Today we’d like to introduce you to Theary Sim.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
How did it start… well, I think we should begin with my upbringing and family… well, growing up in an Asian American household is one hardworking, diligent and structural life as you can guess. Where love is known but never shown. Respect is more valued than support. And that’s why I left home at seventeen years old. I knew that if I wanted to become a fashion designer it would require me to live more fearlessly and risk leaving everything behind. My passion is more than fashion, it’s my family. It’s all I have. My heritage is from Cambodia. Tradition is still very real in my country. I grew up learning my culture because my family didn’t want our history to be forgotten while living in America. I travel to Asia often and I have had the opportunity to see, touch and feel all the things that have inspired me and motivated my designs today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been far from a smooth road but I will say that the struggle was very sacrificial. Sometimes you have to make decisions that will result in a small loss for a major victory. The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is the death of my father. At a very young age, I knew I was different and the only person who encouraged me to explore my differences was my father. After losing him unexpectedly in a car accident, my life forever changed. Obstacles became a way of life, I had no idea how I was going to overcome pain. What got me through was my dreams. I took my pain and painted it into a reality. I went from scared to a sketchbook and I am so thankful for the obstacles that I endured in my life because that made me the women I am today and the women I design for.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My design philosophy and point of view is simple yet complicated. I believe that women of all sizes should have access to well-made and thoughtfully designed garments that doesn’t break the bank. What makes me love being a designer is the smiles, tears, and testimonies I get from women all over the world overwhelmed with happiness, simply because I choose to create and that creation became someone’s joy. Every day, there is a moment I think about giving up on my design dreams but the rest of the day I am creator, innovator and joy maker. That’s what makes me love being a Fashion Designer. My fashion career high thus far has to be seeing some of my favorite artists wear my designs. Magazine covers to the Emmys, it never gets old seeing my vision on a red carpet or seeing my design go viral on Gabourey Sidibe gets me pretty hype too!
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Being a woman of color in the fashion and beauty industry it has been a challenge even finding opportunities to be positioned in leadership. Once I realized that I was more than a pretty face, I decided to step out from in front of the camera and go behind the seems to effectively create change and job opportunities for women. I had to become an entrepreneur. I had to create the leadership position I was searching for. That’s my strength. I don’t do what designers can do, I do what designers can’t do.
Pricing:
- Retail $30.00-$180.00
- Custom starting at $180.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 11059 McCormock Street
Suite 107
North Hollywood, CA 91601 - Website: www.youthearykhmer.com
- Phone: 818-209-7840
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: youthearykhmer
- Facebook: youthearykhmer
- Twitter: youthearykhmer
Image Credit:
(Designer Single Photo), Alicia Page, Lee Shot You Photography, (Collection Photos) JD Starling
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