Mi-17: House of Nguyen Designs 2017 Collection
Right on the heels of #FWMN Fall 2016, House of Nguyen Designs presented an 80-look collection for 2017 at 514 Studios in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The collection included both menswear and womenswear looks ranging from casual streetwear to sexy clubwear to special occasion gowns.
Ready to see what #HouseOfNguyen Designs has in store for 2017! pic.twitter.com/Eo2fJK0nll
— Liz (@UrbanOrchidBlog) September 25, 2016
The brain (and beauty) behind the brand - Mimi Nguyen - is an self-taught designer. Her expansive offerings stem from a creative mind that is always thinking, and an ambitious attitude of making whatever the hell she wants. Mimi is a part of consulting group Royal Krew Co, who I went to visit before FWMN.
Head of House of Nguyen Designs, Mimi, enjoying her moment at the finale of Mi-17.
While not showing in an official FWMN event, House of Ngyuen Designs did end up on the Envision Fall 2016 runway, on host Tricia Heuring:
Tricia Heuring wearing House of Ngyuen Designs to host Envision's 10th Anniversary.
I also got to wear something by House of Ngyuen during FWMN - a blue satin and lace robe, which I later got to see grace the Mi-17 runway:
Satin and lace robe c/o House of Nguyen Designs, leggings by Hue, shoes by DV Dolce Vita, necklace by House of Gemmes.
House of Nguyen’s 2017 showcase was definitely different than other Twin Cities fashion events. While skin was definitely trending at Envision (formal recap to come!), Mimi’s designs had a different approach, and it's one that I am a fan of. Whether it’s an LBD and stockings at Black Hearts Ball, or laser cut pleather at MN4MN, or a mesh cami at #Minnstafashion, you can probably tell that I love working lingerie into a look and Mimi gave me plenty of ways to do just that.
You know when you were young and had to go shopping with your parents, and there were always those outfits you really wanted that they wouldn’t buy for you because they were too sexy? That’s the vibe of the standout looks in Mimi’s collection. And I love it. Fashion is supposed to be fun and watching the models walking down the runway, I kept thinking of all the parties, concerts, hot dates, night clubs, girls nights, and everything else they’d be heading to in House of Nguyen Designs.
I mean, the first thing she sent down the runway was this:
First look from Mi-17.
Then there were some looks that were maybe demure in the front, and a little more daring in the back:
And lots of stuff in between:
A selection of pieces from House of Nguyen Designs is available at Showroom, and you can contact the brand on Facebook for more information, but you can also shop the new 2017 collection this Sunday, October 9 at an open house the brand is hosting. More details about the open house can be found on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/775923032550643/
Mimi will also be competing in a Prince themed KFAI Fundraiser fashion show on Saturday, October 8 - https://www.facebook.com/events/1738884149714018/ and showing at Twisted Hare Salon and Spa’s Masked Masquerade Fashion Show in November - https://www.facebook.com/events/103293896800609/.