you overcoming them?
The covid-19 has indeed significantly impacted all of us and no doubt on an unprecedented level. There are many challenges that I am facing being a female Solopreneur. What was once a rosy profitable in-person private shopping experience and wholesale trade shows has come to a sudden halt with the pandemic.
As I am still a young brand with a mid to high price point, I rely mostly on word of mouth from stores, sale reps, repeat customers who have come to trust and believe in my brand.
Another challenge is pricing structure being affected by significant pandemic sales or sell-offs from mainstream brands. Consumers now perceive clothing products as inexpensive and disposable.
Demand is another issue since the pandemic lifestyle has shifted; consumers are now dressing down, and opting for comfort.
Marketing projects such as photoshoots and social media content creations has become difficult considering the safety of models, photographers, MUA, stylists, Assistants & Interns.
However, I am fortunate to be surrounded by other women who support women; they believe in my brand. I also recently joined a unique designer coop showroom, Gregor Simmons Coop Showroom, in the heart of the garment district!
Personal shopping experiences and store buying have now moved onto zoom. Social media content creation has slowed but is undergoing a revamp. The website is also getting reworked then the strategy is to start rolling out ads once it is final.
As for pricing, it’s more important than ever that products need to be reasonably priced.
My collection is locally made in the heart of NYC’s garments district and supports the local economy. I can take lower profit margins, but it’s important to pay fair wages. The demand strategy is to continue to offer unique exclusive products in limited supply. Instead of traditionally offering two collections a year, I have consolidated the collection to have three micro pods across different lifestyles.
Can you share your strategies about how to stay calm and sane during these difficult times?
Optimism is key! Sitting around worrying or being helpless isn’t going to amount to anything at all. I am giving myself a break since this is a great time to slow down and do a self-check-in on a personal level and the next business strategy—tons of self-care like facials, yoga, and eating healthy. I also help run errands for my parents, older relatives, and neighbors whenever I can.
What has been your biggest milestone / achievement so far ?
There are also many achievements but the main one was for my brand to be accepted as one of the 24 brands to the 2018 FIT Design Entrepreneurs program which allowed me to have a partially sponsored office space in the heart of NYC’s garment district.
It has been a long journey from only 3 stores to now 30 stores and growing.
What are your aspirations for the future? Where would you like to see your brand 5 years from now and are there any imminent plans for the company that you’d like to share?
In the next five years, I hope to reach a more diverse group in the US and internationally but still keep it on a small scale to maintain exclusivity.
What words of advice do you have for any designers trying to make it in the fashion industry?
My advice to all the aspiring designers out there is to go into this with passion first because money may or may not come, so you need to love what you do. And secondly, know your customers and who you are designing for. Any designers can design, but to design for a specific market is very challenging if you want to be profitable.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?
Although the sustainable design is my journey now, I hope to work towards a holistically sustainable future from the ground up. However, the only way to do this is to make the business profitable first.
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Minan Wong , and don’t hesitate to have a look here for more of our inspiring women features.
Thanks for sharing this amazing designer! I love the bold color and prints!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks Kathrine! I love her collection, and the magnolia dress is so beautiful!
Thanks you so much for sharing this.
I studied fashion so all theses tips were really useful for me.
And the questions you asked them were amazing.
xx
Margot
Thank you Margot! I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview and found the tips useful x
I haven’t heard of Minan Wong before but I love the pieces you shared and that dress looks so good on you! thank you for sharing! 🙂 It’s great that ethical treatment and payment for staff is such a big focus!
Hope you are having a good weekend 🙂
Thanks Mica! I really love the dress and I agree that Minan’s focus on ethical and sustainable fashion is great! 🙂
What an interesting interview. I could not imagine knowing what I wanted to do at nine and then achieving it! And yes there is so much to know if you truly want to be sustainable. And wow 30 stores that is impressive indeed!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thanks Allie! I had no idea what I wanted to do at nine either! x
First of all you look fabulous!! Great interview, thank you for sharing xx
Elegant Duchess xx
https://www.elegantduchess.com/
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the interview x
You look phenomenal ❤
Thanks Kinga x
such an inspiring woman ! thanks for sharing,
ps : beautiful dress 🙂
Sonia
http://www.soniaaicha.com
Thank you Sonia! I love the dress 🙂
So beautiful you are.
Thank you 🙂
Incredible interview. So awesome that you got to interview Minan Wong and share with us her journey through fashion.
http://www.fashionradi.com
Thank you Radi! So glad you enjoyed the interview x
It was a really interesting interview. Love your outfit. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Thanks so much Mariann! So glad you liked the interview x
I love that Minan Wong designs for the gen x woman! Her pieces are beautiful! Love your dress!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you Jill! I love her pieces too! x
She is such a talent! Thank you for sharing!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thanks Ashley! I love her designs x
what a cool content!
thanks for sharing!!!
Glad you liked it Itzel x
How lovely of an interview, also beautiful designs. Congrats on your Style, Confidence, and Success Club.
Madison
Thanks so much Madison x
Her work is amazing!! This was a fun interview to read.
Thanks Rach! I agree about her work! I’m obsessed with this dress x