image
A Flowy Edge

A Flowy Edge

Focusing primarily on bridal gowns, Taiwanese-American designer Minna Kao creates pieces that are polished and refined with minimal designs and fluid silhouettes. Off-white, floor-length, multi-tiered, the MinnaK gowns are sophisticated and contemporary...

Author

Catherine Yu-Shan Hsieh

Date

December 10, 2009

Tags

Focusing primarily on bridal gowns, Taiwanese-American designer Minna Kao creates pieces that are polished and refined with minimal designs and fluid silhouettes. Off-white, floor-length, multi-tiered, the MinnaK gowns are sophisticated and contemporary, accentuating the wearer’s grace and femininity.

A Houston native, Kao is slender and soft-spoken. Not much of the South is evident in her, which might be because she’s been living in New York for 10 years now. Identifying herself as a New Yorker, Kao has traveled to cities of fashion inspiration such as Paris and Tokyo. Influenced by diverse aesthetic sensibilities, Kao started her own label, MinnaK, in 2006 and officially launched it in 2009. 

image

Based in New York, Kao is actually heavily affected by her experience in Paris. Right after she graduated from the University of Texas with a fashion design degree, Kao moved to Paris for apprenticeships with Alan Faye and Diane Pernet. During the six months she was in Paris, Kao was exposed to haute couture in a way she had never been before. Just like that, Kao made up her mind that she wanted to become a couturier, and moved to New York to pursue a fashion career.

“[The craft of haute couture] is not evident in New York,” Kao says. “One of the closest high-end type of fashion is bridal because they do a lot of custom work and really beautiful fabrics.”

With years of experience working for different bridal companies, Kao was finally able to launch her own line. The decision proved to be a wise one. Just recently Kao was invited to be part of Nolcha New York Fashion Week, where her collection received industry raves. 

When she isn’t working around the clock for fashion weeks, Kao still has her mind on fashion. As life serves as her endless source of inspiration, Kao gets all kinds of interesting ideas especially when she travels.

“Just [this past year], I went to Barcelona ... That was inspiring,” Kao says. “I’d say Paris would always be an inspiration to me because that’s what changed my whole outlook on fashion.”

With American roots and European training, Kao treasures her Asian heritage as well. Tokyo, as one of the most significant global fashion capitals, has a huge effect on Kao’s design inclinations, one of which is clean lines.

“I’d say my designs are very clean and modern with an edge or with a twist,” Kao says. “I make a point to make my bridal [pieces] to be a little different. It’s more functional. Actually it’s quite versatile as well. It could actually be converted to evening wear.”

Practicality these days comes as the priority on many designers’ lists. Kao is no exception.

“For this collection I’m working on, I’ve been thinking about making a long skirt and then taking it off making a short skirt for the reception,” Kao says. “I really want to keep it modern for the modern woman.” 

So, among all the modern female celebrities, who would Kao want to dress up as a bride? The first that pops in Kao’s head is Keira Knightley.

“She’s very sophisticated,” the designer says. “She has that beautiful, sophisticated look, which is very elegant for me.”

Of course the list won’t stop there. As a designer with a multicultural background, Kao emphasizes the versatility of her label.

“A modern woman, to me, is not just one type of woman, but women with culture,” Kao says. “Aside from being worldly, diversity plays a factor, and so I wouldn’t just want to have one celebrity chosen to be the person to wear my gown, but many.”

Following Knightley on the list are Taiwanese actor Shu Qi, Brazilian Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima, and Iman, who is Kao’s favorite model.

“[T]hese are definitely women I would love to see in my gown, and they are all from different backgrounds and age groups,” Kao says. “Some of them may be married already, but there’s always the renewal of vows!”

Amidst economic gloom, where buyers for a luxury like bridal wear are cutting down expenses, Kao still stays optimistic and upbeat. To economize the wedding gown is her way of getting through the tough times.

“[I’m] rethinking about how I can make it more functional or practical, what brides need these days. In this recession, people are still getting married. Although their budgets are smaller, there’s still a way to work around it,” she says.

For her next collection, Kao has found a new muse — the Sahara Desert, the North African landscape comprising enigmatic sand dunes.

“I’m feeling the excitement right now because I’m seeing all the designs that I’m doing and I just can’t wait to get it out there … I was thinking of the twist of fabric and the way it’s very wavy,” Kao says. “How to play with fabric and twist it like the sand dunes.”

Not to discourage the enthusiastic designer, but twisting fabric to make it look like the forever-changing sand dunes? It sounds complicated.

“It could be,” the designer laughs and says. “We’ll find out.”

