Let Your Imagination Run Free with FWMN AAPI Creatives
Let the countdown begin. Fashion Week Minnesota is upon us yet again, just a week away – whether you’re a ‘newbie’ blogger, have been attending every year for 3+ years, or are for the first time, it’s an all-time high! Get ready to see new and previous designers, collaborators, models, producers, and much more!
Photo Credit Michelle Lee Photography
One show you surely don't want to miss is Coalesce Voices: Inspired by Stories of Our Lived Experiences on Friday, April 28, 6 - 9 PM CDT at Mosaic, produced by Mao Xiong and her team.
This will be Producer Mao Xiong's third Coalesce show within two years with Fashion Week Minnesota. Coalesce was formed to create space to amplify AAPI + BIPOC voices. Xiong wanted to create a family unit that puts collaboration first because she believes you create a larger impact by creating together.
Photo Credit Michelle Lee Photography
It takes a village to create a one-of-a-kind show and experience. Collaborating is the key to success. Xiong explained, “We aim to collaborate with as many creatives as possible; we wanted to show that production takes more than one voice and one person to make it memorable. We are heading into our third show with Minnesota Fashion Week, and our team continues to grow every season. Our running joke is once you're a part of Coalesce, you're stuck with us. Everyone has become family to us, we love to watch them create, and we love the support each and every one of them has for each other.” Come be galvanized and support the Coalesce Team. Feel to read about each of them, follow them, and send them a message of support.
The design process is quite extensive, from concept to construction. A lot of hard work and time is put in to produce a show like this, and many people are involved in making it a success. Xiong states, “Each season, we go back to the drawing board and look at the impact we made the previous season. Conceptualizing the theme is the hardest part, you don't want to miss on anything. We always aim to leave a message with our shows. Once the concept has been created, the fun part starts with putting all the pieces together. The team comprises designers, hair/makeup artists, photographers, videographers, models, artists, and so on. This is our favorite part: coming together again each time and working on something we are all so passionate about.”
Photo Credit Michelle Lee Photography
Organizing a fashion show can be hard, but finding a venue that would house a specific type of production being worked oncan be harder. Mosaic is a new event venue that opened its doors in the beginning of the New Year and will be hosting Coalesce's show. While Coalesce was looking for a venue, they, fortunately, received a call from Phuong O'Neil (Co-Owner of Mosaic). “I knew immediately that this was going to be the perfect match, a place where memories are created without having to cut out cultural traditions. Our venues mean a lot to us; they become a part of Coalesce and are always so welcoming to our team and us.” Xiong said.
Photo Credit Michelle Lee Photography
So are you all ready to come to see the ingenuity and artistry? "We want our guests to leave feeling inspired for our spring show. To remember to hold on to the stories, the experiences, the voices (your own voice) that continue to light that fire in you to create,” Xiong states. So come be awed with the creativity of Coalesce on Friday, April 28th, at Mosaic.