Fashion Creators Expo 2019
My first ever exhibit happened in Harajuku on August 3-4 of 2019. Read more to see what happened 💘
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Up until now it seems so unreal to me that this happened. I’ve always thought when this very day finally happens I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from bawling my eyes out, but I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t even cry. It just felt too good to be true.
Recently I’ve been trying to be nicer to myself by recognising how far I’ver grown. Then it hits me- I can’t believe I’ve come so far. I can’t believe I did that. This is too dreamy, even for me! I was just this small, timid girl in a chaotic city with my head in the clouds. That’s it. I still am timid & shy but my longing for expression was too heavy and I knew somewhere within all of this, I could be something more.
I studied in a small high school, then went on to De La Salle university. I sneaked my applications into getting a scholarship for my language school, and then my dream fashion college. My parents were too scared to let me out of their hands just yet. That was the only way I was able to show them how I wanted this so so bad. If it weren’t for that I wouldn’t know where I would be right now.
I saved up from my own pockets. Around 16-18, my first mini store Milk Club was my main source of income at that time together with my graphic/layout commissions. My income for freelance modeling and blogging came after all of that.
My rent, psychology fees, other things, it was so hard to keep up but I really tried my best. I wanted to give up so many times and even now I still think about it. Other countries say Japan is already cheap for them but as a person who grew up in a third-world country, everything was just too expensive. I wish I had that privilege.
“Kilig” adj. / n. Causing or characterized by a feeling of exhilaration or elation.
‘the fans went wild with the kilig moments they shared on stage’
‘it’s their most kilig movie to date’
1.1(of a person) exhilarated or elated by an exciting or romantic experience.
‘I get kilig every time I hear this song’
The no sleep glow was too real ✨
First day finished~
Too happy!!!! I think?? maybe my mind was blank. I was too overwhelmed. Everything was happening so fast!!
My first Filipiniana Crop Top. Something that I’ve been wanting to do for so long.
This is a huge part of most of my brand’s designs! (sneak peek below✨) It’s always been something I wanted to do ever since. My shop hasn’t launched yet, but it will reaaaally soon. You can follow me at @/pinktaho & @/naomeoww @ IG for the updates 💕 https://t.co/jUh9IYZsVd pic.twitter.com/a2PmhRx2bK — 𝙉𝓪𝖔m̶ḯ̷̢ͅ ♡ (@naominikola) January 19, 2020
When I was younger, the designs for traditional Filipiniana clothing was so limited. There were amazing ones, but not really ones that I felt like I could be myself in. So I decided to someday create that when I finally can.
The traditional “Mestiza” look as inspired by the garment above, is known for its signature butterfly sleeves that I’ve grown so fond of in my designs 🥺I really wish people wore these types of sleeves more.
I want Filipinos like myself to be able to embrace this side of themselves, go back to our roots in some way and shamelessly express who we are. At the same time, I want non-filipinos to be able to learn and appreciate more about this aspect of my culture when they wear them.
One of the ultimate goals I had since way back is to fuse a bit of my roots to my designs. I’m starting with the obvious for now and will want to delve even deeper as time goes by. I just really find the shapes and patterns fascinating, and to modernise & mix it with my own styles made me so curious.
the traditional “Maria Clara” look – The sleeves & collar are partially what inspired me to design this garment:
One of my followers popped by and modeled some of my designs ;_; This is the Filipiniana-inspired babydoll dress.
Inspired by Filipina girl meets Kawaii pop culture. This dress is very personal to me.
My friend Aless trying on my designs ♡ She’s so wonderful, please check out her page!
“Bad dream”, my first soft jacket. Read more about it here.
I met the cutest girl from Hawaii that day and she gave me this beautiful Lei, she said it’s given to congratulate when you’ve achieved something. It was the perfect baby pink color. I got so emotional that I really wanted to cry. Thank you so much.
Also popped by Cookie time ♡ Thank you for inviting me!
This sailor dress is one of my bestsellers. I love wearing this since it’s so versatile, I could wear it with a lot of my outfits!
I used to only do this for myself. That was all I wanted before, to let all that I felt out in any way I can other than words. I was never good with words. To express what I love doing, to express what’s going on in my head. As time grew by, actually seeing my friends, strangers, who saw themselves in me… was something I never expected. When I saw their faces trying on my designs irl was something I could never forget. It motivated me even more to make people happier. I want to be able to reach all of you guys who feel the same love for cuteness as much as I can. To be able make people happy with themselves with my clothes, vision and lifestyle.
I want to will launch my brand here and expand it to the Philippines. I want my garments to be accessible to everyone around the world, too. I really, really, want to make that happen. For myself, and for all of you.
Thank you so much for believing in me & my work.
I decided my brand name to be OMI OMI, a nickname I had since I was little. I’ll let you know more about it in a future post. But if you want to know more about my brand, head to my new website:
Due to the current issues, my online shop hasn’t launched yet, but when everything clears up, I’ll be excited to let all of you know.
A post shared by 𝙉𝓪𝖔m̶ḯ̷̢ͅ ♡ (@naomeoww) on Jul 29, 2019 at 8:50pm PDT
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more things are yet to come.
thank you,