(Photo credit: MinnaK)

17 Comments
Add your own

jintu

Apr 27th 11

10:09 PM

The rust christian louboutin sandals st after, when the rust down “growth”, will be touched red soles shoes the dial, give dials cause arc shape scratches. The rust cheap christian louboutin shoes
ot place is the location and the corresponding pointer. Belong brian atwood shoes to collect the watch, the best of every half year brian attwood buy ot place is the location and the corresponding pointer.

chanel bags

May 6th 11

06:49 AM

Only be out and out admitted defeat to a brand trusts its style and magic power,Chanel Lambskin Handbag 46988 Coffee so as to attain to show the deepest sincerity with it of situation,Chanel bags-chanel 2010 bag 36070 in black shoulder bag
100001000 bright Be returned to mild,Chanel 36026 Lambskin Leather Shoulder bag Black try thousand kinds prosperous after, you would ingly be placed oneself to the joss-stick Chanel Bowling Handbag White and Black CC 25207 perfume constantly cool and natural and unrestrained medium, smile Ao all temptations of romantic affairs.

klkk

Jun 8th 11

01:33 AM

Gucci Handbags line is the best choice when you shopping online. We provides you the best products with the best services and the best quality. There are several products are in hot sale. Like the Cheap Gucci Shoes which always follow the trend fashion and posses the exquisite craftsmanship. The Gucci Bags are designed luxuriously with silver and golden buckle and made from durable leather. With different colors and different fashionable appearance,  various brands Gucci Wallets will add a fashionable twist to any look. It’s a right choice to go through our Sofia Gucci website, we are dedicate to help find your favoraite goods from Gucci Outlet line. Here, you can enjoy our considerate.P90x
hjjjjkkk

jennyzheng

Jun 12th 11

07:35 AM

<span lang=“EN-US”>Wholesale Gucci Sneakersis a famous reality show in American. Its success lies in the people’s attention to the Discount Chanel. It has great influence in the fashion field. It means the product show in the program will cause a great attention.Replica Designer Handbags
Althea has great show in the program. She dress herself with Nike Shoes Saleand has a amazing determination. She deserve herAuthentic Air Jordan In the first opening show, she does win great appraise. However, she do have a strong redeeming quality. .</span></body>
75

af001

Jun 12th 11

11:03 PM

インターネットで調べてカーデに関する情報を集めてアバクロいけば、率先して着たくなるかもしれませんよ。カーデは使い勝手の良いアバクロ 店舗ファッションアイテムなので、一着や二着は持っておきたいでアバクロ 銀座 セールす。一つのカテゴリーとして、もはやカーデは成立していません。例えば、ジーンアバクロ 銀座 価格ズと言って履くための一本を探すようなもアバクロ 通販のです。カーデを扱っているブランドは、洋服を扱っているのなら大半が該当するのアバクロ サイズではないでしょうか。アメリカのカジュアルファッションアバクロ福岡ブランドで、カジュアルとなればカーデの存在に期待できます。唐突ですが、アバクロとホリスターいうブランドをご存知でしょうか。実際カーデを扱うブランドは非アバクロホリスター常に多く、街を見渡せば真夏を除いて結構な確率で見掛けるでしょう。アバホリスター 日本クロファッションの特徴としては、カジュアル感にミホリスター サイズリタリーなテイストを加えておりカーデも例に漏れません。この手のファッションホリスター 公式が好きな方にとって、アバクロのカーデはジャストフィットではないでしょうか。
cvxcvdsfew

byasi

Jun 21st 11

02:48 AM

Another superstar who was very famous in this planet wears a pair ofbirkenstock sandals and takes a Mulberry bag. She was so attractive and elegant.
Except the stars, some well-known brand designers also showed up in this big partiesbirkenstock store.
birkenstock shoe on saleand Serena’s attending makes the crowds screaming.
birkenstock clogs alway show my tast in all kind of parties.
We have professional marketing team, as well as with the Ed Hardy purses outlet.
xdd

jintu

Jun 22nd 11

02:41 AM

apan can be described as a profound lesson! Liu Kuo-sung: christian louboutin for cheap collection of historic works “The media is an important market Cheap hermes handbags apan can be described as a profound lesson! Liu Kuo-sung: christian louboutin slingbacks collection of historic works “The media is an important market cheap shoes online apan can be described as a profound lesson! Liu Kuo-sung: ed hardy clothing collection of historic works “The media is an important market ed hardy apan can be described as a profound lesson! Liu Kuo-sung: cheap sterling silver jewelry collection of historic works “The media is an important market sterling silver wholesale jewelry

