Narrative (continued)
Nary Manivong’s parents, of Laos descent, abandoned their family of four, when he was fourteen, leaving the children (Nary, his twin brother, younger brother and sister) alone to fend for themselves in a Columbus, Ohio apartment. Between looking after his brothers and sisters, often times separated from them and living on the street, he managed to work several jobs, attend night school and eventually graduate with his high school class in 2000.
Yet even under the kind of pressures many adults find daunting, Nary remained focused and determined to become a fashion designer. He worked tirelessly sketching his designs and creating garments with scraps of fabric and a sewing machine given to him by people who believed in his quest.
The film is a truly motivating story about one man’s journey to fulfill his dream and reach his ultimate goal of becoming a successful fashion designer in New York City. It’s a film about the trials and tribulations incurred and the perseverance and determination it takes to make it in the fashion industry. Woven into his story are interviews and commentary from industry experts such as Fern Mallis, Consultant and Creator of New York Fashion Week; Nanette Lepore, Designer; Mickey Boardman, Deputy Director of Paper Magazine; Lynn Yaeger, Legendary Fashion Writer; Mary Gehlhar, Author “The Fashion Designer’s Survival Guide”; George Furlan, Fashion Industry Consultant; Simon Collins, Dean of Fashion at Parsons, The New School for Design; and Simon Doonan, Author and Ambassador-at-Large Barney’s; Robert Verdi, Celebrity Stylist; Margaret Hayes, President, The Fashion Group International and special appearance by Alexandria Hilfiger.