Go On
This inspiring exhibit is curated through a zam or fashion lens. It is a tribute to vintage Hmong clothing and to Hmong fashion designers — emerging and notable. The selected pieces honor Hmong women and preserve identity and culture amidst change. Experience the subtle and not-so-subtle changes in Hmong fashion with key design elements that persist no matter what decade — design elements that are meant to go on.
Vintage
Hauv Phuam Txoom Suab
Women’s Headdress
Xieng Khouang Province, Laos, 2000s
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Xauv
Aluminum Replica of Silver Necklace
Thailand, 1980s
From the collection of Hmong Cultural Center
Ball Toss
This vignette is a representation of a Hmong New Year Celebration
Ce Khaub Ncaws Hmong Leeg/Hmong Ntsuab
Women’s Green Hmong Dress Outfit
Ce Khaub Ncaws Hmong Dwab
Women’s White Hmong Dress Outfit
White Hmong Men’s Outfit
Ce Khaub Ncaws Hmong Ntxaib
Women’s Stripe Hmong Pants Outfit
Lub Dab Tsho
Traditional Hmong Collar
Lub Xauv
Hmong Necklace
Lub Ris
Hmong Pants
Txoj Hlab Se
Sash
Skirt Wall
Daim Tiab
Skirt (in general)
Daim Tiab Hmoob Leeg/Hmoob Ntsuab
Chinese Hmong Skirt
1960s
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Daim Tiab Hmoob Dawb
White Hmong Hemp Skirt
1980s-1990s
From the collection of Hmong Cultural Center
Daim Tiab Hmoob Dub
Black Hmong Skirt
Vietnam, 1940s
From the collection of Hmong Cultural Center
Jacket Grouping
Lub Tsho
Hmong Jacket
Lub Tsho Hmoob Plog
Green Hmong Top
Laos, 2000s
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Lub Tsho Hmoob Sauv
Chinese Hmong Top
Guizhou Province, China, 1990s
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Lub Tsho Hmoob Thai
Green Hmong Top
Tak Province, Thailand, 1950s
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Cov Dab Tsho
Traditional Hmong Collar
These colorful hand-stitched embroidery and applique panels are sewn onto the back of traditional Hmong shirts as a collar.
Hat Wall
Lub Kaus Mom
Hat (general)
Kaus Mom Paj Ntaub Cog Ci
Women’s Trendy Headdress
Thailand, 1990s
From the collection of Hmong Cultural Center
Hauv Phuam Txoom Suab
Women’s Headdress
Xieng Khouang Province, Laos, 2000s,
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Hmoob Ntsaub Kaus Mom Paj Ntaub
Green Hmong Headdress
Thailand, 1980s
From the collection of Hmong Cultural Center
Hauv Phuam Mua Loob
White Hmong Women’s Headdress
Luang Prabang Province, Laos
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Hauv Phuam Paj
White Hmong Women’s Headdress
Xieng Khouang Province, Laos
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Xauv Cabinet
Xauv
Aluminum Replica of Silver Necklace
2000s
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Xauv
Aluminum Replica of Silver Necklace
2000s
From the collection of Center for Hmong Studies
Contemporary Fashion
Xee Vang, 2016
XEE VANG COLLECTION is a Minnesota based clothing brand made and designed by Xee Vang.
House of Xiong Fashion by Keng Xiong, 2016
Keng Xiong is a self-taught fashion designer from Indiana whose interest for sewing started at a young age doing Hmong paj ntaub with her mother. As a designer, Xiong pulls inspiration from Hmong fashion and incorporates those elements into her styles and designs.
Allkind, 2016
Founded by sisters Christina Vang and Khamphian Vang, Allkind is a lifestyle brand that offers one-of-kind garments and art for the creative and inspired home.
FB: @AllkindStudio
IG: @AllkindLLC
Nonmala Xiong, 2016
Nonmala Xiong is a vintage-influenced ready-to-wear fashion designer and visual stylist enthusiast who’s been involved in fashion productions throughout the Twin Cities as a designer and producer. Under the label Seams Vintage, Xiong infuses vintage silhouettes and recycled materials. She studied clothing design and retail merchandising at the University of Minnesota and Apparel Technologies at Minneapolis Community & Technical College.
Ashaley Yang, 2011
Ashaley Yang is a Twin Cities based fashion enthusiast and event producer with 15+ years of experience with fashion events, art directing, and production in Minnesota and California. Most recently, Yang produced a virtual fashion competition in California. She is a co-curator of the Go On exhibit at ArtReach St. Croix, manager of a beauty agency brand, and a human services professional. Yang dabbled in fashion design as a self-taught designer creating a plus-size collection and an androgynous collection that was featured in local fashion shows and events.
Maisee Heurh, 2014
Maisee Heurh is a creative, passionate and intuitive fashion designer based in Minnesota. Heurh designs under the brand, M.HEURH Designs where her works have been featured in various fashions shows, galleries and digital platforms both locally and around the U.S. She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Apparel Design from the University of Minnesota College of Design, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Fashion Studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.
IG: @m.heurh_designs
Maisee Heurh, 2016
Maisee Heurh is a creative, passionate and intuitive fashion designer based in Minnesota. Heurh designs under the brand, M.HEURH Designs where her works have been featured in various fashions shows, galleries and digital platforms both locally and around the U.S. She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Apparel Design from the University of Minnesota College of Design, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Fashion Studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.
IG: @m.heurh_designs
Ka Oskar Ly, 2012
Ka Oskar Ly is a St. Paul based Queer Hmong French American multidisciplinary artist. Founded in 2006, Ly’s label Os.Couture combines their passion for fashion, art, and culture. From conceptual to wearable art pieces, Ly’s designs are centered on the intersections of Hmong culture. They are a pioneer in the Hmong American fashion movement pushing Hmong aesthetics and cultural innovation.
oskarlyart.com
FB @kaoskarlyart
IG: @kaoskarlyart
John Thao, 2019
“I was always inspired by how simple, yet beautiful the [White Hmong] women outfits are. In creating this piece, I asked myself, how would this simple iconic outfit look in modern world and how would it breathe the essence of the garment in the past? My answer is simply be transparent. Hmong people pass down knowledge from generation to generation. Now it is time to pass down knowledge to the world.” —John Thao
Xee Vang, 2018
XEE VANG COLLECTION is a Minnesota based clothing brand made and designed by Xee Vang.
The NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley exhibitions are co-sponsored by Foley Kalseim & Co. Ltd. and MidWestOneBank.
Go On was made possible by loans and resources from the Center for Hmong Studies, Hmong Archives, and Hmong Cultural Center as well as mannequins from the Minneapolis Airport Foundation and Guthrie Theatre.