jintu

Jun 23rd 11

09:53 PM

es to pull over. Few people enjoy the benefits of ed hardy for cheap higher education, even as many people as Mary Liang finished ed hardy sale clothing es to pull over. Few people enjoy the benefits of louboutin wedding higher education, even as many people as Mary Liang finished christian louboutin pumps sale es to pull over. Few people enjoy the benefits of wholesale fashion jewelry distributors higher education, even as many people as Mary Liang finished faux tiffany jewelry es to pull over. Few people enjoy the benefits of crian shoes higher education, even as many people as Mary Liang finished louboutin lace bootie

byasi

Jun 24th 11

05:19 AM

birkenstock sandals,that is good thing when you travel or take pictures.
If you have a paire of birkenstock store,you will know what is the great happiness,not only for men,but also for women.
Do you want to let you be sexy and birkenstock shoe on sale?
birkenstock sandals sale,never make you disappointed!
Birkenstock gizeh,a perfect gift for you!
fdswe

jia147003

Jun 24th 11

10:18 PM

U.S. fashion brand tory burch simple retro flavor, spring and summer over the United States tory burch outlet collision beautiful stitching handbags, Beijing International Trade Center building located in the top rate to be big, including the United States over 45% of the well-known brand tory burch sale. Shin Kong 4 anniversary of the curtain to create an international “Van child” gathering tory burch shoes, push Famous Sunbeam birthday celebration sale Tory Burch Boots occupy a seat, Tory Burch Flats moving summer beach canvas Guangzhou Tory Burch Heels Wholesale.

zara

Jun 27th 11

11:01 PM

Nowadays, the health which sesm to be the most important one among people. So these P90X which come extrem popular. Among the P90X Workout  that attached with the P90X DVD as well as the p90x We are a great online store which provide the excellent design cheap p90x. you just need to follow the P90X Workout.P90X DVDthat sold ,most well in the market. And quiet a lot of people that show great love to the p9ox  . If you also want one, so just come yo the <b>insanity program . </b>ytfdi7t6diouyf

shuijun12

Jul 5th 11

07:43 PM

Chao Meng Marc by Marc Jacobs Asics Shoes walletMarcby MarcJacobs2011 new spring purse,  Vibram Fivefingers in addition to the classic Asics Running Shoes  ugly doll series, as well Franklin Marshall Hoodies as the wave point of style in fashion this year. ... ...Package Birkenstock Sandals  favorite cartoon big tory burch shoes element of compassionZhuangnen family (Kidult) Tods shoes  terms this new hybrid,  comes from the Kid + Adult

xiaoxiao

Jul 7th 11

08:28 PM

Our coach messenger bags on the Internet, you can buy discount coach bags , cheap coach bags , etc., as head coach, replica coach bags .. etc. All products are displayed in our coach diaper bags . In the design, all the bags by famous designers, as the factory, we store all the procedures to check to ensure that genuine quality products. These bags are made of genuine leather with excellent workmanship, you will find it very economical. It has an excellent succession of shoulder or hand, they bring convenience. When you enter our coach bags on sale  , you can see the shiny new things. Come on, our exports look forward to your arrival store and choose any type of souvenirs.
uiuireted

lemoshizi

Jul 8th 11

09:02 PM

Grace under pressure is crucial to racing success. By asics shoes sale creating a pseudo-race environment that mimics the stress and pressures of race day during regular training, you can condition your body and mind to be calm, cool and collected. You want to be eager and ready—not panicked!—when the gun goes off on race morning. There are many professionals who rely on “fire drills” to keep them levelheaded when the stakes are high. Actors have dress rehearsals; pilots have flight simulators; surgeons have cadavers. As an athlete, you have your imagination. I like to use onitsuka tiger by asics mexico 66 breathing exercises, music and smells to trick my mind and body into thinking that the stakes are really high and that I need to be at the top of my game. Most of us are amateur athletes, so race day should never be traumatic. Try making a playlist of songs that you will listen to on the morning of race day. Find a smell that reminds you of a asics onitsuka tiger safe place and is uplifting but calming at asics tiger mexico 66 the same onitsuka tiger time—sunscreen works for me. Buy a brand you like and use it during training runs. As you slather up on race morning, the smell will remind you of a familiar, comfortable place.

jintu

Jul 10th 11

08:49 PM

mit tip at the validated reseller’s stores, inasmuch as they herve leger designer commit think to acquisition a reaching of forceful them to hermes handbags replica mit tip at the validated reseller’s stores, inasmuch as they knock off handbags cheap commit think to acquisition a reaching of forceful them to knockoff chanel handbags mit tip at the validated reseller’s stores, inasmuch as they lv bags commit think to acquisition a reaching of forceful them to louis vuitton designer bags mit tip at the validated reseller’s stores, inasmuch as they christian louboutin heels commit think to acquisition a reaching of forceful them to louboutin sale

You need to login or register to post comments.