bringing effortless clothing to the masses
I was born in Greenwich, London, but my story really begins a year later in the tropical city of Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. That’s where I grew up, surrounded by color, creativity, and the hum of my mother’s sewing machine. She made many of my dresses by hand, and I often tagged along to her sewing classes—usually sitting under the table stitching tiny outfits for my Barbie dolls. When she taught me to sew my first skirt, something clicked. I was hooked. I spent so much time sketching dresses in my school textbooks that I was constantly getting in trouble for it.
By the time I finished high school, I knew fashion design was my path. I enrolled at CENFAD (Center for Advanced Design), where I studied textile design, fashion sketching, design concepts, and more. Those years cemented my love for creating clothing that feels intentional, expressive, and wearable.
After graduating, I explored different corners of the fashion world—working at Harper’s Bazaar magazine, a bag manufacturing company, and eventually a private theater production company. Theater is where I discovered my love for historical garments, especially the silhouettes and craftsmanship of the 1940s through the 1960s.
Still hungry to grow, I moved to the United States to complete my Bachelor’s Degree. That’s where I fell in love with vintage clothing. I opened my first Etsy shop, Minicoops Vintage, and spent countless hours hunting for dresses from decades past. But I quickly realized a frustrating truth: many vintage garments were either too delicate, too damaged, or made in sizes that no longer reflect the bodies of modern women.
That’s when the light bulb went off.
Why not recreate the timeless styles I loved—and make them accessible to women today?
MichyLou was born from that idea: a meeting point between my love of historical fashion and my desire to design clothing that feels effortless, flattering, and joyful.
As my line grew, I began making belts to pair with my garments. What started as an accessory quickly became a passion of its own. I fell in love with the craft, the precision, and the satisfaction of creating something both beautiful and functional. Over time, belt‑making became my niche—an art I’ve refined and embraced wholeheartedly.
Today, MichyLou is the culmination of a lifelong journey: from sewing Barbie clothes under a table to designing pieces that help women feel confident, comfortable, and effortlessly themselves.
Thank you for being here and supporting this dream. I’m so glad our paths crossed.
